New Plan, New Growth

-----Yui's POV

Yui: "So you've told everyone else?"

Luna: "Mhmm."

While mom and I was gone to visit the queen yesterday, I quickly stopped by to tell Luna about what's happening in Inasdale before informing the queen about this. But I was surprised to find out that the queen had recently heard about this as well, which then led to the queen discussing with my mom and I about how we learnt about it. I just honestly told her that Mai has the ability to teleport to a previous location, which seemed to satisfy her. Mom did ask what the queen's plans were, but the queen plans to discuss this at a later date. Which leads us to today.

We're not sure when or what the queen plans to do, which leaves us in a waiting stage. I would visit Kaede today, but with what's happening with her mom, I figured today I should just giver her space and instead spend time with Luna.

Nick: "Glad we got out of there when we did, haha."

William: "Now's not the time to laugh, Nickolas."

Nick: "I didn't mean it like that, father."

Elira: "You said that people are still alive though, yes?"

Yui: "From what Mai told me, yes. Although they are being treated as slaves."

Luna's parents and Nick was away yesterday when mom and I visited, so they're just hearing about this now.

Luna: "I wonder if George and Mark are safe."

Yui: "We can only hope."

Elira: "I wonder if the monsters plan on taking over Yarene as well?"

That's the most logical train of though anyone would have. Inasdale is known for it's combat prowess, being the main force that drove back the previous demon king centuries ago. It's not hard to think that if Inasdale failed, then other kingdoms like Yarene would as well.

Nick: "Well, we do have Kaede, mom. She single handedly beat Lucien, so I think we're safe."

Nick's correct with that assessment. I can already feel that the queen plans to use Kaede if that does come to pass. And that's not even including the other three vampires as well. I'd say with just those four alone, our combat strength has rose considerably. And there's also me with my unique situation. I guess I should try and get back to practicing to fine tune the little mana I do posses.

Yui: "I guess we should prepare as well then! I don't want Kaede to shoulder everything."

Luna: "Mhmm! I agree."

William: "Yarene doesn't have a combat academy, right?"

Yui: "No. At least as far as I know."

From what I know with our talks with the queen, soldiers first apply directly to the kingdom where they'll be screened and then trained by experienced soldiers. It would make sense For Yarene to do it in a simpler way like this as Yarene isn't a combat orientated city to begin with.

Yui: "We could use the training area at my place? That's if it's okay with you guys."

Luna: "Sure! I'll go grab my sword."

Nick: "Sounds fun! Maybe I can see Alice."

Luna: "It's always Alice, Alice, Alice with you, pfft. Bet you don't even plan on training."

Nick: "It's not my fault. I haven't seen her in some time now.

Elira: "Sounds good to me. We'll pack some lunch before heading out."

Yui: "Okay. I'll go on ahead and let the people at home know of your arrival."

Luna: "Mhmm! I'll see you soon."

Yui: "Mm."

Well, I didn't really expect to be doing more training, but I guess this is the best thing we can do in this situation. Luna and the others could possibly leave to Epillon with my money, but they'd probably want me to be there as well, especially Luna. And I myself don't plan on leaving her and everyone else alone in Epillon either. So in the meantime, I guess training will kill two birds with one stone; practicing for doing jobs in Epillon, and also for the potential fight against monsters from Inasdale.

-----Kaede's POV

With mom having returned to the castle, I'm stuck thinking by myself at what to do. I really don't want to pin my hopes on this "miracle technique" that Lillian brought up about the dark elves only for it to not work and having wasted precious time. Knowing that mom is growing weaker with each passing day, makes even today unbearable. Like what if I turned mom into a vampire yesterday and it succeeded, but if I did it today or tomorrow, she'd die due to her weakness... That thought makes me too anxious to think straight as I keep circling over and over with all the options available to me.

Mell: "Mom..."

Kaede: "I'm okay. Just thinking."

I end up giving a forced smile, but Mell sees through it immediately as now she's the one head patting me, just like how my mom did for me yesterday.

Kaede: "Thank you."

She smiles at me as I finally manage to give a proper smile in return. I wonder what Mell would do in my situation if she was presented with all these options. And while I thought that, my mouth just naturally opened.

Kaede: "What would you do in my situation, Mell?"

Mell: "About your mom?"

Kaede: "Mhmm."

She takes her hand off of my head as she begins to ponder for a few moments. I would've thought she wouldn't say anything, so I was surprised to see her mouth begin to open.

Mell: "I don't think it's right for me to answer..."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Mell: "You know your mom more than anyone else. To me, I'd just ask you to do what you did to me and turn your mom into a vampire as well. But I know that this is different for you, so I can't say."

Yeah... I get it. I get that just simply turning mom into a vampire will be the easiest choice, but to me it's the worst choice. For one it's filled with unknown and I'm scared she's too weak to even survive the transformation. Another reason is because I am who I am because of my mom being who she is. Throwing her life away like that feels like I'm throwing my life away as well, it feels wrong.

Kaede: "Hahh~ haha."

Can't believe I'm teetering back and forth with this decision. The other day I finally accepted to go along with it, to turn mom into a monster, but now I'm back to avoiding it. Face it, Selene... It's either wait for a miracle dark elf, or skinning... Just imagining the thought of ripping the skin off of my mother's back already makes me want to throw up which is funny in and of itself. A vampire like me? Feeling nauseous of blood? Quite ironic...

Kaede: "Thanks Mell."

Mell: "I'll support you no matter what your decision is, mom."

She then hugs me by the front as my chin naturally rests up on top of Mell's head. But that alone made me realize something completely off-topic. I don't remember Mell being this tall... Was she always this tall? After a few more moments of us embracing one another, I pull back to properly look over her body. And without a doubt, she's matured quite fast. Even her chest has grown a bit.

Kaede: "Mell. Have you grown?"

Mell: "Hehe. I noticed it too. I've been growing rapidly over this past week."

Could this be because of her now being a vampire? With Fleur and Faye, they were already fully fledged adults so I never noticed any noticeable changes with their appearance. With Mell on the other hand, she looks to have grown a few years in a matter of a week. It's somewhat sad to see her already growing up this fast, it's like time is just flying by right in front of me.

Kaede: "I hope you don't grow any faster than this."

Mell: "Hehe. Don't worry. I'm still me after all!~"

Kaede: "That may be so, but you'll start to look like my sister at this rate."

Mell: "Nope~ You're forever mom, so that won't happen."

Kaede: "Thank you."

I end up embracing her this time, trying to remember the feeling of her small body while I can before she grows up too fast. Actually speaking of which, I didn't think of it due to how shocked I was, but won't she be too big for her clothes now? Just feeling with my hands, I can feel how tight the clothes are around her body. I wonder... I pull away once more, taking a look over her body to gauge if this will work or not.

Mell: "Mom?"

Kaede: "Those clothes. There're too small now right?"

Mell: "N-not really."

Cute. She knows that I don't have the money to go shopping so she's trying to make it seem this isn't an issue. But if she continues to grow like this, this'll only become an even bigger problem.

Kaede: "Don't be silly. Come. I've got something for you."

Mell: "Oh?"

We then move up to my room alone as I then proceed to dig through my bag. I've bought a few of these dresses and I think it's appropriate now for Mell to wear this, at least for now. And as I pull out one of my black dresses, Mell's eyes widen as she finally realizes what I plan to do.

Mell: "I-isn't that too big for me? A-also, it's-"

Kaede: "At the rate you're growing, you'll grow into it. It'll be better than what you're wearing now."

Mell: "Mmm..."

She's clearly hesitant, but at least she's no longer denying it.

Kaede: "Alrighty then~ Take those off. I'll help you dress."

Mell: "O-okay."

I didn't really know what to expect as her clothes are clearly too small for her now, but I know for sure I don't want her to have a wardrobe malfunction when we're out in public. But as she takes off all her clothes, I realize that the dress itself isn't enough. Right... Yeah we'll have to go shopping whether we like it or not, but I guess we have to use what we got! I proceed to take out many of my spare underwear before putting the bra around her. She might look the age where she'd know how bras work, but she's still a kid on the inside. But as for the panties I let her do that much.

After adjusting the bra as much as possible, I still feel defeated as it's still too big for her, but maybe she'll grow more in that area as well? It might not be too big of a problem.

Mell: "U-uhm... Mom. This is a little, revealing."

Kaede: "It's the best we have until we go shopping, and don't worry. This dress will cover you up nicely."

Not wanting to stare at Mell's body, making her feel even more uncomfortable, I go in to dress her into one of my black dresses. It was a bit awkward as certain parts are a bit too loose, but thankfully the dress is somewhat adjustable, making for an acceptable outcome. And when I stand back to look at my work, I'm quite proud of myself if I do say so myself. With Mell's light blue hair, it gives off a whole different contrast as to when I wear it. Her hair has also grown down past her shoulders making for quite a modest look.

Kaede: "You look beautiful."

Mell: "..."

Her face flushes red as I compliment her as a big smile grows on my face. I guess in a way we're even more closer to mother and daughter now that we're matching clothes, hehe.