My half-blood lady.

The evening glow is gorgeous and colorful. The clouds on the distant horizon seem to have spilled a pool of oil paints, where the enchanting purple and the passionate red blend together.

Edith stands in the silhouette of the setting sun. She slowly pulls the curtain closed, and the light in the room instantly becomes thin and dim.

Daphne is sitting on the edge of the bed with one leg crossed. Her elaborate skirt spreads out on the bed like blooming flower petals. She looks at Edith's slender back, which is tinged with a faint yellow glow, and her two small hands nervously knead the lace decorations on the skirt.

"Um..."

Edith returns to the room only after taking a simple bath. She has washed away the bloodstains in her hair and the smell of blood on her body. Now she is only wearing a thin silk nightgown. Her creamy white and tender shoulders are exposed, and her wet golden curls make her look even more charming and alluring.

This is quite a dilemma for Daphne.

She not only has to endure the helpless waiting during Edith's bath, but also suppress those immoral and unhealthy thoughts after Edith finishes bathing.

After all, this is the child she raised with her own hands. Daphne shouldn't have such thoughts.

"You're quite capable, aren't you? Why didn't you resist when I threatened you?" Edith doesn't turn around. She is still holding the curtain, "If you had the chance, would you take revenge on me? After all, I was so excessive..."

"Revenge?" Daphne is taken aback.

Before leading her upstairs, Edith said she was going to punish her. But after taking a bath, she starts to reflect on her own mistakes. It can't help but make Daphne suspect that Edith is deliberately acting.

"It's only natural, isn't it? If someone forces me to do something I don't want to do, I would hate him too." Edith slightly lowers her head. She glances sideways, and her long eyelashes are clearly visible in the faint sunlight, "Or is it that you actually don't hate me for these things?"

The word "hate" is too heavy for Daphne.

Edith is not her enemy. Even if Edith forces and toys with her, she can't possibly hate Edith because of that.

But if she answers like this, will Edith think that she is actually willing? Won't she really become a little pervert who only thinks about such things?

"I only hate bad people. You're not a bad person." So, Daphne says softly.

"Bad people?" Edith's eyes flicker, and the corners of her mouth curl up involuntarily, "You're so cute, saying things only a child would say. In this world, there are no such things as pure good or bad people."

"But when the stance is fixed, there is a distinction between good and bad." Daphne shakes her head, "To me, you're not a bad person."

"Is that so?" Edith is amused by Daphne. Her giggling laughter is as clear and melodious as the ringing of a silver bell, "I don't think so. I know what kind of person I am. Sometimes I even think I'm extremely bad."

Daphne doesn't respond anymore. She remains silent, watching the smile on Edith's face gradually fade away.

"Can you please not leave me suddenly and without a word?" The angelic blond girl's voice is tinged with a sob at this moment.

Her trembling hands tightly grip the curtain. The blood-red setting sun streams in through the gap and shines on the girl. Daphne can faintly see the glistening tears in the corner of her eye.

The curse of the Blood Queen Lamia is bound to the soul. Even if one is reincarnated, the newborn will carry Lamia's mark.

In the era when the gods still walked on the earth, these people were heroes who fought against the corrupted and chaotic Lamia, but in the present era, they have been forgotten and misinterpreted.

The evil curse mark is regarded as an ominous symbol, bringing misfortune and suffering to those around.

When she was young, Edith lived under the eyes of hatred and contempt. Only her biological parents never showed any prejudice, until the couple was attacked by bandits during a business trip.

Her parents died, and their assets and property were confiscated by the chamber of commerce to pay for the lost goods. Edith was left with no choice but to beg on the streets.

That was the beginning of her childhood nightmare.

Suddenly leaving without a sound is exactly what Edith fears the most. She is always afraid that one day, the people she cherishes will disappear without a trace.

Daphne now realizes how much her disappearance has affected Edith. Although this girl still seems as optimistic as usual on the surface, in fact, she cares more about Bertram's safety than anyone else.

There's really no other way.

Although she can't dote on and take care of Edith as the Pope like before, she can still accompany Edith by taking on another identity.

"I promise you, I won't disappear suddenly." She whispers the promise.

With a swish, the curtain is closed again. The evening glow is instantly driven out of the room. Edith seems to let out a sigh of relief as she gently pats her chest, "But there's no reason for you not to take this opportunity to escape. The only possibility is that you can't run far. Mr. Alvis is quite experienced in dealing with people like you, who are believers of the Shadow Path. When he returns to Cole Town, no matter how far you run, you'll be caught in the end."

"Ah!?"

She's been completely seen through.

What Daphne is actually afraid of is not Grieva, but Captain Alvis.

That guy is a pure believer of the Radiant Path. He has successfully hunted down countless people like Daphne who scurry around in the shadows. He is simply Daphne's natural enemy.

Daphne thought that Edith was reflecting and trying to hold her back because she was worried about losing her leverage. She never expected that this girl had been in control from the very beginning and had never let go of the leverage.

To avoid having her identity exposed, it seems that she still has to submit to Edith.

"Little cutie, you make me like you even more. I must love you well today." With affectionate blue eyes, the blond girl takes Daphne's hands and pushes her onto the bed.

Her long hair spreads out like mercury under her body. Her emerald eyes are filled with a mist of tears. At this moment, the half-blood girl is like a delicate flower bud at the mercy of others.

The breath is sweet and warm. Edith once again claims her soft, crystal-clear and pink lips, "You're going to play with me all night. This is your punishment."