Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 374: Something She Held Sacred In Her Heart

”My Lady, please reconsider,” Eleanora said in a serious tone. ”You mustn’t get too close to Alex Stratos. Not only is his status too low, but the organization has also set its sights on him.”

”Eleanora, do you think Alex is a very talented person?” Evangeline asked as she looked out of the window of her room, which had a view of the academy’s garden.

”My Lady, if you mean talent for causing trouble, then yes, Alex Stratos is very talented, extremely so,” Eleanora replied. ”In other words, he’s talented for the wrong reasons. I greatly advise you to stop any attempt to reach out to him.”

”Then, do you think he’s a very capable person?” Evangeline inquired.

”I think I already answered that in your first question, My Lady.” Eleanora sighed.

Evangeline nodded. ”You’re right. Which brings me to the conclusion that he’s someone worthy to be recruited. It’s an option to pull him under our banner, no?”

”I’m very sure My Lord does not think in the same direction as you, My Lady,” Eleanora stated.

”You think so?” Evangeline smiled faintly. ”Anyway, if we think differently, so be it. My father and I don’t really get along, so his opinion doesn’t matter either way.”

Eleanora was itching to rebuke and tell her that if someone else from their organization heard what she had just said, they’d definitely think she had gone crazy.

The words of an Executive were like law within their organization.

Granted, there were four such people, but their numbers didn’t change the fact that they were the driving force that grew the Demon Worshipers into the organization it is today.

”My Lady... please. Don’t do this. You’ll only attract trouble to yourself.”

”You can leave now, Eleanora. I’ll call you when I’m in need of your services.”

Evangeline’s tone was firm, making Eleanora flinch.

Although she was older than her Mistress by a year, her seniority amounted to nothing given Evangeline’s status within the organization.

”As you wish, My Lady,” Eleanora replied before leaving reluctantly. ”But if I may remind you, My Lady, Alex is already in knee-deep trouble with our organization. Even if you succeed in bringing him under your wing, you don’t have the power to stop the other members from targeting him.”

After saying everything she needed to say, Eleanora finally left the room.

When she was certain that her handmaiden was truly gone, a sigh escaped Evangeline’s lips.

She could still remember that fateful day eight years ago when she first tried to escape from their estate.

The weather had turned for the worse, and she found herself facing a blizzard, which reduced visibility to zero.

In search of a safe place to take shelter, she continued walking.

After what seemed like forever, she saw a mansion in the distance and hurriedly made her way in that direction.

Unfortunately, just as she neared its gate, her strength finally gave way, and she collapsed on the cold ground.

Snow slowly piled up on top of her, and the only thing she thought of that time was, ”I’m hungry and cold.”

It was then that someone came to her rescue and helped her up from the ground.

Her hunger had made her delirious at that point, so upon smelling the rich scent of blood on the boy who helped her up, she didn’t hesitate to hug him tightly before sinking her fangs into his neck.

That was Evangeline’s first bloodthirst, and the boy’s blood was the first one she’d ever tasted.

Her vampiric powers then came to life, allowing her to regain her strength and senses.

Upon realizing what she had done then, she had felt confused and horrified of herself.

Just as she was about to panic, the boy lightly patted her back and head.

”Are you done feeding?” the boy asked. ”Have you calmed down? If so, let’s go inside the house. It’s cold out here.”

With a strength that surpassed his age and body, the boy carried Evangeline inside the mansion.

He gently set her down near the fireplace, then tossed a few logs inside it to warm up the room even further.

Evangeline looked in the distance, recalling that still-vivid scene in her memories.

A memory that changed her life in more ways than one.

———

”What’s your name?” the boy asked after covering the girl with a blanket.

”Evangeline,” Evangeline replied. ”How about you? What’s your name?”

”Aetherius Alexian Vademont,” Aetherius answered with pride. ”That’s my name! Remember the name of your Prince!”

”My Prince?”

”That’s right. I am a Prince. You’ve drunk my blood, so you need to pay for it. Do you have money?”

”I-I don’t have money,”

Aetherius placed his hands on his waist. ”That’s not good. My blood is very precious. According to Uncle, a drop of my blood is equivalent to a hundred thousand gold coins.”

A faint smile appeared on Evangeline’s lips after recalling this part of her memory. She’d been so scared back then, unsure how she could pay him back.

”Don’t worry, there’s a way for you to pay me back,” Aetherius stated. ”From now on, you will become my maid. I’ll give you free food and lodging. Your pay will be deducted to make up for what you owe me.”

”Maid?” Evangeline frowned. ”I’ll become your maid?”

”That’s right.” Aetherius nodded. ”Those who don’t work don’t get paid. You took my blood, so you owe me money. But since you don’t have any, you must work so you can pay me. This is common sense, you know?”

”But...”

”No buts. I already decided that you will be my maid.”

And thus, Evangeline started her duty as the Prince’s maid. But the training she received wasn’t just for the sake of serving someone.

She was taught to read and write, as well as proper noble etiquette.

Evangeline also studied side by side with Aetherius, under the watchful eye of his uncle, whom Evangeline had learned to call Uncle Luthor.

For some reason, Luthor didn’t ask Evangeline about her background or where she came from.

He just accepted her as she was and treated her like his own granddaughter.

Two years passed, and those years were probably the happiest in Evangeline’s life.

Although there were many ups and downs along the way, like her drinking the Prince’s blood whenever she was unable to hold back her bloodthirst, she still lived happily in that mansion located in a remote area of the mountain.

But all good things come to an end. In her case, it was the day Evangeline’s father appeared after not seeing her during those two precious years she held sacred in her heart.