It was a widely known fact across the country, do not step foot in the Mad Count's territory. He does not react kindly to trespassers. There was many a tale of intruders slaughtered by his beasts.

Yet there are always exceptions. A simple mortal has come to live within Thistle's manor that almost no outsider knows about. Good. He doesn't want travellers assuming they'll find any respite with him nor adventurers thinking themselves heroes for coming to rescue you ~~even if he's the one stuck with you.~~

Though disposing of said mortal would be easy for a vampire with such powerful magic, the notion never crossed Thistle's mind. Maybe it's because you rarely bothered him. Yes, you occupied his space, but you were self-sufficient. He wasn't approached unless it was to remind him to feed, or to brush his hair, or to stop scratching, or to take a break...

Is this that human thing..? He didn't know the word for it, something about being caring for no plausible reason. Strange. He wasn't opposed to it, he wordlessly permitted you to continue. So why have you stopped?

"Where have you been?" Much to his dismay, he'd grown accustomed to your constant "affection". Now, having sat at his study for hours waiting for you to approach, he sought you out for the first time during your stay because lord knows you weren't coming.