Translator: Nox
Chapter: 23
“What do you mean you need now?”
Just then, there was a loud bang and Xion staggered. Startled, I caught him.
“Xion?!”
“I’m fine. I just let my guard down for a moment.”
But his face was extremely pale.
Fury surged in me and I shouted at the Emperor.
“Why would you hit someone else’s poison spider?!”
I was so angry, I felt like crying.
Xion hadn’t even wanted to save the Emperor, but now he was hurt because of me.
— …I only meant to warn him. He got hit on purpose.
“Don’t lie!”
“Princess, I’m fine. I said something unpleasant, so it’s natural I got hit.”
I glared at Xion for acting all noble and grabbed his arm.
“Just show me where it hurts!”
“Later. It’s not serious.”
Xion winked subtly. Realizing his intention, I was shocked.
‘Did he fake being hurt just to mess with the Emperor?’
As I gaped, Xion began taunting the Emperor again.
“Your Majesty, no matter how angry you are, it won’t change reality. Bring me Luna Draugr
and I’ll make the antidote.”
The Emperor fell silent. Xion sneered coldly.
“So you already knew she was the cause. To be poisoned while doting on a substitute—what a laughable death you’ll have.”
— Silence!
The enraged Emperor snapped. I tugged on Xion’s sleeve to stop him.
Xion said,
“Fine. If you won’t bring Luna Draugr, then order Sir Dante to absorb your poison.”
— What?
“Sir Dante is ready to die for you. What a loyal blood knight you have.”
Suddenly, Dante dropped to his knees.
The Emperor was too shocked to speak.
— Dante, what are you—
“…It is an honor to die for Your Majesty. Please, command me.”
Unable to lie to the Emperor, Dante confessed.
The Emperor, lying like a corpse, shuddered and coughed up blood.
Startled, Dante ran over.
Xion pushed him aside and checked on the Emperor.
“He’s fine. He won’t die for now,” he said with clear disappointment.
Dante glared at Xion, who remained indifferent.
I pulled on Xion’s sleeve.
“Do you *have* to use that for the antidote? Isn’t there anything else?”
He always left room for alternatives.
“There’s one substitute. But I doubt the Emperor would dare take it.”
“What is it? Is it disgusting?”
Xion looked at me for a moment, then turned his head.
“I’d rather not say.”
“Why?”
“Just let them bring Luna Draugr. It’ll be better medicine for him.”
Seriously, why does he hate the Emperor so much?
I spotted a small room nearby and dragged Xion into it.
“Princess?”
“We’ll talk in here. Sir Dante, watch over His Majesty.”
I didn’t wait for Dante’s reply. I shut the door tight.
“Now talk.”
“…”
“If you don’t want to tell the Emperor, that’s fine.”
Only then did Xion speak reluctantly.
“Your blood can replace the heart.”
“My blood?”
Of course, in a vampire world, blood solves everything.
“Do you need a lot?”
“One drop per day, for about a month.”
That’s so little compared to a heart!
“Then why—”
“Doesn’t it make you angry?” Xion asked, staring at me.
“He gave everything that should’ve been yours to a substitute. Now he’ll shamelessly accept your blood.”
Xion was upset on my behalf.
He hated that the Emperor had favored Luna and now needed my blood to live.
“But Luna was always meant to get those things. I never should’ve had them.”
I didn’t want to be the Emperor’s favorite.
Even if he offered attention, I’d decline.
“Still, thank you. For being angry for me.”
“So you’re going to give him your blood.”
Xion muttered bitterly. I winced and tried to explain.
“I don’t care who the Emperor favors—Luna, a puppy, Sir Dante—none of it matters. Because he’s just someone else.”
“Princess?”
“This is a deal. I give blood, he makes me a princess. That’s all.”
I wanted to save him, yes—but it was more about unresolved feelings over blood ties.
Once he recovered, we’d go our separate ways.
“But I doubt he’ll be grateful if he knows it’s my blood. So let’s disguise it as something rare.”
...
“Blood extracted from a living dragon,” Xion said as he handed Dante a beautifully crafted vial.
The vial was enchanted to preserve freshness for a month.
“One drop daily in his meals. It might hurt, but it’ll work.”
“Thank you.”
Dante glanced at me, and I hid my right hand behind my back.
My A+ stamina body didn’t cut easily. So Xion had used a needle made by grinding a dragon-slaying sword.
‘Who even makes stuff like that?’
Xion interrupted my thoughts.
“Let’s go.”
Snapping out of it, I turned to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, please recover soon and repay me. I only want the princess title. Nothing else.”
— …Ella.
I froze. It was the first time he said my name.
After a pause, he spoke again.
— The armor suits you well.
“…”
Do I punch him now or later?
“I’ll be going then.”
I stormed out.
At the carriage, I noticed Dante had followed me.
“Sir Dante?”
He knelt on one knee.
“Thank you for saving His Majesty, Princess. I’ll never forget this. If you ever need anything, call me.”
“Get up. You can thank me later when he recovers.”
Dante stood. I quickly got in the carriage.
“I’ll be off. You should go back too.”
“Princess,” he said, hesitating.
Then, with his eyes tightly shut, he blurted out:
“His Majesty doesn’t take your sacrifice for granted. He’s grateful for your gift.”
“…Huh?”
“That room wasn’t soundproof… I accidentally overheard… I’m terribly sorry!”
“...!”
I froze. Xion sighed beside me.
“I *did* try to stop you.”
…No, you didn’t!!!