Chapter 43 The Proposal (1)

Ethan's POVShe was once again enveloped in shadows and I carefully adjusted my expression back to normal unwilling to leave a bad impression on her.

Despite my outward calm, unease simmered within me. Her reaction to tasting my blood was unlike anything I had anticipated.

I had read extensively about vampires and their extraordinary abilities like how they could discern the purity and unique properties of bloodlines with just a taste. Their abilities allowed them to identify whether a particular bloodline could enhance their strength or contribute to their growth.

There were historical records detailing chilling incidents where vampires abducted younglings from various races with powerful and influential bloodlines, farming them like livestock. These unfortunate victims were kept as pets and forced to sustain their captors until their deaths.

Of course, such atrocities did not go unpunished. Vampires faced widespread exterminations with their numbers and vitality being greatly diminished. Desperate to ensure their survival, they signed death pacts solemnly vowing never to repeat those barbaric acts.

Yet, I was no naïve child. I refused to believe that these temperamental and long-lived creatures could fully abandon their deepest indulgence.

Blood was more than sustenance to them—it was a delicacy, a source of endless fascination. No amount of oaths or contracts could extinguish the desires that lay in their very nature.

So, her dramatic reaction unnerved me.

This woman who was undoubtedly a powerful figure and had lived for centuries and sampled countless varieties of blood, found mine remarkable enough to provoke such a response.

It scared me, especially since I had no family to rely on here in the Blood Veil Continent. I was alone in this alien land and vulnerable in ways I rarely allowed myself to acknowledge.

But then a reassuring thought broke through my fear. I glanced sideways at Master.

I am an idiot, as of Master would let anything happen to me. As if sensing my gaze, she turned toward me her face softening into a small, encouraging smile. Her expression seemed to say, You're safe. I've got you.

That simple gesture worked wonders and soothed my nervousness like balm on an open wound. I managed a smile in return my faith in her unwavering.

Our silent exchange was interrupted by the Duchess's voice once again emerging from the shadows.

"Enough with the silent goggling you two. Nyx, what is your purpose for being here?" she asked, her tone neutral and business like as though the strange incident with my blood had never happened.

"I want my disciple to be admitted to the Abyssal Sanctum," Master replied without hesitation.

The Duchess tilted her head slightly, a faint flicker of curiosity crossing her crimson eyes. "Then he can apply for it. As your disciple, he must be talented. His bloodline also seems... unique and mysterious."

"You don't understand," Master said sharply, her tone hardening. "First, tell me—are we completely safe from any prying eyes?"

The shadows stirred, shifting and curling in response. Slowly, the Duchess emerged, her small frame exuding an air of command.

With a wave of her delicate hand, a blood-coloured opaque barrier enveloped the three of us. I watched in fascination as blackish-red, tadpole-like runes swam along its surface moving in intricate patterns as if they were alive creatures.

"You may speak now," the Duchess said curtly, her tone making it clear that the barrier would hold against any intrusion.

Master wasted no time. "Ethan is a half-human, half-demon. I want him to be admitted and allowed to grow strong in the Abyssal Sanctum."

The Duchess's expression froze, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "That's impossible. You know no one can fool the ancient spirit of the Abyssal Sanctum," she said flatly, shaking her head. Yet, despite her words, I caught a flicker of amazement in her gaze as she regarded me.

Her expression seemed to betray an unspoken question, How could a half-human like me possess blood so pure?

I had no answer to that question myself. My demonic lineage was a mystery to me too.

Master, however, was unrelenting. "What if he becomes a vampire and is recommended by the headmaster herself that is by you?"

Her voice dropped slightly, a sly undertone creeping in. "And don't try to deny it. I know you have a secret method to disguise him as one."

The Duchess, Altheria was silent for a long time. Her face betrayed no emotion as she stared at Master considering the proposition. Finally, she nodded, her voice calm and measured.

"I do owe you a favor, Nyx," she said softly. "I will fulfill it."

"But he will have to regularly spend time with me to be infused with a Grade 5 Blood Duchess's aura. Combined with the seeping effects of the Scarlet Hollow Castle, he will have a chance to pass off as a bloodline descendant of the Sangrials and take the ancient spirit's test."

Hearing that I would need to spend time with this dangerous little girl whose gaze alone sent shivers down my spine filled me with discomfort and unease. She may have looked small and delicate, but her presence was anything but.

Master wore an unwilling expression her face twisted in visible conflict as she weighed the situation.

"Heh, if you didn't want to leave him under my wing, you shouldn't have requested something so outrageous. But why do you act like a mother hen with this boy? You cling to him like I'm going to eat him alive. It's very amusing, truly.

Also he may not have to live with me consistently for three years. He can visit your lair for a few days every month."

The Duchess's mocking words made Master's face darken.

"Mind your business, you insufferable midget," Master snapped. "And why are you acting like a depraved lunatic the moment you tasted my disciple's blood? Is your capture syndrome flaring up again?"

At Master's biting rebuttal, a flicker of anger and humiliation crossed the Duchess's face.

"Heh, has the legendary eternal virgin Nightshade Dragoness finally set her sights on a man and her own little disciple, no less?" the Duchess retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I wonder what the dragons and demons would think if they found out their cold, aloof dragon goddess was preying on young boys. The scandal would be delicious."

Their relentless back-and-forth left me stunned and bewildered. A dull headache began to creep in. Were these two really supposed to be best friends? Who would ever believe that?