Chapter 170 – The black cat turned into a beautiful youth

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

Tang Qing felt his blood freeze in an instant, his entire body breaking out in goosebumps.

Countess Bathory had long discovered his presence.

She regarded Tang Qing with a cat-like playfulness, her smile captivating yet also dripping with malice and bloodlust, as if she were examining an inanimate object:

“This young face is so tender, as if it could squeeze out water.” Her eyes betrayed an unmistakable greed, as if she wished to peel Tang Qing’s skin off and drink his blood right then and there.

“Do all Eastern maidens have such smooth skin?” Her gaze locked onto Tang Qing, imagining that by consuming his blood, she too could possess such beauty.

Trembling, Tang Qing stood up, intending to flee—yet his legs felt as limp as noodles, leaving him rooted in place as Countess Bathory drew closer, inch by inch.

Just as the vampire Countess’s fingers neared Tang Qing’s throat, a lightning-like green beam struck her wrist.

A shadow leapt down like a panther, landing silently on the ground.

Seeing the black cat appear, Tang Qing snapped back to attention.

This was a vampire Countess—a grave danger for the little black cat.

Urgently, he called out to the cat, “Run, get out of here.”

The black cat merely shot a cold glance at the maid, walking slowly as if surveying its territory like an emperor.

Under a green light, the cat’s limbs elongated.

Then, a black-haired, exquisite young man in medieval Western noble attire replaced the feline form, standing before Tang Qing.

With shoulder-length jet-black hair, deeply lustrous and swan-like, his nearly flawless face epitomised the pinnacle of Western aesthetic standards—a high cheekbone, straight nose, razor-sharp lip line, meticulously sculpted to form this immaculate, pale, and coldly stern visage.

Gazing at Tang Qing with shimmering emerald eyes shining with aristocratic pride and mystery, the young man spoke coldly to the Countess, “She is my maid, serving me closely.”

“Your Highness, I didn’t know she was your personal maid,” the Countess Bathory, her eyes no longer filled with greed but now with fear and reverence, acknowledged.

The moonlight bathed the young man’s profile in a hazy silver glow, highlighting his slightly elongated canines glistening like white diamonds in the dark, his skin as pale as snow and almost translucent.

Evidently, he, too, was a vampire.

And of a far greater stature than Countess Bathory.

Tang Qing had never seen such an exquisite and ethereal youth, who seemed almost unreal in beauty, momentarily forgetting where he was.

Lost in staring at the young man, Tang Qing failed to notice the Countess, who now looked at him with a mix of dread and fear.

“I’ll take her with me now,” the young man said softly.

“Of course, Your Highness, you may dispose of anyone here as you wish,” Countess Bathory lowered her head, her tone respectful and deferential.

“And you, come here,” the young man’s gaze turned cold as he impatiently addressed Tang Qing.

Quickly following the black-haired youth, Tang Qing exited the room.

Although the black-haired youth was around seventeen, his physique was incredibly proportionate, toweringly tall with long, swift legs.

Tang Qing found it challenging to keep up in his dress, barely managing to follow along, having to hold up his skirt to jog behind.

The youth strode straight to his room. Despite its grandeur, the room was dimly lit with no lamps or candles, the heavy, ornate red velvet curtains keeping the sunlight locked outside.

As if he didn’t truly reside there and was indifferent to whether the living environment was luxurious or simple.

Suddenly halting his steps, the youth inadvertently collided with Tang Qing, whose nose was filled with the cold fragrance exuding from the youth’s entire being.

Feeling his nose turn red after the collision, Tang Qing awkwardly rubbed it, a small blush appearing on the bridge.

Turning around, the youth observed Tang Qing’s bewildered expression, finding it slightly amusing.

With a cold tone, he inquired, “Do you have nothing better to do?”

Blinking in confusion, Tang Qing’s dark eyes glistened slightly, “Uh…?”

The black-haired youth snorted, mocking, “You seem to flirt with the male servants, cook for the chefs, wear the pretty gifts from the princess, sneak off to see an old woman bathe… Aren’t you quite versatile, little maid?”

Tang Qing found himself at a loss for words. He had come to uncover the secrets of Castle Csejte, yet the way the youth spoke made it seem as if Tang Qing was a magnet for attention. He wasn’t like the Westerners with peculiar tastes, engaging with both sexes for amusement.

“No, I… I didn’t…” Tang Qing struggled to defend himself. He couldn’t reveal his mission and hesitantly explained, “I’m just here to work as a maid.”

The black-haired youth questioned, “Why would you choose to be a maid here? Didn’t I warn you not to come?”

Warned?

Tang Qing pondered carefully. On his first day at Castle Csejte, the daunting ruins and the castle coming to life with the arrival of the butler—the black cat had been warning him all along. It wished for him to leave upon seeing the ominous ruins.

“Thank you, Your Highness. It’s just that, well…” Tang Qing lied, “My family is poor, and I couldn’t sustain myself, so I had no choice but to come here and work as a maid.”

The youth hummed softly, saying, “I fear you may have money but no life to spend it on.”

Understanding the youth’s concern after being saved, Tang Qing showed vulnerability, “Thank you for caring, Your Highness, and for saving me. I nearly became a blood sacrifice to that woman.”

“Young master, what’s your relationship with the black cat?” Tang Qing inquired.

The youth replied coldly, “As you can see, the black cat is also me. I currently reside in Castle Csejte… My name is…”

Pausing as if he hadn’t mentioned his name for a very long time, the emerald-eyed youth hesitated for a moment before softly revealing his name, “I am Julian¹KING JULIAN!!!!!!!! FEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!! Those who get my references will get my reference. Seeing as how my pfp in discord is of a feet-loving little 50-year-old Eidrich being.”

Julian.

Tang Qing found the name unexpectedly pleasant, fitting for the noble and handsome youth.

Though curious about why Julian was in Castle Csejte and how he became a black cat, Tang Qing understood it was a vampire secret that Julian might not disclose.

Curiosity could indeed lead to trouble.

If Tang Qing had more knowledge of the vampire clans, he would know that Julian’s name belonged to the purest of vampires, symbolizing nobility and honor.

As the night grew late, Tang Qing, after the initial shock, finally felt weary and asked, “Young Master Julian, do you have any more orders for me? If not, I will retire for the night, and you should rest as well.”

The black-haired, emerald-eyed youth glanced at him indifferently, stating, “You will stay here tonight.”

“What…?” Tang Qing hesitated, feeling a bit bewildered. “Why?”

“Why do you have so many questions?” Julian’s tone was aloof and arrogant as he replied, “I am your master, and you are my personal maid. You just need to obey my commands. Starting now, you must not leave my sight, be at my beck and call, understood?”

Julian’s tone was cold and carried a sense of superiority.

However, Tang Qing surmised that Julian might just be wary of him falling into danger under the Countess’s watchful eye.

Feeling a hint of warmth, Tang Qing smiled and replied, “Understood. May I ask, where should I sleep tonight, Young Master Julian?”

Pointing casually, Julian simply said, “On the floor.”

Seeing Tang Qing’s bewildered expression, Julian found it amusing and added, “Do you have any objections? Or perhaps, does the little maid wish to share a bed with me?”

Tang Qing, outwardly a young girl, knew the restrictions on physical intimacy between genders—even in more liberal Western customs, two people wouldn’t share a bed upon first meeting. Besides, such an action was likely to reveal his true gender.

“No objections at all,” Tang Qing quickly responded, not wanting to cause any regrets, “I’m fine with sleeping on the floor, Young Master Julian. I prefer it, actually.”

“Good. I was worried you might try to take advantage of me,” Julian remarked, his lips curling slightly amused, as he headed to his own bed.

Not wishing to return to the dilapidated resting room, especially after witnessing the dungeon scenes and the Countess’s cruel methods, Tang Qing felt reassured that sleeping on the floor in Julian’s room offered him a sense of safety.

Setting up his bedding on the floor, Tang Qing lay down contentedly, a long-absent smile appearing on his face, saying, “Goodnight, Young Master Julian.”

“Mm.”

Watching the satisfied maid obediently preparing to sleep on the floor, Julian found the sight rather endearing.

He couldn’t help but wonder if all Eastern maidens had the same petite figure as the maid before him.

The maid, though not short in stature, had a delicate frame that seemed easily embraceable by just one hand. Her chest appeared underdeveloped, flat whether standing or lying down, with no curves to speak of.

As a black cat carried against her chest by the maid, Juran couldn’t help but feel discomforted by the hardness and flatness.

…

The next morning, Tang Qing awoke to the already bright daylight.

Expecting to have an uneasy night due to the unfamiliar bed, he was surprised to have experienced a rather pleasant dream.

Sitting up, he glanced towards the luxurious and ornate bed, finding it empty.

Julian had long vanished.

Curious, Tang Qing pondered on the daytime activities of a certain vampire. Did he roam around the castle as black cats or… sleep in coffins like in movies?

As he mulled over these thoughts, the door suddenly swung open, revealing none other than the vampire Julian.

“Well, it seems the maid woke up later than the master,” Julian remarked, teasing as he eyed Tang Qing, who had just changed his maid attire.

Tang Qing, feeling slightly embarrassed, remembered his maid duties and inquired, “Young Master, may I assist you with your meal?”

Wait… no, what do vampires eat for breakfast again?

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  KING JULIAN!!!!!!!! FEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!! Those who get my references will get my reference. Seeing as how my pfp in discord is of a feet-loving little 50-year-old Eidrich being