ISWTDB Ch171

Chapter 171: Be Your Steward (7, 8)

Ying Zhao hurriedly straightened up upon seeing the situation, smoothing out the wrinkles on his clothes, intending to greet Fritsch.

Beside him, Dempus felt quite displeased with Ying Zhao’s behavior. He thought to himself that a mere inexperienced brat didn’t deserve such respect from his beloved

However, before Ying Zhao could step outside, the studio’s main door unexpectedly swung open on its own.

Fritsch was a close friend of the original owner, Asa, for many years. As the head of the Giovanni family, his status was naturally not to be underestimated.

Originally, he and the original owner had merely been acquaintances. However, after many years of collaboration, their relationship had become increasingly intimate.

It could be said that Fritsch and the Giovanni family had helped the original owner quite a lot over the years.

After all, although the Cappadocia family possessed ancient and mysterious powers, none of the bloodline clans could rival the Giovanni family in business.

The original owner hoped to help Dempus strengthen the clan, which naturally required sufficient financial resources and status in the modern era.

Even if the clan genuinely lacked money, they still needed to maintain a certain public status to better deal with various situations.

To this end, Asa had always been very grateful to Fritsch.

With Dempus having slept for so many years, the entire Cappadocia family naturally followed the original owner’s lead.

Fritsch often came to find Asa, and over time, he became very familiar with this villa.

After waiting for a while in the living room without seeing anyone, Fritsch decided to go straight to the studio to look for him.

However, he didn’t expect that upon opening the main door, he would find his friend together with Dempus, who had just woken up.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Fritsch considered Dempus to be an old fellow. Although they were both third-generation vampires, Dempus was among the earliest to become a third-generation vampire. 

Thus, he was several hundred years older than Fritsch.

In Fritsch’s eyes, he was naturally much younger than Dempus.

Noticing the somewhat strange atmosphere in the room, Fritsch nodded gently to Dempus without showing any emotion.

Then he walked up to Ying Zhao and smiled at him, saying, “Asa, you haven’t come to see me in a long time.”

“How’s that painting you promised me doing?”

As Fritsch spoke, he reached out and patted Ying Zhao on the shoulder, his face full of anticipation.

Hearing the other’s words, Ying Zhao briefly recalled the original owner’s memories. He remembered that the original owner had mentioned in a casual chat with Fritsch about the business at the port in H country.

That was a lucrative piece of business, but it had always been controlled by the Giovanni family.

Fritsch wanted his friend to get involved and share in the profits, so he joked that he could let the Cappadocia family join the cooperation, but he wanted Asa to paint a portrait for him as payment.

Of course, this was just a joke. The bloodlines had accumulated vast wealth over their long history.

However, who would ever refuse more wealth? Since such an opportunity had presented itself, the original owner naturally wouldn’t let it slip by.

Moreover, it was just a painting; going along with it wasn’t a difficult thing to do.

So Ying Zhao smiled at Fritsch, recalling the memory, and said, “It’s not finished yet, but I’ll have someone deliver it to you when it’s done.”

Having experienced countless worlds, Ying Zhao, upon seeing Fritsch in front of him, sensed the hidden affection in Fritsch’s eyes for himself.

It seemed normal that Fritsch, having interacted with Asa for a long time, would fall in love with someone of the original owner’s talent.

However, the original owner was quite oblivious to such matters and had never been interested, plus he had a severe cleanliness obsession.

Fritsch, as an ordinary bloodline member, had countless blood servants and bed partners, making it even less likely for the original owner to develop deep feelings for him.

After all, what was most important to the original owner in this world was to take care of the Cappadocia family and handle the matters entrusted to him by Dempus.

However, since Fritsch was one of the few people whom the original owner considered a friend, he naturally looked at him differently.

Especially since Fritsch always took the initiative to find Asa, their familiarity grew with time.

Thus, Fritsch was also the only person, apart from Dempus, who could slightly touch the original owner’s clothing without being dodged.

Ying Zhao didn’t evade Fritsch’s hand that patted his shoulder, and after reviewing the memory, he had a good impression of Fritsch.

Yet, his natural response appeared quite different in Dempus’s eyes.

Dempus naturally knew how severe the original owner’s cleanliness obsession was.

Aside from his own extreme fastidiousness and unwillingness to touch blood, only Asa’s cleanliness would prevent him from directly touching skin to drink blood.

At this moment, however, Fritsch was patting his shoulder, and his beloved showed no reaction at all.

In fact, that usually expressionless face even revealed a smile towards the other person.

This made Dempus’s heart tighten involuntarily, feeling that what he thought was his privilege to touch the original owner was not exclusive to him.

Moreover, had Asa agreed to paint a portrait for Fritsch?

He had thought he was the only one who could get the original owner to paint a portrait, yet someone else had enjoyed such treatment before him.

The joy he had just felt about receiving the portrait was instantly reduced by more than half, and there was even a hint of hatred in Dempus’s gaze towards Fritsch.

So, he wasn’t the most special existence to Asa, was he?

Could it be that Asa was willing to let him touch him just because of the obedience between master and servant?

Was it possible that Asa’s demeanor towards Fritsch was an expression of genuine feelings? 

The mere thought of this made the man feel as if he were suffocating.

Observing the natural interaction between Ying Zhao and Fritsch, Dempus felt a surge of jealousy.

He could no longer contain himself and suddenly stepped forward, blocking Ying Zhao’s path.

With his eyes fixed on Fritsch, he coldly said, “Get out.”

Dempus deliberately infused his voice with pressure, causing Fritsch to furrow his brows and take a step back.

Although he knew that the temperament of this bloodline prince was always capricious, he clearly had not offended the other party.

Noticing that Dempsey had possessively wrapped his arm around Ying Zhao’s shoulder, Fritsch narrowed his eyes.

He was already very good at reading people’s expressions. At this moment, seeing Dempsey’s demeanor, how could he not understand the other’s intentions?

However, he had secretly admired Asa for many years, so how could he willingly lose this opportunity all of a sudden?

They had known each other for a long time, and Fritsch was very clear that Asa regarded Dempsey only as a master and servant, with no romantic feelings involved.

In the past, when Asa came to see him, Dempsey had never behaved this way.

So, what was the sudden hostility about?

Could it be that Dempsey, this old fellow, suddenly became enlightened?

Or was it that he merely regarded Asa as his possession?

Thinking of this, as the head of the Giovanni family, Fritsch also did not intend to lose face.

He coldly snorted at Dempsey, saying, “Prince Dempsey, what exactly do you mean by this?”

“Do you really consider Asa to be your possession?”

“Keep in mind that Asa, like you, is also a third-generation bloodline and does not have to submit to you.”

Upon hearing Fritsch’s words, Dempsey’s arm tightened suddenly.

Because he knew that Fritsch was speaking the truth.

Emotions are always selfish, and at this moment, the two men facing each other naturally could not tolerate each other’s existence.

The atmosphere instantly became tense and confrontational.

Ying Zhao looked at the standoff between Dempsey and Fritsch and helplessly rubbed his forehead.

After all, Dempsey’s outburst was too sudden.

He could only smile apologetically at Fritsch and say, “Fritsch, I’m sorry. You should go back first. I’ll visit your residence when I have time.”

Fritsch glanced at Ying Zhao and also knew that he was indeed no match for the man opposite him.

He nodded and took a step back.

However, Fritsch then took out a black compass from his pocket and handed it to Ying Zhao.

Smiling at him, he said, “Here! I remember Asa, you have always wanted this black compass.”

“When the necromancer was besieged by the church back then, I thought it was destroyed. I happened to see it a few days ago.”

“I remembered you mentioned it, so I kept it for you.”

Seeing the item in his palm, Ying Zhao’s eyes brightened instantly; the black compass was one of the most powerful artifacts of the necromancer.

Although he was now a third-generation bloodline, even without this artifact, he was still quite powerful.

However, the original owner had always had a preference for the necromancer’s artifacts and books. Since Ying Zhao had received the original owner’s memories, he naturally developed an interest in these items as well.

At this moment, seeing the black compass, he couldn’t help but play with it in his hands.

He knew this thing was certainly quite rare and precious, flipping it over and over.

Even his usually expressionless face revealed a noticeable smile as he sincerely said to Fritsch, “Thank you! I really like it!”

Seeing Ying Zhao so fond of it, Fritsch showed a gentle smile.

He softly said, “I’m glad you like it. I’ve also collected some books on necromancy, and I think you would definitely be interested in them.”

“However, I didn’t bring them today. When you come to see me, I’ll show them all to you.”

Ying Zhao nodded in response, indicating that he would definitely visit the residence when he had time, and even walked Fritsch to the gate of the courtyard.

Dempsey followed behind Ying Zhao the whole time, watching the two of them chatting intimately, gritting his teeth in jealousy.

Fritsch, seeing Dempsey’s reaction, revealed a disdainful smile.

After gently bidding farewell to Ying Zhao, he turned and left.

Dempsey felt frustrated as he watched Fritsch’s departing figure. He felt that this bastard had clearly come prepared.

In this era, the relevant artifacts and books left by necromancers were already quite rare.

The other party was able to collect these, clearly intending to win the favor of those around him.

Thinking about how he had been taken care of by the other party all these years, yet had never sent Asa any decent gifts, Dempsey couldn’t help but feel regretful in his heart. He felt that he had lost badly in this round, and his mood became increasingly gloomy.

As he walked from the garden gate of the villa back to the house, Dempsey remained silent.

He kept thinking about how to please his beloved, unconsciously entering the villa.

He subconsciously followed Ying Zhao until they returned to his office.

Seeing Ying Zhao looking at him with some confusion, Dempsey finally came back to his senses.

The man did not say much, but sat down on the sofa nearby.

He saw Ying Zhao holding the black compass, clearly treating it with great care.

He even carefully placed it in an exquisite box, then stuffed it into the drawer on the right side of his desk.

Watching Ying Zhao’s affection for the item that Fritsch gave him, a surge of frustration rose in Dempsey’s heart.

His mind became muddled for a moment, and the man’s eyes suddenly turned fierce.

Then he abruptly stood up, walked to Ying Zhao’s side.

He forcefully grabbed his arm, trapping him in his embrace, and lowered his head to fiercely bite down on his beloved’s lip.

It was a wildly reckless kiss, catching Ying Zhao off guard.

But recalling the original owner’s impression of Dempsey in this small world, it was true that he had always been so capricious.

In the previous second, he was smiling, and in the next second, the man could suddenly explode in anger, not even knowing what bloody and violent things might happen.

However, Dempsey’s behavior did not seem to stem solely from his temperament.

Asa had heard that someone had interfered when Dempsey was about to be transformed into a third-generation bloodline.

They had contaminated his mind with cursed blood, causing Dempsey to be unable to fully control his mind like the bloodlines of the Mokawi family.

It seemed that the biggest problem in this world regarding love lay in his sanity and unpredictable behavior.

Although his beloved had not shown any particularly serious issues yet.

With the original owner’s memories of being a bloodline for many years, he certainly knew how the Mokawi family was perceived by others.

They were called madmen; even the most loathed fellows would fear members of that family.

Although very few people knew the secrets of Dempsey’s situation.

Even the past events had become too old to find the original perpetrator.

It was very likely that the person who did this had long since perished in the previous holy wars.

However, the problems left behind at this moment could not be ignored.

Ying Zhao knew that his beloved could not control his emotions well.

It should be that just now, seeing Fritsch happily chatting with him, Dempsey had become jealous.

Having experienced countless worlds, Ying Zhao, who was well aware of his beloved’s possessive and imaginative nature, sighed helplessly in his heart.

He simply gave in without any resistance, snuggling directly in his beloved’s embrace.

He even tried to cooperate with him, wanting to soothe his emotions.

However, what Ying Zhao did not know was that his obedience did not calm Dempsey’s mood.

Instead, it made the man feel a deep sadness while enjoying the sensations.

Dempsey became increasingly convinced that Ying Zhao was only so obedient because he was his master.

The more the other party acted submissively, the sadder Dempsey felt.

So what if we are really together?

A union of only bodies without souls is not an enjoyment for someone who deeply loves the other person; instead, it is a despairing torment.

Dempus kissed Ying Zhao, and his thoughts grew increasingly radical.

He felt that the person in his arms must like Fritsch.

Otherwise, why would they treasure the gifts he gave them so much?

And why would they allow him to touch them, even agree to let him paint their portrait?

Could it be that he would never obtain this person’s heart?

Just thinking about this made Dempus feel unable to accept it.

His heart ached, and it seemed that even breathing brought pain that transmitted through his limbs.

When did Asa and Fritsch’s relationship become so close?

He clearly remembered that before he fell into a deep sleep, the person in his arms was not very familiar with that Giovanni family’s kid.

So, was it when he fell asleep?

Why did he have to sleep!

Why hadn’t he been by this person’s side for these hundreds of years!

If he hadn’t chosen to sleep back then, they would have already been together, and this person would have belonged to him long ago.

It was he who had personally pushed his beloved away from his side!

The more Dempus thought about it, the more insane he felt.

This person clearly should belong to him; he was the one who had accompanied him for the longest time.

They had spent countless days and nights together, and at this moment, how could Dempus willingly hand him over to someone else?

Thus, the man, who had initially thought to take it slow, was completely thrown into chaos by anger and jealousy.

He couldn’t help but hold Ying Zhao tighter, angrily questioning: “Do you really love him?”

“What?” Ying Zhao was taken aback by Dempus’s sudden question.

He looked at the man in front of him in confusion, seemingly not knowing what he was talking about.

However, Dempus couldn’t contain the anger in his heart, painfully growling: “What’s so good about that brat?”

“Do you like him that much?”

“My lord, who are you talking about? Are you talking about Fritsch?”

“No, I don’t like him; we’re just friends!” Ying Zhao hurriedly replied, looking at the man’s frenzied state.

But at this moment, Dempus seemed to be unable to hear anything Ying Zhao said.

His eyes were bloodshot as he opened the drawer beside Ying Zhao, gripping the box containing the black compass tightly in his hand.

“Then why do you treasure this thing so much? Is it just because he gave it to you?”

As he spoke, the man tightened his fist, and the box in his palm was instantly crushed.

Ying Zhao widened his eyes in disbelief as the black compass vanished before him, feeling an immense sense of loss.

On the surface, he still urgently tried to explain to his lover that there was truly nothing between him and Fritsch.

But at that moment, Ying Zhao’s denial seemed to Dempus like a defense of Fritsch.

He saw a fleeting reluctance in Ying Zhao’s eyes, feeling it was because the other deeply loved Fritsch.

Even reluctant to part with the things he gave him.

Dempus thought painfully, did his beloved care so much about Fritsch?

Was it because he knew that the kid’s strength couldn’t compare to his own that he denied his feelings for him, all to protect him?

“Why love him? Obviously, we’ve spent the most time together!”

Dempus painfully closed his eyes, unconsciously letting his thoughts spill out.

But when Ying Zhao heard his lover’s words, the corner of his mouth twitched sharply.

Even after he had explained so much, what was this delusional man thinking?

Seeing his lover clearly starting to lose his mind, Ying Zhao knew that denying anything at this moment was useless.

Even if he physically tried to comfort the man, he would still perceive it as the obedience of a servant to his master due to the characteristics of their vampire race.

Thinking of this, a flash of light crossed Ying Zhao’s eyes.

Then he slowly raised his head, his expression returning to its usual indifference.

He pursed his lips, his voice somewhat hoarse as he said to Dempus: “So, are you questioning the relationship between me and Fritsch?”

“Do you not want me to interact with others?”

“But my lord, you and Miss Jian… sorry, I overstepped.”

When mentioning Jian Jinghan, Ying Zhao deliberately paused, allowing himself to appear as if he was enduring extreme restraint.

Then he lowered his eyelids, speaking softly to the man: “If my lord dislikes it, I will keep my distance from others in the future.”

Upon hearing Ying Zhao mention the matter between him and Jian Jinghan, Dempus suddenly came back to his senses.

His mind gradually cleared a little.

Looking at the person in his arms, although his expression was emotionless, his eyes were slightly red, and his lips were tightly pressed into a straight line.

Suddenly, Dempus felt as if he had caught onto some long-awaited situation.

He couldn’t help but ask Ying Zhao: “Ying Tan, are you asking me about Miss Jian?”

“Do you think there’s something between that woman and me?”

“Are you… jealous?”

Hope rose in Dempus’s heart; he swallowed hard, nervously voicing this thought.

Then he stared fixedly at Ying Zhao’s eyes, not wanting to miss even the slightest change in his expression.

At this moment, when Ying Zhao heard Dempus’s words, his body visibly stiffened for a moment, shaking his head at his lover.

Seeing this, Dempus felt a flicker of disappointment but then heard the person in his arms say in a deep voice: “No, my lord.”

“I am just your butler; I belong to you and dare not develop such emotions toward my master.”

“Rest assured, I will do my duty.”

“I will keep my distance from others in the future and will not interfere with you and Miss Jian.”

“I just ask you not to dislike me.”

Ying Zhao spoke very slowly, especially towards the end, where his voice even carried a hint of choking.

That kind of heartache and restraint was vividly portrayed by Ying Zhao.

At this moment, Dempus, who had been nervously watching him, naturally noticed the state of the person in his arms.

An overwhelming, inexpressible excitement surged within him.

The person in his arms cared about him!

He was jealous of his relationship with that woman!

He just never expected that the other party regarded his position as so humble, even begging him not to be annoyed with him.

How could he possibly be annoyed? How could he possibly be annoyed with his beloved?

He knew that he loved him so much that he wished he could merge him into his very bones and blood.

Dempus was ecstatic, but then he remembered his previous behavior.

What had he just done!

He had treated his beloved so roughly, and he had questioned him like that!

He had forced him into a stiff state, almost choking with emotion.

Clearly, he looked so cold and strong, yet at this moment, he was nestled in his arms.

His eyes were red, looking utterly fragile.

Although Dempus found this side of Ying Zhao incredibly captivating, more than that, he felt a heartache for the person in his arms.

The man hugged Ying Zhao tightly, wanting to confirm the other’s feelings even more.

Thus, Dempus couldn’t help but lower his head, leaning close to Ying Zhao’s ear, repeatedly asking: “Ying Tan, you love me, right?”