Smile

Lord Aina has returned, Niya said to Feina.

Eh? The breathing under Feina's coffin lid paused slightly, followed by incredulous astonishment. No way? Really?

Clang—!

The heavy coffin lid seemed to be popped open by an invisible force, sliding to the ground with a dull thud. Feina's tall and graceful figure, carrying a hint of languor, rose elegantly from the dark velvet-lined coffin, her silver hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Other than Lord Aina, I can't think of anyone else who would dare to fly so blatantly over Colonia, Niya said seriously, still hugging the little teddy bear she almost never let go of.

If Lord Aina is back, you should be happy.

Niya replied, I am very happy right now.

If you're happy, you should smile. Feina gently pinched the corners of Niya's small mouth, lifting them into an upward curve.

Once she let go, Niya's little face slumped back down.

I've never seen you smile, Feina sighed.

There's no need, Niya shook her head. I am emulating Lord Aina... In my memory, Lord Aina's face has always been this calm.

Is that so?

Past events flooded Feina's mind.

Last time she went to the Forest of Tranquility to help clean Lord Aina's house, she bumped into Lord Aina once.

At that time, she seemed to have seen a hint of a gentle smile on Lord Aina's face, like the first crack on a frozen lake.

Then if Lord Aina smiled, would you also follow her and show a smile? Feina asked suddenly.

Probably. Niya's tone was somewhat uncertain. But Lord Aina possesses an incredibly powerful force of pure love. According to my deductions, the Hero is dead, and Lord Aina's heart is already dead...

Alright, stop talking about that. Feina rubbed Niya's head vigorously.

This little girl was deeply poisoned by the stories of partings, death, and tragic love in human novels and plays, always saying things she couldn't understand.

Unable to be with the one she loves most due to the shackles of lifespan, Lord Aina is simply the perfect tragic heroine.

Lord Aina's experience itself is a poignant and beautiful piece of art.

It hurts, it hurts too much. As Lord Aina's most loyal subordinate, I must share this pain with her...

The thoughts in Niya's little head were also very bizarre.

The image of Lord Aina affectionately holding that man's wrist surfaced in Feina's mind again.

Since Lord Aina forbade her from speaking about it, Feina naturally didn't dare to disobey her orders.

But Niya's expression upon learning of this would surely be spectacular, wouldn't it? Feina thought to herself.

Let's go, Niya. Get ready to welcome Lord Aina.

Mhm, don't worry, I still have a red carpet in my spatial ring...

...

I didn't have time to inform Feina and the others in advance. If I just return suddenly, things will probably get messy, Aina said, hovering in the air with her wings flapping, holding Xia Lun.

Is that so? Having to consider your subordinates, it's really not easy for you, Aina. Xia Lun couldn't help but feel a bit amused. If Aina were alone, she probably wouldn't care this much.

Besides, I also want to see what this place has become after I've been away for so long.

Aina found an empty alley and slowly descended into the city.

With a flick of her hand, a pitch-black cloak wrapped Xia Lun tightly.

What's this for? Xia Lun obediently pulled his cloak tighter.

You're a human. There are basically no humans in the city of Colonia... If there are, they've definitely been turned into blood servants to provide blood. You'll definitely be targeted here. Aina licked her lips. You're definitely a top-quality blood servant.

Xia Lun: Will it be dangerous?

Hehe, there will be countless vampire girls like me who would want to suck you dry and wipe you clean. Aina glared at Xia Lun fiercely.

Sounds pretty good? Xia Lun joked.

There will also be some old earls with unique tastes who prefer your type, Aina snorted delicately.

Aina, I will always be yours alone. Xia Lun immediately stood at attention.

Hmph, you fool.

Aina also pulled up the hood behind her and led Xia Lun onto the street.

It was quite an ancient city. The rust on the gates and the worn-out corners showed traces of blending with time in many places.

After all, the lifespan of vampires was also quite long.

There were quite a few people on the street, but not all of them had the iconic blood-red eyes and silver hair of vampires. In other words, the vast majority were of different colors, and truly pure-blooded vampires were rare.

Was there someone in the sky just now?

They really don't want to live, daring to fly over Colonia.

But how did she do it? Isn't there a no-fly array in the city?

Could it be a noble vampire earl?...

People were still discussing what had just happened, and the two cloaked figures passing by didn't attract any attention at all.

Xia Lun could tell that Aina's expression was not very good.

What's wrong, Aina? Xia Lun asked softly.

Too many. Aina's voice was a bit cold. There weren't this many people here before... Whose dependents are these?

Are there any negative effects to having too many dependents?

Yes. Aina nodded. They annoy me.

Xia Lun: ...

Alright, Aina liked peace and quiet.

I should have ordered not to create dependents at will. Aina frowned slightly. Who did this?

It definitely wasn't me, Demon Lord, Xia Lun hastily raised his hands in a panic, making Aina burst into laughter.

Aina hugged Xia Lun's waist from behind again.

Forget it, let's go back first.

...

The figures of the two landed in front of the old castle. The heavy black iron gate seemed to sense the return of its master and slowly opened inward silently.

A bright red carpet rolled out from under Aina's feet, stretching inward for hundreds of meters straight into the depths of the castle.

Lord Aina.

Feina and Niya stood respectfully on both sides, bowing slightly.

Ahead, two rows of vampire maids in uniform black dresses, with exquisite but expressionless faces, lined up straight along the red carpet like the most strictly calibrated honor guard. They curtsied in perfect unison, their silver hair falling and their blood-red eyes downcast, silently proclaiming the majesty of the vampire progenitor in the silence.

Seeing Xia Lun looking a bit dazed, a dangerous smile appeared on the corner of Aina's mouth: How is it? Have you taken a fancy to any of them? Take your pick... Or should I just send them all to your room tonight?

Xia Lun looked at his wife somewhat speechlessly.

Niya, standing to the side, looked at the smile on Aina's face with a blank expression.

Suddenly, Feina's voice transmission reached Niya's ears.

Niya, give your big sister Feina a smile.