Chapter Twelve: Her New Master

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The refrigerator—turns out that even on the Roland Continent, it was one of the few places men found themselves inevitably drawn to. As a man, Johan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Lord Aldous at this moment. Perhaps his wife had never truly loved him from the start, while he had been lost in vain illusions—such as winning her love. Ha, what a joke... Having lived two lifetimes, Johan had never sought to extinguish human desire or emotion, but he had never seriously pursued that beautiful thing called love. Casual flings were fine; being a charming playboy suited him perfectly—tall, handsome, and with all the qualities of a scoundrel, it would be a shame to waste that. Besides, many women, after marrying a steady man, would curse the scoundrel of their past yet cherish that as their youth—a bittersweet, painful love.

“This kind of weather isn’t suitable for an immediate burial. We can place him in the ice cellar first and keep his death a secret to prevent unrest in the town and avoid unnecessary trouble,” Lady Aldous said, suppressing the faint sadness in her heart, speaking with reason and calm. After so many years of marriage, their feelings may have been scarce, but human hearts are made of flesh after all. Lady Aldous did not feel a sense of relief or freedom from life’s shackles. What she needed now was to ensure her own and her daughter’s survival... Lady Aldous glanced toward the bed and was startled to see Seliah standing straight up. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if her pupils floated in a pool of blood. Her mouth was slightly open, revealing an uncontrollable, bloodthirsty hunger.

Instinctively avoiding harm, Lady Aldous chose to stand beside Johan, putting distance between herself and her daughter. Johan glanced at the cabinet where Ye-ye was quietly hiding, making no sound. Was Ye-ye controlling Seliah now? Seliah jumped down from the bed and forcefully twisted Lord Aldous’s bulky head from his shoulder, finally exposing his neck that had never seen daylight for years. She bit down and hissed as she drank his blood. Lord Aldous fulfilled his duties as a husband and father to the very last drop of his blood.

Despite the horrific scene, Lady Aldous showed fear but not surprise or shock. Johan concluded that the servants who had gone missing in the manor were likely fed to Seliah by Lord Aldous, something Lady Aldous had long witnessed. Johan had planned to use Lord Aldous’s blood to help Seliah grow stronger, and this outcome fit his expectations.

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Seliah would likely remain calm for a while now, Johan thought. He wouldn’t have to worry about her losing control and attacking the manor’s servants for blood. This would give him some time to find the next deserving sacrifice.

Lady Aldous stared blankly, a trace of sorrow at the corner of her eyes. Her daughter, who had just drained blood and now lay back on the bed—was this really still her daughter? The shock Lady Aldous felt from seeing her daughter feed on her father’s blood was completely different from when servants were the victims.

“Honored Mage, please cure Seliah. We are willing to offer the entire Aldous family fortune to you,” Lady Aldous pleaded through tears. People with dreams and ambitions, lost in a refined and elegant life, do not take death lightly. She sensed Johan bore no ill will toward her, but merely surviving was not enough. The title of “Lady Aldous,” guaranteeing her elegance and privileged life, would become worthless with her husband’s death; she needed a new pillar of support.

She couldn’t rely on Mahet, could she? Was that man truly dependable? Her feminine intuition told her that rather than exhausting herself trying to buy time and wait for Mahet—whose intentions she did not understand—it was better to try reaching an agreement with this mage first.

“Both Seliah and I belong to you, sir.” Embarrassed yet sorrowful, Lady Aldous revealed a vulnerable side. She wanted the mage to believe this was a brave, rational choice to face reality, not a cold, heartless move to abandon her husband’s death and seek a new protector immediately. She was not a callous, selfish, or unfeeling woman—Mage, please do not misunderstand her.

Johan came back to himself, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was a kind and gentle man who disliked forcing others. Lady Aldous’s willingness to cooperate, offering conditions so he would not have to coerce or threaten a widowed mother and daughter, was commendable.

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Of course, he would not accept her terms outright.

“I’m giving you two choices. First: you can run out now, shout and scream, rally the Aldous family and manor staff to attack me and avenge your husband.” Johan patted Lady Aldous’s shoulder; his thumb slid over her soft skin to rest at the edge of her collarbone before releasing her.

“No, no, Mage, please believe me, no one would want to attack a mage for him. If I did, it would only throw the entire town into chaos... Many secretly wish for something to happen to him.” Lady Aldous sensed Johan’s gesture was a declaration of sorts, yet she did not resent it. Just as in the past, the stronger, more promising, and wealthier man between Lord Aldous and Mahet had naturally claimed a prize like her.

Johan nodded, confirming his suspicions. Where there is oppression, there will be resistance. Lord Aldous had lived without worry, but now that he was gone—especially unable to wield the magic bullet gun—whether Lady Aldous could maintain stability was uncertain. She was smart enough to know this, which explained her compliant attitude now... She clearly sought more than mere survival, Johan understood well.

He did not mind. In matters of survival, Lady Aldous showed great intelligence. Johan especially appreciated this; clever people could be threatened, persuaded, dissuaded, and enticed far more easily than fools, making them easier to control.

His tone softened considerably. “Second: I will stay in Red Hazel Town for a while. You help me with some tasks. When I leave, I’ll return the magic bullet gun to you. If you behave... I might even help eliminate some internal threats within the Aldous family.”

“Agreed.” This was exactly what Lady Aldous sought. She lifted her head, looking even more demure and pitiful. Meeting Johan’s gaze, her eyes shimmered with a natural blend of shyness and charm—like a newly adopted dog eagerly wagging her tail to please her new master.