Confrontation

-----Kaede's POV

I could hear rustling in the bedsheets, when I noticed that my eyes have been closed. I don't know when I fell asleep, but it was probably due to me using my mana again to heal Yui. Opening my eyes to the sound, I could see Yui towering above Mell while she sleeps.

Kaede: "Yui?"

I call out to her, but what I didn't expect was for Yui to move her face closer to Mell's neck. Instincts took over me as I quickly pushed Yui off of the bed, pinning her down on the floor. That was when I noticed her eyes. They weren't the beautiful crystal blue color, but instead that disgusting, crimson red color.

Mell: "Mmm~ Mom?"

Kaede: "Don't worry, I'm here."

Seems as though I accidentally woke her up, but that's the least of my concerns now. I could tell I'm a lot weaker than usual as I can feel Yui putting up quite a fight to get out of my grasp. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that right now, this isn't Yui...

Mell: "W-what's wrong with Yui?"

Kaede: "She's... She's still dealing with that pain. I'm trying to help her."

I can't just tell Mell what Yui was about to do to her. I don't want Mell to be frightened. Staring back at Yui's face, I could tell just how much pain is showing on her face, the same face I probably make when I'm desperate for blood. However, this time I won't let her have it. I'm scared if I give her more of my blood, she'll just develop more symptoms and slowly turn into a monster. But I just can't leave her like this...

Her thrashing is getting quite difficult to control, but thankfully I'm managing. I can't do this for too much longer though. Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind as I immediately bring my face closer to her neck. I have to hold her head in place, but in doing so, she's now clawing at my back. If they were like my nails I'm sure she would've broken through skin, but thankfully they were just like normal. With her head now pinned to the side, I can feel my fangs start to grow before I sink them straight into her neck.

My theory is, if I drink her blood, maybe she won't have the energy to seek after blood herself. And also, hoping to somehow get some of my blood back that's inside her, but that's wishful thinking at best. It's been a while since I've tasted Yui's blood as it fills my mouth. The taste is exactly as I remembered, as I slowly swallow mouthful after mouthful. Each time, I could feel my strength returning as the pain of her clawing my back became trivial. The amount she was thrashing also started to die down until I no longer could feel fingers digging into me.

After a few moments, I stop drinking her blood to move her face towards me. Her eyes were closed so I couldn't tell if they were still red. Curious, I force open one of her eyes as I could see that the beautiful blue color had returned before letting go.

Kaede: "Haaah~"

Mell: "Mom?"

Kaede: "Ah- don't worry. She's just sleeping now."

The rising of her chest was enough to tell me that she was still alive and breathing. I'm still surprised what I did even worked. Maybe if I keep doing it, hopefully my blood that's inside her will be washed out, turning her back to normal. The same couldn't be said for me though, since I doubt my blood has any trace of human inside. It was my blood that caused this pain and suffering on Yui to begin with. "I'm sorry."

I lift Yui up form the ground, tucking her back into bed. Mell decided to hop out of bed, choosing to stick to my side as we both look over the sleeping Yui.

Mell: "Is she better now?"

Kaede: "I hope so. We'll see when she wakes up. You not going back to sleep?"

Mell: "Mmmm~ Only if you are."

Kaede: "Fufu~ Okay."

This time, it was me who was in the middle, wedged between Mell and Yui in case something like that happened again. With Mell clinging onto me once more, I look over at Yui's sleeping face. I wonder if she'll even remember what happened? Last time she had no recollection of the time when she drank my blood, so I wonder if it'll be the same.

It didn't take Mell long to fall back asleep, but for me, there's so much energy inside me thanks to Yui's blood that there's no chance at all for me to sleep. So instead, I gently stroke Mell's head while playing with a few strands of Yui's hair.

-----Yui's POV

Waking up, I honestly felt like I couldn't move a single muscle. My eyes slowly opening up to see the ceiling of the room. If it weren't for the light in the room coming from the windows, I would think I didn't get enough sleep, so why so I feel this sluggish?

Kaede: "Good morning."

Yui: "Mmm?"

Turning my head, I could see Kaede was already awake as I stare deep into her bright, scarlet red eyes. Wait, wasn't Mell meant to be in between us?

Yui: "M-morning."

Kaede: "You can rest some more if you like."

Yui: "Mmm~"

Right now, all I can think of is food. My stomach feels incredibly empty right now so I think actually getting up would be better than laying back down. With my mind made up, I sit up from the bed.

Yui: "No. I'll get up."

My arms start to shake as I try to lift my body out from the bed before I finally get my feet to the floor, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Kaede: "Take it easy."

Actually, why is Kaede being mindful with me? Does she know something that I don't, like the reason why I'm feeling like this? Wait... Kaede hasn't been drinking my blood that much lately, so maybe-

Yui: "Hey... Did you, like. Lose control again and drink my blood?"

Kaede: "Huh? No. I haven't gotten like that in a while."

Yui: "Huh."

Cause that would explain how weak I feel right now. I don't think Kaede would lie to me-

Kaede: "But, I did drink your blood."

Yui: "Hmm?"

Cutting me off of my thoughts, Kaede continues.

Kaede: "It wasn't me that lost control... It was you."

Yui: "Me? Wait. Did I try and drink your blood again?"

Panic rushes over me at the thought of not being in control of my body. What if in the next moment I just lose control again and hurt someone.

Kaede: "Well..."

She looks over to Mell who was still sleeping in the bed. Is she saying that I tried to attack Mell?

Fleur: "Morning!~"

Suddenly, Fleur came into the room, waking up Mell in the process.

Kaede: "Good morning."

My mind is still fixated on the fact that I almost hurt Mell to respond to Fleur's greeting. I don't think I could live with myself if I hurt Mell, let alone kill her...

Fleur: "Breakfast will be ready soon. I just thought I'd make sure you guys are up."

Kaede: "Mhmm! Thanks mom."

Fleur: "Hehe."

With a smile on her face, she exits the room, with Mell letting out a cute yawn before rubbing her eyes.

Kaede: "Sleep well?"

She strokes through Mell's hair, gently untangling her light blue hair with her fingers like a comb.

Mell: "Mm-hmm~"

Kaede: "That's good."

From Kaede's attitude, it doesn't look like she's mad at me and is acting like nothing ever happened. I guess I should try and move on and focus on not losing control again. Almost in sync with one another, both Mell and my stomachs begin to grumble.

Kaede: "Hehe. Let's set up the tables again."

With Lilith still with us, we've continued to use our room as a place to eat.

Eventually, it came the time to eat breakfast. Just like the other days, Mell sat on Kaede's lap, Sicily and Lillian sitting next to each other, Lilith sitting opposite from Kaede while Olivia and Fleur sat next to me. Today looked to be Faye's turn for the morning shift so she was eating hers downstairs in case adventurers came inside. Mai chose to stand up as she had no reason to eat.

Suddenly, foot steps could be heard coming up the stairs. I could tell that there were more than a few sets of footsteps as they started to grow louder.

Fleur: "Lilith. Hide."

Lilith: "Huh? Uh-"

Just as Lilith started to get up from her seat, the door to our room flung open, with 3 soldiers coming inside. Faye could be seen behind them, looking to be stressing out from the situation.

Soldier1: "Have any of you ladies seen this woman."

The soldier brought out a poster with what looked to be Lilith's face on it. The other 2 soldiers walked out of the room before entering the other rooms. But why is he asking where Lilith is- That was when I noticed that Lilith, who should still be at the table was no longer there.

Fleur: "Nope. Like I said the other day, we haven't seen her. I'll be sure contact the city if she ever shows up."

It was Fleur who spoke first, speaking in a calm and professional manner. But from what she said, these soldiers came around yesterday?

Soldier1: "Why are you up here though? Shouldn't you be downstairs working?"

Fleur: "Ah- Well sometimes I like to enjoy eating with my daughter here, so my sister takes my place. Sis?"

Faye: "Y-yes!"

Faye immediately started to walk back down the stairs as I hear her light foot steps on the wooden floor.

Soldier1: "Daughter? You two look nothing-"

Fleur: "I've raised her since she was little. Her parents were unfortunately killed."

Soldier1: "I see. Sorry to inconvenience you. Enjoy your meal."

With one final look around the room, the soldier leaves, closing the door behind him.

Olivia: "Hah!~"

It was Olivia who breathed a sigh of relief before Lilith suddenly appeared out of nowhere, sitting back down at the table along with Mai next to her.

Lilith: "T-thank you."

Mai: "No problem."

So Mai can use invisibility magic too? Maybe it's not unique to the undead after all. But what would invisibility magic fall under, light magic? I choose to save those question till after breakfast as we all continue to eat, except for Kaede who seemed to be enjoying feeding Mell on her lap.