Chapter Thirty-Three: The Contract Dissolved

“Mr. Ang, is Liliana all right now?” As soon as Xingyu, who had been summoned to the country estate by Ang, stepped through the door, he asked anxiously.

“Thank you for your concern. She is fine now,” Ang replied coldly.

“That’s wonderful,” Xingyu said happily, finally able to let go of the worry that had been weighing on his heart. Ever since Lilith was injured, Xingyu had been tormented by guilt, visiting several times in hopes of seeing her, only to be turned away by Ang’s icy demeanor. When Ang finally informed Xingyu that Lilith wanted to see him, he was able to relax at last.

“Mr. Ang, how is Nana now?” Le Xiaoyou asked with concern.

“Miss Xiaoyou, although the young lady has awakened from her slumber, her body has not yet recovered from the wounds. She is even more fragile now than an ordinary human,” Ang answered, a note of worry in his voice. The young lady was now in complete opposition to the Vampire Council, but in her current state, she was in no shape to confront them.

“My lord, Her Highness Liliana is awake and wishes to see them,” a blood servant reported to Ang.

“Very well, I understand.” Ang dismissed the servant with a wave.

“Mr. Ang, are they vampires as well?” Xiaoyou asked curiously, watching the departing servant.

“No, they are ordinary humans who have chosen to serve the bloodline in exchange for eternal youth. The price is that they must provide blood to the vampires,” Ang explained.

“I see. So vampires do need to drink blood after all,” Xingyu said, with a tone of fear and aversion.

“Hmph. It is only natural for vampires to feed on human blood. Just as humans consume the flesh of cattle and sheep, believing themselves superior and entitled to slaughter them for food, so too do vampires, who are nobler than humans, take blood from humans. What’s wrong with that?” Ang said indifferently.

“That’s not the same. Humans have emotions; we’re not like cattle or sheep,” Xingyu protested.

“To me, you are all the same. There is no difference,” Ang replied disdainfully, fixing Xingyu with a cold stare. “So, this will be the last time you see the young lady. If I ever see you near her again, I will kill you without hesitation, even if it means disobeying her wishes.” His words were chilling, and Xingyu knew he was not joking. Ang’s dislike for him had reached its limit; given the chance, he would not hesitate to act.

“Young lady, Miss Xiaoyou and Xingyu have arrived,” Ang announced at the bedroom door, his tone instantly changing to one of respect and gentleness.

“Let them in,” a weak voice answered from within.

“Yes, young lady.” Ang opened the door and led Xingyu and Le Xiaoyou into Lilith’s bedroom.

It was Xingyu’s first time inside Lilith’s room, and he was stunned by the sight. The sun-facing windows were completely shrouded by heavy curtains, blocking out every ray of light. The room was pitch-black, illuminated only by a few candles burning dimly in the corners. In the center stood an enormous black coffin adorned with dark golden patterns, and Lilith lay quietly within it. The whole room exuded a mysterious darkness, like a beast poised to devour.

“Xingyu, Xiaoyou, you’re here.” Seeing them enter, I greeted them with joy. I wanted to get up to welcome them, but my frail body would not allow it.

“Nana, are you all right?” Xiaoyou clutched my hand, her voice trembling with tears.

“Xiaoyou, I’m fine—just a bit weak. I am, after all, the First Princess of the bloodline. A little sunlight can hardly take my life. Silly girl, don’t cry.” I tried to comfort her.

“Liliana, I’m so glad you’re all right,” Xingyu said, his relief evident. Yet—‘Liliana’? I repeated the name silently, noticing the flicker of fear and avoidance in his eyes as he looked at me. My heart suddenly ached.

But I should have expected this. As a vampire who survives by drinking human blood, I should be grateful that Xingyu could accept me at all, even as a friend. How could I hope there wouldn’t be any unease in his heart? I’d lived for over two centuries by feeding on human blood—an undeniable fact. No human could be entirely untroubled by that.

“Xingyu, Xiaoyou, I’ve received a summons from the Vampire Council. This is likely the last time we’ll see each other,” I said to them.

“Nana, you’re leaving?” Xiaoyou’s eyes widened with shock.

I nodded gently in answer.

“But why? We’ve only just become friends. Can’t you stay a while longer? Time shouldn’t be an issue for vampires, should it?” Xiaoyou protested, unwilling.

“Yes, time means little to us vampires. But I came to the human world of my own accord, without the Council’s permission. Now that I’ve been severely injured and my identity exposed, staying here is no longer possible,” I explained softly.

“But…but…” Xiaoyou’s face was streaked with tears. “Nana, I really don’t want you to go.”

I mustered the strength to lift my hand and caress her cheek. “I know. I don’t want to leave you either. But some things must be done, some burdens must be borne. Don’t worry—I’ll never forget you. We’ll always be friends, won’t we?”

“Yes, and I’ll never forget you either, Nana,” Xiaoyou vowed.

“Xingyu, there’s something I’d like to say to you alone. May I?” I turned to Xingyu, my gaze pleading.

He hesitated, then nodded gently. Such a gentle soul—even after learning I had deceived him, even knowing I was a creature to be feared and reviled, he still granted my request.

“I’ll wait outside,” Xiaoyou said, understanding.

“I won’t be long,” Xingyu promised softly.

Ang and Xiaoyou exited, Ang bowing to me as he closed the door.

“Liliana, what is it you wanted to say?” Xingyu asked once we were alone.

“If possible, I’d prefer you call me Lilith,” I said quietly.

Xingyu fell silent. Of course—even the most accepting person would be shaken to learn their friend was a monster who lived by drinking human blood. That he cared enough to visit me already exceeded anything I could have hoped for.

“I’m sorry to put you in this position,” I said before he could reply, dreading the answer that might break my heart.

“I’m sorry, Lilith,” Xingyu said.

Hearing him call me by that name again filled me with warmth. Xingyu, you really are so gentle—I couldn’t help but smile.

“Xingyu, I’m sorry I hid the truth from you and deceived your feelings,” I apologized.

“Lilith, I—” he began.

“No, let me finish,” I interrupted, guessing he would say he never blamed me—a sly response, for it only made it harder for me to let go.

“I’m truly sorry. I once secretly forged a bond with you. Now that I must leave, I will release you from it.” I looked at him earnestly.

“A bond?” Xingyu was clearly shocked. Understandable—having a bond imposed upon you without your knowledge is a frightening thing.

“I’m sorry,” I said again. “But you need not worry. The bond I made with you was not intended to harm you; you won’t be hurt by it. I don’t ask for your forgiveness—only that you allow me the chance to make amends. Please, let me undo the bond now.”

“All right, Lilith. I trust you,” Xingyu replied.

“Thank you, Xingyu. Thank you for trusting me. I promise, I would never harm you.” Not just me—I would never let anyone else harm you, either. If anyone tried, they would have to step over my dead body. I vowed this silently.

“Xingyu, could you come closer? I can’t stand up,” I said.

“Yes, of course.” Xingyu leaned in.

“Closer still—press your face to mine and look into my eyes,” I instructed.

“O-okay.” Xingyu did as I asked, his breath growing quick, his cheeks flushed as the dawn.

“That’s perfect,” I murmured, then, in a voice only I could hear, I began to recite a blessing: “O great Ancestor of Blood, your descendant prays to you. I offer my blood and soul to sever the eternal bond between myself and my contract partner. Blood pact, be undone.”

As I finished the invocation, I lifted my head with lightning speed and pressed my lips to Xingyu’s. He stared at me in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

After a long moment, I reluctantly pulled away, offering an apologetic smile. “Forgive me—that was a necessary part of dissolving the bond. Please don’t mind.”

“It—it’s all right,” Xingyu stammered, leaping back, his face as red as a ripe tomato.

“Xingyu, I’m truly glad to have known you, to have you as my friend,” I said.

“Yes, Lilith, I’m glad to be your friend, too,” Xingyu responded sincerely.

“I’m a little tired now. You and the others should go. I believe we’ll meet again someday,” I smiled at him.

“All right, Lilith. Rest well. I look forward to that day.” Xingyu left the room.

After he was gone, I slowly raised my hand, touching my lips, savoring the memory of that kiss. If only time could have stopped at that moment—how wonderful it would have been, I thought. But then I felt a sweet liquid welling up in my throat, and a trickle of blood slid from the corner of my mouth.

“Young lady!” Ang, who had just returned, cried out in alarm at the sight.

“Don’t worry, Ang. I’m fine,” I said. For vampires, blood is life itself; to cough up blood is a sign of a grave wound.

“How could this happen?” Ang cradled me, lost and anxious.

“It’s all right, Ang. I only undid the blood pact. This is the backlash from breaking it—it won’t kill me,” I explained.

“Blood pact? Backlash?” Ang was astonished. “Are you mad? In your weakened state, how can you endure such a thing? It could harm your very essence!” he cried, distraught.

“I’m prepared for this,” I answered calmly. “This way, even if I die fighting the Vampire Council, I won’t drag Xingyu down with me.” I spoke softly, a smile on my lips.

“Young lady, you’ve already given so much for him. Please, don’t hurt yourself anymore,” Ang pleaded through tears. It was the first time I had seen him weep.

“I know. This will be the last time—the very last. I’ll never see Xingyu again,” I whispered, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes, and then, exhausted and weak, I drifted once more into deep sleep.