Compromise

-----Kaede's POV

Masked Captain: "I have to say, I'm impressed."

Kaede: "You can see that she's in control, everything's okay."

I honestly didn't expect Faye to get Fleur under control like that. She cut it damn close as I can barely sense her heart beating. I feel like if Fleur had taken one more mouthful of blood, Faye would be dead right about now.

Masked Captain: "I don't think so. The way I see it, she still poses a threat to us. I cannot allow her to come any further."

I can't argue there, especially since he just saw that first hand.

Kaede: "So you're fine with me, but not her?"

Masked Captain: "You stopped your own kind just now. She could've easily killed us, yet you stopped her, saving us. So I thank you for that. But yes, she won't be stepping another foot forward."

Kaede: "What if she stays with me! I can keep her in check."

Masked Captain: "..."

Kaede: "Like you just said, I can stop her, keep her in check."

Injured Man: "Having you two be together? This could all just be a trap."

I can see why they're being cautious. The idea of one vampire is enough, but two? And not just that, but two vampires together? That's a lot of power, enough to kill hundreds of lives. When I had Fleur under me back there, I could feel just how strong she was. Back when Yui was like that, back when Yui first showed signs like this, Yui was more so child's play compared to Fleur just now.

Kaede: "Then how about we be under supervision? You can even chain us up if you like."

Masked Captain: "...You saying you'll follow our orders?"

Kaede: "As long as until we're clear of any suspicion. I'd prefer both Fleur and myself to live normal lives one day."

Injured Man: "...Okay."

Masked Captain: "You're fine with this, Neri?"

He spoke in a hush voice that I could barely pick up. I doubt anyone else managed to pick it up.

Neri: "I trust Lilith. And everything she spoke about her seems to be accurate. Plus we can just seal their mana."

Now knowing the person's name, I'm inclined to think that they're actually a woman, although their voice doesn't make it that obvious, especially with it being muffled by their mask.

Masked Captain: "Alright. It's your call."

It was then that the person named Neri walked forward, taking out two large collars from behind their waist.

Neri: "Put these on. Only then, will you be able to come into Yarene."

Kaede: "Got it."

I step forward as Neri opens up one of the collars before clamping it around my neck. I must say, it must take a lot of nerve to walk up to me like this, I could've easily just killed her when she came close, but I won't let her trust in me; in mom, to rot.

Neri: "Put this one on her."

Although the same can't be said for Fleur. Seems as though she's entrusting Fleur to me. I take hold of the second collar before bending back down to Fleur.

Fleur: "Eh?"

Kaede: "Trust me."

Fleur: "M-mm."

I clamp the collar around Fleur's neck as it begins to faintly glow, signaling that it's already taking affect. I know Fleur is confused about everything that's happened so far, and I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't even realize she was sucking her own sister's blood just before. Once we're back on the road, I'll tell her everything.

Before when I tried on one of the shackles I got from that noble, I nearly broke it in a matter of seconds, but it doesn't seem like the one around my neck is breaking at all. Maybe it's made out of a stronger material?

Neri: "Right. That should do it."

Masked Captain: "We'll escort you directly to the city."

Iris: "Thank you so much."

Masked Captain: "And since you seem to trust them, I'm appointing you to supervise them."

Neri: "What?"

Masked Captain: "Is that a problem?"

Neri: "No, captain."

Masked Captain: "Alright. Then let's get going."

So, this Neri person is going to be supervising us? They seem to be close with mom, so I guess It won't be too bad. Maybe I can talk with them at maybe getting the opportunity to see my mom again.

...

We all head back into the caravan, with Fleur and I both carrying Faye inside. It's surreal to think that Fleur's actually awake right now, but even I can tell that she's changed. Her eyes aren't changing back like with Yui's, and they're much brighter, like mine. Neri also joins us inside as our newly appointed vampire supervisor.

Fleur: "M-may I ask... Where are we?"

Iris: "We're at the borders of Yarene."

Fleur: "Huh?"

Kaede: "You've been- asleep for a long time."

I choose to not say "dead," as it might just make everything a lot worse.

Fleur: "Hmm? What's that smell?"

She visibly smells the room, almost as if something is cooking in this caravan. Everyone seems confused, but I know full well what she's smelling.

Kaede: "Ignore it."

Fleur: "Huh?"

Kaede: "Fleur. What I'm about to say will come as a surprise. I ask of you to remain calm, okay?"

I can't believe that this is actually happening. Fleur is my adoptive mother, yet now she's my offspring? Is that how vampires work? And after a hesitant head nod from Fleur, I begin to tell her what has happened.

.....

...

Fleur: "I-"

She's struggles to find words, but that's completely normal. It's like back when I killed Silas, I was left speechless, just like how Fleur is.

Mell: "It's true! You saved us."

Sicily: "Mhmm! If it weren't for you, we'd all be dead."

Lillian: "Mm."

Fleur: "Vampire..."

Seems as though she's still processing the fact that she's no longer normal. I truly am sorry, Fleur...

Kaede: "Right now, you smell everyone here, right?"

Fleur: "What do you-"

She pauses her sentence as her focus now draws back to the smell of the room. I've gotten used to being around people now, but back when I was little, I'd always sneak out of the guild to get fresh air, fearing that I'd go crazy and hurt someone again. I have to coach Fleur through this now, as she is my responsibility. Especially with Neri now watching us, I have to make sure that she sees me as someone who's trustworthy.

Kaede: "I can smell it too. But no matter how tempting it may be, you must stay composed."

Yui: "I believe in you, Fleur."

Natalie: "Do you also smell what they're smelling, Ellen?"

Yui: "Oh, no. The only thing I have to deal with is the sudden urge to drink."

Marcus: "What?!"

Oh, right. I did end up explaining everything to Marcus, but I forgot I left out the part about Yui.

Neri: "You're saying that Ellen here is also a vampire?"

Iris: "No! She's... We're not sure yet. But my daughter will not harm anyone!"

Neri: "Indeed. Her eyes don't resemble that of a vampire's."

Our eyes are a dead giveaway, so seeing as though Yui is unique that she can still appear fully human does make for a convincing argument, and Neri seems to accept it.

Neri: "May I ask why she drinks blood then?"

Kaede: "As far as we know, it has something to do with when she drank some of my blood. Ever since then, she's been having these urges."

Neri: "Wait. Your blood?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Neri: "Vampires don't bleed."

Kaede: "Yes. I'm not your standard vampire. I was born from a human mother."

Neri: "What?"

I then proceed to show her myself by gently stabbing the end of my finger with my nail, drawing out a little bit of my blood. But when I was about to control my blood, it just drips onto the floor of the caravan. At first, I was confused as to why I couldn't control my blood, but then it hit me... I am wearing a mana sealing device right now... At least this still shows Neri that I can truly bleed. However now I have this stupid cut on my finger that I can't heal. Not that it matters since it's such a small cut, barely noticeable.

Neri: "Incredible..."

Mell: "Mhmm! Mom is amazing."

Neri: "Mom?"

Mell: "That's right!"

Kaede: "That's a long story."

Neri: "I see."

Seems as though they won't pry much further with that. Looks like they're only interested with the vampire talk.

Alice: "Enough of your questions. Who are you? And who are those people."

Neri: "I cannot say, but what I can tell you is that we work for the queen."

Alice: "Yeah, we already know that."

Iris: "Alice."

I didn't realize it, but I'm honestly curious to who these people are as well. They came up to the caravans without me even noticing, and focusing my mana now, I still can't even sense mana emanating from her. Maybe that's why Alice is acting all defensive right now.

Neri: "I'm sorry, but I cannot say."

Kaede: "Mai?"

I attempt to communicate with Mai, hoping that the device around my neck isn't hindering my ability to talk with her.

Mai: "Yes?"

Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be the case.

Kaede: "Do you know who these people are?"

Mai: "You know as much as I do. I've run into them before, they were the ones that locked Lilith and I up."

Well, if meeting them lead to my mom getting a job in the castle, I feel relieved. Maybe the thought of actually seeming mom is actually coming true.