The Future of the Young Lady...

Annie smiled as she gazed at Luo Wei. "But today, my opinion of Mr. Luo Wei has changed somewhat, and I no longer oppose your union."

She had been observing everything from the shadows and was well aware of Luo Wei's actions.

"I told you he was amazing, but none of you believed me!" Evelyn, delighted by Annie's praise of Luo Wei, happily linked her arm with his, her grin growing even more triumphant.

Luo Wei clasped Evelyn's hand in return and quickly asked, "So does your attitude reflect the Duke's as well? Does that mean His Grace has given his approval?"

Annie glanced at their intertwined hands and chuckled. "Why the rush? Of course the master agrees. He was thoroughly impressed by you today."

Luo Wei couldn't help but sigh in relief. After all, he had essentially whisked away the Duke's daughter—his father-in-law's opinion mattered greatly...

"Though you and that witch ally of yours did complicate the master's counterattack somewhat..." Annie admitted with a helpless sigh. "Still, the outcome was favorable—better than even his initial plans."

Annie mused that even a decade of covert modifications to the arcane mechanisms couldn't compare to the sheer terror of that female mage outside. The rebellious old vampires, once so detestable, now scurried about like rats fleeing a sewer, a sight that filled her with inexplicable satisfaction.

Moreover, the Church's power had proven unexpectedly formidable. Feilin had even managed to summon the Holy Maiden of the Papacy into battle—a rapid rise in influence the Duke hadn't anticipated. Fortunately, that female mage held her ground, fighting the Holy Maiden to a standstill.

But there was another pleasant surprise. Annie's gaze drifted toward Monica, lost in silent thought, before returning to Evelyn.

Miss Evelyn's remarkable performance had left Monica, the originally intended heir, far behind. After today, even if the Duke wished to continue supporting Monica, it would be impossible to rally the others. Every vampire, every guest, had witnessed the rise of a new star in the Abraham family...

"So, Annie..." Evelyn asked curiously, "Since a blood thrall's fate is tied to their master, and you're still alive... does that mean...?"

Luo Wei was equally intrigued. If Annie was here, did that imply the Duke wasn't truly dead?

"My apologies, miss," Annie sighed deeply. "The master was beyond saving. He is indeed gone."

"But you're standing right here in front of me!" Evelyn protested.

"Look at me now..." Annie lowered her eyes, her laughter tinged with exhaustion. "Because the master is dead, I too will soon perish. The reason you can still hear me, still receive his final arrangements, is that his brain has not yet ceased functioning."

"Brain death?" Luo Wei frowned, recalling the concept. After a human's body dies, brain cells remain active for a short while—about five minutes, if he remembered correctly.

But today's chaos had lasted far longer. Hours had passed since the Duke's death...

"It's dark magic," Annie explained, sensing their confusion. "If you examine the master's body closely, you'll find it encased in a preservation spell. His true farewell was delayed—a technique originally meant to keep our vampire 'ingredients' fresh. Who knew it would one day be used on the master himself..."

Luo Wei hadn't expected this. A dark magic that could prolong brain death? Though it likely had something to do with the vampires' unnatural gifts.

Still, it aligned with his earlier thoughts—a schemer would surely want to witness the success of their plans. The Duke had so much left to settle...

"Wait! Just wait!" Evelyn steadied the increasingly frail Annie. "If that's the case, isn't there another way?"

"I remember the old emperor in the capital was supposed to have died long ago! It was only thanks to those dark sorcerers that he's clung to life. Since Father's will still lingers within you, couldn't we use some other method to keep you both alive?"

Evelyn's voice trembled with emotion. Truthfully, while her father's passing pained her, losing Annie was even harder to bear.

This gentle steward had always cared for her, comforted her. Even when the family ostracized her, Annie never gave up on her. To Evelyn, abandoned by her mother as a child, Annie was the closest thing to a real mother.

"Miss..." Annie softly caressed Evelyn's cheek, smiling. "There's no need to weep for me. The heir of this family must be strong. Your father wouldn't want its future leader to be so tender-hearted..."

"What does he know? What does he know?" Evelyn's eyes reddened as she snapped, "All he cared about was the family! And after a lifetime of effort, he still ended up nearly betrayed by all! Hah! If he'd shown us even a shred of kindness, those young vampires wouldn't have been so easily swayed!"

"Those youngsters?" Annie scoffed, shaking her head. "They're insignificant. Mediocrities hardly worth a thought. The master was very pleased with your performance today, Miss Evelyn. My time is short, but there are a few final matters to entrust to you..."

"Annie, how much time do you have left?" Evelyn pressed.

Annie's voice grew faint. "Perhaps hours... perhaps days. But it's enough to prepare everything for your future..."

She gazed at Evelyn's despondent expression and forced herself to continue:

"First, once you inherit the title of Duke of Thorns, reach out to your maternal relatives—the Toreador Family of the City of Cain. You'll need high-tier combatants for support. But don't trust them too deeply. The vampires of Cain have long coveted our family's power and wealth. Your mother's conflict with the master stemmed from this. Balancing these dynamics will be your challenge."

"Second, the Duke secretly forged a pact with the Church, effectively betraying the Empire. The Emperor will not let this slide. So abandon any thoughts of prolonging his life. From the moment he set his plans in motion, he was resolved to die. But this works in your favor as the new Duke of Thorns."

Annie smirked cunningly. "So what if the former Duke committed treason? The new Duke of Thorns has quelled the rebellion, and the traitor has taken his own life. The Church can't exploit the pact."

"Thus, the crime was his, not yours. The Empire needs House Thorns, and your ties with the Imperial Princess are strong. I suspect the Emperor's decree of succession is already on its way. You will be the rightful Duke of Thorns."

"Third." She gazed at Evelyn, then glanced at Luo Wei. "The Duke has left you some of his forces. Several Duke-level vampires did not participate in the rebellion. Though they are far more powerful than you, you can use the vampires of the City of Cain to keep them in check."

"Fourth." Annie surveyed the underground library. "My lady, all of this will be yours now—the most sacred relics of our Abraham family. One is the ancestral crown, and the other is the [Tome of Blood]. The latter can rapidly enhance your strength. Of course, relics are not omnipotent—otherwise, the master would have broken through to the Duke-level long ago. As for how far your power grows in the future, that will depend on your own skill."

After saying this, Annie's voice grew even lower and hoarser. "These were the master's instructions. He is watching, after all... though he truly is heartless, only conveying these words. So this last sentence... is actually what I wanted to say to you..."

Her eyes lingered on Evelyn and Luo Wei's tightly clasped hands, and she smiled with difficulty, yet also with relief.

"After caring for you for so long, I’ve finally seen someone you truly love, who loves you in return..."

"I really... really wish I could see the day you two marry..."