VPCV 07

Chapter 7. So Human

Vampires are proud and greedy creatures.

Especially the pride of purebloods is so intense that even other vampires—or even demons—would be forced to recoil in awe.

Such pride, if mismanaged, could easily spill over onto one’s own kind.

For this reason, to maintain peace between the clans, there has long been an unspoken rule among purebloods: one must not trespass into another’s territory without permission.

This is why the concept of an “invitation” exists.

Yet, at this moment, the “invitation” seemed meaningless. Two pureblood vampires, Camula and Pietro, were facing each other in the same space.

“Let go of me.”

Pietro’s hands itched to tear this human apart, but he couldn’t act—because Camula’s hand was gripping his wrist.

In the past, he would have panicked even if someone had brushed against him.

And now, not only was she holding him back just because of a single human, but she was also standing directly in his way. It was infuriating.

“What if I refuse?”

With an unyielding determination to not let Leo-tiz fall into anyone else’s hands, Camula focused all her attention on Pietro.

As she tightened her grip, Pietro realized she was serious.

“Then I have no choice.”

Pietro’s eyes began to glow, and a dark aura started to coil around him.

Suddenly—clap!

A sharp sound of applause rang out, and the aura dissipated completely as if it had never existed.

“Gentlemen, perhaps this is a good place to stop.”

Pietro and Camula turned to see Ben standing at the entrance.

“Continuing like this is unfit for the eyes of those beneath you, and it does little to enhance the reputation of purebloods.”

His calm, measured tone forced them to regain their senses and glance around.

Behind Ben, the household servants whispered nervously among themselves.

If they caused a scene here, it would only create unnecessary trouble.

Pietro released his hand, and Camula let go as well.

“Shall we continue this conversation elsewhere? I trust a proud pureblood can accommodate such a request.”

“Agreed.”

Even as he turned away, Pietro’s gaze lingered on Camula, draped in her silk gown. Camula noticed but decided to let it pass—for now.

Pietro was escorted not to the reception room but to the main hall, which had been specially prepared with seating arrangements.

Servants brought tea, but he did not touch a drop. His mind was filled entirely with thoughts of Camula.

The Camula he knew had always stayed quietly in the background, asserting little despite being a pureblood. Yet her pride and elegance were always intact, earning her favor with the elders.

But after an incident ten years ago, her personality had changed completely.

Her previously obedient nature was gone. She now looked directly at others, opposing them at every turn, and never bending her will.

It seemed calm recently, but Pietro realized he had been mistaken.

What had once been a mere shadow had stepped forward—and now sought to engulf him.

Could it really be because of that human?

Even thinking it was absurd, he could not dismiss the possibility.

Because of one human, her behavior had become so unruly.

“This time, I will properly tame her.”

Some time later, as the tea cooled halfway, Camula appeared.

She was dressed not in her gown, but a light evening dress with a shawl.

She sat directly opposite Pietro.

“So, shall we start with why you barged into my house?”

“Do I really need a reason? Ah… this time, I do have a reason.”

Pietro’s shameless response tested her patience, but Camula held her temper.

“Even with a reason, you should have asked for my permission first.”

A fair request, but Pietro scoffed.

“Your permission? What use would that be?”

“Since the Lillith estate is under the supervision of our Chepesh, this place is naturally my house as well.”

Twice.

“Camula, surely you haven’t forgotten your place?”

“Of course not.”

She knew it too well—perhaps too well—but it was disgustingly clear.

“Then explain yourself.”

His arrogant command caused her expression to harden, but she soon relaxed and offered a faint, natural smile.

“Explain what?”

Suddenly, Pietro slammed his palm onto the table with a bang!

The table could not withstand the force and collapsed to the floor. Cups shattered, yet neither of them paid attention.

“Why you deliberately gave a human the status of a thrall! That is what I want you to explain.”

A thrall was not the same as a mere servant. By engraving a mark and embedding a part of one’s power, a thrall became one with its master, untouchable by others.

Pietro could not understand nor forgive that she had given this to a mere human.

“Did you think it could be excused to bring a thrall here without our family’s permission?”

“Having a thrall is an individual’s right, as far as I know.”

“That’s true, but you, Camula, have not been granted that authority yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because I did not grant it.”

Pietro’s arrogant tone made her stomach churn.

“As long as I, and our family, do not permit it, you cannot have anything.”

“So? Are you planning to kill me?”

That would be too cliché.

Camula feigned calm, but she was not the target.

“I will take the human.”

“I don’t want you to.”

A sudden voice made both Camula and Pietro turn.

Leo-tiz was descending the stairs.

‘I told him to stay in the room.’

Camula frowned.

“This human has nothing to do with you.”

Pietro’s deadly warning went unheeded.

“He is the party involved. And I cannot leave my lord.”

Leo-tiz moved behind Camula, wrapping his arms around her shoulders naturally.

“We desire each other passionately, my lord and I.”

Then, without warning, he lowered his head and bit her ear.

Everyone was shocked. Even Pietro’s arrogant expression twisted in surprise.

Camula stared at him with wide eyes.

But he smiled—like he was asking, “Is this enough?”

Before Pietro had arrived, Camula had spoken, drunk on chaos.

“A crazy one is coming soon. And he’ll try to kill you.”

Since being possessed—or perhaps even before—Pietro had mercilessly killed anyone approaching her. Leo-tiz was no exception.

“So, I’ll give you a hint to survive.”

“How?”

“Pretend to be loved by me.”

Leo-tiz furrowed his brow at the sudden instruction.

“Specifically, act as if you are under my favor.”

“Should I flirt then?”

“Do as you like. The point is that if it is known you are my favored one, no one will dare touch you recklessly.”

“And the rest?”

Exceptions always exist.

“You survive on your own. Prove it.”

To demonstrate the value of a thrall to her.

‘Such a shameless little thing.’

More cunning than a serpent.

“Nonsense.”

Pietro ground his teeth.

“Nonsense? After seeing this?”

Leo-tiz revealed the mark on his neck.

“Remember that night when I entrusted myself to my lord? The passion was overwhelming. I too fell helplessly under my lord’s sway.”

He seemed to be reminiscing, but Camula knew he was gauging Pietro’s reaction.

And it worked perfectly.

‘To think he would use the mark like that…’

True to the original villain’s style, even teasing was an art.

Pietro’s anger teetered on the edge, but Camula let Leo-tiz handle it entirely.

“My blood was so tempting that you pounced? Now every inch of me bears my lord’s trace.”

‘Wait… I never did that.’

The biting had happened, but nothing more.

‘Or did I forget?’

Leo-tiz’s shameless expression confused even her.

“I need my lord, and my lord needs me. So there’s no reason for me to follow you.”

“Enough of this nonsense!”

Pietro shouted, but Camula spoke up.

“Why are you so worked up? Jealous, perhaps?”

“What did you say?!”

“Well, that’s amusing. Jealous, you say? Then…”

Camula paused and lifted the corner of her mouth.

A clear, mocking smile.

“You’re… so human.”

“Camula!”

At Pietro’s roar, the surrounding glass shattered with a crash.

But instead of falling, the fragments floated in the air, surrounding Leo-tiz and Camula.