Reincarnated As a Vampire [English Version]

Chapter 25

Back to the Academy

Today, I returned to the Academy with Leon.

At first, I had planned to use the portal like usual—fast, practical, and discreet. But Mother immediately rejected the idea.

“No,” she said with a gentle yet purposeful smile. “All the students at the Academy must know… that you are now a princess.”

The result?

I was paraded in a ridiculously luxurious horse-drawn carriage, complete with the royal crest and attendants trailing behind.

It felt like I was performing in a grand stage play—and unfortunately, I was the main character.

Inside the carriage, I sat facing Leon. After his confession last night... the atmosphere had grown awkward. Unbearably awkward. Every time I glanced his way, my face inexplicably burned with heat.

Strangely enough, Leon acted like everything was completely normal. Calm, composed—he didn’t even bring up what had happened last night.

Had he really forgotten all about it?

Then why couldn’t I?!

I stole another glance at him—only to realize I’d been staring too long.

He was quietly reading a book.

No! Stop thinking about it!

“Avrora,” Leon’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Eh?! A-Ahahaha! N-No reason at all, Onii-sama!” I turned my head toward the window in a panic, trying to hide my tomato-red face.

Idiot! Why were you staring at him like that?!

How can he be so calm after everything?! I seriously don’t get it...

---

After half a day’s journey, we finally arrived at the Academy.

As I stepped down from the carriage, the sight that greeted me rendered me speechless.

Students stood in neat lines along the path, welcoming me like I was some kind of noble dignitary.

I waved gracefully, just like Mother taught me. Like this, right? A gentle wave—don’t flail around like a fishmonger at the market.

From a distance, Zen spotted me and immediately ran over. He knelt politely before me and took my hand with theatrical flair.

“Avrora-sama... I’m so glad you’ve returned to the Academy.”

Disgusting.

Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud, so I just gave a noble, elegant smile.

Zen really is... always so over the top. So annoying.

Soon after, Alden and Liza also came to greet me. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I headed to the nobles’ dormitory—where I now stayed together with Leon.

My room wasn’t any less luxurious than one in the palace. For a moment, I thought maybe I could live a bit more freely now that I was back at the Academy...

But of course, that hope was crushed almost immediately.

The moment I opened the door to my room, several royal maids were already standing inside, perfectly lined up, smiling at me with a chill-inducing politeness.

“Eh?! What are you all doing here?” I asked in a panic.

One of them bowed respectfully. “We were sent directly by Her Majesty the Queen to serve you, Avrora-sama.”

Terrifying...

Their faces were too perfect. Their gazes too sharp. I could already picture the next scene: them dragging me into the bath and torturing me with bunny-shaped sponges.

“Avrora-sama,” one maid said, “you’ve had a long journey. Before you rest, please allow us to bathe you.”

NOPE!

Without thinking, I bolted.

“Avrora-sama! Please wait!”

Forget it! I have to save myself!

I flung open the nearest door—Leon’s room. Dark. Looks like he wasn’t here.

The maids’ footsteps drew closer. In a panic, I jumped onto the bed and wrapped myself in the blanket. Perfect. Now I looked like a giant pillow.

Please don’t come in. Please don’t come in...

But suddenly, a warm arm wrapped around me from behind.

“Eh?!”

Warm breath brushed against my neck.

Leon?!

He was already in bed—and hugging me in his sleep?!

I wanted to scream, but I didn’t want to wake him. I held my breath, but my body slowly relaxed. Before I knew it... I had fallen asleep.

---

A few hours later...

Someone gently touched my cheek.

I opened my eyes slowly. “Onii-sama...?”

Leon smiled. “Did you sleep well, Avrora?”

My eyes shot open as I realized I was still in his room.

Oh no!

“I’m so sorry! Forgive me, Onii-sama!” I sat up in a panic, scrambling to escape. But Leon was faster—he grabbed my hand.

“Eh?!”

“Where are you going, Avrora?” He pulled me back onto the bed and laid me down.

His face came closer. Very close.

“W-What are you going to do?” I asked, almost in a whisper.

“You’ve been sleeping in my room all this time. And now you want to just leave? Take responsibility.”

My heart pounded like crazy. I shut my eyes tight… bracing for the worst.

“Pffft—!”

Leon laughed.

“Your face is so funny, Avrora. So serious. Did you really think I was going to kiss you?”

“Ughhh! Don’t tease me like that! You idiot, Leon!”

I leapt off the bed and ran out of the room.

After I left, Leon fell silent. His smile faded. A somber expression overtook his face.

“…Why did you have to be my little sister...?”

---

I stormed off to my room, a mess of confusion and embarrassment. But before I could even reach for the doorknob—

“Avrora-sama!!”

The royal maids appeared before me. Their smiles... were deeply unconvincing.

“Eh?!”

Uh-oh.

I stepped back—once, twice—but they were quicker.

“KYAAAAAAAAAA!! SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEE!!”

And yep... just as I feared, I was dragged off and bathed again.

---

To be continued...