Lorevil walked to the dining table with her wife, Noxia. On it was steaming blood mushroom soup that gave off a fresh, savory fragrance, and the blood steaks were seared just right.
A few delicate side dishes were also laid out.
Even Lorevil could feel the effort Noxia had put in.
“The blood steaks were seared several times, so they might be a bit tough,” Noxia said unnaturally.
‘Will Lorevil be dissatisfied with the food I made?’
Lorevil picked up her knife and fork, cut a small piece of steak, and put it in her mouth. “The texture is quite tender and smooth. It tastes even better than what they make outside. Noxia, you really are a good wife.”
‘A good… wife.’
Noxia’s cheeks flushed crimson. She turned her head, covering her mouth with her bandaged finger as a bit of steam rose from the top of her head.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Noxia picked up a spoon and served Lorevil a bowl of blood mushroom soup. “Drink some soup to warm your stomach. It’s a bit chilly outside today.”
However, when she got close to Lorevil, she caught a whiff of alcohol.
‘Did Lorevil drink blood wine?’
A flicker of doubt passed through Noxia’s mind, but she quickly suppressed it.
“The soup is delicious too,” Lorevil praised.
Seeing Lorevil drink most of it in one gulp, Noxia’s doubts vanished. It seemed she had simply been tainted by the smell of alcohol.
The two chatted about domestic matters while they ate.
Lorevil talked about things regarding Noxia’s family.
She also mentioned some interesting stories about Holy Blood Academy, partly to help Noxia understand things so she wouldn’t be too troubled later.
Noxia’s every word revolved around Lorevil, and the tenderness in her eyes almost overflowed.
Lorevil listened while calculating the ball for tomorrow.
She had promised Madam Sharon.
Madam Sharon’s ball would surely be gathered with nobles.
As a teacher at Holy Blood Academy, Catherine might also attend. How should she respond if she met her?
‘She probably won’t blacken.’
After all, according to her memories, Lorevil was at most a simp with more money than sense. Catherine never gave her a good look and was as cold as ice; cutting ties definitely shouldn’t have an impact.
“Lorevil, what are you thinking about?”
Noxia noticed she was a bit distracted and asked, “Is there something bothering you at Holy Blood Academy?”
“No, no,” Lorevil said, snapping back to reality.
“I was just thinking about the academy’s mission tomorrow. It might be a bit troublesome. I hope everything goes smoothly.”
Noxia didn’t think much of it and said, “Then you should also make sure to rest. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Noxia.”
“Yes?”
After dinner, Noxia took the initiative to clear the dishes.
“Let’s sleep together tonight.”
Noxia’s pretty face turned red. Even though they had been engaged for so long, Lorevil had never proactively asked to sleep with her.
Being asked so suddenly was really a bit hard to get used to.
“Then… then wait for me to prepare.”
Noxia regretted it as soon as she spoke.
‘Prepare what?’
In Lorevil’s view, sleeping was just resting. What was there to prepare?
Before Lorevil could react, Noxia blushed and left the room first.
‘What in the world?’
Lorevil stood there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
She simply felt that Noxia had worked hard today, and she wanted to spend more time with her.
After all, she had delayed her return home during the day because of Mahina.
Looking at Noxia’s reaction, she had clearly misunderstood.
Meanwhile, Noxia quickly ran back to her room and closed the door behind her.
They were legitimate fiancées; they would eventually reach that step sooner or later.
‘Sleep together…’
Noxia repeated softly. She walked to the dressing table, looked at her blushing self in the mirror, and hurriedly opened the wardrobe to pick out a suitable nightgown.
“Tomorrow.”
In the living room, Lorevil leaned against the sofa and took out her communication blood crystal again, confirming the time and place for meeting Madam Sharon tomorrow.
If this ball went smoothly, Mahina’s job could be finalized as soon as possible.
Then she wouldn’t feel so guilty.
Before long, soft footsteps came from the stairs.
“I… I’m ready.”
Noxia reappeared at the entrance of the living room, wearing a moon-white silk nightgown that made her skin look even fairer.
Her long hair was loosely tied back, and the flush on her cheeks still hadn’t faded.
Beneath the gown were long legs wrapped in white stockings. Her eyes darted away, not daring to look directly at Lorevil.
“Noxia.”
Lorevil glanced at the white stockings.
Suddenly, she felt her body grow hot.
A Vampire’s senses were several times sharper than a Human’s.
At this moment, the unique scent on Noxia had a faint sweetness that drifted into her nose with the air, making her heart flutter.
She hadn’t expected the usually honest Noxia to be the most daring one.
“Lorevil, does it look good?” Noxia plucked up her courage.
“It looks very good. Especially on you, I like it very much.”
Lorevil knew Noxia’s personality too well. She seemed gentle and submissive, but she was actually sensitive and stubborn.
She didn’t dare show even a hint of frivolity, or else Noxia would lose heart instantly and might even hide for a few days without speaking to her.
Hearing this, Noxia’s eyes lit up, and her hands nervously twisted the hem of her nightgown.
“The room… I’ve already had the maid change into clean bedding.”
“There’s no need for such trouble.”
Lorevil stood up, took Noxia’s hand, and they walked toward the bedroom side by side.
The night passed in silence.
—
The next morning.
Lorevil had dark circles under her eyes. Noxia had slept very deeply yesterday.
She, however, had tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
Before she settled her emotional issues, how could she have the heart to have a deeper interaction with Noxia?
It was better to wait until their relationship developed naturally.
In addition, there was one more thing that she was particularly concerned about.
After going to the stuffed mushroom meat roll restaurant with Mahina, meeting Noxia upon her return, and sleeping together last night, Lorevil hadn’t seen the Blackening Bar above her wife’s head.
She had been overwhelmed by Noxia’s white stockings and overlooked it.
Lorevil thought about it now.
Had her ability to see the Blackening Bar malfunctioned?
Lorevil previously felt that being able to see the blackening value of the people around her was very convenient, but she had never noticed the rules of its use.
Based on the information Lorevil knew, it was confirmed that the blackening value was related to emotions, and the trigger condition was Lorevil’s own emotions.
If—she was saying if.
After the first meeting, it seemed she could only clearly see one person’s blackening value within a single day.
Yesterday, she had met Mahina first. Seeing Mahina’s painful appearance caused Lorevil to feel worried.
So, she could see the Blackening Bar above Mahina’s head.
Until she separated from Mahina, no matter how much she cared when she was with Noxia afterward, she didn’t see a bar.
It was because that day’s slot had already been used on Mahina.
The ability would reset on the second day.
In this way, things became complicated. If her wife and girlfriend were present at the same time, Lorevil could only see one of their blackening values.
When that time came, Lorevil could only hope for the best.