I’m Not Falling for the Vampire Princess! - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Jona had envisioned countless possibilities.

She had thought she might learn magic slowly, or that she might accidentally injure herself with a backfired spell, but she never imagined she would get stuck at the very first step: illiteracy.

If she took the book and asked someone for help, it would likely be discovered very quickly that something was wrong with her. She didn’t know if this world had dictionaries; perhaps she should find one first.

Jona scratched her hair in frustration. No way to self-study magic, no phone, no Wi-Fi, and she still had to find a way to survive… life was simply too boring.

Jona drank a bit of the potion Suika had given her and took a resentful bite of a carrot. To fill her stomach, she had no choice but to eat the hard-to-swallow carrots.

Jona hid in the manor for three days. During this time, the only thing she could do at home was face the mirror and try on the original host’s many gowns one by one. She had to admit, while the original Jona loved luxury, her taste in clothes was not bad. Every gown was tailored perfectly, accentuating Jona’s fair, slender neck while showcasing the unique elegance of the nobility.

However…

Jona gently touched her neck.

The bite marks Fanier had left were still vivid, looking like a private brand that refused to fade with time. Jona was certain there was something wrong with this bite mark. Next time she saw Suika, she had to ask how to remove it.

By the fourth day, Jona had tried on every outfit twice. Living alone in an empty house with only moonlight for illumination at night was driving her nearly insane. Finally, she made up her mind: she would go out for a stroll during the peak of noon when the sun was harshest. At this time, there wouldn’t be many vampires on the streets, so it might be relatively safe.

She carefully held her umbrella and stepped out onto the street. Relying on her memory, she found the West Street marketplace.

Jona threaded through the market. Unlike the desolation of the previous time, the market today was busy with blood-servants coming and going. Some were out running errands for their masters, while others were taking the chance to buy cheap, pretty trinkets for themselves. The bustling atmosphere felt a bit surreal to Jona. How wonderful it would be if this were just an ordinary town, she thought.

Jona walked against the flow of the crowd. Just as she was thinking about buying some fruit, she accidentally discovered a quaint bookstore. Jona’s eyes lit up would there be a dictionary in a bookstore?

Jona hung her umbrella on the rack at the bookstore entrance, lifted her skirt, and walked inside. Seeing the array of books on the shelves, she tentatively picked one up and opened it. Jona had only intended to test her luck, but to her surprise, she could understand every single word in this book.

The book recorded the history of the vampires, and the content was almost identical to the background of the novel. Does it mean that history books and magic books use different linguistic systems?

Jona put the book back on the shelf. Just as she was about to look at another, she suddenly heard the sound of an argument coming from behind the rack.

“I saw this book first, give it back!”

“So what if you saw it first? I’m the one who grabbed it first.”

“You! Last time you burned my doll, I haven’t even settled that debt with you! Why do you always have to cross me!”

“What, want to fight again? Don’t forget, fighting is forbidden in places where there are books. That is a rule set by Aurora.”

“Fanier, if you don’t give that book back to me, I won’t let you off once we step out of this door!”

“What’s the use of giving it back to you? My little princess, this is a book of Ancient Tongue. You can barely recognize common words; do you even understand the Ancient Tongue?”

“Just because I can’t read it now doesn’t mean I can’t read it later! Besides, you’ve already learned the magic in this book, why are you stealing it from me!”

“No reason. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being too short.”

“Fanier, I hate you!”

Sisha stomped her foot hard. Seeing that Fanier remained unmoved, she could only hug her ragdoll and leave in a huff. Sisha couldn’t understand; Aurora and Suika never fought her for things, so why did this foundling Fanier lack that self-awareness?

Sisha was gone, but Fanier was still in the bookstore. Feeling the sound of high heels getting closer, Jona held her breath and hid in a corner. She prayed incessantly, hoping Fanier would leave quickly.

Fanier’s shadow stretched longer and longer under the candlelight. One more step and she would be standing right in front of Jona. Jona gripped her skirt tightly, her heart nearly leaping into her throat. Please don’t let Fanier catch me.

Fortunately, Fanier stopped. She took the book and turned to leave. Before Jona could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard the sound of high heels stop at the door. Jona gripped her skirt even harder. Fanier wouldn’t come back, would she?

The sound of high heels rang out again. As the sound grew fainter, Jona peeked her head out and found the bookstore was empty. Thank goodness she hadn’t been discovered.

But before Jona could truly relax, she discovered something terrifying her umbrella, which she had placed on the rack, was gone. No wonder Fanier had paused at the door earlier; she had taken Jona’s umbrella.

“Oh no, without an umbrella, how am I supposed to get back!”

The sun outside was scorching. Even blood-servants couldn’t stand this sun, let alone a vampire used to nocturnal life. Jona searched the bookstore thoroughly but found nothing that could replace a parasol. It seemed she would have to wait until dark to return.

Thinking about the danger she had nearly faced that night, Jona couldn’t decide for a moment whether it was more dangerous to head back under the sun or wait for the darkness of night.

Time ticked by. More than her fear of the night, what bothered Jona was the hunger pangs coming from her stomach. Eating only carrots really couldn’t sustain her for long. Dominated by hunger and fear, Jona no longer cared about her image. She gathered her skirt and crouched in the shade by the bookstore entrance. She wanted to catch the gap when the sun went down but it wasn’t yet dark to run home.

But how long will I have to wait?

The sweltering heat made Jona a bit drowsy. Just as she was about to drift off, a shadow blocked the light in front of her. Jona thought it was getting dark, so she quickly snapped to attention and stood up. But when she saw the situation before her, she almost fainted.

Fanier stood in front of her, holding an umbrella in one hand and a magic book in the other.

“Why is it you!”

“And who did you think it was? Suika is busy mixing potions and has no time for you.”

“I thought…” Before Jona could finish, she saw the umbrella in Fanier’s hand. “Why did you take my umbrella!”

“Your umbrella?” Fanier’s lips curled. “This umbrella was clearly taken from my place by you without permission. Since when did it become your property?”

“What?” Jona was stunned.

How much stuff did this original host take? No wonder many items in the manor looked more expensive than the ornaments in Aurora’s palace. Thinking of the jewelry and gold in the manor, Jona felt a surge of fear could all those things have been stolen from Fanier! This was too much.

“How about… I give you back the gemstones on the umbrella, can you leave the umbrella for me?”

“Just giving me back the gemstones? Don’t you know the handle is also made of gold? You should know that very well; after all, cheap things never catch Miss Jona’s eye.”

“Then… if that won’t work, I’ll take the handle off for you, too. Just leave me the fabric to block the sun.”

“But the surface of this umbrella is woven with gold thread.”

Jona: “…”

This original host was way too greedy.

Jona took a deep breath and said flatteringly, “Beautiful and kind Princess Fanier, could you please lend me this umbrella temporarily? Just for a moment! I’ll go to the stall ahead and buy an umbrella, then I’ll return this expensive one to you immediately!”

Jona pressed her hands together in a plea. In the face of survival, dignity meant nothing.

“Miss Jona really is quite adaptable. Didn’t you say Suika has a better temper than me?” Fanier stuffed the umbrella and the magic book into Jona’s arms with a playful look.

Jona’s eyes widened. How did Fanier know about her conversation with Suika?

Soon, Jona had no mood to think of anything else. Both the umbrella and the magic book had some weight. Jona struggled to hold the umbrella as she followed Fanier back. Jona grumbled secretly; this Fanier was too vengeful, still enslaving her even now! Not only did she have to hold the umbrella, but she also had to carry such a thick book for her.

Seemingly dissatisfied with Jona’s slow speed, Fanier threatened, “At your pace, by the time it gets dark, you might just be walking through the Old Street… I wonder if there will be many vampires reveling in the Old Street tonight.”

Hearing this, Jona quickly hurried her steps. But the high heels on her feet, while beautiful, didn’t fit quite right. Jona tried to step over a puddle, but her foot slipped, and she fell backward.

Jona closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate, but she unexpectedly fell into a cold embrace. Fanier had teleported from the front to behind her, catching her steadily.

Jona was fine, but the magic book in her hand wasn’t so lucky. With a “plop,” the book fell into the puddle.

Water splashed onto Jona’s ankle. Jona quickly steadied herself and struggled to break free from Fanier’s embrace. Fanier, with a cold face, released her. She frowned slightly, bent down, picked up the magic book, and shook off the water.

“Jona, that’s the second time. Are my things that cheap in your eyes? No, wait this valuable umbrella you’re clutching tightly.”

Jona was still shaken. She gripped the umbrella handle with both hands. Seeing the book cover was soaked, she said apologetically, “I’m sorry, I’ll replace it for you.”

“A high-level Wind Magic book. There are only two in the library. The other one was burned by you.”

“But Sisha said you’ve already learned the magic inside.”

“Yes, so it’s not important anymore.”

Just as Fanier was about to turn and leave, she discovered two guards standing behind her. These two looked like new faces, and Fanier wasn’t quite sure of their origin.

Fanier waved the magic book in her hand and asked tentatively, “What, did Sisha go complain to Sister Aurora because she couldn’t get the book? If she wants it, give it to her.”

The guards in navy blue tailcoats bowed to Fanier. “Princess Fanier, we are not here for you.”

“Then who are you here for?” Fanier tilted her head slightly. Seeing the nervous Jona, she sneered, “What, is Sister Aurora also interested in Sister Suika’s fiancée?”

“Princess Fanier, you misunderstand. We are under the order of Elder Vian to invite Miss Jona back to the Council of Elders.”

Fanier frowned. “Hasn’t the matter with Vigana been settled? What does that fellow Vian want with Jona?”

“We aren’t clear on the specifics. Miss Jona, please come with us.”

Jona nodded weakly, not daring to argue. Just as she was about to follow them to the Council, Fanier grabbed her arm.

“Sorry, she can’t go.”

“Princess Fanier, please don’t make things difficult for us.”

“If you can catch up with me, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

With that, Fanier scooped Jona up by the waist and spread her wings.

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