Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 23: A Fiery Kiss
A male servant to the side said softly, "Godfather, please come in."
’Dracula was here, too.’
’When did he get here?’
Yu Zhizhi instinctively wanted to speak, but she noticed Donner was still watching her. She didn’t dare reach out and tug on Dracula’s robes. All she could do was watch him walk past.
Just like at the Beast cub’s hatching ceremony, he was majestic and aloof, acting as if he’d never met her.
’Did he hear all of that?’
Yu Zhizhi couldn’t be sure.
’I’ll have to explain it to him this weekend at the church,’ she thought.
When she returned, Lisa was getting her clothes ready for the K family’s ancestral veneration ceremony.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, the day of the ceremony is incredibly important to the Wolf Clan. It’s going to be broadcast live across the entire planet."
"You’re an honored guest invited by Lord Nade, not to mention the Valoran Empire’s newest S-Class female. Every Beastman on the planet wants to see what you look like!"
Yu Zhizhi looked at the dazzling array of gowns. Housekeeper Qiao had mentioned this to her as well.
The Beast World Planet was technologically advanced, and their livestreaming tech was state-of-the-art, with everything controlled by a single Little Golden Ball.
Yu Zhizhi had been invited to attend the Wolf Clan’s ancient ceremony, which was scheduled for the end of the month.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, which gown do you like?"
She was somewhat distracted. "Why don’t you pick one for me, Lisa?"
"I think this one is beautiful. The fresh, sky-blue color would suit you perfectly, Ms. Zhi Zhi. Oh, but this one is nice too~"
Suddenly, Yu Zhizhi heard the familiar system notification.
[System: DING! Congratulations, Host, on completing the side quest "An Unholy Alliance." The reward has been delivered to your inventory and can be used when the third quest is activated!]
A faint smile touched her lips. "Lisa, I’m going to the terrace to get some sun. Take your time choosing."
"Of course."
On the terrace of her bedroom suite, surrounded by lush plants and flowers, she sank into a soft sofa. Opening her system inventory, she saw a scroll.
She lightly tapped her finger on it, and the scroll’s name appeared—
[Main Quest Bonus Voucher (Choose 1 of 2)]
[Description: Allows two main quests to appear simultaneously, letting the Host choose one. This voucher is single-use.]
’The side quest is complete. That means despite his suspicions, Nar didn’t find any clues about Dracula being an Eagle Clan Beastman.’
A wave of happiness washed over Yu Zhizhi.
She looked up at the azure sky above the castle and murmured, "I hope he didn’t hear my conversation with Donner today..."
Yu Zhizhi eagerly awaited the weekend, when she would meet Dracula again.
When the weekend arrived, she took her oil lamp and headed to the church at the appointed time.
However, there was no one there. freewebnovel.cσ๓
She waited alone for a long time, but Dracula never appeared.
The church was deserted. The fallen leaves and withered roses on the ground looked as if they had been cleared away. She placed the oil lamp on the floor, sat on a front-row pew, and waited in silence.
But...
Yu Zhizhi waited until the sun rose the next day, but she never saw a sign of Dracula.
’Did something happen to him?’
Another week passed, and Yu Zhizhi returned at the appointed time.
With only a few stars and a sliver of a moon in the sky, the dim church was utterly silent. She stood outside the doors, not even daring to step inside.
Dracula had stood her up for two weeks in a row.
Yu Zhizhi had no idea where he had gone.
She tried to subtly ask Lisa about the "Godfather."
She heard that—
"He accepted an out-of-town mission and has left the Valoran Imperial City."
’He’s really gone?’
’Without leaving a single word for me?’
On the third weekend, Yu Zhizhi went to the church anyway.
This time, she mustered her courage and walked inside. Standing beneath the deity statue at the front, she gazed at the wolf totem and gently caressed her stomach.
"What if..."
’If something happened to Dracula, or if he’s really left the Imperial City, then I have to find a way to get this Beast cub to safety.’
’The Cangshan Empire has already fallen. If this cub’s Eagle Clan bloodline is discovered, any of the clans in the Valoran Empire might try to harm it.’
’Yes.’ Yu Zhizhi made up her mind.
’I have to let my cub find its own people, find the place where it can truly belong and survive.’
She looked at the statue, and for the first time, she couldn’t help but press her palms together and begin to pray.
The cub was due in three days.
’I hope everything goes smoothly.’
Yu Zhizhi was so focused on her prayer that she didn’t notice the long shadow approaching from behind her.
Dracula, wearing a half-mask of gold and dressed in pitch-black robes, slowly stepped into the church, his back to the crescent moon in the sky.
He saw the slender back of the little female, praying devoutly.
It was just as she had said before—
"I go to church because... I want to pray for Tang Qifu."
Dracula came up behind her. The delicate little female only reached his chest. He bent down, enveloping her completely from behind.
"Long time no see." His voice carried a hint of a cold laugh.
Yu Zhizhi startled as she was suddenly embraced from behind. Her hands were still pressed together at her chest, but when she heard Dracula’s voice, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"You came!" she replied happily.
"I didn’t expect Ms. Zhi Zhi to be in such a leisurely mood. The ancestral veneration ceremony is tomorrow, yet you still have time to come to the church and pray tonight."
Dracula’s voice didn’t sound like it normally did. There was an indescribable strangeness to it.
Yu Zhizhi thought she was just imagining things.
She tried to turn and look at him, but with a slight shift of her body, she realized he was holding her so tightly that she couldn’t move at all.
"But... didn’t we have an arrangement?" A hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.
Dracula chuckled softly. He gripped her chin from behind, forcing her to lift her head and look at the giant statue before them.
Through the broken roof of the half-derelict church, the crescent moon was visible in the night sky. The K family’s deity statue was a wolf, standing proud and solitary at the front.
"Do you see it?" he murmured beside the little female’s ear.
"...See what?" Yu Zhizhi asked, confused.
Dracula’s lips nearly brushed against her ear, and his warm breath made her tremble as if from an electric shock.
"I’m talking about this wolf god statue. Do you see it clearly?"
"Mmm..." Forced to keep her chin tilted up, Yu Zhizhi stared at the majestic and sacred statue of the wolf god. The corners of its eyes were a bloodthirsty scarlet, radiating a faint chill. It was as if the statue were alive, watching everything that unfolded in the church.
"I see it clearly..." she murmured in reply.
Every Beast Clan’s territory had a deity statue to protect their people and ensure their prosperity.
The K family was of the Wolf Clan.
It was perfectly normal for there to be a statue of a wolf god in the church.
Under the moonlight, in the dilapidated church, the little Rabbit Clan female was held captive by the man behind her. His broad, strong fingers gripped her cheek, forcing her head to turn to the right.
The next moment, Dracula, standing behind the young woman, leaned down and kissed her.
Her body was pressed tightly against his as she received the sudden, fiery kiss.
Yu Zhizhi could do nothing but let out a soft whimper, which was quickly swallowed by his kiss.
