Lena stood awkwardly to the side, watching Lixia and James make small talk in the parlor. It was all very proper and polite, but Lena could feel the undercurrent of tension in the air—the power struggle hidden behind the polite conversation.
Lixia was lounging in her armchair, sipping tea, and looking perfectly at ease despite the bizarre situation. And James was doing his best to maintain his usual dignified bearing, even though he was sipping tea with a woman who had been born centuries ago.
It all felt completely surreal.
James:"So does the tea best suited for your taste?"
Lixia:"Quite refine I'd say~"
James:"Thank you for the praise~"
Lena watched her father and Lixia exchange pleasantries, sipping tea like this was all perfectly normal. It was a nightmare—an elegant, polite nightmare.
James was trying his best to remain composed and courteous, even though he was talking to an immortal being who had probably seen the creation of tea itself. And Lixia was... enjoying herself! She was having a grand old time, chatting and sipping tea with a baron, as if this was her normal day-to-day activity.
Lena wanted to scream. She stood by the wall of the parlor, desperately praying for the conversation to end. But her father and Lixia were still chatting away, enjoying their tea and biscuits.
She could hear snippets of their conversation—talk about the weather, the current crop harvest, and other seemingly mundane topics. But Lena knew there was more to it. She could see the calculating glances that Lixia and James kept stealing at each other, sizing each other up like two wolves circling each other.
How long was this going to go on?
Louise:"Hey, Lena! What are you-"
She hurriedly pulled Louise aside, cutting her off mid-sentence. They were now standing just outside the parlor, but close enough to overhear the conversation inside.
Lena"Shh! Don't disturb them!"
She whispered urgently, putting a finger to her lips.
Louise:"What's going on?"
She kept her voice hushed, her eyes darting back and forth between the parlor and Louise.
Lena:"He's... having a conversation with the 'inventor' I mentioned earlier. And their conversation..."
She paused, taking a quick peek back inside. Her father's and Lixia's conversation was still going strong, their voices still too low to be heard.
Lena:"It's intense, to say the least..."
She whispered urgently, turning back to Louise.
Louise:"What do you mean by-"
James:"It seems that you have quite the talent on inventing. So care to tell me about the specifications about the thing you created called 'toaster'?"
Lena's heart skipped a beat as she heard her father's question. She could tell James was getting down to the real conversation now, getting closer and closer to dangerous territory. Inside the parlor, she could see Lixia pausing mid-sip as she heard the question. Her smile didn't waver, but Lena could see the gleam in her eyes—a gleam that said she was enjoying this a little too much.
Lixia:"Ah, Where to begin...?"
She purred, setting down her teacup.
Lixia:"Well~ It typically consists of one or more slots into which bread is inserted, and heating elements, thus power by using small little lightning crystals, to generate heat and toast the bread to the desired level of crispiness"
Lena and Louise listened to the explanation with baited breath. Lixia was doing an expert job of explaining the toaster in a way that sounded like she knew what she was talking about. James nodded slowly, taking in every detail.
James:"Lightning crystals, you say?"
The vampire smiled slyly.
Lixia:"Indeed. They make the toaster run on a very efficient energy, you see. More sustainable and environment-friendly."
Lena's heart skipped a beat as she heard her father's direct question. She knew he was onto something now—and she could see Lixia tensing slightly, though her smile never wavered. James leaned forward, staring right at Lixia.
James:"I want to know the true extent of your inventing capabilities. And I want to see your workshop—the place where all this 'genius' is born."
Both Lena and Louise tensed. This was it. Here came the challenging questions. Lixia, on the other hand, looked unruffled. She leaned back in her chair, her expression still one of perfect composure.
Lixia:"A very fair question,"
She said, her voice as smooth as silk. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Lena, as if in warning, before returning to James.
Lixia:"I can make quite a variety of inventions, depending on the resources available. And my workshop, well, that's a... closely guarded secret."
James:"..."
Lena breathed a slight sigh of relief as she watched James's expression, reading the subtle shift in his demeanor. He seemed wary, but also... cautiously intrigued.
Lixia, meanwhile, seemed completely unbothered. She took a slow sip of her tea, never dropping her smile. It was clear she was enjoying this game—enjoying the fact that she had managed to keep up the illusion even when James tried to interrogate her.
And then, suddenly, she turned her gaze to Lena. And winked. Lena felt her heart racing. James's next words could change everything.
He seemed intrigued, despite himself. Interested enough to set aside his suspicions—at least for now. And Lixia... Lixia remained maddeningly calm, as if all of this was going exactly as she intended.
James:"Would you be open to working with me?"
He asked, watching Lixia carefully. Lixia set down her teacup, her smile widening.
Lixia:"But of course, It would be an honor."
Lena:"(Yes!)"
She had to physically stop herself from pumping her fist into the air. James and Lixia were talking about their potential collaboration, discussing resources and possibilities. And Lixia was playing her part in this whole ruse flawlessly—pretending to be a young, talented inventor who was excited to work with a baron.
Lena couldn't believe it. Somehow, everything was working out. For now. She just had to make sure that Lixia didn't do anything... vampire-like.
Louise:"It's the first time I see father looks so please- with someone..."
Lena silently agreed with Louise. She'd never seen her father so engaged with anyone like that—even with his business partners. Lixia had managed to completely enthrall him with her act. Lena didn't know whether to be impressed or terrified. Louise blinked, then glanced at the clock on the wall. Her eyes widened in realization.
Louise:"Oh no—I'm late!"
She turned to Lena with a hurried look.
Louise:"You're right! I'll talk to you later!"
And with that, Louise rushed off—leaving Lena alone by the parlor door. Lena took one last glance inside. James and Lixia were now sketching designs together on parchment—her father laughing at something she said.
A vampire... running a business venture with a baron?
Only in this life. 🧛♀️💼✨
She sighed, half-dreading, half-excited for what came next.
The moment James stepped out, the air shifted. Lena spun to Lixia, eyes wide and hushed.
Lena:"You—you were supposed to be hiding in my room!"
The vampire just grinned, twirling a strand of white hair around her finger.
Lixia:"Mmm... but your father is fun. And his silverware looks expensive."
Lena:"Lixia!"
She hissed, grabbing her arm.
Lena:"He wants to work with you! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?!"
She blinked slowly, then winked.
Lixia:"Relax, We're already making history. And don't worry... I'll only bite if he underpays me." 😈✨
She whispered back.
Lena:"...I have another project for you"
The vampire took the crumpled paper with delicate fingers, unfolding it like a treasure map. Her eyes lit up as she scanned the rough sketch—lines, gears, labels scrawled in Lena's messy handwriting.
A fridge?
Lixia:"...You want me to build... a cold box that preserves food... forever?"
She asked, intrigued. Lena nodded fiercely.
Lena:"No more spoiled milk. No more rotten vegetables. And—" she leaned in—"we'll charge extra for 'enchanted cooling crystals.'"
The vampire's grin turned wicked.
Lixia:"Ohhh... I like where your little human brain is going."
She folded the paper neatly and tucked it into her sleeve like a villain with a new mission.
Lixia:"Consider it done, But I expect snacks for my labor."
And maybe just maybe—a blood orange on the side. 🍊❄️
Lena:"There's no deadline, by the way- And if there's any trouble just call my father or me"
The vampire smirked, taking the paper back into her sleeve. This whole "inventor" thing was turning out to be quite a lot more... profitable than she expected.
Lixia:"No deadline, Got it. But I'll be sure to call you or your father when I'm finished... or when I'm craving snacks."
She winked, already plotting her next invention.
Who knew inventing could be so...
...fun?
She paused as Lena grabbed her skirt, looking back with one eyebrow raised.
Lena:"Should I bring you some fruits?"
She paused, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The request was unexpected, and yet... Lixia found herself touched. It was such a human gesture, one that surprised her. She looked at Lena with a hint of surprise, but the smirk returned quickly.
Lixia:"Oh? Feeling generous now?"
Her mistress rolled her eyes, but there was amusement in her gaze.
Lena:"More like trying to keep you happy... and I'll get some fruits from the kitchen!"
Lixia blinked, watching Lena dart off toward the kitchen like a panicked squirrel. She opened her mouth to protest—"Wait, I was joking about the snacks—well, mostly—"—but the girl was already gone.
Left alone in the hallway, Lixia let out a soft chuckle.
Lixia:"...She's nervous, But cute when she panics."
Then, with a mischievous glance down the hall:
Lixia:"Hope she brings strawberries. I do love blood-tinged fruit." 🍓😈
She leaned against the wall... waiting... already looking forward to her next chaotic invention meeting.
Amelia:"Hello, who are you might be Miss?"
The vampire plastered on her perfect smile and turned to the voice. She was met with the sight of Amelia, an older maid with kind eyes that seemed to hide a thousand stories. Lixia gave a small curtsy, playing the part of a polite guest flawlessly.
Lixia:"Greetings...I'm Lixia. And you are?"
She replied in a polite tone
***
Lena hurried through the halls, arms full with a woven basket filled to the brim with a variety of fruits. She'd found apples, pears, strawberries, even an orange, a few bananas, and a watermelon for good measure. Her arm started aching from the weight, but she was determined to find Lixia.
Lena:"She won't be hungry on my watch..."
She mumbled to herself, turning a corner. The she spotted Lixia's white hair down the hallway in the distance—and quickened her pace. Lena stumbled into the parlor, breathless and a bit sweaty from lugging the basket of fruits. She almost dropped the basket when she saw her mother chatting so comfortably with Lixia. It was... surreal.
Lena:"Sorry, I, uh, brought some fruits, like I said I would..."
She apologized, setting the basket on a small table. Her mother smiled, patting the seat next to her.
Amelia:"Perfect timing, Lena. We were just talking about you."
She sat down, trying to act casual, like seeing her mother chatting with a vampire was entirely normal.
Lena:"You... were?"
She asked, feigning curiosity while sneaking a glance at Lixia, who gave her an almost imperceptible wink. Her mother smiled warmly.
Amelia:"Yes, Lixia was telling me about her invention ideas. She's a brilliant young lady, don't you think?"
She forced a smile, her stomach twisting with guilt.
Lena:"Yeah... brilliant,"
She echoed, eyes flicking to the basket of fruits like it could magically save her from this conversation. Her mother reached over and patted her hand.
Amelia:"You two make a wonderful team. Innovation runs in the family, I suppose."
Lena's cheeks burned. Team? She hadn't invented anything—just remembered appliances from 21st-century Earth!
And Lixia? Sitting there like an angelic genius while sipping tea... when really she was plotting world domination one toaster at a time.
She wanted to scream: "It was IKEA that made the fridge! Not me!"
But instead... she quietly pushed the fruit basket toward Lixia and muttered:
Lena:"Here. For your hard work." 🍉🍌🍓
Please eat fruit and stay quiet.
Amelia:"Anyway, I better get going! I must to open my pharmacy during this time. Have fun you two!"
Lena and Lixia watched Amelia leave the room, closing the door behind her. Once the coast was as clear as it was going to get, Lena let out a deep sigh, slumping in her seat. She turned to Lixia, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion.
Lena:"...You were supposed to wait in the hallway!"
She whispered, glaring at her partner in insanity.
Lena:"Not charm my mother with your nonexistent invention ideas."
Lixia:"Your mother is quite the chatty person..."
She groaned, burying her head in her hands.
Lena:"I know. She's like that with everyone,"
She muttered, massaging her temples.
Lena:"Loves getting to know new people, chatting and asking questions... and she already loves you."
She peeked through her fingers at Lixia.
Lena:"You're not supposed to be this... I don't know... likeable!"
The vampire eyed the basket with curiosity, her keen senses immediately picking up on the sweet, fragrant smell of the fruits.
Lixia:"Ah, you remembered my... 'snack preferences'."
She reached out with delicate fingers, picking up a ripe strawberry and studying it closely. The redness, the plumpness, the subtle shine... She looked up at Lena, the barest hint of a smirk on her lips.
Lena:"And you even brought the right ones. How considerate."
Lena:"So here's the fruits"
Shw silently observed as Lixia started humming and rummaging through the fruits, feeling a flood of relief that she'd chosen the "right" items. Her thoughts bounced in her head, a jumble of thoughts and memories from the video game she "accidentally" reincarnated into.
"*'Omnivores... no blood... insects...'" She mentally noted, mentally going down a checklist of the game's lore.
While Lixia pulled out a plump strawberry, biting into it with a satisfied
Lixia:"Mmm... delicious."
She shivered reflexively, but tried to cover it up by fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Lixia noticed the involuntary shudder and paused, her head tilting slightly.
Lixia:"You okay?"
She asked, a small frown of concern on her lips. Lena forced a small laugh, hoping to brush it off.
Lena:"Oh, just... a chill,"
She lied, trying to keep her face neutral. Lixia's observant eyes stared at her intently for a long while, studying her face for any signs of deception.
Lena froze.
Why?
She opened her mouth—then closed it.
Of course Lixia wouldn't understand. In this world, she wasn't some fragile night-dweller. The lore said vampires were omnivorous, not sunlight-averse. They didn't burn in the sun—they just preferred gloomy basements and dramatic candlelight. But Lena panicked anyway.
Lena:"Because... uh... The... the fruit might spoil if you stay out too long! Yeah! And also—"
She grabbed a banana from the basket like proof—
Lena:"bananas are sensitive to temperature!"
The vampire stared at her. Then slowly... smirked.
Lixia:"You're so weird,"
She said, standing up with the half-eaten strawberry still in hand.
Lixia:"But fine. I'll go before your precious bananas have an existential crisis."
And with that—white hair swaying—she strolled toward the window again...
Because of course she wouldn't use a door 🫠🌙🍌
Lena:"I'll bring more fruits for you "
Lixia:" Aren't you being too considerate? Where's your sense of caution!?"
She winced, her heart twisting up in knots. Lixia was right, of course. She should be more cautious—more afraid. The lore made vampires out to be dangerous, seductive predators. This "innocent" version of Lixia felt like an exception. A glitch in the code.
And yet...
Lena:"A good host should be considerate, Besides. It's not like you're dangerous or anything..."
Lena opened the window, feeling her anxiety spike. She should be fearful. Wary. And yet, all she felt was strange... concern. Lixia stared at her, eyes widening in surprise.
Lena:"You're... letting me leave... through the window...?"
Lena:"What's wrong?"
The vampire blinked, her eyes flickering with a mixture of confusion and amusement. She leaned elegantly against the windowsill.
Lixia:"You... you really have no self-preservation instinct,"
She said, a hint of disbelief in her voice. Lena tried to act nonchalant, even as her heart was hammering in her chest.
Lena:"Is that a problem?"
She asked, her mouth going dry.
Lixia:"Nevermind, I hope your not too naive..."
Lena let her breath out in a huff, watching Lixia transform into a bat (with the basket).
Naive.
The word struck a nerve. Was she being... too trusting? Was her heart overriding her common sense?
She let the window close with a soft thud, running a hand through her hair in frustration.
Lena:"I'm not naive, I'm just... kind..."
The hours after that felt... strange.
Lena was restless. She sat in the living room, unable to focus on anything. Her mind kept replaying the day's events—her mother gushing over Lixia, her father thanking her for the invention ideas, Lixia's casual comment about "self-preservation instinct"...
It... bothering her in a way she couldn't describe. Everything felt surreal.
The night grew darker, the clock struck ten, and Lena...
...was still wide awake.
Lena lay in her bed again, staring at the ceiling. The moon shone weakly through the window, but she couldn't find the peace to sleep. She let out a frustrated sigh, tossing and turning on the bed.
Lena:"I don't understand her, She's... frustrating."
Her mind flashed back to Lixia's smirk, her carefree attitude, her casual remarks...
Lena:"Naive. Reckless. Infuriating."
***
Lena tossed and turned, the memories replaying in her mind... until eventually, exhaustion and anxiety won out. Her mind was a mix of confusion and frustration... but exhaustion took over, and she fell into a troubled sleep.
As Lena's breathing evened out, she didn't notice the shadow outside her window. Outside, a white bat perched on the windowsill, its gaze fixed on her quietly sleeping figure.
______________________________________
Look at her! She must be creating something terrifying-!!!
AHH! MONSTER!
She must be sealed! ONCE AND FOR ALL!
May she never come out of this cave for eternity-!
Lena:"Well then, I'll look forward to working with you!
______________________________________
The vampire soared through the moonlit sky, the basket of fruits clutched in her tiny bat claws like some absurd nocturnal delivery.
Lixia:"Such a strange human,"
She murmured between flaps, voice barely a whisper on the wind.
Not afraid. Not greedy. Not even cautious. Just... kind. Overwhelmingly, stubbornly kind.
And that annoyed her.
No—more than that.
It... intrigued her.
She glanced back toward the distant silhouette of the Dunham estate, where one small window still held a faint warmth—Lena's room. Then she turned forward again, wings cutting through the dark.
Lixia:"Fine, I'll build your stupid fridge."
A pause.
"...But I'm charging extra for emotional confusion." 🌙🦇🍓
Sophie moved quietly through the baron's study, feather duster in hand, carefully sweeping away dust from shelves lined with ledgers, old maps, and curiosities collected over decades. James sat at his desk, brow furrowed as he flipped through documents—one in particular catching his attention.
It was a rough sketch of a toaster, labeled in messy handwriting. Below it? Notes on "lightning crystals" and "automated ejection mechanisms." He traced the design with his finger... then leaned back slowly.
James:"...Remarkable, No formal training... yet she conceptualized this?"
The head-maid paused mid-dust.
Sophie:"Ah—did you say something, my lord?"
He shook his head slightly.
James:"Nothing urgent."
A beat. Then—quietly—
James:"Just wondering about that young inventor Lena brought... What do you think of her?"
The head-maid blinked
Sophie: "...You mean Miss Lixia? Well... She's odd—but your daughter seems happy."
She smiled faintly. James stared at the sketch again.
James:"...Yes, Too odd."
And somewhere beyond the manor walls—a certain bat sipped strawberry juice from a hollowed-out melon shell and cackled into the night:
"Phase One: Infiltration — Complete." 🍉😈