"Merry Christmas, Nolan."
"Oh, Merry Christmas, Felicia. And thanks for the… creative gift." Nolan held back a sigh as he leaned against the dining table, eyeing his sister with something between amusement and exasperation. "I have to admit, for a vampire, there's probably no gift more delightful than a bathtub filled with fresh blood. But thanks to you, Eve has been avoiding me all morning. Care to explain where you got that much blood?"
Felicia merely flashed a mysterious smile, her golden eyes gleaming mischievously. "Oh, darling, must you ask so many questions?"
It was Christmas Day.
Felicia's beloved candy house had finally been completed. That decrepit project had exhausted every vampire in the manor, despite their natural strength and endurance, but no one dared complain. After all, their unreasonable, demanding leader was none other than Felicia Von Draugr.
When the clock struck midnight, the vampires had swarmed into the grand ballroom, eager to revel in the holiday festivities.
Nolan doubted that Santa Claus would ever dare set foot in a vampire stronghold, but if the poor old man did make the mistake of coming down the chimney of Sistine Manor, he'd most certainly be captured on the spot. The more reckless vampires would probably insist on tasting Santa's blood—just to determine if it differed from that of Muggles and wizards.
At the moment, Nolan and Felicia were seated in the dining hall, each with a flushed, dazed Muggle girl in their arms, leisurely indulging in their meal while making casual conversation.
Behind them, Ligeitoli was pacing back and forth, dragging a broom along the floor with an expression of pure frustration.
If one listened closely, they could hear the young Auror grumbling under her breath, "Why am I the only one who didn't get a Christmas present? This is completely unfair!"
Indeed, this year, Miss Theresa had thoughtfully prepared gifts for every servant in the manor. Even the Muggle girls kept in the basement had received something, and even the black cat, Miss Nancy, had been given her favorite gourmet cat food. Ligeitoli, however, had received nothing.
"That's your own fault," Nolan remarked dryly, having overheard her mutterings. He turned slightly in his chair, leveling the sulking maid with a pointed look. "Out of everyone in Sistine Manor, you're the only one who spends all day lazing around. You have no idea how much trouble you've caused Miss Theresa."
"This is so unfair!" Ligeitoli huffed, pointing at the two Muggle girls lounging in the vampires' arms. "Why don't they have to work?"
"They are guests of the Randall Gorge."
"And I can't be a guest? Being a guest means no sweeping, no chores—just offering some blood every now and then. That's way better than being an Auror!"
Felicia let out a laugh. "You had a bit more dignity when you first arrived, you know."
"Dignity doesn't fill your stomach…" Ligeitoli muttered, sighing dramatically.
It seemed the girl had truly given up on resisting.
But that was hardly surprising. Darkness and corruption were the eternal themes of this valley.
Many girls who arrived at Randall Gorge initially feared or despised vampires. But with time, they all learned to adapt. Now, those same frightened creatures remained docile in the manor's basement, either lost in their own dreams or quietly waiting to be summoned—like loyal pets eager for their master's attention.
There was nothing unnatural about it. They had merely shed the common sense of Muggles.
Take Angela Stock, for example.
At first, she had been terrified of vampires. But now? The once-timid woman had finally made up her mind—she was ready to abandon her human identity and embrace the transformation.
Nolan and Felicia remained in the dining hall for about an hour before they spotted Angela and Eve approaching, led by Miss Theresa.
"It's finished already?" Nolan asked, his gaze sweeping over the woman's figure. "How do you feel, Angela?"
"Oh… it's strange," Angela hesitated, searching for words. "The most immediate difference is… my vision has improved."
"As expected. Vampires are nocturnal creatures—your night vision will be significantly sharper. But that's not all. All of your senses have been enhanced, and your physical strength has increased beyond that of a Muggle. You may experience some rejection symptoms over the next few days, but you can ask Nolan for a potion to ease the discomfort."
Felicia studied the newly-turned vampire with mild interest before grinning. "And now, you can eat the same things we do. I'll take you to the basement later—let's find you a meal that suits your taste."
"…Can you not use the word 'taste'?" Eve grimaced, clearly recalling the sight of the blood-filled bathtub from earlier that morning. "For now, Mom can drink my blood first. It'll help her get used to the sensation."
Eve wasn't sure if her mother would struggle with the process of drinking blood. From a human perspective, sinking one's fangs into someone's skin and consuming their fluids was far from an enjoyable experience.
However, if the first person Angela drank from was her own daughter, the process might feel more natural.
Angela's transformation had been conducted by a distant aunt of the Von Draugr siblings—a vampire nearly 800 years old. Despite her immense age, she was a gentle and refined woman (as far as vampires went). She rarely turned humans into vampires and was known for her quiet, elegant demeanor. Given her temperament, Nolan had specifically requested her assistance in transforming Angela.
"Does this mean… I won't age anymore?" Angela whispered, bringing a hand to her cheek. "My skin will never sag, I won't have to worry about wrinkles… Is this really happening?"
As a woman, being eternally frozen at thirty-two years old was a blessing beyond imagination.
"Congratulations, Mom." Eve threw her arms around her mother. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, my darling." Angela held her daughter close before hesitating. Then, with cautious curiosity, she turned to the Von Draugr siblings. "You're going to turn Eve into a vampire too, aren't you?"
"Of course," Nolan replied smoothly. "Eve is my wife."
His voice was gentle, yet firm. "But not yet. At the very least, I want her to graduate from Hogwarts before we proceed with the transformation. Magic is an invaluable part of her life, and until I solve the issue of vampires being unable to use magic, I'd prefer to keep her as a witch for now."
He paused before adding in a softer tone, "Besides, before we make her beauty eternal, I'd like her to grow just a little bit more."
Felicia and Angela chuckled at his words, while Eve's face turned bright red.
"Welcome to the family, Angela." Felicia spread her arms wide in an exaggerated gesture of warmth. "You are now part of House Von Draugr—so enjoy the eternal beauty that comes with it!"
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