I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 10: Ability and Curse

Chapter 10: Ability and Curse

“I see…”

Afterwards, Meltreza-sama and I spoke to each other candidly, discussing everything about each other. Our backgrounds, our lives up until now, hobbies, and preferences – nothing was left hidden.

And then, I came to know everything about her.

Her father, during a demon-slaying expedition, had encountered her mother, a true ancestor of vampires. They fell in love, and she was born as a result.

Initially, even the Grand Duke vehemently opposed their union, but their determination, coupled with the fact that her mother was an indomitable true ancestor of vampires, led him to eventually give up on separating them.

As a testament to their love, she… Meltreza-sama was born.

Not only her parents, but even the Grand Duke, who had opposed them so vehemently, seemed to dote on her granddaughter extraordinarily. 

It appeared he had raised her with utmost care.

However, around the time Meltreza-sama celebrated her first birthday, her father embarked on an expedition to the neighboring kingdom of “Orléans.” His forces were decimated during the campaign, and news of him vanished.

Upon learning of this, her mother set out for the Kingdom of Orléans to search for her husband, and the two have not returned since.

“…Since your mother is a true ancestor of vampires, it’s unlikely she would die so easily. Therefore, I believe that eventually, both your parents will return together.”

“I see…”

She responded with a small smile.

In truth, she must have been lonely as well. From now on, I will try my best to be there for her, to ease her loneliness, even if just a little…

“By the way, I was curious, Meltreza-sama. How do you know so much about yourself, even including things from before your birth?” 

“Fufu… Well, I learned from my grandfather, and also from personal writings left for me by my mother.” 

“I see, that makes sense.”

So her mother had prepared these writings in anticipation of unforeseen circumstances…

“Among those writings, there were detailed accounts not just about me, but also about vampires in general. You see, vampires possess unique abilities beyond their basic powers. But…”

Saying that, she chuckled for some reason.

“Fufu… Actually, my ability is to discern things like ill intent and lies from others.” 

“Oh… I see…”

I see… That’s why she believed my unbelievable stories…

“So, as a half-blood vampire, do you not have the typical vampire traits like drinking or craving human blood?” 

“Uh… n-no… I mean, even as a half-blood, I do experience thirst…”

Meltreza-sama lowered her gaze softly.

“I apologize for asking such a question, but, uh… when you do crave blood, how do you…” “Well, in my case, being a half-blood, I can satisfy my thirst by drinking half a glass each month. So, I, um, gather willing donors from my subjects and purchase blood…” 

“I see…”

So, this is how the rumors have originated…

“Meltreza-sama, I have a request.” 

“Hmm? What is it…?” 

“From now on, when you feel the need for blood, could you please drink only my blood?” 

“!? T-That’s…”

She looked puzzled by my request.

But if it’s done this way, those negative rumors might disappear, and more importantly, I found myself not wanting her to consume anyone else’s blood but mine.

Could this be… jealousy, perhaps?

“S-So… is it alright for me to do that…?” 

“Yes. I want you to do that, for me.”

I nodded firmly to her timid inquiry.

“Y-You… really…!”

“M-Meltreza-sama!?”

Suddenly, tears began to flow from her eyes, leaving me flustered and unsure of how to respond.

“W-What can I do? I mean, please have my blood right away!”

I blurted out something completely off the mark in an attempt to console her and make her stop crying. In response, she threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

And then…

Chomp.

She sank her fangs into my neck, savoring the taste of blood slowly.

“Mmm… Puha…”

“H-How did it taste…?”

What on earth am I asking…?

“I’m sorry, but could you show me your eyes for a moment?”

“Huh…? U-um, sure…”

The moment her fangs left my neck, she suddenly spoke with a serious expression, and I responded without fully understanding.

“…”

I found myself captivated by her incredibly beautiful crimson eyes, my heart unintentionally racing. 

She, too, seemed to wear a somewhat enraptured expression, or perhaps that was just my imagination…

“…It seems that it’s indeed mixed in, even if just a little.” 

“Huh? Mixed in…?”

Not grasping the meaning of her words, I asked for clarification. 

What on earth could be mixed in…?

“It appears that you also have some… I can’t determine how many generations back, but it seems that there’s… demon lineage in your blood…” 

“!? D-Demon blood in me!?”

“Yes…”

As I exclaimed in surprise, Meltreza-sama nodded slowly. 

However, the Glenville family, the marquisate lineage, had no such history, and not even the Norfolk Earl family, my mother’s side…

“Perhaps, your recurring deaths and revivals are a manifestation of that demon blood’s power…” 

“I-Is that so…”

Ha, haha…? So every time I died, returning to that day when I was fourteen… It was the power of the demon blood… or rather, a curse…

“Hugo-sama…”

Observing my perplexed expression, she gazed at me with a concerned look. 

Ah… Even though she herself is a vampire, if I continue to show such a reaction just because I have demon lineage in my blood, it might come across as rude to her…

“I-I’m sorry. I was a bit surprised… But now I’m the same as you, aren’t I?” 

“! You… You always manage to say the right things to put my heart at ease…”

As she said that, she nuzzled her cheek against my chest affectionately.

“And, um…”

“Y-Yes?”

“About sinking my fangs into your neck to drink your blood… I-I mean, you’re the only one I’ve ever done that with…”

Meltreza-sama blushed crimson all the way to her ears as she shyly confessed.

Seeing her like that, my own face began to heat up.