The instant Samael sensed something wrong, Arcueid transformed into a bloody shadow and rushed before him with lightning speed, stopping barely a foot away.
Her delicate yet icy face inched toward her prey's throat. A pair of small fangs, strangely sharp, protruded from her parting lips, and her scorching breath already splashed against Samael's skin.
Samael frowned and instinctively retreated several steps, calling out tentatively as a faint glimmer gathered around the fingers hidden behind his back.
"Princess? Arcueid?"
The call ringing in her ears jolted Arcueid awake. She halted instinctively, and the crimson in her eyes faded slightly.
"What's wrong? Do you need help?"
Seeing that the Vampire Princess seemed to have regained some clarity, Samael stepped closer and asked with concern.
However, as the man approached, the bloodlust in Arcueid's eyes surged again. Hunger crashed over her, almost instantly drowning what little reason she had left.
"Go away! Don't come closer!"
Suddenly, Arcueid clenched her teeth hard enough to grind a bloody mark into her lips. With a furious shout, she seized Samael by the collar with one hand and hurled him away.
Caught off guard, Samael flew backward and slammed into a thick tree trunk with a dull crash. The aftershock made the branches tremble, and dead leaves fluttered down.
Ow, my poor back...
With two leaves on his head, Samael climbed up from the ground in a sorry state and looked resentfully at Arcueid, who was desperately suppressing her urge to drink blood.
Seeing this kindhearted person, who had repeatedly shown her goodwill and wanted to help, suffer misfortune again and again, the White Princess was filled with guilt. Her lips moved as if she wanted to speak, but in the end, they pressed shut once more.
Then, an even fiercer craving for blood rose from