Chapter 8

While eating, the strategy meeting began.

"By the way, what did you plan to do after getting his cooperation?"

"To be honest, I came with a lot of momentum, so I didn't think it through much... I thought if I could get the Earl to come to the capital and declare our love in front of Nathan, it would be fine."

The plan was so full of holes that I couldn't help but feel embarrassed by it. As expected, Oscar furrowed his brow and looked exasperated.

"Fool. If you introduce us so casually, the mystique and credibility of vampires will be shattered. Just imagine what might happen."

I imagined it as he suggested.

"Here I am, the vampire Earl Bloodberry. He's my lover. Scary, right? So don't come near me anymore."

"It would end with a snicker."

"Probably."

When I told him honestly, the Earl laughed.

Even a timid Nathan wouldn't be fooled by such a ridiculous method.

"Well, we could simply hide in the Bloodberry territory, but given his persistence, there's a chance he might still be lurking around here."

I shuddered at the thought. Although I didn't think he would still be in the same place as yesterday, he might be waiting in villages along the way to the capital or in inns within the territory.

"Living in fear of his existence for years would be annoying, and I don't like the idea that you think you can do whatever you want just because you feel like it."

Oscar nodded seriously as he continued.

His expression seemed to show both indignation at the treatment I had received and a sense of justice.

"To break that spirit, we need to show that the vampire earl is so desirable that he can't be touched."

But does he look a bit excited? It must be my imagination.

"Besides, if we don't do something, I'll be bored."

He said his true feelings without any shame, and I couldn't help but lean back in surprise.

"I'm tired of just scaring the occasional guest. Let's use this opportunity to make a move on the capital."

He declared this and crossed his legs rudely. His smug smile made him look more like a villain to me, even though he was supposed to be my savior.

"Let's make a big splash if we're going to do it."

"Wow! That sounds so exciting!"

Shiki said with a sparkling face.

"Please consider our hard work."

"Who said they were getting bored recently?"

"Who was it?"

Mirah, sitting next to Oscar, smiled falsely as she continued her elegant meal. Her perfectly beautiful smile left me spellbound.

"So, what do you plan to do specifically?"

"Since it's the social season in the capital, I think it's time to move to the townhouse."

Social season.

I was lost in the conversation, but the moment I heard that, I suddenly felt tense.

"Um..."

"Yeah?"

"I actually don't really know what the social scene is like..."

"How old are you now?"

Oscar's face twisted at the unimaginable statement for a noble lady.

"Eighteen..."

I answered, feeling embarrassed, almost choking on the words.

The debut in the social scene is usually at sixteen unless there are exceptional circumstances. My younger sister was supposed to debut this year and had already bought several new dresses, mocking my sparse wardrobe.

"Why... Oh, that fiancé of yours..."

"Yes... I've never attended a ball or a dinner party because I didn't want to attract any strange bugs..."

I intend to follow Oscar's plan wholeheartedly, but the idea of making my debut in the social scene in such a state fills me with anxiety.

"I was taught basic etiquette and dance in preparation for marriage, but I honestly don't have the confidence to behave properly."

Despite asking for help, I felt embarrassed that I couldn't properly respond to his proposal and wanted to hold my head in my hands.

"Don't worry so much."

Oscar, without a single unpleasant look, encouraged me with a calm demeanor.

"How long has it been for you, sir?"

"Who knows."

Oscar, who also seemed unaccustomed to the social scene, shrugged with a carefree expression in response to Mirah's words.

"Just act confidently and act like you know what you're doing."

His baseless confidence was strangely convincing when he said it.

Some of the tension in my shoulders eased.

Oscar's encouragement and the idea of a new adventure made me feel a bit more relaxed.