Chapter 39: A Tangled Night of Missteps

I woke to find darkness blanketing the window. Odd—Albedo-sama was here at dawn, and we lingered in the study. I hadn't eaten lunch, so why was it night already?

"Yo, finally up, huh? Man, you were out like a light!" Lupusregina's cheery voice greeted me as I sat up.

"Where's Albedo-sama?" I asked, brushing off her teasing.

"Long gone," she said.

"What…?"

My last memory was Albedo-sama, cheeks flushed, utterly charming. Everything after? A complete blank. What happened?

"Did Albedo-sama say anything?" I pressed.

Lupusregina's grin faded, her face turning serious—rare for her. "Brace yourself. Listen closely."

I nodded. "Alright."

After some vocal warm-ups, she relayed Albedo-sama's words: "'Fool, fool, fool! You've got no tact whatsoever! You're the worst, fool! I never want to see you again!'"

Her mimicry was spot-on. I froze.

Lupusregina didn't know what happened, but I did. After… basking in Albedo-sama's warmth, I indulged her unspoken desires with intense closeness. But when I leaned in for a kiss, something went horribly wrong.

I rose from the bed like a hollow wraith, stumbling to the window and opening it to the night breeze. The second-floor height was daunting, but I didn't care.

"What're you doing?" Lupusregina asked.

"Albedo-sama deemed me worthless. There's no point in living."

I was ready to leap.

"What nonsense is that?" she snapped.

"Nonsense, you hag?!"

She flinched at my outburst. My haggard, twisted face—rare, she'd later say—held a fierce beauty. "You don't need to die over this! If Albedo-sama's done with you, I'll take you!"

"No way," I shot back.

Her eyes blazed. If I were some nobody, she'd have crushed me. But harming me would bring trouble—big trouble. Pain wouldn't faze me either; I'd endured Solution's torment for half a day without blinking. Lupusregina couldn't touch me.

Or so I thought. She wasn't Nazarick's fool—her wit was sharp when it counted.

"That's why Albedo-sama called you tactless!" she jabbed.

"Ugh!" Her words hit like a dagger.

Instinct urged her to press on. "I'll teach you tact myself," she said, licking her lips like a wolf eyeing prey, eager to outshine Solution.

"No… Albedo-sama said she never wants to see me…" I groaned, sinking deeper.

Lupusregina scoffed. "If she meant that, why heal you?"

Heal? Then it clicked: after her adorable flush, she'd shoved me—hard. I'd crashed into the wall, bones cracking.

"You should thank me," she said.

"Tch… thanks, Lupu…"

"Want me to teach you more?"

"Yes."

"Sweet! Let's—"

"Food first," I cut in. Healed or not, my stomach growled.

Lupusregina, ready to pounce, relented. She didn't mention Albedo-sama's other words—about letting me sleep due to exhaustion. If I'd heard, I'd have wept with gratitude. But she was gone, and that was that.

Albedo's strange fate seemed to pass to Lupusregina.

"I'm off with Ainz-sama soon, so I'm here to recharge," Lupusregina said, eyeing a feast—and me. But then Shalltear arrived. Night was her time.

"Albedo said I could borrow you tonight," Shalltear purred.

"So kind…" I murmured.

She lied. Albedo was meant to be in E-Rantel, but Shalltear, spotting her in Nazarick, seized her chance. Her cunning outdid her foolish reputation.

Dressed as a true vampire—silver hair loose, black cloak with gold ties, glossy gloves—Shalltear's red eyes and lips gleamed, her fangs glinting coldly.

"Here we go," she chirped, leaping into my arms. I caught her, princess-style, but her enchanted cloak obscured her form, a playful trick.

Blushing faintly, she whispered, "Tonight, Shalltear wants you to pamper her lots! Love me deeply, big brother! ♡"

Lupusregina and I froze. What was this vampire on about? Lupusregina fumed but brushed it off. "Not mad, just… not fun."

Shalltear's rank outstripped Lupusregina's. No interrupting her.

"Are my words strange?" Shalltear asked, recalling Peroroncino's sister's bold speech, which some adored.

"No, you're… too cute," I stammered.

"Ehe! ♡ Pamper me lots, big brother!" She giggled, kissing my cheek, nibbling my ear.

Lupusregina, sidelined, vowed to outdo her tomorrow—unaware tomorrow would never come.