A ruler is always busy. Those who bear the duty of governing their subjects must shoulder an equivalent amount of work. No matter how much Tyrkanzyaka was a “god” and merely a figurehead, there was still a great deal she had to do. Considering her absence had lasted for over a hundred years, it was impressive that Vladimir had managed to cut it down to this level.

“The opening of the Castle of the Full Moon? This place opens to the public?”

“The Castle of the Full Moon was originally built as a fortress where vampires could live together. As our numbers grew and the lands we governed expanded, we scattered, and this became my personal domain. But what use is such a vast castle when I reside in it alone? Whenever there is a reason for vampires to gather, I offer them the guest chambers.”

Well, even if every vampire of Yeiling’s level were rounded up, it would amount to no more than 1,500. Instead of arranging separate lodgings for them, cramming them into the castle would be far more efficient.@@novelbin@@

“No one aside from the Elders will dare to ascend. There is no need to worry about unnecessary encounters.”

“I’m not particularly worried. Meeting new people sounds fun. Besides, I’ve got someone behind me.”

“I am here. Huhu. Indeed. As long as I remain in this nation, you have nothing to fear.”

“There is one thing. Tyrkanzyaka changing her mind. When affection fades, a favored concubine is treated as a spy. Wouldn’t that make me the perfect candidate?”

At that, Tyrkanzyaka put on a deliberately offended expression.

“Do you believe that I, who have lived for over a thousand years, would abandon you over something so trivial?”

“You never know. People’s hearts are unpredictable.”

“I am a vampire. I have harbored deep and dark hatred for a thousand years. Do you think the affection I hold for you will not last even a hundred?”

“The past thousand years were spent without a heartbeat or sensation, but the coming hundred years will be different. I was the one who gave you those back, after all, so I’d know better than anyone.”

“Even so, the grace of restoring my heart and senses remains. Just as I have etched my grudges into my heart, I shall repay kindness as well. That does not mean my feelings will change.”

Recalling my days at the host bar, I tightened my hold on Tyrkanzyaka’s emotions a little more. When dealing with older women, showing a hint of fear about being abandoned made them cling harder. Whether that applied to someone a thousand years older was uncertain… but fortunately, it seemed that only the fact of being older mattered, not the degree of it.

“That’s true. To repay that grace completely, I would need to restore your senses perfectly. How about it, Tyrkanzyaka? Is your shoulder feeling better?”

“Yes. It is… strangely both refreshing and ticklish at once. I find myself wanting to shrink away. Is this how it is supposed to feel?”

“That’s normal. When you’re young, your body is soft, so it tends to feel ticklish. But as you grow older and your muscles harden, being touched feels more relieving than anything.”

“Hrmm. Somehow, the ticklishness is still greater.”

“That’s just your body catching up to its age. Your shoulder’s done now. That’s all for the exposed areas.”

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