Volume 6, Chapter 8 – It’s Better to Live in a Small Town by the Sea

Although the Ymir Territory is near the warmer southern region of the continent, the temperature inevitably drops after winter sets in. The days become shorter and the nights longer. Coupled with the biting cold wind, people hurry into their homes as soon as night falls, leaving the streets unusually deserted, with only a single streetlamp providing light every ten meters or so.

However, the darkness that humans detest is precisely what vampires love.

Two vampires who had finished their dinner were walking along the street at night.

“Hoh~ The streets of the human world have their own charm.”

Flapping her wings, Edith surveyed the buildings on both sides of the street. The Ymir nation has a history of over a thousand years, making it an ancient capital as old as the Blood Clan’s royal capital, Alvier. Due to long-term religious influence, the architecture here is full of mystery. Even ordinary households have reliefs on their walls or roofs, or have erected crosses. Larger buildings all use a color scheme of red bricks and white tiles, a stark contrast to the Blood Clan’s black-bricked, spire-topped architecture.

In addition, there are at least five temples of varying sizes distributed throughout the city. The largest of them is located in the city center. Even from the west street where Yisi was, she could glimpse the dome of the central temple from afar. It was brilliantly lit and very conspicuous even at night. Various carvings sparkled under the magical lights, rivaling the stars in the night sky.

Tilting her head in surprise, Yisi looked at Edith walking beside her.

“I thought Pepe would say something like ‘Human architecture is nothing special’.”

“Good things must naturally be praised. Besides, even if I were to speak against my heart and say it’s not good, others would only think I have no taste. Although the Blood Clan and humans are different races, our aesthetics aren’t that different. But I haven’t finished what I was saying. The sacred aura that permeates this place is truly annoying.”

As she spoke, Edith covered her nose and frowned repeatedly.

Yisi took a step closer.

“Does it make you uncomfortable?”

“Not uncomfortable, just dislike. It’s like how a pureblood isn’t afraid of crosses and silver swords, but would still feel a physiological aversion to wearing them.”

“Should we go back?”

Yisi originally had no intention of coming out for a stroll. Compared to appreciating the empty streets in the cold wind, she preferred to stay in a warm room teaching Camilla and Mary. She only accompanied Edith out for safety reasons because Edith insisted on coming out no matter what.

Pepe is different from me. I can use [Second Form Awakening] to hide my wings, but the most Pepe can do is wear a cloak. It would be bad if someone found out.

Rеаd оn ΚαtRеаⅾіոgСafе

Edith waved her hand, her flowing white hair taking on a bluish hue in the moonlight.

“No need. I want to see at least half the city today. Besides, I quite like how deserted it is here. Although I’ve recently adjusted my schedule to be active during the day and rest at night, the night is still the time that suits me best. It feels relaxing and refreshing, don’t you think?”

“More or less.”

Actually, to her, day and night were the same. It’s just that Pepe was in a good mood right now, like an elf of the night, and it would be tasteless to ruin her good mood.

Speaking of which, I’ve never really thought about it before, but how should I handle the issue with Pepe in the future…

Pepe still hasn’t changed her mind—about marrying me into the Pescia family. Even though I keep refusing her, Pepe just treats it with a nonchalant attitude. Before the incident with Andrea, I once thought Pepe was just acting on a whim and that her passion for me would cool down after a while. After all, I understand what the suspension bridge effect is. Pepe might like me because I saved her, not because she truly has feelings of love.

But ever since I saw Pepe and Andrea’s battle on the roof, I’ve gradually changed my mind. Pepe’s feelings for me are genuine, without a hint of falsehood. If I continue to treat it with the same joking attitude as before, I’ll be no different from those irresponsible, profligate nobles.

But how should I respond to Pepe?

Refuse her seriously, or accept her frankly?

Before leaving the Blood Clan’s territory, my companions and I stayed there for nearly two months. During that time, Andrea had already accepted Edith and Camilla, and the three of them even seemed to have reached some kind of unwritten agreement. But asking myself honestly, is it really okay for things to continue like this?

Undeniably, Pepe is a rare beauty. If we were in my original world, it would have been an honor for her to even speak to me. But there is a crucial difference between the two situations. Leaving aside the issue of entering into a relationship with multiple people at once, first of all, even if I were to respond to Pepe’s expectations, what about Andrea and Camilla? I can’t let Andrea, a queen, marry into the Pescia family.

“There are still so many things that need to be thought through…”

“What are you thinking about?”

Edith suddenly stood in front of Yisi with a mischievous expression. Since Edith was walking backward step by step, Yisi did not stop.

“I was thinking about what to do for the wedding in the future.”

Rеαd oո KαtRеaⅾiոgCаfe

“The wedding? With Andrea?”

“No, with Pepe.” Yisi said with a straight face. “Should Pepe wear a black wedding dress or a white one? The Blood Clan’s tradition seems to be black, but I think white is very beautiful too—speaking of which, with our looks, will outsiders think we’re sisters?”

“Mmm…”

For a rare moment, Edith was momentarily stunned. Her white bangs covered her eyes, making her expression unreadable.

Is she surprised? Pleasantly surprised? I was actually half-joking.

Edith looked up. There was no blush or shyness on her face as Yisi had expected. On the contrary, Edith was very calm.

“Indeed, that is a problem. What kind does Yisi like?”

Without answering, Yisi changed the subject, looking up at the starry sky and pretending to be indifferent.

“Hey, Pepe, if I said I wanted you to marry me, would you be willing?”

“What do you think?”

Lifting her azure eyes, Edith gazed into Yisi’s.

Yisi sighed.

“I guess that’s a no.”

“Stu—pid—iot.”

As if suddenly losing interest, Edith turned around.

She looks unhappy. Is she really angry?

Rеaԁ оn КatReaⅾіոgСαfе

Asking such a question so abruptly really wasn’t a wise decision. If it were me, I’d be angry too—no, actually, I don’t really care about such details. Whether I’m the one marrying or being married, the result is the same. In the end, two people end up together. It’s just that for me, I also have to consider Andrea.

But no matter what, I know in my heart that responding to Edith is the choice I won’t regret.

Unknowingly, I’ve become the kind of scumbag I once despised.

Although I don’t regret agreeing to Andrea back then, it’s become so tricky now that I don’t know how to move forward… To be honest, I feel really sorry for them.

After walking a few steps, Edith suddenly turned around and headed back towards the inn they came from.

“Pepe?”

“Going back.”

“Huh?”

“I said we’re going back. Don’t you understand?”

Although I couldn’t see Pepe’s expression because her back was to me, I could hear the dissatisfaction lacing her voice. It was a cold tone that sounded like she could lose her temper at any moment.

Not wanting to anger Pepe any further, Yisi smiled wryly and caught up, following a few steps behind her. What she didn’t notice was that Edith was now pouting with a sulky expression.

“I already said I’d give you my heart back then, and now you’re still hung up on this stuff. In the end, isn’t the result the same? You dense idiot.” After saying that, Edith sighed softly in resignation. “He has many flaws, but he’s the one I fell for. What a disaster—hey, if you keep dawdling, I’m leaving you behind.”

Frowning, Edith turned around.

Yisi, who had caught up, couldn’t help but feel surprised.

“You’re not angry anymore?”

“I am angry, but not at you.”

Reаd оո ΚаtReαԁіոɡСafе

“Then at who?”

“Myself.”

“Eh…”

Without another word, the two of them walked silently to the vicinity of the inn. Before stepping inside, Edith suddenly asked.

“Did you mean you’ve already made up your mind? About the two of us.”

Not knowing how Yisi would reply, Edith’s gaze as she stared at Yisi held both the resolve of someone who was mentally prepared and a trace of imperceptible nervousness.

Yisi’s whole body froze, her gaze drifting embarrassedly towards the sky.

“I think living in a small town by the sea would be nice.”

“Hehehe…” Edith suddenly let out an undisguised, light laugh. Even her hair and black dress seemed to tremble with her laughter. Then she looked up and took the initiative to take Yisi’s free left hand. “I see. We’ll choose a small town by the sea.”

“Hey, hey, this is an inn.”

Yisi tried to pull her hand away, but Edith instead raised their joined hands in front of them and placed a light kiss on the back of Yisi’s hand. As if enjoying Yisi’s embarrassed expression, her eyes were full of slyness—and joy.

“Are you still concerned about such things at this point? For today, at least, I won’t let you go, no matter what. Hmm—perhaps I should repeat what Andrea said to you. Should this be called a magic spell? Or a curse?”

“What magic spell or curse? Andrea has never said anything malicious—”

Before Yisi could finish, Edith placed her index finger on Yisi’s lips, putting away her previous impish smile. At a distance where their breaths could be felt, she said seriously, one word at a time.

“You are mine.”