The First Vampire

Chapter 699: 697 Truth_1

“Madam, it’s windy outside, we should head back soon.”,

The maid tugged Lady Yelina’s arm, only to find that she didn’t turn around but went a few steps further.

“Madam…”

The maid, helpless, had no choice but to follow Lady Yelina, who had become unusually stubborn, and continue forward.

The sunset had dipped below the horizon, casting only brilliant twilight hues on the western sky.

The north wind howled by, intensifying the chilliness.

...

Yet, Lady Yelina resolutely came to the secluded turret located at the northwest corner of Lion Roar Castle, staring at the building overrun with ivy. Tears filled her eyes.

She stood there for a long time before attempting to push open the turret door.

Whether due to the disrepair from ages of neglect, or the lack of strength from the old lady, the door didn’t budge.

The maid was frowning, about to dissuade when she suddenly noticed a hand coming out from behind and pressing on the wooden door.

Creak–

The door opened, thick dust wafted out, causing the maid to sneeze uncontrollably.

She quickly turned around, only to see Colin, who had appeared unknowingly behind her:

“Your Grace, you…”

“You can leave first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After the maid left, Colin took Lady Yelina’s arm, and said with a smile:

“Madam, would you like to go in and have a look?”

Lady Yelina turned her head to gaze deeply at Colin, her murky eyes were filled with complex emotions that were difficult to discern.

“Alright.”

They both walked into the turret, under the dim twilight infiltrating from outside, they barely made out the room’s decor.

The deeply dusty carpet, dilapidated furniture, and wall decorations concealed by cobwebs… everything showed that the place had been abandoned for a long time.

Nevertheless, Colin could still tell from the style of these decorations that the former occupant was a noble lady.

Lady Yelina seemed to become agitated as soon as she entered the room, Colin could feel her body’s slight shivers.

Seeing that the old lady seemed to be on the brink of exhaustion, Colin promptly wiped off the dust on a chair and helped Lady Yelina sit down.

After the old woman had a moment to breathe, Colin bent down, staring into her eyes, and asked:

“Madam, wasn’t this the place where Queen Midela used to isolate herself just after falling ill?”

Lady Yelina glanced around the room, her eyes filled with nostalgic sentiment, she nodded and replied:

“Yes, indeed. It’s been many years since I last visited this place… And now, Midela’s gone… my children… all gone…”

The old woman choked back sobs while speaking, but quickly wiped away her tears. She looked at Colin and apologized embarrassedly:

“I’m sorry, I lost my composure for a moment, please, ignore…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Colin replied with a gentle smile, handing over a handkerchief to her.

He truly felt for the old lady in front of him. After all, her three children — the Duke of St. Hilde, Marquis Garcia, and Queen Midela, had all passed away. For a mother of an advanced age, it indeed, would be a harsh blow.

However, Colin still wanted to clarify some things.

“Madam, the disease Queen Midela had contracted then was the White Plague, right?”

“Indeed. Fortunately, the Supreme Lord was merciful and did not let the disease take her life. She was isolated here for her recuperation at that time, staying cut off from the world for three years. It was really tough for her to hang in there…”

“Is that so?” Colin’s gaze flickered, he ventured further, “Why did you, then, call out Midela’s name during Vera’s labor?”

“Did I?” Lady Yelina looked surprised, as if she had completely forgotten.

Colin nodded affirmatively, claiming:

“Yes, you did, and not just once. The maids and doctors in the delivery room can all testify to that.”

“Ah, I might have truly mixed up the names then.” Lady Yelina patted her head with a bitter smile, “I’m getting old, my memory’s not as good. I often call people by the wrong name…”

“Is that so?” Colin uttered with an enigmatic smile, “Did Queen Midela also have a difficult labor back then?”

“I don’t think so. I wasn’t with Midela during her delivery, but I heard it all went smoothly.”

“No.” Colin’s gaze suddenly turned sharp, “I was referring to the real Midela St. Hilde!”

Lady Yelina’s face twitched, but she still maintained a perplexed demeanor, saying:

“I don’t understand what you mean, what real Midela?”

“You know what I mean.” Colin stared intently at Lady Yelina’s face, as if trying to detect every minute change in her complexion, “The real Midela St. Hilde, not Yeliv St. Chapman!”

Upon hearing this name, the panic in Lady Yelina’s eyes couldn’t be concealed anymore. Yet, she still insisted on shaking her head, saying:

“Duke St. Chapman, I really don’t understand the meaning of your words…”

“Madam, why bother hiding it any further?” Colin let out a self-satisfied smile, “Have you forgotten my name? I’m also a St. Chapman!

Yeliv has already told me everything!

The real Miss Midela didn’t actually have the White Plague, did she?

The reason she was isolated in this turret, unseen by outsiders, wasn’t because of worries about contagion, but because she was pregnant!”

“No! No way! Yeliv couldn’t have possibly known the real cause of Midela’s death..” Lady Yelina denied adamantly. But the moment the words left her mouth, she realized her slip.

To this, Colin wore a triumphant grin, saying:

“Madam, it seems I guessed correctly. The real Miss Midela was isolated here after becoming pregnant.”

Then, without waiting for Lady Yelina to deny, he continued:

“The reason she was isolated for three years was because she died from complications during childbirth, right?

That’s why you brought in Yeliv to replace her and marry Emperor Reinhardt.

So, when you saw Vera in difficult labor today, you inadvertently called out the name Midela because that scene brought back your unpleasant memories, right?

I believe, she must resemble her mother quite a lot

That’s the reason you mixed up their names.” @@novelbin@@

Faced with Colin’s relentless questioning, Lady Yelina could no longer utter a word of denial. She trembled all over, turning pale.

Colin let out a sigh, reached out to clasp the old woman’s cold hands, and said softly:

“Madam, I didn’t mean to force you, I simply want to know the truth. Moreover, Vera has the right to know the truth.”

Lady Yelina stopped trembling, but when she raised her head again, her face was streaming with tears.

Looking at Colin’s sincere and calm eyes, she hesitated for a while before slowly nodding, sobbing:

“Yes… what you’ve said… is all correct… Midela did… in fact… die here… due to… difficult childbirth… and Vera… is her… posthumous daughter…”