The Duke's Warning

Luo Wei answered truthfully, "That's right, I am human."

There was no need to hide this from the Duke, after all, he was Evelyn's father.

"What's this about a so-called reclusive family?" the Duke frowned and asked. "There have been many rumors circulating in the family lately. Annie even spent three days and nights digging through records..."

"That's all my fault..." Evelyn smiled sheepishly. "I just wanted to tease Annie a little. Who knew she'd take it so seriously..."

In the end, the more Annie investigated, the more suspicious things became, until it reached a point where it was downright unsettling—she even started questioning reality itself...

"But Luo Wei really isn't ordinary, you know. Have you heard about his achievements...?" Evelyn still wanted to elevate her lover's standing, not wanting her father to look down on him.

"A human..." The Duke's expression grew increasingly exasperated as he looked at Evelyn. He sighed. "This is simply absurd."

"This human will grow old in a few decades, while you remain young. Will you still love him the way you do now?"

"Even if you truly love him that much, a human's lifespan is barely a hundred years. Soon, you'll lose him, witness his death, and be left in unbearable pain."

The Duke fixed his gaze on Evelyn. "Have you considered any of this? Or are you just blinded by love?"

"No, that won't happen!" Evelyn suddenly tightened her grip on Luo Wei's hand. "He won't die!"

Luo Wei had promised her—they would live on together in this damned world. He always kept his word, so he would make it happen. Otherwise... she couldn't imagine life without him.

Luo Wei smiled and explained to the Duke, "Your Grace, if your concern is merely about lifespan, then you needn't worry. If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it to you. You can rest assured and entrust Evelyn to me."

"Oh?" The Duke's expression was noncommittal, clearly unconvinced.

Of course, he didn’t attempt to separate them further, nor did he resort to threats like, "Take a few million and leave my daughter," or "Break up with her or I’ll kill you."

Because he could tell at a glance—his daughter was already deeply in love.

So, further words were pointless. In the end, he only asked perfunctorily about Luo Wei’s work and daily life before dropping the subject.

Before leaving, Evelyn presented the Duke with her birthday gift—the fragment of the arcane tome Luo Wei had helped her select.

The Duke indeed looked quite pleased.

As for Luo Wei’s gift, it was an unremarkable-looking wooden box. The Duke was puzzled at first, but when he opened it, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"This is..." He picked up a glass vial of potion.

Luo Wei nodded. "This has a noticeable effect in suppressing corruption and backlash for Otherkin."

"You’ve really gone all out," the Duke remarked with a smile. The box contained two rows, ten vials in total. "Recently, these suppression potions have been appearing in the Otherkin black market, each selling for astronomical prices. With ten vials here, you must’ve spent a fortune."

Luo Wei shook his head. "I didn’t spend anything."

"Nothing?" The Duke looked puzzled.

Evelyn’s smile carried a hint of pride. "You wouldn’t know this, but Luo Wei made these himself! He’s amazing, isn’t he~?"

The Duke was even more surprised. He turned to Luo Wei. "Really?"

Luo Wei allowed himself a small moment of pride, though he remained modest. "It’s nothing, just a minor contribution to the arcane arts."

"Young people these days are truly impressive." The Duke chuckled and shook his head, his opinion of Luo Wei shifting slightly.

"If you weren’t so set on being with Evelyn, the Abraham family might’ve considered hiring you as a court alchemist. The salary would be five times that of a royal mage."

Luo Wei immediately declined. "No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, Your Grace."

The Duke laughed heartily. "Very well, I won’t press you. Evelyn, the birthday banquet and ball are the day after tomorrow. All family members will be in attendance—remember to bring your little boyfriend along."

"Of course."

With that, the two took their leave.

Just as they were about to open the door, however, the Duke suddenly spoke again from behind them:

"The next few days will be crowded, and the elders will be patrolling late at night. The two of you should stay in after dark."

Luo Wei and Evelyn exchanged a glance before turning back. The Duke had already buried himself in paperwork, saying no more.

Once the three returned to Evelyn’s room, she couldn’t hold back any longer. "Telling us not to go out at night? Are they hiding something they don’t want us to see?"

Given their prior suspicions that the Duke might be plotting treason, her assumption wasn’t unfounded.

But Luo Wei shook his head slightly. Today’s conversation had given him a subtly different impression of the Duke. "Maybe he was just warning us that nights in Thornbloom Castle are dangerous?"

"I don’t know..." Evelyn murmured. "But it is a strange warning..."

Dangerous for guests? For the elders? Or... something else entirely?

After eating, they went to bed, and the first night in Thornbloom Castle passed quietly.

The mountain nights were cold and still, the pale moonlight casting an eerie glow over the towering silhouette of the castle. Its jagged spires loomed like a monstrous beast, ready to devour.

At one in the morning, Luo Wei and Evelyn abruptly sat up in the soft pink bed.

Their vampiric senses allowed them to see clearly even in the dark. They exchanged a silent look before glancing at Helena, nestled between them and fast asleep.

"Let’s begin," Luo Wei whispered.

"Mm..." Evelyn nodded softly.

Luo Wei tugged at his pajama collar, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

The movement, however, made Helena bolt upright like a corpse reanimated.

"Brother! What are you two doing?!"

"Huh?" Both turned to her in surprise.

"You weren’t asleep?" Luo Wei asked flatly.

"Of course not, Brother!" Helena clenched her fists, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. How could she possibly relax with her brother and a vampire sharing a bed?

And sure enough, the moment she dozed off, these two couldn’t restrain themselves!

"Wait, Helena..." Evelyn sensed the misunderstanding, though their earlier conversation hadn’t helped.

"We’re not doing anything. The professor and I just wanted to go out," Luo Wei explained.

"To sneak off together?" Helena’s face twisted further. "No! Brother, you can’t go! But if you must... fine, I’ll come too..."

Luo Wei massaged his temples. What kind of logic was this?

He stood and headed for the wardrobe. "Fine, all three of us will go."

"Alright..." Evelyn glanced at Helena, somewhat reluctant to bring her along for something as risky as gathering intelligence.

Helena's eyes gradually widened. "Together...?"

"Of course." Luo Wei changed into a dark-toned outfit. "Come on, let's go—we're paying a nighttime visit to the vampire's castle."