Desire for the Vampire Lord

Ru put the knife on the pillow and said, "If you will excuse me, I would like to review your contract for the show first."

"As you wish," Lord Dekaris Zharqasti said and vanished again.

Ru glanced around anxiously, searching for the silhouette of the Chinese prince or Something. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for the eerie shadows that danced on the walls. Just as he was about to relax, he felt a cold breath brush against his neck.

Lord Dekaris Zharqasti's hands were on either side of the chair, his fingertips almost touching Ru's shoulders. Ru could see the intricate rings adorning the vampire lord's pale, veined hands.

His hands were steady, and his fingers moved as if pressing the keys of a piano, without touching Ru. However, what Ru saw was not the same as what he felt. He felt the lord's touches on his shoulders.

As the mental touches intensified, Ru felt a strange sensation in his mind. It was like a veil was being lifted, revealing some deeper insights within him. Memories surfaced, long-forgotten thoughts and emotions that he had buried deep within. The vampire lord was delving into his soul, uncovering secrets, Ru had kept hidden from himself.

Then one of the hands slowly moved around his neck. Even though he felt like his silk neck-scarf came undone, he couldn't say 'stop' to Lord Zharqasti. The hand moved towards his body. The only thing he did was bite his lip as his shirt's buttons were torn off one by one.

However, Seneca's precious piece was disgruntled and immediately showed it. Ru's stolen heart thundered as the vampire lord's hands slowly removed his spiritual clothes.

"My lord, if it's not too much trouble, could you please step back," Ru said firmly his eyes darting toward the dagger on the pillow.

When Lord Dekaris Zharqasti appeared at his desk, the candles flared up again, their colors returning to normal.

"Thanks," Ru said, taking the parchment roll.

His heart had calmed down, but his mind was in shame. Some guy had caressed his brain against his will. This situation was perhaps worse than a pervert caressing his body. Ru was angry with himself, cause he was late for saying 'No.'

"I'm a whore," Ru thought to himself. Then he remembered the short lessons the witch had given him in the kitchen. No, he wasn't a whore, it was just that the vampire lord had seduced him with his vampiric charm.

Ru mentally thanked Anaxarete and cursed himself for not returning to The Witch's Cafe. He could learn a lot from her, like how to protect against those charming skills.

And at last, he put his regrets behind him and calmed down.

Ru carefully broke the seal and unrolled the contract. The fancy handwriting seemed to dance across the page, each word a mystery waiting to be deciphered. Ru's eyes scanned the document, his mind racing the terms and conditions.

Contract

Article 1: Choose your role.

Article 2: Drink the blue potion and erase your memory.

Article 3: Enter the house.

Article 4: The audience will be able to see you even if you don't realize it.

Article 5: You can invite friends to watch the game.

Article 6: You can invite a friend to join the game.

Article 7: Until the game is over, you cannot leave the house.

Article 8: While in the house, you will be protected by our observers. Other guests or other players can't kill you in an unaesthetic way.

Article 9: Becoming the audience's favorite player will increase your chances of winning the competition. However, your goal should still be the creation of the most powerful puppet and your survival.

Article 10: If you win the contest, the wish you write below will be fulfilled by us.

(Write your wish) .....

Sign here:

Ru stared at the contract, each line more bizarre than the last. His eyes skimmed over the fancy script, pausing briefly at the chilling terms.

'Erase your memory? Enter the house? The audience will see you even if you don't realize it.'

His stomach twisted at the nightmare-like rules.

'I didn't even choose my role,' he thought.

He glanced toward Lord Dekaris Zharqasti, who was now sitting calmly at his desk, the eerie flames from the fireplace casting long shadows across his sharp, aristocratic features. The vampire lord's glowing red eyes watched him with a quiet intensity.

Ru ignored the vampire lord, turning his attention to the scroll. His eyes scanned Article 9: 'Becoming the audience's favorite player will increase your chances of winning the competition. However, your goal should still be the creation of the most powerful puppet and your survival.' The mention of puppets unnerved him.

"What puppet? Where did this come from?" he growled.

Lord Dekaris Zharqasti tapped his nails rhythmically on the table, his eyes fixed on Ru. "The beings referred to as puppets are vessels created for special spiritual entities," he explained carefully. "We expect players to create and develop these vessels, known as puppets. Next step you might have guessed, is to revive your puppet and keep it by your side."

"Should I think of these as summons that will fight on our side?" Ru asked.

"There is nothing a soul cultivator master's puppet cannot do, Lirui," Dekaris replied, his tone laced with pride.

"I might like this. So what is it? The audience gets involved and can watch me at any time. This is heresy," Ru said, his voice rising.

"This is a show, Lirui, not a holiday program," Dekaris teased, a smirk played on his lips.

Ru was about to swear but held himself back, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He focused again on the contract.

His gaze dropped to the final line, the dotted line where he was supposed to write his wish. The idea of a wish coming true was tempting, but the cost—his freedom, sanity—seemed far too steep.

Ru took a deep breath and slowly back-rolled up the parchment. "Quite the... interesting contract," he uttered, his voice laced with unease.

Lord Dekaris didn't respond immediately, his gaze unwavering as if he could read Ru's every thought. After a long pause, the vampire lord spoke, his voice smooth and hypnotic. "The game is not for the faint-hearted, Lirui. But the rewards..." He gestured toward the parchment, his smile widening. "They are beyond anything you could imagine."

Ru met his gaze, fighting the urge to shiver under the weight of Dekaris's presence. "And if I don't agree?" he asked, tracing his fingers around the edges of the rolled-up contract.

Dekaris's smile remained, but his eyes darkened slightly. If you disagree with the contract, your time in my domain will come over... swiftly. But the game offers more than risk, Lirui. It offers power. And perhaps a path to answers you've been seeking."

Ru's heart pounded. The mysterious figure he'd seen, the prince-like shadow, lingered in his mind. He needed more time and more clarity. But he had no intention of becoming involved in this twisted show for now.

"Before I make any decisions," Ru said, his voice firmer, "I need time to review this... in detail."

Lord Dekaris raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Time is a luxury not often afforded, but... very well. You have until the next full moon, Lirui Xiaolian. After that, the choice will no longer be yours."

Ru nodded, tension still coiling in his chest. He stood, the contract in hand. As he moved toward the door, he glanced over his shoulder at the vampire lord, who remained motionless at his desk, watching him with an unsettling intensity.

"Until then," Ru said, gripping the parchment tighter as he stepped into the shadows, the cold flames flickering one last time as he exited the grand study.