Taming My Vampire Servant

"Like coal, huh…" he furrowed his brows. Could those coal-like ores hold the special black gemstone that the principal mentioned?

"Good morning," Ivory said. Behind her were Sigmund and Lycus, who nodded their heads as greetings.

"Good morning, Ivory," Lucius responded. He smiled a little, then said, "I apologize for last night's-"

She patted his back and then moved past him, "You do not have to apologize, you know. It is my fault after all."

"Rich boy, let's go, you'll be late," Sigmund told him.

Lucius thanked Gerhalt for the information, then walked behind the three. If what inn receptionist Gerhalt said was true, then he had to work with Ivory and her two Servants. Their enemy was the King, the kingdom's most powerful person, and aside from that he had a lot of powerful allies in terms of magic and rank.

After their job in the inventory office, they returned to Precious Inn, and Lucius told them about what Gerhalt said that morning. He also promised Ivory that he would help her, but she should also tell him about their activities in the mining area starting that day. 

She was pleased to hear from him that he'd help, and she promised to get him directly involved from that time on.

…

There was not a day wherein they wouldn't unroll the reference scrolls. Two weeks went on by, and during those days, Ivory and Lucius' knowledge about the ores grew. Even though they still looked back to the scrolls to guide them, they were now able to identify the gemstones embedded in ores in sizes as little as grapes. 

Pricing ores was something that Ivory was not very good at, so whenever they would not dig their secret passageway, she spent most of her time reading the scrolls. However, there were some complicated formulas, and she'd go to Lucius' room to seek help.

The scrolls were unrolled on the table, and using a quill previously dipped in ink, Lucius wrote on a blank scroll and copied the formula. He taught her how to solve it, but Ivory kept on getting the wrong answer.

While the two were concentrating on the pricing, Lycus and Sigmund were in the inn's common kitchen. 

"Why do I have to peel potatoes?" Sigmund said as he peeled a jumbo-sized potato using a small knife. "It isn't too befitting for a handsome Servant like me."

"Would you rather cook?" asked Lycus, checking the fire underneath the charcoal stove. He learned how to cook from Anne Sprucemint because she sometimes would make him help in the kitchen.

Sigmund shrugged, "If we'd grill, yes." It was the only method of cooking he knew, and for him, grilling was the easiest to do.

"I am going to cook mashed potatoes for them," the second Servant then looked around the room, "Now where is the salt…"

Fiora, who just arrived, heard him, and so she pointed to the shelf with the pouch of salt. She said, "If you need help with anything, I am available."

And so, Fiora took the potato from Sigmund and she peeled it with the knife, while Lycus prepared the boiling pot. Sigmund, on the other hand, sat on the wooden chair behind them and rested his elbow on the table.

"So, uhm…" Fiora striked a conversation, "Where are Mister Lucius and Miss Ivory?"

"They're studying," Sigmund said curtly. "Why?"

"Well, I… I want to ask, what is their relationship? I mean… The other day, they seemed like they're not okay… But Miss Ivory said that they're not lovers, but I sensed that there's something else."

Lycus glanced at the Vampire, and he shook his head. Sigmund nodded at him as if saying he'll handle the situation.

"That Rich boy…."  Sigmund crossed his arms while watching Fiora peel the potatoes. "Can't blame you for noticing him. He's smart, kind, and a skillful Master..."

The receptionist's cheeks turned red while hearing such qualities from Sigmund. Fiora couldn't help but get excited to hear about the real status between Ivory and Lucius, and she was really hoping that nothing's going on between them.

"Interested that much, huh?" Sigmund smirked. 

"I'm just a little curious, but it's alright if you don't tell me now. Maybe tomorrow?" she joked and chuckled softly. 

But the Vampire's tone changed, "Aren't you scared of being jailed or worse, dying, woman?" and Lycus looked at him and sighed.

Fiora glanced at him as well, quite surprised and scared with the sudden tone in his voice, "I'm sorry?"

"How annoying." 

Fiora glanced at Lycus this time and faked a laugh, "Is he always that serious?"

But Lycus didn't respond and continued on with what he was doing.

The reception looked back at Sigmund, "I told you, you can spill the secret tomorrow-" 

Sigmund said in a cold tone, "Last time, someone pried too much about my Master's life, and that person was taken away by the knights. I suggest you don't ask unless she allows you to."

Fiora gulped when she heard about it. She stopped peeling potatoes because her hands trembled. Was Ivory a noble, with tight relations to the royal family? If that's the case, she wouldn't ask anymore!

"Apologies, I just… want to get to know you all, since you'll all be staying in this inn for a year," she slowly placed down the potato and the knife on the wooden chopping board. "Excuse me, I should… go back to the lobby!" and she hurried off to leave the kitchen.

"You've frightened her," Lycus told him.

Sigmund stood up, then stood beside Lycus by the kitchen counter. "I don't care about how she feels. Some people need to know their place," he patted his shoulder, "That includes you."

Lycus furrowed his brows upon hearing this from the Vampire in front of him. He understood that he was rude to him because he suddenly became a Servant of his beloved Master. He knew that he took some of her time instead of being with him. But even so, a true Servant does not have the freedom to do whatever he or she wants!

Everything about Sigmund was weird. Not only because he belonged to the banished Vampire Class, but also because he's too possessive and stubborn for a Servant. 

He tried to keep a calmed front and asked in a serious tone, "What do you mean, Vampire? Are you telling me to stay away from Master?"

Sigmund raised his brow. He figured Lycus must have misunderstood him, "What are you blabbering about? I said move… You peel the potatoes, I will check the pot."

"Ah… that…" Lycus scratched the back of his head. "Apologies." 

The Vampire sighed as he examined the second Servant's expression, "Listen, Lycus. If Ivory wants to keep you, then I can't do anything about it. The only thing I want is for her to be with me," he stared blankly at the boiling water. He continued to say in a low voice, "And I will eliminate anyone who tries to separate us…"

Lycus saw how intense Sigmund's emotions were. He saw his hand gripping at the edge of the counter, and to stop the gloomy conversation, he suddenly put the peeled potatoes onto the pot.

Distracted by his actions, he asked, "Hey… Don't you need to slice it first?"

"Ah… I forgot."

The Vampire clicked his tongue, "Nevermind. This will be cooked anyway."

Soon after, the potatoes were ready to be mashed. In a porcelain bowl, Lycus used a spoon to crush the potatoes. He then placed some salt and pepper, then mixed it thoroughly. He transferred the other half to another bowl.

Seeing that Lycus had already finished preparing the mashed potato, Sigmund immediately took one of the bowls. "You give that to Rich boy," then he excitedly headed over to Lucius' room. Lycus followed him.

Back in the room, Ivory finally solved the right answer, "Ah, I finally got it!" she exclaimed, "Thank you, Lucius!"

"You're welcome. Do not forget to check the weight of the first ore," Lucius explained. He was then surprised to receive a bowl of mashed potato from Lycus. "Thank you."

On the other hand, Sigmund gave the other bowl to Ivory, "Here. I know you're tired of facing numbers."

She took the bowl and gave a wide smile, "Thank you so much! I didn't know you could cook."

"Easy peasy. There's nothing I couldn't do. Lycus peeled the potatoes, while I was the one who cooked," he said proudly.

Ivory glanced at Lycus, and she saw him shrug. She immediately knew that Sigmund was just boasting. "Is it true, Lycus?" she still asked for confirmation.

Not wanting any trouble to occur, he nodded. "He watched over the pot until the potatoes were cooked. 

She giggled at the thought that her first Servant was so proud of himself for a simple job of watching the potatoes shaking inside the boiling pot. She reached out her hand to the top of his head and stroked it, saying, "Good job, Sigmund."

Although he was not the submissive type, Sigmund loved it whenever Ivory praised him. He loves how he pats her head, and at that moment, he felt victorious against Lycus, who was standing at the side staring at them.

They ate the mashed potato while reading more about the reference scrolls. Sigmund sat on the bed, while Lycus stood by the door. 

Once done with their food, "So, shall we call it a day?" Lucius said after yawning.

"Oh, sure! Apologies if I made you tired!" she said. "Thanks once again for your time, and goodnight!"

"Sweet dreams, Ivory," he uttered, then watched her and her two Servants leave the room.

…

The next day, Ivory and Lucius went to the inventory office. Thanks to them, the Gemstone Division's workload was reduced because they were efficient workers. Ivory was the one who quickly identified the excavated ores, then she passed it on to Lucius who sat in front of her so that he could estimate the prices. Their teamwork was so effective that Mona announced that they'd be given a day off from their work!

Having nowhere to go, the four of them went lurking around the mining area. The security was the same as nighttime, but because of the sunlight, it might be easier for them to be spotted. 

But right when they decided to go back to the inn around lunchtime, they saw Mona by the lobby. She looked very worried.

"Miss Mona! What brings you here?" Ivory asked.

"I know I told you to take a day off, but I need your help," she explained in a panic, "The new scrolls where the list of identified excavated ores were written… are missing!"