I'm excited.

The Asian man stared at me with disgust and caution, and I couldn't help but feel offended. Of course, I was dressed in tatters, dirty like a coal merchant, and didn't look very decent! The audacity of my captors is simply incredible.

I finally left my cell and saw a short hallway of the same stone. I was a little surprised that a torch provided enough light to see everything clearly. The passage is filled with what I think is a murder pit. It's weird. I must have passed out and been magically sent to some Scottish man's house.

Ogedai locked the door behind me, and I walked forward, desperate to get out of this dreary place. As I was about to reach the second door, a bare saber tapped me on the shoulder.

”。 Move aside. ”

I turned around angrily, though I remained silent. How dare he draw a knife against me? The host said I was going to listen to Jimena, but he wasn't her.

He doesn't have the right to dictate to me, I'm going to teach him the meaning of pain......

A hand grabbed my tattered shirt and shoved me against the wall.

He threw me like a doll!

My back hit the rocks and I was dizzying in pain. My head followed, my teeth rattling from the impact. Every bone exuded pain that only exacerbated the discomfort I was already feeling.

"Ahh

His hand drilled into my chest against the wall. My bones creaked under his humiliation. I frantically grabbed his arm to get him to let me go, but I stopped when I felt a metallic chill in my neck.

"Oops!"

"I don't accept your attitude, rookie."

He has red dots on his sleeves. It seems that in my panic, I grabbed him to the ground. My nails are as black as black pearls and they are sharp. When did it happen?

The blade of his weapon left my neck, and the tip of the knife was buried under my chin until I started yelling. Oh my God, what have I done to be treated like this? Why do they have to be so cruel? It breaks my heart!

"Did I make it clear?"

"Yes!" I whimpered.

How I hate to belittle myself, but what can we do about such outrageous atrocities?

Slowly, the man let me go, even though his sword hadn't been drawn yet. I massaged my poor boobs motionlessly. Fear began to creep into my mind, awakening my primal instincts. I wanted to run, but I couldn't. The door was locked. I don't even know where to go.

Tailstage patiently fiddled with his keys, and I finally made my way to another stone tunnel. This time, however, it was different.

It seems that my prison is just one of many. Several blocks made of thick walls cover most of the area, and are occasionally illuminated by torches. Each cell has four walls and a passage through which the guards can make a circle.

The murder holes I noticed allow visitors to see what's going on in the hallways, and I think, shoot through them as well. I don't know what kind of beasts are usually held here, but if I had the power to do so, I would complain about being treated like this.

The Asian man led me through the labyrinthine passage to a huge door made of the same material as my shackles, all silver. He effortlessly pushed the door open. How strong can this person be?

I walked up a flight of stairs to several platforms with more doors, but the ghost platform wouldn't let me stop. Finally, we pass through the last metal door and finally enter a real building.

What a great building it is.

I wanted to take a deep breath and celebrate myself getting out of this cursed hole, but I found myself overwhelmed. What person in their right mind would spend so much money on such a thing?

A corridor runs to my right and to my left to an intersection and a cul-de-sac.

Closed doors alternate with soft alcoves supported by Doric columns. The floor is marble, and the walls are pink granite. Tapestries and paintings are hung everywhere, giving an impression of soft elegance.

I would never have doubted for a thousand years that there was such a place in the Americas! I think I'll have to travel across the ocean, to Buckingham Palace or Versailles, to find someone worthy of this magnificent show.

The master of this place is obedient to me.

I was shaking again. I thought I saw the riches and how I was

These people are not hooligans and outlaws who go for a quick ransom and a ride to the west. Why, if I run away and meet a magistrate, who will he believe? A filthy squire, the master of this place? My testimony will be the gibberish of a madwoman.

What trouble have I caused myself?

The excitement gave me a moment of lucidity, as if an external stimulus could lift the veil on my mind, but soon, I found it difficult to concentrate anymore. Why should I run away? I want to see that person again; This is the greatest desire in my heart.

The tail led me up another flight of stairs and down another hallway. We met a man in a suit who would be covered in sweat if he walked outside, a couple of women in maid suits emitting a pleasant scent, and a girl in a white dress.

Every time we passed someone, Onita would grab me by the neck and force me to bow my head so I couldn't see their eyes, and I didn't need much encouragement. My embarrassment is reason enough.

Eventually, the warden left the endless alleys and forced me into a bedroom. Before I could panic, he told me to take a shower and slammed the door shut.

Again, I took stock. The room itself was quite small as there were too many people, which was reasonable. It is also lavishly decorated in red and gold. The people who designed the Baroque corridor clearly had an influence on my new residence.

There are four posters on the bed, which occupies the middle of the room, and a writing desk and a chair line the side walls. The living space is separated by a white panel and I found a copper bathtub on the other side, as well as some amenities and another surprise. The place has hot water.

I prepared a tub and took off the disgusting potato bag I wore while sliding in the tub and sighed happily.

I don't know if I should attribute my feelings to my previous torment, or to my physical condition, but the act of taking a bath has never been so pleasant in itself.

The water caressed my skin with its silky touch, and the heat of the liquid penetrated my body, which made me happy. I almost forgot how thirsty I was. Oh what silly, there's water to find now! What am I waiting for?

I took the warm liquid out of the tap and put it on my lips and hurriedly took a big sip, knowing full well that, unfortunately, this was not going to work. How strange! Is it a symptom of a disease? Well, I'll think about it later.

When did my skin become so white?

A few weeks ago, summer came to Louisiana, and I remember my skin being a light and noticeable tan, but now I look as pale as Canadian. My nails are black and pointy, and I can't explain that. One more puzzle.

Or should I realize what I've become, why don't I feel hungry?

Wait, there's more urgent things to deal with. I have to be decent. If that warden had come in before I had undressed, I would have died of embarrassment. There is a limit to the humiliation that a decent lady can endure in a day.

I rubbed hard and enjoyed every moment. After drying my body, I found underwear and a simple linen dress on the table, which I immediately put on. They didn't work for me, to be exact, a little tight at the waist, but I found that I didn't care.

It feels so good to be decent again, the feeling of the soft fabric on my skin is simply divine. I enjoyed myself until I was disturbed by the constant knocking on the door.

I opened the door and saw two people outside. The nest stared at me expressionlessly, and the other was younger than me, dressed like a servant.

I felt thirsty as soon as I smelled him. Such an intoxicating perfume! Before I could lean forward, Ogedai's hand grabbed my neck again. Yes! This man must be so angry with me! I'm going to tear him to shreds like he's a dog!

"Fledgling."

I forced myself to swallow. I don't want the cell scene to repeat itself. Those thugs made it clear that they would resort to violence whenever they had the opportunity. Except, of course, the handsome gentleman.

"As soon as the order comes, you stop."

The servant looked at me with undisguised fear. His chocolate-colored eyes stared at my smile and began to babble in some language I didn't know. He tried to retreat, but was choked by the warden's iron fist, which only stirred my crazy desire. It bites my chest and burrows into my mind, demanding fulfillment. Nothing matters except that relentless desire.

It's so strange to see a frightened person that makes me... Dizzy? Thirsty? This kidnapping turned me into a monster. What's wrong? No, this ordeal left me a little hysterical. Yes. Just a little nervous. It's nothing.

I giggled and hugged the man tightly, and then he tried in vain to push me away. I was still laughing, and when his gaze met mine, he became unfocused.

I sighed as I absorbed the musk of his fear, with only a little desire. Delicious. I smiled as my fangs pierced the skin on his neck and I finally could, finally, drink this damn craving.

Ecstasy again.

I am deceived, I am deceived, I am destroyed.

If there's one way to transcend time and space, it's it. No dervishes and prophets, no shamans and mages would come close to this sacred experience. Even all the incense and prayers in the world will not.

I love it, love it, love it.

A tingling pain brought me back to the real world. The warden's claw-like fingers poked into the muscles of my neck, forcing me to open my jaw inch by inch. The young servant was dragged away, still fascinated by something that the hell knows.

"Wrong."

"Fledgling."

I swallowed, and my eyes turned white in pain. I stopped moving. This is too much.

"You have to lick your wounds well. Do it now. ”

Even when the trickle stopped, I used the tip of my tongue to clean the precious nectar from the young man's skin. I don't waste a drop. Eventually, the nest pulled him farther away, and he leaned groggily against the wall. For some reason, the expression on his face was satisfied. However, I'm not. I need more. More.

“Aaaiiii !” I cried.

Wokotai's hand did not let go. His other arm, now free, locked my arm behind my back. I tried not to let the pain get too severe. I barely resisted his clench. My frustration cannot be compared to the constant pain and future dislocation.

The dreaded thirst was finally alleviated. Like a vigilant tiger, it retreated into the depths of my psyche, calmed down, but did not disappear.

I was myself again.

Wait, what's going on?

I can't remember.

and nutrition.

Ogedai pushed me away, and I collapsed on the bed. With a yell, I got up again. I'm not so naïve as to understand what it means to be in a bedroom with a man, and the warden warden warsaw me on my toes.

Fortunately, this time my fears were unfounded. Ogedai bent down to the servant, I guess to see if he was well. Apparently satisfied, he stood up and asked me to go with him.

We left the room, and I did my best to keep up with the tall stranger. Once again, the numbness weighed on my limbs and exhausted my mind, but I refused to give in.

We went downstairs and went back to what I thought was the first floor, and soon came to a thick door, made of a wood I didn't recognize. The Wokotai opened one with ease and pushed me inside.

There was no doubt that the room I was in was a training room. It is a very wide rectangle surrounded by an unadorned gray stone wall. Weapon racks lined up to my left, aimed at my right, and benches adorned the walls in the distance.

I was surprised to see that the ground was covered with a layer of sand, which reminded me of an illustration of the Colosseum I once saw in a book. If a lion and a gladiator swaggered in to the sound of brass trumpets, I wouldn't even blink an eye.

The only person present besides us was a woman with black curly hair. I don't know if she struck me or was impressed.

Her face was handsome, not beautiful, because of an unfortunate square chin, but she exuded an aura of gentle elegance that could only be enhanced by a well-fitting piece of leather armor. Her presence made me question my sanity again.

I understand that Napoleon's "iron horseman" would go into battle in a steel cuirass, but she looked more like a poacher than a soldier, and besides, it was inappropriate for a gentle woman not to dress like this.

As we approached, she ignored us until there was no doubt that we had come to talk to her. She frowned, sheathed her freshly cleaned knife, and turned to us.

Her cold aura is just as powerful as the tailboard, but more elegant, and I believe she's one of them, and I mean I believe that's where her confidence comes from. Is she Amazonic, standing fearless in front of that man? I guess something terrible had happened, and I was now bewildered by some potent concoction that had caused me to hallucinate.

"Squire".

"Courtier," she replied with a sneer.

A hint of anger flashed across Wotai's distorted face, but it quickly hid it.

"It's up to you to introduce the fledgling while her master deals with the important business of the secret meeting."

"What kind of master would bring a fledgling child here?" Is she so flawed that she can't be left unattended?"

"You can convey your concerns to Lord Neelari. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear your objections, Squire. The order passed. I bid you farewell. ”

With that, Ogedai turned around and trapped both of us. I harbored some hopes that this man would sympathize with my plight, but those hopes were quickly dashed.

The disgust on her face reminded me of Mrs. Moore, but with anger on her face. I instinctively took a step back.

A sense of danger dispelled my lethargy, and I realized that the warden had cleverly set the stage so that I wouldn't have a chance to find a friend here.

I still don't understand what's going on. My brain is barely working. I was a woman who was playing a complicated card game, but no one had taught its rules, and I was even forbidden to ask for help.

The woman seemed to make up her mind and motioned for me to stand by the shelf with her. I gazed at the rows and rows of medieval weapons, some of which must have come from the barbarian kingdoms.

I've never seen so many pointed, blunt knives, in all shapes and sizes. One was just a chain with a blade at the end, and I simply couldn't understand how that could be a sensible weapon.

We both stopped, and she looked at me expectantly.

I don't know what to do.

Does she want me to choose my own weapon?

"Huh?"

I felt a panic. In order not to upset the old witch, I desperately searched for something to protect myself, and I found it. I grabbed it and held it up in front of me protectively.

"That's a shield."

I nodded in agreement. Obviously, it is.

"Are you messing with me, rookie?" Can you still talk?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, yes, I can speak, no, I'm not trying to provoke you."

"Excuse me, what will you wield?"

I don't quite remember, but I do know my ...... Father? Yes, my father, I don't remember what he looked like, he would never let me learn swordsmanship. It's too unladylike to wield a knife.

Louisiana has become a dumping ground for debtors, prostitutes, and villains in France. There is no need for us, the landlords, to act like barbarians.

Having said all this, I did go in search of furs and meat, and there were so many escaped slaves that it was a foolish attempt to leave the plantation without weapons.

"I'm a good shooter with a flintlock rifle—ah!"

The woman's face turned into a mask of anger. She grabbed me by the collar and threw me out of the room effortlessly.

My mind went blank.

The world is changing before my eyes. I landed on my shoulder in pain, but I still slipped on the ground.

Finally, I stopped at a machine.

A second later, I heard the sound of my shield hitting a wall in the distance.

Pain stole my breath. I can't think.

It.

It hurts my heart.

“AaaAAAaa……”

I don't know how much time I've spent here, leaning over and crying. My whole body hurts, I'm so tired and I'm thirsty.

Why?

Why, why, why?

Something cold stung my ribs. I opened my eyes and saw that the evil witch was looking down on me. She used a blunt training sword as a flaming stick. Oh why, why does she have to be so cruel?

"Alright, rookie, let me see you shoot with you."

"I ......"

"So, what are you waiting for?"

She stabbed me.

The tip of the sword pierced into my chest, not enough to kill me, but enough to hurt me.

This new pain only adds to the old one, and I'm going to break down. I can't go on like this. Their brutal games, senseless attacks, indifferent mannerisms.

I didn't ask to come here, I was ridiculed and humiliated every time. Abuse. Torture. For what? What evil game are they playing, and they don't even think I'm worth knowing the rules? I just want to end this, I just want to die.

Daddy, please help me, I can't take it anymore.

So, I cried like a baby. I couldn't stop crying, I burst into tears.

I waited for this heavily armed female villain to continue her abuse, crying all the time, but it didn't come.

A pair of hands gently picked me up and put me on top of the stupid dummy. I was so scared that I closed my eyes.

A finger brushed my chin and cupped my face.

It took a few seconds before I dared to open my eyes.

The woman's face was frighteningly close to mine. She stared at my cheek in amazement.

"Rookie, I have a request."

"Huh?"

"Can I lick your tears?"

“W… World Health Assembly?"

Is this woman completely insane? This request is pointless! However, a sudden and pure longing on her face made me take my breath away.

"Please...... Please, please. ”

My gut tells me that she's telling the truth, even though it seems unlikely. It was all so surreal that I found myself speechless. Was this the person who threw me like a ragdoll across the room?

I had to make a decision, and although my judgment was wiser, I agreed.

I closed my eyes and watched as she slowly leaned forward. A chill slid across my skin, and I forced myself not to scream. This new feeling was so strange, yet so intimate, that I didn't dare to move.

A cold tongue ran along the other side of my face. I immediately heard gasps and whimpering. I opened my eyes again and witnessed an extraordinary spectacle.

The woman in such a perfect posture is now crying in front of me. She had a hint of pink on her as I watched her slowly fall forward.

Impulsive to protect, my left hand touched the back of her head. I patted it gently. Her black curls are the softest thing I've ever touched.

At first, she was nervous, but soon she leaned towards my gesture, and for a while, we were lying here.

My pain quickly disappeared. Am I hurt? No, probably not.

My arm fell off. It feels so good. I think I'm probably going to fall asleep right now.

I blinked. Amazon was looking at me with her usual grim mask. Is all this my dream? Definitely not! Hey, her skin is still rosy.

"Fledgling."

I gasped in fear.

"Do you know who I am?"

I shook my head, too scared to provoke another senseless rage.

"I am Gimena, the squire of the Cadiz clan, and the quartermaster of this squire."

“…”

"Can you understand what I'm saying?"

"You're Jimena."

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"How old are you?"

"I'm nineteen."

She frowned.

"I have not heard of Lord Nelari raising a chick, especially one that cannot speak. So what did he teach you?"

"Who?"

"Lord Nelari, your master."

"I don't know that person."

"What do you mean?" You are his, and I see your fangs. ”

I stared at the woman silently. Fang? Master? I'm dealing with a babbling madman!

"Unless...... Nope!"

Ximena looked at me in complete disbelief.

"Have you recently happened to meet a tall man with brown eyes and brown hair?" Darkness, implementation?"

"And incredibly handsome." I replied in a dreamy voice. "Yes, he did call me his master. Is his name Nilali?"

"yes, and when did you first see him?"

"Ah, just this morning, in my cell!"

Shimena seemed to be getting more and more excited, and I still couldn't tell if I was crazy or if she was crazy. At least I know the name of my killer, my master. Ni

a

i。 Such an exotic name. Maybe one day it will be mine too.

"Fledgling?"

"Huh?"

"I need you to tell me the truth."

"Oh, I will, the master told me to listen to you in all things."

"I see. Well, tell me, is your earliest memory of that cell?"

"Yes! I coughed and my throat choked suddenly. Himena winced sympathetically.

"Yes. I woke up there yesterday. At least I think it was yesterday. Without the sun and clock, it is difficult to know the passage of time. ”

"Yesterday? Yesterday!?"

"Really?"

"You feel like your mind isn't normal, as if your memories are hidden behind a veil?"

"Yes!" Finally someone understands my predicament! Ah, I'm almost crying!

However, Jime

Instead of answering, A stood up and began pacing.

"Is it some kind of pain?"

"Yes. Yes, it is. You will also notice his pale and sharp nails. And thirst. ”

"Will it get better?"

Ximena stopped pacing and stared into the distance.

"No...... No. ”

I waited patiently for her to elaborate. I can learn more about my situation from her, as long as I don't provoke her further. I hope she hurryes as I find myself increasingly eager to get back to my bedroom. Maybe I'll be able to find something to drink there.

"What's your name, remember?"

"Yes. Ariana. ”

"Hello, Ariana. Did Lord Nelari mention the ritual?"

"He said that if I do well, I can absorb his essence in three days and live."

Ximena muttered to herself, and unfortunately, I heard what she said. This woman can curse like a sailor!

"Well, young Ariane, you find yourself in a delicate situation. However, you have given me something very precious, something that can only be gifted and not demanded. Strong emotions are so precious. For that, I am grateful and will do my best to help you. ”

She helped me up.

"Yes, you are very sick, and I regret to tell you that it cannot be cured."

"What? I... I've never heard of this disease! Am I your captive? Because of this situation?"

"Definitely. You can think of the veil on your head as an anesthetic that protects it during the transition. ”

"But...... I don't want to—"

"Shh," she said, "I know it's scary, but you're still Ariane." Always remember that you are still yourself. ”

"—Yes, I'm Ariane. I'm my own. ”

I staggered forward.

"Ah, you must be exhausted. Please sit on my shoulder, and I will lead you to a room. ”