In most legends, vampires don't need a bed—they slumber in cold stone coffins.
But vampires in this world don't all fit that stereotype.
At least Zane had a perfectly decent bedroom to sleep in.
The moment Zane pushed open the door to his chamber, even someone as oblivious to danger as Lila sensed that something was off.
"This…this isn't the way out, is it?"
Lila whispered softly from behind him.
Zane glanced back at her, a wicked smile playing on his lips. Without another word, he seized her wrist and dragged her inside.
Then, with a thud, he slammed the door shut!
"What are you doing?!"
Startled, Lila froze and stared at Zane in alarm.
[Notification: Negative Emotion Points +1]
Just one point?
Zane inwardly cheered but remained outwardly calm, his face unreadable as he stared down at Lila.
"I've kept my promise—I got you out of the dungeon, didn't I?"
Only now did Lila realize that the man before her was no ordinary rescuer.
"Who are you, really?!"
She demanded, her beautiful eyes wary.
"I already said it—my name is Zane." He raised an eyebrow, half-smiling at her. "And, of course, I'm also the master of Howling Castle."
At the second revelation, Lila's breath caught in her throat.
"Y-you're…Vampire Dracula?!"
Lila had grown up on tales of that infamous vampire. Living in the Duchy of Winterscar—the human realm closest to Howling Castle—she'd heard every terrifying legend about Dracula.
Realizing she might become the next victim in those horrific stories, Lila trembled uncontrollably.
[Notification: Negative Emotion Points +2]
Zane was pleased—collecting three points with hardly any effort. But it was moving too slowly; he needed to intensify Princess Lila's fear.
"Dracula? No—I don't like that name. I prefer Zane."
Stepping closer to the quivering princess, Zane's roving gaze burned with barely concealed desire.
Though young, Lila's figure was undeniably alluring.
She knelt half-prostrate on the marble floor, her long, pale legs entwined beneath her. In the dim light, her golden hair tumbled chaotically over her slender waist. Zane's earlier rough handling had torn a slit in her bodice, revealing the creamy curve of her breast.
Lila felt his lustful stare but refused to believe he saw her as anything but prey.
After all, to her, the relationship between a vampire and a human was no different than that between a human and a steak.
A beautiful steak only makes one hungry—it doesn't arouse you.
Still, Lila smoothed down her collar, lifted her chin, and glared viciously at Zane.
"I don't give a damn what your name is, Vampire Lord! I warn you—if you dare harm me, my father will never forgive you!"
"Indeed." Zane nodded once. "In fact, your father is even now riding here with five thousand knights."
At the news, Lila's face lit up.
But before half a second passed, her heart plummeted again.
"It's just a pity he won't arrive for another two months."
"Two months—sixty sunrises and sunsets, fourteen hundred and forty hours. Princess, more happens in Howling Castle every day than you can imagine—and most common of all is death…"
Zane lowered his voice and fixed Lila with an unblinking stare.
Panic flashed in Lila's eyes. She bit her lip, summoned her courage, and met his gaze.
"If you intend to kill me, then do it now! There's no need… no need for speeches like that!"
Her words rang with defiance, but her trembling betrayed how desperately she clung to life.
After all, Lila's life was just beginning—she couldn't bear to discuss death so soon.
[System: Negative Emotion Points +5; total now 8]
Five points just there?
It seems death truly is the most terrifying thing in the world.
But Zane had no intention of brutally destroying such a delicate flower; he would rather conquer her completely—body and soul.
"Well done. You truly are Grand Duke Lucas's daughter—full of spirit."
He nodded, then drew a dagger from his belt and tossed it at her feet.
"Here. You have two choices: either take this blade and end your own life—securing eternal glory for your family with your courage and sacrifice…"
Or, before your father arrives, submit wholly to my will.
Only then will I preserve your life until your father comes for you.
Having spoken, Zane pulled over a chair, sat down, and waited patiently for Lila's choice.
Lila stared at the dagger on the floor, trapped in agonizing indecision.
She summoned the courage a dozen times, only to recoil just before her fingertips touched the hilt.
Zane watched her struggle with keen interest.
At last, ten minutes later, tears streamed down Lila's cheeks. She lifted her head and looked at Zane with pleading eyes.
"When my father arrives… will you let me go?"
[System: Negative Emotion Points +2; total now 10]
Zane smiled.
"I can't make you any promises about that," Zane said. "But as I mentioned before, if you want to survive in this castle, only I can protect you—and my protection does come with conditions."
At that, Zane reached out and gently patted Lila's head.
After a moment's hesitation, Lila seemed to steel herself. She suddenly grasped Zane's wrist, then pressed her lips to his thumb in a light kiss, whispering, "I pledge to obey your orders, Master!"
[Notification: Negative Emotion Points +3; total now 13]
Hm… so even though Lila has outwardly submitted, she must still feel anger and humiliation inside?
No matter—Zane hadn't expected to win her over with words alone. They say the hardest part is the first step: once she bows to him even once, she might bow countless more times until she's completely his!
"Excellent. That's very wise."
Zane nodded, then appraised her from head to toe with a soft click of his tongue. "The dungeon was cruel to you, turning our sweet Princess Lila into such a state. From now on, you needn't return to that place. You'll stay here in this room."
"Really?"
A look of pure joy flashed in Lila's eyes. Though this bedroom couldn't compare to her own chambers back in the Duchy of Winterscar, it was a world apart from the dungeon.
"Of course."
Zane smiled generously. "And once my servant returns, I'll have him prepare you some proper food—something a normal person would need."
"Th-thank you so much!"
Lila grew more delighted by the second. She glanced down at her filthy clothes and ventured, "May I change into something clean?"
"By all means," Zane said, pointing toward the wardrobe. "Just use that. See if there's something inside you can wear."
"Thank you so much, Master!"
Lila scampered over to the wardrobe. Just as she reached out to open it, she suddenly paused, cheeks tinting pink as she looked back at Zane.
"Um… Master, could you step outside for a moment?"
Step outside?
After all the time he'd spent "wrapping dumplings," now she wanted him to leave?
Zane shook his head with an amused smile, his tone soft yet firm. "No need. Just change right here."