Manic

Li Yue turned her head slightly. She realized Movella did not want to answer the question directly. She looked at Clo as if asking for her opinion. Hesitation flickered in Clo’s deep blue eyes, but she still gave Li Yue a slight nod.

“I can,” Li Yue agreed. She made an effort to stand up, showing that she was not yet so weak that she needed to be confined to a wheelchair all day. Her steps were a bit shaky, but steady enough.

“Then please, come this way. Our banquet is about to begin.” Movella spoke with a melodic quality. Her words seemed to drift into one’s heart, causing their mood to unconsciously relax and soothe.

Clo gently put her arm around Li Yue. It looked like an embrace, but she was actually lightening the burden of Li Yue’s walking. If Li Yue’s condition continued to decline, she would not mind feeding Li Yue with her own blood, provided the other was willing.

“A Yue...” Clo gently poked Li Yue’s small face. She looked at Li Yue’s serious profile, her fingers restlessly poking again and again. Li Yue could do nothing about it. Like a deflated balloon, her cold aura vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of weary indulgence and helplessness.

“A Yue is like a prickly little hedgehog with its quills standing up,” Clo said with a hint of a smile.

“Perhaps I am too weak now... If I do not show my only claws, I will be like a balloon, popped by a single testing poke.” Li Yue reflected on her attitude. There was indeed such a psychological factor at play, but more than that, it was the unbearable sensation, as if countless ants were crawling through her veins.

That ethereal desire had turned into a tangible sensation, torturing Li Yue’s body and mind. She finally understood why those blood demons were so extremely frenzied for flesh and blood.

Walking up the steps covered in red carpet felt more taxing than usual. Li Yue felt her body growing increasingly exhausted. Would a blood demon truly die without blood products? Li Yue did not know... She had never considered how she might die.

Before entering the inner hall of the banquet, they had to pass through an emerald green door. It was said to be a replica of the Triumphal Arch built a century ago by the Royal Court emperor before his northern expedition.

“Miss Movella... who are these two young ladies?” A tall woman wearing a man’s suit seemed to have been waiting there for a long time. Her clothing featured gold vertical patterns, depicting a nightingale with spread wings.

“Miss Night Dew, please prepare two more chairs for the inner banquet.” Movella smiled faintly. Night Dew looked at the two girls behind Movella. The sensation of death, woven with paleness and crimson, made her shoulders tremble involuntarily.

“Is she... someone from the Royal Court...”

“I do not know. She only looks the part, but her appearance and magical aura... they are simply too similar,” Movella said softly. The melodic fluctuations of her voice seemed to change, ensuring only Night Dew could hear what she was saying.

Li Yue’s brow twitched. A helpless expression appeared in her blood colored eyes. Her dark vertical pupils glanced at Clo, seemingly intending to communicate.

“Did they say something?” Clo asked in a low voice. She was focused on helping Li Yue walk up the small steps. The fair skin of Li Yue’s calves peeking from the hem of her black dress had caught her attention, causing her to miss the discreet exchange between the two women.

“They said I might be some important figure from the Royal Court.” The corner of Li Yue’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. She glanced toward the corner with her blood colored eyes, a faint trace of amusement appearing within them.

“How did you hear them?”

“They did not cover their lips when they spoke.”

“...”

“Do you two have any dietary restrictions?” Movella asked with a gentle smile. As they walked, she continued, “We have a private box on the third floor with a very good view. If you like, we can enjoy the introductory music below while we dine.”

“The theme of this performance is Requiem. It is to soothe the great soul of the deceased principal and to express our mourning.” Movella made a gesture of invitation, ushering Li Yue and Clo into the box. Blood red velvet covered the walls of the room, creating an atmosphere that was both confined and cozy.

“Please, when the performance reaches its climax, join us in standing for a moment of silence.” Movella placed her hand over her heart, her expression sincere and earnest.

“We will,” Clo promised softly. Her hand lightly brushed against Li Yue’s small hand. Li Yue also nodded, indicating she would join the moment of silence, even though she had always felt a strange sensation regarding death.

The greatest harm of death did not seem to be for the deceased who was now alone, but rather the torture it inflicted on those still struggling to live. Only when they fully accepted death would the throbbing pain it brought disappear. Only by experiencing the death of others could one eventually face their own death with composure.

While they were talking, a waiter walked over and whispered a few words into Movella’s ear. Movella nodded slightly.

Clo gently touched Li Yue’s fingers. On the back of Clo’s hand, she lightly traced words.

“She said: the food can be served.” Li Yue pursed her lips and finished by gently pinching Clo’s small face.

The waiter brought over several small booklets. Movella placed them aside without opening them. Clo followed her lead and set hers aside as well, while Li Yue glanced at hers with indifference.

It was a menu, listing many dishes with long, redundant names. Most of them noted a specific ingredient from a certain region, along with its preparation technique and pairings.

“I want to maintain a sense of freshness and anticipation, so I did not look at the menu. It seems this young lady is someone who does not care for surprises.” Movella gave a playful smile.

Steak, foie gras, truffles, squab... is there nothing raw... I really want to... I really want to take this Great Mage lady in front of me and...

She covered her forehead, trying to ignore and forget these bizarre and dangerous thoughts.

Tch... this is... irritating.

Li Yue looked at the crackers in front of her, topped with dark green caviar. She did not have much of an appetite. If the point of eating was to stay alive by filling one’s stomach, then this meal was useless to Li Yue.

Why am I feeling this way?

It is as if I can always hear... the whispers of the dead?

What... what is it saying...

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”