After all of that, we continued to walk back towards the village. And certainly, afterwards, the air around us had gotten a bit thicker somehow.

I can't really put my finger on it. maybe it has something to do about the fact that Celidonia is awfully close to me than before.

Maybe she's cold? Then if so, that's a horrible idea. My body is cold after all.

If that's not the reason then I think that I know the answer to that. Actually, this is something that I've notice in Sun and Night as well but I just don't want to accept it because it'll make me feel responsible.

And that reason is... because of my bite.

I should've thought about it more but my mind was circling on the bliss of smelling her fragrant scent of blood while I'm hungry so I wasn't completely sane.

I really should be careful in the future regarding this...

I wonder when this effect will end...

In a few hours of walking, we finally reached the village. And in those few hours when we were gone there had been a drastic change in the village that I'm quite surprised about.

For one, it's the wall of thick wooden poles sharpened at the end, pointing at the forest. A sort of defense against the goblins I presume and in the area, there's a gathering of humans talking to one another.

In this distance, I couldn't hear them though but I can roughly guess what they're talking about with all their pointing and grand gestures.

It might be the case of whether they put more sharp wood or not.

I could be wrong though. It's just a guess.

Also, among the people that I recognize in that gathering, which are the village chief and the guy that's always in their house but I never learned the name of, one of them belongs to the subjugation group.

His name is Tristan, I believe.

We made our way towards the village to which eventually the villagers, as well as Tristan and the village chief, saw us.

"Your back but... Where are the others."

I and Celidonia looked at each other before replying.

"... They had to take care of something and we weren't needed in that."

"Is that right?"

The village chief only said that before he turned his gaze on me. The look on his eyes when he did that was that of great concern or relief.

"... Snow, you should go see your guardians immediately."

From how he said that I can already tell what happened. Even yet, I still asked.

"...Why?"

"They became quite unstable... We did our best to restrain them. They've calmed down for now but they're still terribly depressed and became quite strange from both appearance and behavior... Please go see them now, I'll show you where they are."

Ah... could it be...? Yeah... It could only be that.

I expected this... And even if I did, hearing it still shocked me. Yet again, that feeling of guilt that I've been trying to suppress during this whole search came coming back to me.

Just thinking about their expression when they see me... It makes me shudder. Will they have that tear-stained expression when I see them now, just like at that certain night? Or maybe this time, it could be worse... But what's worse than that? I don't know but there's bound to be one.

The village chief mentioned it, right? That they became unstable. That they needed to restrain them as well. That's clear-cut evidence that they're much worse than before.

What should I do? I doubt a simple apology will make them forgive me for making them worry so much like that. So much that they became unstable, that they needed to be restrained.

What should I do to make them forgive me, to remove this guilt off of my chest? I don't want to feel this... This isn't why I wanted to live in this world... This nasty feeling, like a giant mountain being placed on my shoulders... A burden that I can't simply remove. I don't want this, I don't want this, I don't want—

"Snow...? Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

Before I noticed it, Celidonia was right in front today me, hands placed on my shoulder and as well as the fact that my body is shaking, not because of some kind of involuntary action done by my body but because of Celidonia, trying to shake me back to my senses.

"Ah..."

There was also the thing that she mentioned to me. That I shouldn't feel so guilty about all of this because the reason I did it is justified.

But even with that, and even though it calmed my thoughts before, I still couldn't help but feel what I'm feeling.

I need to suppress this somehow but the current situation that I am in, everything that I've thought of to distract myself always leads to my feeling of guilt.

I hate this.

"Snow!"

"Ow."

For some reason, she suddenly hit both my cheeks with her palms. It didn't hurt much but, why?

"It's going to be okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes."

Here serious seems to convince that it will. But I know that it isn't wise to just go with feeling on this but... isn't that what I've been doing?

I removed her hands off of my cheeks but I didn't let go off her hands when I finished doing so.

"Will it?"

Seeing me looks so hesitant, she used her right hand to lightly hold my cheek and gave me a soft smile.

"Of course."

Will it? I asked myself again. And my answer to that is... It won't. Why? Because I'm such a horrible person that makes people worry about her. And I looked deeper in myself to find another answer but no such thing could be found.

So why don't I find it in another person?

I then looked back again at Celidonia. In her eyes, I found another answer.

She's saying that it will be... completely opposite to what I think.

...I'll trust her on this.

•••

After Celidonia talked to Tristan about something, the village chief led us towards where they kept Sun and Night. And along with our walk, the villagers all looked quite anxious and scared. They kept glancing towards Celidonia as well.

Maybe they're wondering why the rest of the group is? Or that they just think that they're dead and all hopes are lost. I could certainly understand that feeling. I still don't approve Celidonia's decision of us heading back to the village while they're still fighting.

But I'm partly to blame for that so I can't criticize her.

Eventually, our feet stopped at the house that me, Sun and Night are staying at. And there, by the door are two humans acting as guards, I think. The village chief gestures at them to do something and they glanced at me with narrow eyes.

One of them then proceeded to open the door and the village chief tapped my back, telling me to go.

After a few steps forward, I looked back towards Celidonia and I saw her giving me a 'thumbs up'. With that, I steeled myself and entered the house.

I didn't mention this but I could hear crying sounds from outside the house. Most definitely it's from them. And now that I've entered the house, it's much more audible.

It churned my chest to hear it but I continued on, believing in Celidonia's words that everything will be alright.

Before doing anything else, I took the cloth off of me and used it to cover the hole on my one-piece dress. I wouldn't want to add this to their worries. I hope they won't notice.

In a few seconds, I found myself walking towards the bedroom and there I saw Sun and Night, their arms at their back tied on the bed and from the area around their tied hands and arms, I could detect a faint scent of blood. clear evidence that they've been injured because of this, albeit lightly.

No, I can totally understand that the villagers had to use some sort of forceful method to restrain them somehow. That or it could be caused by them struggling to break free.

But whatever the answer to that may be, that's surely not the most surprising thing.

That's right, I'm feeling surprised to this when the right emotion I should be feeling right now is guilt and relief.

Why?

Well because the skin or Sun and Night became pale. Really pale. Just like how pale my skin is. And no, I'm not mistaking it because of the light or whatever. They're definitely pale.

The two finally notice me and they immediately ceased their sobbing and looked as if their greatest desire had been given to them.

"Snow!"

They said in unison as they practically tried to jump at me but the rope that's tying them to the bed stopped them.

I can't just stand here. I have to get them free.

So with that objective in mind, I went behind them get the ropes removed. But the removal of the rope proved to difficult so I went back to where Night kept her knives and used that to cut the rope instead.

After a quick work on the rope, I freed them from their restraint but as soon as I did, they went held me tightly, not even giving me an opportunity to keep the knife away so I just threw it on the floor.

Their hold was quite tight that it's starting to hurt but I didn't say anything on the matter and simply let them do what they want. And in return, I held their heads and pulled it closer. Being hug liked this is comforting and it reassures me that what Celidonia said might be right. That everything is going to be alright.

And from this point on, with the guilt that I'm feeling and the relief that accompanied it, I truly think that. At least I wanted to.

There's something amiss in all of this. In particular, their hug. It's cold. It's missing a vital factor as to why I find being held like this comforting. They aren't warm.

From that very fact, the guilt that I'm feeling was overshadowed by this fear as to what the heck just happened to them. With this, my grip on their heads became slightly stronger.

Sensing my distress, Sun and Night looked up towards me. Their gazes I met with mine and I'm shocked to what I just saw.

Their eyes became red. Just like mine.

"What's wrong, Snow? You look like you saw a [ghost]..."

Sun said as she moved her head closer to mine. Our cheeks practically touching now.

"I'm glad... You're alright, Snow... If we lost you, the only thing that I can think of on doing is [suicide]."

Then Night spoke next, rubbing the side of her head on my chest. Then, she placed her slightly scratched... No, perfectly unharmed hand on my other cheek and gently caressed it.

A find this action soothing, calming even. But like before, there's no warmth. The warm hand that held me before is gone now.

And it seems that their regeneration had improved as well. And no, Sun didn't do her healing magic to heal their injuries from the rope. It's their bodies innate regeneration.

I don't remember them having that absurd regeneration. As far as I've observed, humans don't have the kind of fast regeneration.

I have an inkling of an idea as to what had happened to them but I shouldn't go and assume things. I'll ask them what happened to them.

"Yes... I'm sorry for worrying you two... And for breaking my promise. I'm truly sorry."

"No! You don't have to apologize! It's our fault for making you promise such a thing. I'm sure you've been troubled by that, right? Because you're such a kind girl."

Night blurted that out in a panic like it's something so important for me to hear.

"That's right... It's because of us that you've agonized over it. I'm sorry... If you want, we'll take our own lives? Anything that will make up for what we've done when we were so ignorant of your worth. Anything... We'll do anything."

"Wh—huh?"

What is Sun saying? Taking their own lives? That's simply absurd! I don't want that! What made her think that?

"Like what Sun had said. Anything... Be it for your pleasure or satisfaction... We'll happily do it."

Now they're panting like overheated wolves. They're practically trying to stick themselves on me right now and they're faces are filled with expectation. Probably due to their sudden declaration of wanting to do anything for me which I don't particularly hate.

Does 'this' have anything to do with them saying such dangerous sounding words? The 'this' being the fact that they seem to be just like me. A vampire.

So before they do anything else, I asked first.

"You two... You became like me. When and how?"

"Hm? What are you saying? Our worth couldn't come close to yours."

"What? No. I meant that you're not human anymore."

"Huh?"

They were quite surprised when I told them that. Don't they realize themselves?

"Here. You're not warm anymore."

I grabbed their hand and placed them on top of each other. But their expression suggests that they didn't get it.

"I don't feel any difference. It's more like it's you who became warm. You don't feel cold anymore."

"Really?"

No. What Night said can't be right. I don't feel any different myself. They're the ones that became different.

Oh, that's right. I could get them to see their reflection. But we don't have any mirrors here... Maybe I can use water?

Wait, can't I just ask them to look at each other? That way, they can see their differences in appearance. Their red eyes and pale skin would surely surprise them.

Isn't that such an obvious method? Surely they must have seen each other by now so they should have realized it.

And so I told them.

"Look at each other's faces."

"Hm? Why?"

"Just look."

With a doubtful look, the two did it anyway and looked at each other. But their reaction to that isn't what I'm expecting. Rather, there's no reaction at all. Haven't they saw their different eye color? Surely they have. I don't think they're blind since they could clearly see.

So what's with the unsurprised face?

"Nothing's wrong?"

"What do you mean, Snow?"

What do you...? Haah?

"Your eyes. They're different. Red."

"You mean that? Don't worry about that, Snow. I think our eyes just got sore from all that crying that we've done. It'll return to normal in a few hours."

So Sun explained. I don't think that their irises would get that red from just being 'sore'. It's hard to believe that explanation.

"What about the pale skin?"

"Do we have pale skin? It must have been just the lighting in here."

Well, that might be it. The windows are covered by a cloth for some reason so there isn't much light in here but I'm not sure that it's a good reason to ignore that you might actually have pale skin.

I could open the windows for them but the possibility of them being a vampire, who is weak to sunlight, like what Lacorte had said, I might just end up hurting them if I did that.

I'm still unsure about this but if they really not vampires, then they shouldn't react to what I'm about to do.

I got off the bed and picked up the knife that I just threw on the floor.

With this knife, I made a small incision on my palm, oozing a small amount of blood before the wound closes up.

The smell slightly tickles my nose but not to the point of making me suddenly hungry since it is my own blood after all. But as for the two, it's a completely different story.

I saw their eyes staring at the blood on my palm longingly. I could only think of one species that would desire for blood. Vampires.

Somehow, at some point when I was gone, these two have turned into a vampire. And the cause of that, I could only be me. But how? I don't know? Maybe it's my bite then but that means that Celidonia would turn into one as well?

Oh no... This can't be good...

I didn't mean for any of this to happen... for them to turn into a vampire because of me. I gave them something that they didn't agree on and they might hate me for it. No, I'm sure that they do, even if they don't say it.

They just don't want to upset me. And now, Celidonia might turn into one as well.

Oh no... I really messed up. No matter how I twist it in my head, it's all my fault.

"What's this...? Why do I feel thirsty all of the sudden...?"

"It's not just you, Lilia... Me as well. Hey, Snow, what's that in your hand? It smells tasty."

"... It's my blood."

"Your blood? But why would I find your blood tasty...? No, could it be that..."

Night went into thought but her eyes are still fixated on my palm. On the blood that's steadily dripping toward the bedroom floor.

"So this is what you meant by us becoming like you... We're not human anymore?"

To Sun's question, I simply nodded. Then Sun's face became troubled.

Troubled because of what I did to them. I'm sure she's thinking like that. And like Sun, Night is surely thinking of how absurd this is.

When they've cared for me so much but all I did as repayment was to turn them into something they didn't ask for.

The guilt from before felt like it doubled. Aren't I so shameless to go and show myself to them? They must be thinking that I'm sure. They think that I'm a shameless monster even lower than a goblin for turning them into a vampire. To selfishly drink their blood for my own satisfaction.

They hate me. They hate the state that they've suddenly found themselves into. And it's all because of me. They hate me...

"Then, Snow, we're just like you now?"

Night asked me as she rubbed that certain spot on her neck. The spot where I made that mark that I bit them on their skin. And now it's gone. It healed completely because they've turned into a vampire.

Suddenly, Sun began to cry. Tears flowed down from her eyes towards her chin. It must be because of that. The fact that they're not human anymore.

She's saddened by that fact so much that she began to cry and I just stood there, looking at her as I felt disgusted with how horrible of a person I am.

"... I'm sorry."

"Wait! Why are you apologizing for all of the sudden!?"

Sun said in a fluster. Her voice cracking mid-sentence because she's crying.

And because if that, I became greatly confused.

"Because I've turned you into... something not human."

"No! I'm not upset about it. In fact, I'm really happy!"

"But... Your crying?"

"Am I? I'm sorry. It's because I'm just so happy...! With this, I felt closer with you, Snow. Now we're the same kind."

She then wiped away the tears off her eyes but since more kept coming, it proved to be a futile effort but she tried again and again.

She said she was happy about and seeing her smile, I couldn't possibly doubt that.

I then turned to Night and as I saw her before, she was still staring at my palm. Her breathing was awfully heavy and a bit of her saliva is coming out of her mouth.

Eventually, she noticed I was staring at her and she immediately jolted upright but her gaze was still directed at my palm.

"Ha... It's the same for me, Snow... Now, I could understand you more, Snow... I'll be able to be of better use for you... But this thirst, it's... Ha... Snow, let me lick your hand, I beg of you!"

She looked so much in pain so I immediately went and presented my bloodied hand to her to which she greedily licked. After my whole hand is completely clean, she pulled back with an extremely satisfied expression in her face.

"Hey, Snow... Feed me too..."

As Sun requested, I made a small cut on my hand once again and let it bleed. After a second, the wound closed and I presented my hand to Sun. Like Night, she greedily licked my hand, fingers and all, until there's none left.

Their faces are dyed in red, emitting a fragrant scent inside the room.

I'm thoroughly confused by all of this... And now, I'm slightly hungry myself.