I glanced at the timer for my next daily reward, which was in [23:50:10].
I wasn't sure who owned that gentle voice, but I definitely didn't want them to see me in my current dishevelled state.
The transformation had been brutal, my shirt was torn to shreds, hanging off my body in tatters from when my muscles had spasmed and expanded during the change.
Sweat mixed with what looked suspiciously like traces of blood stained the fabric.
"Wait a moment, I'm changing!" I called out quickly, frantically scanning the room for suitable clothing.
As I opened the wardrobe, I broke it. I looked at the handle alongside the large woodblank in my hand, puzzled.
It seemed like I had too much strength, my lack of control and experience didn't help me either.
Slowly placing it on the side, I ignored it for the time being.
I had to admit, Adrian's noble status had its perks. The massive wardrobe contained an impressive array of high-quality garments.
A huge variety of premium shirts, tailored jackets, and perfectly fitted trousers that probably cost more than most people's monthly salaries in this world.
I grabbed a neat white shirt and dark navy trousers slowly afraid that I might rip them in the process.
After ensuring I looked presentable and had wiped away any traces of the transformation, I called out, "You may enter."
The door opened to reveal a young maid with chestnut hair neatly arranged beautifully, wearing the standard black and white uniform of the Blackwood household staff. She stepped in with grace.
The moment she entered the room, I was hit by the most intoxicating scent I'd ever experienced. It was like warm honey mixed with the sweetest wine, but underneath it all was something that made every cell in my newly transformed body scream with desperate hunger. Her blood. I could practically hear it flowing through her veins, could sense the pulse of her heartbeat.
My hands clenched into fists so tight my nails drew blood from my palms. Every instinct I now possessed was screaming at me to lunge forward, to sink my newfound fangs into that delicate, soft neck and drink deeply. The thirst was overwhelming and terrifying in its intensity.
I forced myself to remain statue-still, focusing on breathing steadily while fighting the monstrous urges clawing at my consciousness. The internal battle must have shown on my face because the maid's expression changed from politeness to genuine concern.
"Young master, did Charlotte do something wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she noticed my rigid posture and what was probably a rather strained expression.
Charlotte. So that was her name. She seemed like she wanted to ask about my slightly altered appearance. The pale skin and vampire features were probably noticeable to someone who saw Adrian regularly - but thankfully refrained from commenting.
Her silence stretched longer as I continued my internal war against vampiric instincts, and she apparently interpreted my lack of response as anger. The poor girl looked increasingly nervous, fidgeting in her place as she prepared what sounded like an apology.
"I'm terribly sorry if I've done something to displease you, young master. I know I should have knocked more quietly, and perhaps I was presumptuous for asking. Please forgive this lowly servant's—"
I shook my head, cutting off her rambling apology. The movement helped clear some of the bloodlust fogging my thoughts. "No, Charlotte. You've done nothing wrong."
My voice came out rougher than intended, still strained from the effort of self-control. "What is it? Do you need something?"
Relief flooded her face at my reassurance, though she still seemed puzzled by my behaviour. "Yes, young master. Your fiancée has arrived and is currently waiting for you in the main living room. She specifically requested to speak with you privately."
I raised an eyebrow in genuine confusion. "Fiancée?"
This was completely new information. In all my memories of reading "The Academy's Fallen Hero," there had been no mention of Adrian Blackwood having a fiancée. The character had been portrayed as a lonely, mediocre student with no significant romantic connections.
Just an expendable background character whose only purpose was to motivate the protagonist.
Curiosity overrode my concern about bloodlust management. I needed to see who this mysterious fiancée was and understand why this detail had been omitted from the novel.
"I'll be down shortly," I told Charlotte, who curtsied and departed with visible relief.
I took a moment to centre myself, practising the breathing techniques I remembered from meditation videos I'd watched in my previous life. The thirst was still there, a constant burning in my throat, but it was manageable now. I'd have to figure out feeding later - hopefully, there were alternatives to sucking the blood of innocent maids.
Making my way downstairs through corridors lined with expensive artwork and family portraits, I entered the main living room and immediately froze.
Seated elegantly on the sofa was one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen, in this life or my previous one. She had flowing golden hair that cascaded down her shoulders till her lower back.
Her eyes were a striking sapphire blue. Her face were perfectly symmetrical, with high cheekbones and full lips that belonged on a classical statue. She was the true symbol of the golden ratio.
But her beauty wasn't what made my blood run cold.
This was Seraphina Goldenheart, one of the main female leads from "The Academy's Fallen Hero." In the novel, she was Kyle's primary love interest.
A brilliant noble daughter with a rare Light Magic bloodline who eventually became one of the protagonist's most trusted companions and romantic partner.
Damn it, I thought grimly. No wonder Adrian wanted to kill the protagonist in the original story. Kyle was literally trying to put a green hat on his head!
The revelation painted Adrian's antagonistic behaviour toward Kyle in an entirely different light. From his perspective, the protagonist was the villain who had swooped in to steal the woman he was supposed to marry. It was a classic case of the "hero" inadvertently destroying someone else's life while remaining completely oblivious to the consequences.
Seraphina's eyes widened slightly as she took in my appearance. I could see her checking the changes. But after a moment of scrutiny, she seemed to dismiss the alterations as unimportant.
"Adrian. We need to talk."
She stood gracefully, her posture radiating confidence. "I've come to inform you that I will be breaking off our engagement."
After she had spoken, a moment of silence flooded the room.