NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9.2
The realization that someone as powerful as him knew her name sent a chill down Christina Hayley’s spine.
While it wasn’t entirely impossible that he had learned of her through investigations into recent disputes, the depth of his knowledge unsettled her. Christina bit her lower lip.
“I’m overthinking this. If I keep assigning meaning to every little detail, I’ll only exhaust myself…”
Even as she tried to calm herself and steady her thoughts, his next words nearly shattered her composure.
“Your late mother was from the Rivera family.”
“….”
Her mind reeled.
How could he know that? No, it was possible through investigation—but why would he care to remember something so specific about her?
Christina was the third child and eldest daughter of the Hayley family. She was neither the acting lord of the estate nor an exceptional knight. She was merely a woman with minor magical aptitude.
“Why does he know this much about me?”
“You look like you have a lot of questions,” he remarked, as if reading her thoughts.
“…Yes,” she admitted reluctantly.
His words, perfectly timed as if he knew every corner of her mind, left her feeling exposed. Without betraying any emotion, he nodded and said, “Let’s discuss this inside.”
She had no choice but to follow.
They’re terrified.
That was my first impression upon arriving at Hayley.
Not just Christina Hayley, who greeted me personally, but every retainer lined up behind her looked as though they’d seen the grim reaper.
The Knight Captain, for instance, looked like he might drop dead at any moment, his ashen face streaked with blood—probably from biting his tongue to stay conscious.
If I lingered any longer, I’d only intensify their fear, so I decided to move the meeting indoors.
Where are the other Hayley children?
I had a rough understanding of the situation. My domain, after all, was one of the most prosperous in the Empire. Its vast size and population attracted adventurers’ guilds, intelligence networks, and even a branch of the Mage Tower, second only to the capital.
The Church, symbolizing harmony between humans and other races, had built its second-largest cathedral here—surpassed only by the Holy See in the Sacred Kingdom.
An enormous cathedral in a vampire’s territory.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. But vampires aren’t demons, nor are they particularly weak to holy power. There’s no bad blood between us and the faithful. Disputes between vampires and the Church were common a thousand years ago when the line between monsters and non-humans was blurred, but that’s long since passed. I even heard there’s a vampire cardinal in the Church now.
Still, it felt a little strange, thanks to my memories from my past life.
Anyway…
Christina Hayley, up close, was quite beautiful.
So much so that her appearance alone made me consider forgiving her.
Her straight blue hair shimmered under the light, and a beauty mark added an extra allure to her soft features. Combined with her signature closed eyes and an impressive figure, she seemed tailor-made to tug at one’s heartstrings. According to the story’s setup, she would later discover her talent as a healer and rise to become second only to the saint in the fight against the Demon King.
Daisy was already mine, and I intended to win over my sister. Was there any reason not to claim Christina as well?
Besides, she’s the heroine’s close cousin and ally. If anything, that connection could only benefit me.
To not take advantage of this opportunity would be foolish.
With that self-justification firmly in place, I followed Christina into the parlor she had prepared. After seating me, she stood by as a maid promptly brought tea.
The silence lingered until the maid set the tea down and left.
“I must apologize for this incident,” Christina said at last, breaking the stillness.
As expected, she was the one to speak first.
Her closed eyes—though naturally so—were shut tight as she recounted the chaotic situation in the Hayley family. Despite the humiliation of explaining her family’s disgrace to an outsider, Christina pressed on with unwavering determination.
It was the radiant and resolute figure of a woman who, despite being abandoned by her family, had dedicated her life to protecting her domain and retainers with unwavering diligence and strength.
“I do not deny that the blame for this situation lies with us… We will take full responsibility for it—”
“Let me make a proposal.”
“…A proposal?”
I hadn’t come here to simply listen to her explanations.
To be honest, I didn’t know much about Christina Hayley beyond a vague idea of her character and appearance—details I’d gleaned while indulging in 19+ GL fanfiction based on her.
She was just a supporting character on the side of good—a noblewoman who stood by the heroine in her darkest times. My initial intent was simply to form a connection, perhaps to set the stage for future alliances.
But seeing her now—determined, graceful, steadfast, and yet fragile, like a flower on the verge of breaking—made me want her in earnest.
And so, I said:
“I will save your father.”
“…!”
“On one condition.”
A blood pact.
In exchange for her father’s life, the safety of her retainers, and the security of the land she fought so hard to protect, I would take everything she had to offer.
Christina Hayley
Strength: 31
Agility: 24
Stamina: 45
Durability: 33
Magic: 66
Traits: 「Nobility」, 「Blessing of Water」, 「Healing」
Unique Trait: 「Lady of the Lake」