[ It hasn't been lost on Xingqiu that this tale is meant only to entertain her audience, however, her audience was composed solely of him. While he is partially amused that she has chosen to add old cliches, the writer in him can't help but deviate away from the predictable, perhaps it may come off as ungrateful but he knows Hu Tao well enough to understand this might be difficult for some an eccentric as her. He wouldn't have minded at all if she took up her usual style, it's always the thought that counts.

Besides, she is the only person to gift him a story for his birthday. Scratch that. She is the only person to gift him anything for his birthday — not that he expected anything from boy who cannot remember his own birthda. ]

Oh? So I am a frightening young vampire prince now? I cannot imagine you ever being afraid of me. Or perhaps you do find me intimidating? [ His expression hints at reasonable amusement. They've been friends for a long while now, they've exchanged poems and intertwined their words to form new works. ] All for the sake of the story then?

Very well.

I think I understand your aim with this. I never thought you were the type...

The poor exhausted human prince's curiosity had gotten the better of him, unfortunately, he was indeed only human, and thick walls made it difficult for him to distinguish what the sounds were coming from the other side of the wall. He was almost certain it was the voice of a man. Now what could be on the other side of this thick wall? It was an older, plain busy-body of a vampire that shall never be named in this tale and was an older relative of the maid's master. He spoke only words that were likely some older lesson or saying, not very important but could cause panic and extreme boredom in anyone that could make out his words. Those were his powers.