The chastity curse had finally reared its ugly head, disrupting Adele’s life in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

It was a harsh reminder that she couldn’t hide behind a screen or within the confines of a dream forever. Reality was where she lived, and reality demanded interaction, intimacy, connection.

She couldn’t afford to hurt those she cared about.

The thought of causing pain to someone she loved… it was unbearable.

Adele’s lips tightened, and her eyes welled up as she recalled Linlang’s instinctive step back.

But she wouldn’t give up.

She took another step towards Tang Linlang, her heart pounding.

Tang Linlang’s heart ached, a storm of emotions swirling within her. But seeing Adele’s heartbroken expression, her own pain seemed to fade into insignificance. Even the sharp, stabbing sensation in her chest, the feeling of her heart breaking, became bearable.

She stood frozen, waiting for Adele to approach, bracing herself for whatever came next. Comfort or rejection, she would accept it.

But Adele would never intentionally hurt Linlang.

She wanted to hug her, to reassure her, but the curse held her back, a constant threat.

Instead, she reached out and gently caressed Tang Linlang’s cheek, her touch lingering for a fleeting moment before she withdrew her hand.

Even that brief contact almost triggered the curse.

“Linlang, there’s… something wrong with me,” Adele said, her voice trembling. “Please don’t misunderstand. I’m trying to fix it. But… for now, we can’t be as close as we used to be…”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned away, unable to meet Tang Linlang’s gaze.

Her cryptic explanation only fueled Tang Linlang’s curiosity. But seeing Adele’s distress, she knew better than to press for answers.

Despite the unease gnawing at her heart, she followed Adele into the classroom.

The morning passed quickly, leaving little time for explanations. Adele had opted for the “playing the victim” card, hoping to pique Tang Linlang’s curiosity and distract her from the pain of rejection.

Linlang would understand. She would make excuses for Adele, worry about her well-being.

Adele was a good judge of character. She had no doubt that Linlang would come around.

And when the time was right, when Linlang’s heart was completely devoted to Adele… that’s when she would reveal the truth.

Tang Linlang was an ally, a valuable one. She would remain by Adele’s side, offering unwavering support, throughout this entire ordeal.

Why hide anything from her? Wouldn’t it be more fun to rebel against Dorothy’s tyranny together?

And that’s exactly what happened.

Adele spent the morning moping at her desk, her despondent mood casting a shadow over Tang Linlang’s own spirits.

Linlang’s imagination ran wild, conjuring up all sorts of scenarios.

The worst one? “Adele had been brutally assaulted last night, leaving her traumatized and unable to tolerate any kind of physical intimacy.”

Adele: *What?*

It was a horrifying thought, but… strangely plausible.

Well, plausible for any other innocent girl.

But Adele… she wouldn’t be this broken if Dorothy had simply had her way with her.

The chastity curse, however, was a different story. It was an insult, a violation of her freedom, a barrier preventing her from getting close to her beloved “wives”.

The second class ended, much to Tang Linlang’s relief. She dug her nails into her palms, trying to quell her anxiety as she approached Adele, who was slumped over her desk, her head resting on her arms.

Adele wasn’t asleep. She heard Linlang’s footsteps approaching, a bittersweet smile curving her lips.

The time had come.

It was time to play the role of the innocent victim, the poor little bunny bullied by the school’s biggest baddie, Dorothy.

And Linlang would believe her. She would accept Adele, flaws and all.

Tang Linlang stood beside Adele’s desk for a long moment, her heart pounding. Finally, she spoke.

“Adele…” she began hesitantly. “Do you… want to go to the bathroom?”

………………

The break between the second and third classes was always long, giving Adele ample time to tell Tang Linlang everything.

Well, almost everything.

Who would reveal information that could potentially harm them? Adele certainly wouldn’t.

Tang Linlang’s face hardened as Adele recounted Dorothy’s actions, her voice trembling with indignation. Her hatred for vampires, with the notable exception of Adele, reached new heights.

Most people considered Adele a vampire. But there were a few who insisted that she was human.

As for Adele… she would embrace whichever identity suited her best at any given moment.

They were in a secluded bathroom stall, their voices hushed.

Adele sat on the closed toilet seat, her cheeks burning with shame as she slowly lifted her shirt, revealing the heart-shaped curse mark on her lower abdomen.

In that moment, she understood how Celeste must have felt…

It was so humiliating…

But Tang Linlang’s reaction was far more dramatic than Adele had anticipated. Her vision blurred, and she had to grab the stall door to keep herself from collapsing.

“…”

Adele felt a pang of guilt. Linlang was taking this way too hard.

But then, she tried to see things from Linlang’s perspective.

It was like witnessing the aftermath of a brutal assault, the perpetrator leaving behind a permanent mark on her beloved, a symbol of ownership…

It was enough to make anyone faint.

“Adele…” Linlang whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She was on the verge of tears, but she fought to maintain her composure, focusing on comforting Adele.

“Does it… hurt? Can I… do anything to help?”

Despite her own distress, her first instinct was to care for Adele.

Adele’s lips trembled, but she shook her head, her eyes filled with despair.

“Linlang… thank you,” she whispered. “But… there’s nothing we can do. Because of this curse… I can’t even hold hands with the girl I love…”

A confession, delivered in a moment of vulnerability, like a beacon of hope piercing through the darkness.

Adele didn’t reveal the identity of the girl she loved, but Linlang already knew.

From this day forward, she would dedicate herself to avenging Adele, to climbing to the pinnacle of power.

She would make Dorothy pay for what she had done.

A thousand deaths wouldn’t be enough.