I smile at Prince of Wales as she sits down in the chair opposite, and she gives me an equally bright smile in return. She had just finished all her jobs as secretary, and I had asked her if she wanted to rest.

"How has it been?" I ask curiously.

"It's been on an honour, Commander. It's been interesting to see your work firsthand." I was asking her about her experience as my secretary, having performed the duty for two weeks, her time was at its end.

"Well... you've been great Wales, honestly. And as a token of my appreciation, I got you a little something." I open the bottom drawer of my desk, reaching inside and gripping the gift I had bought, handing it over to her.

I tried to make an effort to buy every secretary a little gift as a means to thank them when their two weeks were up. Of course, for some ships, it was their third, even fourth time performing the duty, but even then, they got one each time. I prided myself on getting to know a ship well enough to choose a good present for them.

Wales smiles warmly. "Oh... Commander, there really was no need..." She opens the small box and thanks me for the gift. It wasn't much, just some special Royal Navy tea I had imported specially. I knew she was partial to black tea, enjoyed this particular variant and found it troublesome to acquire here at the port."

"I wish I could have got you more, you really have been a great help. You've set the bar high for the next ship, you should be proud."

"Aww, Commander. You are too sweet. Who do you have next, out of interest? I wouldn't mind continuing on with the work if you find it necessary." Volunteering to do extra secretary work? She must really have liked it, odd, I never saw Wales being the secretary type, but she really had come into her own in the time she had held the position.

I slide my drawer open, grabbing a folder and thumbing it open to the right page. A quick scan down the list reveals Wales's name, and the next ship to perform the duty. As I read the name inscribed there my chest tightens. I'm not sure if it was fear exactly, but something about her made me… uncomfortable.

The way she spoke and acted was odd. I could hardly understand her sometimes. Then there were the teeth. Sharp, pointed teeth, technically fangs. I had never asked about how exactly she had come to be a vampire, but it was definitely unsettling. She had this aura around her… it was sensual, intoxicating, yet also dark… I didn't even know if she actually drank blood or if her vampire traits were simply in appearance only. I hoped for the latter.

I look up at Wales. "…Your sister. York." Her eyes immediately widen in surprise.

"Ah. I see. Well, I wouldn't like to step on my sister's toes. So she can have you all to herself." That last part seemed ominous, but I understood that Wales had no wish to interfere in her siblings business.

She speaks up again, giving me a reassuring smile. "Don't tell her I said it, but she can be a handful sometimes. But you'll be fine. She likes you, besides, she'll get the work done no problem." It's not the work I was worried about. But I thank Wales regardless.

I was more scared of waking up one day, having found myself recruited unwittingly into the ranks of the undead. I shake my head free from the silly thoughts. I'd clearly watched too many vampire horror films. York was a perfectly nice enough lady and a valued member of the port. I shouldn't hold her lineage against her.

I thank Wales once again and dismiss her, waiting for her replacement with trepidation.

A knock on the door startles my already frayed nerves, and I feel a pit in my stomach already. Come on, get a grip. She's just a kansen, just like any other. I've commanded the likes of Roon and Taihou. I shouldn't be so put off by some sharp teeth and horror stories.

"…come in." I speak to the solid wooden door.

It creaks open slowly and in steps Duke of York. Her tall figure glides into the room as she appraises me. Her long pinkish hair flows behind her, alongside her cape. It even had a long collar at the back, in traditional Dracula fashion. She wore her standard red military jacket, which always seemed impractical to me, having a huge boob window displaying her large cleavage and even her black lace bra to some extent, before fastening back up around her neck. Not that the sight wasn't appreciated of course, in fact, it was quite distracting. The rope attached to her neck squishes between the two mounds on her chest before circling back round to her shoulder as she moves.

I notice the sound of a slight metallic ring as she comes gently to a stop in front of me and I realise that it is her sword and scabbard attached to her side. She graces me with a sultry smile, her lips opening slightly, and the light shines on her glistening vampiric fangs for a second before she purses them again.

"Greetings, O Commander. Tis a fine morn, is it not?"

I nod nervously. And her smile widens, allowing to glimpse her fangs once again. "I did meet mine own sibling before this meeting. She warned me to be careful with thee. Apparently, mine own visage scares thee, doth she speak the truth?"

It took me a second to realise what she meant; I really wish she would just speak normally. Nonetheless, I blush, embarrassed at her being quite so direct about my fear of her. "I… I'm not scared exactly… you just make me… uncomfortable… It's not your fault, I think I just watch too much vampire fiction."

She laughs at me, bringing her hand up to her mouth daintily. "Why Commander. I am hardly going to hurt thee… I do not bite… Unless thou asks for it..." She slips around to my side, and I go to stand up, but she gently places her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to stay where I am.

"Commander, thou may stay there. I am your honoured secretary, so please, bid me a task and it shall be done. Hopefully… thee shall get to know me better, and overcome this irksome fear."

I understood what she meant. I hardly knew the lady really, due to me avoiding her where possible. Perhaps if I knew her better, I would come to see her just as I did any other Kansen. I'm sure she was perfectly normal really. And what better time to get to know her, than the two weeks she was my secretary.

I ask her to start sorting files and cleaning, which she promptly does, at a blistering rate. I thought Wales had been a good secretary, but I dare say York was putting her to shame.

She turns, completed with her task and glances at the clock before speaking in her sultry refined tone. "Dost thou wish for some sustenance?" I cock my head at her quizzically. What?

Her eyes narrow at me in annoyance. "You would have me sully mine own tongue with common speech?" She huffs, then surprises me completely when she speaks again. "I said. Would you like some food?" I blink, speechless.

She… could speak normally? I had never heard her speak like that before, to me, or any of her friends. Her voice was still incredibly noble and light, carrying a refined cadence to it that demanded respect above all else. But she just spoke plain English? Actual, normal English? I was shocked.

Her eyes narrow further, getting even more annoyed at my silence. "Must I dumb mine own words further for such a simpleton?"

I shake myself out of the stupor I've found myself in and blush. "I…um yes. Please. I was just surprised… I've never heard you speak… normally."

She smiles at me. "I do not like to speak plainly. I respect mine own noble patronage far too much for such things. But… if it is for thee. I may permit it, occasionally."

She stands and walks out of the room. I presume to fetch food. After she has left I start to grow worried. I had never told her what I actually wanted, so I was likely to end up with something not my tastes.

Before long she returns, entering with all the grace of before, even when carrying a tray of food. She places it on my desk, carefully pouring a cup of tea for me from the teapot the stepping back and giving a small bow. "Bon Appetit, Commander."

A glance at the plate in front of me shows one of my favourite dish available from the canteen, a beautiful lasagne with assorted vegetables and chips.

"I had George add some extra on thy plate. She was more than happy to oblige. Thee shouldst thank her in the future." I nod my assent. My confusion at how she knew my favourite meal gone, she had asked the chef, KGV of course.

I start on the large meal and get about halfway through before I realise York is simply sat in the corner, legs crossed watching me intently. I feel incredibly self-conscious about my eating habits and wipe my mouth quickly with a napkin. "Did you not get anything for yourself?"

"I do not feel the pangs of hunger currently. So have no need."

"No drink?" I'm not sure what prompts me to ask such a question, but I'm surprised to see her smile slyly and reach into her jacket, pulling out a small ornate silver canteen.

"I have mine own."

She takes a swig from the container, eyes closing in pleasure as she downs the mystery contents and hums in approval. She sets it on the side and stands up. "Excuse me, I hear natures call." She strides out the door, and I finish the rest of my food up.

Then, my eyes are drawn to silver canteen. Was that… what I thought it was? The way she savoured the contents. And in fact, weren't her pupils bigger afterwards, dilated? My mind goes wild with the implications.

My curiosity finally gets the better of me and I get out of my seat, quickly checking to make sure she isn't on her way back and pick up the canteen. It's heavier than I thought. And the design on it is very intricate. Flowing vines are inscribed downwards, with thorns and flowers scattered across them. It's some beautiful craftsmanship. I spin the top, eager to see inside.

Then, without any warning, I feel pressure against my back and I freeze, like a rabbit in headlights. Her large chest presses into my back, I feel her breath on my neck. A hand snakes down my own, her touch gliding against my skin. It reaches the canteen, and gently extracts it from my hand.

"Thou art not ready for the contents of that pandora's box, Commander." She whispers in my ear in a sensuous tone as she pockets the canteen. I didn't know if I was terrified or turned on, perhaps both.

Then, my heart stops when she takes the opportunity to plant a kiss on the nape of my neck. It's quick, teasing. But the implications, the thought of her fangs so close to my neck makes me weak at the knees.

She pulls back and I turn to her. She simply smiles. "Apologies for the tease. But that is what thee invitest when perusing a women's possessions."

I'm not an overly smart guy, it must be said. Nonetheless, I'm not dumb either. And I quickly realise something. She had left it on the side, not pocketing it when she had left. It had been deliberate, a trap for an unsuspecting mouse. A commander shaped mouse.

"You… left it there on purpose?" I ask.

She shrugs her shoulders and gives a warm smile. "Who is to say. If I did, I may have wanted to know how curious thee were… But now thou hast broached the subject, I gather thee wishes to knoweth about mine own diet?"

I nod demurely. Her grin widens and she eyes me up. "Commander. Art thou not a man? Can thou not askest a simple question thyself? Say it."

She challenges me with a fire in her eyes and I gulp down my fears and ask her. "Do you actually… drink blood?"

She smiles, her fangs once again glinting in the light. Then, before I can react, she is leaving the room, her cape billowing behind her. "Well… would thee behold the time. Valorous night commander, I shalt find thee well tomorrow."

I stand there, stumped. Indeed, it was time for her shift to finish. But it was quite clear she was playing with me and enjoying it. Is this what Wales meant when she said York was a handful?

As with my other fic on FF, this has been live on Ao3 for some time, and is already up to chapter 7, eventually decided to bring it over, bit by bit.
Hope people enjoy!