I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 07: The Vampire

Chapter 07: The Vampire

“Excuse me…!?”

Slowly opening the door and stepping into the room, I held my breath. 

The interior was completely sealed off from any sunlight, illuminated only by a few candle holders, giving it an almost nocturnal ambiance.

Amidst this, a young girl stood facing the wall. 

There was no doubt she was Miss Meltreza.

Nevertheless… She exuded an enigmatic atmosphere…

Her hair, as black as midnight and flowing down to her waist, her skin so translucent that even the faint candlelight could reveal its clarity. Her presence defied any notion of the rumored demonic or deranged individuals.

Above all, her petite frame held an air of fragility, as if it might break at any moment.

“…I am Hugo Glenville, the eldest son of the Marquis Glenville.”

I knelt toward her back, bowing my head.

“…Please raise your face.”

“…”

A gentle, tranquil voice that one would desire to listen to forever. Yet, at the same time, it carried an unwavering strength that brooked no opposition.

The collision of these contradictory qualities in her voice caused my heart to race.

Unable to resist the command in her voice, I timidly lifted my gaze.

“…”

I found myself speechless.

Eyes as radiant as rubies, a deep crimson hue. A long, well-defined nose. Glossy, cherry-colored lips that stood out vividly against her porcelain-white skin, as clear as glass.

Is she truly a human…? Meltreza was unbelievably beautiful. So much so that one might mistake her for a goddess.

Indeed, it was as if she were not of this world.

“I am the granddaughter of Duke Woodstock, ‘Meltreza of Woodstock’…” 

“Meltreza, sama…”

Taking her outstretched, silky hand, I gently kissed it.

“…Today, you came here because of my grandfather’s whim, correct?” 

“No, I came to meet you of my own volition.”

In response to Meltreza-sama’s timid inquiry, I answered clearly. 

Yes… I came here for my own sake.

“I see… Hugo-sama, you must be aware of the rumors surrounding me, though…?” 

“…Seeing Meltreza-sama in person and hearing your voice, I once again realized that they are nothing but rumors.”

Yes… Regardless of her otherworldly appearance, someone with such a gentle demeanor couldn’t possibly be a monster. 

Even I, who have seen nothing in my life until now, can understand that.

Then…

“Fu, fufu…”

For some reason, Meltreza-sama began to laugh.

“W-What’s amusing…?” 

“…The rumors are true, you know?”

Saying that, Meltreza-sama’s lips curled into a faint smile.

At that moment… I saw it.

Something like fangs peeking out from her mouth.

“Fufu… See? My true nature is that of a vampire… although I am a half-breed born between a human and a vampire.”

Meltreza-sama placed her index finger on her lips and chuckled softly.

Vampires… beings of enchanting beauty and overwhelming strength, ranking among the highest of many species. 

Heh… So, in essence, it’s true that a vampire fell in love with a human, the son of Duke Woodstock, as the rumors suggest…

“Now then… what will you do? If things continue as they are, you might end up being tortured, your body burned, torn apart, drenched in blood, and finally succumbing to death, just as the rumors say, don’t you think?”

Unable to contain herself any longer, Meltreza-sama began to chuckle and laugh.

Throughout my six previous lives, there hasn’t been a single good thing, just a life of betrayal and death at the hands of my own family. But in this seventh life, I won’t die betrayed by my family.

Perhaps that alone is a relief for me. And if I could hope for one thing, it would be that the eighth life never comes…

“Why… are you so composed in the face of all this?”

Perhaps finding my demeanor puzzling, Meltreza-sama asked with a slightly annoyed tone.

However, that’s only to be expected.

Because being killed by her might be a way for me to find salvation.

“…If I were to meet death at your hands, then I would consider it a blessing.”

“!?”

Seemingly surprised by my response, she gasped.

“…Are you someone who desires to die?” 

“Haha… Well, who knows?”

With those words, I let out a bitter smile. 

Certainly, I do wish to bring an end to this cycle of nothing but suffering. 

However, the flames of the obsessive revenge against that monstrous family, born at the end of my sixth life, still burn fiercely within my heart…

“…But if there’s even a sliver of mercy for me, could you please grant me at least one favor…?” 

“A favor…?” 

“Yes.”

My words seemed to pick her interest, and Meltreza-sama placed a hand on her cheek, pondering.

“…Very well. Go ahead and speak.” 

“Thank you… My wish is…”

I raised my head, locking eyes with her deep crimson gaze.

And then…

“To exact revenge upon the Glenville Marquis family… upon my own family.”