Zesshi managed to track Talia down to one of the more isolated parts of the floor, the Bride had driven herself into a corner, she was now facing the wall while Zesshi was looking at her. The half-elf stared down the Bride who had yet to turn around too looked at her, honestly, she when she saw that everyone was reaction to Alucard's words individually, Zesshi had considered walking out too. Lucky for her Talia did so herself which gave her the opening to leave the room as well, given the fact she needed some room to think.
"Why did you follow me?" Talia asked, turning to face Zesshi
That was a good question, why did she go after Talia? Zesshi couldn't help but look at Talia during much of what Alucard said, Talia was based on Alucard's first love, from what Kaia said Talia had openly proclaimed her love for him, in her mind it made sense for him to want to be with her. Talia was the perfect mate, she was devoted, obedient, and beautiful, so why would Alucard chose her, was it because she looked exactly like the Talia he lost, the one he lost because of his mistakes, perhaps. Zesshi admitted to herself that she felt the feelings she felt for Alucard being rocked by what he revealed, she was attracted to many things in him, but the thing that had made all of this possible and pleased her greatly was his strength, his power. She now questioned those feelings, knowing that he had once been a human and from what she understood, the fact he was now in this body didn't seem to be something he had decided.
"I-I saw your reactions to what Alucard said, I think out of the 4 of us, we were the ones most affected by it." Zesshi replied
Talia shifted slightly, raising an eyebrow at the half-elf, indeed she had been affected only because of her unbecoming feelings for her creator, and the fact she had yet to properly process that she had been modeled after his first lover.
"What of it? This doesn't concern you." Talia remarked, straightening her posture
Zesshi gritted her teeth, feeling light rage go through her body, one had to admire how Talia was able to put up such a composed façade even when it was obvious she was distressed. Now it began to annoy Zesshi, how the Bride did this even when it was obvious she should drop that façade and let out what is tormenting her.
"You know I really hate this side of you." Zesshi growled, causing Talia to raise an eyebrow at her
"You can keep yourself as composed as you like. Have you ever considered dropping the role of Bride, and just be yourself and speak your mind?" she added
The air suddenly became heavier, unfiltered anger began to spew from Talia all of it directed towards Zesshi. Talia was furious at her words, Zesshi dared think that she was able of such selfish actions, to let go of her duties and prioritize her own wishes, she couldn't do it, there were other things that need to be prioritize.
"How can you even ask such a thing of me!? For you my role may look simple, but it is not something I can put aside. It is my duty to always be there for Alucard, he cannot be troubled by my personal concerns." Talia growled back, to which Zesshi rolled her eyes at
"That doesn't matter right now. You ran out of that room because what Alucard said affected you and you know it. Since you aren't able to openly speak your mind, you took the cowards way out and ran. If you think that is in any way helping Alucard you're wrong, that will only help in hurting him..."
If Zesshi had anything else to say, it was abruptly stopped, as Talia slapped her with her right hand, the strength of the blow being enough to send the half-elf staggering a few feet backwards. She looked back at Talia, the Bride had her teeth clenched and tears were steadily rolling down her cheeks, it was the same cry as before, the same silent cry from the other time Talia had slapped her.
"Y-You have no right… S-Someone as… blessed as you, has no right to judge me!" Talia shouted, her voice filled with new found ferocity echoing through the corridors
"You accuse me of running away, then why are you here? You also ran away from that room."
"I-I didn't run away, I came to find you!" Zesshi argued back
"Don't lie. Do you think I didn't see how you looked at me, while Alucard spoke? You saw how it affected me, and I saw how it affected you."
Zesshi rubbed her sore cheek, all the while making sure her jaw was still in place, she almost regretted having pushed Talia, but she did admit it could have gone worse.
"I assume the fact Alucard used to be a weak human made you question your feelings?" Talia asked, surprising Zesshi with how much she had put together
"Do not look so surprised, someone as shallow as you is easy to read."
"I-I'm not shallow!... I mean, yes… maybe…" Zesshi sighed defeated
"Yes, I admit that in the beginning what attracted me was his strength. I mean, it was such a unique and frightening feeling, to be able to know defeat." Zesshi said, with a whimsical tone
"But as time went on I couldn't help but think of him, he was so different than what I was expecting, he was so kind, so friendly. Unlike any superior I had ever come across, he actually listened to what I had to say, it was almost as if we were standing on equal footing. But above all of that, I knew that for the first time in my life there was someone who understood me."
Zesshi soon noticed that she was also crying, using her hands she cleaned most of the tears, and she started to laugh weakly, the strange display causing Talia to give her a confused look.
"How ridiculous. To think that a simple h-human could ever be able of understanding me." she said, continuing to chuckle
The air that was still thick slowly return to normal, as did the raw emotion Talia was projecting towards Zesshi, the area once more became breathable. Talia watched the display, it felt real, she doubted Zesshi was able to put on an act like this, which meant these were her true feelings towards Alucard.
"Do you love him?" Talia asked
Words escaped the half-elf's throat, it was a word she had never said to him, or he had said to her, to be honest they had never addressed what they felt, they knew something was there and acted accordingly, but it had never been named. Kaia had briefly mentioned this, that when Talia revealed her feelings to Alucard, she did so with more emotion, more love, most likely that could mean Talia had used that word.
"W-We've never said those words, b-but I think that y-yes I love him." Zesshi replied, her face turning bright red
"I see…" Talia said, just to be interrupted by Zesshi
"But I know that you love him too." the half-elf informed, sending Talia into a visible state of shock
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"There is no point in hiding it. Kaia saw some of Alucard's memories when she feed on him, one of them being when you told him how you felt."
"Alucard chose you, it was his decision and I accept it, such is my duty." Talia said
The Bride's words infuriated Zesshi, Talia had gone back to her role of Bride, she thought of a quick way to get around this, after all this was another one of the reasons she had come looking for Talia.
"B-But I don't!" Zesshi spat out, surprising both herself and Talia
"I mean, I don't understand why he would choose me over you. I think that overall anyone would be happier with someone like you, than with me."
"Why would Alucard be happier with me? A servant who has stood so low as to develop feelings for her master, someone who would willingly question him and speak over him because of her feelings. And most importantly a woman who reminds him of the pain of having lost his first lover, every time he looks at her. No, such a woman wouldn't make him happy at all." Talia said with a grave tone, her hands going up to her face
"B-But wouldn't he want to have you by his side because of that? To love that body once more."
"Do you think of me as a replacement? I will do no such thing, the body may look like hers but the mind is my own, Alucard is perfectly aware of that. It is shallow to think he would be happy with just loving a body."
"When you told Alucard that you loved him, how did you do it, what did you say?" Zesshi asked, in a desperate attempt to understand Talia's feelings, it was a thing she needed to do
"I-I don't see how that is important."
"P-Please, tell me. I have to know, I need to understand this… because if I don't I feel like I stole him away from you." the half-elf said, with a desperate expression
"I-I told him that I loved him…" Talia paused, she blushed slightly, and a warm smile formed on her face
"That I loved him, respectfully, unconditionally, even if it killed me."
Zesshi felt her heart tighten, she had expected something that would completely overshadow her confession, but this was too much, such pure love, Alucard was an idiot for not having accepted her, every man dreams of someone like this. Talia was now crying openly, between the abundant tears and sobs, the Bride looked terrible and Zesshi was unsure of what to do. She slowly approached Talia, thinking of some words that could help defuse the situation but nothing came to her mind, without thinking she noticed her arms were slowly rising towards Talia.
Zesshi closed the distance between them and awkwardly placed her arms around Talia, even if the hold itself was a cold one, she felt the vampire give into it, closing whatever distance remained between them and resting her head on Zesshi's shoulder. Tightening her arms around Talia, doing her best to mimic what Alucard use to do with her, Zesshi embraced Talia in a real hug.
Alucard was an idiot, how could he have dismissed these feelings? Feelings that Zeeshi saw as being better than her own, built on something than her initial fascination for his power. There should be a way to clear things up, Talia seemed to be an emotional mess and Zesshi decided that she had to find a way to clear her mind, after all it was for the best of the mission. Releasing her hold on Talia, Zesshi grabbed on to the Bride's left hand and began to walk, pulling Talia along with her.
"Come with me." she said
"W-Where to?" Talia asked, using her other hands to wipe away her tears
"Alucard's room, you two have to talk about this."
"N-No, I can't trouble him with my feelings once more." Talia protested
"I told you to drop it. You have to speak as yourself, and not his Bride."
Talia was about to say something back, but let the words vanish from her mind, allowing Zesshi to drag her back to her creator's room.
Arriving at the room, Alucard was laying on his bed, still recovering his strength when the duo entered the chamber, causing him to quickly sit back up. Zesshi closed the door behind her and continued to pull Talia till they were in front of Alucard.
"Your faces are a bit red, have you two been crying?" Alucard asked
"Come on." Zesshi said, motioning Talia to say something
"W-What do you mean!?" Talia asked, not understanding what Zesshi's intentions were
"Tell him how you feel."
"But she has already told me." Alucard spoke, not understanding what was happening
"Then how could you send her away, even after she poured your feelings to you?" Zesshi protested
Alucard looked at Zesshi and then at Talia, who seemed to be as perplexed as he was, the True Vampire was completely lost at what the half-elf's intentions were. Was she asking him why he didn't reciprocate Talia's feelings, if so why? Was she surprised and wanted to know why he chose her over Talia? Above all else why would she bring the feelings of another woman up, when he decided to be with her?
"Please do not listen to her ramblings." Talia said
"You can't go back on it now! If you let me drag you here, certainly you agree when I said you have to speak with Alucard, as yourself and not just his Bride." Zesshi spat back
"Is that so? I'm free to hear whatever you want to tell me Talia." Alucard informed, gaining the two women's attention, as he got up from the bed
Talia fidgeted shyly, should she say something, but what would she say, she had already told him how she felt, however that failed and she was dismissed. Zesshi had told her to speak her mind, but should she do it, should she once more force her wishes upon her creator.
"I-I… I want to be with Alucard-sama." she mumbled
Alucard looked at her redden figure, then his eyes moved towards Zesshi, trying to understand what she was trying to achieve with this.
"What do you mean, Talia? You will always be by my side." he remarked
"A-And I am very grateful. But… I want to be able to be with you fully, p-please allow me to be with you… as she is." Talia said, looking at Zesshi
Alucard looked at his Bride's face, she looked lost and her voice was one of someone pleading, it pained him to see her make such an expression. Had it been before his fight with Arryn it would have been bad enough, but now that his memories of the original Talia had been brought back to the surface, such a sight was unbearable.
"Alucard, perhaps she should clear her head. It won't help any of us if she continues the mission with her mind in this state." Zesshi pointed out
Alucard raised his arms and placed his hands on Talia's shoulders, rubbing them softly, his expression turned into a warm and understanding one, in his best attempt to recover Talia's usually composed look.
"Zesshi's right, you need to take a break and rest." Alucard said
Zesshi rolled her eyes and nonchalantly threw herself at Alucard, taking the vampire by surprise she placed her arms around his neck and using her weight sent him into the bed. The half-elf raised her upper body, so she was now sitting on top of Alucard with her left hand on his chest, like she was riding him.
"You said that when I take the mantel of Queen, I may need to choose a King. Then when I become a Queen, you will be my King, and I'll allow you to have her as a mistress." Zesshi said, pointing back at Talia
Alucard went to say something but Zesshi stopped him by placing her left index finger on his lips, on her face was a smile that depicted her newly found confidence. The True Vampire frowned and his lips curled into a mischievous smile under the pressure of her finger, his right hand wrapped around her left wrist moving it away from him, and his left hand went under her chin.
"I-I will take my leave then. I don't wish to disrupt you any further." Talia said, taking a small bow
"Don't run!" Zesshi growled
The half-elf pulled away from Alucard, grabbed Talia's left wrist with her left hand, went behind the Bride and placed her right arm around Talia's waist, so she wouldn't try to leave.
"Let go of me." Talia hissed
"Alucard come now, why don't you help her clear her mind?"
Alucard sat back up in his bed, was she really suggesting for him to sleep with Talia, he sighed and slipped his left hand through his hair.
"Zeeshi is there any point to this?" he asked
"Yes."
Zesshi pushed Talia and the Bride clumsily stumbled into Alucard, so she was now the one sitting on top of him, the Bride now visibly flustered tried to distance herself from her master, just to be stopped by the half-elf.
"Where are you going? Isn't this what you want? Don't you want to be true to yourself, to be selfish for once in your life?" Zesshi asked, appearing behind Talia, before directing her attention to Alucard
"And you, just look at her? Don't you want to ease her feelings? Can you honestly say that you are unable to reciprocate her feelings, when you were able to reciprocate mine?"
"That's not it!" Alucard argued back, Zesshi laid to her right
"Is it because she reminds you of her? Then look pass that, it may not be easy, but we can do it." Zesshi remarked, to which Alucard raised an eyebrow at
"We?"
"Yes. The three of us, right here, right now." she replied, with a mischievous smirk
Talia slowly moved down, towards Alucard, her head went pass his reaching his ear, as she spoke, using something comparable to a whimper.
"W-What should I-I do, A-Alucard-sama?"
Alucard's arms went around Talia's waist holding her closer to him, he moved his head slightly so he was now whispering into her ear.
"Are you waiting for instructions, Talia?" Alucard asked, to which the Bride slowly nodded
"My apologies, but there will be none."
"T-Then what would you like me to do?" Talia asked, lifting her head so their eyes would meet
Alucard placed his left hand on her cheek, her skin was unbelievably soft and strangely hot to the touch, her face blushed further at the touch, Talia's body quivered slightly. It was as if time had stopped, like there was nothing else but Alucard and Talia, she was so beautiful, just like Talia had been, the touch was so familiar, yet so foreign. Tears began to silently roll down his cheeks, as he felt himself being overwhelmed by memories and raw emotion, in the moment he was unable to contain himself and mumbled.
"My Talia…"
Talia let out an audible gasp, was she allowed to be this happy, to me as blessed as to share such a moment with her superior? Yes, it was as Zesshi had said, she had the right to be selfish from time to time, now was that time. Talia hesitantly lowered herself towards him, meeting no form of resistance, she continued till their lips met, and as if a gate being opened, she poured all of her emotion, all of her love into the kiss.
Momentarily, Alucard found himself overwhelmed by the raw intensity behind her actions, it took some effort on his part to match her, but eventually he was able to do, soon enough they were sharing one of the most passionate kisses he had ever had in his life. Feeling her courage grow from the exchange, Talia soon began to use her hands to travel Alucard's body, her motions still slow and calculated, she was unexperienced so she was doing her best not to do something that could displease Alucard.
Zesshi, now sitting on the bed, felt the heat permeate through her body, her hands reduced to traveling her own body in search of the comfort normally provided by Alucard's touch. Biting her lip, she used the moment Alucard and Talia parted lips to make her move, she pushed Talia aside, causing the Bride to fall onto the bed, and wrapped her arms around Alucard.
"You've warmed her up enough, for now. Now, it's the time to do the same for me, I'm starting to feel a little left out."
"You should have known the risks when you had this idea." Alucard remarked
The sounds of love making echoed through the area, informing everyone else of what was happening in that room. Brain was still deep asleep, resting from having his energy drained so he missed the entire thing. Touka was in the room chosen by the Brides, using her hands to cover Nyx's ears, all the while cursing how lucky Zesshi and Talia were.
Lottus was in his room, trying his best to ignore the awkward sounds, suddenly he heard someone knock at the door followed by it opening. Looking to see who it was, Lottus was horrified when he saw Clementine's perverse face emerged from behind the door.
"Want to have some fun~?" she asked, her tone was heavy and sultry
"Why ask me?" was the first thing he managed to say, still processing the situation
"The door to his room is locked~"
"Y-You… You, unsightly fiend! Leave now! And take that animalistic depravity with you!" Lottus roared, marching towards the door
"Is that a no~?"
"It is." he replied, closing the door in her face
Mathius and Thelsea were in Kaia's room when the noise began, both of them felt relieved to see that their guests seemed to have accommodated themselves into their home easily enough, and that they already seemed to be busy with other things. However, Mathius couldn't help but be concerned on what effect this could have on Kaia, after all she wasn't that used to meeting new people, so he feared this may be to taxing for her. Also, he couldn't ignore the stares Thelsea had been giving him, since the noise started.
"Yes?" he asked her, with a calm tone
"Want to have some fun? It feels like ages since the last time we did it, nya." the Succubus pointed out
"C-Could you refrain from saying such things in front of our child!?" Mathius remarked
To this Thelsea simply closed the distance between them and whispered something into the place his ear would have been.
"Do you want to show them how it's really done, nya?" she purred
Before he could say anything, both of them were caught by surprise by what Kaia said.
"I wonder if they would let me watch." she mused
"K-Kaia, please don't think of say such things." Mathius said, flustered
"But I am curious, I only know of these things from memories, I want to see how different it is if I watch it myself. And I'm also curious to know how it works between 1 man and 2 women." Kaia informed, showing no visible signs of fluster or shyness
"They grow up so fast." Thelsea chuckled, taking a seat next to her daughter
"But you must be patient, I'm sure that one day you'll be able to learn everything you want about this, or any other, subject." she added
