"We've arrived," said Clementine.
She revealed a place that looked absolutely dreadful — a land dominated by swamps, the ground soft and wet beneath twisted, creeping plants. The air was thick, the atmosphere oppressive, and everything about it screamed danger. It was the kind of place that could make anyone feel like they were one step away from wetting themselves.
"Is this really the place?" Alira finally asked the question that had been stuck on the tip of her tongue.
Even Lumino, who had been excited just moments ago thinking about the food menu in his head, felt his enthusiasm shrinking. Is this how it's going to be now? From one creppy place to another? he thought bitterly.
Clementine closed her umbrella with a calm motion. "This place has minimal sunlight. For us vampires, it's a perfect nest."
"After seeing that witch earlier, are you all still scared of something like this?" Kael said, raising a hand dismissively with a sarcastic edge in his voice. "Cowards."
"Hey! I'm not scared! I'm just… skeptical. This place looks—" Alira glanced at Clementine, lowering her voice slightly, "—dirty."
Clementine responded with a polite smile, unfazed. She stepped into the place without hesitation, followed closely by Kael.
Lumino muttered a quick prayer before stepping in after them. Alira, sighing to herself, trailed behind.
The inside of the swamp was surprisingly beautiful. Towering trees lined the path, their branches swaying softly. A river flowed nearby, its gentle murmur providing an oddly calming sound. Fireflies flitted about, bathing the area in a quiet, magical glow.
"Welcome to our nest," said Clementine, spreading her arm as if presenting a grand sight.
"Would you like to head inside the mansion now?" she offered.
Following her lead, they soon caught sight of a large mansion at the heart of the swamp. It was an impressive structure, dominated by shades of deep brown and white — surprisingly well-maintained for a place hidden in such a desolate area.
"Just how many of your kind are there?" Kael asked, curiosity slipping into his voice.
"You mean our population? There are thirty of us," Clementine replied simply.
Lumino nodded in understanding. He hadn't seen the full scope of Caroline's massacre when he glimpsed the memory, but thirty… that was a large number. So many… he thought.
"So who owns this mansion?" Kael asked again, still puzzled at how such a grand estate came to be hidden in a swamp.
"It belonged to our elder, our leader. But due to certain… circumstances, I'm the one managing it now."
Circumstances? Kael repeated in his mind, his unease lingering.
The heavy oak door swung inward, and the scent of beeswax and old wood filled the air. Clementine led them across the polished marble floor, its cool surface a stark contrast to the plush, crimson rug ahead. Before they reached the dining hall's massive, mahogany table, a girl materialized. Her black braids bounced, and a black, frilly dress swirled around her as she clutched a worn doll, eyes locked on them.
"Waaah!" Lumino and Alira shouted in unison.
"You're back, Clementine," the girl mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"You're awake, Rosaria–nee-chan?" Clementine asked gently.
Rosaria glanced at the trio — Kael, Lumino, and Alira — with a slow, sweeping look.
"You brought guests. How unexpected…"
Clementine smiled crookedly, then gestured with one hand to introduce them. "This is my sister, Rosaria. Rosaria, these are the three humans who happened to defeat the Red Witch, Caroline."
The three bowed politely. Lumino stared at the girl. So this child-looking one is her older sister?
"I didn't think Caroline would finally meet her end. Hah… she got what was coming to her," Rosaria yawned dramatically. "Well then, I'll leave you to it. Have fun." She turned and vanished down the hallway without another word.
"Your sister is… unique," Lumino commented with a strained smile. His heart was still recovering.
"She looks younger than you," Kael said bluntly.
Clementine chuckled. "Well, vampire age is hard to guess by appearance. She may look young, but she's over 300 years old."
Kael looked at Alira, clearly drawing a comparison.
"Hey! I know what you're thinking! I'm not that old!" Alira huffed, stomping her foot.
Kael scratched his ear nonchalantly, not even pretending to deny it.
They continued walking toward the dining room. As they arrived, a long table with twelve chairs greeted them, and at the head, a more imposing seat was clearly reserved for the leader.
"Please, have a seat," Clementine offered.
Kael sat on the sixth chair from the left, at the far end. Lumino took the seat next to him, with Alira beside Lumino. Clementine sat across from them. She clapped her hands once.
Immediately, maids and servants appeared, setting dishes down on the long table. The food looked exquisite — various roasted meats, side dishes, and freshly prepared courses.
The maids then stood beside each guest, placing elegant glasses and pouring a deep red wine into each.
Alira's eyes widened when she saw the wine bottle. It had been a long time since she had a real drink. Her previous life, trapped in a library, had drained all the joy from her days.
Kael waved his hand and refused the wine politely. "None for me."
"Please enjoy the meal. I hope it suits your tastes," Clementine said, raising her own glass filled with something dark and red.
Lumino immediately dove for the roast meat in front of him, his eyes gleaming.
As the others began to eat, Clementine sat opposite them, calmly sipping her drink and observing them with a cool, collected air.
--
As they continued their meal, Kael occasionally glanced in Clementine's direction. Instead of eating, she was absentmindedly swirling the wine in her glass.
"Have you decided where you're headed next?" Clementine asked suddenly, her eyes catching Kael's fleeting gaze. "I'd like to ask something. Will you help me?"
Alira, having finished her food, looked up at her. "Why? You want to hire us?"
Lumino kept chewing, watching Clementine's gestures carefully.
"That depends entirely on your answer," Clementine replied with a small smile. "Will you help me or not?"
Lumino swallowed his bite and set down his fork. "You invited us here and gave us a good meal. If you need help, I'll do what I can."
Kael, however, still seemed hesitant. His eyes subtly signaled a silent warning to Lumino—he still didn't fully trust the vampire named Clementine.
"Really…? I'm glad. Thank you," Clementine said warmly. "Finish your meals first. I'll be right back."
She stood and walked off, but Alira rose as well, asking, "Where's the restroom?"
Clementine pointed back toward the hallway they came through. "Take the corridor and turn left."
Alira nodded and went off in that direction. Now only Lumino and Kael remained at the table.
Lumino had eaten more than usual, and now he was finally finishing up. Kael, on the other hand, hadn't even touched his plate. His gaze was restlessly scanning the surroundings.
Lumino took a sip of wine and sighed in satisfaction. It tastes amazing, he thought. It had been a long time since he'd eaten this well—or drunk wine of such quality.
"You're too careless," Kael suddenly muttered.
"You haven't eaten anything," Lumino pointed out, gesturing at Kael's untouched plate. Even Alira had eaten.
"I'm just being cautious," Kael replied quietly.
Lumino frowned slightly, lips pursed. Kael had been moody all evening. Is he still upset with me? But even if Lumino asked, he knew what Kael would say.
"If you're done, we should leave now," Kael said, standing from his chair.
But before he could step away, Lumino reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Kael… are you still angry?"
Kael looked down and gently grasped Lumino's hand in return. "Of course not."
He fell silent for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. Everyone clearly misunderstood his actions. "I'm not mad."
"Then why?" Lumino asked softly. "You've been avoiding eye contact with me all night."
Kael froze. Had he really been doing that? He hadn't even realized.
"I—I'm just… frustrated with myself—"
Because I've started to doubt you, he admitted inwardly. But he couldn't bring himself to say it aloud.
Slowly, Kael lowered Lumino's hand from his wrist.
"Will you be honest with me about one thing?" Kael asked quietly, hesitantly.
"Please... don't disappear on me again like before."
At last, Kael met Lumino's eyes. They were close now—close enough that Lumino could clearly see the softening of Kael's normally sharp silver gaze.
His cheeks flushed. "I—"
Before he could finish, Clementine reappeared, speaking up, "Have you finished eating? If so, follow me to—"
She stopped mid-sentence, sensing the atmosphere. "Am I interrupting?"
"Of course not. Just tell us what you want," Kael answered briskly, walking over to her.
"Wait, where's Alira?" Clementine asked, realizing someone was missing.
Kael blinked, glancing around. "Ah… you're right. She hasn't come back."
Meanwhile, Lumino was still holding his warm cheeks, mentally shaking off the moment and standing from his chair.
"Maybe we should check the restroom," Lumino offered.
"I don't think that's necessary," said a new voice. Rosaria suddenly appeared from the other hallway. "I was just there. She's not there."
Lumino's eyes widened slightly. Though less startled this time, he still wondered—Where could Alira have gone?
"If that's the case, then how about just you two come with me?" Clementine suggested. "Come on, let's go."
"You don't think she got lost?" Kael muttered as they followed Clementine down the corridor. None of them knew what exactly she wanted to show them.
Rosaria had promised earlier to check around the mansion in case Alira had wandered off. So Lumino and Kael walked side by side behind Clementine.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a room. Clementine opened the door.
"So? What is it you want to show us?" Kael asked, eyeing her cautiously.
"You agreed to help me, didn't you?" Clementine said with a sly smile.
She reached out and pulled down a large cloth that had been covering the front wall of the room.
Behind it stood an old, dark wooden door with a fancy gold handle. The door seemed incredibly old, like it belonged in a ritual.
Clementine turned to them with a small smile, just as a peculiar smell began to drift through the room. It was sweet, almost like flowers… but then it started making their vision blurry.
"Lumino—don't breathe it in!" Kael shouted, but it was too late. Lumino collapsed unconscious onto the floor.
Kael fought to stay awake, holding his breath—but his limbs were growing heavy. His mind spun in panic.
His final sight before losing consciousness was Clementine's smile as she stood over them, watching quietly as the world around him faded to black.