Chapter 11
Cain deliberately pointed at Melony. Bella’s face instantly twisted into hostility.
As if she would ever reveal the traces of the noble king to a mere hunter.
But despite the smile on her lips, Bella suppressed her emotions, sensing the pressure radiating from Cain as he watched her.
“That is…”
“Speak.”
“It is difficult to tell you because… the one who seeks the information is a hunter.”
“That’s a problem.”
Cain leaned back deeply in his chair and looked Bella up and down.
His red eyes gleamed. The chill pouring out of him was enough to freeze her where she stood.
“H–however…”
“Just talk.”
Even though his tone was languid, there was a force within it that no one could defy.
Watching silently, Melony became certain.
Cain isn’t just an ordinary pureblood.
He was at the top of the food chain—even among Bishops.
Melony narrowed her eyes. She met Bella’s stare head-on, noticing the emotions Bella failed to hide.
“…I don’t know the details.”
After a long silence, Bella finally spoke. Her trembling voice made it clear she still hated saying it.
“Just that a month ago… a man came here.”
Bella’s red eyes flicked toward Melony. They burned like fire.
A normal human would have run away from that glare.
But Melony simply accepted it without a blink.
She asked calmly,
“A man? What did he look like?”
“I don’t know. He wore a gray cloak pulled over his head… I only saw his green eyes. He looked like he was searching for something.”
“What was it?”
“He muttered just one thing.”
Bella blinked slowly.
“‘I have to find the Immortel.’ That’s what he said.”
Melony tilted her head. It was the first time she had ever heard the word.
Never heard of it. Is it a vampire term?
Bella also looked as if she had no idea. Melony turned to Cain to ask—
Is he… smiling?
Cain had lifted one corner of his mouth. He clearly knew what it meant.
“…So that’s how it is.”
Cain murmured and crossed his arms.
“Where is he now?”
“He is not here anymore. I heard he went to Muto Village.”
“Muto?”
“Yes. A village to the east. About eleven days from here.”
The village they were currently in sat right at the border of the south and east.
Melony, who had been quietly listening, spoke.
“Cain, what is Immortel?”
“Ah. That’s something only a few know. If I tell you, it won’t be a secret term anymore.”
Cain emptied his now-cold tea in one gulp.
“Tell me.”
Melony knew that even if Cain tried to be evasive, he would spill the truth with just a little push. That curious expression of his was already predictable.
And, just as expected, Cain set the cup down and shrugged.
“It’s commonly called the Forbidden Fruit.”
Forbidden Fruit—the fruit one must never eat.
That one, I’ve heard of.
A fruit said to grant immortality the moment you take a bite. Red like an apple, famous even among humans.
“…No way.”
Bella recoiled in shock and collapsed to the floor.
“Is… is that actually real?”
“It is,” Cain answered casually.
Unlike him, Melony’s golden eyes blinked slowly.
Cain turned toward her, red eyes calmly watching her reaction.
“Lilith, known as the First Saintess. Immortel is the only being containing her blood. People call it the Forbidden Fruit, but its real name is Immortel.”
He continued kindly,
“In other words—‘the living one.’”
“You’re saying the Forbidden Fruit is a person?”
Melony was genuinely surprised. She had always thought it was an actual fruit.
“Exactly. We just don’t know whether it’s male or female. Nothing has ever been confirmed.”
Cain stretched and fully turned toward her.
“The one searching for Immortel is most likely the king. Or a doppelgänger.”
“How can you be sure?”
“There are countless people seeking the Forbidden Fruit. But only those who know its true name—‘Immortel’…”
Cain paused, then let out a short laugh.
“Are the king, or his doppelgängers who possess his memories.”
Melony absorbed the new information and nodded.
It was vague, but it was still a lead—one tied to her revenge.
“So we need to track this unknown man. We just need to head to Muto.”
“For now.”
“It takes eleven days. We should leave—”
“No.”
Melony stood to prepare for the journey, but Cain grabbed her by the wrist and pushed her back into the chair.
“Don’t touch me.”
Melony pulled her wrist out of his grip with a glare.
“Don’t rush. The sun will set soon. Do you know what that means?”
“How would I—”
Melony shut her mouth.
Sunset meant nightfall.
Nightfall meant the vampires’ time.
Even for Melony—a strong hunter—facing a swarm of vampires drastically lowered her chances of survival. She reluctantly agreed.
Once she quieted, Cain stood and walked to the coat rack. He picked up one of the cloaks.
“This is okay to use, right?”
“Ah—yes.”
“Mel, your hair color stands out too much. Everyone knows there’s a silver-haired hunter.”
He handed the cloak to her. Melony took it silently and pulled it over her head.
“I never said I agreed with you.”
“Yet you put on the cloak. That means you’re going out, right?”
“…”
There was only one reason Melony wanted to go out into the village: curiosity.
She had wandered countless places searching for revenge, but she had never stayed in a vampire village.
She simply wanted to see how vampires lived—the ones she hated so deeply.
And maybe… that man could have returned before reaching Muto.
Bella, who had been listening, quietly spoke.
“You’re going into the village?”
“To check if he’s still around. Why?”
“I see. This village has many people from Muto. Be careful.”
Her eyes were on Melony.
Meaning: many here harbored ill will toward hunters.
Melony expected as much and nodded.
“Mm.”
Before leaving, she hesitated briefly at the door, then nodded toward Bella.
“Thanks for lending me the cloak.”
Before Bella could respond, Melony disappeared outside.
Cain was about to follow when a voice stopped him.
“I simply don’t understand.”
Her muttered words were clearly meant for him.
Cain paused but did not turn.
Realizing he was listening, Bella lifted her head.
“Why, Cain? Why are you traveling with her? A hunter—one infamous for her brutality. It’s not like you.”
Her voice carried quiet frustration.
Cain stared out the door for a moment—at Melony, who was watching him with “why aren’t you coming?” written all over her face.
Then he finally turned around.
“Why?”
His red eyes were cold, emotionless. The icy gaze made Bella flinch and bow her head.
How dare you meet my eyes?
His expression said exactly that.
“I—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”
“She’s mine.”
Cain uttered the warning softly, but the desire surfacing in his eyes was unmistakable.
A threat—one promising he would tear apart anyone who tried to take what was his.
“I’ll say this once.”
His eyes grew languid as he warned slowly,
“Don’t touch her.”
“…”
“I hate it the most when someone touches what’s mine.”
He swept his gaze over Bella like a snake—cold and menacing—demanding an answer.
His words felt as though they exposed her inner thoughts. Bella’s stomach lurched, but she quickly hid her emotions and smiled faintly.
“Of course. How could I possibly defy you?”
She bowed deeply to hide any change in her expression.
“I won’t touch her.”
Please… don’t notice my lie.
