Chapter Text
Never having been outside of the castle walls since arriving to Sanguinem, Aiko longed to see what the city looked like. She predicted it most likely followed the same aesthetic: old-time, mysterious, and elegant. While she was formally indifferent to vampires’ taste and preferences when it came to design, she was growing fond of it…as she found that she adored the dress Mikaela had been given her.
It was distinct from modern human society, but resembled it back in the middle ages or maybe even some time periods after. It made sense in how vampires would prefer traditional decorative patterns, many of them had been around since anitquity. Well, except Mikaela.
Aiko wondered why Mikaela had been changed into a vampire, the queen must have had a purpose to do so. Vampires preferred to keep their numbers limited with strict ranks and regulations. Based on these fundamental facts, it was plausible to think he had been chosen and it wasn’t a random decision. Could it be the queen saw his potential as a soldier? Or was it a different reason altogether?
Aiko was sure the prisoners who were former Japanese Imperial Yokai Army members were given to vampires of higher ranks for two reasons. One, having had their memories erased, if anything came back, their owners will be the first to know. Second, as a humiliation thing…a sort of mockery. To show the prisoners “who was in charge,” “look how you went from trying to fight us to becoming our property, know your place.”
In this society, Aiko was aware she had no rights, she was the equivalent of a piece of furniture to be used and thrown away once she had outlived her expediency. It made her ponder what Mikaela’s value to the queen and society was.
In the day, Aiko had to deal with doing outside work that was considered “undesirable” by the vampires, she didn’t get the chance to admire the blue sky. In the night, she was usually able to sleep after her meals.
However, every now and again, she was given work to do, but she couldn’t watch the moon and the stars as she wished. She missed having a room with a window although it seemed unlikely she will ever have that again in her lifetime.
Aiko had at last recovered from her cold. As she went about her daily work and chores, Aiko vacillated between being comfortable with the familiar routine and loneliness from missing Mikaela. Time seemed dull and never-ending. Despite having the knowledge that he won’t be back for a few days, she was unable to stop herself from hoping he would come to her whenever she was alone in her room.
Because Mikaela was not around to bring food to her dungeon, she goes to a lonely cafeteria, where the tables have dividers between the prisoners so they cannot talk to each other and they were carefully monitored. The prisoners eating there are usually being punished for something but it is also used for the prisoners whose owners were away.
While she ate her food, Aiko’s thoughts were engrossed in the golden vampire. She used to find it odd that Mikaela would be exceptionally hesitant to drink from her and was unable to grasp what was holding him back.
Based on their interactions and having his words echo in her mind, as they often did, Aiko concluded Mikaela must be appalled by his own vampirism. Although he hadn’t said that directly, the things he had spoken and done pointed to this. Especially after she saw how remorseful he was after he had almost attacked her that one time.
This was a major concern for Aiko, as she was sure sooner or later it was going to kill him. The prospect of Mikaela suffering by itself was enough to make Aiko sorrowful. She had witnessed it in the moments before he almost attacked her. In the past, Aiko had been disgusted by the thought of having a vampire bite into her neck. While she was still not a fan of the concept, she would be willing if her blood could relieve Mikaela of his pain.
When the night came, Aiko stared at the flowers he left for her, touching the fallen petals…from deep within, her heart could not be at rest until she saw him once more.
The morning sky was still dark as the strange activity that had been detected in Sannomiya, Kobe revealed itself to be a giant spider-like monster that send the humans of the settlement running for their lives.
“It’s the Jorogumo! Get out of here!”
“Oh shit! We’re dead! Find a place to hide!”
A young girl, Namie, ran among the crowd, but she lost her balance and fell. As she came eye to eye with the creature, seemingly out of nowhere, a vampire with yellow hair appeared. The running crowd stopped for a moment.
Mikaela held his sword out and said something Namie was unable to catch. Thorns came out of his weapon and wrapped around his wrist. The blade turned crimson. He jumped straight towards the monster and sliced it in half faster than she was able to see.
“We’re saved. Maybe we’ll get the same kind of protection they got in Osaka now,” one of the people in the crowd had said.
Namie was speechless and captivated by Mikaela.
Lacus laughed mockingly, “They think we saved them. What idiotic creatures,” as he jumped off the monster’s body.
“We’re just keeping our livestock fresh. Protecting our property, right?” Lacus continued, facing Mikaela.
Mikaela did not so much as glance to the other vampire’s direction.
“Well, it took a hell lot of strength to pull off that stunt. Word has it you became a vampire drinking the blood of the third progenitor, Queen Krul Tepes, herself. Tell me, are the rumors true?”
The golden vampire continued to stare down paying no heed to Lacus.
“Regardless of his background, he took the monster down before we could land any blows ourselves. Greedy bastard probably wants credit for the kill,” said Rene.
Mikaela finally spoke, “You can have the body if you want it. Credit means nothing to me,” as he walked away from them.
Lacus turned to Rene and he shrugged.
It was some moments later, Rene stood before the crowd of humans announcing, “From now on this district will be governed by the vampires. We can guarantee your safety. In exchange for our protection all we ask is you donate blood so that we may continue to keep you safe from harm.”
Mikaela stood further away.
During this time, Namie walked up to him and said,
“Um. Hello.”
Mikaela turned to face her. Namie appeared timid as she looked down and there was an air of gentleness to her. The girl had fair facial features and well-kept short brown hair and wore a pink one-piece dress matched with a red cardigan. She was youthful and lovely.
“I would have died if you hadn’t stopped that monster. I’m so grateful to be alive.”
Namie pulled down her cardigan and exposed her neck saying, “I’d be…showing my gratitude by offering my blood.”
Mikaela stared at her neck.
“Please drink until you’re satisfied.”
It was awkward for Mikaela watch her; her blood smelled appetizing.
A memory resurfaced in his mind…the time he told Yuu he already had an escape plan and to leave it up to him…then when that plan was implemented that everything fell apart.
The vampire guards had come, one was about to finish Mikaela off but Krul had stopped him. Then he overheard a conversation between Ferid and Krul, but the specifics were murky because Mikaela’s consciousness was slipping from the blood loss. Ferid had left at some point and Krul came back to him.
“Hey human, do you want to bleed out? Because I can ensure that you survive all of this. I offer immortality.”
“I don’t want it.” Mikaela answered through fading senses.
“I see, so you want to die like your friends.”
Then she hovered over him and said,
“Unfortunately, you don’t have much of a choice. Once you drink my blood, you’ll become something far superior to a human.”
Krul put her lips to his and Mikaela tasted her blood for the first time. He had screamed.
That was the moment I lost my humanity. Mikaela recalled.
Namie stared, confused by Mikaela’s lack of response. He contemplated what to say to the girl.
“It’s against the rules to drink directly from a human.” Mikaela finally said.
He also hoped by saying this he could inform her so she would not be taken advantage of by vampires who didn’t care. Namie started to become frightened as she noticed the bloodlust in Mikaela’s eyes.
“Oh…okay.” Namie said.
“Thanks anyway.” He threw in, although as it had been for much time now, his voice sounded lifeless. The after effects of having one’s emotions numb down…Now that Mikaela had Aiko for a point of reference, he realized how dead he sounded in comparison to her vivacity.
Namie walked away and Mikaela’s thoughts refocused on Aiko. He wished Ferid was assigned to this mission as well. Obviously not because Mikaela wanted his company, but if Ferid was here, he could have kept an eye on him.
Aiko…are you feeling better? What are you doing at this moment?
He wondered. When Mikaela thought of her…her sense of humor, untamed dark hair, sharp features, crooked teeth, and softness behind her tough front…All the things that made Aiko who she was, he wanted nothing more than to have her in his arms. That woman who was so similar yet so different from Yuu. If only she could be happy, his broken heart can still survive.
When Aiko opened the dungeon door as she returned to her room, she was at first startled to see someone else there, but the surprise was replaced by joy immediately as she saw it was her favorite vampire.
Aiko embraced Mikaela before any words were exchanged. It made him blush and he teased,
“You missed me that much, human? Were you able to sleep without me?”
Aiko let go of him and chortled, “Shut up.”
Mikaela hugged Aiko from behind and caressed her, saying,
“I thought about you the whole time.”
He played with the loose strands of her hair.
Aiko held Mikaela’s arms around her, turned halfway, and sheepishly smiled to him.
“Are you going to tell me what happened and what you were doing at Kobe?”
The playfulness disappeared and in a serious tone Mikaela replied, “The strange activity turned out to be a monster. We reached an agreement with the human settlement there that they donate blood in exchange for our protection.”
…
“Does that violate the treaty?” Aiko asked.
“No.”
Although he admitted, “But it does push boundaries.”
Silence followed.
“Why did you do it?”
Mikaela then said, “It wasn’t my decision.”
“I know but…I would hate for another war to break out. Can’t there be an era of peace, just this once? War only causes pain and destruction.” Aiko said.
“I agree. While I don’t side with either the vampires or humans, as an unbiased perspective, I can assure you the agreement was not that bad. If we hadn’t gone to Kobe, the Jorogumo would have killed everyone there. The humans have not been enslaved. They do as they please and receive our protection so long as they donate blood.”
Aiko’s facial expression was ambiguous while she put her arms around herself and stared ahead.
Mikaela supposed she might be reminiscing the time she had been free of imprisonment.
“Do you miss being part of human society?”
“Yes and no. I miss certain freedoms, such as going wherever I want. But…I wouldn’t trade that for spending time with you,” Aiko answered.
As Mikaela took her in with his eyes, he felt the deep longing for everything she was, but he reminded himself that he could not further procrastinate that conversation with her.
He turned Aiko around so he could have the full view of her. He placed his face close to hers, held her shoulders and lightly rubbed them. Mikaela then asked, “Aiko…do you truly like being with me?”
Aiko’s heart raced having him touch her. She reluctantly put her arms around his neck. Mikaela could see the passion in her eyes; as dejected as he felt, it made him melt inside.
She softly laughed, “Do you really think I was going to say ‘no?’”
Yet when Aiko saw Mikaela’s suddenly gloomy expression, she asked, “What’s the matter?”
“There’s this thing we need to talk about. I didn’t bring it up the last time because you still had a cold, but before I left for Kobe, the queen gave me an ultimatum.”
The sparkle in Aiko’s eyes was replaced with worry as he continued,
“That I drink your blood or you’ll be taken away from me.”
Minutes of silence passed.
He refused to ever drink my blood when we first met, Aiko thought and asked,
“Is this goodbye?”
“No. It doesn’t have to be and I want you to have a say in this because it does concern your future. I cannot tell you what the queen will do if she takes you away. I do not know. Your life could be better, could be worse.”
Aiko averted her gaze to the right and faced Mikaela once more, saying,
“You’re horrified by your own vampirism because those you loved were killed by one.”
Mikaela stopped looking at her but his reaction no reaction was enough to tell her the answer was ‘yes.’
Slowly, keeping her voice composed, she said,
“Before and after the time the army sold me off, my future was uncertain, nobody is an exception to that. I want you to make the best possible decision for yourself…without being concerned about me. Although I will say even if…I never see you again,” it hurt Aiko to say this,
“I would like to at least have the comfort of knowing you’re alive. Please, even if you choose to let me go, don’t let yourself die,” she begged.
However, Aiko didn’t know if she could count on that.
She woefully stared down, seeing her upset pained Mikaela. He had hoped Aiko to tell him what she wanted; without worrying about him.
“I don’t wish to let you go.” He knew he liked her too much.
He struggled, but admitted sincerely, “I love you, Aiko.”
Somehow, this had taken Aiko aback. She fixed her eyes to his saying,
“Do you really mean that?”
“Wasn’t it obvious?”
“I guess not…because you are kind, I couldn’t tell.”
“But once I drink from you, that could change. As a complete vampire, my emotions will dull down further and I could lose my feelings for you. Emotions are replaced by bloodlust. That’s what it is to deal with a monster like me.”
“Hey…Mikaela. Listen, no one is a monster for what they are it’s what they do. From the way you treat me, you are more loving and trustworthy than many humans I’ve known. I can believe that your essence would remain and it’s not some blind hope, but because I have the evidence in how you’ve dealt with me. And even if you cease to love me, I would always still love you.”
She could acknowledge it now that her love for him was as deep as the ocean and dark as the night without the moon.
“So if you love me, don’t let me go,” Aiko breathed.
He benevolently held her close, put his lips to her neck and sunk his teeth into her for the first time. Mikaela knew he loved Aiko and that was the beginning and the end of his life.