My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 116: Schwi's change

The nocturnal spectacle that unfolds at Estelle Academy is nothing short of enchanting, a visual feast that soothes the weary soul and captivates the beholder.

As I gazed out from the carriage window, the ethereal night view unfolded before me, painting an awe-inspiring panorama of the academic haven that lay ahead.

Estelle Academy, deserving of its esteemed reputation as the preeminent educational institution across the entire continent, exuded an unparalleled charm under the cloak of darkness.

The delicate interplay of ambient lights bathed the campus in a soft glow, casting an almost magical aura upon its architectural splendors.

The meticulously manicured gardens and majestic structures seemed to come alive, resonating with an air of sophistication and academic excellence.

As the carriage approached the academy, the city-like expanse of its grounds gradually emerged on the horizon, a sprawling testament to the grandeur of knowledge and learning.

The intricate details of the buildings, adorned with classical embellishments, became more discernible, each structure standing as a testament to the academy's commitment to both beauty and education.

Even from a distance, the sheer magnificence of Estelle Academy was impossible to ignore.

This was a sight I've only seen once during the day, but seeing it under the night skies was truly a breath-taking sight to beheld.

The atmosphere would have been heartwarming and serene if not for the disruption caused by the grumbling lady positioned directly in front of me – Schwi Heiron.

The daughter of the prestigious White Snake Duke Heiron, regarded as the empire's master of coins, she hailed from a family synonymous with economic prowess, steering the very currents of the empire's financial landscape.

If the emperor was absent all people in, the empire's juridic would be listening to his and my father's command.

My gaze inadvertently met hers, and I was met with a piercing intensity that could rival a blade.

Schwi's eyes, once of a serene blue hue during her human days, now bore a captivating crimson shade, a testament to her transformation into a vampire.

Despite the enhancement of her beauty through this supernatural rebirth, she had forfeited one of the most beautiful aspects of humanity – mortality.

As she stared at me, a lethal combination of annoyance and subtle fear etched across her face, I couldn't help but marvel at the crimson orbs fixed upon mine.

The vampire curse coursing through her veins seemed to dictate a certain hostility, and the tension in the air suggested that an attack might be imminent.

Her teeth gritted, and her eyes locked onto mine with a primal intensity that spoke of both aggression and a lingering human vulnerability.

In the midst of this delicate balance, I recognized the internal struggle within her, a conflict between the vampire instincts compelling her to strike and the restraint she exhibited in acknowledging my strength.

It dawned on me that, had she been unaware of my true capabilities, her response might have been more instinctual – an immediate and impulsive lunge for my neck.

Yet, despite the invisible forces urging her towards aggression, there was an undeniable display of self-control.

It was as if the knowledge of my strength tempered her impulses, preventing a confrontation that could have erupted into something more perilous.

Witnessing this internal struggle within Schwi, I couldn't help but find a certain level of admiration for her ability to hold herself back, even in the face of an apparent threat.

The will that she got resist her never ending thirst really proves just how much self-control she had when she was once human.

'Well, the author did write her ta have quite a determined personality, so I guess it goes within her character?'

"Why are you taking me back to the academy?" Schwi complained, her tone laced with frustration as the carriage rumbled along the familiar route.

"You know it would cause more problems, right?" she added, emphasizing the potential complications that seemed to loom over this decision. Her sharp teeth were on full display, a menacing image as her fangs gleamed dangerously every time she opened her mouth, giving her the appearance of a ferocious beast.

I sighed, trying to maintain a semblance of control over the situation. "Don't worry, everything is under control, so just shut up and do your role"

I replied, meeting her gaze squarely.

The annoyance in her expression was palpable, but she couldn't entirely dismiss the weight of her mother's words.

Charlotte, now a subordinate of my Aunt, had become intricately entangled in the web of alliances and responsibilities, making both her and the reluctant Schwi in front of me an extension of my own obligations.

"Sis and I will set up the stage, so just act the role you were given"

"Ok? My beautiful marionette…."

I added, while touching her cheeks.

She slapped my hand away immediately.

And a response of a hateful glare, yet she couldn't maintain eye contact for long, begrudgingly shifting her gaze to the passing scenery outside the carriage.

The atmosphere inside the confined space was thick with unresolved tension.

As the wheels of the carriage continued their rhythmic turning, I could understand the depth of Schwi's feelings, especially after what happened last time.

….

As Schwi cautiously stepped into the dimly lit space, the shadows cast by the low light gradually relinquished their hold on a mysterious figure.

Revealing himself, a man emerged, his dark hair framing a face adorned with piercing grey eyes that seemed to cut through the haze of her confusion.

His gaze locked onto Schwi, and a sly, enigmatic smile played upon his lips.

"Y-you???"

Schwi stammered, her astonishment evident as she stared at the unexpected person before her.

He was one of the last individuals she had anticipated encountering, especially dressed in a luxurious black outfit that exuded an air of sophistication.

Schwi's mind, already grappling with the revelation of her altered state, now raced to comprehend the intricate layers of her situation.

She had awoken to the stark realization that she was no longer human, hastily whisked away by a red-haired woman whose influence over her seemed inexplicably strong.

And now, standing in this mysterious place, she found herself face to face with an acquaintance she had never expected to see again.

The cascade of events unfolded like a surreal nightmare, leaving Schwi bewildered and disoriented.

She had believed she met her end when Louise's spirit seared her being back at the academy, and now, in an unexpected twist, she found herself confronting a devilishly handsome man.

His gaze, simultaneously gentle and perilous, locked onto her, the subtle curve of his smile betraying an underlying danger that added to the complexity of the moment.

"Welcome, Schwi Heiron, long time no see?" Adrian greeted with a blend of casual familiarity and formality, his tone carrying an air of intrigue.

"Long time no see? Wait, aren't you Adrian Vulter Tellus? Why are you—"

"Sit."

Before Schwi could finish her question, she found herself inexplicably walking toward an empty seat at Adrian's table.

It was as if an unseen force guided her, and she took her place almost mechanically, the movements resembling those of a puppet responding to its master's command.

The transition happened in a matter of moments, and Schwi couldn't fathom why she had obeyed so effortlessly.

The sound of a voice, compelling and irresistible, had emanated from behind her, and she realized it was the red-haired woman who stood there, wielding an influence over her actions.

The mysterious woman began walking away, disappearing into a black portal that seemed to swallow her whole.

Schwi blinked, her mind struggling to catch up with the rapid sequence of events.

She looked around, still confused as to what exactly happened with her.

"Tea?" Adrian offered casually, pouring the amber liquid into his cup with practiced ease.

"I don't want tea" Schwi replied, instinctively covering her throat and mouth.

The sensation momentarily disappeared as the red-haired lady uttered something to her, but the intense thirst that had gripped her upon waking returned.

It was a thirst so profound that Schwi felt an uncontrollable urge to drink from any available source of water.

Her eyes bore into Adrian, the intensity piercing through his skin and seemingly straight to his veins.

Schwi found herself yearning for the red, thumping liquid coursing through his body.

Her body moved on its own accord; instincts overridden by an insatiable craving.

But just as her predatory instincts surged to the forefront, she seized a teaspoon from the table and stabbed it into her left hand.

"Ugh!" Schwi groaned in pain, her hands seemingly ablaze as she witnessed them sizzle, a phenomenon akin to being set on fire.

"Oh, you shouldn't have done that," Adrian said with a concerned look, pulling the pierced spoon from Schwi's hands.

"Although you're born as a mid-ranking vampire, and practically resistant to most vampire weaknesses, piercing silver right through your flesh would still be painful."

Smoke billowed from Schwi's once-beautiful hands, and ashes floated in the air as a testament to the otherworldly resistance that came with her new vampiric form.

Schwi, fighting against the pain, glanced at Adrian's arm, the sound of veins and blood coursing through it echoing in her ears.

The visceral desire to lunge at him and quench her thirst overwhelmed her, and she struggled to restrain herself, the internal battle reflected in her conflicted gaze.

"Want to eat?" Adrian nonchalantly proposed, unveiling his sleeves and allowing the irresistible scent of fresh blood flowing through his hands to reach Schwi's vampiric senses.

Before she could even comprehend what was happening, her instincts took over, and she sank her fangs into Adrian's hands, voraciously attempting to devour the delectable feast before her.

The taste of blood flooded her senses, an exquisite flavor that danced on her tongue, accompanied by an intense, aromatic smell that heightened the experience.

As she indulged in this newfound pleasure, her vampiric body seemed to heat up, reacting to the intoxicating elixir that flowed into her.

"Haha, so you were quite thirsty, huh? Don't worry, drink to your heart's content" Adrian remarked with a sneer, his fingers gently parting Schwi's luscious golden hair, almost as if he were indulging a child.

"Take your time. I can't have you thinking about my blood all the time; I need you to answer some questions you see…."

Normally, such words would have provoked the graceful and prideful noble, stirring a sense of indignation. However, in the throes of her newfound delight, Schwi's mind was blissfully oblivious to any thoughts of defiance or resistance.

She was entirely engrossed in the pleasure of the blood, the captivating taste overwhelming her senses and casting aside any concerns of propriety or pride.

Adrian, watching her with a hint of amusement, allowed her to relish in the moment.

The room became a cocoon of sensory ecstasy, the only reality being the rich taste of blood and the enthralling warmth that enveloped Schwi.