Chapter Twelve: An Excursion

"Miss, it's already morning. Time to get up." Ang's voice filtered through the heavy coffin lid.

"Finally, morning!" I pushed open the cover and sat up from within the dark-gold coffin. "We're supposed to gather at school today, aren't we? How's the weather outside?" I asked Ang lazily.

"It's a sunny day, and I'm afraid the sunlight will be quite strong." Ang sounded worried. "Miss, do you really have to go? If this continues, your body won't be able to bear it."

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. After all, my life no longer belongs to me alone." I reassured Ang. The bedroom, even with the thick black curtains drawn, was growing steadily brighter. My body ached faintly once again. "What an annoying day. I came to the human world to chase the sunlight, yet now I find myself growing to dislike its warmth," I murmured softly.

Stepping through the manor's gates, the sunlight seared my body with pain, and I couldn't help but frown. I wondered whether the sun was becoming fiercer, or if my body was growing weaker, for the sunlight's harm increased every day.

"Miss." Ang took out a wide-brimmed sunhat and a pair of long white silk gloves, helping me put them on. They couldn't completely block the sun, but I felt a little relief. "Miss, if you can't bear it, please don't force yourself. Your health is the most important thing." Ang's concern warmed my heart.

"If it comes to that, just bring me back by force." I instructed Ang.

"Rest assured, it won't come to that. I’ll bring you back before it gets that far. Allowing you to suffer is already my failure. I will never let your life be endangered." Ang spoke with conviction.

"Understood. I'll follow your arrangements today. But before that, let me spend a little quiet time with Xingyu. All right, let’s go—she’s waiting." I boarded the car first.

"Yes, Miss," Ang replied respectfully.

When the car arrived downstairs at Xingyu’s home, she was already waiting outside.

"Lilith!" Xingyu waved at me with a bright smile, then opened the door and climbed in. "Lilith, how are you feeling? Are you all right?" she asked as soon as she got in.

"Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ve been looking forward to this outing. How could I miss it?" I assured her.

"Good! We’ll have a wonderful day," Xingyu promised.

After meeting up with Lexiaoyou at the school gates, the three of us headed toward the amusement park by car.

"I really envy Nana. Having a car pick you up and drop you off every day—being rich must be nice," Lexiaoyou stretched lazily in the car and sighed.

"If you’re really that envious, I could pick you up every day too," I offered. We were riding in an extended Lincoln; the space was more than sufficient, and even with Lexiaoyou, it would never feel crowded. It would only take a bit more time each day.

"I think I’ll pass. I actually prefer running to school—it’s good exercise," Lexiaoyou replied, flexing her not-at-all-developed muscles with a laugh that made Xingyu double over giggling.

"By the way, Nana, what does your family do? We don’t know anything about your background," Lexiaoyou asked curiously.

"I’m not quite sure myself, honestly. Our wealth is simply the result of long accumulation—our family history is rather old," I replied calmly. Wealth holds no meaning for the bloodline. We do not pursue it; it simply accumulates over the ages, ensuring we live comfortably.

"Old history? Are you really from a noble family or something?" Lexiaoyou asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"If you want to call us nobility, I suppose you could," I answered after a moment’s thought. After all, there are noble titles among the bloodline. Though I am the First Princess of the blood, beloved daughter of Prince Dracula, my actual title is only that of a Viscount due to certain circumstances—one rank lower than the local Earl Carlos. Our noble hierarchy consists of Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, Duke, and Grand Duke. Above that are the direct descendants of my father, the Dracula line—the most powerful and ancient, the Vampire Princes.

"Nana, you’re really from a noble family?" Lexiaoyou stared at me in disbelief, and Xingyu was equally intrigued.

"Nana, what do nobles do? Do you attend balls? Ride horses and go hunting? Do you attend parliamentary sessions?" Lexiaoyou fired off a series of questions.

"The life of a noble isn’t much different from yours—just more leisurely. Balls are common, but I rarely attend and don’t know much about them. Horse riding and hunting are personal hobbies for some, but I dislike sports, so I’ve never joined in. As for parliament, I’ve attended a few meetings, but it’s mostly just simple votes, nothing to get excited about," I explained.

Speaking of horse riding, a figure flashed through my mind—long purple hair, a dark-golden knight’s lance, a face as cold as ice, and a nightmare steed shrouded in hellfire. No one suited horse riding better than her.

The truth is, the life of the bloodline is endlessly dull. Our lives are too long—nothing excites us anymore, so I came to the human world. Yet it was precisely this choice that allowed me to meet Xingyu. I’m so glad I did. No matter what I must pay, I have no regrets. Thinking of this, I glanced at Xingyu, my gaze softening.

"Lilith, what is it?" Xingyu felt my eyes on her and asked.

"Nothing, I just feel so happy to be here with you," I confided. Yes, being by Xingyu’s side is enough—sharing her joys and sorrows, watching her seek her happiness. That is enough for me. Yet the thought makes my heart ache faintly. Happiness—how distant a thing it is for me. Perhaps I can give Xingyu everything she desires, but happiness is the one thing I cannot bring her. I sighed silently in my heart.

"Lilith, Xiaoyou," Xingyu, seeming to sense my gloom, looked at us both earnestly. "It’s so good to have you by my side."

"Come on, cheer up! We’re going out to have fun, not to say tearful goodbyes," Lexiaoyou shouted, though her eyes seemed a little moist.

"Yes, we’ll really enjoy ourselves today," Xingyu replied with a smile.

I looked at them, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Sitting quietly to the side, Ang saw my smile and made a silent vow in his heart: "Miss, I will protect your happiness."

"Ah, we’re finally here!" As soon as we arrived at the amusement park, Lexiaoyou jumped out of the car, stretching with abandon.

"Xiaoyou, you’re being rude. Watch your manners," Xingyu scolded.

"Hehe, Xingyu, don’t worry so much. Worrying ages you faster," Lexiaoyou replied with a mischievous grin.

I stepped out of the car, donning my wide-brimmed sunhat and opening my parasol. Ang was already waiting by the door, umbrella in hand. The broad brim shaded my face, the long white silk gloves brought a welcome coolness. Though they couldn’t dispel the burning pain, it was tolerable.

"Nana, look at this beautiful sunlight. Always carrying an umbrella seems such a waste," Lexiaoyou remarked. Xingyu glanced at my outfit, puzzled, but didn’t ask. Indeed, to humans, my attire must appear odd—while everyone else basked in the warmth of early spring, I huddled in the shadows, avoiding the sun. They must have wondered before, but today was the first time they spoke of it.

"Miss is allergic to ultraviolet rays and cannot be exposed to direct sunlight," Ang explained on my behalf.

"I see!" Lexiaoyou understood at once, while Xingyu looked at me, her eyes filled with worry.

"It’s just a mild allergy, nothing serious," I reassured them. For certain reasons, even if sunlight touched me directly, I could endure it for a while—I wouldn’t instantly turn to ash. Compared to other vampires’ fear of sunlight, my condition truly was mild.

"I’m really sorry. We didn’t know and insisted you come with us," Xingyu still felt guilty despite my explanation.

"There’s nothing to apologize for. You both tried to dissuade me—it was my own decision to come. It was my idea to enjoy this day, so there’s no need to worry," I comforted Xingyu with a smile. "Besides, didn’t you say it yourself? Today, let’s have fun! I don’t want to miss such a wonderful opportunity. Just watching you enjoy yourselves makes me happy, so please, have as much fun as you can—enjoy enough for me as well."

"All right," Xingyu said, nodding firmly in response to my smile.

"Hehe, leave that to me. I’m good at this," Lexiaoyou declared confidently.

The three of us chatted and laughed as we entered the amusement park.

Ang sat quietly, watching us, his vow echoing silently in his heart: "Miss, I will protect your happiness."