Here we are at Chapter 30. Let's see how Yuki and Sophia's conversation goes. I do not own Code Vein. They belong to Bandai Namco. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 30. Enjoy.

Chapter 30: A Maiden Drowning

Yukitsuki and Sophia find a spot away from everyone else to they can talk. Though, Hiei and Hana watch from a corner nearby in case anything happens.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about, Sophia?" Yuki asks, sitting on a bench.

Sophia takes a seat next to her, "A few things actually. First, I guess I can say congratulations on your engagement to Hanazuki,"

"You know about that?" Yuki asks.

"Word travels fast, especially when it involves someone of your family's caliber. Not everyone here knows about it yet, but a few do. Mostly those in positions of power like myself, the daughter of a duke. I don't know how some will react to hearing that news. Some may not like the idea of you marrying an arachne, so be careful. I also haven't heard anything about the man who kidnapped you, so keep your eyes peeled," Sophia says.

"Thanks for the tips... but something tells me that's not what you really want to talk to me about, now is it?" Yuki inquires.

Sophia sighs, "I'm afraid not. The truth is... I'll be getting engaged soon,"

"Huh? You're getting engaged?" Yuki asks, surprised.

Hiei and Hana, overhearing the conversation, are also stunned.

"Um, should I offer you my congratulations as well?" Yuki asks.

Sophia laughs bitterly, "Heh-heh, if only it were that simple. Honestly, I'd rather have your condolences than your congratulations,"

"Wait, who are you set to get engaged to?" Yuki leans closer.

"It is... Count Toruck Valmeck," Sophia admits, making Yuki cringe.

Hiei and Hana may not know that name, but Yuki does. As she grew up, her mother Emilia made sure she was familiar with a majority of the nobility within Anatolia. Count Valmeck was not exactly evil or greedy. But, one could hardly call him the poster boy for noble society. He became a count mostly through his money, for which he had a lot of. But, that wasn't the problem. The problem was that Count Valmeck is in his late fifties. He's old enough to be Sophia's father, quite possibly even her grandfather. And now she's supposed to marry him. Most likely, her father set this up.

"Why are you marrying him? Is it because of his money?" Yuki asks, concerned.

"That's the official reason. I become his wife and my father gets a nice batch of money out of it for the family," Sophia replies.

"And the unofficial reason?" Yuki asks.

Sophia finally looks at her, "Because I failed in my mission... to spy on you,"

...Flashback begins...

"So, even after all this time, you still haven't acquired any information that we can use against the Crystalglove family?" Sophia's father, Duke Bastian von Ramona, says, sitting behind his desk with his fingers clasped together.

Sophia just stares at him, "Yes... Father,"

"And even that incident at the school wasn't good enough. If you had prevented her capture, or were key to saving her, we could've gotten her and her family into our debt. But, instead, you failed to do that and the royal family is keeping a close eye on anyone who inquires about it. You went on one little date with her and still couldn't get anything. What's worse, I heard you danced with her at the school dance. Are you actually developing feelings for that girl? She is the daughter of a rival ducal family. Not someone for you to flirt with," Duke Ramona berates her.

"You wanted me to get close to her. If I were to gain enough of her trust to gather any information of use, it would take time to do so," Sophia argues.

"Time is something I do not have. I learned some news that does not bode well for us. Apparently, Yukitsuki Crystalglove is engaged, not only to Hiei Mamoriko, but now to Hanazuki Kawakaze from the Dragon Alliance. That disgusting arachne beast," Duke Ramona looks disgusted at the idea.

"To Hana? Well, they are close friends, plus I heard Hanazuki comes from a high-ranking noble family within the Dragon Alliance. Yuki plans on moving to live there when she gets married to Hiei. It wouldn't cause her any issues there," Sophia notes, mildly surprised about Yuki's new engagement.

"It does cause issues for us. The problem is the emperor has already given his blessing for the engagement. And, with how close Yukitsuki Crystalglove is with the princess and the fact that the royal family gave their support to the Crystalglove family, it won't take much convincing for them to give their endorsement for the marriage as well. Even if we were to make an argument to the king against this marriage, it would most likely fall on depth ears. Over the passing of time, more noble children have been showing positive opinions to the Crystalglove girl, and some even convinced their families to do the same. Their power continues to grow, while ours has stagnated," Duke Ramona says, looking frustrated.

"Then Faher, if I may make a suggestion. Instead of trying to get one over on them, with that becoming more and more unlikely, maybe we should become firm allies instead. Our house is still a powerful one with high standing. Having them as close friends would only strengthen our own position," Sophia offers.

"Become their friends? Since when did I give you permission to make decisions for me or the family?! You may carry my blood, but you are still the daughter of a commoner maid. You do not make decisions in this house!" he suddenly yells, silencing her.

Sophia only made that suggestion because she thought it was a good idea, given the circumstances. More importantly, she didn't want to do anything that could hurt Yuki. Her father didn't care about her, but she does. It seems the idea backfired though.

"As for strengthening this house, I've already made my decision there. You failed in the mission I gave you. You have proven how inept you really are. However, I still have some use for you. That is why you are going to marry Count Toruck Valmeck after you graduate from the royal academy," Duke Ramona suddenly announces.

Sophia is flabbergasted, "Count Valmeck?! But, he's in his fifties. By the time I graduate, he'll be pushing sixty. Why am I to marry him?" she doesn't like the idea one bit.

"He has promised us a generous donation in return for your hand in marriage. You are going to marry him, then have a child with him. He will surely die from old age no long after that, allowing you and my grandchild to effectively take over his domain and his assets. That will strengthen our family's position. You should feel honored that you get to help the family, my dear daughter," Duke Ramona explains, smiling like it's no big deal.

Sophia clenches her fists. The idea of being set up with a man, worse an old man like that; it made her sick. It's obvious why Count Valmeck made the offer. He wants Sophia, but not for good reasons. There were a few rumors that he preferred younger women. He had another fiance in the past, but she eloped with another man because she didn't want to marry an old man like him. Sophia could barely keep her revulsion contained.

"My decision is final. We're done looking into the Crystalgloves. Count Valmeck will be here in the near future to meet with you. Make sure you show him proper respect and do everything he asks. You are to be his wife, so make sure you act like it," her father says as he stands up and walks around to stand before her.

"Father, I have done everything you asked of me, for years. I even went on this mission for you, and yet this is what happens. Do you honestly think I would even entertain something so greedily stupid-Ah!" Sophia retorts, only to get slapped in the face by her father.

"You are MY daughter! And you will do whatever I demand of you. Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do. Get out of my sight," her father barks orders before returning to his desk.

Sophia holds her red cheek, but says nothing. She does not cry a single tear until after she makes it back to her room, free from prying eyes.

...Flashback ends...

"So, you were spying on me for your father," Yuki notes after Sophia explains her story.

"At first, yes. However, over time, as I hung out with you more and more, that began to change. I began to see why people are so drawn to you. I began to see the kind of person you are. And it's someone far better than me. At first, I thought you were lucky. You, a girl with commoner's blood like me, found yourself in a powerful family, the most powerful family in the land. You were in a home filled with love and affection, whereas I, who is essentially a half-breed, had none of that. I had to fight and work until my fingers bled to prove myself. To earn some manner of warmth and affection. And yet... I received none of it. Then I realized that you weren't lucky. You were blessed. And not because you came from the goddess herself. You are a pure individual; it's only natural. Just like me, a person who is not pure and who has deceived you... it's only fitting that this should be my fate," Sophia says, looking resigned to her unfortunate fate.

"Sophia..." Yuki mutters.

Sophia stands from the bench, "While I doubt he'd have me leave the academy before I graduated, I wouldn't be surprised if my father pulled me out just to get the marriage over with already. He'll probably have me start on bridal training soon as well in between classes. I may not be able to see you as much as I used to. Still, don't feel as if you should worry about me, Yuki. I'll be fine. Just focus on your own happiness with your family, okay. Goodbye," Sophia acts like she's gonna reach for Yuki's hand to kiss it like she normally does, but she thinks otherwise and stops. "No, you shouldn't have someone like me go touching you. Take care, Yuki. And Hiei, Hana, take good care of Yukitsuki for me. I know you'll both treat her with the love and affection she deserves," Sophia calls out before finally leaving.

Yuki watches her go, unsure of what to say. She learned so much in only a few minutes; it's still a lot to process right now.

"Yuki, are you okay?" Hiei asks as she and Hana walk up to her.

"Honestly... I don't know. That was a lot to take in," Yuki shakes her head.

"To think that she was spying on you, trying to get close to you for her father's selfish ambitions. I always wondered if there was something off with her. Guess we shouldn't have trusted her in the first place," Hiei scowls.

"It's not as clear cut as that, Hiei. She was doing as her father told her, but it's not like she wanted to do it. Before you met Yuki, what if your father told you to spy on her, would you do it?" Hana asks.

"What?! He would never-I would never-," Hiei stutters.

"Exactly my point. Your father is an honorable man, but not all men and not all fathers are like that. You also know that Sophia's mother was a maid working for her father. Imagine all the turmoil she had to go through just to survive. The world of nobility is a cruel one; we all know that. It took some convincing to get my parents to go along with that stunt I pulled back home to become Yuki's second fiance. My father only agreed to it because being engaged to a member of the imperial family would only strengthen our own family's position in the imperial court. But, my parents were never cruel. It seems Sophia's father is not the same case. She had to do what she could to survive. What she didn't expect was to apparently come to care about Yuki so much. That's why it hurt her. She even withheld the information about Yuki's origins from her father, defying him, just to help Yuki. I think that says a few things about her," Hana explains.

"But, still, she lied to Yuki. Tried to manipulate her. Are we supposed to just forget about all that?" Hiei asks, still upset.

"I think it's not up to us. We were not the target of her father's ambitions after all. What do you want to do, Yuki?" Hana asks.

Yuki stands up, "I think... I need to figure a few things out first. Can you two give me that?"

Hiei sighs, "Of course. We'll always be here when you need us, Yuki,"

"Thank you. Lunch is ending shortly. Let's head back," Yuki says before leaving with Hiei and Hana right behind her.

Classes continue without much else going on, However, Yuki's mind occasionally drifts to her previous conversation with Sophia. The older girl had always exuded an air of confidence. A swagger that lacked the usual arrogance from most noble children. She was beautiful, intelligent, and talented with water magic. She'd be quite a catch for anyone that wanted her. Even if she had simply been trying to get close to her at first because of her father, she had ended up revealing everything and withheld critical information about Yukitsuki from him. Usually, she'd try to get close a little physically with her, but now it's like that was some honor she was no longer worthy of. If they were here right now, Yuki could ask her mothers Emilia and Fuyumi about this. Or even Hikaru and Aunt Yukio. Anelia was talented with magic, and Iris was an excellent swordswoman, but they were not as well-versed in subjects like this as the others. Aunt Yukio is back in the Dragon Alliance, and Mother Hikaru is back home in Crystalglove City. Mother Emilia, whom Yuki considered to be the wisest out of them all, would surely have the best answers for her. But, like Hikaru, she's back home.

Yuki thought about asking Princess Iris for advice, but that could be a bad idea. She trusted Iris, but she's still a member of the royal family. There are rules and obligations she must abide by. She may inform her family, and that could not only lead to a whole lot of unnecessary drama, but also potential trouble for Sophia. Yuki sighs, unsure of what to do. Classes soon come to an end for the day, and Yukitsuki still doesn't have an answer on what she should do. Wanting to have some time alone to think, she lets Hiei and Hana go back first and finds a quiet place away from everyone else to think.

"What should I do here? This has nothing to do with my family as far as her arranged marriage goes. We've been through so much already. And, what if I just make things worse? Ugh, I have no idea on what to do," Yuki sags in her place.

"Sounds like quite the conundrum, huh," she hears and looks over to find Veronica sitting right next to her.

"Huh, Veronica? What are you doing here? If someone finds you-," Yuki says before Veronica silences her with a finger to her lips.

"Ssshh, yell like that and they just might. Come on, I got into your room when you were asleep and kissed you without anyone noticing. Have some faith in my stealth skills. So, something bothering you. You don't have a very happy look on your face, my little gem. Confess your woes to me, the humble Saint Veronica, and I will save your soul from impurity!" she gets all dramatic now.

Yuki flatly stares at her, "I'd hardly call a demon princess, who also happens to be a succubus, a saint,"

"Hey, let me have a little fun here. Anyway, tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help," Veronica says, losing the drama.

Yuki sighs and goes on to explain what happened with Sophia. Veronica says nothing as she listens intently until Yuki is finished.

"...And so that's the story. I admit, I think I am a little upset about the deception, but it's not like everything she did was a lie. She helped me out when we fought against the church during the school attack. And she helped you guys rescue me when I was kidnapped. She's helped out a few other times as well. We went out on a date, and I actually had a lot of fun with her. What do you think I should do?" Yuki asks.

"Ah, your heart has always been a big one, Yuki. Understandable about being upset with her lies, but you're right. Not everything was a lie. Including her feelings for you. That's why she defied her father. However, at the same time, she's punishing herself for the deception, thinking she doesn't deserve your affection. That's why she's doing this, and telling you to basically forget about her. But... you can't forget about her, now can you?" Veronica asks.

"No... I don't think I can. Does that make me a fool?" Yuki asks.

"If you think it makes you a fool, then I say... be the biggest fool of them all!" Veronica cheers.

"Huh?" and once more, Yuki gets confused by the demon princess.

"Don't worry about the little stuff. Just do what you want to do. I mean, I've always done what I've wanted, and look where that got me. A demon princess with an abundance of knowledge and power and getting to have the most beautiful girl in the land as her lover. So, just do whatever you want. You want to help Sophia? Alright then, I'll help you do that," Veronica clarifies.

"You really are unique, aren't you," Yuki gives a half smile.

"Oh, but that's what you love about me, right," Veronica winks at her. "So, what exactly do you intend to do?"

"First, I need more information. Just jumping in blindly won't help me. Can you spy on Sophia and this Count Valmeck? If you can get your hands on anything that could compromise him, that would help. And make sure they don't notice you," Yuki asks.

"Of course. I'll take care of it. But, I expect a reward for my efforts when this is all over," Veronica notes.

"I understand. Nothing too extreme though," Yuki nods.

"Good. Then consider this my advance payment," Veronica leans in to kiss Yuki, which she reciprocates.

The two kiss for a few minutes, allowing Veronica to regain some strength, before separating.

"Oh, and I wanted to tell you that I have a little surprise waiting for you tomorrow," Veronica says.

"Huh? What kind of surprise?" Yuki asks.

Veronica gives her a peck on the lips, "Oh, just wait and see,"

...

The surprise came in Yuki's first class of the day.

"Alright everyone, settle down. We have a new transfer student joining her today. Please give her a warm welcome," Professor Raposta says.

"How did this happen?" Yuki wonders.

Standing in front of the class is none other than Veronica, wearing a school uniform.

She gives them a cute curtsy, "A pleasure to meet you everyone. My name is Veronica Lauriette," she says. Everyone stares at her in awe. Worse, the boys are practically drooling at her beauty. Must be her charm as a succubus. "I'd love to get along with all of you, but first, I must make something clear. I am Yukitsuki Crystalglove's property. I belong to her and to her alone," she says.

"HUH?!" Yuki practically jumps out of her seat.

This... is going to give her a major headache, isn't it.

And that's the chapter. Sophia explains her situation to Yuki, who decides to help her after getting some advice from Veronica. But now, Veronica has joined her class. How will this all go down? Until then, please Read and Review.