Ten years later
"So, we are agreed on the academy, then?" Yuki asked.
Within the confines of the car, Kaname occupied the seat beside her, clad in his signature sleek black suit, arms crossed. His eyes were shut, appearing either lost in contemplation or enjoying a peaceful rest, completely at ease. In stark contrast, she sat with vibrant energy, facing the window, her crossed leg bouncing, chin resting on her palm, and a finger tapping her lip. Over the driver's seat, strands of Takuma's blond hair peaked over the headrest. Though not a chauffeur by trade by any means, the noble displayed remarkable professionalism, concentrating on the road ahead and courteously disregarding the two purebloods.
"It would appear so," he responded softly.
Yuki hummed and tapped her finger on her cheek, a familiar tell that he recognized all too well.
"Something's bothering you," he observed.
Her fingers ceased their tapping. Lightning flashed outside, but no rain accompanied it—yet. Even with the windows rolled up, her pureblood senses picked up on the faint scent of petrichor from a distance.
"No," she paused, "I agree with everything, so long as Himari is safe."
Cross Academy.
That had been the focal point of their extensive conversation before they stepped into the car. In fact, this day had been years in the making.
Yuki still couldn't believe they had come this far. The dream of a place where humans and vampires could coexist had always been her mother's vision.
Her heart clenched at the thought of her mother.
It had been ten years since the Kuran mansion attack. From all their struggles to the attempted manipulation and coercion, it had been a challenging few years.
She tried to maintain a distance from Himari while keeping a vigilant eye on her. Yuki remembered sneaking out of the Ichijo mansion to see her sister attempting to get past Kaname when she was barely ten. It seemed surreal that such covert maneuvers would soon become unnecessary, as they would all be living in the same place. The prospect of seeing her sister every day brought her joy, and more importantly, a sense of peace.
Kaien Cross, while a skilled and legendary hunter, couldn't protect Himari from the dangers coming. Thus the academy was created— or, as she often described it, the brainchild of Kaname and Kaien. And though she agreed with it wholeheartedly, wanting a place their sister could be safe and free, she still considered it an unnecessary risk.
Her brows furrowed as rain splattered against the window.
A circus animal jumping through hoops. That's what she felt like whenever they discussed the extensive measures taken to protect Himari. The question always lingered in her mind: Why go through all this trouble when they could pursue Rido themselves?
A weak, defenceless child she was not. Though not as powerful as Kaname, she could hold her own against another pureblood. Yet every time she proposed going after Rido…
'We don't know where he's hiding.'
'He could target Himari while we're out looking for him.'
'It's too dangerous, Yuki. You're not ready to face him yet.'
She gritted her teeth at the mere thought of those excuses. It was an ongoing argument between them, stretching across days, weeks, and months. Their clashes escalated to such intensity that even the other nobles would cower in fear as the mansion trembled from their heated exchanges. She would yell, while Kaname remained frustratingly impassive. Yet, no matter how angry they became, regardless of how long she avoided him or the extent to which she pushed herself to a painful thirst, they always found their way back to each other.
Ultimately, she yielded.
A prolonged silence filled the air until he shifted on the spot.
"Of course, her safety is why we're doing all of this," he said.
The rain pitter-pattered against the window, creating a rhythmic melody that resonated in the quiet space. She chose not to contribute any further to the conversation. In that moment of contemplative silence, she acknowledged that while she might not always be privy to every detail of Kaname's plans, the one certainty she held onto was their shared commitment to Himari's safety.
They would protect Himari with their lives if they had to.
~Y~
The sound of gravel crunching under the tires echoed as Takuma skillfully drove through the gates and into the driveway. With swift precision, the noble exited the vehicle, graciously holding the door open for her, accompanied by his usual charming smile. She expressed her gratitude before her attention shifted to the imposing structure.
Before her stood the residence within Cross Academy, where Kaien and Himari lived. The walls, tall and imposing, seemed to ascend skyward, wrapping the surroundings in a protective embrace. A solitary light persisted on the porch, emitting a gentle glow that highlighted the intricate details of the architecture and delicately softened the shadows that clung to the edges of the building. The vibrancy of student life had yielded to the tranquillity of the late evening, with only the subdued murmurs of nocturnal whispers and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind disturbing the silence. It was a moment of stillness, a serene ambiance tailor-made for the two vampires. The air carried a subtle scent of damp earth, adding to the ethereal atmosphere.
Yuki inhaled deeply and focused. To any observer, it might seem as if she were absorbed in admiring the architecture, her gaze methodically tracing every detail of the grand house. Yet, beneath the surface, her true intent lay in amplifying her senses, attuning them with precision to detect any potential threats or irregularities. Her heightened awareness meticulously sifted through the ambient sounds. The collective heartbeat of the students merged into a harmonious rhythm, but Yuki's focus sharpened until only one heartbeat resonated within the mansion.
"Shall we?" Kaname inquired, a gesturing for her to take the lead, ever the gentleman.
The knock resonated through the air as Kaname tapped on the door, and then they patiently waited.
"Sense any threats?" Kaname asked, his voice carrying a challenging tone that Yuki recognized as a subtle test.
"Other than Kaien and several hundred students, nothing," she replied. A playful glint sparkled in her eyes as she added, "we should probably tell Kaien about that raccoon living in the attic, though."
Kaname's smile bloomed with pride. Though she no longer sought his approval as she once did—they were equals now, after all—Yuki couldn't deny the surge of pride welling up within her. A reciprocal smile curved her lips.
"Good," he paused, then gestured towards the forest with a nod. "Though you missed the group of hikers west of here."
Her smile fell instantly.
"What hikers?!"
She stretched to her tippy toes, attempting to look over him as if half-expecting him to be hiding the hikers behind his tall form.
"I don't sense anything," she grumbled.
He hummed in that smug way he sometimes did.
"That's because they're too far to be sensed, even by us," he said, cocking his head and gazing at the sky as if calculating something. "They're roughly twenty kilometres west."
She gawked.
"How—?"
"If your senses are not enough," he said, flicking his hand, and a bat materialized out of the shadows. "Then call on a familiar to be a pair of extra eyes for you."
She narrowed her eyes. How? When? The questions swirled in her mind, yet she refrained from asking, crossing her arms and turning away from him.
"Show off," she huffed with a pout.
Why did he have to be so smug about his skills? You teething vampire. Me, ancient ancestor know it a—
Kaname chuckled, making her blood sing. God, she loved that sound.
"I just want you to be careful in case—"
"I know, I know. I'll make sure to use my familiars next time."
Just when she was about to assure him she was only teasing, the door swung open.
Their eyes snapped to the entrance so quickly that it would have unnerved anyone else. The ash-blond hunter, however, greeted them with open arms, his goofy smile perfectly complementing the bunny apron and slippers he sported.
"Yuki, Kaname! It's so nice to see you!"
He enveloped her in a hug, and she returned the embrace wholeheartedly,
She remembered how she used to harbour resentment towards Kaien, unable to comprehend why Himari had to stay with him. She vividly recalled biting his finger during one of their visits. Kaien had found her pout adorable, unwittingly discovering why it wasn't wise to poke the bear, even if it was just a cub. However, as time passed, and she witnessed all that Kaien did for her sister, her feelings thawed, gradually warming up to the man she once loathed.
"You look more and more like your dear mother," he cried.
She chuckled, patting his back as they embraced. The warmth of the gesture felt peculiar; few dared to hold her like this, except Kaname.
Kaien stepped back, gesturing for them to proceed. "Come in, come in."
Both Yuki and Kaname followed the hunter into the house. The tantalizing aroma of food wafted into her nose.
Kaname turned his gaze to Cross. "It's good to see you, Kaien. Everyone's in good health, I trust?"
Cross closed the door, and as he turned to face them, he nodded.
"Yeah, everyone's doing fine."
He gestured for them to follow as he walked past. Yuki and Kaname, having disposed of their coats, fell in step behind the hunter.
"The kids are currently out at the moment. Himari is out with friends, and Zero… well, he likes to be left to his demise."
Yuki frowned.
Himari wasn't here? Yuki guessed she already knew that, given that she only sensed one human heartbeat in the house. Still, it disappointed and concerned her a little. Friends, no matter who those friends were, couldn't protect her. Of course, she didn't expect Himari to remain in the house indefinitely, but if she went out with friends, she should do so during the day. Yuki glanced at Kaname, hoping to gauge if he shared her concerns. However, Kaname's expression remained as stoic as ever. He obviously wasn't worried, as he likely had one of his familiars watching over Himari.
Seeming to know what she was thinking, Cross glanced at her over his shoulder.
"They should be back in an hour or so. Well... Himari will be here in an hour, for sure. Zero I'm not sure about," Cross explained. His smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "That gives us plenty of time to talk."
They continued down the hallway until they reached a door, and Kaien led them in. Yuki looked around, momentarily confused. She had expected being brought to the office for their conversation, but they entered a kitchen.
Kaien gestured to the barstools by the counter while approaching the stove.
"Make yourselves at home."
Yuki settled comfortably onto the barstool, elbows on the surface of the counter. Kaname, however, approached the barstool cautiously, much like a cat sizing up a new object with mistrust and uncertainty. She suppressed a smile as he grappled with the task of figuring out how to sit on a tiny barstool and still maintain an imposing presence.
"Want help?" she teased, her tone low enough so only Kaname could hear.
Kaname shot her a glare.
"I'm guessing we're moving forward with the night class?" asked the hunter, shifting the focus to more serious matters.
Both of them froze, the teasing mood dissipating as the weight of the conversation settled in.
Usually, she was the more talkative of the two, but this time she remained uncommonly quiet. This was Kaname's plan, after all. Still, it warmed her heart swell when he glanced at her before answering, checking if she had changed her mind. Keeping her expression blank, she watched as he turned back to address Kaien.
"Indeed. We already arranged to speak with the council about it and reached out to the noble community to see who would be interested in attending," Kaname explained, making it sound like they didn't know precisely who those people were. "I expect you'll take care of the human and hunter side of it?"
Kaien stirred the pot, dropping in condiments as he took his time to answer. Eventually, he turned, giving them a wide smile.
"Of course! Don't you kids worry about any of that," the hunter assured, his attention now on a pile of veggies. "Of course, there are a few details to be worked out, like the day class."
"What is your concern?" Kaname inquired.
Kaien shrugged.
"Well, I don't doubt that the both of you can keep the night class in check. However, the day class is another matter," Kaien remarked.
Both Yuki and Kaname exchanged quizzical glances. The day class a problem? Herding a bunch of humans should be the easiest part of all this. Managing humans was significantly simpler than trying to rein in a handful of vampires, especially when one of them was Hanabusa.
"As we all know, humans are drawn to vampires like moths to a flame, and we're talking about teenagers here," Kaien explained. "Teenagers are naturally curious. They won't be able to help themselves. That's why I need someone to keep the day class away from the night class, which brings me to my next point."
A bad feeling crept over Yuki.
"Seeing as the night class has both of you to keep them in line, the day class could use something like that but also to protect them. Which is why I think Himari and Zero would be great for the job," Kaien proposed.
Yuki stared at the hunter, initially expecting the punch line of a joke. When Kaien didn't laugh or offer any further explanation, maintaining an intense stillness as if holding his breath, she realized he wasn't joking.
"You want Himari to keep an eye on a bunch of humans?" she asked, her disbelief clear. Without waiting for his response, she pressed on. "Himari should be worrying about everyday teenage things, like classes, clothes, boys, and silly things like that. Not herding a bunch of humans."
While they may have abandoned the practice of feeding on humans, vampires were still hunters. You could take the fangs and the claws out of a predator, but the instincts remained. The situation wouldn't be as concerning if her responsibility were solely to monitor humans. However, this task would inevitably place her at the heart of all the students, drawing the attention of the night class. She just knew they wouldn't help but be intrigued by her. And history had shown that having the interest of a vampire seldom boded well for humans.
"I know, and if I had someone else, I'd ask them to do it instead. But I can't trust Zero by himself, and this will be a good experience for her."
"How?" she asked incredulously.
Kaien reclined against the counter.
"Himari may not be a vampire anymore, but she knows they exist. Like it or not, she's still a part of this world. She needs to experience that world and learn how to protect herself. Better she do it at the academy than in the real world."
"Himari is not a hunter, Kaien," she argued. "The less contact she has with vampires, the better—for her own good."
Kaien sighed.
"I understand your concern for her, Yuki, but she's not defenseless anymore. I've trained her for the past ten years, and she has Artemis with her."
Yuki shook her head. "Training is one thing, the real world is another. Not to mention she'll be faced with nobles. Even a full-fledged hunter will struggle—"
"I think Cross is right," Kaname interjected.
She jerked her head to him.
"What?"
Kaname glanced from Kaien to her, his expression as inscrutable as ever.
"Kaien is right, we need someone to watch and protect the humans and Himari is the only one that can do it; this could be a good experience for her."
Yuki opened and closed her mouth, uncertain of how to respond. Did he not see the risks this would pose for Himari?
"I know this may seem like an unnecessary risk," Kaien said softly. "But she's the only one we can trust, unless you want me to bring in some hunters-"
"No!" both of them exclaimed.
Kaien smirked.
"You see, she's our only choice. And besides, I know she can handle it. I wouldn't put her in any situation that would endanger her."
Yuki pressed her lips together. She wanted to stubbornly argue that he clearly didn't care enough for her, but she knew that was a blatant lie. If Kaien had shown her anything these past few years, it was that he cared for Himari like a father. That didn't mean it didn't frustrate her when—
Keys jingled, and a click followed at the main entrance.
"I'm home!" A familiar voice called.
They both froze, while Kaien deflated with a sigh, clearly relieved about the interruption.
Footsteps tapped towards the kitchen. A few seconds later, a head of brunette hair popped through the archway. Himari looked at both of them with wide eyes, teeth flashing as she grinned, making Yuki's heart squeeze. If only she knew she smiled exactly like their father used to. In fact, everything about her was just like their dad. Her face, her expressions, even her height, being a little taller than Yuki, even though she was older.
"Kaname, Yuki, I didn't know you were coming!"
Yuki knew that as a pureblood, she was always expected to remain poised and aloof, and most of the time, she did that well. All that went out the window, though. In a very un-pureblood manner, Yuki sprang to her feet and ran to Himari, tugging her into her arms.
"Himari!"
Himari chuckled and returned the hug as fiercely.
"It's so good to see you," Yuki mumbled against her neck.
"Himari, how are you?" Kaname asked from the barstool.
"I'm great, Ka—"
"How is school? Class? Do you like your teachers? Meet anyone new?" Yuki asked, firing off all the questions at once.
Himari looked at her, a bit overwhelmed.
"I—"
"Come, come, let's leave these old men and talk about everything upstairs!"
Yuki pulled her through the archway. Himari stumbled a little, seeming more confused than before.
While Yuki truly desired to catch up with her sister, she also saw it as an opportunity to remove herself from the kitchen. After all, Kaname and Kaien still had a lot to discuss.
Being well aware of the precise location of Himari's room, she effortlessly led her there. Once inside, she ushered them both in and swiftly shut the door.
"Okay, tell me everything!" Yuki beamed. "How's school? Meet any new friends yet?" She asked at regular speed this time.
Himari stared at the over-enthusiastic vampire, unsure what to make of her.
"I—well, school's fine. I recently joined the math club, but…"
Himari enthusiastically shared details about her classes and her friends, her excitement growing with each passing moment. This left her with a sense of guilt from the responsibilities Kaien and Kaname were going to entrust her with in the coming year.
Reclining on Himari's bed, Yuki propped herself on her elbow as she listened to her sister. A smile adorned her face. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to imagine a scenario where she wasn't a pureblood, but a regular teenager sharing mindless gossip. The yearning for such a simple and ordinary life tugged at her heart.
"You told me all about your classes, but what about the people? Have you made any friends this year?" Yuki asked.
"Yea, a few. I just came back from watching a movie with them." She smiled.
Yuki smiled.
This is the life her sister was meant for—a life far removed from the shadowy realm of vampires, blood, and hunters. A world where she could embrace the ordinary joys of being a teenager, where—
Himari's heart skipped a beat, jolting Yuki back to reality. Before she could rise to her feet and scan the surroundings for any signs of danger, the scent of blood grew stronger, permeating the air. Glancing at her sister, she observed a blush spreading across Himari's cheek.
Sitting up on the spot, Yuki curled her lips into a grin.
"Oh?" she cooed. "Could it be that you met someone?"
Himari's eyes suddenly widened, and her cheeks blushed an intense shade of red.
"What, no!"
Yuki raised a brow and shot her a look. Himari slumped her shoulders in defeat.
"Well— maybe, I mean, not really, but there's this boy in my class."
"A boy!" She practically jumped to her feet. "Tell me everything! Is he handsome in a cute way, or is he handsome in a dark, mysterious and sexy way?" She wiggled her brows.
It was absolutely adorable to see Himari's cheeks turn even redder as she stammered. Yuki couldn't help but think that if the roles were reversed, she would react in the exact same way. While Yuki knew she should show a little sympathy, she couldn't resist the joy she felt in teasing Himari. It was becoming clear to her why Aido enjoyed teasing her so much.
"I don't know. Is there a difference?"
"Oh my god, are you saying he's cute, handsome and mysterious all at once? You got yourself a package deal!" she squealed, sure that Kaname was rolling his eyes as he could no doubt hear her. "Have you introduced yourself? I'll help you if you haven't!"
Himari chuckled nervously.
"I'd love that," she grinned, only for the grin to quickly fade from her lips. "Though I think I should just keep my distance."
Yuki tilted her head and frowned.
"Why?"
Did this human do something to hurt her sister? Because if he did, then he was going to be in a world of—
"It's just. Zero said he's kind of a dick and that I shouldn't be with a guy like that," she sighed and shrugged. "He's usually right about that kind of stuff, being a guy and all. It's like he has a sixth sense about people sometimes."
The smile slipped from Yuki's lips at the mention of that name.
Zero
Zero
Zero
She had been trying to ignore that name the entire night, but she couldn't any longer.
Zero Kiryu. Of course, she knew who and what he was. She didn't have any personal grudges against him at all. On the contrary, she felt a deep sense of sympathy towards him, knowing the pain he had endured. Having experienced the loss of her own family, she could relate to his suffering. If the hunter harboured a hatred for vampires, she couldn't blame him either. So, in reality, she had no issues with him, except for one crucial fact - he was a ticking time bomb. What made matters worse was that Himari had grown fond of him. She greatly troubled herself with thoughts of how she would react when he inevitably succumbed to level E and had to be eliminated. Kaien really didn't think things through sometimes.
"You care about him," Yuki stated softly.
Himari frowned, confused by the questions.
"Zero?" she asked. "Of course, he's like a brother to me. We've known each other since we were little."
A wave of envy surged through her. Despite visiting her sister as often as she could, Himari never called her sister.
'We've known each other for longer,' Yuki thought bitterly to herself.
"Himari," she whispered, her voice filled with concern, causing her sister to turn and gaze at her. "About Zero…"
Yuki paused, her gaze fixed on her sister's brown eyes.
There were countless things that they couldn't reveal to her, things that she simply wasn't prepared to hear. Himari was such an innocent and joyful soul. It wouldn't do any good to darken her world with the knowledge of ex-human vampires, the existence of level E, and the brutality that followed. Knowing the fate of the boy she considered a brother was also an unnecessary burden. Despite the potential danger that Zero might pose, she was determined to shield Himari from such knowledge until the very end, if possible. Nevertheless, she could attempt to give her a warning somehow.
"I want you to be careful with him."
Himari frowned.
"Why?"
Yuki sighed and propped herself up on her hands.
"It's just, I don't know. He's always out doing who knows what, and he's got this attitude." She waved her hand dismissively and shrugged. "He just doesn't seem like a good influence, is all."
Himari gazed at her, seemingly unsure of how to react. Yuki briefly panicked, wondering if she had unintentionally frightened her sister.
Yuki winked at her, lightening the mood again.
"Just a little advice from your senpai."
Her words had the desired effect, as Himari's face brightened into a smile.
"You don't need to worry, senpai," she assured her. "I know Zero seems really gloomy and angry all the time, but inside all that, he's a good person."
Yuki wanted to roll her eyes. Well, she tried to warn her.
Leaning back in her sit, Himari proceeded to tell her more about her classes and her friends, but Yuki was half listening to her.
She would allow Himari to be blissfully unaware of Zero's true nature, but that didn't mean she wouldn't keep a close eye on him at the academy. This was going to be a long school year.
~Y~
When they returned to the Ichijo state, Kaname retreated to his office to plan the night class, while she retreated to her room.
Yuki sat in front of her ornate vanity mirror, its edges adorned with delicate filigree. The room itself was bathed in the cold light of the moon, creating an atmosphere of quiet tranquillity. Her reflection stared back at her, framed by tendrils of hair that fell gracefully around her face.
She was dressed in a luxurious blood-red nightgown that cascaded down to the floor, its silky fabric flowing with an ethereal elegance. A subtle pattern of delicate lace adorned the edges. To maintain an air of modesty, she had draped a matching bathrobe over her shoulders.
Yuki looked at her reflection in contemplation.
While on their way to the mansion, she couldn't help but ask Kaname why he had agreed to Cross's plan of appointing Himari as a guardian. However, as usual, Kaname's answer was cryptic, simply stating that it was for the best. Yuki was confused by his response, but one thing was clear: she did not like this recent addition to their plan. The whole point was to provide Himari with extra protection, not expose her to more dangers! The thought of her getting hurt, potentially triggering a reaction from the Night Class or, even worse, becoming a pawn in Rido's schemes, weighed heavily on her mind and—
A knock echoed from the door.
"Come in," she said without taking her gaze off the mirror.
The door creaked open, and approaching footsteps drew near to where she sat. Raising her gaze, Yuki met the cold blue eyes of Asato Ichijo in the mirror.
"Good morning, Lady Kuran," the noble greeted, as he placed his hand on his chest and bowed.
She didn't immediately greet him, as she first removed her earrings and placed them in the box.
"Councillor Ichio," she said simply. "What brings you to my room this morning?"
From the corner of her eye, she observed how the noble tightly clenched his jaw, evidently not used to being spoken to in such a casual manner, specially by someone so young. Kaname frequently scolded her for this, insisting that she should always uphold her manners. However, she never listened. She adamantly refused to show any courtesy to the rat that had crept into her room.
"My maids told me you and Lord Kuran left the mansion early this evening."
"That's correct."
When she didn't offer further explanation, the noble raised his head and looked down his nose.
"I'm sorry if I'm being too direct, but may I ask where you went?"
Anger flared inside her, but she extinguished it before it spiralled out of control. She raised a brow instead.
"It is not a noble's concern where two purebloods decide to go," she said dismissively.
"You're right, but you must understand that as a councillor, and your host, I am responsible for your safety."
Yuki couldn't suppress the small, amused snort that slipped out of her.
It was clear to her that his supposed concern for their safety was nothing more than a thinly veiled guise for his true intentions. The mere notion that Kaname required protection was laughable; his prowess as a vampire was unparalleled, capable of effortlessly dispatching any who dared to challenge him, be they noble vampires or even purebloods.
Yet, Ichio persisted in his futile endeavours, driven not by a genuine desire to safeguard them but by a misguided thirst for power and dominance. Since Yuki had first set foot in the mansion, Ichio had relentlessly pursued her trust, his motives transparent as he sought to forge a bond that he could exploit against Kaname. The elder vampire seemed convinced that Yuki's youth and perceived vulnerability made her an ideal pawn in his manipulation. Unbeknownst to Ichio, however, Yuki was not the fragile pawn he envisioned.
"I doubt the council would hold you accountable if something happens to us, seeing as we're not your wards."
She gently removed her bracelets and carefully placed them inside the jewel box. Ichio stepped back, clearly irritated, but he hid his reaction behind a neutral expression.
"How about you go talk to Kaname? He is looking for you, after all."
Ichio frowned.
"Why would Lord Kaname be looking for me?"
She shrugged, and Ichio sighed, clearly exasperated with the conversation.
"Well, I shall not keep him waiting. But before I got," he met her gaze in the mirror. "As you know, there will be a ball tomorrow here. I have sent my maids and my son to ask you if you'll be in attendance, but I've received no reply."
Ichio took a step forward, the twitch in his brow betraying his composure. "I must know if you and Lord Kuran will be there."
Yuki pursed her lips.
She considered not answering, if only to see him turn himself into knots, his face reddening as he was unable to express his anger. A subtle twitch played on her lips at the thought. However, as the sun began to filter through her curtains, signalling the arrival of a new day, weariness settled in.
Yuki closed the chest and started brushing her hair.
"My brother and I will be there," she finally responded.
Ichio bowed, his movements stiff.
"Thank you," he uttered curtly, departing the room without another word.
Yuki observed his departure with a subtle smile, anticipating Kaname's displeasure. She could hear his light footsteps making their way to their room, clearly giving in to exhaustion and seeking his bed, only to be ambushed by the noble.
With a smile, she gracefully shed her robe before retiring to bed.
Author's note: I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said it took me three years to write this chapter, lol.
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and please review if you did!
