Chapter 21: A Heart-to-Heart in the Forest!

The scent of the forest rushed toward them.

The damp smell of soil, the fresh fragrance of grass and leaves, and the perfume of some unknown flowers.

If it were daytime, there might also be sunlight filtering through layers of overlapping leaves, casting dappled light and shadow. Birdsongs would rise and fall, filling the whole forest with vitality.

Unfortunately, it was night, and the forest was rather quiet.

But Felice was already very satisfied.

It wasn’t easy to come out like this!

Besides, she was of the catfolk, and Carola was of the bloodkin.

Both possessed night vision.

Whether there was light or not would not affect their outing.

“Watch your step.”

Carola reminded her, then took the lead onto the woodland path.

The path was covered with thick fallen leaves, making a rustling sound when stepped on.

“What kind of flower is this?” Felice pointed at a cluster of glowing blue flowers growing beside a tree root.

“Moonlight flowers. They only grow in cool shade beneath trees,” Carola glanced at them. “They emit a faint glow at night. Some potions use their petals as ingredients.”

“And this?”

Felice pointed at a shrub bearing red berries.

The red berries on it looked extremely tempting.

“Bloodberries. Poisonous! But properly treated flowers can be used to make paralysis potions.”

Carola continued explaining.

“And that mushroom.”

Felice pointed at a strange-looking mushroom, wanting to ask about it.

“Felice,” Carola’s tone carried a trace of helplessness, “we came for a walk, not a botany lesson.”

“Sorry, sorry~” Felice stuck out her tongue playfully. “I just think, Master, you’re so knowledgeable, you know everything! So…”

Felice’s obvious flattery struck right at Carola’s heart. She secretly noticed the corner of Carola’s lips lift slightly.

“Then keep asking… after all, we still have plenty of time.”

The two moved slowly along the path. Felice turned into a little kitten curious about everything, constantly asking this and that.

Carola patiently answered every question. Although some questions seemed childish and laughable to her, occasionally Felice’s questions would make her think for a long time.

After walking for about an hour, Felice noticed the space ahead suddenly open up. A clear lake appeared before them.

The lake was like a mirror, reflecting the moonlight and surrounding trees. Even at night, it was beautiful.

“Wow!” Felice ran happily to the lakeside, crouching down to play with the water. “It’s so pretty here!”

Carola stood behind Felice, watching the scene with softened eyes.

“Don’t play too long. The lake water is cold.”

As she spoke, Carola took out a blanket from her spatial ring, spread it on the grass, and then sat on it.

“Got it~”

Felice turned back and smiled at Carola, her blue eyes sparkling under the moonlight.

For a moment, Carola was absent-minded.

She had to admit that sometimes Felice was truly charming—not the kind of deliberate seduction, but a natural attraction, like a forest spirit: pure and lively.

Perhaps this was also why, after the master–servant contract had been successfully formed yet could not be enforced by command, Carola intended to let Felice become her lover.

The lake water at night was indeed somewhat cool. After playing for a while, Felice stopped.

Then she keenly noticed a few small silver fish swimming beneath the water.

She tried to catch one, but after several failed attempts, she gave up.

“Ha!”

Tired from playing, Felice lay down on the blanket.

There were no branches blocking the sky above the lake. Lying on the blanket, Felice relaxed and gazed at the moon.

“Carola,” Felice began, her voice tinged with hesitation, “may I ask you a question?”

“Ask.”

Carola removed her white gauze and placed it beside her. She too was looking at the moon.

“Do you… like your life now?” Felice turned her head, looking at Carola seriously. “As the lord of the Scarlet Dungeon, as… a bloodkin.”

“…”

Carola was silent for a moment.

Felice did not give up, continuing to stare at her.

As if she would keep looking until she got an answer.

“This question is complicated.”

Carola sighed helplessly.

“Complicated?” Felice blinked.

“The lifespan of the bloodkin is very long—so long that sometimes one no longer wishes to live.” Carola looked at the lake surface, her voice calm. “I once hated my identity, hated the primal blood flowing in my veins. But now… I’m beginning to accept it.”

Carola turned to look at Felice. “Especially after meeting you.”

“Me?” Felice’s face grew warm at the words. “I—I didn’t do anything…”

“Your blood, your existence…” Carola reached out and gently brushed aside a strand of black hair from Felice’s forehead. “Let me see another possibility.”

“Another… possibility?” Felice repeated. “What kind of possibility?”

Carola’s fingers lingered at Felice’s forehead. The cool touch made Felice shrink her neck slightly.

“That possibility is…” Carola withdrew her hand and instead braced it on the blanket at her side, her body leaning slightly toward Felice. “You make me feel that perhaps a long life isn’t entirely torment. Perhaps… having someone to accompany it wouldn’t be so bad.”

Moonlight fell on Carola’s face. Those crimson eyes appeared especially deep in the night, as if they could draw in one’s soul.

Felice felt inexplicably flustered. She shifted her gaze, staring at the rippling reflections on the lake.

“Th-then… were you always alone before?” Felice asked softly.

“Most of the time.” Carola lay back down on the blanket, hands folded over her abdomen. “Before awakening the primal blood, it was fine. But after awakening it, my emotions began to grow very unstable. Sometimes extremely indifferent, sometimes I would…”

Carola paused.

“Would what?”

Felice pressed.

“I would become consumed by extreme craving… for blood and destruction.” Carola’s voice was very soft, yet carried a terrifying weight that made one’s heart tremble. “There was a period when I was almost out of control. Many of the skeletons in the garden were created then. Even forming the master–servant contract with you and ultimately imprisoning you were results of that extreme mindset.”

“…”

Felice also fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, she asked again, “Then… what about now?”

“Very calm,” Carola said. “Calmer than ever before.”

“My blood… is it really that magical?”

Felice sighed.

“Very magical. Truly very magical… though it may also be because I formed the master–servant contract with you.”

Carola reached out again to touch Felice, the motion natural and intimate.

Felice felt her cheeks heating up again.

She quickly sat up, pretending to straighten her slightly rumpled skirt.

“Then I also have something to ask you,” Carola sat up as well and slowly leaned closer. Their noses were almost touching. “What do you feel about me, Felice?”