Chapter 29

His gaze was aggressive, making her feel flustered. She resolutely turned her head away, but he immediately turned her back around, pressing her onto the bed, locking her evasive eyes.

"She treats you so harshly, so why do you still care so much about her? Just because she's your mother?"

"...I don't know." She sighed wearily, "She raised me and had high, strict expectations for me. I know she did it for my own good, wanting to groom me to take her place. Honestly, I never wanted to become a handmaiden, but that's what she expected, and the aunts thought I had the potential, so I tried hard not to disappoint them. But sometimes..."

She bit her lip, revealing these thoughts to someone for the first time, "I always feel like I owe them something, and I have to do everything I can to make it up to them."

She couldn't truly describe what this feeling was, as if something in her subconscious commanded and spurred her absolute loyalty.

Maybe it was her inexplicable sense of responsibility, or maybe she was just overthinking? Living together in a large family naturally created strong bonds, but her utmost effort seemed less about family affection and more like an unchangeable fate, driving her down a predetermined path.

Even now, in a room with just the two of them, she felt as if eyes were secretly watching her from the corner, monitoring her every move.

"In other words, I'm less important than them? After all, they are your family, and I'm just an enemy." He gritted his teeth in anger. Was it the same result again? Back then, she chose those women, and now she still puts them first. He was ultimately just an outsider.

No, it won't be the same! He had done so much to avoid repeating the past. That's why he didn't fight back when facing the Derlin family's attack; she had to decide for herself, to choose between the two. It was cruel to her, but if it wasn't her willing choice, it would be meaningless.

But if she ultimately chose her family again, he would have no hesitation in taking her away! He was no longer the insecure boy from back then. For the girl he wanted, he would have no doubts!

His agitated and conflicting thoughts were suddenly jolted because her warm palm caressed his face.

He calmed down, gazing into her thoughtful, dark eyes, which showed a hint of tenderness and pity, making him stare in a daze, his heartbeat gradually accelerating. She probably didn't know that just one look from her could throw him into turmoil, right?

He laughed hoarsely, "To be honest, I don't like being looked at like a stray dog, but if it's you, it's different."

She said nothing, her delicate hand moved lightly along his handsome face, down his neck, to his bare chest, hearing his satisfied sigh, intoxicated by her touch.

What puzzled her was that she felt the same way about him, even more intensely, as if it was pulling her away from her original path, overlapping her life with his, and she found it hard to resist this strange sense of destiny that seemed to have been born with them...

She touched the small scars on his chest, "What happened back then?"

He was momentarily stunned, then realized she was asking about an event from centuries ago, "Your family's history should have recorded it clearly, right?"

"It only mentions the number of casualties and the location, no other details." She vaguely felt there were some insider details she should know.

"Such a significant event, yet recorded so perfunctorily?" He propped himself up on his elbows beside her, his smiling green eyes looking into hers.

"Well, it's a long story... A long, long time ago, there was a little boy. Because of his half-human, half-demon bloodline, everyone feared and hated him. Sorcerers vowed to eliminate him, and he fled and hid everywhere, living alone in the wild like a beast. He hated this world that refused to accept him, trusted no one, but still longed for a pair of warm hands willing to embrace him.

"When he was fifteen, he was hunted by a sorcerer. On the brink of death, a girl saved him, hiding him in a cave. At first, he suspected the girl had ulterior motives. Every time she brought medicine and food, although he was too injured to speak, he still glared at her fiercely. The girl was scared but couldn't leave him to die, so she secretly took care of him every day.

"This puzzled him. The girl knew he wasn't human, so why save him? He didn't understand, but he felt kindness in her careful care and gradually let his guard down. His expression softened, and when she tried to talk to him, he responded. They grew closer, and she told him stories, taught him to read, sing, and play games. She gave him many firsts, both tangible and intangible. He learned how to write his name for the first time; he smiled for the first time and tasted joy; for the first time, he felt like a person, not a hunted beast; for the first time, he deeply liked someone, though he didn't know it was called love..."

Seeing him talk about the past with a look of loving tenderness, Sarah felt a sting in her heart and bit her lip, asking, "That girl was... Lady Xiang Wan?" If they had been so close and intimate, why did they later become enemies, leading to a terrible massacre?

Moreover, since he started talking, the feeling of being watched grew stronger. He seemed unaware, but she could sense it, as if some spell was allowing someone to spy on them.

Emil didn't answer directly but continued, "Those were the happiest days of his life. His wounds healed, but he couldn't bear to leave the girl. He knew he wasn't worthy of her, but he was content just to stay by her side. One night, the girl came to see him as usual, but this time, she was followed by her clan members who specialized in exorcism. They were fully armed, ready to take his life. His hiding place was extremely secretive, known only to him and the girl. If she hadn't led them there, how could they have found him?

"He believed the girl had betrayed him. In his heartbreak and anger, he lost his mind and killed everyone present, including the girl's mother. Only the girl he both loved and hated, he couldn't bring himself to harm.

"He left, once again wandering alone, feeling abandoned. Even if he tried not to hurt anyone and lived like a human, people always suspected and distrusted him. He decided he might as well become the demon they thought he was.

"So, he began living like a vampire, hiding by day and feeding on human blood at night. But even the vampires wouldn't accept him as one of their own. He only pushed himself further into isolation. The girl who survived became the leader of her clan, naturally tasked with hunting demons like him, especially since he was their mortal enemy."