Inside this exquisite little restaurant, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than Sairi had expected. She had originally thought it would be one of those very serious “business dinners.”
Liliath sat at the head of the table, with Hilvia and Sairi seated on either side.
The table was laden with carefully prepared dishes from the Vampire Royal Palace’s kitchen, including roast poultry, fragrant pan-seared fish fillets, fresh vegetable salads, and various aromatic breads and soups suited to human tastes.
There were also a few plates of more “special” dishes, emanating an aura of energy—clearly delicacies meant for vampires.
Of course, there was no shortage of exquisite desserts that every girl loved, along with a large jug of fruit juice.
At least, Sairi really liked all the food on the table. Whether for humans or vampires, she found everything acceptable.
Liliath elegantly sipped a glass of deep red liquid—not blood, but a specially brewed wine—and looked over at Hilvia with her crimson eyes, casually asking,
“Alright then, Hilvia, what are your plans next? Where will you go? Surely, you can’t return to the royal capital, right?”
Hilvia was cutting a tender piece of chicken with her fork and knife. Upon hearing this, her movements paused for a moment. A faint shadow crossed her ice-blue eyes before she answered steadily,
“Hm, there’s no place for me there anymore. I plan to heal my wounds first, then… maybe explore other parts of the world, or perhaps visit the border regions. There has to be a way.”
Hilvia’s plan sounded vague; it was clear the road ahead was uncertain, as there were people who would try to stop her.
Liliath swirled her wine glass lazily and said, “Sounds troublesome—and dangerous. Those people from the kingdom, especially that old dog Barrios, definitely won’t let you off easily.”
She glanced at Sairi, who was busily devouring her food with her cheeks puffed out, and a smile curved at the corner of her lips.
“Well, since this little darling is now part of my lineage anyway, why don’t… you both just stay here for a while?”
“Eh?”
Hilvia looked at Liliath with some surprise.
To be honest, although Hilvia had known Liliath for a long time, she had never actually lived with her. This proposal touched Hilvia a little.
Of course, while the two were talking, a certain little glutton was currently devouring everything in sight.
Liliath shrugged, feigning indifference.
“The palace is huge. A couple more won’t matter. You can rest here without worry, and maybe… get a taste of vampire life? I guarantee it’s different from what you imagine~ As for Sairi…”
She looked at Sairi, who had already quickly finished a plate of roast ribs and was reaching for a strawberry tart across the table, smiling.
“I think she’s adapting quite well here, at least for now she doesn’t have to drift around with you, constantly chased by kingdom hunters.”
Hilvia looked at Liliath. Although the other’s tone was a bit haughty, she could feel the kindness behind it.
Staying at the Vampire Royal Palace was indeed the safest option for now, and wandering outside with Sairi wasn’t a good choice—if she were ambushed someday, Sairi would be in great danger.
It wasn’t right.
Besides, Sairi was so innocent; she had never seen much and didn’t understand the world’s dangers. Taking such a pure-hearted child out alone would be reckless.
Hilvia pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Then… I’ll trouble you, Liliath. Thank you.”
“Hmph, good, I’m glad you understand.”
Liliath snorted smugly, clearly in a better mood.
Afterward, the two talked more about the situation in the royal capital, recent events in the Blood Spirit Empire, and some past trivial matters (deliberately avoiding potentially unpleasant topics).
The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
As they chatted, Hilvia and Liliath almost simultaneously noticed that ever since the little one entered the restaurant, one person at the table had been unusually quiet.
Only the faint sounds of cutlery clinking and chewing came from that direction.
They both stopped their conversation and turned to look at Sairi.
Several plates in front of Sairi were already empty, and she was sweeping away all the food within reach at an astonishing pace.
One small hand held a half-eaten lamb chop, while the other stretched toward a chocolate lava cake far away.
Her head nearly buried in the plate, she was so engrossed in her food that she hadn’t noticed their conversation had stopped and all eyes were on her.
Liliath and Hilvia cleared their throats lightly, trying to get Sairi’s attention.
But Sairi didn’t respond and continued her battle with a piece of honey-glazed roasted pumpkin.
Liliath couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Hey, little foodie, are you planning to eat the whole table too?”
Only then did Sairi look up in a daze, her mouth still smeared with shiny grease and a few crumbs of cake. Her pink eyes were filled with innocent confusion: “Huh? You guys… finished talking already?”
Seeing Sairi’s adorable and innocent look, Hilvia and Liliath exchanged glances, both seeing a gleam of amusement and a hint of playful mischief in each other’s eyes.
At least during these days at the Vampire Royal Palace, there would be a little bundle of joy always around them.
“Looks like we neglected our little guest and didn’t let her eat enough.”
Liliath teased as she picked up the chocolate lava cake that Sairi couldn’t reach and placed it in front of her.
She wanted to see how Sairi would react, to see if she’d appreciate the elder’s care.
Hilvia also smiled and pushed over a plate of what looked like very soft baked scallops with cheese.
“Take it slow, Sairi. No one’s snatching your food.”
Sairi’s eyes instantly lit up several degrees when more food was placed before her, and she happily mumbled,
“Thank you, Hilvia-neechan! Thank you, Liliath!”
Then she dove right back into her “battle.”
Liliath watched as Sairi devoured her food with cheeks puffed like a little hamster, finding it utterly amusing. She then turned to Vera, who was quietly standing nearby, and instructed,
“Vera, have the kitchen prepare some more… yeah, double the portions. Focus on meat and desserts, bring them over.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Vera bowed slightly and silently withdrew to carry out the order.
With two “older sisters” actively feeding her, Sairi ate even more joyfully.
Previously, her short arms had trouble reaching food a bit far away, but now Hilvia and Liliath seemed to take pleasure in bringing every dish to her, watching her consume everything at an almost “devouring” speed before letting out satisfied sighs.
Seeing Sairi’s oil-smeared mouth, chubby cheeks, and adorable focused expression, Hilvia and Liliath’s playful spirits were ignited once more.
Because it was just too delicious.
Ever since reincarnating into this world, Sairi had discovered so many tasty foods. Life with Grandma had been tight financially, so she hadn’t eaten much good food before.
Now, with two strong older sisters feeding her, she enjoyed every bite even more.
Liliath was the first to pick up a small juicy piece of honeydew melon, bringing it to Sairi’s mouth, her crimson eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Here, Sairi, ah—try this, it’s really sweet~”
Almost at the same time, Hilvia didn’t want to be outdone. She speared a plump meatball drenched in sauce with her fork and gently offered it over.
“Sairi, try this meatball. It’s very tasty.”
Two hands, two different foods, hovered at Sairi’s lips simultaneously.
Sairi, who was busy eating, suddenly found herself surrounded by two tempting aromas and froze.
She looked up, glanced at the sweet melon on Liliath’s side, then the enticing meatball on Hilvia’s side, and instinctively swallowed hard (even though her mouth was still full).
Liliath and Hilvia exchanged a glance, and it was as if invisible sparks crackled in the air.
Both wore smiles, but their eyes clearly said: “Choose me!”
Sairi was momentarily stunned.
Although they were both feeding her, judging by their expressions and eyes, this was not just a simple act of giving food.
So this seemingly simple feeding turned into a silent, subtle contest over who Sairi favored more.
They weren’t really opposing each other, more like a tacit, playful competition between friends full of affection and teasing.
They just wanted to see whose food Sairi would eat first. The one eaten first would be happy; the second one wouldn’t truly be upset but would feign sadness, prompting Sairi to comfort her.
Sairi looked at one, then the other, her pink eyes full of indecision and confusion.
Both older sisters were so kind to her—how could she choose? Rejecting either one would hurt their feelings, right? (Her little mind automatically imagined scenarios.)
Sairi never liked multiple-choice questions because they were dangerous, and in this case, choosing either side wasn’t right!
Liliath raised an eyebrow, shaking the honeydew melon. “Hm? Not a fan of sweets anymore?”
Hilvia smiled and brought the meatball a little closer. “It’s best eaten warm.”
The pressure was on Sairi. Her little face scrunched up, feeling even harder than facing Barrios’ ambush.
***
In the end, Sairi steeled herself, closed her eyes, and made a “shocking” decision—she suddenly opened her food-streaked little mouth and thrust her head forward with lightning speed!
“Ah-woo!”
Sairi bit down simultaneously on both Liliath’s fingertip holding the melon and Hilvia’s fork with the meatball.
“!!!”
Liliath and Hilvia froze, completely unprepared for Sairi’s move.
I want it all.jpg
This was Sairi’s unique technique—when faced with a choice, either pick neither or pick both. If that doesn’t work, just procrastinate.
Sairi successfully stuffed both foods into her mouth, but the vigorous move splattered juice and sauce on her nose and cheeks, making her look even more comical.
Her cheeks puffed full, she chewed hard and mumbled indistinctly, “Mmm… both taste good… I like both…”
Watching Sairi’s greedy “can’t choose between two favorites” look, as well as her clumsy yet earnest little expression, Liliath and Hilvia were initially stunned, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“Hahaha! You greedy little one!”
Liliath laughed so hard tears nearly came out, pulling back her bitten finger but not minding at all, finding it extremely amusing.
Hilvia also couldn’t help but smile, taking out a napkin to wipe the juice and sauce from Sairi’s face.
“All right, all right, eat slowly. No one’s snatching your food. Be careful not to choke.”
This silent “feeding competition” ended with Sairi’s “I want it all” strategy and hilarious performance, lightening the mood even further.
Afterward, Liliath and Hilvia finished their lunches—Liliath mainly sipping some special brew and tasting vampire-exclusive delicacies, Hilvia eating normally.
As for Sairi, she single-handedly swept away nearly all the food on the table, including the two entire new dishes that Vera had the kitchen send over later.
Looking at the empty plates and Sairi’s still sparkling eyes, seemingly ready to eat more, Hilvia smiled indulgently and explained to a stunned Liliath about Sairi’s “Special Physique,” a bottomless pit that only took in food but never expelled it—otherwise, she’d have eaten through all the royal palace’s food reserves.
“…So basically, anything she eats is completely absorbed and converted into energy by her body, with almost no waste and… no need for excretion.”
Hilvia concluded, though this was only her guess based on current signs.
Liliath listened, mouth agape, disbelief shining in her crimson eyes. “There’s such a physique?! No wonder she can eat so much!” (Even though Sairi had told her earlier that Liliath herself also had a Special Physique.)
Liliath turned to look at Sairi’s still-flat belly, feeling centuries of vampire knowledge being rewritten.
She quickly raised her hand to stop Vera, who was about to order more food from the kitchen.
“That’s enough, enough! Don’t add any more!”
Liliath said with lingering dread.
“If she eats any more, I’m afraid she’ll clear out the palace’s cellar reserves. And Mother will definitely ask me about the soaring food expenses. She’s not going to die if she doesn’t eat, so let’s keep it reasonable!”
Liliath finally understood how the kitchen had been “ravaged” yesterday.
If Sairi were allowed to eat without limits, she would surely deplete all food reserves, and the palace’s food budget would be blown—too costly to maintain.
Sairi licked her lips with a hint of regret but, seeing Liliath’s firm expression, obediently nodded.
Having enjoyed this “magnificent” lunch, all three felt thoroughly satisfied, especially Sairi.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting a lazy, pleasant glow.
Liliath stretched and suggested to the two,
“I’m a bit drowsy after eating, but sleeping now would be a waste of time. Let’s go—I’ll take you to my private garden to walk around and help digest. There are many rare and exotic flowers there that you won’t find outside.”
The proposal was met with enthusiastic agreement from Sairi and a smiling nod from Hilvia.
So, the three rose and prepared to head to the mysterious garden Liliath had mentioned, continuing this unexpectedly peaceful and enjoyable afternoon together.