The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies

Chapter 80

Adele was unaware of the brewing conflict between Hermione and Dorothy. She simply had a feeling, a gut instinct, that Dorothy’s “surprise” involved Hermione.

It would explain Hermione’s unexpected visit on Friday night, her uncharacteristic behavior. Something major must have happened, or was about to happen, to make Hermione act so out of character.

And her abrupt departure the next morning... it all pointed to a single conclusion.

Hermione, the Ice Queen, and Dorothy, the Vampire Princess, were about to clash.

But to confirm her suspicions, Adele needed to go to the training ground.

She abandoned her messy desk, her textbooks left open, and hurried out of the classroom, her pink eyes filled with anxiety.

Even in her haste, she was a vision of grace, her slender legs carrying her swiftly down the hallway, her blue skirt swirling around her.

Tang Linlang followed Adele to the door, her hand reaching out as if to stop her, to ask what was wrong, to offer her assistance...

But she hesitated, perhaps sensing the urgency in Adele’s movements, and let her go, her hand falling to her side.

She wished Adele would run towards her with the same fervor...

..................

The primary function of Chromwell Academy was to *filter*.

Like a sieve, it separated the strong from the weak, the loyal from the rebellious, guiding each student towards their rightful place within the vampire hierarchy.

It was the unspoken purpose of most vampire academies.

And the ranking battles were a particularly effective method of identifying the most promising individuals. They were held regularly for second and third-year students, while the first-years observed from the sidelines.

The fourth-years, having already matured and chosen their paths, were exempt from this brutal assessment.

It was a chance to prove oneself, to earn recognition, to secure valuable resources. Some students relished the opportunity, eager to make a name for themselves, to defy expectations, to overcome the limitations of their bloodlines and conquer those of higher rank.

There had been instances where lower-ranking vampires had triumphed over their superiors, shocking the audience and earning the admiration of their peers.

The academy seemed to encourage such upsets. It was a very human concept, after all: anyone could rise to the top, regardless of their origins. Unlike the vampires, who clung to their rigid bloodline hierarchy.

But more often than not, the ranking battles simply reinforced the existing power structure, the higher-ranking vampires crushing their inferiors without mercy.

At the training ground, the Student Council and the Black Feather Society maintained a clear division, each organization responsible for overseeing their designated areas. But at the boundary between their territories, the animosity between the two factions was palpable.

On one side, the Student Council, representing the humans. On the other, the Black Feather Society, representing the vampires.

But her attention was quickly drawn to a more captivating figure.

Dorothy, the Vampire Princess, resplendent in a crimson and black gothic gown, a black lace choker adorning her slender neck.

She held a bouquet of blue roses, their fragrance intoxicating, her boots clicking against the floor with each graceful step, a rhythm that echoed in the hearts of those around her, quickening their pulse.

She seemed annoyed by her early arrival, her pink lips pouting slightly. But no one would dare to call the princess “cute”, even though it was the most fitting description.

Lady Edith despised humans, which was why she had made the Black Feather Society exclusive to vampires. But her feelings towards Dorothy were more complex.

Dorothy’s royal status meant that she would never bow to anyone. Lady Edith, despite her desire to recruit talented individuals, would never be able to sway Dorothy to join her organization. It would be a pointless endeavor, a surefire way to undermine her own authority.

Dorothy was a force of nature, a power Lady Edith could never control.

Some even claimed that Dorothy, even alone, was a force to be reckoned with, a third faction within the academy.

Hermione, the twins... they were merely ornaments, enhancing Dorothy’s already formidable power.

Many believed that Hermione, with her mastery of elemental magic, would prevail in this conflict.

But Lady Edith had a different opinion. She was certain that Dorothy would win, or at the very least, wouldn’t lose.

She set down her teacup, her lips curving into a smile. She descended the platform, her movements graceful and fluid, and approached Dorothy, bowing respectfully.

Dorothy extended her hand, her expression impassive.

Lady Edith took it, her touch reverent, and pressed a kiss to Dorothy’s pinky finger, a gesture of fealty.

The vampire kiss of fealty. The location of the kiss carried specific meaning. A kiss on the ring finger, for example, symbolized a romantic relationship.

Rumor had it that the human tradition of wearing wedding rings on the ring finger originated from this ancient vampire custom.

“Congratulations on your victory,” Lady Edith said, her voice laced with amusement.

Dorothy, however, ignored her. Her gaze was fixed on the entrance to the training ground.

A girl stood there, panting slightly, her cheeks flushed, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Adele.

She had arrived just in time.

And she had witnessed the exchange between Lady Edith and Dorothy, her eyes widening in surprise.