Let's destroy Lamberks (1)

Rachel, who sat so casually at the long dining table, was drinking blood that looked so sweet and innocent in her delicate tea cup.

It was early morning, and the sunlight hadn't even properly warmed the earth, yet she had already been awake for hours, poring over some documents. Her unusually early rising was odd.

But even that strangeness was nothing compared to the fact that she was wearing everyday clothes.

Instead of her usual nightgown, she wore a rather dull dress — a faded, dirty blue shade with a pale golden pattern embroidered along the skirt.

The witch, who always smiled and made any room feel cozy just by being in it, was now absorbed in the papers in her hand, occasionally sipping from her cup.

— There's nothing here either — she concluded, setting the documents aside.

There were moments like this — when a sudden, unbearable emptiness crept in. Not even emptiness, really. Just a silent stillness.

It was deeply unsettling, because such a state meant only one thing — that anything could happen now. Anything from her.

(How irritating…)

She clicked her tongue softly, frowned, and tapped the silver bell beside her.

— Mistress, you called? — as always, Annelise appeared behind her, asking calmly.

— Yes — Rachel replied shortly, slowly shifting her gaze toward the dark-haired girl, her crimson eyes — as red as blood — landing on her.

(Her eyes are red again…) — Annelise pressed her lips together, clearly not thrilled with this change.

— I want to take a walk. Inform the other servants that I won't be back until lunch.

— As you wish.

---

Rachel walked down the street with no destination in mind, never straying from her path.

Her face, as always, was calm — even in anger, she maintained composure.

Two days had passed since her last encounter with Ezekiel, and they had gone by quietly.

Walking along the still-dim street, Rachel sighed.

(No matter how you look at it, the matter was resolved quickly, and the deal went smoothly. But that meeting with the Paladin General… it unsettled me.)

— Just thinking about it irritates me… — she murmured, her eyes darkening.

— Hm? — her gaze suddenly caught movement by the bridge.

The light was spreading slowly, and in the first rays of dawn, someone stood just beyond the railing.

(Trying to jump? How convenient.) — a thought flickered through her mind, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.

---

He probably hadn't even noticed me.

In the blink of an eye, I stood behind the man preparing to jump, just a few meters away from the railing.

My mood was still rotten, and every memory of that day sent a sickening shiver down my spine. It felt like some god was watching me from above, laughing at my misery. Just remembering that bastard made something churn inside my gut.

The appearance of a stranger, so pathetically ready to throw his life away, gave me a sliver of amusement.

Usually, I wouldn't care about this sort of thing… but seeing the man's back reminded me that I was still short on servants.

I always chose trustworthy people by saving them first.

You wait until the very last moment — then descend like a heavenly angel. And just like that, they follow you like loyal dogs.

(Humans are so easy to manipulate. Heh…)

The man, with hair as black as night, clung tightly to the railing and stared down. I wasn't sure whether he'd actually do it, but… he looked scared to let go.

His body trembled like a leaf in the wind.

But it seemed he was determined.

Deciding I had waited long enough, I spoke.

— Hey…

He turned around sharply, eyes wide in shock.

He clearly didn't expect anyone to be around this early.

— Who are you? — he asked, voice tense, fingers gripping the railing tighter.

— If you're going to do it, stop hesitating — I said, my tone relaxed, almost casual, completely ignoring his question.

— The longer you stand there, the harder it gets — I shrugged.

— What makes you think I'm hesitating? I… no matter how long I stand here, I won't change my mind — his soft baritone hit my ears, surprisingly pleasant.

If you looked closely, his face was rather handsome too.

— Really?

— Yes… — he lowered his eyes, long black lashes casting shadows across his cheeks.

— You shouldn't waste your time on someone like me, lady.

— It's fine. I think I can spare a few minutes — I chuckled, like it was some casual date, covering my mouth in a ladylike manner as I smiled at him sweetly.

Sometimes I truly impress myself.

— They're monsters… — he suddenly muttered, cutting into my thoughts, his face contorting with pain.

For a moment, I actually felt sorry for him — something in my chest ached. Am I getting sentimental? What a nightmare…

— Do you know how it feels to live knowing you were a mistake? Treated worse than garbage — a bastard child. Humiliated every day by your own family… even the servants act like I don't exist.

I said nothing. Strangely, I even felt guilty for wanting to use him.

— Because my mother was a slave, they reject my very existence. I lived in a freezing attic, beaten for every breath. Ate stale bread, scraps from the servants' table… and still had to bow to them.

— Hah… do you know what happened when I finally tried to stand up for myself?

His beautiful face twisted, and those refined lips let fall such brutal words.

I stayed silent, simply watching him with sympathy. He continued:

— My father said I was out of line. He tied me up and threw me into the stables for the night — no coat, in the dead of winter.

— Hah… from the beginning, my existence was a mistake. Don't you agree?

I remained silent, lowering my eyes in sorrow.

With a dramatic exhale, a lump rising in my throat, I asked softly:

— Do you want to get revenge on your family?

— I… yes…

His lips barely moved, but I understood him perfectly.

(So that's your answer. As expected. Then let's move on to saving our little "beauty.")

— Thank you for listening to me. It's strange… telling all this to a stranger like you. Hah…

Of course I listened. If I want you to be loyal, I need to save you first, little prince. That's the only way to ensure you won't betray me.

And if you do… I'll just kill you. No big deal.

---

Witch Rachel, whose flighty nature suddenly decided to save the man before her.

Sometimes it seemed like she was all recklessness, a whimsical tumbleweed of a woman. Her unpredictable decisions never failed to surprise.

As he spoke, his dark eyes gleamed. With a weak smile, he stepped off the edge.

(Why do I feel like I want her to save me? Even now… I cling to hope. Hah. How absurd.) — he thought, closing his eyes and letting himself fall.

Reacting in an instant, Rachel's silhouette vanished from the bridge. A second later, she leapt toward the falling man and caught him in her arms as though he weighed nothing.

Landing gently on the other side of the river, she knelt gracefully, landing on the tips of her toes.

(Good thing we didn't land in the water.)

Thinking of the still-icy spring river, she shuddered like a cat.

— Brr… — shaking her shoulders, Rachel looked down at the man cradled in her arms like a child.

It was a rather ridiculous scene. Despite the drama, the blonde catching him like a princess while playing the prince — considering her fragile frame and his much larger build — was bizarre. Yes… definitely strange.

At last, she let him go and tilted her head with concern.

— Are you alright?

— Why did you… — he looked at her in complete disbelief.

— Why did you save me? — his brown eyes shimmered as he fought not to cry, his expression devastated.

— I couldn't let you die — Rachel smiled, eyes gently squinted.

— What's your name?

— I… my name is Lakran.

Still in shock, he responded.

(Who is she? A vampire? How did she jump that far? Why did she save me? What does she want from me? She looks like an angel… maybe she is one?)

— Please don't die — Rachel's voice was as soft as a rose petal.

— …

— I don't want to go back to that horrible place… — Lakran muttered bitterly, looking away again.

— Please don't die… can you wait until six o'clock? I'll come and save you — Rachel blinked slowly, her voice sweet and her eyes even sweeter.

— Save me?

— Yes. Go back to your family's estate. I'll come at six sharp and rescue you — she smiled again, glowing with her angelic aura.

Pulling out a pocket watch, Rachel looked at it with surprise.

— Oh, seems I'm out of time. Please… wait for me — she closed the watch, brushed her hand gently across his cheek, and turned to walk away.

Lakran remained frozen, watching her silhouette disappear like a statue carved in stone.

(Maybe she really is an angel…) — the thought lingered.

(If you're truly worth something… you'll wait for me.) — Rachel thought, disappearing from view.

Back at the rented house, her mood had noticeably improved.

Returning to her usual routine, she sipped tea and flipped through a book.

(Of course, there's still a chance he ended his life after I left.)

(But if he really did, it only means that even if I saved him again, he'd still want to die — and as a servant, that makes him completely useless.)

(Still… I really want to believe he's alive. It's not often you get the chance to rescue such a handsome one. Most of the male staff are plain. What a waste it would be…)

Just the name — Lakran — had been enough for Rachel to recognize his origin.

Her memory, trained to store endless information, easily recalled the noble House of Lamberk.

The Lamberk family — filthy rich and famous in all of Berthium. And their illegitimate son — Lakran Lamberk.

For someone as mad as Rachel, it was no big deal to destroy an entire noble family in exchange for a potentially loyal butler.

Having lived so long, nothing in life had ever truly interested Rachel. Everything was dull, faded. Only violence added color. And she embraced her villainous nature with 101 percent enthusiasm.

— Annelise, inform everyone. We've got work to do.

— Yes, my lady. What kind of work?

— We're going to destroy the Lamberks.

— The County of Lamberk… Understood, my lady — the maid bowed respectfully… but then froze mid-step.

— The Lamberks?.. — Annelise repeated, her voice unsure.

— That's the one — Rachel smiled brightly, squinting her eyes and nodding like it was the most natural thing in the world.

— … — On Annelise's still face, one could read: "My lady, have you finally gone completely insane? Isn't it time for retirement?" The thought was clear in her dull blue eyes.

— Just say what you're thinking — Rachel sighed dramatically and took a sip of tea.

— Your brain seems overgrown with weeds, and your decisions are as sudden as snow in summer… but as you know, I am not allowed to oppose you, my lady. If I may… — Annelise bowed again with no regret for her sharp words.

— Your bluntness is always delightful. Yes, go ahead — Rachel waved her off, looking utterly pleased.