After Emma went off on a tangent, I headed to help Gerta set up for the day. It was the best way to kill time until I was faced with at least one of the twins.
How do I… get them to trust me? Well, it’s fine if Oswald doesn’t, but I need to stay close to Loki at all costs. I can’t do that if he holds me at arm’s length. Crap… After last night, I have a feeling getting close to that vampire will be more than a hassle.
Pondering on how I would get through the massive wall they had, I placed the last plate down as Gerta grabbed onto my shoulder.
“There’s an air about you, Vivian. I’m looking forward to the fun you’ll show me.” She whispered, prompting me to smirk as she walked away.
This game of cat and mouse you have with me, leaving me wondering who is who.
Dealing with the twins and her, along with everything else, was turning into something I had not expected. Even if my chastity was in danger with the twins, this entire experience was a test for me.
I would love to see how far I can take it.
The only thing that snapped that smile away was the sound of a dish crashing onto the ground. My daze darted towards the sound to see Emma staring at me with those starry eyes of hers.
Ah… Crap…
“Oi... Are you stupid or something?!” Gerta yelled, stomping over to her.
These people differed completely from when I was out with Lilith and my father.
When I’m with them, no one dares to even look at us, it’s like you’re walking on eggshells, but now…
“I’m so sorry!” Emma whined, picking up the pieces from the floor.
“That dish costs more than a home, and it’s coming out of your paycheck, you klutz!” The head maid continued to berate Emma.
“Eh?! What?! More than a house?!” The poor girl’s soul left her body at that moment.
Zoe snorted in laughter before Gerta shot a glare, shutting her up too. Luckily, no shocks came their way. However, a small giggle left my lips.
Ah… That looks like fun. I want to join in.
A pang rose in my chest before I shifted my gaze back onto the readied table.
Fun... Love... Those things are for normal people, not me.
Instead of focusing on them, I headed to serve the food as the rest of the staff made their way there. It wasn’t long before everyone arrived and we shared a pleasant meal. The old employees chattered with one another and appeared to be close. Some of them lived outside of the castle walls, while those who had no family lived within it.
This would be an option for us, too, but not what I needed if I wanted to stay near the twins. Even though I only ever responded once they spoke to me, I was reminded of the times when I was with Nene, when bliss was the only thing that filled my soul.
I don’t think I ever felt alone when I was with you, Nene, but it probably wasn’t the same for you.
A ache rose on my chest, making me unable to finish what I was eating, even though it was delicious.
Ever since then, everything has… lost its luster.
After the meal, we cleaned up, packing our stuff away for later. We had one break at lunch, and then dinner was on after hours. It was almost seven, and the prince had a sword practice at nine. Thankfully, all their schedules were on the tablet for us to see.
Easy to remember, annoying to do.
Anticipating conflict, I poured a tea into a kettle before placing two cups and sugar into a tray. There, I also laid a spoon to take back to the prince’s room and some biscuits. However, before I could go out, Gerta grabbed onto my arm, prompting my gaze to land on her again.
“Hey, I don’t want your feelings to get hurt, but Loki likes to pour his drinks and cook his food. He won’t accept your offering of peace.” She informed.
Hah… I know.
After all, if he knew his life was in danger, that would be the first thing to do.
Watch for poisons.
Even so, I...
“Thanks, but I’m trying to prove a point with this. Don’t mind me. His rejection won’t offend me.” I smiled, triggering the old woman’s eyes to narrow before letting me on my way.
Emma and Zoe both grumbled at Gerta’s demeanor towards me. Though I ignored their comments as I was going over every scenario that could happen with my little troublesome prince.
The last thing I need is for you to bite me. So, how can I avoid that without Oz around?
I needed to dance around those fangs at all costs. Usually, a vampire’s bite felt amazing, which acted as a leeway to sexual encounters, but if Gerta was to be believed, Loki’s bite was more potent than that.
Again, because of me, his life was changed. If I had stayed away, he still would’ve been on Rem’s ship.
Hah… My appearance only brings misfortune to everyone.
Once at our destination, Emma and Zoe headed towards their door while the others went down the hall to where Alistar’s room was. Slowly, I knocked on the one holding my target before opening the door, either way, when no response came.
Each maid had keys to the rooms of their prince.
“If they don’t answer, go in either way. If you don’t, the prince’s desire to stay on the bed will outdo anything else.” Gerta had informed.
It wasn’t like we could assault them with those familiars around, and Alistar was a royal, which meant he wasn’t harmless. Once inside, the room was pitch black, with little signs of life.
Ah… It’s nothing like last night.
It made me a little antsy because I couldn’t see his familiar in this darkness, even though I felt its eyes on me. Slowly, I set the tray down on the desk where Oz had been the previous night. From just being in there once, I already knew how to maneuver myself through the room enough to see where the blinders were.
Although Night City was eternally dark, during the morning, when the sun was out, they would shine lights to brighten up the streets through large lamps. This included the castle grounds, as there was a sliver of visible light coming from the curtains.
Without hesitation, I opened them, triggering the sleeping vampire to hiss at the sudden exposure to light. A second later, he was under the blankets. The only thing that gave him away was his hair that stuck out of the sheets.
Hah… you actually have a cute side too? But you deserve no pity after what you did to me last night! Especially after planning on parading me around like a trophy in that lingerie or leaving me in an ecstasy-induced mania somewhere!
I walked over towards him before yanking off the covers from him with no pity. My rough action caused him to sit up, eyes twitching.
“Oi, what the fuck!?” Loki growled, wearing the same thing I had last seen him in.
His curly hair was a mess thanks to the lovely bed he lay on, yet even in that state, he was handsome.
Ah...
The spots where he touched got warmer as the moments rushed by my mind.
Crap… This body of mine will be a pain indeed.
Thankfully, I had mastered the art of burying my emotions deep within my heart, where no one would ever reach them. A mask that wouldn’t shatter. To them, I would always seem polite and fragile.
Who I really am can never come out.
Having yanked the blankets away from the sleeping vampire, I couldn’t help but feel vindictive.
“My prince, it’s time to get up.” I smiled in a silly attempt to hide the pure annoyance that was dripping out of my soul.
I can’t believe you, out of all mortals, are making me feel this weird. Argh! I hate it!
“Huh?” He wiped his eyes before turning towards me.
That was when his eyes widened upon seeing who was actually in front of him.
“Fuck, I thought it was that hag,” Loki grumbled, taking a better gaze at me. “Why the fuck are you still here? I thought my little treatment of you would’ve sent you running out the door, little virgin.” He added, smirking.
A soft sigh left my lips, causing me to cross my arms before rolling my eyes. It was hard, but I continued to smile at him, knowing he hated it.
I guess it was time to work out my muscles, too—anything to make it worse for you.
“I’m not going anywhere, your highness. Like I said, I need this job.” I declared.
My life depends on it, moron. Hah…
His eyes narrowed as if I wasn’t supposed to be there.
Oi… Don’t look at me like I’m a burden! The only load here is you!
“We’ll see about that, sweetheart. Perhaps I should’ve bitten you after all. It would’ve been fun to watch you dance for me.” Loki smirked as I shook my head and turned away from him.
Pity, being such a pretty boy is all going to waste because of that personality of yours.
“Ah... I see. Why didn’t you do so, your highness? I heard it’s a type of initiation you have for your maids. It makes me feel a little left out.” I challenged, letting myself get carried away by the moment.
Wait... I think I forgot to do something this morning. What was it?
Loki clicked his tongue, stretching a bit on the bed. “Don’t tempt me. Ozzy saved you last night, remember. He isn’t here anymore.”
Never mind that, where’s that familiar of yours? Why isn’t it near you or….
“Ah, well, I see no Oswald here at the moment. So, what’s keeping you civil, prince?” I breathed, unable to find the little slippery snake that I had seen the previous day.
Where—
That thought wouldn’t fully form when Loki suddenly yanked me into the bed, straddling me before I realized what had happened.
Eh?
Words couldn’t form fast enough while he pinned my hands to the bed as his intoxicating scent filled my senses. My breath hitched as I found myself gazing up to meet his blue, purplish eyes. The purple circles near his pupils were so clear from up close, as well as his beauty mark.
Is this another test? Or did I make you angry by calling out your bullshit?
Loki licked his lips like he was sizing up his meal before he lowered himself towards my ear, allowing his breath to tickle my skin again.
“Perhaps I should bite and make a mess out of you now that he isn’t here to save you, sweetie,” he whispered.
He was so close that his hair also touched my skin.
Ah... What did I walk myself into? Wait! Now I remember I didn’t take my rose tea!
Without it, my blood would make this vampire lose his senses. Loki hovered his lips on my jawline and onto my neck. Suddenly, he pulled away from my skin, covering his mouth as his eyes shimmered.
“Oi, compared to yesterday, you smell too tempting. I’ve never smelled something this good since... Ah… When was it… that I...” He mumbled before shifting his gaze back onto me and trailing his free hand down the collar of my dress.
Before I could say anything, he suddenly pulled my collar down and leaned toward it, as he was quickly met with my hand on his lips, halting his advancements. Luckily, he didn’t sink his fangs into my palms that brushed against his soft lips.
“No, I recommend you don’t bite me, prince,” I warned, sitting up slightly as my voice quivered.
It’s funny, I’m more worried about how my blood will affect you than your bite. Do you have to be so much trouble?!
I felt his smirk form again on his lips as he regained some self-control, at least.
“Oh, why’s that?” Loki asked, locking eyes with me.
“I—” Before I could even say anything, he grabbed onto my wrist before licking my palm as his fangs lightly grazed it.
A squeal left my lips as he moved past my hand and closer to my face.
“You taste different from all others, yet familiar… why is that?” he mumbled again, triggering my heart to skip a beat.
You can’t mean you remember that day?! Ah... Please… don’t…
“My blood is a rare meal for vampires like you, hybrid or not, and I forgot to take my tea this morning to ruin the flavor, so please don’t bite me. I don’t want you to get addicted to me.” I warned, yanking myself off his grip and fixing my collar.
It wasn’t like he was holding me roughly. Both times he had pinned me, I could’ve escaped when I wanted to. He was treating me like a normal girl, which I wasn’t. Taking a deep breath, I shifted my glance back onto him, sealing away all emotions that wanted to break out of me.
What the heck am I doing, enticing this vampire? I know better than to play with fire. Vengeful or not, I should hold back this feeling!
“Oh, will I? Isn’t that a bit pretentious of you?” Loki took my warning as a challenge more than anything else.
No! You idiot! I need to shut this down now! Maybe some more honesty will be the quickest way out of this, and it isn’t like your kind remembers what eternal witches taste like.
However, there was something more dangerous happening between us. I didn’t mind his touch at all, no, I welcomed it from how I was acting, which was something I couldn’t allow to continue to happen.
You are poisonous to me, Loki. This confirms it.
Even so, my heart appeared to be ignorant of my thoughts as it refused to stop beating faster with each moment I spent with this vampire.
Why are my feelings conflicting with my thoughts? Get a grip... Vivian, this boy will hate you the moment he knows what you are, but for now, focus on keeping him from biting you.
Losing my mind wasn’t in the cards I wanted to deal with today.
“Yes, it’s why I drink rose tea, but I forgot it.” I declared, prompting the vampire to cock his head as I shifted my gaze towards what I had brought in.
Ah... A way out.
“Oh, that reminds me, would you like some tea that I brought?” I smiled, burying again what I felt.
“Hah? How are you so unaffected by me?” He asked, letting me go as I quickly got off the bed, only to notice a snake tail sliding under the bed.
So, there you are. You like hiding under the bed all the time? Haha... A slippery, sly reptile, just what I need....