Chapter 40: If you are really close

How much blood could a person lose?

This was the most pressing question, given my current predicament. I was essentially an unlimited blood bank.

Protesting this unethical practice was useless. The vampire before me was ready to drain me dry.

So, I’ll ask again. How much blood could a person lose?

I’d probably answer like this:

“No…more…sucky…I’ll die… Stop…”

Ugh…that sounded pathetic, even to me.
But it was better than becoming a dried-up corpse.

This was my best attempt at survival. I was resilient, able to endure anything.

Of course, the vampire wouldn’t listen.

“Ahahaha, don’t be ridiculous! You won’t die from a little blood loss.”

Her face was hidden in the shadows, backlit by the sun.
Only her red eyes, like a predator’s, glowed ominously.

She bent down and reached out, her hand stroking my cheek. I shivered, squeezing my eyes shut, refusing to let fear consume me.

Squeeze—

“Eek?!”

Her arms wrapped around me, small and slender, yet surprisingly strong.

“Of course, if your blood was ordinary, you’d be dead already.”

Her voice echoed in my ears. With my eyes closed, her words resonated, etching themselves into my memory.

Kiss—

“Ahh?!”

A sudden cold, wet sensation on my neck made me yelp. I realized it was just a kiss and sighed in relief.

“Hee hee…I expected it to be sweet, but not this sweet. I look forward to…more.”

Her words, a soft whisper, tickled my ear. Her low chuckle echoed in the small space behind the building.

“Don’t make me laugh! Why would I…ngh…”

Squeeze—

Did she not like what I said? Her grip tightened.

“Oh, and call me Your Highness from now on. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”

I felt myself being lifted. I opened my eyes; I was standing. My legs were weak, but I managed to lean against the wall.

Was she letting me go?

I looked at her nervously, and she smiled innocently, her golden eyes sparkling. She’d just been sucking my blood, holding my leg, reveling in my…life force.

And behind her, still hidden in the shadows…

“…Linne?”

“What are you doing here?! Since when…?”

Linne stood there, watching us with a languid expression.

“Linne! Help me!”

Thud—

I lunged at her, using the last of my strength. She caught me as I collapsed.

“What did you hear?!”

“Um…I don’t know about hearing, but I saw you two lying on the ground, cuddling and kissing.”

The vampire glared at Linne, demanding answers, but Linne responded casually.

How could she say that out loud?
And she missed the important part! Useless commoner.

“Hey! I never did anything indecent!”

This wasn’t the time to argue, but I couldn’t let her misinterpret the situation. I was a victim of a vicious vampire attack!

“What’s so indecent about that? It’s normal between friends.”

“That’s not the point!”

I pointed at the vampire. I had a strange feeling Linne would…take care of her.

“Linne, that girl you think is the princess…she’s actually…!”

But I couldn’t finish my sentence. No one interrupted me.

It was just…

“Haa…?”

A sudden wave of heat washed over me, a vivid replay of the…intense bloodsucking, making it impossible to speak.

“Hngh…!”

“Ellie? What’s wrong?”

I trembled, clinging to Linne’s clothes, and she asked, her voice filled with concern.

I couldn’t tell her I was reliving the pleasure, barely able to stand, my body still tingling from her touch, and that her touch was…dangerous right now.

“Haa…n…nothing…”

I glared at the vampire, forcing a smile.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

The vampire smiled innocently and turned to leave.

“It was a pleasure, my right-hand woman.”

She winked as she left.

I suddenly felt incredibly sleepy. My vision blurred.

“Wh…what’s wrong, Ellie? Ellie! Wake up…!”

She was so noisy.

Linne’s voice faded as I drifted into a deep sleep.

****

“Ellie! Wake up!”

Linne’s mind cleared, a sudden chill snapping her out of her daze.

Ellie had collapsed. Linne patted her cheeks, but she was unconscious.

“I have to…heal her…!”

Linne carried Ellie to the infirmary. It was empty; it was a holiday.

“Haa…”

Linne laid Ellie on a bed and checked on her.

Ellie stirred, snuggling into the pillow.

“Mmm…”

Her face was scrunched up in pain. Her small body trembled, and Linne felt a surge of protectiveness.

She channeled healing magic into her hands and gently stroked Ellie’s hair. Ellie’s expression relaxed.

Her ash-gray hair, neatly tied back earlier, was now loose and flowing, the soft strands tickling Linne’s fingers.

‘If she were awake…’

…she’d be furious. Linne wouldn’t get another chance to touch her hair.

A mischievous impulse made her ruffle Ellie’s hair playfully. Ellie nuzzled her cheek against the pillow, a bright smile on her face.

“Hee hee…”

The sight was so endearing, Linne’s protective instincts intensified. She withdrew her hand and said,

“Tell me where it hurts, and I’ll heal you properly.”

Swipe—

Linne’s hand rested on Ellie’s back, moving slowly down to her waist, and then…

Squish.

Her hand cupped Ellie’s buttock, the soft flesh yielding slightly to her touch. Her hand lingered, kneading gently.

She remembered her friends from her past life.

‘They said that, didn’t they?’

If you were truly close to someone, you’d always want to touch them. She hadn’t understood it then.

‘It didn’t make sense back then.’

But now, she understood perfectly. She hadn’t been as close to her former friends as she’d thought. Was this…true friendship?

Linne looked at Ellie’s soft buttocks, molded perfectly in her hand, the plump flesh peeking between her fingers. The sight intensified her…desire.

“Haa…Ellie…”

Touching her sleeping friend felt…strange, but…

“Mmm…not my butt…”

“Ellie…? Are you awake?”

Linne jumped, startled. She quickly checked Ellie’s face.

“Phew…she’s still asleep.”

Linne sighed in relief.

‘Why…’

…was she so nervous? She hadn’t done anything wrong.

She continued kneading Ellie’s buttocks.

“Mmm…”

Linne’s touch grew bolder. Ellie’s soft moans fueled the growing warmth in her chest.

“I should heal her properly.”

She quickly turned Ellie over. The sight that greeted her was…unbearable. Linne quickly channeled healing magic into her hands.

The healing continued long after her magic reserves were depleted.