Chapter 39: Imperfect future

Elena followed the princess, leaving behind three figures lost in thought—two humans and a beastkin. A heavy silence hung in the air between them.

One of the three recalled the little puppy who’d been punished earlier.

The ash-gray puppy was undeniably cute. Her sulky expression, her demure kneeling posture juxtaposed with the immodest display of her thighs, her small body trembling slightly… the incongruity was strangely arousing.

I want to…

…do that too.

She imagined a puppy with ash-gray fur and ears, being punished, a look of shame on its face, her hand holding the leash.

“…Ugh.”

A shiver ran down her spine. Her fluffy wolf tail wagged excitedly.

Another of the three thought,

This is bad.

The high-ranking noblewoman knew.

The princess wasn’t ordinary. A fifteen-year-old genius attending the academy, unmatched in magic among the freshmen, her wisdom said to be boundless.

She’d observed the princess for years and could confirm the rumors were true. But the true nature hidden beneath that cute exterior remained a mystery, an unsettling presence she avoided whenever possible. The recent rumors surrounding the imperial family only fueled her suspicion.

…It’ll be fine, though.

She decided to focus on more…profitable matters. The crystal ball containing Elena’s image… who would pay the most for it?

“Hmm…”

And the last of the three was lost in thought.

Her brow furrowed in displeasure, her three piercings glinting against her otherwise flawless skin, all framed by her golden ponytail.

She repeated a name she’d almost forgotten.

‘Princess Juliana.’

A crucial figure in Lily Academy, a guide in the unfolding story. She was surprised to encounter the princess here.

‘If things went as planned…’

The princess wasn’t supposed to make a move for another month. This early encounter wasn’t a good sign. Had something gone wrong?

Despite her usual carefree demeanor, she couldn’t hide her anxiety.

It wasn’t fear of the challenges ahead. She’d been preparing since long before the game’s starting point.

Nor was it fear of the upcoming events. She’d faced far worse.

But there was one thing that worried her deeply.

A small, frail girl, easily reduced to tears. A crybaby, always whining and complaining.

And yet, she was the light in Linne’s otherwise colorless life.

A flickering flame, fragile and vulnerable, demanding her constant attention.

‘A friend.’

Her little light.

She remembered the warmth of her friend’s touch, the feeling filling her with renewed determination. She forced her mind to work, searching for answers.

Click.

Another piercing clicked into place on her other ear, the slight pain momentarily clearing her thoughts. The effect was temporary. She had to figure things out quickly.

She pulled out a cigarette and lit it. A magically infused herbal blend, helpful for calming her racing thoughts. The fragrant smoke filled her lungs, clearing her mind. Too much, however, could lead to magic addiction. It was restricted to adults.

‘Speaking of which…’

Was Ellie an adult? It seemed unlikely.

She imagined Ellie with a cigarette, the image strangely fitting with her sharp eyes and pouty expression.

“Hee hee…”

The others gave her strange looks, but she couldn’t stop giggling. The mental image of Ellie smoking was too powerful.

“Ahem…”

This wasn’t the time for laughter. She had to find a solution while her mind was clear.

She composed herself and searched her memories, the events she’d meticulously documented years ago, now etched clearly in her mind. She extracted a piece of information.

In the original game, Elena was the princess’s close aide. An unchanging fact. And it seemed to hold true even now.

Being the princess’s aide wasn’t a bad thing. The princess was a valuable ally. It shouldn’t be a bad thing for Ellie, either.

‘However…’

If things followed the original story…if Ellie, like the Elena in her memories, met an untimely end…would it still be a good thing?

That was the source of her anxiety. She pushed aside the creeping dread and found a simple solution.

If the predetermined future was dangerous for Ellie, she’d just have to change it. Fortunately, Ellie was very different from the Elena in the game.

The jealous, ambitious Elena was gone. All that remained was her kind, cute friend, Ellie. Linne just had to stay close and protect her from harm. And coincidentally, she didn’t mind being near Ellie.

‘But…’

What if her efforts were meaningless? What if changing Ellie’s fate led to her own downfall? Could she handle that?

The thought of failure, of straying from the predetermined path and facing an uncertain future, made her hesitate.

But…

‘It doesn’t matter.’

For her friend, anything.

She added a new layer to her existing plan, a layer of uncertainty. Her own well-being was no longer her priority.

‘Her thighs felt nice, though…’

Remembering the soft, supple flesh, she set out to find Ellie. Being by Ellie’s side felt…right.

****

‘A vampire.’

Also known as a bloodsucker, a creature of darkness that fed on human blood, classified as a demon due to its diet. A species known for its enhanced strength and powerful magic, well-suited for combat.

That was all Elena knew about vampires.
But she was about to add another descriptor.

‘Perverted creatures…’

She’d never forget that disgusting tongue, lapping at her skin, tasting her blood. She wouldn’t live long enough to forget, anyway. She glared at the vampire and said,

“You filthy vampire! Tricking me by pretending to be the princess…”

“I’m not pretending. I really am the princess.”

Even after being exposed, the vampire continued her charade. Elena, enraged by her audacity, shouted,

“That’s ridiculous! The princess being a vampire? You’re mocking me!”

“Well, that’s a normal reaction.”

The self-proclaimed princess responded calmly, unfazed. Elena, seeing her composure, resigned herself to her fate.

“So, what are you going to do? Kill me now that I know your secret?”

“No, why would I kill you? That would be a waste.”

“Then you’ll let me go? What’s your game?”

“Nothing, really. I just…enjoyed your blood.”

The vampire licked her lips, staring at Elena’s smooth thighs. Elena shuddered at the seductive gesture. But the vampire’s words weren’t entirely unwelcome. If she could escape…

‘I’ll expose you.’

She steeled her resolve. But she’d chosen the wrong opponent.

“Just so you know, it’s best if you keep quiet about this.”

“Wh…what do you mean…? You’ll kill me if I tell?”

“No, I won’t kill you. But…”

The vampire’s cryptic tone made Elena nervous. She swallowed and asked,

“But…?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be fun if I told you everything, would it? Use your own judgment.”

But the vampire’s answer remained vague. Elena, frustrated by her teasing, fumed.

“Ugh…you…I won’t let you get away with this…!”

“Hee hee, do as you please. Now, why don’t you get up?”

The vampire’s red eyes scanned Elena’s prone form. Her body still trembled slightly from the forceful…feeding. The saliva seemed to be working; there were no visible wounds on her inner thighs.

“This is all your fault! Ugh…”

Of course, Elena couldn’t get up. The morning’s training and the intense bloodsucking had left her drained.

“If you won’t get up…”

The vampire’s shadow fell over Elena.