Spies from the Shadows

-----Lilith's POV

Ever since Mai told me about Selene coming over to Yarene, time feels like it's growing increasingly slow. Not that I mind it all too much since my life of living in the castle has been quite pleasant. The maid that acted as my supervisor has taught me many things, and the queen does seem to like the work I'm doing here. But I just hope that I can get some time to see my daughter again when the time does come.

Bonnie: "Lilith? You feeling alright?"

Bonnie; my supervisor in question peeks her head into my room.

Lilith: "I'm fine. Is the queen asking for me?"

Bonnie: "Yes. She'd like you present for the meeting in 15 minutes."

Lilith: "Got it. I'll be there shortly."

She ends up walking off with a smile, seeming to have done her job of notifying me. This is one of my duties as the queen's personal maid. During her meetings, I must make sure everyone there attending has something to eat and drink, while also carrying out tasks that the queen asks of me. It's not that bad as I do end up overhearing what their discussions are focused on.

...

And so, I find myself in Cecelia's office as many people were sat around in front of her, namely her masked spies. I've never talked with them as it's never been needed of me, so I opt to do my job and distribute tea to the masked members. Most of them don't react and simply accept my offering, but their captain does acknowledge me, but that might be because we've already talked before, back when he dragged Mai and I here in the first place.

Cecelia: "What have you found?"

Masked Captain: "One of our rats has gathered that Iris and company have started to move."

Cecelia: "Yes, I know that already."

I'm assuming Selene is part of this Iris person's company? Mai told me something along the lines of this, so hearing this brings me much joy.

Masked Captain: "But during their escape, they had a run in with the hero; Lucien."

Cecelia: "That old man is still alive?"

Masked Captain: "He's been a recluse for some time, but yes, he's alive. From the information we've received, apparently he was forced to retreat after catching up with Iris."

Cecelia: "What? You mean to say Iris fought Lucien and won?"

Masked Captain: "Not quite. And this is what we wanted to talk about. The person who succeeded in repelling the hero Lucien, was a vampire."

Time felt like it froze the moment he finished his sentence. I was smiling just before, but right now, my body is quickly filling with anxiety at the thought of how the queen will react to this.

Cecelia: "That's absurd. Vampires have been extinct for centuries."

Masked Captain: "I had to double check the reports myself, yes it is absurd. But what I found most interesting is that this vampire was seen aiding Iris."

Cecelia: "So Iris is harboring this vampire?"

Masked Captain: "I'm unsure, but exercising caution would be our best option here."

Cecelia: "Hmmm."

Yeah, this isn't looking too good. I've been with Cecelia for a while now, so I more or less understand how much she cares for her people. With the idea of letting something like a vampire inside would be a stupid thing to do in her eyes.

Lilith: "..."

I really shouldn't say anything here, but I can't help but stress over the idea of Cecelia planning to kill Selene... Screw it. I don't mind if the queen yells as me or if I get punished, but I can't sit by idly as I wait for her.

Lilith: "U-Uhm, may I say something?"

At my words, the masked members all shot their gazes towards me, although I cannot see their actual eyes because of their masks, I can still feel their eyes boring their way inside mine. And shortly after, the queen herself turns her head to the side towards me.

Cecelia: "Speaking out of turn?"

Lilith: "My apologies, your grace."

Cecelia: "Heh, It's okay. What is it?"

Lilith: "Uhm... That, vampire. They're harmless."

Neri: "You sound like you know of this vampire."

Lilith: "Yes, I have."

I'm unsure just how much to tell them as I don't want to jeopardize my life here that Mai desperately gave me.

Cecelia: "Ohh? And what relationship do you have with this, vampire?"

Lilith: "...While I was still in Inasdale, this vampire gave me a new view of the world. It was like my dark, depressing world slowly started to fill with all sorts of emotions. They even introduced me to people that aided my escape to Yarene in the first place."

Cecelia: "And what does this vampire look like? Does it have a name?"

Her question does little to make me relieved, if anything it only causes my heart to sink further into the depths of my stomach.

Lilith: "White, silvery hair. Red eyes. But I'm sorry, I did not catch her name."

Masked Captain: "Ties in with the reports that we've been given."

Cecelia: "Lilith dear. I know you may not have learnt much about vampires due to your past, but they excel at deception and trickery. You could've just been a tool for their amusement."

Lilith: "No! That's not it!"

I quickly bite my tongue by how heated I got from the queen's words. I instantly regret raising my voice like that, and even the queen herself seems to be startled by my arousal.

Cecelia: "...Tell me more, about this vampire."

Lilith: "..."

-----Kaede's POV

Mell: "So high!~"

Kaede: "Hold on tight, you hear?"

Mell: "Yes~"

After finally getting comfortable with flying, it was finally time to take Mell on her first ever flight. Yui will be next of course. I would've liked to fly Yui first, but with Mell being smaller, I feel like this will help me get the feel of flying someone easier.

We soar high above the caravans as Mell clings to my back with her arms around my neck. I was worried how my wings would fare with her on my back, but I can still move my wings just fine. I was originally planning to hold onto Mell and Yui myself, but after giving this idea a go, I think I'd prefer Yui to be on my back as well. Of course it's whatever she prefers, I'm okay either way.

I start to pick up the pace as I start to ascend higher into the sky.

Kaede: "You feeling okay?"

Mell: "Mhmm!"

Kaede: "Okay, then you ready?"

Mell: "For what?"

Kaede: "One... two-"

In the next instant before finishing my countdown, I draw in my wings after one last motion as both of us began to plummet back down to the surface, like a rocket making it's way back to earth. I can feel all the weight that was on my back had now disappeared, but I could still feel Mell clinging desperately on my neck, letting me know she's still there.

Kaede: "Three!"

Mell: "Hnnn!"

The speed only continues to increase as I can feel the adrenaline start to pump through my body, watching the ground coming closer and closer into view. And before we end up crashing into the ground, I extend my wings back out, catching the air, slowing our fall quickly before flapping my wings to keep us up in the air.

Mell: "That-"

Was that a bit too much I wonder?

Mell: "Was amazing!"

Kaede: "Hehe."

Maybe not. She sounds ecstatic after finally catching her breath.

Kaede: "Wanna go again?"

Mell: "I want to... But my arms are tired."

Yeah, that might've been a bit rough trying to hold onto me through all that. My bad.

Kaede: "Okay, we'll save that for another time then."

Mell: "Mhmm!"

And so, we descend slowly back down as I reach the side of the caravan. Grabbing hold of the roof, I pull myself back inside before Mell finally hops off of my back. Compared to everyone else, our hair was a complete mess, like we've just been inside of a tornado. Well, we kind of did.

Sicily: "Hehe. You look like you had fun."

Mell: "We went up so high! And then, mom just went whoosh! Shooting us down. It was so much fun!"

Yui: "Okay! When's my go?"

Kaede: "Pfft. Let me take a break first."

Lillian: "From the look on Mell's face, makes me wonder what it feels like."

Sicily: "I know, right?! Fly us too!"

Oh no, looks like we've attracted even more customers. Not that I mind though since even I found myself enjoying flying Mell around.

Kaede: "After Yui."

Sicily/Lillian: "Fine~"

Yui smiles at me as I give one in return. Mell seems to still be struggling in holding in her excitement as she ends up doing hand gestures while she describes what happened to everyone. Surprisingly, even Marcus seems to have caught an interest, but I'm not sure how I feel about carrying such a large man like himself on my back.