Beneath the black umbrella, the girl's face was exquisitely beautiful, her skin pale from lack of sunlight. In contrast, her lips were a tempting crimson that sparked the imagination.
Angus discreetly glanced at her, knowing that behind those lips hid two sharp little fangs.
Jiang Yan lazily held her umbrella, looking down on the weak human as she interrogated him: "Finished with school?"
Strangely, she seemed like a feudal patriarch checking on his young wife-in-training...
Angus showed her the advanced book in his hand and calmly replied, "I'm about to be appointed as a professor."
Jiang Yan gave him a sidelong glance. He looked no older than his early twenties; professor indeed, he wasn't even fit to be a head teacher...
But Jiang Yan prided herself on her emotional intelligence, so she kept her thoughts to herself, preserving his dignity.
The Countess hugged her shoulders and commanded with an arrogant yet casual air, "It's time. Come with me."
The human, however, bravely met Jiang Yan's eyes, seemingly protesting his fate as he asked solemnly, "Why me?"
Being questioned, Jiang Yan finally felt like a proper kidnapper, realizing her power. This was more like it; earlier had been too smooth.
She used her umbrella to shield against the dazzling sunlight, blinking mischievously as she replied with firm resolve, "It's fate. Stop wasting time and come with me."
Despite her forceful actions, her pure and innocent appearance made it impossible to dislike her.
Clearly, this wasn't the answer Angus wanted. He sighed in resignation. Seeing that the kidnapper herself might walk away if he didn't move, the hostage voluntarily followed behind her.
"Miss, I don't believe in predetermined fate," the human following her stated.
"Oh, then it must be love at first sight," Jiang Yan replied flippantly, brushing off his concern. She couldn't understand why Angus was so fixated on this question.
But she couldn't very well say it was to rekindle an old flame, not with the system watching.
However, the hostage following her, his cool lips curling slightly, seemed to finally accept this answer. He allowed himself to be taken to Jiang Yan's castle without any resistance.
Jiang Yan found him quite sensible, knowing he couldn't oppose the great vampire countess.
The esteemed young Countess had returned.
Bats swarmed in the sky as escorts, rats scurried on the ground clearing the path, and spiders climbed trees to relay messages.
Given Angus's human status, Jiang Yan couldn't simply fly back with him, so they had to walk.
Every corner of the Vampire Domain was eerie. Tall, dense trees reached into the clouds, blocking out all light. The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of roses.
Jiang Yan led Angus through the gloomy forest, past a desolate graveyard, before finally reaching the ornate gates of the castle.
...
The elders in the castle seemed to be dealing with some important matter and didn't notice Jiang Yan bringing back a human. So, she settled Angus on the third floor where she lived.
The room was clean and tidy, with a south-facing window, though the trees outside blocked most of the sunlight. Clearly, the Countess had put thought into accommodating a human.
Especially noteworthy was the table, where the Vampire Chef had prepared a spread of human food: ham and cheese sandwiches with the crusts cut off, fragrant curry pasta with sautéed onions and potatoes, tender beef stew in rich sauce...
However, Angus's attention was drawn to the other end of the table. Handmade blood-filled pies, crystal-clear crimson wine, blood cupcakes...
To a human, these foods would undoubtedly seem terrifying and grotesque. But Angus caught the sweet scent in the air coming from the food across from him. His deep blue eyes darkened slightly.
Opposite him, Jiang Yan stared intently at the hot food in front of Angus, her mouth watering. Vampires couldn't eat human food; even if they did, it wouldn't satisfy their hunger, nor could they taste the flavors.
Heaven knows how Jiang Yan felt the first time she ate a flavorless meat patty.
Angus suppressed his surging hunger and was about to start eating when he noticed the little vampire's fixed gaze on his plate.
Jiang Yan looked at him longingly: "Human food must taste so good."
Angus paused, then leisurely picked up his fork, suddenly feeling quite hungry.
Even if the food still had no taste at all.
