Blood Shadow's Favor.

A Warning

Over the past few days, aside from having meals in the dining room, Sarah spent most of her time either in her studio or the bedroom. Since the last two times she helped Aungel change his bandages, he hadn't asked for her assistance again and preferred to handle it himself. Consequently, the two of them, already not talkative by nature, had little interaction. Aside from having an extra person at the table during meals, Sarah's daily routine remained largely unchanged, which she found rather comforting. The last thing she needed was the burden of having to pretend to be someone she wasn't in her own home.

Today, Sarah planned to visit the bookstore. She was running out of paint and wanted to pick up the art books she had missed buying due to the rain.

Around noon, they sat across from each other, eating in silence. The only sounds were the clinking of chopsticks and dishes. Sarah glanced at her phone, noting it had been over a week since she had brought this man home. During this time, she had gone out to buy groceries, while he had faithfully kept his promise not to step outside.

Occasionally, when she left her bedroom, she found him either lying on the couch or sitting idly. No family, no friends, and not even a basic phone—he seemed like a prisoner of sorts, someone to be pitied.

Looking at his strikingly handsome face, Sarah couldn't help but feel a surge of sympathy. She kept stealing glances at him, sipping her soup between them, but couldn't figure out how to broach the subject.

Before she could make up her mind, Aungel finished his meal, took a napkin, and slowly wiped his lips.

As she watched him, Sarah's thoughts wandered. She stared at his lips, which grew more alluring as he wiped them. Realizing he was about to leave the table, she quickly set down her chopsticks.

"Wait, I wanted to ask you something," she blurted out.

Aungel, who had noticed her glancing at him throughout the meal, paused and sat back down. "What is it?"

"Well… You've been cooped up in the house for so long. Would you like to go out for a walk?" Sarah asked, feeling a bit nervous. She couldn't even remember the last time she invited someone out.

"Didn't you say I shouldn't go out?"

"I meant as long as no one sees you, it should be fine. So, do you want to go out?" Sarah took another sip of her soup, pretending not to care too much about his answer.

Aungel studied her expression. Despite her attempts to hide it, he could tell she didn't want to be refused.

His throat bobbed slightly as he swallowed. Glancing out the window, he noted it was a sunny day. Pureblood vampires wouldn't be out.

When she didn't receive an answer, Sarah grew embarrassed and decided she'd never invite anyone out again. "It's okay if you don't want to—"

"Sure," Aungel interrupted her.

Sarah bit back her words of reassurance, feeling a small sense of achievement, and nodded.

Around three in the afternoon, the sun was still strong, and though the temperature wasn't high, Sarah had brought an umbrella to shield herself from the rays.

Luckily, they didn't encounter anyone on the short walk from the elevator to the front gate, so she didn't have to worry about being seen with a man.

Sarah relaxed, casually glancing around while subtly observing Aungel.

The man was a natural-born clothes hanger, making the simple white shirt she had bought look like a high-end brand piece.

The injury on his forehead had long since healed, and now, with his flawless face, it was impossible to look away.

Aungel, on the other hand, was far from concerned about his appearance. He was focused entirely on the heat and the sharp, burning sensation he felt on his skin. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his vision began to blur slightly. He fought to suppress the wave of discomfort that threatened to overwhelm him, maintaining a facade of calm.

He had overestimated himself.

Just as he thought this, a shadow suddenly cast over him, and a refreshing scent wafted by. The dizziness subsided a bit. He looked down to see Sarah had moved closer, sharing her umbrella with him.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Sarah asked, struggling to hold the umbrella high enough for him. She was tall for a woman, but next to Aungel, she barely reached his chin, forcing her to stretch her arm as much as she could.

"I'm fine." Noticing her effort, Aungel naturally took the umbrella from her.

Sarah didn't object.

The umbrella was small, and as they walked, her shoulder occasionally brushed against his arm. Feeling uncomfortable, Sarah subtly stepped to the side.

Aungel immediately noticed and discreetly tilted the umbrella more toward her, shielding her better from the sun.

Thankfully, the bookstore wasn't far.

As luck would have it, Tina was working today.

Tina's face lit up when she saw Sarah. "Hey, it's you!"

Sarah nodded, smiling lightly. "Yes, thanks again for the umbrella."

"Don't mention it, happy to help!" Tina replied, her smile deepening the familiar dimples in her cheeks.

But when Tina's eyes fell on the man behind Sarah, her expression froze, replaced by one of utter shock.

Wasn't the Lord supposed to be missing? How could he be here?

Noticing the change in Tina's demeanor, Sarah asked, "Is something wrong?"

Aungel's eyes radiated an unmistakable authority, and Tina quickly snapped out of it. "No, nothing! I just remembered I still have some books to sort. You go ahead and browse."

Before Sarah could respond, Tina spun around and quickly walked away.

Sarah found the reaction odd but didn't dwell on it, leading Aungel upstairs.

"Why don't you sit and rest for a bit? I'll go pick out a few things," Sarah suggested, guiding him to a seat.

Aungel nodded. In truth, he was already feeling much better.

Once Sarah disappeared into the aisles, Aungel stood up and headed downstairs.

The woman who had spoken to Sarah earlier was organizing books at the bottom of the stairs.

"Watch yourself, and remember not to say anything you shouldn't," Aungel warned, his voice low and menacing.

Faced with the Lord's piercing gaze, Tina nearly dropped to her knees. She stammered, "I-I won't say a word, I promise!"

Satisfied that she wouldn't talk, Aungel returned upstairs and sat back down.

Tina let out a sigh of relief, placing a hand on her chest to steady herself, muttering, "That was terrifying…"

When Sarah returned with her purchases, she noticed several women lingering around Aungel's table, clearly trying to catch his attention but too intimidated by his icy demeanor to approach.

Sarah hurried over. "I've got what I need. Let's head back."

Hearing this, the women around them assumed Sarah was his girlfriend. Seeing how well they matched, the women gradually dispersed.

Once Sarah reappeared, Aungel's expression softened slightly. The stares had been making him increasingly irritated.

At the checkout, Sarah didn't see Tina anywhere. She assumed she was busy and thought nothing of it.

Little did she know, Tina was hiding behind a bookshelf, peeking out cautiously. She wanted to say goodbye but was too afraid of the Lord's presence.

A colleague noticed Tina's strange behavior and teased, "What's up with you? You look like you're up to something."

Tina quickly straightened up, clearing her throat. "Of course not! Just a bit of back pain, so I'm taking a breather."

Her colleague chuckled but didn't press further.

Catching sight of the Lord's gaze sweeping in her direction, Tina quickly ducked down again. When she finally dared to peek out, Sarah and Aungel had already left.

In the end, Tina could only watch as the beautiful woman disappeared from sight, leaving her pouting behind the shelves.