“Elena saw how much I liked you, and she worried she wouldn’t have time to care for you while busy with family affairs,” Madam Sharon said, naturally taking Lorevil’s hand. “So, she signed a Blood Oath with me to protect you together and ensure you could live a carefree life.”
“So that’s how it was…”
Lorevil listened blankly, blurred images flashing through her mind. A gentle woman was holding her while another woman in a magnificent dress stood nearby. The three of them were laughing and talking in a garden.
‘That must be my mother, Elena, and Madam Sharon…’
“However, as you grew up, you showed absolutely no interest in family business. You only thought of playing and having fun.” Madam Sharon looked distressed, a trace of gloom flickering in her beautiful eyes. “Your family elders turned their attention to your smarter, more gifted cousin, Loriditia. They paid you less and less attention, even to the point of letting you do whatever you wanted.”
‘Cousin Loriditia?’
Lorevil had a slight impression of the name, but it was from too long ago, and the memory was incredibly vague. She likely had no real connection to the original soul of this body.
“And for the sake of the family’s interests, I entered a political marriage with a Duchess I was close with.” A flash of loneliness crossed Madam Sharon’s beautiful eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, returning to her usual calm and gentle demeanor. “Unfortunately, my partner passed away from illness a few years ago, and I became what I am today.”
“What happened after that?” Lorevil asked, digesting the information the Madam provided.
She could feel Madam Sharon’s helplessness and could imagine the woman’s anxiety over the years as she watched the original Lorevil stray further down the wrong path.
Madam Sharon’s moist eyes fixed on Lorevil as she said, “Afterward, I kept watching you. I watched you go from a cute little girl to that arrogant and overbearing person you became. I was anxious, but for certain reasons, I couldn’t intervene in your life directly.”
“I’m sorry, Madam.” Lorevil’s eyes darted away.
When she first met Madam Sharon, she had actually entertained the scandalous thought that the woman was after her body because she was being overly kind. At this moment, Madam Sharon’s sincere explanation made her feel somewhat ashamed.
“It is quite alright, Lorevil. I know you have always been a good child,” Madam Sharon said with relief.
Lorevil didn’t know how the Madam had reached that conclusion. From what she could see, the original owner of this body was nothing but a jerk. There was nothing to justify her past behavior.
However, Lorevil did not deny it. The current her was indeed the hardworking “good child” Madam Sharon spoke of.
“Until recently, you made many changes.” Madam Sharon mentioned Lorevil’s outstanding performance at the ball, and perhaps she even knew something about the situation between Lorevil and her fiancée, Noxia.
“Yes, I was too reckless before. I regret it now.” Lorevil scratched her head awkwardly.
Thinking of Madam Sharon as her guardian, she couldn’t help but wonder how heartbroken the woman would be if she knew all the bad things the original soul had done.
“Everyone has times when they do the wrong thing, and I am no exception. Lorevil, you didn’t make any massive mistakes. Being able to correct yourself in time is already very good.” Madam Sharon hesitated for a moment before offering words of comfort.
‘Does even a mature and steady woman like the Madam make mistakes?’
Lorevil felt a mix of complicated emotions. It seemed someone had been silently protecting the original owner all along, yet the original owner never noticed and instead squandered that protection recklessly.
However, Madam Sharon looked so young and beautiful with such firm skin, yet she was actually the same age as Lorevil’s mother. This realization surprised Lorevil.
From her outward appearance, Madam Sharon was already a striking beauty among those of her age. The mature charm she exuded was especially potent; even Lorevil couldn’t help but steal glances at the woman’s voluptuous figure.
“Then why are you only telling me this now?” Lorevil asked curiously, forcing her eyes away from the Madam’s soft peaks.
“The old you would have only viewed this as a burden, even if you had known. But now, I believe you can understand my pains over the years.” As Madam Sharon looked into Lorevil’s wine-red eyes, her heart unintentionally quickened.
Lorevil nodded. Indeed, given the original soul’s personality, the Madam speaking out sooner would have likely resulted in the opposite of the intended effect.
“Furthermore, the factions involved behind Catherine’s drugging are not simple. I’m worried they will target you next.” Madam Sharon suppressed the strange sensation in her heart. She glanced at Lorevil’s calm reaction and let out a sigh of relief. “Telling you the truth is also my way of letting you know that you are not alone. I will always stand by your side to help you deal with those dangers.”
“Madam, thank you.” A warm current surged through Lorevil’s heart as she spoke with total sincerity.
“Child, this is what I promised your mother, and it is also what I am willing to do,” Madam Sharon said with a shallow smile.
The conversation ended. Lorevil found that transitioning her view of the Madam from a quest target to a guardian wasn’t going to be easy; she needed some time to adjust.
Madam Sharon looked at Lorevil’s thoughtful, pretty face. Compared to when she was a child, Lorevil was now much more charming, making her feel almost unable to resist…
“Mm…”
Madam Sharon let out a soft hum, her expression showing a hint of bashfulness. Her other hand tightly gripped the corner of her dress. Her palms were scratched by her own red-painted nails, leaving a trace of moisture behind.
In her heart, she didn’t actually view Lorevil as just a child who needed protection.
‘I am a bad woman.’
The years of observation had long caused Madam Sharon’s feelings to gradually warp, transforming into a much deeper emotion. However, as a meticulous woman, she knew that now was not the time to voice these feelings. She had been keeping her body pure for Lorevil all this time.
The current Madam was willing to wait. She would wait until she had enough courage to calmly face this secret, unspeakable intention.
This contact with Lorevil was merely the beginning of tearing open that seal. Madam Sharon believed a proper time would come, a day when Lorevil would truly accept her.
“Let’s go, Lorevil.”
“Okay.”
Lorevil’s hand was naturally held by the Madam. In a place where Lorevil couldn’t see, a flash of joyful delight appeared on Madam Sharon’s glamorous face.
By the time Lorevil left Rose Manor, which was famous among the Vampire nobility, it was already around 10:00 PM. It was quite late.
Furthermore, Lorevil had already sent a message to her fiancée through a communication blood crystal, stating she would be spending the night out. Thus, Lorevil took the Madam’s carriage back and stayed in the guest room the Madam had arranged for her.
She didn’t offer much of a refusal. It wouldn’t be easy to find a place to rent at this hour anyway. Exhausted, Lorevil soon drifted off into dreamland.