Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!-Chapter 584: Joy Is My Wife!

As Maria and Aqua hurried down the steps toward the garden, Maria’s heart beat faster with every step—not out of fear, but genuine disbelief.

Her daughter, Joy, had never been one for close contact. Even Maria herself was allowed only the occasional hug or brief cuddle, and even those moments ended quickly when Joy pulled away, cheeks pink with discomfort.

As for Aqua, Joy practically dodged her affectionate advances, always muttering that she hated clingy people.

But now, as they entered the garden, Maria could clearly see Joy standing beside a tall, cloaked figure, so close that their elbows brushed as they spoke.

It was unnatural for Joy. Completely out of character.

"Just who on earth...?" Maria whispered, slowing slightly.

But before she could finish her thought, Aqua’s entire expression changed. Her brows furrowed, and a storm of dramatic emotion crossed her face.

"Oh no." Maria muttered under her breath. "Don’t—"

But Aqua was already striding forward, one hand on her hip, the other pointing like a theatrical heroine confronting a villain.

"How dare you, you fiend!"

Aqua declared loudly enough to startle a few birds from the hedges.

"How dare you try to steal my Joy away!"

The outburst froze everyone in place. Joy turned slowly, her face the picture of unamused calm, while the cloaked figure beside her tilted their head ever so slightly, clearly startled.

But Aqua wasn’t done.

"I don’t know who you are." She continued dramatically. "But you probably saw how beautiful my Joy is, how radiant she looks in the sunlight, and fell for her instantly!"

"Don’t deny it! You’re pestering her over and over for her love, aren’t you?!"

Joy blinked slowly. "Aqua."

But Aqua pressed on, shaking her head gravely.

"It’s absolutely useless! No use at all!" She jabbed a finger at the cloaked stranger. "Not only is my Joy uninterested in anyone but the Goddess herself, but—"

She thumped her chest proudly.

"—she’s going to marry me!"

Aqua grinned wide and struck a heroic pose.

"Yes! Me, her best friend, her fated partner! The one destined to take her hand in marriage!"

"So don’t even think about approaching her in such a shameless way!"

The entire garden went quiet.

Joy’s temple vein twitched, while Maria covered her face with her hand, murmuring.

"Oh dear Goddess..."

Aqua, expecting the cloaked figure to either run away in shame or protest in embarrassment, crossed her arms smugly.

But when the stranger finally turned toward her, Aqua froze mid-smirk.

The hood shifted back slightly, revealing long, flowing white hair, rich brown skin, and piercing crimson eyes that gleamed like molten rubies in the sunlight.

Both Aqua and Maria gasped in unison.

A woman.

A breathtakingly beautiful woman.

Not a man at all.

Aqua’s dramatic pose faltered, her pointing finger drooping as intense embarrassment flooded her face.

Maria’s surprise mirrored hers.

They had both assumed because of the height and cloak, that it was a male suitor. But that wasn’t the case at all.

Maria blinked. "Oh my...she’s a woman?"

Aqua stared in disbelief. For a moment, she could only gape—but then she noticed something.

Her eyes flicked toward the faint glint of fangs when Carmela’s lips parted slightly.

Her breath hitched.

’No...it couldn’t be.’

’Those crimson eyes...Those elongated canines...’

The realization struck her like lightning.

And in that instant, everything clicked.

The only other people in the world she knew who had crimson eyes like that...were her brother and the ancient beings written in forbidden history books.

Aqua took an involuntary step back, eyes widening and Maria noticed the reaction immediately.

"What’s wrong, Aqua?" She asked, concerned. "Why do you look like that? I know we’re all surprised she’s a woman, but there’s no need to be rude. We might have come across as unkind..."

Aqua quickly shook her head.

"No, no, Auntie Maria—it’s not that."

She raised a trembling finger toward Carmilla.

"She’s...She..."

"She’s a vampire!...She’s an actual vampire!"

Maria gasped, her eyes full of disbe as she turned toward the woman—toward Carmela.

"A...vampire?" She whispered in wonder and awe, unable to comprehend how a extinct race was standing right in front of her.

But Carmela’s expression didn’t change at both of their reactions. Her eyes darted between them cautiously, her posture tightening slightly.

She had expected this reaction.

After all, even though Joy had assured her that her mother and Aqua wouldn’t be frightened or hateful, centuries of prejudice were hard to forget.

And facing the sharp recognition in Aqua’s eyes made her instincts flare for a moment—fight or flight.

Her muscles tensed subtly, her gaze lowering just enough to gauge the distance between herself and Aqua.

’If she attacks...I’ll have to go all out.’ She thought grimly.

Because she knew exactly who Aqua was.

Not just Joy’s overly affectionate friend, but the Archmage of the Five Elements.

A woman who wielded power across every magical domain.

Someone even Carmela would have to take seriously.

But what came next was the last thing Carmela expected.

Aqua’s expression—initially tense—suddenly shifted into sheer, unfiltered excitement.

Her eyes sparkled. "A vampire." She breathed. "A real, actual vampire!"

Before Carmela could react, Aqua sprinted forward, skirts fluttering behind her.

"Wait..." Joy began, but it was too late.

Aqua grabbed Carmela’s hands with both of hers, looking straight into her crimson eyes with starry-eyed admiration.

"Oh my gods! Such beautiful eyes! They’re just like my brother’s—so vivid, so alive!"

Carmela froze, completely thrown off. "W-What are you doing—"

"You really are a vampire!" Aqua said, grinning from ear to ear. "This is incredible! I never thought I’d actually meet one of your kind in this age! I read that your race did exist anymore because of the horrible acts of the church—but look at you! You’re real!"

Carmela blinked, utterly baffled by the energetic woman now holding her hands like an overexcited fan.

"And they said vampires were one of the most beautiful race to have ever lived..."

Aqua went on, eyes sparkling.

"I thought that was just exaggerated history—but it’s true! You’re absolutely stunning! This is like a dream come true!"

Carmela did not know how to react at the moment.

After spending the night alongside Joy, she and Joy had found proof of how as long as they stayed close to one another, their bodies and souls healed faster, almost instinctively, as though their energies were naturally intertwined.

Because of that, they decided to remain together for the future, rarely straying far from each other’s side.

But today, Joy had other responsibilities.

There was a suspicious new facility that had recently been constructed under Cassius’s name—an operation she had deemed worthy of investigation.

And since it was located on the outskirts of the town, she had to leave the mansion to look into it personally.

Carmela had agreed to accompany her, unbothered by the thought of venturing outside, though Joy had warned her about one thing before they departed.

"My mother and Aqua will likely tag along." Joy had said, sounding almost resigned. "Don’t worry if that happens—they’re both harmless. Even if they find out you’re a vampire, they won’t attack you."

"You can trust me on that."

Still, Carmela had been tense.

The words ’don’t worry’ were easy to say, but centuries of persecution and hatred were not so easily forgotten.

Yet now, seeing Aqua practically vibrating with excitement at the sight of her, Carmela realized that Joy had not exaggerated.

There truly was nothing to fear from this woman who was practically sparkling with delight.

Aqua quickly turned toward Joy, still brimming with energy. "Joy, Joy!" She exclaimed. "Where exactly did you catch this beautiful vampire?"

Carmela blinked slowly, unsure whether to feel insulted or amused.

Joy, on the other hand, simply sighed and folded her arms.

"I did not catch her." She said dryly. "She was brought to me."

Aqua tilted her head. "Brought? By who?"

"By your brother." Joy replied, her tone casual but precise. "He knew my soul was injured and in one of his usual manipulative gestures, decided to bring her to me so that I would think he’s some benevolent saint."

Aqua stared for a second...then suddenly clapped her hands together in delight.

"Of course it was my brother! Only he can have a vampire in his arsenal!" She exclaimed. "Not to mention, that’s he’s so charming it’s unfair. He can even make an extinct vampire stand next to him willingly."

"But honestly, I’m not surprised at all since he’s my little brother after all."

She said proudly to which Carmela shot her a sharp glare at the wording, but Aqua didn’t even notice.

Instead, she stepped forward enthusiastically and took Carmela’s hand again, shaking it with unrestrained excitement.

"Hello! I’m Aqua." She said brightly. "Joy’s best friend! It’s so nice to meet you!"

She leaned in slightly, eyes shining.

"I hope we can be friends too! I mean, being friends with a vampire like you would be amazing—especially one as beautiful as you!"

Normally, Carmela would have recoiled.

Aqua was loud. Too expressive. Too close. Exactly the kind of person she avoided.

And yet...

For some reason, the sheer enthusiasm radiating off Aqua—so genuine, so unfiltered—made it strangely hard to reject her outright.

There was no fear in her eyes. No hatred. Just wonder.

Carmela hesitated...then gave a small nod.

"...Carmela." She said quietly.

Aqua gasped dramatically.

"Oh my god." She whispered. "Even her voice is cool and husky."

She turned to Joy, whispering loudly.

"If we put her in a suit, she’d be the most handsome man in the Royal Capital. The ladies there would literally sell their souls just to talk to her."

That was when Maria finally stepped in.

"Alright, that’s enough." She said firmly, grasping Aqua’s shoulder and pulling her back slightly. "Stop harassing her already, Aqua. You’re being far too forward."

Aqua pouted. "I wasn’t harassing! I was complimenting!"

Maria gave her a sharp look before turning toward Carmela with an apologetic smile.

"I’m sorry about that." She said warmly. "Aqua can get a little too excited when she meets someone new, especially when it’s someone she finds fascinating. Please don’t take it the wrong way."

Maria then realised something halfway and straightened slightly before giving a gentle bow.

"How rude of me. I haven’t introduced myself I’m Maria, Joy’s mother. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carmela."

She then clasped her hands politely, her expression kind and sincere as she added,

"And truly, thank you. I just heard you’ve been helping my daughter heal. That means more to me than I can say."

"Just yesterday, I was praying that somehow by some miracle someone would appear to help her recover. And then you did. A vampire, of all beings!"

"The Goddess really does have a sense of humor...or maybe this is fate."

She chuckled softly, the fondness in her tone unmistakable.

"Either way, I’m deeply grateful. And I must say..." Her smile brightened, her tone almost teasing. "...the Goddess really didn’t hold back with beauty when sending you."

Aqua snorted playfully, and even Joy gave her mother a subtle side-eye.

But Carmela wasn’t reacting at all—at least not in the way they expected.

Her body had gone still. Completely still.

Her crimson eyes trembled faintly as she stared at Maria, unblinking.

Her breath hitched ever so slightly, her lips parting soundlessly.

Her hands, which had been composed just moments ago, now trembled where they hung at her sides.

Maria noticed immediately.

"Carmela?" She asked softly. "Are you alright?"

Aqua tilted her head. "She looks pale..."

But Carmela didn’t respond.

Her gaze was fixed entirely on Maria—her kind eyes, her gentle smile, her warm voice and in that instant, it was as though time itself stopped.

Something deep inside her stirred—memories buried beneath decades of pain and blood.

That tone...that expression...that warmth.

It was achingly familiar.

Her throat tightened as she whispered, almost without realizing it, in a voice trembling with disbelief and nostalgia.

"...Mama?"