Chapter 69 : Chapter 69
Chapter 69 : You Are Playing With Fire
Before she even approached, Eve felt as though she could smell a fragrance in the air. It was not sharp at all—rather, it invited her to keep breathing it in.
The closer she came, the richer it became. As a Vampire, her sense of smell was extremely sensitive, useful both for gathering information and… perhaps for [hunting].
When she reached Vivian’s side, she confirmed the source—it was coming from her.
Strange. Why had this little one suddenly become so fragrant after going out?
It actually smelled quite pleasant… (sniff)…
Vivian said nothing, merely watching Eve with a faintly amused smile. The first thing that came to Eve’s mind was whether she had done something wrong.
That should not be the case. The person had been sent away, and the objective achieved.
Eve was naturally cautious—she did nothing without certainty, yet sometimes certainty only came after acting…
Finally, Vivian spoke. While standing and making space, she leaned against the desk and tilted her head toward Eve. “Sit. Go back to where you belong. Why are you staring at me?”
Ah… so she was to sit again.
That sounded fine…
Eve nodded, sat down, and even adjusted her skirt slightly, placing her legs neatly together as if deliberately preparing a proper seat.
Immediately, the scent grew stronger. The red-haired girl approached again with a faint waft of fragrance and leaned back, pressing close and transferring her warmth.
Unable to help herself, Eve’s nose moved again. She wondered why the more she smelled it, the more absorbing it became. Had something been mixed into it?
“Heh, have you noticed you look like a little dog right now?” Vivian tilted her head.
The maid did not respond directly. Instead she said softly, “The scent on you…”
“Does it smell nice?”
Eve nodded.
“Do you like it?”
She hesitated, but after a few seconds, nodded again.
“Do you want to come closer?”
This time Eve fell silent. It was not that she did not want to—only that such behavior felt… somewhat improper.
Vivian, however, gave her no time to think. With a mischievous smile, she grabbed the emblem on the collar and pulled downward.
Unlike last time, it moved—because Eve’s intention and body now aligned.
Yes, she wanted to. She leaned closer until her nose rested on the shoulder, then instinctively drifted toward the neck.
At the same moment Eve’s pupils shrank, yet the fragrance soothed the rising impulse. Her hands, unsure where to go, settled naturally in place.
“Not a wasted effort finding this,” Vivian said lightly, glancing at the glass perfume bottle on the table.
It was not any illicit substance—simply a top-grade perfume purchased from Victoria, blended from countless flowers and aged over a long time. Rare and precious, yet she had used it without hesitation.
Hooking a finger beneath Eve’s chin, she complained half-heartedly, “Being obedient is not without benefits, yet I still had to think of a method. You truly are troublesome.”
Normally, most people would be thoroughly disarmed by now.
Unfortunately, she had chosen the wrong opponent.
Eve did not respond to pressure. Her expressionless face was the strongest defense; her active thoughts the sharpest weapon.
“Tsk. I am talking to you. Cat got your tongue?”
“….”
“Hey!” Vivian turned around, about to scold—but the person behind her was already deeply absorbed.
Eve’s head was lowered, her lips slightly parted, warm breaths dampening the fabric at the shoulder. The hand resting on her thigh tightened its hold.
“What are you doing? Speak, or I will not let you continue.”
Without lifting her head, Eve swallowed and said in a deliberately steady voice, “Miss, I wish…”
Before finishing, she leaned closer toward the collar, her breath brushing the skin and making Vivian frown.
“Hmph, greedy as always. Disgusting.”
Though her words sounded disdainful, her actions contradicted them as she loosened the top button of her collar.
A small patch of pale skin was revealed to the air—and to Eve’s attention.
“Since you did well today, consider this a reward. Only for a moment… hey, be gentle!” she added, tapping the hand on her leg.
The next instant Vivian froze.
She had thought Eve merely wanted to smell the fragrance—
“Idiot! I did not permit—mm—move away!”
She tried to pull free, but Eve’s arms wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly.
She pushed against Eve’s chin, yet against the difference in strength her resistance was ineffective. The sensation at her neck shifted—
“Mm—!”
The numbness faded, replaced by a sudden sharp sting.
Vivian’s eyes widened abruptly.