Zara finally snapped back to her senses and instantly pushed away from Lilith, her face blazing red.
"L-Lilith! W-What are you even saying?! How can we be lovers just because of that?!"
Lilith blinked at her with a dramatically sorrowful expression, lowering her gaze and twirling her finger against her palm like a heartbroken child.
"…But you bit me. That makes us lovers… You're rejecting me because you hate me, isn't it?"
Zara flinched, full panic setting in.
"W-What?! No! I-I don't hate you, Lilith! Not at all! I just—uh—uh—gahhh!"
She stumbled over her words, hands flailing helplessly.
"B-But love is—love is a serious thing! I-I mean… we're both girls and… and—sigh…"
She deflated, burying her flushed face in her hands before peeking up at Lilith.
Lilith, however, had turned her back and was now crouched dramatically in a corner, shoulders trembling slightly.
Zara felt a pang of guilt stab her heart.
"L-Lilith? Hey… don't be sad…"
What she didn't see, though, was the massive, devious grin plastered across Lilith's face, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she hugged her arms close.
I did it… I hugged her… These arms… these sacred arms just held Zara in them… ahhhh! This is heaven…!
She fought hard to keep herself from squealing.
Meanwhile, behind her, Zara took a hesitant step forward, cheeks still warm.
"Lilith… I don't hate you. I just… I don't know what to do with these feelings yet…"
Lilith quickly wiped the smile off her face and looked over her shoulder with an expression of pure innocence.
"…Then does that mean I still have a chance?"
Zara's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. She turned away quickly, hiding her face again.
"…I-I'm going to bed! Good night!"
She practically ran back to her bed and dove under the blanket.
Lilith stayed crouched for a few seconds longer, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"…So cute."
Zara buried her burning face deeper into the pillow, muffling a frustrated groan.
Ughhh… How did it end up like this?! Are we really… l-lovers now?!
Her heart pounded erratically in her chest as she replayed everything in her mind—Lilith's teasing words, that sudden hug, and… the bite.
Just thinking about it made her ears turn crimson.
She's always so shameless… but…
Her thoughts drifted back to the past month—how Lilith always brought her blood bags without complaint, how she watched her train from afar every single day, how she cheered her on when she was exhausted, and the way she laughed at her own bad jokes just to lighten Zara's mood.
A small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips.
She's… been good to me.
Just then, she heard the soft rustle of movement and Lilith's voice echoed near her ear with its usual playful tone:
"Alright, beauty, I'm off for now. But remember, we're lovers now~"
Zara didn't reply, keeping her face hidden in the pillow. Her lips were pressed into a tight line, and her heart refused to settle.
The sound of fading footsteps filled the room.
Once silence returned, Zara slowly lifted her face from the pillow. Her cheeks were still rosy.
"…Lovers, huh?"
She sighed.
What am I going to do with her?
But that tiny smile never left her face.
Outside the room, Lilith walked down the hallway, her boots clicking softly against the polished floor. Maids busied themselves dusting the fixtures and arranging fresh flowers, bowing slightly as she passed.
She gave them a small nod before entering her own chambers. The moment she stepped inside and closed the door behind her, she let out a long breath and collapsed onto her bed.
But her gaze soon shifted to the velvet sofa near the window—where her mother sat, legs elegantly crossed, a steaming cup of tea in her hand.
Lilith sighed, her expression unchanged but her tone dry. "Mother… must you always hide your presence? Can't you just… come in like a normal person?"
The Queen lowered her teacup with a soft clink and placed a hand near her lips, feigning shock.
"Oh dear, are you saying you don't want me to come anymore? Ah, what days I'm witnessing… My own daughter casting me aside! I shall inform your father immediately. We won't bother you again."
Lilith chuckled, the smile tugging at her lips never wavering. "Mom, I didn't say that. You're welcome to visit whenever you like."
The Queen's eyes widened theatrically. "Eh? Such a polite response? Oh my stars… My little girl, are you feeling alright? No fever?"
Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly. "What do you mean by that?"
Her mother set her cup down with exaggerated care, then dramatically placed the back of her hand to her forehead. "Didn't you tell me before—'Don't call me your little girl, I'm grown up now'? And now you're calling me 'Mom' so sweetly? You've changed."
Lilith covered her face with one hand and groaned. "Mooom…"
Her mother burst into laughter, the sound bright and musical. "Hahaha! Alright, alright. I'll stop… for now."
Lilith threw a pillow at her, but it missed by inches. The Queen sipped her tea with a victorious smirk.
But the Queen's smile slowly faded. Her gaze softened as she looked at her daughter, and a rare seriousness settled over her face.
"Daughter… are you truly serious about what you said to that girl, Zara?"
Lilith leaned back against the bedpost, her eyes drifting to the wooden beams of the ceiling. Her expression was calm, but her voice held a quiet honesty.
"Yes, Mother. I don't know when it happened… At first, I thought she would leave after a few years, and that would be it. But the idea of her leaving now… it hurts." Her fingers brushed against her sleeve. "I didn't plan to force her into anything. But when she come to bit me, when our bond formed—I couldn't resist. I wanted her to stay by my side."
The Queen gave a long sigh and set her cup down with a soft clink.
"Alright, dear. It's your life, and your choice to make." She stood up and walked closer, her robes brushing the floor. "But you must understand something. Your father may not say much… but I've known him long enough to read the feelings he hides. He's very protective. Even if he acts cold or disinterested, that girl will be under his silent scrutiny."
Lilith's eyes narrowed slightly. "I know, Mother. But if he tries to scare her away—"
Her mother gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll handle your father. You just focus on your feelings, and be honest with Zara. Don't confuse her… She's not like us."
Lilith nodded, her lips forming a small, thoughtful smile. "Yeah… she really isn't."