Taming My Vampire Servant

…

Weekend came, and Ivory was woken up dazzled by the sunlight shining on her face, and she widened her eyes when she saw her two Servants sitting at the side of her bed. But they were not looking at her, they were glaring at each other as if they're ready to punch each other's faces!

Ivory sat up in between them, to settle down the tension in the air. 

"Master, good morning… If there's anything you'd like me to do, please tell me," Lycus said in a sweet tone.

"Uhh, can you please help mother to gather herbs and fruits in the forest?"

"Certainly," he told her.

Sigmund, who was smirking, thought he would not be ordered to, but then Ivory told him, "And you… Help father gather the logs and chop wood."

He gave a confused expression and raised his brow. "Why me too? Don't you need company here?" he asked.

She shook her head, "I'll be reading a few reference scrolls. I won't be able to concentrate if the two of you keep on glaring at each other! Go now!"

Lycus bowed his head down and compliantly went out of the room, while Sigmund left her with confusion still evident on his face.

…

Days, weeks, and months went on by. After entitling Prince Jaquin as the new Crown Prince, there seemed to be peace within the kingdom, but it was only on the surface.

Hidden from the public's knowledge, the number of people affected by the Dark Mana had been increasing, and because of the resignation of the dedicated ex-Royal Knight Xenos Joltane, capturing them slowed down. Also, it was because King Yama chose not to investigate the matter further. Xenos continued to search for clues regarding the matter and periodically reported to Principal Zwain Arthurdane.

During these days, the students of Qawiun Academy continued their magic lessons and specialization classes, which got harder and harder each day. Those who couldn't handle Educator Rosanna's strict teaching, and Educator Wallace's tricky examinations quit school and were sent to the Oracle's tower to be unchosen and have their Servants be unsummoned.

Lycus was still hired as an assistant for Ivory's class under the principal's orders. Sigmund, on the other hand, asked Lucius to tell him what he knew about Ivory's mother, but he insisted that he needed more information about it.

Zephie and her butterfly Nymph Servant, Metamorphus, were welcomed into Ivory's group, and together with Arcea, they sometimes stroll Alpharion City and visit libraries in Omegalion City.

...

And the competition between the two Servants to get their Master's attention continued. Whenever Ivory asked for a massage, Sigmund would always retort, and so she specifically asked for the Vampire to massage her back while the Werewolf massaged her calves and feet. 

It also happened that the stubborn Sigmund almost burned a part of the Greensteid Forest only because he lost to a petty running race with Lycus, when in fact, he was the one who challenged him! Good thing Ivory immediately used Water magic to extinguish the fire and prevent it from even spreading further.

There were even times when Sigmund secretly took Ivory away into the deep forest while Lycus was helping Ivory's mother in putting the acorns in the sacks. Sigmund just stayed still under a pine tree as he embraced her while on his lap. Sometimes he'd do nothing, and sometimes he'd bite her subtly in the neck or shoulder and taste her blood. Then after some minutes, Lycus could find them easily because of his heightened smell, and Sigmund's mood would turn sour the whole day. 

Ivory spent all her days not taking her eyes away from the two of them. Even though Lycus was not really initiating a fight, she had to serve as a mediator to them because Sigmund was too stubborn and hot-headed!

As she laid down the bed to rest one night, she held the hands of her loyal Servants and squeezed it. She said goodnight to them, and realized that she's now used to having the two of them guard her as she sleeps. 

…

Until one weekend, Ivory visited Diana Goldwine once again in her house while Lycus and Sigmund were asked to wait in the Goldwine mansion or Megalia's city hall.

"I know you're not required to eat or drink, but I should serve you something as my visitors," Lucius said as the butler gave each Servant a cup of warm jasmine tea.

"Thank you," Lycus said, placing his palms around the cup.

"So, rich boy," Sigmund looked straight into his eye. "How's your investigation going?"

Lucius furrowed his eyebrows, "Nothing. I still got nothing."

"That's unlike you," the Vampire crossed his arms. "Perhaps you are hiding it from me? Come on, it's been months. I know you, you're the General's son, so you should have many connections-"

"What are you talking about?" Lycus asked curiously.

"About Ivory's real parents. I need to know who they are because I have to ask a lot of questions."

Lycus gulped as he heard this, while Lucius felt uneasy and kept on moving his foot underneath.

Sigmund observed the two and found their actions suspicious. "Don't tell me… Both of you know who they are?" he narrowed his eyes on them.

Both Lycus and Lucius spoke at the same time.

"Yes!" the other Servant answered.

While Lucius replied with, "No-" 

The two of them then looked at each other, knowing that they mishandled the situation. 

"What the hell?!" Sigmund's crimson-red irises glowed and banged his balled fists on the marble dining table, making the cup of tea shake and spill. He stood up from his seat, "Who are Ivory's real parents? Do I seem distrustful? Why didn't you tell me-"

Suddenly, a deep voice said, echoing in the whole dining room, "Because you might kill your Master if you knew."

"General Goldwine," the Vampire uttered as he gave a confused expression. "What do you mean? Why the hell will I kill my own Master?"

"Why can't you not? You're a Vampire Servant, and you're of the same class as the one who massacred the Silverblades," the general sat on the opposite seat in front of Sigmund. "I was a fool to believe that you're a Spirit Servant."

Sigmund knew he was the one who the General referred to, but it seemed like he didn't know that he was the one being blamed for it. He glanced at Lycus and asked if he was the one who told the fact that he's from the Vampire class, but he shook his head.

"Lycus is innocent. I only found out about you when I investigated Miss Ivory Sprucemint thoroughly upon the request of my son."

The Vampire turned his head towards Lucius.

"Isn't this what you want, Sigmund? To know who the parents of your Master are? I tried to keep the fact that you're a Vampire, but we shouldn't underestimate a General's access to information around the kingdom," the blonde young man said. "I think it's time you should know that Ivory is my long lost sister."

Sigmund widened his eyes in shock, "Your… what-"

"Yes, you heard it right. She's my sister."

"Then… General Darius Goldwine is her real father?"

Lucius was about to speak, but the General gestured for him to stop talking. Instead, he answered the Vampire, "Miss Sprucemint is my daughter." His son and Lycus were surprised that this was what he said, but they knew that the General might have something in his mind that he was planning.

Sigmund's eyes stopped glowing and he finally sat down. He assessed the situation. If the General is Ivory's father, and if it was true that his family was in a predicament twenty years ago, it made sense that he was hiding his identity because he had such a high position at the moment. 

Could it be that his wife had something to do with it? He never saw her in public places and her identity was never revealed. All he knew was that she's called 'Diana', and it was as if she was being protected.

"I asked Lycus not to leave you alone with Miss Sprucemint. I was afraid that a Vampire Class like you would betray his own Master."

"Ivory and I trust each other more than you think. I will never betray her," Sigmund told the General, then turned to Lycus. "Lycus, you punk, why didn't you tell us such a very important matter?!"

Lycus stayed quiet, and to not raise any more suspicions, it was General Darius who replied, "I asked him to. It's not yet the time for her to know."

"But when the heck is the right time? It's been so long!"

"Sigmund, please be reminded that you're in front of the General. I advise you to be courteous because you're already acting so arrogant," Lucius looked at him with seriousness.

"Ah, I did not notice," he scratched the back of his head.

"Vampire, for now, don't tell your Master. I want to be the one who'd tell her. If you have any questions, I suggest you wait until I settle everything else," the General told him in an authoritative tone. "I am planning to give her the Goldwine name, but I am checking some things to ensure her safety."

Although Sigmund was against it, he had to agree with his Master's real father. He nodded at him, "I will do everything to make sure that she's safe."

"Good. I am expecting everyone's cooperation on this matter. And Lucius, please get her a new coachman and a larger horse-drawn carriage for her."

Afterwards, General Darius excused himself and stepped out of the room. 

The conversation somehow eased the tension between Sigmund and Lycus, but the second Servant still refused to leave the Sprucemint residence. 

Ivory knew that it would be difficult for her to lose one of them, and wished that if Goddess Destinia permits, she wanted them to stay with her forever.