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The scene atop the jade bed was nothing short of surreal.
Tenra and Queen Carmilla were still entwined, bodies pressed together, but now Carmilla's fangs had sunk deep into Tenra's neck, drinking his blood in greedy gulps.
"Mmm… what an exquisite taste!"
Never before had she sampled blood so intoxicating. Carmilla's eyes glazed over with rapture, her face flushed with pleasure. But even more thrilling was her sense of triumph—she'd finally done it.
All the conditions were met. A devilish gleam flickered in her eyes as she unleashed her secret power.
"Ahhh—!"
Tenra's cry of agony tore through the room. At the same moment, a complex, blood-red character appeared on his forehead—ancient vampire script, translating to a single word: Slave.
"Red Emperor, I warned you—you'd regret this! Hahahaha!"
Carmilla sat up, laughter bubbling from her lips, only to falter as a wave of embarrassment colored her cheeks. She hastily disentangled herself, no longer hiding her shame or fury.
Damn him—forcing her to pay such a price. She'd make him pay it back a thousandfold.
Tenra's face was pale, his voice strained.
"What… what did you do to me?"
Carmilla's smile was cold, victorious.
"No harm in telling you now. My blood grants me a unique power—anyone whose blood I drink becomes my slave."
She watched him squirm, savoring his pain.
"You feel it now, don't you? The agony. Once your soul is completely devoured, you'll find peace—but from this moment forward, you're mine. My slave. You'll never defy me again."
She straightened, regaining her queenly bearing, the look of a conqueror.
Tenra managed a bitter laugh.
"Such a terrifying power… Why wait until now to use it?"
Carmilla's answer was matter-of-fact.
"My ability works on anyone weaker than me. But for someone stronger, I only get one shot—when you're at your most vulnerable. If I fail, the backlash enslaves me instead."
She glared at him, voice trembling with emotion.
"You're too strong, Red Emperor. Strong enough to frighten even me. I never wanted to risk it, but you forced my hand. This is all your fault!"
Her smile stretched wide, victorious and wild.
"But now, I've won. You're my slave, to command as I please!"
She threw her head back, laughter ringing through the chamber.
She'd paid dearly, but to claim the Red Emperor as her slave—Ddraig's host, the Phoenix family's miracle, the Maou's sister's fiancé—was worth any price. With his power under her thumb, the Carmilla clan would reign supreme. The vampire world would belong to her alone.
She was always the last one laughing. Always the final victor.
But just then—
"Your Majesty," Tenra's voice cut through the room, calm and almost playful, "I hate to interrupt, but are you sure you've enslaved me?"
Carmilla froze, her eyes snapping to his face.
Tenra's expression was pure mischief—gone was any trace of pain.
"Impossible! You— You should be—!"
Her voice broke with disbelief. But as she watched in horror, the slave mark on Tenra's forehead began to fade, dissolving into nothing.
"Ahhh—!"
A scream of pain ripped from Carmilla as her own power turned against her. The mark reappeared—on her own forehead.
"Why?! Why?!"
She clutched her head, wracked by pain and denial. She'd timed everything perfectly, caught his moment of weakness, activated her ability. How could this happen?
Tenra's voice was low, almost mocking.
"Your body's delicious, Your Majesty. But did you really think I'd lose myself so easily? I gave you plenty of chances—honestly, I was starting to worry you'd never get it right."
He stroked her cheek, eyes glinting with devilish amusement.
"But you finally managed it. Thanks for the show—it was spectacular."
Carmilla's whole body went cold. He'd seen through her every move. All along, he'd just been playing with her.
Was she really going to lose to him like this? Become his slave, his toy?
No. Never.
She was the Vampire Queen. She enslaved others—never the other way around.
It wasn't over. If she killed him now, she might still escape.
"Attack! Kill him!"
Carmilla lashed out, pinning Tenra down and shouting at the shadows.
With a mechanical click, a hidden alcove slid open in the palace wall. From within, Lamia Hilde, Ampusa, and six vampire elders emerged—her final backup plan. If her own power failed, they would kill the Red Emperor. Even if she suffered backlash, as long as Tenra died, no one could enslave her. She'd remain the queen.
But the reinforcements didn't move. Carmilla turned, panic rising.
Except for Ampusa, the elders lay sprawled on the floor—defeated.
Tap, tap, tap…
Ampusa stepped out, dragging Lamia Hilde and another elder behind her. Her long legs cut a sharp silhouette against the lamplight.
"Ampusa! What are you doing?!"
Carmilla's fury exploded, her voice nearly a roar.
Ampusa tossed her captives to the ground, lips curling into a cold, manic grin.
"Lady Akasha, isn't it obvious? I betrayed you."
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