Before she knew it, bedtime had arrived. Adele wasn’t used to staying up late, sleepiness hitting her right on schedule. Back in her old life, she could easily pull all-nighters, staying up until four or five in the morning without breaking a sweat. But now, her body had other ideas.

Besides, she had that wretched school to attend tomorrow.

“Ahhn~” Adele yawned, her pink lips parting in a soft, adorable stretch, her arms reaching out like a sleepy kitten.

Celeste, kneeling obediently on the floor, instinctively arched her back and hunched her shoulders, a wave of pleasure washing over her. Her lips curved into a soft smile, her entire body tingling at the sound of her master’s voice.

Adele was, without a doubt, the most adorable creature in the entire world, as far as Celeste was concerned. She wanted to wrap her up in a hug, to shield her from the world with her own body, like a dragon guarding its hoard. To keep her safe in a dark cave, hidden away from prying eyes…

Sensing Celeste’s rather intense emotional response, Adele frowned and nudged her with her foot, a gentle tap against Celeste’s… well, let’s just say it was a very strategic tap.

A ripple of pleasure spread through Celeste’s body, visible even to the naked eye.

Adele blinked, a flush creeping up her cheeks. This woman’s figure is ridiculous…

Not an ounce of fat on her, but not skinny either. Just… perfectly curvy, voluptuous in all the right places.

Adele was both envious and proud of herself for having tamed such a magnificent creature. To think that in the original story, Celeste’s only purpose was to temporarily remove Hermione, one of the more powerful antagonists, from the picture, so that the other antagonists could have their turn at tormenting the protagonist… What a waste.

That’s right. In the original story, Celeste was nothing more than a plot device, a tool used to prevent Hermione and Adele’s relationship from progressing too quickly. The author had orchestrated a brutal fight between them, leaving Hermione severely injured and sidelined for a good chunk of the story.

By the time Hermione had recovered and returned, Adele would have undergone several “evolutions,” her trust in vampires shattered beyond repair.

Hermione, with her low emotional intelligence and her stubborn pride, hadn’t been willing to compromise even when Adele was weak and vulnerable. Now that Adele was stronger, there was even less reason for her to bend to Hermione’s will.

Their reunion, much like their previous interactions, would be a clash of ice and fire, a relationship destined to end in heartbreak.

Knowing this, Adele was determined to prevent history from repeating itself.

No one touches my dog!

Snapping out of her thoughts, Adele decided to play the role of the indignant master.

“Bad dog! What are you thinking about? I’m going to bed.”

Celeste, despite being kicked, didn’t take offense. She simply smiled, her expression a mixture of adoration and eagerness to please. Through the magic crest, Adele could sense her willingness, her utter devotion. There was even a hint of… excitement, a thrill at being scolded.

Adele blushed and turned away, trying to hide her own amusement. Maybe… she actually enjoys this?

But she couldn’t help but mentally scold Celeste, calling her a “silly dog” and a “stupid mutt.”

“Yes, my master,” Celeste chirped, practically vibrating with excitement. If she had a tail, it would be wagging furiously.

She was allowed to stand in Adele’s presence, the only restriction being the collar around her neck. Adele wasn’t cruel enough to force her to crawl around on her knees all the time.

More often than not, Celeste chose to kneel, a gesture of submission and devotion.

So, as she rose to her feet and followed Adele towards the bedroom, her heart pounding with anticipation, the leash dangling loosely from Adele’s hand, she couldn’t help but steal a glance at the master bedroom.

If only… If only I could go in there…

A wave of sweetness washed over her, so intense it almost hurt.

But her hopes were dashed by Adele’s next words, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Does a dog like you think it deserves to sleep in its master’s bed?” Adele asked, her voice cold, her tone dismissive. She didn’t even bother turning around.

Her words pierced Celeste’s heart, shattering her dreams, leaving her feeling small and insignificant.

But there was no disgust in Adele’s voice, no genuine malice. It was just… a statement of fact, a simple truth as far as Adele was concerned.

A dog, a dirty, smelly creature that belonged on the cold, hard floor… how could it possibly dream of sharing its master’s warm, comfortable bed?

Celeste swayed on her feet, her vision blurring with unshed tears. But she bit her lip, forcing herself to remain composed. She wouldn’t upset her master with her weakness.

“Yes… my master,” she choked out, her voice thick with unshed tears.

And she knew, in that moment, that she had lost… lost her chance to take that next step, to forge a deeper connection with the girl she loved.

Suddenly, the leash tightened, pulling her forward with a force that nearly sent her tumbling. It was as if Adele had taken a couple of steps back, drawing her closer.

“Silly dog, let’s go,” Adele said, her voice softening.

“You’re only good enough to be my pillow, to keep me warm at night. Got it?”

“Honestly… you’re such a dummy.”

She called her a dummy, but her tone… it was the kind of exasperated fondness one might use for a clueless lover.

Adele sighed internally. Thanks to the magic crest, she could clearly sense the wave of sorrow that had washed over Celeste.

Honestly, she’s such a goofball. Couldn’t she at least wait until I finished speaking?

Does she need me to spoon-feed her, to kiss her on the lips, to strip naked before she… Nope! Not happening!

Don’t get any ideas, silly dog!

If Celeste’s previous emotions had been a mixture of suppressed desire, bitterness, and sadness, then her current state could only be described as pure, unadulterated joy.

It was the happiest she had been in days. So happy, in fact, that she forgot how to speak.

And in that moment of overwhelming bliss, her instinctive response to her master’s words… was a soft, almost embarrassed:

“Woof!”

Adele burst out laughing, unable to contain her amusement. It took her a moment to compose herself, and even then, she couldn’t quite erase the smile from her lips. “Hmph,” she huffed, pretending to be annoyed.

She tugged gently on the leash, pulling Celeste into the bedroom.

The connection between them, though faint, was undeniable, almost intoxicating. Celeste couldn’t help but wonder if Adele could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

If so, that would be incredibly embarrassing.

But Adele had other things on her mind. She was exhausted. And tomorrow was going to be a busy day. She needed to rest, to recharge, to prepare herself for the inevitable drama that awaited her at school. Those other girls… they wouldn’t be as easy to tame as Celeste.

Adele’s eyes, usually bright and playful, narrowed slightly, her thoughts hidden behind a veil of calculated indifference. Her fingers instinctively reached for the buttons of her shirt, ready for bed.

Turning her back to Celeste, she slowly unbuttoned her shirt, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her smooth, porcelain shoulders. She shrugged it off, the fabric pooling at her feet, leaving her in a simple camisole that did little to hide the graceful curves of her body. Except for the bandage wrapped around her arm, her back was flawless, a canvas of pure, unblemished white.

Celeste, standing behind her, watched, mesmerized, her cheeks burning with a blush that rivaled the color of a ripe cherry.

Suddenly, something soft and silky landed on her face, covering her eyes. She inhaled deeply, recognizing the delicate tea fragrance that clung to Adele’s clothes. It was Adele’s shirt, tossed carelessly in her direction.@@novelbin@@

Celeste’s hands trembled as she removed the shirt from her face, her heart pounding in her chest.

Then came another item, and another, each one landing perfectly on her upturned face: a pleated skirt, a pair of leggings, delicate white stockings…

Being treated like a human clothes rack… Celeste wasn’t offended in the slightest. She felt honored, privileged even.

Adele, now clad only in her undergarments, shivered slightly, acutely aware of the coolness of the air, and the intensity of Celeste’s gaze on her back. She bit her lip, a playful smile curving her lips. She was getting used to this.

Being this irresistible is such a burden…

Not wanting to give Celeste any more opportunities to ogle her, Adele quickly slipped under the covers, burrowing into the cool, crisp sheets. She shivered again, curling up into a ball.

It was strange. She hated the cold, and yet… that night, when she had clung to Hermione’s icy body, she had slept soundly.

What’s wrong with me?

Her cheeks flushed, and she gritted her teeth, her voice taking on a slightly sharper edge as she called out to Celeste.

“Well? Are you going to stand there all night? Do you want me to freeze to death?”

“From now on, you’ll warm up the bed before I get in. Understood?”

Before Celeste could even respond, Adele heard the rustle of fabric as Celeste hastily shed her own clothes, tossing them carelessly on the floor. Of course, she had the decency to keep her undergarments on.

Actions spoke louder than words, after all.

Celeste’s devotion to Adele was truly remarkable. And her body… well, she was definitely hot, both literally and figuratively.

Like a panther, sleek and powerful, she slipped under the covers, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

Adele, with a playful grin, pulled her close, wrapping her arms around Celeste’s waist.

Celeste stiffened momentarily, before melting into the embrace, her body molding perfectly against Adele’s.

If Celeste was a loyal golden retriever, then Adele was a mischievous kitten, all claws and playful bites.

She nuzzled against Celeste, murmuring her name, her teeth gently nipping at Celeste’s shoulder, as if venting some unknown frustration. It was like watching two felines play-fighting, except Celeste was a sensual panther, and Adele… well, she was still just a kitten.

But even a kitten could make Celeste’s eyes soften, her gaze turning as gentle as a pool of water rippling in the breeze.

“M-Master… Ahn!”

“Did you just whimper?”

“N-No…” Celeste blushed, her voice barely a whisper. It didn’t hurt. In fact, it felt… surprisingly pleasant.

Adele chuckled, emboldened by Celeste’s reaction. She continued her playful assault, her nips and bites growing bolder, her laughter echoing through the room.

The lights flickered off, plunging the room into darkness.

Exhausted from their play-fighting, Adele nestled against Celeste, her head resting on Celeste’s arm, her breathing slowing as she drifted off to sleep.

Ironically, it was Celeste, the one who had endured Adele’s relentless “affection,” who appeared the most relaxed. Her breathing was even, her gaze soft as she watched Adele sleep, her features bathed in the soft moonlight.

It was hard to believe that this peaceful, angelic creature was the same mischievous little devil who had been tormenting her just moments ago.

Is this… another side of my master?

Celeste didn’t know. All she knew was that she was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy, a sense of contentment that came from being this close to the girl she loved.

Thinking Adele was asleep, Celeste allowed herself to indulge in a bit of shameless staring. Her gaze traced the delicate lines of Adele’s face, her long, dark eyelashes, the cute button nose that seemed to glow in the moonlight, the soft, pink lips that hid surprisingly sharp teeth.

Just looking at her filled Celeste with a sense of euphoria, like a kite soaring high in the sky, its string held firmly in Adele’s hand.

It was Adele who made her feel this way, who held her heart captive.

Lost in her admiration, Celeste didn’t notice Adele stirring in her arms.

“Celeste…”

Adele’s voice, soft and slurred with sleep, startled Celeste, her body stiffening as if she had been caught stealing a cookie from the jar.

But Adele’s eyes remained closed, her breathing even. It was just a dream, a sleepy mumble.

Relieved, Celeste relaxed, straining to hear the rest of Adele’s words.

“Celeste…” Adele repeated, her voice taking on a more urgent tone, her breathing growing shallow and erratic. There was a hint of fear in her voice, a possessiveness that sent shivers down Celeste’s spine.

Celeste’s heart ached. “I’m here, Master,” she whispered, her voice soothing, reassuring. “I’m here.”

Adele’s breathing calmed, and she nuzzled closer, her cheek rubbing against Celeste’s chest.

“Good dog~”

“…”

“Be good… Celeste… My Celeste~”

Her words, soft and sweet, were like a gentle spring rain, washing over Celeste’s soul.

But then, Adele’s tone changed, her voice laced with a sudden urgency, a sadness that stripped away her usual playful dominance, replacing it with a vulnerability that made Celeste’s heart ache.

She clung to Celeste, her grip tightening, her voice pleading.

“Don’t… Don’t go looking for revenge.”

“Silly… Don’t go after Hermione…”