Chapter 9: Lucillia

It was his very first memory together with the Van Helsings. After he was taken out of his nightmare, he was brought to their manor where he experienced a meal he never had before.

"Eat as much as you like." Said the sweet voice of an angel who saved him.

An angel?

Yes, he called her an angel.

She has long white hair as pure white as a snow. Her green eyes twinkled like the emerald gems. And her smile? How can he forget that smile? The smile that shines in the midst of his darkness. How could he have asked for more?

Inside that manor, he experienced being bathed in warm water and getting dressed in nice clothes. As someone who came from nothing, this is a bit too much.

"There! You look more handsome now!" The angel giggled and led him to a big mirror.

He can't even believe his eyes! Is this really him? Does this mirror contain magic that it alters one's appearance? He looks like a total stranger!

"Oh that's right! I haven't ask your name." She said.

He blinked few times.

"Name?" He echoed, who seems perplexed at the new word he heard.

The angel nodded, "Yes, a name. It's something that you want others to call you." She explained.

The boy looked down, "I... don't have a name..." He mumbled, and the angel became gloomy knowing this.

"Then, I'll give you a name!" She suddenly said and held her chin, "Hmm... but what would be the perfect name for you?"

Then, someone suddenly opened the door.

"Big sister! I've found you!" A small girl in twin tails suddenly came approaching the angel while carrying her teddy bear.

"Lucy! How many times do I have to tell you to knock first before you enter. That's manners."

"But big sister! Lucy wants to play with you so bad! Lucy misses you!"

The angel chuckled, "Oh dear..."

Lucy paused when she noticed his presence. She hid behind her sister and asked, "Big sister, who is he?"

He glanced at her and their eyes met.

"Lucy, from now on, he'll be one of the servants here in our manor. But he's still in training." Then the angel glanced at him,

"This is Lucy, the second princess of the Van Helsing family."

He knelled in one knee and bowed his head, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Lucy."

"No!" The girl exclaimed, "I don't want to!"

"Lucy, what's wrong with you?"

"I won't accept you! You're here to take my big sister's attention away from me! I hate you!" And then she ran away.

"Lucy!" Her sister ran after her.

At first, he doesn't seem to understand those words.

What does it take to hate? Why do we hate? What does it feel to hate someone?

Even he has so many questions, there is but one thing he understands.

That the princess doesn't seem happy when she said those words.

"And that ends our report for today." Rae said and their classmates' applause roamed around the room.

"That's impressive, Mr. Helsing and Ms. Valdez! Our wait for your recovery was worth it!" Their teacher praised.

"Thank you, sir!" They both said in delight.

"Alright. And that ends our class. Dismissed." The teacher announced and everyone were all excited to go out.

"I'll go first, Yana. Mom wants me to go with her in the grocery store." Ella said and they hugged each other before she left.

"I still can't believe she forgot what happened that time." Rae said as he was informed of what happened to Ella afterwards.

"Same here. I wonder what happened to her that night." Yana pondered as they walked on the hallway.

"E-excuse me.." Said the voice behind them. When they turn around, they saw someone carrying a bunch of books that's already blocking his view.

But then, he bumped into Rae and all the books were scattered on the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" He panickly said and picked the books.

But Yana recognizes this person, "Father Stephen?"

"Oh, miss Yana. It's you!" The priest looked up and saw a familiar face.

"Why are you carrying a load of books?" Asked Yana and they started helping the priest.

"Since I don't have much to do, I went to visit the library when I saw the old librarian suffering from her back pains. I offered her some help to get these books and arrange them." He explained.

'Woah! What a gentleman!' They both thought.

And with that, they helped him carry those books in the library.

"I'm sorry for the trouble." The priest said apologetically.

"It's nothing, father. Besides, I wanted to help you for so long." Rae said and smiled.

The priest blinked, "Help me?"

"Yana mentioned how you spared my life and saved us. I wanted to return the favor, at least." The lad explained.

And then, tears suddenly fell from his eyes.

"Oh I'm sorry! No one has ever thanked me for so long! I was so moved!" He sniffed and wiped his tears away.

'What are you, a little kid?' Yana thought.

After arranging the books, they left and closed the library.

"Thank you so much, both of you! Would you like some tea as my gratitude for your hard work?" The priest offered.

Rae was about to answer when Yana declined, "I'm sorry father. It's getting late, we should go home now."

"Is that so?" He became a little gloomy.

"Maybe some other time, father. We promise." Rae said to cheer him up.

"Really? Then, I'll be waiting for that." And it did cheer him up.

They bid their goodbyes and walked down the stairs.

"I know you wanted to accept his offer. But we have to go home before it gets dark." Yana reminded.

"Besides, I don't want to encounter bad vampires again." She heaved a sigh.

"Yeah, you're right. It's just that... he seems so nice and I feel comfortable around him."

Now that he mentions it, she too, felt the same. Even she doesn't trust anybody that much, the priest became an exception even she just met him few days ago. It seems like the priest has something within him that can make anyone trust him in an instant.

Soon as they are near the school's gate, they saw a black car nearby with a man wearing a black suit, standing beside it.

Rae paused and held Yana's wrist and stepped in front of her. By that, she knew, that man is a vampire!

"We've been waiting for you, young master Rae." He said with a stoic expression.

"Rae, do you know this guy?" Yana whispered.

"I don't think so." The lad replied.

The vampire opened the car's door and from there, something came out. Like a wind passing by, someone rushed towards him.

"Oh, I've missed you!" A lady in red suddenly came and hugged Rae.

The voice seems familiar to him, "A-aunt Lucy?"

"Yes, it's me!" She said and cupped his cheeks, "My! How you've grown so much! I really missed you!" She squealed and buried his head to her chest in such excitement and hugged him tight.

Looking at them, Yana didn't move an inch to stop her. She was bothered by that one thing.

'S-so big..!' She thought, looking at the lady's chest and comparing it to her.

It was obvious that she's of no match. Oh, how life is unfair!

"Aunt... Lucy... can't... breathe!" Rae struggled to mumble the words.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I just got carried away!" She releases Rae and the lad gasps for air.

The pretty lady glanced at Yana, "And who are you?"

Like she's been greeted by a celebrity, Yana panicked, "I-uhh... P-please to meet you! I'm Yana Valdez, Rae's classmate!" She offered her hand.

"Oh?" Lucy tilted her head on the side and decided to shake the lass's hand.

It was cold! So cold! It feels like she has a big ice on her hand.

Do vampires usually have this freezing hands? That doesn't seem to apply on Rae.

'Hmm.. A human... What does my nephew doing mingling with a petty human girl?' Lucy thought but it was answered when Rae spoke.

"She's my friend, aunt Lucy."

Lucy glanced at her nephew, 'Friend? Are you out of your mind, Rae? Why would a vampire be friends with a meek human?!'

'Humans aren't meek, aunt Lucy. Yana is the living proof of that.' Rae glanced back at her.

Yana blinked, silence suddenly came between them as they did nothing but to stare at each other.

'Is it just me or... they're having a staring contest?' She pondered.

Little did she know, Rae and Lucy are already communicating through their minds. This is what they call telepathy. A special ability for high level vampires.

"Hmph. Very well then." Lucy said and invited them to ride the car.

And while they're on their way home, Yana is so nervous all throughout the ride.

Why?

'This is so awkward! She kept staring at me like I did something wrong. Well, did I?' The lass recalled but can't seem to find something she did that might offend Lucy.

"Oh right!" Rae suddenly said, "I haven't introduce her to you, Yana." He glanced at her and pointed to his aunt.

"Aunt Lucy is my mother's younger sister and she's very cool!"

Lucy scoffed, "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Rae."

"But I mean it, aunt Lucy." Then he glanced back at Yana, "She's been in different places around the world and she's a great skater!"

"Oh stop! You're embarrassing me!" Lucy blushingly said with a smile on her face.

'What happened about flattery?' Yana thought and sighed.

It didn't take long when they arrived at the Hellsing residence. Rae excitedly went out and opened the gate for them.

"Cal, we're home!" He cheerfully said as he opened the door.

"Welcome back, you--" He paused when he saw a familiar face following Rae.

"Hmph! Such a small house for a son of royalty." She crossed her arms to her chest.

'You call this small? It took me a week to get used to this house!' Yana thought.

"What a surprise. You should've told me of your arrival so that I could warmly welcome you, Princess Lucy." Calcifer sighed.

Hearing him say that, the princess became annoyed, "Tch! Still calling me by that, huh?" She mumbled.

Ren and Rin came and took Lucy's suitcases.

"Let me help you with that." Rae said as they took the bags to her room.

'Why did they leave me here!?' Yana nervously said as she felt something different with how these two looked at each other.

Calcifer cleared his throat, "Well, pardon me but do you prefer to be called 'ugly' princess?"

Yana's eyes widened the way he spoke to the princess.

'H-how could he say something like that!?'

"Hmph! Look who's talking! Despite you're a vampire, you look older." Lucy talked back but it was obvious that she got irritated on what Calcifer said earlier.

He scoffed, " Older? How unbelievable that it came from someone who uses cosmetics to look younger."

"What did you say!? Why don't we just prove it through power?" Lucy said and Yana felt that it suddenly became cold inside the living room.

"Fine by me!" Calcifer said and all of a sudden, the room became hot!

"Y'know, if I were you..." Primo suddenly appeared beside Yana.

"You'd better step aside if you value your life." He said.

"Huh? But why?" When she glanced back at the two, she was terrified.

Lucy's hands were glowing in light blue color with cold smoke all around.

On the other hand, Calcifer's hands were glowing in light red with hot smoke all around.

And now, this lass watching them is suffering the hot and cold temperature inside the room.

"P-Primo! Do something!" She panicked.

"Why would I stop them? They're always fighting."

"B-but... you're strong, right?" The small bat's ears perked when Yana said that.

"I know you're someone I can rely on because you're amazing!" She added noticing that it's taking its effect.

Primo chuckled, "You're right! I am strong and amazing!"

"Then, you can stop them!"

"Heh! Of course! Just watch me!" The small bat flew towards the two vampires.

"Take this, old man!" Lucy releases her ice power.

"Burn, old hag!" Calcifer releases his fire power as well.

"Both of you, listen well and--!" Just in time when Primo went closer to stop them, he got hit by their attacks that caused an explosion.

He got frozen on his left side and got toasted on his right side. Yana rushed and caught him in her hands.

"Oh, poor Primo!" She sighed.

"We're back." Rae announced and saw the remains of the explosion.

"I guess they used their powers again." He rubbed the back of his head and then glanced at Yana.

"Did you see that? I told you aunt Lucy is cool!"

"So you mean it literally? This is no time to be amazed, Rae! Aren't you going to stop them?" Yana scolded.

The lad shrugged, "Don't worry, they just missed each other. It's their way of greeting." He smiled.

Yana frowned and then sighed in defeat.

"Whatever you say..." Still, she can't shake the feeling of getting worried over them.

Who would've fight in their reunion? What kind of greeting is that? Why does she feel like it's more than that?

And the lass was never wrong on her thoughts. She has come to notice how Rae kept on staring blankly throughout the class.

She even caught him sleeping during the History class, which is in favor for the girls as they got to see his sleeping face. These things happened two days straight.

"You'd better talk to him, girl." Ella suddenly said as she caught Yana staring at Rae.

The lass flinched, "What? Why me?"

Ella shook her head and sighed, "You're the only person I know who's closest to him. Just give it a try!" She said and pushed her friend to Rae's side.

"Err... Rae?" She called, but he kept on staring blankly.

Yana blink, then she waved her hand in front of him and called once again.

"Earth to Rae!" And then, the lad flinch.

"Oh Yana, you called?"

"Yes, a bunch of times." She sighed. "Let's go eat somewhere else." She invited and unconsciously pulled him by the hand.

The girls in their class saw it and they madly gossiping about it.

"Uh-oh! It's my turn to act." Ella said and called their attention, "Stop that, girls. It's too early to judge without asking the ones involved."

And while Ella is defending her best friend, Yana and Rae went to the school's roof top to eat their lunch.

"You've been spacing out a lot lately. What's wrong?" She asked.

Rae shook his head, "It's nothing."

The lass glared at him, "You're a bad liar."

Then, he blinked few times. Seems like there's no point hiding it to her.

"You're right. There is something wrong.." He sighed.

"You see... Aunt Lucy and Cal never stop fighting."

"Aren't they always doing that?"

"But this time, it's different! Night and day, they fight. Whenever they see each other, they fight. They even involve their powers to fight." The lad sighed in frustration.

"B-but you said it's their greeting."

"I thought so too. But this time, it's serious! We might be disturbing the neighborhood because of them." He anxiously said.

This is the first time she has seen him so worried and tired. Looks like they really have to do something.

And without her realizing it, she suddenly reached for his head and gently patted it.

"Don't worry. We'll figure something out to stop them from fighting." She said and smiled reassuringly.

And that, made him calmed down.

They might be in school but their minds kept on thinking some plans on how to stop Lucy and Calcifer from fighting. But it doesn't seem to work out when they imagine it. This kept on happening until the class ended.

"Let's call it a day. I don't want to stress you out for helping me." Rae said knowing Yana is doing her best.

"Are you sure?"

The lad nodded.

Just then, they were suddenly surrounded by five men after walking several miles away from the school.

"You are... son of... the queen..." One of them said and pointed at Rae.

The two of them were surprised on how did these guys know about it.

"Level-D vampires." Rae mumbled, informing Yana who's behind him.

"You... come with us..." Said the other as they kept on approaching like zombies.

She ran as fast as she could. This is an emergency anyway. She came down the streets until she reached the Van Helsing residence.

"Mr. Cal, Ms. Lucy! Help!" Yana called.

When they heard her voice, both of them went out.

"What's this about, human?" Lucy crossed her arms to her chest.

Calcifer, on the other hand, noticed how she catches her breath. With that, he asked calmly,

"Miss Yana, what happened?"

"It's Rae..." She panted, "He's been taken by a group of vampires!" She panicked.

"What!?" Both of them said in unison.

"We don't have time to waste! Let's find him!" Lucy said as they started running to the place where Yana last saw him.

'Mr. Cal, Ms. Lucy... I'm sorry for tricking you!' The lass said to herself as she recalled what happened that time.

"You are... son of... the queen..." Said one of the vampires.

Knowing who they really are, Rae took a deep breath.

"May I help you, gentlemen?" He calmly asked.

"You... come... with us..." Said the other, pointing at him.

"Boss... looks... for you..." Said the other one.

Rae felt Yana held at the hem of his uniform as if telling him not to go.

"And if I resist?"

"We... kill you..."

"And eat... your friend..."

The vampires started to approach them like zombies in the movies.

"Uhh.. Rae? Isn't this the time to run? If we didn't, they're going to take you!" Yana nervously said.

"Take me, huh..." Rae held his chin and suddenly came up with an idea.

Then he glanced at the lass, "Yana, you go run and ask help from Cal and aunt Lucy!"

"What!?" Yana exclaimed.

"Tell them I've been taken by vampires. And they'll go to rescue me. They'll have no choice but to work together and won't fight again. Problem solved!" He explained.

"Rae... I don't think that idea will--"

"Go now!" He pushed her on the other side and she had no choice but to run as fast as she could.

'Darn it! If this doesn't work out, Rae, you're an idiot!!!' She said to herself.