The Lord gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.
He reserves true wisdom for the upright and shields those whose conduct is pure.
He guards the path of the just and protects the way of the devout.
He will rescue you from the path of evil, from those who speak perversely.
But He abandons only those who reject the path of righteousness and walk in darkness.
They cannot become angels.
The coldness of metal touched Ivina's lips. This was the limit of her hesitation.
The blood in the spoon flowed due to the slight trembling of her arm. The air was filled with terrifying stillness.
Closing her eyes tightly, Ivina felt for the first time that she had no way out. She drank the blood in the spoon in one gulp. She seemed to feel the icy liquid slowly flowing down her throat, then becoming warm, blending with her body temperature.
A strong urge to vomit made her lips turn pale, and her eyes welled up with tears from the unpleasant taste. The contrast between her rosy lips and the blood overflowing from the corners of her mouth was striking. At this moment, the desperate expression on this beautiful young woman's face was terrifying.
She looked at Pujo, who was staring at her impassively. Soon, he spoke slowly.
"Miss Gra. Visata. It is said that you have extraordinary magical powers. Then, please show us a little of your abilities and tell us... when will the noble Duke Dandel attend the banquet?"
This was another round of suspicion.
Pu Jieao turned his elegant face toward Niditra, as if trying to discern some change in the old woman's expression.
Another moment of silence fell, and the vast hall was filled only with the clinking of plates and cutlery.
"Hahaha, look, why is the atmosphere so tense? I just wanted to liven things up a bit with my earlier words. Don't you agree, Your Highnesses? Hahaha!"
"Count Pu Jiao, that was a cold joke."
"Indeed, it was a joke. Only you could come up with something like that."
"Hahaha..."
The insincere flattery from all sides finally defused this cold war without smoke.
Ivina exhaled deeply, suppressing the churning in her stomach, and picked up the tempting fruit.
God, please end this sinful banquet soon.
"Ugh... ugh..."
The overwhelming urge to vomit was unstoppable. Ivina collapsed onto the damp rock, her nausea unrelenting.
On the way back, Niditara didn't speak much to her, only muttering repeatedly, "It's too late now. Why didn't you come to the banquet? Too late, too late..."
Pressing her aching temples, she didn't want to speculate about what would happen next. The banquet had already left her physically and mentally exhausted. However, to her surprise, the once-desolate cave had become lively.
Before her eyes were servants coming and going, carrying expensive mirrors. Not far away were piles of gifts sent by other counts.
"What does any of this have to do with me..." Ivina couldn't help but smile bitterly. The faint stomach pain made her forehead sweat slightly.
All she needed now was a piece of bread and a cup of hot milk.
"Are you used to being decorated like this?" Niditrad's cold voice came from the corner.
"Cough, it's okay..." Ivina lifted her black hair hanging in front of her eyes and hesitated to speak.
"Then settle in comfortably. Shasang, from today onward, Gra. Visata is your master. Serve her well."
Behind the hunched Niditrad was a delicate young girl with a clear complexion, bowing politely. But Ivina paid no attention.
"Aunt Perde, besides this rabbit blood, is there…?" She was truly hungry, but she would never drink animal blood. After all, she was human. It was like having vampire fangs yet still believing in God.
"Don't you feel like you're making a fool of yourself at the banquet? As a vampire, you refuse human blood! Such a precious privilege is hard to come by. Even if this rabbit blood is not fresh, you must drink it. Otherwise... you'll starve to death!"
Niditera revealed her ugly, hideous face. Xia Sang, standing beside her, quickly intervened.
"Honorable elders, please allow this humble servant to speak. I will serve the master his dinner; please rest assured, Witch Niditera."
As soon as Xia Sang finished speaking, Niditera gave a cold snort.
"You must get used to 'life here,' otherwise you will not be able to achieve your 'ambitions.'" Xia Sang stood by, and Niditara's words were veiled, merely to avoid the ears of outsiders. She knew that Ivina understood the subtext.
As Niditara's figure faded into the distance, Ivina sat helplessly on the luxurious chair, despairingly staring at the 'dinner' before her.
"Let Xia Sang serve you your meal." The girl bowed respectfully, then approached the wary Ivina.
"No, I'll do it myself…" Even if it meant being thrown into a ditch, it was better than staying here and stinking up the place.
"Please don't refuse…"
"I said no, no!"
Hunger, helplessness, and then deep despair.
She was on the verge of madness.
"Then... let me help you with your clothes."
Xia Sang turned away at the right moment to avoid her new master's anger. Clearly, she was a obedient person.
Watching the girl's lonely figure, Ivina blamed herself for taking her anger out on others. But a wicked thought crossed her mind.
She had to escape!
Her black eyes were vacant, her lips pale. Ivina slowly raised the metal candlestick beside her.
God, forgive me for not being the angel you desire.
Closing her eyes tightly, Ivina gathered her courage and struck Xia Sang on the head with it.
"Ah…" A scream echoed through the empty, luxurious bedroom.
The beautiful carved candlestick rolled slowly from Ivina's hand. In an instant, her dark eyes filled with tears, blurring the vision of Xia Sang's unconscious face.
"I'm... sorry, I'm... sorry."
She shed her expensive silk gown, hurriedly donned the maid's uniform from Xia Sang's body, and sprinted out of the cave. Along the way, no one recognized her.
There must be a shortcut to escape this place.
I pray, I pray that God will show mercy to His sinful people one last time, wash away my sins, and guide me to the path of escape.