Episode 1: Possession (2)
I sip the blood served in a wine glass after the meal. I'm getting used to drinking blood—it even tastes kind of good now. Vampires can eat human food, but it's more of a luxury; blood is essential for nourishment. Especially after possession, when my body was so weak, blood was critical for recovery. I'd never tasted blood before, but with my sister watching, I had no choice but to chug blood packs 24/7. Now, it's as easy as drinking tomato juice or wine.
I stand up after finishing. Though I've decided to raise my sister's affection, there's nothing I can do right now. We were just eating, and with ghoul maids watching, she wouldn't let me try anything bold. Since she believes I've lost my memories and visits my room daily, I can wait for a better opportunity—like when we're alone in my room. That's the perfect setting for something to happen.
So, the question isn't when or where, but what to do. Even if she's fond of me, it's just as a close sibling. She sees me as a younger brother who needs care, not a man. Plus, I'm physically outmatched.
Her status window confirms it:
Leticia Cepheus
Strength ▶ 142
Agility ▶ 156
Vitality ▶ 122
Endurance ▶ 141
Magic ▶ 133
Status: Anxious
Traits: Vampire, Form, Acting Head (Temporary), …
Her stats dwarf mine, even in my weakened state. Even at full strength, I'd struggle to beat her. My Void trait is overpowered, but her Form trait is no joke either. Physically weaker and playing the amnesiac card, I'm probably just a "handsome little brother" to her, triggering her maternal instincts.
Considering my real-world sister, it's surprising she even sees me that way, but this is an otome game world. Close sibling bonds might just be part of the fantasy, like the swords-and-magic setting. The problem is, if things stay like this, we'll remain just siblings when we head to the academy, and she might fall for the prince. To clear the quest and keep her attention on me, I need to move beyond the "close sibling" dynamic before we go.
If I wait in my room, she'll come as part of her routine, worried about her sick brother. That's not enough. I need to shake things up.
"Sis," I say.
"Yeah? What's up?"
"What time are you coming to my room later?"
"When I have time, I guess? Why, you miss me? Bored?"
She smiles like I'm her cute little brother. It's weird to think this sweet sister is the game's cruel villainess. Love does strange things. She doesn't feel like my real sister, though. A month ago, this was just a game world to me.
And now, I'm trying to seduce her as a woman.
Still, thinking about her future makes me uneasy, so I respond with a heavy heart.
"I'm not bored. I just like spending time with you."
"We're together every day already."
"I mean time alone with you. It feels too short. Honestly, I'd spend all day with you if I could."
"…"
It was a casual remark, not meant to change anything immediately—just a seed planted with a hint of sincerity. But her reaction is strange. Her cheeks flush slightly, and her lips tremble.
Normally, she'd tease, "You love your big sis that much?" but she's silent. Puzzled, I ask, "What's wrong?"
"…I-I mean, 'all day'… does that include, like, sleeping together…?"
"Oh."
I realize the misunderstanding. But something's still off. If she were her usual self, she'd probably jump at the idea excitedly. Her pale face, now faintly flushed, betrays her. Is she embarrassed or something else? She's clearly shaken.
I could press further, but I worry she'll bolt, so I back off. Instead, I stand and approach her as she fidgets nervously.
Tap.
I lightly flick her forehead. "Why're you acting weird? I'm heading to my room to nap. Come by in, say, two hours? You can make that, right?"
She nods slowly without a word, her thoughts unreadable. I head back to my room.
Leticia Cepheus was flustered.
Her brother was the epitome of a noble—arrogant yet dignified, with unmatched talent. As the heir of the great Cepheus bloodline, he could've become the vampire king in a decade if not for the elders of Draculea and Nosferatu. She found him intimidating, not out of fear or jealousy, but awe. He was someone to admire.
Then, a month ago, he changed. When he lay in agony, silent as death, and woke up different, she felt an unfamiliar emotion. At first, she was wary, unable to accept the change. But when he confessed his memory loss that night, weak and vulnerable, her heart softened. The brother she admired became someone she needed to protect—a lovable figure.
He begged her not to hate him, saying he was still her brother despite his lost memories. His whispered pleas haunted her. Her heart raced, and even now, thinking of it made her chest tight.
She liked this new version of him. Acting as the temporary head of the family was daunting, but seeing him welcome her every night made it worthwhile. He absorbed everything she told him like a sponge, still her brilliant brother, but also someone she cherished deeply.
At first, she thought it was maternal instinct, her heart tingling at his vulnerability. But she soon realized it wasn't. When he leaned into her touch, or when she kissed his forehead and he smiled lazily, her lower abdomen tightened. After exchanging goodnights and leaving his room, she'd find her thighs damp with desire.
She didn't call it love. He was too noble, too dear, and her brother. She convinced herself it was a perverse pleasure from seeing her admired brother lean on her. Every night before bed, she whispered "pervert" to herself, indulging in secret touches.
For days, she'd lecture him about adjusting to mornings for academy life, using it as an excuse to see him before nightfall. But now, in the morning, she shook her head. She'd promised herself not to think such vulgar thoughts during the day. At night, under the moonlight, her blood and desires overwhelmed her, but she swore to control herself during the day.
Yet here she was, fanning her flushed face, her thirst growing. Her eyes fell on the seat where her brother had been. It was his fault for saying such strange things. Not that his words were outrageous, but she needed an excuse.
Shakily, she stood and approached his seat.