LACRIMOSA'S POV
"Saturio, calm down. What's going on? That food isn't going anywhere. It's dead. Don't forget your manner." He apologised for his action.
"Are you going somewhere today?" He nods with a smile.
"Where to?" I'm curious. He used to be the type to share everything with me. Hell, he even asked me why there are hair growing around his private part when he hits puberty. It was such a memorable moment that I will sure to tell all of his girlfriend.
"I have a date with Evangeline. She's going to show me around the city. Isn't that exciting." A date with Evangeline?! So he's going to spend his weekends with Evangeline? Just the two of them?
"Interesting. Where are you going?" Saturio shrugged his shoulder.
"I don't know. I asked her to have dinner together but instead she gave me suggestion to show me the human world through her eyes. And I think that is a good idea for our first date." I smiled at my brother.
"You like her, am I right? If not, you wouldn't asked me if you could be here instead of the underworld." Saturio nodded.
"I do, sister. I really like her. It's not because she looks like Olympia. It's because she's different than any human I've met before. Upon seeing her for the first time, I have the urge to be there and protect her." I find that heartwarming.
To see Saturio even care for a low breed human that is.
"Protection is what the humans who worked here need. Protect them all when they need to be protected. Imperia care for their well-being because they're an asset. If they're gone, everything will be ruin." Saturio acknowledge my order.
"Of course, sister. When the time comes, I'll use my gift to make sure the queen's plan will go smoothly." That is good to know. He finished up his food before excusing himself to see Evangeline. I waited for him to leave the room before sighing hard.
"What's with the sigh, Lacrimosa?" Imperia appeared from the shadows with a smile on her face.
"You've heard what he said. He's going on a date with Evangeline. He has shown interest in her. He still blaming himself for the death of his ex girlfriend, Imperia. What if this feeling he has just something to forget about that?" Imperia shrugged her shoulder before taking a seat next to me.
"Why do you care? It's his problem now. If that's true love, let it be. If he's using Evangeline, I will take action. For now, let them be. I'm sure you know the reason why I'm here." Huh? I don't actually.
"There is a witch waiting for me at the lounging area. I want you to meet her and find out why she's here. I normally would ask Keres or Hotep to do that but they wouldn't listen to reason for her action before coming here. She killed a few of the demons that guarding the border." She did?
"She killed the demons I had summoned? How?!" Imperia once again shrugged her shoulder.
"That's for you to find out. I'll be going now. If you need some help, just call for me. I will keep my ears open." And just like that she's gone. Is that how it's going to be from now on?
"Mistress, are you ready?" Of course I am. I sighed mentally while standing up from my seat before walking towards the lounge. The maid opened the door for me to enter. And as I walk in, a woman in her thirties was sitting on the couch with her hands and legs tied up.
"Is that how you were treated? Release her restrain." The maid was reluctant but did as told in the end.
"Aren't you afraid that I might kill you like I did with the guards?" She asked when I took a seat in front of her.
"I would like to see you try. But I am intrigued to know. How on earth did you manage to kill the demons I had summoned? It shouldn't be that easy to kill them." The witch rubbed her wrist where the restrains were.
"It's not easy but I had to do what I did to survive. I was running away from my clan. I heard about this place from some travellers in a tavern where I used to stay in. But your guards were being a dick. So I have no choice but to end their life. I do apologise for what I've done." Her clan? To survive?
"If you don't mind, what happened? Why did your clan wants you to die?" She scoffed.
"Because the way I think. I think there is no need for witches to kidnapped little children for sacrificial purposes when it comes to celebrating the arrival of the blood moon. But the elder thinks otherwise." I see. She wants to change how witches do things traditionally.
"I feel like this land has become somewhat for refugees to come and seek protection. It wouldn't be civilised of me to let you go without punishment. Since you killed my guards, you need to earn your stay here." The witch doesn't react much when I suggested it.
"What kind of punishment are we talking about?" Well, she did just killed the guards.
"What kind of witch are you?" I asked while pouring myself a glass of fresh blood. I offered some for her but she declined.
"I came from a clan that practices the dark arts." I see. But I didn't asked about her clan.
"I was asking about you. What kind of witch are you?" She was reluctant to tell me her real identity but in the end, she did.
"I am a sea witch." My eyes widen.
"Seaweed?!"
"SEA WITCH! I feel connected with the sea ... for some odd reason. Why does everyone reacted the same way like you did?!" I laughed at her reaction. A sea witch huh. That's rare. I was informed of their existence but I never thought they are some who survived after the great war between the mermaids. Interesting.
"Were you by chance, was found by your clan members?" Her eyes flickered.
"Yes. How did you know that?" Hmm. She must be the only survivor. Imperia must've sense something when she was brought here. Is that why she gave me that wink?
***
"A sea witch? Are you certain?" Imperia was putting on her clothes while I was looking through the things on her dresser.
"She claimed herself to be one. I was not convinced until I saw how the water sprite reacted to her presence." Imperia turned around to face me.
"Water sprite? Where? How?" I smiled at the vampire before walking up to her with a smile. I start by buttoning her dress shirt.
"Oh I have my own ways." I gulped down the lumps in my throat as soon as I saw her cleavage. As always, she doesn't react to mine at all. Hell, even if I'm buck naked in front of her; she wont even bet an eye on me.
At first I found that insulting but as time goes by ... it's just her nature. A vampire who doesn't care about mating. That's a first and rare.
"Did you had a romantic rendezvous last night?" That question caught me off guard. Imperia pointed at my neck where my date left a mark on last night. Did I forgot to cover it up?
"You can say that. He was marvellous in bed. Unfortunately, he couldn't resist my charm and now he's being a nuisance. He can't stop calling me. I have to put my phone in silent mode. It's beginning to annoyed me." Imperia laughed as she grabbed her coat.
"Where are you going exactly?" I asked. She looked a bit well dressed for someone who stayed indoor.
"Strolling along the beach. Why? Do you want to join me? I'm not as fun as your date though." Did she just asked me out? I'll take whatever I can have!
"Yes!" I grabbed her arm and let her lead the way. As we walked across the hallway, we met both Keres and Hotep talking to each other. Their eyes followed us as we strut together hand in hand.
"Where are you two going?" Keres asked.
"The beach. Lacrimosa will be accompany me. You don't have to worry." Keres gave us a nod while Hotep smiled.
"Just keep your distance from the salty water. You're weak from the consumption. You won't be able to protect yourself if you went under." Keres warned the vampire. Imperia waved her hands as she leads towards the front door.
"What does she meant by that?" I asked since my curiosity is slowly killing me.
"I'm sure you are aware about the twelve princesses are feeding off me. And because of that my powers are limited. While I'm in this state, Keres and Hotep acts as my protector. They will be there whenever I am in harms way." Hold on. Is that the reason why she asked me to be here?
She wants me to protect her if there's trouble?
"Why did you agree to be their food?" For a queen, that's a dumb move. Why would she willing to shorten her own lifespan for a fucking sprite?
"Nice try." She smiled as we walk towards the beach. Surprisingly, they're a lot of beach goers at this time of hour. Well, can't blame them. Most of the creature here can't stand the sunlight. The only way to be able to enjoy the beach is at night.
Wait a minute, why none of them showed the queen their respect when Imperia went to the beach? Did she placed a spell on us to conceal our presence?
"Ironic isn't it? They don't even know who I am." I was speechless. They have no idea who she is?!
"I never show myself in public unless I'm needed. Keres and Hotep deal with everything while I stayed in my office, giving them orders. They know that they're being ruled by a queen but they have no idea who or what she looks like. In a way, I find that amusing. Because I can walk around without worrying they know who I am." How is it possible that a vampire could be so ... smart yet stupid?!
"Lacrimosa ... have a seat." She patted an empty space next to her.
"But don't you think it's a bad idea for them for not knowing who you are? What if they say something insulting about the queen and by chance you were there to hear it?" Imperia laughed.
"I don't mind. Everyone has their own opinion." She offered me a bloody lollipop with a smile.
"But I find that unfair. You've been a ruler for thousands of years. Your body is a living proof that you're willing to sacrifice yourself for your creatures. Don't act like that huge gash didn't hurt you!" Why am I being so sensitive about this?
I'm always the type of demon who let others know about my endeavour. But this bitch said that her sacrificial act doesn't mean anything?! To hell with that!
"You reminded me off one of my mistresses back in the day. She always told me to act like a queen and let them know what I've done to make sure their welfare are taken care off." She laughed!
"Hey! That's mine!" We were surprised by a voice of a little child.
"We're siblings! We share!" The older one in the group shouted at the little girl right in front of us.
"But mommy bought that for me! It's my bufday!" The little girl shouted back at her brother.
"We should share Mia! Don't be so greedy!" And just like that the brother take a huge bite of that weird looking food. When he handed back the food back to his sister, she was on verge of crying.
"But ... mommy said no cake ... she bought crepe ..." she's legit about to cry!
"There, there ... don't cry little one." Eh! When did Imperia went over there.
"Hey lady! Don't touch our sister!" That boy is one rude creature. I decided to stand behind Imperia as she consulted the little girl.
"Is it your birthday? Happy birthday." She smiled while patting the child's head. I never knew Imperia could be so ... soft? She acts differently when it comes to her own niece and nephew though.
"I'm sorry! I was paying for the food. Did they by chance bothering you ladies?! I'm really sorry. Please spare them." The lady who I assumed their mother bow their head.
"By the looks of how well dressed you two are, you must be the nobles. Please spare them. I will gladly take any kind of punishment." What is she babbling about?
"Raise your head, creature. There is no need for that. I was just congratulating the little child since today is her birthday. Her brothers were teasing her to the point she almost cry. You see, I have two younger sisters myself. I was once a prankster as well." Imperia?! A prankster?!
They talked for a few moments until they have to excuse themselves. Imperia stands up while watching them disappeared into the crowd.
"Did you noticed how scared she was?" Huh?
"What do you mean?" I was confused.
"She's scared of nobles. Is there something going on that I'm not aware off?" I shrugged my shoulder. Internal affairs is not my jurisdiction. It's Hotep's.
"You should asked Hotep." Imperia looks around the beach and noticed something even I didn't aware off.
"They're being divided into groups. None of them went to the other side of beach. Who gave them that order? This is a public area." Imperia decided to see what's going on at the other side of the beach.
I was struggling to followed suit.