Hadel gazed at Marian, who was lying on the bed, seemingly lost in thought. Hadel followed Marian because he knew Marian wouldn’t easily fall asleep.

‘She seemed quite troubled.’

Even during meals, she often couldn’t bring herself to eat, letting the food slip from her grasp. It was unusual for someone who usually enjoyed eating so much.

‘Marian is a person from a hundred years ago.’

The truth Marian struggled to reveal was more significant than Hadel had vaguely thought. However, Hadel wasn’t particularly surprised. Instead, he found joy in learning more about her.

‘She was a real princess. The term “Vampire Princess” wasn’t just a casual remark.’

As he gently stroked her hair, the soft pink strands entwined around his fingers like cotton candy. Her eyes, slightly drowsy and meandering, were as clear and blue as the sky after the rain.

‘She’s beautiful.’

Marian might know how much he adores her. Once he touched her, he couldn’t bring himself to let go.

Though he didn’t intentionally pat her to make her fall asleep, whether due to Hadel’s continuous caresses or not, Marian began to doze off.

‘Like a cat.’

It’s said that if you stroke a cat’s forehead, it falls asleep reflexively. Closing her eyes at the proximity of his hand, which was almost like a lullaby, Marian spoke in a drowsy voice.

“Hadel, tell me anything. I like your voice. Low and deep.”

“I’ve never heard such words in my entire life.”

“Maybe people around here lack ears. They can’t appreciate such a good voice.”

Hadel chuckled.

‘You’re the special one. Others don’t care about me.’

In childhood, even when trying to recall memories of parents, no specific memories came to mind. Parents were always indifferent.

Marian was infuriated by Hadel’s story that his parents never contacted him, but for Hadel, it was natural. They probably wouldn’t even remember Hadel’s face.

In the end, this petite woman was the only one looking at Hadel with sincerity. Hadel kissed Marian’s forehead affectionately.

“Sleep well, Marian. When you wake up, your heart will be much lighter.”

Marian, who had been sulking about not being able to sleep, closed her eyes pretending to give in. After tossing and turning for a while, she soon succumbed to the rhythm of even breathing.

Hadel reached out, sweeping Marian’s disheveled hair off her face. Marian’s forehead was so round and touchable that he couldn’t help but want to touch it.

Hadel’s fingers brushed past her round forehead, tapped her smooth cheek gently, and lingered by her small ear.

[I know too. That I’m not normal.]

Marian finally spoke, her voice trembling. How adorable she looked, glancing around cautiously, fearing that he might resent her. It was challenging to restrain the urge to kiss her, even just suppressing it was exhausting.

[Your misfortune is actually because of me.] The moment I heard those words, the emotion I felt was a tingling joy. The joy that she could never leave me.

Asking her to talk, Marian fell asleep with a sulky expression. Hadel gently stroked her cheek and whispered,

“It was destiny from the beginning, us.”

Since meeting Yunnysia, I had maintained the appearance of a vampire without transforming into a human for a while. I didn’t want to show that side to others because it was difficult to smile brightly.

‘But I can’t stay like this forever.’

There was too much learned in this time of being immersed in sadness.

‘Espen is alive.’

Knowing that fact made it impossible for me to stay still. Because I had no idea what schemes he might be plotting even during this time of despair.

‘The ice monster that appeared last time seemed suspicious.’

Its form could only be considered artificial. Even its ice attribute bothered me.

‘Maybe the monster that didn’t seem to have a specific attribute suddenly gained an ice attribute…’

The one who had been experimenting with transplanting my broken heart wouldn’t have transplanted his own heart, for sure.

To confirm, I needed to explore the area where the ice monster appeared. I explained this fact to Hadel and sought his permission to embark on this exploration.

No, more accurately,

Leaving an unusually curt letter, I quickly leaped out of the castle.

‘But if I tell Hadel, he will definitely oppose.’

Surely he would try to come along, claiming it was dangerous. However, I couldn’t go with Hadel.

‘If there is a group cultivating or hiding the ice monster within the castle, they would be acting very discreetly. If Hadel travels, they won’t reveal their tail.’

In situations like this, it’s best for the vampire to take charge. I set off confidently outside the castle.

‘Wait, Hadel! I will grab clear clues, so just wait.’

About an hour had passed since I set off.

I deeply regretted going alone.

‘Pant, pant. But really, it’s vast outside the castle for a vampire. Maybe I should have just asked Hadel to take me to where the monster appeared.’