Juliette was fuming in anger at this situation of being treated like a captured wild animal. Infuriating to admit that these men were not similar to the vampires she encountered in the past, looking at them through bleary gaze, they were more collected and smarter. This was not going to be easy, she made a huge mistake by assuming they shared the same brain cell with her previous kills.

With a snarl, she clawed on Jean's arm until he was finally forced to release her. The lights flickered on and off again, the emerging darkness as inconsistent as her state of emotion. She moved past them like a phantom, going in another direction until she reached the double doors she had been looking for.

This was similar to the doors at the Celestial Rose Museum! In those soft red eyes, hope lit up for the first time after many years. This is it! Juliette laid her hands flat on the doors and pushed it using the remainder of her strength.

It did not budge.

"Huh?!" Tried again, albeit stuck frozen in a maiden body, Juliette's strength was already beyond that of a human male. But no matter how hard she pushed or kicked, the door would not open.

From behind, a tall figure approached. "I see someone wants to go home too, I was about to explain the figures to Miss Justine until you decided to crash the dinner. Unfortunately, little one, the doors would not open for a month, not even I who hold sole power here can't do something about it. A mystery that is still unanswered"

What the freaking fudge was this vampire saying?! He got to be fooling around and making fun of her after what she did, right?!

Juliette whirled around, wide-eyed, and the sparkling hope was gone and replaced by raw hatred, and pain underneath. "I am not stupid!" This vampire standing across her was the owner–it increased her irritation that he was damn unfazed and wasn't disconcerted. "Open this right now or I will cause a messy carnage here!"

"No, you will not do such a thing" Comte held no contempt nor disgust in those copper-gold eyes as he shook his head, "Red-handed Jill...what is your real name? What made you do what you do?"

Sounds of more people coming reached Juliette's sharpened hearing and from the corner, Justine showed up being tailed by Leonardo who had been adamant in keeping her away.

"Comte, please don't hurt her!" Justine spoke loudly, her tone laced with care.

This only made Juliette go frenzy again, baring her teeth at them and crouching on all fours like a hostile animal. She despised that sterling goodwill in Justine's face.

I hate you so bad.

I hate crossing paths with you!

I hate how they kindly treated you!

Each internal thoughts were matches being lit on fire fueling the madness. Juliette ran towards them on all fours, eyes turning redder and almost filling up the entire white. I hate you for reminding me of everything–

Leonardo hurled the ebony-haired woman behind him and anticipated the attack, he was ready to take action to put a permanent end to this notorious figure but Juliette suddenly skidded to a halt, reigning hard for control, and hit herself onto the wall on the side. Even Comte was taken aback.

Repetitively, the white-haired female vampire pounded her body against the wall amidst the painful cries then she plopped down onto the floor and bit hard on her forearm until it bled.

Juliette bowed her head and continued biting without hesitation, hiding her face from view because tears were already welling in her eyes. She could sense strength and adrenaline rush ghosting her body, any minute now and they would be free to mince her to pieces once she was completely weakened.

—

In this world pruned away from the main branch there had been a myth, a rumor mill among vampires of which many were quite fascinated however no one ever proved its existence yet hence still labeled as a myth.

But not Vlad, no.

He didn't require anyone to believe him nor did he have to be validated because he knew it himself it was no myth and he would be the one to attain it.

"A Crimson Curse? You believe in that?" One of his two subordinates living with him in the old church, Charles Henri-Sanson was startled after the subject was brought up to the table.

Vlad, their snow-haired leader did not lose his cheerfulness. He had been quite in a good mood for the past few days. "It was the simplest way to call it but originally known as a Vermillion Kiss"

Even Faust who was usually unfazed found himself feeling weirded out by this, he threw a quick sideward glance at Charles. "Vermillion Kiss? What the heck is that, Vlad? Or rather, should we feel concerned?"

"No one ever proved it true until she came...I thought it was a feverish dream only but I realized all those visions when I slumber were her distress calls" Vlad reached out to a bunch of snowdrops inside a small vase, touching its white petals gently while still smiling to himself. "They say...when a human body becomes too exposed to pain and innocence tainted completely, there will be no longer any room left for hope and that's when darkness makes itself known. The mind wholly embraces the darkness and fury comes with it, as if the darkness manifests its lips and kisses the hopeless with a newfound strength to turn into a monster created by sheer rage" He paused, "...That is the Crimson Curse, such a bittersweet and tragic piece I must say"

Instead of being enlightened, his subordinates only grew more confused, and several questions floated above their heads but they knew better not to express doubt or voice out their disagreement unless they wanted to see the other side of Vlad's coin.

Then Charles recalled something, "Might I ask is this related to the queen you're talking about?"

Those hooded crimson gaze from their leader turned to him, shining with pride. "Oh Charles you are being keen! You are correct, the rightful person to share this damnable yet sweet endless life with me is the one who received the Vermillion Kiss...we will see her soon..." His smile widened as those ruby orbs only glimmered more with excitement.

Meanwhile outside the old and abandoned Church in the expansive garden sat Shakespeare, off in his world again talking to himself while writing in his notebook.

"She already garnered enough attention from the audience it will not be easy to shake it off the back, oh tragic flower, what a distorted path waiting ahead of you" He muttered exaggeratedly.

—

Justine was contented with the life she was leading, it was not awful at all and always she found herself thankful for the neverending support her family and friends gave on the passion she wished to continue. But of course, as a huge book lover, it also crossed her mind–a curiosity as to what it would be like if suddenly she got sucked into the world of the book she loved to read.

This was how it felt.

Almost two weeks had passed since the night Juliette–yes, she finally knew her name!--came crashing into the place and lost consciousness after inflicting bites to herself. Comte explained to her in detail the reason behind not going home and what made this world different from where she originally was. Justine was tempted to go hysterical alright and thought she would suffer a heart attack but to her surprise, Leonardo had never left her side even when Comte de Saint-Germain opened the can of worms.

So all gentlemen under this huge expensive roof were not roleplaying historical figures, they were the real deal and whatever reason they had for wanting to have a second chance in life, it was behind closed doors.

These were her musing early in the morning while standing outside the balcony of the room she was assigned. "Should I feel great about suddenly becoming a character inside a book? I didn't wish for this, did I?" It was the best metaphor she could think of at the moment. Nonetheless, everyone had been civil towards her which was odd after being told they were all vampires except Sebastian and her. This led to a question she suddenly wanted a quick answer to.

A knock on the door on the other side of her room. Justine turned away from the overlooking view of her balcony and pulled the door open, seeing Leonardo.

Perfect timing.

"Early good morning, Cara Mia" The towering vampire greeted gruffly, his voice was thick with grogginess as if he had just woken up seconds ago. But knowing Leonardo, well if not busy, he would be commonly found sleeping almost everywhere.

A small amused smile played on Justine's lips, "You didn't sleep in your room, did you?" There was a mild whiff of cigarette scent from him.

Leonardo deadpanned but he did not deny it. "I need to make sure Arthur will not barge in here" He glanced down at the floor beside the door, and Justine quickly understood it was where he slept.

"I have a question, do you mind?"

"Sure, I can answer one before we head to breakfast"

There were seconds of pause, "Leo, why haven't you done anything to me?"

"Huh?" That certainly threw Leonardo off the loop and all traces of sleepiness were gone instantly. "What do you mean?"

Justine scratched her cheek, unable to meet his gaze. "You haven't bitten me...I mean you're a vampire, right? So...I thought..." She trailed off.

"Hmm" Leonardo's expression shifted from surprise to mischief, he leaned closer until they were at the same eye level. "Are you implying something?"

This was new to Justine, he never acted like this around her before and it automatically brought a subtle blush on her cheeks. "I am not! I was curious because Arthur would not stop voicing out about it"

A deep chuckle reverberated from Leonardo Da Vinci, "Arthur likes women, most of the time, literally speaking and he is not one to deny his desire." He raised a hand, subtly running the back of it on Justine's hair, teasing. "Do not get me wrong though, I am not as daring and open as Arthur but it doesn't mean I don't find you...tempting"

Those words should have made Justine feel the gnaw of terror and creepiness however they brought the opposite, being in this proximity to Leonardo was not concerning. Was it because he consistently stayed by her side and she trusted him the most?

Justine looked away, finding herself unsure of what to say next. "Okay umm, thank you for sharing your insights with me" The reddening of her face did not stop.

"Now now, stop looking so alluring right now, it's too early for this perhaps a free taste will suffice later?" Leonardo did not stop his teasing, only leaning further; seeing their human woman guest suddenly flustered but unafraid in his presence was turning him on. Giving a little bit into his desire, Leonardo blew hotly against her neck which caused Justine to gasp and shiver.

They were too caught up with each other to notice someone at the end of the hallway. "I hope you are not planning to taint my sight today, I only came here to call you down"

An amused snicker from Leonardo as he finally straightened up and patted Justine's head which made her slightly pout after that teasing. "Jean, could you have said that without your usual gloomy vibes? There's no harm in facing the sun and try putting on a smile"

Jean D' Arc scoffed, rolling his lone eyes before walking away. "There is no reason to face the sun nor smile cheerily"