After everything that had happened, Sophia left my room, and I lay back on my bed to rest a little longer. I glanced over at the small clock on the table—it was ten in the morning. According to Sophia, I'd been asleep for about two hours. Mother and Father planned to leave around three in the afternoon, so I still had some time to pass. I intended to head back to the library to study once they left.
The pounding ache in my head was starting to fade, which was a relief. Normally, a vampire's wounds heal quickly unless inflicted by holy magic. It was probably taking longer due to how young this body was.
With the aches subsiding, I got up, thinking I'd been a bit too idle since arriving in this world. It was about time to get some exercise. I headed out of my room and made my way to the chief maid's office. Just as I reached out for the doorknob, the door swung open, hitting me square in the face. I stumbled back, clutching my nose. Out walked the chief maid, with her tall, graceful figure and striking blue eyes, which sparkled as they fell on me. Her long blue hair shimmered as it flowed down her back.
When she noticed what had happened, her expression changed from calm to alarmed.
Chief Maid: "Oh my God! Are you alright?"
Viktor: "I think so…"
She knelt down, inspecting my nose, then pulled me into a tight embrace, unintentionally pressing my face against her chest. I tried to speak, but I could barely breathe.
Viktor: "Um, excuse me, ma'am…"
Chief Maid: "I'm so sorry, Young Master! Give me just a moment. SOPHIA!"
Panicked, she squeezed me even tighter, making it harder to breathe. A few moments later, Sophia hurried out of the chief maid's office, looking confused.
Sophia: "You called, Miss Emily?"
Emily: "Yes, check the first drawer of my desk for bandages and bri—"
Viktor: "That won't be necessary!"
I finally managed to free myself and pulled back.
Emily: "But Lord Viktor, your nose is bleeding—are you sure you're alright?"
Viktor: "It's really fine…it was just a door."
Emily: "Well, if you're certain."
I quickly wiped the blood from my nose, hoping that would reassure her. Though it hurt, I was actually fine. Any longer in her grip, though, and I'd have probably suffocated.
Viktor: "Anyway, I actually wanted to ask if there was a gym or a room with equipment I could use for exercise."
Emily: "Oh, there is one, though it hasn't been used in a while. It's a bit dusty, but I can clean it up once I finish my tasks."
Viktor: "Great, just let me know when it's ready."
Emily: "As you wish, Lord Viktor."
We parted ways, and I decided to go outside for a walk in the garden. Just as I reached the outdoors, I was stopped by Elizabeth, dressed in an oversized white T-shirt that reached her waist, partially covering her beige shorts. She seemed stressed, and I assumed she was about to go for a run, but before I could ask, she grabbed my arm and started pulling me along. Although I was a bit confused, I followed without protest.
When we finally stopped, she calmed down, and I took the opportunity to ask her what was going on.
Viktor: "Hey, Elizabeth, where are we going?"
Elizabeth: "…We're going to see some of my friends."
Viktor: "We? They're your friends—why'd you bring me along?"
Looking tired of trying to dodge the question, Elizabeth finally gave in.
Elizabeth: "Look, my friend Alice is obsessed with you. Every time she starts talking about you, it's like you're the only thing on her mind. She goes on and on, and I can't get any peace when she's like that."
Viktor: "Obsessed…with a four-year-old? So, won't bringing me just make it worse?"
Elizabeth: "I thought so too, at first. But she kept begging to see you in person. I tried to ignore it, but it got to a point where I couldn't stand it anymore. Please just help me out today, I'll owe you one."
Viktor: "Sure, it's fine. I wasn't really doing much anyway."
Elizabeth: "Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver."
She hugged me tightly, and while it was a little too tight, I didn't mind. She didn't need to thank me; I didn't exactly have a choice anyway—I didn't know my way back home from here.
Soon enough, three figures appeared in the distance. As they noticed us, they walked over, and Elizabeth, unable to contain her excitement, began waving and ran toward them. I followed, keeping a small distance. Once we reached them, one of the girls rushed forward, hugging Elizabeth. It took me a moment to recognize her, but I remembered that she had visited Elizabeth at home a few times. I think her name was Emma.
Elizabeth: "Emma! It's been too long—over a year!"
Emma: "Yes!"
Emma Williams—right, that was her name. She had blonde hair, stood about the same height as Elizabeth, and was similar in build. If not for their different hair and eye colors, you might even mistake them for sisters. The boy in their group stepped forward to shake my hand, introducing himself as Davis Williams. He was tall and well-built, with broad shoulders, and his long black hair flowed down to his waist, partly obscuring his face. But despite his imposing look, his friendly nature made him less intimidating.
After I introduced myself, he froze for a moment.
Davis: "Are you really only four?"
Viktor: "Of course. Why do you ask?"
Davis: "Right…sorry, it's just that you don't really act like most four-year-olds."
Viktor: "Yeah, I get that a lot. You're not the first to ask."
Davis: "I see… Hahaha."
I glanced over at Elizabeth and noticed the third girl in their group, standing still, her eyes locked on me in shock. Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, a small trickle of blood ran down her nose as she continued to stare.
Elizabeth, Emma, and Davis: "WHAT THE HELL?