Long Night Ahead

-----Kaede's POV

We continued during the night as Faye was still battling through the pain. She doesn't want me to heal her, but I don't even think that would change much. So, I've been secretly using healing magic just to ease the pain a little, but not too much that it's noticeable. Fleur also has not left her side, not even for a second as we both try and give as much comfort to Faye, letting her squeeze our hands as much as we can.

Mell: "I got some more water."

Sicily/Lillian: "Thank you, Mell."

Neri also must've told everyone as they have all decided to help. With how much Faye is sweating, it feels like we're on a never ending cycle to wash her body from all the sweat, trying desperately to cool her off. Sicily was in charge of Faye's upper body, with Lillian taking her lower body, while Mell was running to refill the bucket of water.

Neri: "Can't say I've seen something like this before."

Might not be exactly the same, but I do remember doing the same thing for Yui, although she wasn't sweating as much as Faye right now. It really shows that what is happening to Faye right now is not the same as when Yui drank my blood.

Mell: "How long will she be like this?"

Kaede: "I'm not sure..."

In Fleur's case, she was dead and took days, if not a week to turn. But maybe since Faye is still alive it'll be faster? Either way, I don't plan on stopping as I continue to slowly pour my mana into Faye. Just then, I felt a sudden release of pressure from my hand as Faye's body quickly relaxes. At first I thought she just died, but I can still hear her heart beating.

Sicily: "Faye?! Hey!"

Fleur: "Don't worry. Sis isn't dead."

So Fleur can also sense it as well. I do wonder to what extent the similarities between the two of us are, and if she's capable of using my powers the same way. But I guess with the collar that'll have to wait.

Kaede: "Just wipe her down one more time and I think we're done."

Sicily: "Okay."

Both Sicily and Lillian wipe the remaining sweat off of Faye's body before tossing the pieces of cloth back into the bucket. I take a moment to sit up, taking a proper look over Faye's body, gently opening one of her eye lids to reveal that her eyes remain the same as before. However, her smell has become more faint despite her heart still pumping. It's like the sweetness of it is slowly disappearing.

Kaede: "Let's all get some sleep. I can keep watch over Faye."

Fleur: "No. I can do that."

Kaede: "Your my responsibility, so how about we both watch over Faye?"

Fleur: "...Kay."

Mell: "Can I stay in here as well?"

I really wish I can say yes to that, but after witnessing just how dangerous it was when Fleur woke up, I have no doubt that it'll be the same situation. And if that's the case, I'd like Mell to stay safe, but in that case, wouldn't the best place for her would be by my side?

Lillian: "Why don't you sleep with us again? We'll only be across from them."

Mell: "..."

Kaede: "You can stay if you want. But when you feel tired, do sleep with Lillian and Sicily, okay?"

Mell: "Okay~"

Neri: "Pfft. Unbelievable."

I know what Neri's thinking. A human surrounded by monsters yet none of us are preying on her. Honestly, I think Mell is an important piece to all of this, as it shows to Neri that we can all live amongst humans.

.....

...

We continued throughout the night as Mell did end up going over to Lillian and Sicily's room to sleep, leaving just Fleur and I with Faye.

Fleur: "It's strange."

Kaede: "Hmm?"

Fleur: "I was so aware of her presence, but now... It's like the only thing I can sense is that my sister's alive. Her sweet scent is all gone."

Kaede: "It helps, right?"

Fleur: "Mm. It's almost like I'm back to being normal while I'm in this room."

Ah, so Fleur's senses aren't as strong as mine. I can still smell everyone in this house and even some people in the nearest houses closest to us. It's not a problem for me, but I'd hate for Fleur to be stuck dealing with that constantly.

Kaede: "I'm glad."

Fleur: "Thank you, Kaede."

Kaede: "For turning Faye into a monster?"

Fleur: "Not really, but more so for giving us an opportunity to live as sisters once again."

Kaede: "Ah, right."

Fleur: "Ahn~ I think I might actually sleep."

With a yawn, Fleur ends up crawling up into the bed Faye is sleeping on. I myself don't feel the need to sleep yet, so I'll just keep watch over the two of them.

Kaede: "Hopefully by tomorrow, Faye will be wide awake."

Fleur: "Hehe, I hope so."

Kaede: "Goodnight, mom."

Fleur: "Mmm, goodnight."

It's honestly weird to think I have two moms, but I've grown to accept it. Fleur was always there for me growing up so she's practically a mother to me. But still, since she's a vampire, that would make her my offspring, so is it even possible to have a mother that's your offspring? I'm confused.

-----Yui's POV

Cecelia: "Thank you again for coming."

Iris: "It was a pleasure, thank you for having us."

We're just now leaving the palace as the queen and her daughters end up escorting us out themselves.

Ona: "Let's hang out again sometime."

Yui: "Sure. It was fun talking with the both of you."

Undine: "Same here."

We didn't talk all that much after dinner as the subject of their father was still in the air making it difficult to talk about anything else. But I'm glad they're willing to talk with me again sometime.

Cecelia: "I agree. How does tomorrow sound?"

Iris: "Eh? Another dinner?"

Cecelia: "Sure! Why not."

Iris: "Thank you, but I really do need to finish up with things back home. Fufu~ But maybe Ellen could come over in my stead?"

Yui: "Huh?"

Cecelia: "Deal!"

What the hell... Did mom just throw that all onto me? What am I meant to do in the room with all these people. At least mom was dealing with the queen while I was dealing with her daughters, but now I have to deal with all of them?

Yui: "Only if I can bring Kaede along with me."

It was a selfish demand that I accidentally slipped out of my mouth. But right when I was about to apologize-

Cecelia: "Oh? The vampire?"

Yui: "Y-yes."

Undine: "What? A vampire is here?"

Ona: "Aren't they like, super dangerous?"

Undine: "...Mom."

Cecelia: "Calm down~ I allow it."

Undine/Ona: "What?!"

Okay, this queen is a bit harsh. Telling her daughters to calm down, but in the same sentence, saying that she accepts the idea of letting a vampire into their house. Of course they would object to such an absurd thing.

Cecelia: "I've met this vampire in person. Plus I wanted an excuse for Kaede to come visit us anyways. I could see just how badly Lilith wanted some proper time with her."

Undine: "Lilith? Your servant? She knows of the vampire as well?"

Cecelia: "Yes."

Undine: "Why haven't you told us about any of this."

Cecelia: "Hmmm. Well, you know now, hehe."

Their mom doesn't seem to be helping the situation. So, I move back over to Undine, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.

Yui: "Don't worry. She ties into what I wanted to talk about before."

Undine: "What?"

Ona: "I think it's okay, sister. If Mom, Lilith, Iris and Ellen trusts this vampire, I'm sure they're okay."

Undine: "...Fine."

Cecelia: "Perfect! So I'll see you tomorrow morning then?"

Yui: "Okay."

Cecelia: "We'll come buy and pick you up like we did today."

Great, now I have a date with the queen yet again. Thanks mom for throwing this all my way... But at least now Kaede will be with us, so it shouldn't be all that bad. Plus I'm curious to learn more about these people, and I do feel like I can connect with these two sisters, they also seems to be around my age so it'd be nice to have some connections to the queen.