Chapter 28
The next day.
They changed direction and set out toward the Imperial Capital.
“Mel, do you barely sleep or something?”
They were on their way down from the mountain.
At Cain’s question, Melony replied without looking away.
“I slept.”
“You didn’t sleep properly, though.”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Telling him to mind his own business, she walked alongside Cain for a bit, then moved ahead. Before long, Cain ended up walking next to Glen instead.
The moment their eyes met, they both turned their heads away in opposite directions.
I really am tired.
She never slept deeply when staying outdoors. You never knew what might happen.
That habit—keeping her senses sharpened in preparation for an attack—still hadn’t left her.
She yawned as they were almost done descending the mountain.
“There’s a village.”
“Hm. Looks like a human village.”
Cain, who had stopped beside Melony at some point, quickly swept his gaze over the surroundings.
“We should stay here for the night.”
“Sounds good. I needed a comfortable bed.”
“This is Rounton Village.”
Glen, who had walked ahead into the village, took out a map to check their location.
Melony glanced over it from beside him and roughly understood where they were.
“At this pace, it’ll take about six days from here to reach the Imperial Capital.”
“Yeah. We’re almost there.”
“Cain, find an inn.”
“Huh? Why me?”
Stretching with both hands raised, Cain answered as if he didn’t want to. Melony stared straight at him.
“With your eyesight, you should be able to spot one.”
“So why exactly do I—”
“You said you needed a comfortable place to sleep.”
“Well…”
Shrugging, Cain finally gave in and wandered into the village, looking around.
“That way, and the opposite direction too.”
“There are two?”
“No. Three.”
Cain’s shoulder brushed against Melony’s.
From behind them, Glen, who had been watching silently, frowned and then strode over.
“Melony.”
He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. A bewildered Melony blinked.
“Why?”
“You…”
Glen seemed to be studying her expression. Not understanding what his problem was, Melony turned away again after a moment.
“We’ll take that inn.”
The inn was called ‘One Night a Day.’
They chose it because its signboard looked the least worn. As soon as they entered, a kindly-looking woman welcomed them.
“Welcome. Two rooms, then?”
“Yes. We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“Will you be using the dining room?”
“Yes.”
After paying for one night’s stay and meals, they received the keys. The rooms were 302 and 303.
As they headed up to the third floor, Melony handed the key to room 303 to Glen.
“You can have the bigger room to yourself, senior.”
“Ah—uh. Th-thanks… wait. Hold on.”
Stopping in front of room 302, Melony raised her head as she was about to unlock the door.
“What?”
“I’m using a room alone? Then what about this bastard?”
Glen’s face stiffened in disbelief.
Behind Melony, Cain stopped and grinned broadly, as if to say see? Glen’s expression slowly darkened.
“Cain needs to be watched, so he’ll share a room with me.”
“…What?”
“You take the room alone.”
Melony answered calmly and opened the door.
“See you tomorrow morning. Checkout’s at eleven. Not even a minute late. Come downstairs.”
Before Glen’s nagging could even begin, Melony quickly slipped inside.
Cain remained in the hallway and lightly patted Glen’s frozen shoulder.
“See you at dinner.”
Cain’s face was filled with a victor’s smile.
“Mel.”
Once inside, Cain approached Melony without a sound. Now used to his footwork, she replied while setting down her luggage.
“What.”
“I’m going to use my second chance.”
“……”
Instead of answering, she looked up and glared at him.
You’re going to use that precious chance immediately?
She stared at Cain with an incredulous expression. He just smiled leisurely.
“I can always get another chance anyway.”
Cain slowly stepped closer. Melony didn’t move away, lifting her head to meet his gaze.
Leaning against the wall, she didn’t really have anywhere to go anyway.
“You think I’ll give you another chance?”
“Of course. Once we meet the king, you’ll be begging me for help.”
“We’ll see.”
A sigh slipped out on its own. Cain brushed back Melony’s silver hair.
With his fingertips, he traced over the bite marks that still remained. Melony’s expression twisted slightly despite herself.
“Cain, this is the last one.”
“You’re really strict.”
Cain tilted Melony’s head to the side.
“Three minutes again today?”
“One minute.”
“It has to be the same as last time. And honestly, three minutes is way too short.”
“If you don’t like it, don’t drink.”
The way his hand kept teasing her neck was irritating. Melony slapped his hand away.
But Cain deftly dodged it.
“Five minutes.”
“Are you planning to drain all the blood from my body?”
Melony glared at him as if she could kill him. Cain burst into cheerful laughter.
“That’d be nice.”
“Shut up. Before you get skewered by holy power.”
Without warning, Cain bit into her pale neck. His sharpened fangs sank in with a thud.
Exactly where he had bitten her the day before. Melony clenched her fist, about to strike him, but barely restrained herself.
“Exactly three minutes.”
Instead of answering, Cain sucked her blood forcefully. The strength was so intense her fist tightened on its own.
Melony stared at the wall clock, counting the time. She just wanted it to pass quickly.
“There’s no blood in the world that melts you like this.”
Cain muttered, briefly stopping. His lips were still pressed against her neck.
“Just drink and keep your mouth shut.”
When she unconsciously turned her head, she met his vivid red eyes.
The beast, starving for blood, wanted more even after quenching his thirst.
It sent chills down her spine. And yet, hateful as he was, she had no choice but to offer her neck.
“Fine. Time’s precious.”
Cain’s fangs pierced her again.
“……”
This time, they sank in deeper than before. Soon, he began biting down, gnawing at her neck.
At first, she thought he was playing around. But the force gradually increased.
“Cain, stop.”
But his eyes already looked far gone. He was completely absorbed in drinking her blood.
Slurp— slurp—
The sound of blood being drawn grew louder.
Melony frowned as dizziness washed over her. She reached out, grabbed Cain’s small head firmly, and pulled him away.
“Ah… what a shame.”
Cain’s lips were smeared thickly with bright red blood, like smudged lipstick.
Strangely enough, it gave him a bizarrely sensual look.
Erotic…
Stopping that thought short, Melony scowled and punched Cain’s shoulder.
He took it without resisting. He must have known he was at fault.
She touched the throbbing back of her neck. Another identical set of puncture marks had formed where the wound hadn’t fully healed yet.
“I wanted more.”
“You broke the rules. You drank exactly one minute longer, so next time you lose a minute.”
“How cold.”
Shrugging, Cain wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Then, looking at the blood smeared there, he licked it off.
The sight made her feel sick.
No, ever since earlier…
With her face still stiff, Melony headed for the bathroom.
It was a habit she’d developed since an incident when she was ten.
Other people’s blood was fine, but seeing her own made her nauseous.
For some reason, only her own blood made her feel unbearably sick.
Bang—
As soon as she shut the door, she retched violently. She hadn’t even eaten properly.
This is irritating.
She wanted to empty everything in her stomach, it felt so revolting.
“Ugh…”
Unaware that the door had opened, she kept vomiting, hoping the nausea would subside.
Then something touched her back.
…No—it almost did, but she dodged.
“Get out.”
Wiping her lips roughly with the back of her hand, Melony straightened up.
“I thought you might faint at the sight of blood.”
“That’s not it, so get out. Now.”
“I’m worried.”
Melony shot Cain a sideways glance. When their eyes met, he grinned.
“My prey can’t die, after all.”
“……”
Melony didn’t even bother replying, just glared at him.
Completely ignoring him, she rinsed her mouth. The unpleasant sensation kept churning her insides.
I’ll never make another deal like that again.
One chance left.
After that, she would never give that vampire another opening.
I won’t let him stir up my insides ever again.
And when the time came—
She would kill him.
