Chapter 30: Oath

In the Sleeping Palace, Kiz leaned against the headboard and quietly read a book.

Her face was still a bit pale, but she was already much better than yesterday.

Hearing the door open, Kiz looked up. Her eyes flickered when she saw it was Elia.

“Finished?”

“Yeah, I killed Anya.” Elia walked to the bedside and sat down.

The two fell silent for a few seconds. During this time, Kiz stared at Elia, whose eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze.

Suddenly, Kiz spoke up. “Are you hurt?”

“…No.”

“There is blood under your fingernail.” Kiz pointed to her finger.

Elia looked down and found a small bloodstain under the nail of her right thumb… it was likely left there from when she strangled Anya.

“It’s not my blood,” she said.

“Oh.” Kiz didn’t press the matter further.

Another few seconds of silence followed.

Suddenly, Kiz put down her book and moved to the side. She patted the spot next to her and said, “Sit here.”

Elia obediently shifted over.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder, their arms almost touching.

“Say… you’re tired, aren’t you?” Kiz whispered.

“…A little,” Elia admitted honestly.

“Then let’s rest for a bit.”

As Kiz spoke, she lay down first… and her head actually rested on Elia’s closed, fair legs.

Elia was momentarily stunned. ‘Truly… this is the first time Kiz has taken the initiative to be so close to me.’

Before, it had always been Elia forcing Kiz… but this time, Kiz had taken the lead.

She looked down at the Little Princess resting on her lap. Long white hair was spread across Elia’s dress… her eyes were half-closed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly… her small mouth was pursed… and her little fingers were even gently playing with one strand of Elia’s golden hair.

In short, the current Little Princess was as cute as could be.

“You… what’s wrong with you today?”

“What do you mean ‘what’s wrong’?” Kiz opened her eyes and looked at her, sounding confused.

“You took the initiative to… do this.”

Kiz’s face turned slightly red. “Is it not allowed?”

“…It’s not that it’s not allowed.”

“Then don’t ask.” Kiz closed her eyes again.

Elia eventually let out a helpless smile. ‘So what is this? A new level of tsundere?’

She didn’t expose it, choosing instead to gently stroke Kiz’s hair. The white strands slid through her fingers like silk.

Gradually, Kiz’s breathing became steady. It seemed as though she had really fallen asleep.

However, Elia knew she was still awake because the tips of her ears were still bright red.

Elia continued to comb her hair for a long time. Sunlight from the window spilled over the two of them… and at that moment, Elia felt all her previous negative emotions slowly fade away.

Kiz was alive… and she was still by her side. That was enough.

—

Resting on Elia’s lap felt wonderful.

Whenever Elia had held her to sleep in the past, Kiz had always felt nervous, fearing this Demon would suddenly bite her or tickle her.

But now… perhaps it was because she had just experienced a life-and-death situation, or perhaps because the look in Elia’s eyes during her confession had been so intense. She… found that she wasn’t that afraid anymore. She even felt a sense of peace.

Elia’s fingers gently wove through her hair… making Kiz’s heart beat faster…

She felt like she had to say something to break this strange silence.

“Elia, what were you thinking when you dealt with Anya just now?”

Upon hearing this, Elia’s movements paused. “I was thinking of you.”

Kiz opened her eyes to look at her and saw that Elia’s expression was very calm.

“I was thinking about what I would do if you died… and how to make Anya die a more painful death,” Elia continued.

Kiz took hold of Elia’s hand. “Well, I’m not dead now.”

“Mhm.”

“So, stop thinking about it.”

Elia’s gaze was somewhat complicated, but she chose to squeeze Kiz’s hand back. “Okay.”

Neither spoke after that. They simply held hands, feeling each other’s body heat.

After this warm scene had lasted for who knows how long, Kiz suddenly asked, “By the way, do you know… where Anya’s poison came from?”

Elia’s eyes turned cold for an instant. “She said she bought it at the Dark Market, but her memory of it was erased… so I suspect someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes.”

“Then the mastermind is very likely a powerhouse at Rank 10 or above, and they must be very familiar with the formula for the poison that targets the Blood Clan Imperial Family.”

“Mhm.”

“Which race do you think did it?”

Elia thought it over carefully. “The Heavenly Saint Race is the most suspicious… but I can’t rule out the possibility of another faction framing them.”

“Then check them all. I will have people gather intelligence, and you can follow the lead on the Mental Magic.”

“Okay.”

The two looked at each other and nodded in unison.

Then, Kiz smiled. “You actually looked like you were thinking seriously just now.”

“I was thinking seriously. What did you think I was doing?”

“I thought you only knew how to bite and tickle people.”

“That’s only when I’m teasing you.” Elia reached out and pinched her cheek. “I can be very serious when it’s time to be serious.”

Kiz slapped her hand away, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but turn up.

“Wait, you just said I should investigate the Mental Magic lead? What do you take me for? Your intelligence director?” Elia finally realized what had happened. She wasn’t this Little Princess’s subordinate at all! A mere Kiz actually dared to order her around? Did she want to be bitten again?

“Is that not allowed? Didn’t you say I’m yours? That means you’re mine, too. Isn’t it normal for my person to help me look into things?”

Elia was stunned for a moment, and then a smile broke across her face. “You learn quickly.”

“I learned it from you,” Kiz said, turning her face away.

The last of the gloom in Elia’s heart finally dissipated… but now… she wanted to tease the Little Princess again.

“Say… Kiz.” Elia gently tapped Kiz’s head.

“…What?”

“You’ve been resting on me for so long that my legs are numb. Shouldn’t you give me some compensation?”

Kiz looked at her guardedly. “What compensation?”

“Let me take a bite.”

“No!”

“Why not?”

“Because… because your bites hurt too much! I can’t stand it!”

“I’ll be gentle.”

“No!”

“Really no?”

“I said no!”

Elia sighed. “Then let’s try a different way.”

She reached out, pulled Kiz up from her lap, and pulled her into a hug.

Kiz was pulled into her arms before she could react. “You…”

“Don’t move.” Elia rested her chin on top of Kiz’s head. “Just let me hold you for a while.”

Kiz didn’t say another word.

‘Such a warm embrace… I almost don’t want to leave.’

Wait! Was she… getting more and more used to Elia?

Used to her temperature… her scent… her overbearing yet gentle hugs… and her strange quirks of bullying her.

Furthermore, she now had a strange impulse… she wanted to lock Elia up and drink her blood every day… to treat her like a stuffed toy… in short, she wanted to ruthlessly bully this Little Saintess who, in her eyes, was now explosively cute.

‘I really want to see Elia’s embarrassed face for once…’

No! This was dangerous! Extremely dangerous!

However, even though Kiz knew it was dangerous, she didn’t want to try to correct it. Perhaps it was because her soul had already accepted it.

“Elia… will you leave me?” Kiz asked in a small voice.

Elia’s movements paused, and then she whispered, “No. I will never leave you in this lifetime.”

Kiz buried her face in Elia’s chest. Elia felt Kiz’s fingers grip the fabric of her clothes.

It made Elia’s heart melt into a puddle. She tightened her arms, holding Kiz even closer. “You won’t leave either, right?”

“…Mhm.”

“Then it’s a promise. Neither of us is allowed to go.”

“Okay.”

“We should make a vow! Swear that no matter what happens in the future, the two of us will never be separated…” Elia used her index finger to gently lift Kiz’s chin.

“I swear in the name of Lilith, the Progenitor of our Blood Clan… that Chis Camarilla will never leave Elia… Is that okay?”

“Mhm.” Elia nodded.

The evening was exceptionally quiet.