After finishing my work in Selina’s bedroom and returning to my own room, I found it bustling with everyone gathered, making the spacious room that the royal family used look quite packed.
“What happened?”
As soon as I sat on the edge of the bed, Martini spoke up.
The future strategies would greatly change depending on the princess’s persuasion. Since I had just come back from persuading Selina alone, everyone must have gathered to hear the news and devise a plan.
I confidently ran my fingers through my slightly tangled hair and reported.
“I succeeded. Selina Bertica will become a vampire now.”
“Oh….”
“You actually managed to persuade her.”
Plona, who said that, moved so quickly she left an afterimage as she appeared behind me with a comb, which I had no idea she had prepared.
“The fact that she didn’t seem too put off by becoming a vampire helped.”
Perhaps it was because she had sacrificed so much while living in a human body; as expected, Selina Bertica had a weak sense of identity about her race.
The hesitation in Selina stemmed from a learned aversion and the sense of responsibility that comes with being royalty.
After emphasizing the benefits of becoming a vampire, such as a healthy body and immortality, and relieving the burden associated with bloodsucking, I finally mentioned the misdeeds humans had committed against Ain after the races’ war, leaving her without any argument.
Once Selina’s reasons not to become a vampire began to dwindle, I properly kicked off my sales pitch.
“Just because you’re from a defeated nation doesn’t mean we’ll treat you like a war slave. In fact, playing the role of a bridge will help improve human rights, among other reasons.”
Eventually, when I pointed out that in the long-term perspective, quickly surrendering would actually benefit the people, Selina, having gained justification, immediately switched sides.
She seemed somewhat relieved as she leaned toward me, and I gladly bit her nape to let True Blood flow into her heart.
Though not as much as Plona, I made sure to give her a decent amount as promised.
As the transformation began, it seemed she ran out of stamina and fainted, closing her eyes gently, but since I had confirmed everything was fine, I suspected that by the next day, she would fully transform into a vampire.
“What about the King and the Prince?”
“Don’t dispose of them yet. Just in case.”
After Selina had received a terminal confirmation of her fate, she had been completely ignored by her father, King Glom Bertica, which was a common opinion shared among the staff in the royal castle.
It had been over ten years since the king had visited Selina, confined to her bedroom, and the prince had been nearly at the same level.
Even for royalty, having such a distant relationship was almost worse than having no connection at all, but who knows?
If Selina still harbored feelings for her blood relatives, hasty actions could provoke her resentment.
Since Selina’s role was important, I intended to accommodate her as much as possible.
When it comes to ruling humans, the most important thing is to keep them from uniting. Specifically, splitting them into factions so they fight among themselves is the best way.
For that to work, some humans must have something to lose.
If Selina, the previous ruling class, could recruit some nobles and instill in humans the awareness that there was an opportunity for social mobility, it would make matters much easier.
“After all, the time right after one turns into a vampire is usually the most confusing and unstable period.”
There was no need to rush as soon as she opened her eyes.
It’s better to wait until she experiences the new world firsthand and organizes her feelings before taking any action.
Martini seemed to understand, nodding her head as she stood up.
“I’ll do that. Shall I proceed with the existing policies for the rest?”
“Yeah. The princess will likely come over here. She definitely seemed to have the potential to become a vampire.”
The talent of a vampire.
It’s not about strength; in terms of identity, talent as a vampire means a yearning for life.
Those who wish to live, even at the cost of giving up being human.
In that sense, Selina, who knows the fear of death better than anyone and chose to become a vampire of her own volition, should be able to integrate among us, I expect.
“Since it’s the progenitor who has directly faced the princess speaking, we needn’t worry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for your hard work.”
After Martini left, curious as usual, Lavina began a barrage of questions.
It seemed she was interested in the process of a human transforming into a vampire; however, I had no specific information to give her since I hadn’t experienced it myself.
Ultimately, after letting her ramble for about thirty minutes, I regained my freedom and quietly enjoyed my rest, wrapping up the day.
The next day, feeling that the time had come, I visited Selina’s bedroom once again.
“You’re awake?”
“Ah, yes. I just… woke up a moment ago.”
Once I entered the room, Selina welcomed me with blinking, half-awake eyes while sitting up on the bed.
Unlike yesterday’s irregular and weak heartbeat, her heart now throbbed with vitality.
Not quite believing it herself, Selina placed her left hand over her chest and took several deep breaths.
“I’m not… in pain.”
“Of course not. You’re now my subordinate.”
“Ah…”
Large teardrops began to well up in Selina’s eyes.
Crying just because she could breathe a little easier might seem a bit dramatic to someone unaware of the situation, but I understood that emotion.
To avoid breaking the mood, I tactfully stepped back to one corner and quietly watched her actions.
After clenching and relaxing her hands a few times and pinching her cheeks, Selina carefully lowered her legs over the edge of the bed.
Her trembling legs moved slowly and finally touched the ground.
Wincing at the cold floor’s sensation, her feet eventually steadied, and she stood up, firming her resolve.
“I’m… standing on my own, and I’m not out of breath.”
Selina murmured as if she couldn’t believe it.
She began to take slow steps. With each step, joy gradually filled her face more and more.
“I’m really… walking on my own!”
“Shall we go outside for a bit?”
Without waiting for an answer, I lightly took Selina’s hand and led her, not to the first floor, but directly to the balcony.
Stopping in front of the railing, I let go of Selina’s hand, leaped lightly over the railing, and landed in the garden below.
“Ah, that’s dangerous—!”
“It’s not dangerous. Look.”
Landing right without making a sound, I flipped my hair back and gestured.
“Come on over. It’s fine. You can do it.”
Selina tightened her grip on the railing with both hands.
Unable to withstand her grip, the railing made a cracking sound and broke, causing her to stagger back in surprise.
“See? You don’t have to worry about getting hurt. You’re a subordinate of the progenitor; nothing in everyday life can harm you.”
“The progenitor’s… subordinate…”
Selina stared down at her hands that had broken the railing as she murmured.
Before long, perhaps finding courage, she tightly shut her eyes and jumped down.
‘Isn’t closing your eyes more dangerous?’
A fleeting, reasonable doubt crossed my mind, but I decided to ignore it.
Even if she happened to fall, there would be no scars left by the time she got back up.
As expected, it seemed that blocking her vision didn’t impact Selina’s enhanced motor skills; she landed lightly on her toes without any sign of wobbling, even with her eyes shut.
“I jumped from up there, and I really don’t feel a bit sore.”
Her voice sounded as if she were dreaming.
Totally enchanted by the experience of moving through the air, Selina began to run on her own without me saying anything afterward.
Quickly, faster, and faster.
With a face full of joy, Selina spun around, and after running so much that even her vampire form found it a little tiring, she finally stopped in front of me.
“You really… healed my body.”
“I always keep my promises. How about this? Want a drink?”
While she was spiraling in excitement, I casually shook a wine bottle and glass handed to me by a servant.
The sound of liquid sloshing in the bottle filled the air.
Although I avoided specific mentions, just those words were enough for Selina to figure out what the wine bottle contained.
“Is that…?”
Instead of answering, I popped the cork.
A sweet aroma wafted towards us. To lessen any possible aversion, I had prepared high-quality blood, one that could tempt even someone like me, who knew the taste of fresh, warm blood.
Caught off guard by the sudden offer and unprepared to accept it, Selina seemed slightly flustered as she took a deep breath.
Her gaze was fixed as if she were entranced, and saliva began to flow down unconsciously.
With a greedy expression far from that of a noble princess, like a beast, she exhaled harsh breaths.
‘Stronger self-control than I expected.’
It seems her lifelong battle against illness and the patience she had fostered remained intact.
Although it wasn’t freshly drawn blood, I had considered the possibility of her going wild, but she was more composed than expected.
“Drink.”
Still, it’s not good to keep her in suspense.
I filled the wine glass I held in my right hand about two-thirds full and extended it toward Selina.
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