Hearing what Seamus said, Madeline was stunned—shocked even—as she leaned back in her seat.
The tea on the table turned into wine as if reflecting her mood, and she poured herself a glass, downing it in one go.
"I can't believe a brat, a weak one, would one day have the audacity to threaten me like this." Her golden, reptilian eyes stayed locked on him, sharp as knives.
Seamus shifted slightly, forcing himself not to look away.
"I could crush your head in my hand, boy. Don't test me," she said, curling her fingers into a slow, deliberate fist as if weighing the idea.
Then she waved it off with a smirk, her tone softening. "But I will forgive you for this. I am a kind and glorious Emblem of Enigma, after all."
She crossed one long leg over the other and rested her hand lazily on her thigh, her posture completely at ease.
"Besides," she added, tilting her head as if studying him like an interesting specimen, "I am curious about your plan to be patriarch. Naive and foolish as it is, I find it amusing that a helpless human could speak so boldly."
Seamus held her gaze. He knew his plan was insane and that Madeline would laugh at him for it, but he had no choice. This was his only way forward.
"You are... part vampire, aren't you, Madeline?"
Madeline's brow rose slightly, then she leaned forward, swirling the wine in her glass.
"Part vampire, huh? That's an interesting way to put it. Do you want to know the history of vampires, Seamus? Why they exist in this world?"
He nodded stiffly. "I'm listening," he said, pouring himself some wine to keep his hands busy.
Madeline rested her chin on her folded hands. "Long, long ago, in a forgotten kingdom at the edge of the world, a cruel and relentless disease struck the land.
"The wise king did everything he could, emptied the entire treasury trying to keep his people alive. But there was one thing he had not done yet—pray to a god."
Seamus listening closely. He tightened his grip on his glass, but he didn't interrupt.
"When his allies, knights, and even his family had all succumbed to death, the king finally prayed. Not to one god, but to every god he could name.
"One day, as he lay dying, his prayers were answered. He dreamed of seven creatures that resembled beasts, and they gave him a cure."
She lifted the glass to her lips, watching him over the rim.
"But the False God did not only grant him salvation. He gave him immortality, eternal youth and power, but stripped him of his humanity. He thirsted for the blood of his own people and only that could cure the kingdom."
"So... you're the False God?"
Seamus asked hesitantly. His heart pounded, and he realized he had been holding his breath.
Madeline's grin widened. She leaned closer across the table, her golden eyes glowing. "What? Are you scared now?"
Seamus gripped his thighs hard and forced himself to meet her gaze. "I will be in the most benefit if you are." He smiled, sharp and bright, though his heartbeat betrayed his nerves.
After all, his strength came from sex and the exchange of blood. If the system allowed it with Madeline too, then he could gain the power of a god.
"Tch, you're no fun." She leaned back and sighed. "Fortunately for you, I'm not God, Seamus. And the story isn't over yet."
She continued, "When the king awoke and saw his dream had come true, he was devastated.
He locked himself in his chambers for weeks, unable to face the hunger. But eventually, the thirst overcame him.
"He burst from his room like a mad beast and drained everyone he could find—even his seven children who had survived the disease."
Madeline's eyes hardened. "But unlike the king, the princes and princesses were not wise. They were greedy. They turned others into their kind, built armies of loyal followers, and spread destruction across the land.
"Civil wars broke out. Kingdoms fell. The king, realizing what he had unleashed, prayed again. This time his prayers were filled with hatred and regret.
"And the gods answered him once more. They sent the seven creatures—the ones from his dream—to end his children."
She let the words linger, her expression unreadable. "Now do you understand who I am?"
"Ah... you're one of the seven creatures," Seamus said slowly. "So your purpose is to get rid of the head of this family?"
"Close. I am their protector against their own depravity." Madeline straightened her posture, her tone sharpened.
"As long as the head does not fall to corruption, I simply watch. But when they do, I make sure there is a replacement ready."
She leaned back in the seat and sighed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You see Viviane now, don't you? That girl is a mess. She will never become a sane matriarch."
"So Isolde isn't depraved or corrupt enough yet, which is why you can't kill her." Seamus rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Then I'll be the new head. You can see I'm stable enough for the role."
Madeline chuckled as she set her glass on the table, the sound soft but laced with amusement. "Oh, little bunny, you are funny, aren't you? And a good wine-drinking friend too, with your naive and bold ideas."
She leaned back, tapping her finger on the armrest. "I already have a candidate... but that girl is far more interested in poison, humans, or animals than she is in her own House."
Madeline let out a tired sigh. "So yes... let us forget about her for now and talk about your plan."
Seamus nodded but kept his expression unreadable as he asked the system silently, 'Do I have the chance to make Madeline part of my harem and use her Blood Style skill, if she even has one?'
[Yes, you can.]
[However, using her skill will require a much higher evolution than the others.]
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Then... have sex with me, Madeline. Not just once. Be my—" he exhaled heavily, trying to sound casual, "sex friend?"
Madeline's brows knit together, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Are you joking right now?"
Before Seamus could answer, the glasses and wine bottles began to tremble violently. The room itself shuddered, the edges darkening as if the walls were melting away into blackness.
"What is happening?" He stood up immediately, scanning the room as the floor shifted beneath him.
"Tch, we're out of time!" Madeline rose to her feet, her voice sharp and commanding.
"Fine, Seamus, I will do what you want for now. But you need to leave this place. If you stay, you will be lost forever inside the dream!" She pointed toward the door, her expression grave.
Seamus gave a single firm nod. "Deal! Then let's meet again soon... and have sex as fast as we can!" He sprinted toward the door without looking back, the darkness already nipping at his heels.
As he vanished through it, Madeline shook her head slowly, her golden eyes glinting in the fading light.
"What a silly boy."