The maid trailed behind him quietly, hanging her head.

"You do not need to do such a thing."

"I—"

"Through here, please." Karlheinz held the door open for her, allowing her to step into the infirmary. The doctor the palace kept seemed to be absent.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Karlheinz took off his jacket, hanging it by the door. "Please sit down," he told her, "I'll assess the damage."

The maid was frigid, sitting perfectly straight, her neck noticeably tense. "I'm fine, My Lord. Please, someone like you shouldn't—"

"I've studied medicine," Karlheinz said with a smile, "For once I might actually put it to use." He offered his hands, upon which the maid hesitantly stretched out her arms, letting him look at her.

"You are as kind as they say." She whispered softly.

He looked up at her, giving her a smile, "I make it a point to familiarize myself with those who serve us. I find a small bit of kindness goes a long way."

In truth it was not so serious a matter. He rubbed a cooling lotion over her arms, one that was made of some of the finest medicinal herbs the demon world had to offer. She sat quiet and red all the while, allowing Karlheinz to do his work.

The Young Prince swallowed thickly, suddenly hyper aware of the maid's scent. It was repressed, he could tell at least that much. But from the way her blood was rushing beneath her skin, he couldn't help but think that…

Well, Sampson had always told him as such. That Karlheinz could have any woman wrapped around his finger, if he so chose. But that hardly seemed likely, when Lisa herself was so…

But this woman, this maid, was certainly flush because of him.

Perhaps it was a bit mischievous, considering there was no real need to confirm his suspicions, especially to a poor maid who had already suffered so much embarrassment. But he brought her hand up to his lips regardless, quickly licking the back of her palm, the burn erasing as if it'd never occurred.

She yelped, pulling her hand away, her eyes wide and her heart pounding so fiercely that even Karlheinz could hear it.

He couldn't help but find it all amusingly curious.

"Forgive my boldness," he said with a boyish smile, "It is the most effective way to heal someone, after all."

"Y-Yes," she clutched her hand to her chest, bowing her head, "Yes, thank you, Sakamaki-sama."

How endearing that the help had grown fond of him. It was with a rather proud smile that he acknowledged her appreciation, before urging her to return to her work, Karlheinz putting his jacket back on.

Just as she was reaching for the door, however, it opened towards her.

"Sampson," Karlheinz said, slightly surprised.

The maid bowed her head, formally greeting the lord.

"Christa's had another attack."

Sampson watched with amusement as the young prince raced out of the room, white hair flying behind him as he rushed down the hallway.

He chuckled to himself, before realizing the maid was still there, red-faced and with shortened breath.

"Oh?" he smirked, "And whatever happened to you?"

…

"Karlheinz!" Christa's book fell into her lap, her posture sharpening from the way the young prince burst through the door.

"Sampson told me—"

"I only just fainted—"

"You know you're weak to sunlight—"

"Sakamaki-sama," the nurse was a plump sort of woman, a vampire from the countryside with no regard for royalty. "If you cannot calm yourself then get out! I've had a devil of a time seeing that this one doesn't die of a fever!"

"Yes," he gave a short but humble bow, allowing himself to catch his breath, realizing he'd nearly been shouting this entire time. "Yes, of course, forgive me."

"Gertrude," Christa smiled softly, "I'll be quite all right. If Karlheinz is here…"

Gertrude let out a hmph of a sound, before leaving the room, not bothering to excuse herself.

"However do you deal with that woman?"

Christa chuckled, rearranging the book that had fallen, closing it properly and setting it beside her on the bed. "Gertrude knows me best." She insisted.

Karlheinz pulled up a chair, so that he could sit next to her.

"I do feel so dreadfully guilty." She sighed.

"You've no reason—"

"Everyone is always so worried about me. If only I were a little stronger—"

"The fault does not fall upon your shoulders."

She smiled tenderly, tugging aimlessly at her fingers. "I'm afraid it is, Karlheinz. Not matter how many times you choose to refute it."

"Then I will refute it until you see reason."

She giggled lightly, shaking her head, "Reason points to the fact that I am not fit to be an immortal."

"That's preposterous. You're a Sakamaki, after all."

She glanced at him, before looking down at her hands, "Isn't that all the more cruel?"

Karlheinz wasn't quite sure what to make of it. "Christa—"

Her head lifted before he had the chance to finish, and he was greeted with a bright, smiling face, "What of your human bride?"

"She's…well it's as you'd expect…of a human—to be put into a situation such as this one…" he struggled, trying to find the right words, "No one approves—"

She laughed again, "Uncle was furious. Though I'm not sure what he expected me to do. Talk sense into you, I suppose."

"Do you, too, find me mad?"

She smiled kindly, "Only just."

Karlheinz returned it, letting out a frustrated sort of sigh.

"You mustn't be too angry with Uncle," Christa continued, "He knows things we could never begin to imagine. If he so strongly objects, then perhaps—"

"I understand that well enough," Karlheinz sighed, "But for once, I want this to be something that I've chosen. Not something that he approves of because of whatever future he claims to have seen—"

"Put yourself in his shoes, Karlheinz," Christa urged, "One day you will host the same power—"

"I don't want it."

Christa burst into a fit of coughs, to which Karlheinz immediately helped her sit up, handing her a glass of water and rubbing her back until the abuse to her fragile body ended.

With a heavy inhale, she thanked him, resting back against the pillow. "I suppose getting sick and fainting spurts are quite typical of me, aren't they?" She laughed sadly, "Of course they would occur at the same time…"

"Forgive me for making you speak so much—"

She raised her hand, waving away his words, "I'm grateful. I have Gertrude but it does get rather…lonely…"

He pushed her hair back and kissed her forehead, telling her to get some rest. "You're far too pale. As my favorite cousin, you must take care of yourself."

"Karlheinz," she smiled, "I am your only cousin."

He chuckled, taking her hands, "Well I don't see how that changes matters."

She gave a somber sort of expression, before staring at their hands. Karlheinz looked at her curiously. "What is it?"

She shook her head. "Your hands have always been warm."

"So that I may heat yours up, naturally."

She blushed at that, shaking her head once more. "Manos frias…amor de un dia. Isn't that how the saying goes?"

Karlheinz hummed at that, "The phrase I'm familiar with has to do with kindness."

Her eyes widened, as if asking him to go on. He squeezed her palms, "Those who are kind will always have cold hands, because they are willing to give their warmth to those who need it."

She giggled, averting her gaze, her eyes crinkling in happiness. "You're too optimistic for your own good, My Lord."

He reached over to kiss her forehead again, bidding her a proper goodbye and insisting she sleep.

"Karlheinz," she said, just as he reached the door, "Please visit again."

He nodded, smiling at her. "Of course."

He began heading back towards the parlor, feeling more at ease with himself knowing that Christa was not in any critical danger. He didn't make it far, however, before running into Sampson.

"My Lord," he bowed, "How is she? To be so troubled at sixteen…"

"She will be fine. Though she will need sleep," he sighed, falling into step with his friend, "There is so much weakness in the world, Sampson. If only there were a way to cure it."

"There's more weakness than you'd ever know what to do with, Young Prince. Don't go getting strange ideas in that head of yours."

"It is a simple statement, Charles."

The swordsman hummed, tucking his hands behind his back, "The maid was rather flustered after you left. Did you assault her?"

"Assault—"

Sampson chuckled again, shaking his head, "Whatever did you do to the poor woman?"

Karlheinz lifted his head, holding it proudly, "I did nothing suspicious."

"Something that might threaten your union to the human, perchance?"

"Absolutely not! I merely licked her—" he stopped himself.

"Oh?" the swordsman smirked, "Pray tell, Lord Sakamaki. Wherever did you lick for her to hold such an expression?"

"The back of her palm! To heal the burns of the tea! Nothing more!"

Sampson could no longer hold back his laughter, holding onto his stomach as he leaned on the prince's shoulder for support. "You truly are deprived of blood."

"Th-That's…" he struggled, "It's nothing to do with blood—"

"My Lord," the expression Sampson showed him just then was terrifying, the way he squeezed his shoulder even more so, "It's everything to do with it."

He let the prince go, laughing just as easily as if they'd been mentioning the weather, his usual expression returning. "Well, you'll realize soon enough. I bid my leave, for now."

"Where to? The others are still in the drawing room, are they not?"

"Most, yes." Sampson grinned.

Karlheinz raised his eyes knowingly. "Scarlett's sister. You're quite taken with her."

"To be honest, Sakamaki, I don't quite know myself." He smacked Karlheinz on the back as he left, heading down the hallway in the opposite direction.

…

Charles Marcellus Sampson followed the faint scent of cherries, not knowing where he walked, only knowing that as the scent got stronger…

She was just coming through a door, adjusting her blonde-brown hair over her shoulder, touching the red hat that sat atop her head.

"Lady Humbert," he drawled, coming up behind her, "I expected to find you here."

She turned to him with wide eyes, dropping her hand slowly from her hair, "You expected to find me…" she began, glancing back at the door she'd just come out of, "On my way back from the powder room?"

He grinned, faltering only slightly, "It seems I've been caught."

"A bit too easily," she said carelessly, waving him away, "If that was all you wished to say—"

"Actually," he continued, just as smoothly, "I was hoping to escort you through the gardens. It's a place I find most women tend to enjoy."

"I've seen the royal gardens enough times to bore me to tears, Sir Sampson. Thank you so very kindly for your offer, but I'm afraid I must refuse—"

"You forget one very important thing, Lady Humbert—"

"And what might that be—"

"Never before have you been escorted by Yours Truly."

She smiled wryly, adjusting her earring though it needed no adjustment, "All the more reason to refuse."

"Such a cruel woman," he sighed.

"Such a persistent man."

"Do you dislike persistent men?"

She pursed her lips into what might be considered a smile, looking up at him with playful eyes, "They are perhaps the most curious."

He glanced at her with a sideways sort of smile, before looking in the opposite direction. "Very well, I suppose it can't be helped."

"You are quick to assume, Sir Sampson."

"Oh?"

"Being a man of such high rank it would be considered rude to refute such an offer. Therefore I am inclined to accept."

He chuckled, "Is that so?"

She led the way, heading towards the garden, "Please do hurry, Sir Sampson," she held her hand up, so that he may offer her his elbow, "The gardens will wilt by the time we arrive."

Sampson felt his blood rush from sheer frustration.

"A rather dramatic notion, my lady."

"Not when one considers how slowly you step." She smirked.

"My footwork is not the problem, I assure you."

"Ah, that's right," she answered, finally taking a hold of his arm, "Swordsmen are supposed to be rather light on their feet, aren't they?"

"Indeed, my lady."

She blinked innocently, a mischievous smile claiming her lips, "Then I can't possibly fathom why you choose to continue at a snail's pace."

Sampson scoffed, licking his own lips in disbelief, "Isn't that obvious?" He mused, "To extend the time spent with you."

She pressed herself closer, giving his arm a light squeeze.

"Flattery doesn't suit you."

"I'm often told the opposite."

"You said you appreciate candor. I'll have you know I'm much the same."

"Then, shall I win you over with honesty?"

"With or without is beyond me. I don't believe a man like you is capable of truth."

"You sting my pride, Lady Humbert."

"Perhaps that will do you some good."

They had locked eyes, in the heat of things, between the words that were perhaps not as playful as either one of them intended. And for a moment, Henrietta found herself caught by eyes so blue that they were almost green, as if he were meant to have been born a Vibora all along.

He chuckled, placing his hand over hers and effectively snapping her out of her trance. "Then, I shall be completely honest. What I would like most," he leaned in, whispering, "Is nothing more than a kiss."

"You're insane."

He chuckled, "A chaste one. Surely that should be fine?"

"There is no such thing as a chaste kiss, Sir Sampson. Especially not from men like you."

"You judge me too quickly, and far too harshly, Lady Humbert."

"I don't think I—"

He kissed her cheek, with such a subtle brush of his lips that it hardly felt like a kiss at all. "Shall we head back? I am sure the others are waiting."

But he didn't give her a chance to reply, already guiding them back through the gardens.

"You're insufferable." She felt herself in somewhat unfamiliar territory, being dragged around by the nobleman in such a way.

"That being the case, Lady Humbert," he smiled with a look that she knew was full of too much pride, "Might I suggest a mirror?"

The heat in her cheeks that had previously glowed with chaste warmth now burned with spite. Sampson or not, there could be no doubt.

She'd met her match.

A/N: The phrase Christa says is a saying in Spanish, which translates to "Cold hands have love for a day" the completed phrase goes on to say that those with warm hands have eternal love. Can I just say, I am SO excited for the development in the next chapter?

Guest: Yes! Beatrix is just so...refined. It's definitely a breath of fresh air. I'm really happy you're enjoying it! And gahh you've been following since the other two stories as well I could kiss you! Thank you for all the continued support!

Meowchi: Aghhh thank you thank you thank you! I'm so happy you guys like Henrietta and Sampson they're like my babies haha I think they're my favorite pairing I've written XD They're just so damn...-sassy-. Next chapter is gonna be so great for them omg their interaction is just gonna go through the roof and I'm so excited but I won't spoil anything yet lolol. Aghhh just thank you so much again. Hearing people like my OCs is honestly one of the biggest compliments you can give to a writer. And hooray for new perspectives! Big hugs!