When did it start?

The little girl named Bella captivated both my eyes and heart.

Shorter and much younger than myself.

That child, who always told me to trust her confidently, was unbelievably adorable.

Unlike my own dark and grim self, she was dazzling just by existing, giving the impression that she could achieve anything just with her confidence.

The distrust and animosity I felt when I first saw the child was gradually transforming into trust deep within my heart.

Bella definitely had a mysterious charm that captivated anyone who saw her, regardless of age.

The strangely felt allure of the child made me wonder what kind of influence she would have on others as she grew up.

Raven sat on the bed, lost in thoughts about Bella, when he sensed movement beyond the door.

“Raven, are you asleep? I’m coming in.”

The voice belonged to Sione.

After a few seconds of silence, the door burst open.

As the dazzling moonlight flooded the dark room, Raven unconsciously furrowed his brows.

“Sorry for visiting so suddenly. I have something to discuss. Can you spare a moment?”

Was it because the visit was unexpected?

Today, Raven somehow felt that Sione looked a bit different.

Her usually stern expression seemed softer in the moonlight, and the defensive look in her eyes had also diminished.

Feeling that she probably wouldn’t speak ill of him, Raven quietly nodded.

“Come in. There’s not much to sit on, though.”

Accepting his offer, Sione closed the door and scanned the room.

As Raven had said, the room lacked any furniture appropriate for a guest.

Sione pulled over a backless wooden chair and sat down, her hands neatly clasped as she began to speak.

“I came at this late hour because I have something to say to you, Raven.”

“…I figured as much.”

“To be honest, I still can’t fully trust you. Because you’re still hiding something from me.”

“…”

“Tell me. What exactly happened between you and Lady Bella on the day she fainted?”

The moment Sione looked him in the eyes honestly, Raven realized.

That she already suspected he was hiding something important.

And that unless he opened up, Sione would never trust him.

“Raven, I’ve told you several times; I don’t want to doubt you. Nor do I want to despise you.”

“I never asked you to like me.”

“That’s true. To be honest, I don’t like you yet. But there is enough potential in our relationship. I don’t want you to ruin that from the get-go.”

“Seems like I have to know to feel at ease, huh?”

“I’m not used to asking for favors either, I’m more accustomed to giving orders. But my thinking has changed recently. I can’t stand it if Lady Bella gets hurt because of me.”

“She gets… hurt?”

Raven tilted his head as Bella’s story suddenly popped up.

He couldn’t understand why that child would be hurt because of him.

“You might not know yet, but Lady Bella is extremely lonely. She has been alone since she was born and is still not much different now.”

“It looks like she has plenty of good people around her. Including you.”

“That number is too few to be sufficient. Look around. Apart from you, she doesn’t even have friends of the same age.”

Raven quietly pictured Bella in his mind.

A young princess surrounded by adults, unable to even venture outside the palace.

He had thought that nobles and royals lived without lacking anything.
Perhaps Bella was a lonelier child than she herself realized.

It wasn’t always the case, but sometimes the young girl seemed incredibly solitary and lonely.

“Bella wants you by her side, not as a servant, but as an equal friend. At first, I didn’t understand it either, but now I think I vaguely understand her feelings.”

“A friend… you say?”

“Yes, a friend. She doesn’t want to use you. She wants to give back as much as she gets help from you. That’s why she wants to teach you how to read and wants to read books together.”

“So what you’re saying is, she wants to play friends with me?”

“Don’t label it as ‘playing.’ She’s always sincere. She doesn’t distort her intentions or try to deceive others. You’ve noticed that about Bella, haven’t you?”

“She’s certainly stubborn for a little one.”

“That’s exactly it, Raven. I hope you won’t misunderstand her goodwill. I won’t tell you to trust me, but I’d like for you to trust at least Bella.”

There was strong persuasiveness in Sione’s words.

Bella had always been curious about her surroundings, trying to get close to her, but her actions seemed to be without any ulterior motives.

Convinced by her sincere way of speaking, Raven finally divulged a hidden truth.

“The day Bella collapsed, I put some of my blood into her mouth. Just a few drops.”

“Did Bella want your blood?”

“It didn’t seem like she was in her right mind. It was probably an instinctual act. You’re vampires after all. So I just wanted to help her.”

“So, what happened after that?”

“She seemed to get a bit better. Her abnormal breathing and pulse started to improve. That’s why I went to get you. What I’ve been hiding was just that. Nothing more.”

“My God, Raven. You’ve done something incredible. You saved Bella.”