Subsequent to Lore''s aunt seizing the reins of power, the aged servants within the family, including those who had once been intimate with Lore, were successively ousted by her and supplanted with a cohort of her loyal adherents.


    At present, the only acquaintance from the past with whom Lore can still make contact is none other than Annie.


    Annie serves as the steward of the Islan family and attended to Lore''s parents. For some inscrutable reason, even to this day, his aunt has refrained from expelling her. She is also the sole remaining person in this household upon whom the previous incarnation of Lore could rely.


    Lore reseated himself upon the bed. At this juncture, his body was enfeebled to such an extent that the prospect of fleeing from the Islan family''s manor in the Thornshire was wholly unrealistic.


    Indeed, in order to partake in the birthday celebration of the Grand Duke of Sinthorn in seven days'' time, Lore had already been conveyed to the Thornshire by his aunt. As a baroness family within the duchy, the Islan family possessed their own familial properties here as well.


    They were merely awaiting the passage of seven days to present Lore, all packaged, to the Grand Duke.


    I must contrive a means to get in touch with Annie. Such were Lore''s musings.


    Precisely at this moment, the firmly shut door was rapped upon.


    "Master, are you awake?" The languid and husky voice was unmistakably Annie''s.


    "Sister Annie, I''m awake. Do come in post - haste." Lore''s spirits soared. He had just been pondering how to establish contact with Annie, and lo and behold, it was this uncomplicated.


    Upon uttering these words, Lore was startled by his own voice. It was the first instance since his awakening that he had heard his voice, which was dulcet and delicate.


    Resembling that of a youth yet to enter the stage of voice - change, the long - term suppression of his physical desires lent his voice a faintly quivering cadence, tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible allure.


    Good heavens! My voice is even more remarkable than those voice - mimicry masters of my previous life. This is my bona fide natural voice. Lore couldn''t help but let his thoughts roam freely.


    Outside the door, having received Lore''s response, the person pushed open the door.


    A tall woman, attired in a knee - length, jet - black gown and a white lace apron, entered with a graceful and unhurried gait. It was Annie.


    Annie was garbed in a quintessential maid''s ensemble. Her legs, sheathed in black stockings, delineated a long and curvaceous arc. Judging solely by her countenance, she could be accorded a rating of seven. Although not as breathtakingly beautiful as Lore, she was nonetheless comely.


    Her figure was yet more alluring and voluptuous, beyond reproach. Lore''s gaze unavoidably lingered for a brief moment on the magnificent swell of her bosom, after which he somewhat sheepishly averted his eyes. Little did he know that this action was also noted by Annie, who subtly curved the corners of her mouth into a clandestine smile.


    "Master, there is a scent of sedative on you," Annie remarked as she neared the bedside, her nose twitching slightly. Abruptly, she stooped down and brought her visage close to Lore''s neck, as if inhaling gently.


    A faint aroma of roses wafted forth, and her slightly labored breath tousled his hair.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Too, too close..." Lore dared not stir for the moment. The fragrance of the roses set his heart aflutter. Having long - term ingested the Datura stramonium drug, he was incapable of withstanding the excessive proximity of the opposite sex.


    As if cognizant of Lore''s condition, Annie straightened up once more, her deportment immaculate. With a tinge of solemnity, she declared,


    "Master, I ought to have apprised you that your present constitution cannot tolerate sedatives. One misstep and you might slumber for an extended period and fail to awaken. You ought not to have deceived me."


    Annie''s eyes clouded over momentarily and then reverted to normal.


    "There are but seven days remaining until the birthday of the Grand Duke of Sinthorn. You ought to cherish your health all the more."


    Something amiss here. Could Annie be in league with my aunt? Lore''s heart plummeted, and he resolved to test her.


    Consequently, Lore stared fixedly at Annie, his exquisite eyes brimming with helplessness and sorrow. The gaze of such a beauty would surely touch even the most obdurate of hearts.


    "Sister Annie, I erred. I ought not to have taken the sedatives, but I am frightfully terrified. Can you convey me away from this place? I have no desire to be proffered to the Grand Duke of Sinthorn." Lore''s eyes welled with tears, and his words were replete with deep - seated emotion.


    "Master, within the Duchy of Sinthorn, none can defy the Grand Duke. None." Annie fixed her gaze on her young master''s delicate countenance, her eyes downcast, and intoned softly.


    "Ever since the Grand Duke of Sinthorn singled you out, there has been no recourse. The acting family head is merely acting in obedience to orders. The Islan family cannot decline the Grand Duke of Sinthorn''s behest. As the legitimate son of the late baroness, you ought to shoulder the responsibility."


    "Is the responsibility I must shoulder to consume aphrodisiacs daily and transform into the Grand Duke''s plaything?"


    Perceiving that Annie had no intention of assisting him in escaping, Lore, with tears in his eyes, spoke in a somewhat despairing manner.


    "Master, the Islan family cannot gainsay the Grand Duke." Annie merely reiterated her earlier statement, yet a peculiar smile abruptly materialized on her visage. She slightly narrowed her eyes and minutely scrutinized her young charge.


    Lore remained oblivious. After being rebuffed by Annie once more, Lore exclaimed in exasperation,


    "Then am I simply to perish? I am the heir of the Islan family!"


    Upon hearing this, Annie at last curbed her smile and regarded her young master''s stunning visage intently. It bore traces of anger, yet somehow failed to inspire awe. Instead, it resembled a little cat bristling its fur, rendering it endearing.


    After a momentary silence, Annie at length spoke slowly,


    "Master, had you attained this realization earlier, perhaps matters would not have deteriorated to the present state."


    Lore was taken aback, staring blankly at Annie. Annie extended her hand and gently caressed Lore''s hair, saying softly,


    "It is well, Master. I shall render you assistance. It is not yet too late. Once you are truly proffered to the Grand Duke, then there will indeed be no hope."


    Could it be that Sister Annie has always been on my side? Merely because the previous incarnation, for the sake of the continuance of the Islan family, elected to capitulate to my aunt? Such were Lore''s thoughts, and he couldn''t refrain from inquiring,


    "Then, Sister Annie, do you currently possess a means to aid me?"


    Annie did not respond forthwith but instead counter - questioned,"Master, do you know why the acting family head has never banished me?"


    Indeed, why had all the other servants been replaced, yet Annie remained?


    Lore couldn''t help but let his imagination run wild. After a moment of silence, he finally heard Annie disclose the mystery.


    "Master, the reason our Islan family was able to thrive on the border of the Eternal Night and be ennobled for our military exploits lies fundamentally in the fact that we possess our own family''s guardian spirit." Annie gently divulged the long - concealed secret,


    "The late baroness departed too precipitously and was unable to personally bequeath this legacy to you."


    "Guardian spirit?" Lore was startled. From the memory fragments bequeathed to him by the previous incarnation, in this world, there were vampires, the church, and knights galloping on the battlefield. Could it be that his own family was also extraordinary?


    "Indeed. A guardian spirit that can only be summoned by those bearing the Islan bloodline. If you place your trust in me, Master, this very night, I shall assist you in summoning your own guardian spirit. Although it may be incapable of contending with the Grand Duke of Sinthorn, it can at least safeguard you and enable you to depart from the Thornshire."


    Annie looked at Lore, speaking earnestly. In her resplendent eyes was reflected Lore''s breathtaking visage, and deep within, it seemed as though unfathomable darkness was churning.