Afterward, Pandora asked Patrick for two of the braver boys, assigning them to take turns watching over their bitten companion through the night. If he showed any signs of turning, they were to shout immediately and use the prepared sharp implement to end him, and with him, the greater potential threat.

  Once that was done, Pandora dragged her exhausted body back to her temporary “room.”

  It was a nearby house in retively good condition, hurriedly tidied up by Elsa and a few of the older children.

  While far from the comfort of the manor, it was at least clean, tidy, and could provide a peaceful night’s sleep.

  Pushing the door open, the soft glow of candlelight immediately greeted her.

  Elsa had already prepared everything.

  The bed had been carefully made, giving off the clean scent of hay dried in the sun. On the table sat a basin of clean water and a fresh cloth.

  Everything was in perfect order, impeccable.

  Pandora carefully took the Alchemical books from her back and pced them on the table.

  Then, her gaze fell upon Elsa.

  In the candlelight, Elsa’s face held a hint of paleness, and deep within her eyes, hidden, was a barely perceptible thirst for “life.”

  “Elsa.” Pandora sighed, her voice holding a hint of indulgence she herself hadn’t noticed.

  She walked to the bedside and sat, then, without hesitation, extended her own fair, slender arm.

  Elsa silently knelt on one knee before her, her movements elegant and reverent, as if about to participate in a sacred ritual.

  She gently lifted Pandora’s wrist, lowered her head, and in the posture of a kiss on the hand, used her fine, sharp fangs to precisely, gently, pierce the soft skin there.

  Warm blood slowly flowed out.

  Elsa closed her eyes, a satisfied, almost inaudible hum escaping her throat. Her pale cheeks, at a speed visible to the naked eye, regained their rosy hue, even taking on an expression of extreme pleasure, almost intoxication.

  Pandora, in turn, felt a familiar, slight wave of dizziness wash over her.

  But thanks to the comprehensive physical boost from the “Corpse-Red Mist,” the sensation was far less intense than it had been the first few times. The weakness from anemia was still present, but it was no longer so unbearable.

  Perhaps… the 【Price】 of 【Myriad Alchemy】 wasn’t as heavy as she had first imagined?

  Pandora thought to herself as she felt the blood loss. But soon, she dismissed the idea. She remembered the System’s cold prompt: the type of Price is greatly influenced by the state of the unrefined soul. Elsa’s soul, to her, was “friendly,” was “absolutely loyal,” and so this 【Price】 had been reduced to a level she could bear.

  If… she were to choose a different target? A normal soul, one that was hostile to her, or perhaps just neutral? That Price would likely become unbearable in an instant.

  So, until she found another soul that was equally “friendly” and “suitable,” she would never again lightly attempt another 【Myriad Alchemy】.

  Her thoughts returned, and Elsa had finished her “meal.”

  She used a clean cloth to gently, carefully wipe the blood from Pandora’s wrist, her touch as light as if she were handling a priceless treasure.

  Pandora withdrew her arm, about to lie down and rest.

  Knock, knock.

  A rhythmic knocking suddenly sounded at the door.

  “Just a moment!”

  Pandora blurted out almost instinctively, her body tensing instantly. But quickly, she remembered that Elsa had finished “feeding” and there was nothing abnormal about her now.

  She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. “Who is it?”

  “Your knightess, Aurora.” From outside the door came Aurora’s voice, slightly hesitant, yet still firm.

  “Come in.”

  The door was pushed open gently, and Aurora stepped inside.

  She first gnced curiously at the kneeling Elsa, and at the flush of excitement that hadn’t completely faded from her face, along with the slight upturn of her lips.

  What… just happened?

  A flicker of confusion crossed Aurora’s mind, but she didn’t pry.

  She turned to Pandora, speaking a bit awkwardly, “My Lady… are you preparing to rest? Is this environment to your liking?”

  “It’s fine, much better than sleeping outdoors.” Pandora answered offhandedly. She was truly tired and didn’t have the energy to ponder the deeper meaning behind Aurora’s words. “What about you? How is your wound?”

  “It’s nothing serious, thank you for your concern, My Lady.” Aurora replied immediately, then fell silent again, unsure of what to say.

  “Miss Aurora,” Elsa, who had stood up, spoke calmly from the side, “Your wound needs rest. You shouldn’t be standing for long.”

  “Y-yes.” Elsa’s gaze made Aurora a little uncomfortable. She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to voice the request that was in her heart: “I want to sleep with you again, like st night…”

  She could only beat around the bush: “If… if there is anything else you need, My Lady, or if there is anything I can do for you…”

  “If there’s nothing else, then you should get some rest early, my knight.”

  Pandora yawned, her voice gentle. “If you feel there’s any issue with your wound, you can go find the herb girl, or Betty. I’m sure she wouldn’t refuse.”

  At the mention of Betty, Aurora’s mind involuntarily drifted to the pleasant, bready scent that always seemed to cling to the little kitchen maid.

  Falling asleep to the smell of bread… that doesn’t sound so bad.

  But… it was nothing like sleeping with Lady Pandora!

  In the end, Aurora didn’t have the courage. She lowered her head, a little disappointed. “Yes, My Lady. Then… you should rest early. I won’t disturb you any further.”

  With that, she turned, silently retreated, and gently closed the door behind her.

  Pandora watched the closed door, a little bewildered.

  She turned back to Elsa and said with a soft smile, “What a loyal knightess, to come all the way here to check on me so te.”

  “Yes.”

  Elsa replied, her voice perfectly even.

  Pandora didn’t notice that in the moment she wasn’t looking, Elsa tilted her chin slightly in the direction Aurora had left, the corner of her mouth curling into a barely perceptible, superior smirk.

  And when Pandora looked back at her, Elsa had returned to her impeccable, proper, and calm handmaiden’s appearance, that fleeting trace of superiority as if it had never been there.

  “I’m sleepy.”

  Pandora let out a huge yawn, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

  Elsa stepped forward, expertly drawing the curtains, shutting out the st of the light and any prying eyes from outside.

  “Elsa, you should come to bed too.” Pandora y down and patted the empty space beside her.

  Elsa didn’t actually need much sleep. She had a need for rest, but it was far less than a normal human’s.

  But…

  “As you wish.”

  She walked to the bed, gracefully removed her shoes and stockings, then y down on her side beside Pandora.

  She didn’t lie down immediately, but instead used her hands, which still held a slight chill, to gently massage Pandora’s temples. “Then, allow me to first warm the bed for you, My Lady…” she whispered, her voice holding a trace of a barely-there smile.

  AnnouncementWant to read ahead? Or maybe listen? You can now read or listen to 30 advance chapters on my Patreon and help me keep Pandora’s adventure going strong ?

  Thank you all so much for the Favorites?? and Ratings????? — it really means everything to me!