"Biting Me Softly"

When the two had gone out the broken window, Jasiel approached his Servant, and just like Sigmund told him, the thick ice started to melt. Athena broke through as the ice thinned, her head turned to him as if she was staring blankly at her Master, confused.

"Come back to your inactive state, Athena."

With that, she turned back to her small form.

Moments later, Jasiel went out on the busy streets of Alpharion City. The night was as lively as the day, and there were still many people who were shopping goods. Some passersby wondered why the apartment's window broke. Jasiel looked up to his roof and saw Sigmund and Ivory sitting there. He gulped as he saw his crimson-red eyes staring at him, thinking that the Servant might really be serious about beheading him!

He took off his clothes in front of the people, leaving only his linen brief. "I AM JASIEL REDLOCK! I LIKE INNOCENT GIRLS! I AM A HEARTBREAKER! I AM DESPICABLE!"

People looked at him disdainfully. He repeated yelling it, until the city guards went over to investigate why the middle of the street was crowded. On the roof, Sigmund and Ivory laughed at the amusing sight of the guards taking him for detainment!

"What did you say to Jasiel to make him do this? This was so unexpected!" Ivory chuckled as the fear she felt that night had disappeared, thanks to the hilarious scene she witnessed.

"He deserves it," Sigmund said. "I didn't really think he'd do it. He must have been too afraid of me. Honestly, if I hadn't stopped myself, I would have killed him on the spot-"

His words were interrupted when she suddenly placed her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Thanks, Sigmund... Thanks for saving me… If you were not there, I… do not know what could happen to me..."

Sigmund didn't utter any word, nor did he move. He glanced at his master's head and let her cry for a while. When he felt her shivering due to the cold wind, and because her dress was torn inside the thin linen blanket wrapped around her, Sigmund stroked her hair, "Should we go home?"

Ivory looked up to him, "Isn't it too far? And it's already night. It might not be safe for us to travel by foot."

"Hmmm... Should we look for a place to stay then?"

"But… I didn't bring any coins with me."

"I have an idea."

The two of them went to Betania City, at Edmond's tavern, which was only a few minutes far by foot. At first, he refused to accommodate them if they would pay late, but he remembered that the two were close to the General's son, so he agreed in the end. Besides, seeing Ivory holding only a blanket to cover herself up must have meant they ran into some kind of trouble.

Like before, they fortunately took the last room available. Ivory lit the candle on the bedside table, while Sigmund took off his dirty coat, leaving only his gartered pants on and exposing his six-pack abs.

"Isn't it funny that we ended up in this room again?" Sigmund said as he laid down on the bed. He slowly felt tiredness all over his body as he stared at the wooden ceiling.

"I remember so clearly how troublesome you were. You even escaped again," Ivory recounted. She hesitantly climbed to the other side of the bed and blushed when she saw him topless. She covered herself up with another blanket to give herself warmth and stared at the ceiling, too. "You're not going to do that again, right?"

"Unlike before, I now have a purpose why I want to make you a strong Master. Don't worry about me escaping," his voice was becoming faint. "Hey, I used so much mana to save you from that troublesome guy. You know what to do."

"Ah, I almost forgot," She extended her left hand near his mouth. "Here. Go on and take a bite."

Sigmund chuckled as he turned to his side, "Do you think you're a tasty biscuit?" then grabbed her wrist and bit her on the palm.

"Ouch…" She murmured as she flinched.

Sigmund paused from sucking her blood, "You'll get used to this…" He continued licking the blood dripping from her palm. Still not satisfied, he pulled his Master's arm towards him, making her loosen her grip on the blankets.

"Ugh, Sigmund? My dress is torn and it's cold..." she faced him, but turned her eyes away from him as her cheeks turned red. She tried reaching out for the blankets, but Sigmund took them and tucked himself in with her.

"Hey… Do you trust me now?" Sigmund stroked his Master's head, looking at her with adoration.

Ivory turned beet red when she gazed at his crimson red eyes. He was stroking her head gently, and it made her feel so secured. "I do. I trust you more now."

"Good," he pulled her close to his body. "Don't push me away again… And never doubt me." He cupped her chin and tilted her head upwards before leaning into her neck and sinking his fangs into her flesh.

As Ivory let him suck her blood, she compared it to the first time he replenished his mana out in the woods. He was too aggressive that time, but now it's different. It was as if she had really tamed him, and she wondered if it was because he felt lonely when she shoved him away that afternoon.

Because of what happened that night, Ivory felt the trust in him grow more, and there was a warm feeling in her heart.

...

The next morning, Ivory was awakened by the gentle breeze coming from the window. She felt chilly and as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the handsome face of her Servant, who was staring at her. She widened her eyes in surprise and shrieked when she realized that she was just wearing her undies.

Sigmund covered his ears, "Why the hell are you shouting?!"

She hurriedly covered her body with the blanket, "You… I…"

The Vampire laughed so hard. "You're unbelievable. Didn't you remember that you let me replenish mana on the bed? And you were cold, so I had to warm you up," he stood up, "You immediately lost your trust in me. How cruel," and said sarcastically as he stretched his arms.

Ivory thought he was serious, so she quickly stood up and grabbed his arm. "No, I… I was just shy!" she said with a worried look

He pinched his Master's cheek, "I know, dummy! Let's get out of here."

"But… but I don't have any extra clothes to wear…"

"Use my coat. It's a bit dirty, but it's better than a blanket."

"But if I use this… How about you?" Ivory said, panning her eyes at his six-pack abs.

"The view's great, right? No one will complain if they see this great body."