V1: Chapter 56: The Foolish Vampire Princess

“Home… it’s because something happened at home.”

Octaville’s words were half true and half false. If she had to say, the Magic Tower was indeed her home, after all, she grew up there.

“Uh.”

If it was because something urgent happened at home, that would be understandable.

“But you could have left a message, you could have woken us up, told us before you left. You didn’t do any of that, and you’ve been gone for years. Does your family matter really need to be dealt with for so long?”

Liang Lin didn’t back down at all.

Octaville sighed.

Back then, the struggle for the heir position within the Magic Tower was so fierce that people were almost dying.

She was preoccupied with scheming and had no time to care about Hilary and the others. Besides, at that time, Hilary didn’t know she was from the Magic Tower. Octaville knew that, given Hilary’s personality, she would definitely follow her. She didn’t want her lover to be in any danger whatsoever.

“Sister, some things aren’t as simple as you think. My family situation is indeed complicated… well, you could say it’s a sibling rivalry over the inheritance. They’ve even drawn their knives against each other. I went back with the thought that I might lose my life. If I tell your sister, she’ll definitely worry about me and might even follow me. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“.....”

This reason seemed quite reasonable.

Liang Lin was speechless. Although she was still angry, she didn’t know where to vent it.

“Alright, Sister, I should go.”

Octaville patted Liang Lin’s shoulder and added, “If Liang Di treats you badly or bullies you, you must tell me. I’ll teach that brat a lesson.”

Liang Di: “…Octaville, I’m still standing here.”

“It’s alright, we get along fairly well.”

Having just read the letter, Liang Lin was genuinely grateful to Liang Di and completely forgot about the times Liang Di had bullied her.

"Was it... fairly well?"

Recalling the scenes she witnessed inside the magic crystal sphere, Octaville fell into deep thought.

Could it be that Liang Lin had a masochistic tendency?

Never mind, don't think about it too much.

"Liang Di, Gladys is outside. I brought her back."

Before Liang Di could speak, Liang Lin interjected, "Her? What's she doing here?"

"We're related by blood, so it's better to have her back. Bellica is too busy with too many things. That child seems quite clever; just give her some food." Liang Di replied.

That's right, Gladys was being used as cheap labor.

Octaville dragged Gladys inside.

The vampire princess had changed into clean and tidy clothes. Without the tattered cloak, she looked much more sunny and cheerful, though her dark circles were quite heavy, making her look somewhat tired.

Her little face was still so round and chubby, her cheeks flushed, and she timidly hid behind Octaville.

Seeing Liang Di, Gladys trembled uncontrollably, recalling the day Liang Di had brutally beaten her.

"Don't be afraid," Octaville softly comforted her, "She's, after all, your older sister..."

"Theoretically, yes, but don't call me 'sister,' and don't call Liang Lin with 'sister' either."

Liang Di was a head taller than Gladys, looking down at the weak, pitiful, and helpless vampire.

That's right, Liang Di's thought was—only she could call Liang Lin "sister," just like when she was little, she called her "brother"—it was a special term of endearment between the two of them.

"You can call me 'Miss.'"

"Alright, Octaville, there's nothing more for you here. Go home and keep Hilary company." Liang Di dismissed her.

"You're so fickle, forgetting your mother for a pretty face!" Octaville, indignant, turned away from Liang Di and asked Liang Lin for help. "Little sister, take care of yourself. Don't worry your sister and me."

"I'll be going now. I'll come back to see you in a few days. If you're ever upset, be sure to tell me."

"Okay, goodbye... Octaville..."

Liang Lin really wanted to call her "sister," since that's what she'd called her since childhood, but her prejudice against Octaville hadn't completely dissipated, making it awkward to say it.

After Octaville left, Liang Di called Bellica over.

"Bellica, you'll take care of this child from now on. Teach her some knowledge about shops. And... teach her some combat techniques."

Due to her physical abnormality, Gladys's physical abilities were also extraordinary, but without systematic training, her combat skills were somewhat clumsy.

Just then, Gladys, following behind the three girls, timidly raised her small hand and asked shyly, "Can I...can I ask a question?"

"Ask."

"Um, um, um..." Gladys poked her two index fingers together, her eyes darting around, "Um, Octaville said I have to work here! So, so! If I work! Does that mean I can eat my fill?"

Liang Lin laughed.

This child really has no ambition whatsoever.

"Yes, yes, don't worry," Liang Lin answered for Liang Di.

Gladys smiled contentedly, her mouth wide open, revealing her cute sharp teeth, her eyes narrowing into slits, "Hehe~ That's great! Thank you, you're all so kind."

This girl seems to have completely forgotten that she was beaten up by the two girls in front of her. Truly, she's forgotten the pain once the wound heals.

"Is this child a little dim-witted?" Liang Lin whispered her concern in Liang Di's ear.

She glanced at Gladys, who was grinning foolishly, her expression indescribable.

Liang Di also looked at Gladys, hesitant to speak, then stopping herself, finally letting out a sigh.

“Her body is abnormal; we can’t just let her wander around outside. What if she causes trouble one day? What if she harms civilians? Or what if she’s treated like a monster and strangled, nailed to a cross and burned at the stake?”

The two girls simultaneously facepalmed, sighing at Gladys.

“Bellica, thank you for your trouble.”

Bellica’s expression couldn’t hide her disgust.

“…No trouble at all, Miss.” She lied against her conscience.

Gladys was eventually taken away by Bellica, dressed in a maid outfit, looking particularly short, like an illegally employed child laborer.

“Later, when we go to other cities to investigate shop problems, we can bring another meat shield… no, another helper.” Liang Di quickly corrected herself.

However…

"Meat? What meat? *slurp*"

Liang Lin and Liang Di stared at Gladys, whose mouth was drooling, and their faces fell again.

"Tomorrow, I'm skipping class. I'm going to the nearby dessert shop."