Chapter – 11. My Ally Nowhere in the World
For vampires, purebloods were their absolute masters to protect and serve—equivalent to royalty in the human world.
This wasn’t something done out of obligation; it was instinctual.
By nature, vampires respected purebloods while simultaneously fearing their immense power and abilities.
However, over generations, the meaning of “pureblood” had gradually faded.
As the authority of purebloods declined, the nobles under them formed an organization called the “Council of Elders,” steadily expanding their influence until it even reached the purebloods themselves.
Under the pretense of protection, the Council confined purebloods and imposed restrictions on their actions.
Currently, this was exactly the state of Camilla’s family.
Yet even the Council of Elders had no choice but to bow and yield in front of the real one.
For, in front of the true apex of the vampire hierarchy—whose enemies were many but rivals were none—the council was powerless.
When the door opened, the music of the banquet hall abruptly stopped as if by magic, and shock and awe gradually spread across the faces of those watching the entrance.
A chill, like the northern winds, settled over the hall.
No one dared to break the silence.
Every breath, every footstep, felt as though making a sound could instantly send them into a coffin.
Vampires instinctively understood why they felt this way.
It was instinct.
They acted and thought according to a primal instinct engraved since the beginning of time.
Thud… thud…
The soft click of heels sounded unusually loud in the hall.
Finally, the master emerged from the darkness, and all vampires except Camilla and Leotiz fell to their knees and bowed their heads.
“Oh, you don’t have to be so formal. I’m merely a guest at tonight’s banquet,” he said.
Clad in a jet-black cloak, his platinum hair neatly combed, his crimson eyes piercing, and his skin pale as a crescent moon—his appearance was so flawlessly beautiful that he seemed more human than monstrous, despite being dozens of times more powerful than the other vampires gathered.
This was the archetype of a vampire passed down from ancient tales.
He was Blood Chepesh.
Head of the pureblood Chepesh family and the leading figure among the three great houses. Even the Council of Elders—the highest authority governing all vampires—could not act freely before him. With no lord present, he could be considered the de facto representative of his lineage. He was the undisputed strongest vampire.
So he finally came.
Although an invitation had been sent, Camilla never expected him to actually appear.
Blood wasn’t the only one who had arrived.
Somehow, Pietro was there as well.
Surely his invitation must have been canceled…
How did he even get in?
Camilla’s gaze met Pietro’s, but he only gave her a displeasing smile and took no further action.
Blood Chepesh’s entrance alone was enough to cause a stir.
“Lord Blood attending such a banquet…”
“All the houses of the four great clans in one place? It hasn’t happened in eleven years, right?”
“He must think very highly of Lady Camilla.”
Ridiculous.
She wanted to dismiss it in her mind, but instead swallowed her thoughts and kept her composure.
“And who is this one?”
Leotiz frowned at the presence of the other figure that was disrupting the atmosphere, and Camilla gently tapped his arm.
“Don’t interfere this time. You can’t win.”
Leotiz wanted to ask why, but seeing the slight tremor in Camilla’s fingers, he stayed silent.
The fact that someone usually so composed was reacting like this told him that the newcomer was a well-experienced figure in the vampire world.
Even without seeing Camilla, that was obvious.
Just walking, yet the aura emanating from him was overwhelmingly imposing.
Leotiz wanted to take Camilla away, but ultimately stayed put, waiting.
“It’s been a while, Lord Blood,” Camilla said.
“It’s the first time since the last assessment, isn’t it?”
Her eyelids twitched at Blood’s words.
“Yes… that’s right,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly.
“Is it so hard to see my face? A guardian is like family, after all.”
Family?
Laughable.
Anger welled up inside, but Camilla gathered all her patience to suppress it.
“I apologize. I’ve been busy with family matters, so I couldn’t attend properly.”
“No, you don’t need to apologize. I was merely concerned since your parents were long-time friends and left behind a young daughter. But seeing you grown up like this, perhaps my worries were unnecessary. You’ve had company beside you, haven’t you?”
Blood’s gaze briefly flicked toward Leotiz, but Camilla quickly drew his attention back.
“I don’t belong under anyone else’s shadow.”
It was a boldly disrespectful remark that could be interpreted as a challenge.
But Blood only chuckled, seemingly amused.
“Indeed, youth is delightful. Even among purebloods, there’s a difference in class.”
Camilla’s brows furrowed in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Such overflowing power, eternal youth, and unmatched beauty… Truly, purebloods are magnificent.”
The sudden praise for purebloods seemed disconnected from their prior conversation, but she could not interrupt him.
“Our kind is naturally different from ordinary vampires. Even drenched in blood, we remain beautiful, exuding a sweet scent. There is no greater blessing. Which brings me to this…”
Suddenly, Blood grasped Camilla’s hand.
“Isn’t it time to pass this great pureblood onto the next generation?”
Camilla’s eyes widened in alarm.
So that’s what he was aiming for…
Everything he said before had been groundwork for this statement.
That explained why Pietro had remained passive.
Camilla glanced past Blood’s shoulder, then back into his crimson eyes.
A crushing pressure gripped her chest.
Held in his hand and locked in his gaze, her feet seemed glued to the ground. She felt like prey caught by a predator.
It had been fine with Pietro before… but this time, apparently not.
Just as tears threatened to fall from the suffocating pressure, her body was suddenly yanked backward.
A large, warm presence enveloped her.
“Leo!”
Camilla looked in surprise at Leotiz, but he wasn’t looking at her.
His gaze was sharper than ever, fixed straight ahead.
Though she was held from behind, it felt less like an act of affection and more like protection from a threat.
“What… is this?”
Blood was the first to show a hint of displeasure.
“Th-that…”
Camilla stammered, flustered.
“Calm down,” Leotiz whispered in her ear.
“!”
“Breathe slowly and match your rhythm to my heartbeat.”
Though embarrassed, Camilla closed her eyes and followed his instructions, listening to his heartbeat.
Thump… thump… thump…
The steady pulse and the warmth surrounding her gradually calmed her.
As she exhaled and opened her eyes, she found it much easier to move.
Knowing he was behind her also made her feel secure.
My ally nowhere in the world.
She could now truly feel it.
Camilla lifted her head and faced him squarely.
“Please forgive any rudeness. My subordinate is fiercely loyal; even the slightest touch can cause such a commotion.”
“Subordinate?”
“Yes, recently acquired. Very reliable.”
Camilla reached behind to caress Leotiz’s cheek, and he pressed his face into her palm.
It was like a large dog showing affection to its owner.
“I see. But be sure to train them properly next time.”
Fortunately, Blood did not press the issue of Leotiz’s behavior.
He seemed to consider his role finished and subtly stepped aside.
“Oh dear. An old man like me has no business interfering with the affairs of the young. I must go prepare for the coming coming-of-age ceremony.”
The coming-of-age ceremony was usually presided over by the lord.
However, since the lord’s seat was currently vacant, the Council of Elders usually oversaw the event. Yet for Camilla’s ceremony, Blood would take the lead.
Camilla was naturally displeased, but she could not refuse.
Everything had been decided by the Council.
At that moment, a servant running to find Blood announced,
“Lord Blood, preparations must begin now.”
“Very well. Camilla, we shall meet later.”
Despite not being the lord, Blood acted like one, and his attitude was utterly infuriating.
As Blood departed, Pietro replaced him.
“Hello, Camilla.”
“Came in somehow, huh?”
Her invitation had been revoked, so how had he gotten in?
“Invitations are meaningless in front of a father,” he replied.
A ‘Dad’s privilege’—and he’s proud of it?
With Blood likely creating a gap in the protective wards, Pietro had been able to enter.
“You’re unharmed, I see.”
Even knowing the invitation had been revoked, Blood had allowed him entry.
“Ah, I wanted to talk to you about that… but there’s an obstacle here.”
Before he could finish, Pietro reached for Camilla’s shoulders, separating her from Leotiz’s protective embrace.
Leotiz tensed his grip on her, refusing to yield.
Pietro then released Leotiz and instead took hold of both of Camilla’s arms, pulling her forward.
Leotiz reciprocated, pulling her back into his embrace.
No one gave an inch. Sparks flew between crimson eyes and golden ones.
A silent battle of wills had begun between the one trying to take her and the one protecting her.
