Chapter 7 The Unclaimed Mark
889 Words
"Oh my god! Did you skip a shower? You absolutely reek! Get up, or I'm flipping your bed over!"
Serene blinked awake and saw Ian's bulging muscles and the bedpost in his hand.
As she felt herself slide off the bed, she quickly spoke up to show she was awake.
"My goodness, you vampires are all so rude!" Serene shouted angrily.
"Thanks for the compliment, Shorty. You've got three minutes." Ian let go of the bed, and it hit the floor with a loud thud. Serene swayed, gripping the edge tightly.
"Get out!" she shouted.
A little while later, Serene followed Ian into the grand hall of the manor.
The hall was filled with vampires.
They were lounging on sofas, perched on bay windows, sitting on steps, and standing on balconies, all with golden eyes.
Serene held her breath, too stunned to make a sound.
Ian clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Alright, let's go left to right. Show your powers, and if her mark lights up, you're taking her home."
Three long hours passed.
Serene felt drowsy, tense, and exhausted, occasionally dozing off.
But the vampire who had marked her wasn't among them.
Only a few vampires remained untested.
A twinge of nervousness crept into Serene.
'None of these vampires marked me. So who is?'
Right now, only Ian, Wyatt, and Chet hadn't shown their powers.
Serene pinned her hopes on them.
When Ian used his power, there was no reaction from the mark on Serene's neck.
Chet tried next, but still, there was no sign.
Wyatt glanced at briefly, and then turned to leave.
Serene's face flushed red.
She knew Wyatt looked down on her and was the least likely to have marked her, but still...
'There's no one left to test! Wyatt is the last one! What if...'
Serene took a step forward, trying to stop him. "Please, Wyatt, you're the last one."
Wyatt paused and then used his power.
His golden eyes gleamed brightly, but the mark on Serene's neck still stayed unresponsive.
Serene felt her hope crumble.
"Maybe becoming a noble was a foolish dream..." Serene sighed despondently. "Getting back at Jake and Asta was just a stupid fantasy... It was all a mistake..."
Serene turned to leave when Wyatt spoke up, "Wait. Where do you think you're going?"
Bewildered but resigned, Serene replied, "Since I didn't find the one who marked me, I'll just leave."
"You're not leaving just yet," Wyatt said, his golden eyes flashing. "You can't leave until the mark on your neck fades completely. For now, you're staying here."
"What?" Serene stared at him, completely confused.
She was just an ordinary person with a mark. She didn't belong here at all.
"Stay with the Hollister family as a servant for now," Wyatt said before vanishing.
Serene gave Ian a confused look.
Ian, who'd been watching the scene unfold with interest, shrugged helplessly. "As Wyatt says, the one who marked you might have gone on a mission. Staying here isn't a bad thing."
And so, Serene became a servant... to a noble family.
Wearing a scarf and a servant's uniform, Serene looked petite and cute as she swept the courtyard. This was her twentieth cleaning!
Unlike the previously messy yard, this courtyard was spotless, with only a thin layer of dust.
"The master of this courtyard is nice. He's amazing!" Serene muttered appreciatively.
After looking around to make sure no one was watching, she tossed her broom aside and plopped onto a nearby stone bench.
"Is my back even the same?" Serene rested her chin on a stone table, sighing deeply.
"Honestly, all of this is Wyatt's fault! He is such an asshole! A real monster!"
"What did you just say?" A clear, melodious male voice, tinged with anger, echoed from above.
Serene looked up to see Wyatt sitting on a thick tree branch.
This courtyard belonged to Wyatt, and he had heard every word she said!
Serene's heart sank. She knew she was in trouble.
"No... I..." Serene opened her mouth to apologize but stopped when she saw his expression.
"Leave!" Wyatt coldly ordered.
Serene stood up from the bench, picked up her broom, and dejectedly said, "I'm sorry..."
Serene hunched her shoulders and hurried away. As she passed a narrow path, she overheard some conversation.
"I heard the Quentin family is being hunted by other vampires."
"Ah... I know. It's because of the new bride's... irresistible blood, isn't it?"
"Yeah, Jake from the Quentin family was a fool to mention how sweet her blood is. Naturally, that would attract other vampires."
"Exactly. Everyone knows that sweet blood from humans can boost a vampire's powers."
Vampires from noble families didn't pursue sweet-blooded humans as much because their families provided a strong support system.
But many stray vampires, seeking to strengthen their abilities, actively search the world for sweet-blooded humans.
That was why a large number of stray vampires were targeting the Quentin family this time.
Serene was engrossed in listening, but the conversation ended abruptly.
She peeked around, figuring they had left.
She looked down at her bandaged arm, still healing, and recalled Jake's horrified expression when he smelled her blood and Asta showing off her own. Serene couldn't help but chuckle.
"Serves them right!"
Meanwhile, far away in Norvatak, Jake and Asta were busy running for their lives.
- Writer
