Let's destroy Lamberks (2)

A faint squeak echoed through the musty room, followed by a quiet, persistent shuffling. The building was old and worn-out, with floorboards creaking at the slightest breath, making complete silence a rare visitor here.

Light seeped in through the only window of the long-unused attic, and if you looked closely, you could see the picturesque view of a wealthy street in the county of Lemberg.

Lacran stood opposite this tiny window, staring into the distance with an empty gaze.

It was as if his eyes were looking through the beautiful scenery, searching for someone.

Naively, he hoped the mysterious woman would appear at his doorstep.

Of course, he knew it was probably just another lie, yet for some reason, he wanted to honor the strange woman's small request — to stay alive until six in the evening.

Fifteen minutes to six.

(Why do I hope for a miracle... this is so foolish.)

"Ha…" he sighed, turned away from the window, and collapsed tiredly onto the rusty old bed.

Six o'clock came unnoticed.

The noise from outside made him flinch unpleasantly, and he turned onto his side with a groan.

(I'm done with work for today. No one should bother me now. Although… if I listen closely, the noise is coming from the street.)

(Could it be… No. That woman doesn't even know how to get here…)

"And why did I believe her words… ha… I just want to sleep," he muttered, burying his face in the pillow.

A blonde woman, her face devoid of sympathy, wore a faint, gentle smile.

If not for the dark, eerie atmosphere around her, she would have looked dazzlingly tender — as always. But the screams echoing from every corner ruined the illusion, surrounding her with a chilling aura. A psychopath's? Well, she was one. Not every vampire would come up with the idea to wipe an entire county of a neighboring country off the map just like that.

But nothing about her had really changed.

The garden outside the mansion had been trampled by the iron boots of knights trying in vain to resist the servants of the Black Guild's leader.

Almost all paladins who could've stood a chance against the attacking vampires were dead, their corpses discarded like scraps of meat across the estate grounds.

Rahel, who had been standing outside for some time, smirked with satisfaction again.

(I think it's time to move on to the main part of the plan.)

With that thought, she called her loyal maid:

"Annelise."

"Yes, milady?" — In a flash, a dark-haired girl with an ever-apathetic expression appeared by Rahel's side.

Her lowered eyes, full of contempt toward her lady and the task at hand, remained respectfully cast down.

Fresh blood stained her maid uniform — a long black dress with a white apron.

"Tell everyone to leave them be and go inside."

"Yes, milady." Her large beast-like ears — resembling cat ears, only two or three times larger — twitched, and she vanished again to relay the order.

Being a beastkin, Annelise had no trouble fighting on the level of an elite knight using only her claws to carry out her mission. But more on that later.

Finally, entering the Lemberg mansion — where chaos reigned and the estate's servants and nobles were unsuccessfully trying to escape — they opened the large, heavy door, which groaned ominously on its hinges.

Rahel entered calmly, still wearing her gentle smile.

(Well then, let the fun begin.)

As expected, not seeing Count Lemberg or Lacran, she sighed, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

(What a pathetic livestock — trying to seem important, yet worth nothing in reality.)

With that thought, her delicate silhouette moved down the corridor.

---

To be honest, at some point I just got tired of everything.

Inside, there was only emptiness. I didn't feel anything.

Looking for an entertaining distraction, I decided to destroy the count's family and take Lacran. But… at one moment, I simply felt like turning around and walking away.

Thinking back, it happened right after I ordered Annelise to enter the mansion.

My eyes were still filled with cruelty and pleasure at the chaos, but inside… it was so hollow.

It was such a disgusting, revolting feeling, like being pulled into a swamp.

But luckily, it lasted barely two minutes — maybe less — so I quickly forgot and continued my little mischief.

"Oh dear, is that it?" I was truly disappointed, looking at the powerless corpse of the aristocrat.

He looked young, definitely not the old fat count.

"That is Count Lemberg's eldest son, milady," reported one of my servants, catching me off guard. I discreetly wiped my lips with a handkerchief, hid my fangs, and dropped the cooling corpse.

"Oh, so he's Lacran's older brother? Are there more?"

Surprisingly, his blood was tastier than I expected, despite dying in just a few minutes.

I bit so carefully… and took only a few sips. What a waste…

---

Looking around, their eyes met, and Rahel's face lit up with genuine relief.

Lacran stood motionless on the stairs in the main hall, watching Lady Roxberg as she calmly disposed of his half-brother.

From his expression, it was clear he didn't expect this visit, but still — a weight had finally been lifted from his soul.

He felt no pity for the family that was nothing but a title, and suddenly, everything felt so light. So free. It was a completely new sensation for Lacran — freedom.

The face of the young Lemberg heir, which had always resembled a death mask, now showed something new. His heart clenched strangely, though not unpleasantly.

His shoulders twitched, and he instinctively stepped back, watching as his lady — his savior — walked straight toward him.

A shiver ran down his spine, and he met Rahel's gaze once again.

To him, she truly looked like an angel. Demon, criminal, vampire — it didn't matter. To Lacran, she was his savior.

He'd stopped believing in divine karma or deities long ago, after enduring years of cruelty. He felt betrayed by Eunice.

"Thank you for waiting for me… Lacran." Her sweet voice carried a tinge of bitterness.

"…"

Silence was his only response.

But that silence was enough.

For the first time, Rahel saw how eyes as dark as wood could burn so brightly.

She'd seen many eyes that shade, but never a fire so strong.

She looked at him strangely, then turned her head and surveyed the ruined hall, then the garden outside the estate.

"Sorry I didn't think of your feelings… You probably liked that garden. It was so beautiful."

(How does she know...?)

His surprised eyes blinked, and he wanted to ask — but after one more glance at her gentle face, he changed his mind.

(The garden was laid out like a maze, perfect for hiding. I guess my assumption was right.)

"Thank you for saving me," he finally nodded.

He didn't grieve for the servants or the people of this place. He cared even less for his own life. But in that moment, when exactly at six the head of a criminal guild saved him, everything changed.

"…" — another soft smile and silence in response.

The man standing across from her was the bastard of the Lemberg family, whom they were ashamed of and despised — especially his father. Rumor had it that Lacran was seriously ill and never appeared in public. A ridiculous lie, yes — but believable, since he truly had never shown his face in society.

His life as a bastard was never sweet.

"If you truly want to thank me — become my butler."

"I love you, milady."

They spoke almost simultaneously, staring at each other in stunned silence.

"Huh?.. We just met today. What a strange guy…" — stifling a quiet giggle, she covered her mouth, her eyes narrowing with amusement.

"Forgive me, I meant… I'm grateful. I will become your butler, milady…" — awkwardly clearing his throat, he looked at the floor with a strange, peaceful expression.

"Milady, the task is complete."

From the corner of the stairs, Annelise appeared, gave her report, and curtsied.

Glancing at Lacran, the personal maid quietly snorted, her dull blue eyes filled with disdain.

"Oh, I suppose your rescue is complete, dear Lacran… Time to go. My sweet Cappuccino has been waiting!" — politely covering her mouth, Rahel stepped around the pools of blood, careful not to stain her hem.

"Huh? Yeah…"

Lacran's mind swirled with questions about his rescue — questions still unanswered. Yet with a detached but happy voice, he followed Rahel toward the exit.