The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies-Chapter 266: Do You Want Me?

“A-Adele...!” Wofoo woke up feeling incredibly embarrassed. Adele was holding a freshly roasted deer leg in front of her nose, tempting her awake with its savory aroma. And, to Wofoo’s mortification, she had actually drooled!

She quickly wiped her mouth and fled the tent, seeking refuge by the river to splash cold water on her face. As her mind cleared, she realized with a jolt that several uninvited guests had arrived at their campsite while she slept. Though she sensed no hostility, her wolf ears perked up, her body instinctively tensing, ready to defend Adele. A wave of guilt washed over her; she had failed in her duty as Adele’s protector.

Adele emerged from the tent, a half-eaten deer leg in hand. “Wofoo... they’re not enemies!” she said, her mouth full. They were, in fact, more like... family.

“Sorry, Adele...” Wofoo murmured, already realizing her mistake, but the guilt lingered. She had to at least appear contrite.

Adele, ever the gracious host, introduced everyone. Handing the deer leg to Celeste, she first approached Sharon, wrapping an arm around the silver-haired girl’s shoulders and giving her a quick kiss, a reward for their reunion.

“This is Sharon,” Adele announced, her voice full of playful affection, “Cromwell Academy’s famous Dream Eater. Isn’t she cute?” The “famous” part was an exaggeration; Sharon was a relatively low-key Sequence One. But Sharon, flattered by the attention, blushed and murmured, “A-Adele...” Public displays of affection were still a bit overwhelming for her.

Wofoo, unsure what a “Dream Eater” was, looked at Sharon with a mix of curiosity and awe. Perhaps it was a title on par with “Ice Queen” or “Vampire Princess”?

“And this is Wofoo,” Adele continued, turning to Sharon, “a werewolf-vampire hybrid!” The pride in Adele’s voice, her open acceptance of Wofoo’s mixed heritage, made Wofoo’s heart ache with a strange mix of gratitude and longing. It was the first time anyone had acknowledged her dual nature without a hint of disdain.

Sharon, shyly but sincerely, greeted Wofoo. “Hello... Wofoo, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, rabbit!” Adele added, a playful non sequitur that only she seemed to find amusing.

“Nice to meet you,” Wofoo replied, her gaze shifting to the quiet figure standing beside Adele. She recognized the girl, even without an introduction.

Edith, Lady Chen Xi’s granddaughter, had become a prominent figure in Twilight City, her newfound status a consequence of her grandmother’s awakening. Lady Chen Xi, eager to make amends for her long absence, showered Edith with attention, introducing her to influential vampires, paving the way for Edith’s rise within the vampire hierarchy.

Rumors of Edith’s power and influence had spread, even reaching other mixed academies, where the strength and talent of human students were well-known. The young vampires of Twilight City now clamored for Edith’s attention, eager to associate themselves with the rising star.

Edith, however, only had eyes for Adele, her “Mother,” her heart aching with a longing she couldn’t express. She had been searching for an opportunity to be alone with Adele, but until now, none had presented itself. She had been lucky to encounter Sharon in the Secret Realm, and even luckier that Sharon had found traces of Celeste, eventually leading them to Adele. She looked at Adele expectantly, hoping for a grand introduction, a public acknowledgment of their... unique relationship.

“And this is Edith,” Adele said simply.

“...” It was a surprisingly plain introduction, devoid of any of the usual fanfare, not even mentioning Edith’s “Black Veil” moniker. But perhaps Edith no longer needed such titles.

Edith, though slightly disappointed, understood. She had almost committed an unforgivable act against Adele, against other girls, and now, any kindness Adele showed her was a blessing, a chance at redemption.

“Hello, Wofoo,” Edith said softly.

“...Hello,” Wofoo replied, sensing the subtle differences in Adele’s affections, the varying degrees of intimacy.

Celeste was clearly the favorite, Adele’s most trusted companion, her loyalty absolute, her devotion unwavering. Wofoo had learned much from Celeste, and if not for her own shyness, she might have already addressed Adele as “Master.”

Then there was Sharon, who seemed to hold a special place in Adele’s heart, their bond forged through shared experiences, a story of redemption and acceptance.

And lastly, Edith, whom Adele treated with a certain... distance, their interactions polite but not particularly warm. Perhaps, Wofoo mused, Edith had committed some transgression, a secret known only to her and Adele. The thought made Wofoo reflect on her own actions, her own near betrayal of Adele. If she hadn’t come to her senses, she might have also fallen from grace, her selfish desires severing the fragile bond she had formed with Adele.

Though Adele didn’t understand Wofoo’s sudden shift in demeanor, her newfound submissiveness, the introductions were made, the connections forged, the seeds of a new alliance planted. Though it would take time for them to truly understand each other, their shared affection for Adele was a strong foundation.

Sharon and Edith, after entering the Secret Realm, had focused solely on finding Adele. They avoided other vampires whenever possible, only engaging in combat when necessary. Sharon, a Dream Eater, specialized in mental manipulation, her powers most effective against unsuspecting or sleeping opponents.

She had encountered a few vampires, lulling them to sleep and then... leaving them undisturbed, even adjusting their positions for maximum comfort. It wasn’t exactly the behavior of a ruthless assassin, but Sharon, despite her past experiences with bullying, had retained a kind heart, a reluctance to inflict unnecessary harm.

Edith’s experience was different. Before meeting Sharon, she had encountered a Sequence One vampire, a descendant of Snyder, who had offered an alliance. Snyder’s lineage was vast, but his truly exceptional descendants were few, none comparable to Hermione, the sole heir to a powerful bloodline, a prodigy destined for greatness. The girl who had approached Edith was a relatively ordinary Sequence One, her bloodline noble, but her talent unremarkable.

Edith could have easily defeated her, but she had declined the alliance, unwilling to waste time or risk making enemies. So, without engaging in a single battle, she had continued her search for Adele.

“Not bad,” Adele said, glancing at Edith, a noncommittal assessment that made Edith’s heart flutter. She smiled at Adele, but Adele had already turned away, her attention elsewhere. It was... disappointing.

Neither Edith nor Sharon had expected to find Adele already camped out with Wofoo and Celeste, their leisurely demeanor a stark contrast to the urgency of the trial. It seemed Adele had turned the Blood Trial into a picnic.

“I was just following the plan, staying safe and waiting for you,” Adele explained, though it wasn’t entirely true. Her initial intentions had shifted, her priorities changing after meeting Xiao Ai. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to reveal Xiao Ai’s existence to Sharon and Edith, pulling Edith into the tent for a private conversation.

The other girls exchanged curious glances. A private meeting in broad daylight... isn’t that a bit... much? And why not with them?

Wofoo’s enhanced hearing picked up every sound from within the tent, but, remembering Celeste’s words, and her own recent... experience with Adele, she resisted the urge to eavesdrop, her wolf ears drooping. Sharon, however, couldn’t resist staring at Wofoo’s ears, her own experience limited to touching First Snow’s incredibly soft fur. She wondered if Wofoo’s ears were equally... pettable. But she lacked Adele’s boldness, her willingness to... initiate such contact.

Inside the tent, the atmosphere between Adele and Edith was tense. Adele, after releasing Edith’s hand, simply stared at the girl, her silence a challenge, an unspoken question. It was up to Edith to break the ice, to make the first move, to prove her loyalty.

This moment would determine whether Adele revealed Xiao Ai’s secret. Her gaze was steady, not predatory, not judgmental, but... searching, probing the depths of Edith’s soul. It was time to break down the facade, to shatter the illusion of their role-playing game, the comfortable distance it had provided. It was a necessary step, a test of Edith’s true allegiance. Could she abandon the “Mother” persona and accept Adele for who she truly was?

Edith, overwhelmed by the intensity of Adele’s gaze, clutched her head, her body trembling.

Adele’s eyes softened with pity, but also with a growing disappointment. If Edith couldn’t handle this, if she couldn’t move past their established roles... then perhaps their paths were destined to diverge. You can be the Black Feather Society president, Adele thought, and I’ll continue being the pampered darling of my harem. We’re simply not meant to be.

But then, Edith, her eyes red and swollen, lunged, tackling Adele to the ground. She sat on Adele’s waist, her shoulders shaking, tears streaming down her face, hot droplets landing on Adele’s cheeks. Adele, usually so sensitive to touch, so easily annoyed, felt no resentment, only a strange sense of... understanding. She didn’t call for help; she sensed no malice in Edith’s actions, only a desperate, heartbroken plea. She stared at Edith’s tear-streaked face, the elegant mask crumbling, the carefully constructed composure shattered. Who was she crying for? Adele knew [N O V E L I G H T] the answer.

“So... what’s your answer?” Adele asked, her voice calm, though the tears on her own cheeks made it seem as though she, too, was crying. It was a strange, silent conversation, a question asked and answered not with words, but with tears.

“I don’t know... I really don’t know...” Edith choked out, burying her face in Adele’s chest, her voice muffled. What did she want to hear? Edith’s answer, however, disappointed Adele. She hadn’t chosen a side, clinging to the comfort of their shared delusion, unable to face the reality of their situation. Adele sighed and reached out, her hand gently stroking Edith’s hair, a silent offering of comfort.

“There, there, my Edith...” she murmured, her voice soft and soothing. “My dear daughter, don’t cry...” Even if their paths diverged, Edith would at least have this memory, this fleeting moment of warmth and acceptance. Adele would play the role of the loving mother one last time, a comforting presence in Edith’s troubled mind.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Edith, rejecting the familiar comfort of their role-play, lifted her head, her tear-streaked face a mask of anguish and determination. Her eyes, though red and swollen, held a newfound clarity, a strength Adele hadn’t seen before.

“Adele...” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

“You’ve always... given me a choice...”

“I thought I could always... always give you the answer you wanted...”

“But now... I’m sorry...!”

“I can’t do it anymore.”

“But... but Adele!”

“You can do it, only you can.”

“Can you... make the decision for me, Adele...?”

“Please...”

“It’s not my choice to stay or leave...”

“It’s your choice – do you want me... or not?”

A me, devoted only to you.

..................

Edith’s answer surprised even Adele. Edith had two choices: abandon her past or abandon her future.

Either path offered a clear resolution. But choosing neither, clinging to both, was the worst kind of indecision. Sometimes, wanting both meant losing both. Adele had assumed Edith would be unable to choose, but Edith had flipped the script, placing the burden of choice on Adele. The choice Adele had offered Edith was now Adele’s own.

It was... strangely amusing.

Adele gazed into Edith’s tear-filled eyes, their purple depths now clear and bright, reflecting Adele’s own image – small, beautiful, and strangely... powerful. Is this how she sees me? Adele wondered. But more than that, she saw acceptance in Edith’s eyes, a silent surrender, a willingness to trust Adele with her future.

Adele, touched by Edith’s vulnerability, her initial irritation replaced by a reluctant tenderness, said, “Since you’ve put it that way... whether I choose to keep you or not... you’ll accept any pain... right?”

Edith’s lips trembled, and after a moment, she closed her eyes, a silent nod, tears streaming down her face.

Adele’s judgment, then, would not be spoken, but shown.

A flicker of crimson lust appeared in her eyes. A pink aura enveloped her, and she pushed Edith down, pinning her shoulders to the ground, the sound of bone against earth a stark counterpoint to Edith’s soft gasp of pain.

Adele showed no mercy, her body and mind consumed by a raw, untamed desire. Pink, bony wings unfurled from her back, no longer fragile but powerful, their movements sharp and precise. A slender tail, tipped with a heart-shaped barb, extended from her tailbone, its movements sinuous, predatory. It wrapped around Edith’s ankles, her knees, then snaked beneath her skirt, leaving red marks on her thighs as it probed...

But Adele swatted it away with a swift, impatient gesture.

Not yet, she thought, her gaze fixed on Edith’s tear-filled eyes, the vulnerability in their depths a potent aphrodisiac. She wouldn’t let her tail have Edith’s first time.

Adele’s fingers, however, were less restrained, finding their way beneath Edith’s skirt, exploring the soft, hidden folds of her flesh. Though they had role-played before, their intimacy had never gone this far. Adele was, despite her witch powers, surprisingly... pure. She hadn’t wanted to... taint Edith completely. But Edith, it seemed, had other plans. She had placed her fate in Adele’s hands.

And Adele, always one for simplicity, for claiming what she desired...

She chose to keep Edith.

The president of the Black Feather Society, Lady Chen Xi’s granddaughter, a girl with vast connections and resources... Edith was a valuable asset, one Adele couldn’t afford to lose. Whether out of pity or a cold calculation of Edith’s usefulness, it was better to keep her close, to bind her to Adele, than to cast her aside.

With her decision made, Adele surrendered to her desires.

Her fingers... delved deeper.

Edith’s body convulsed, her hands clutching at the ground, her fingernails digging into the earth, drawing blood. Adele showed no mercy, her touch both possessive and... exploratory. Edith, her initial pain giving way to a wave of pleasure, moaned softly, her body arching against Adele’s. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Adele, with this act, had made her choice.

— She had claimed Edith.

***