Taming My Vampire Servant

Hours later, a small stage was built in front of the town hall. Because the news about the Qawiun Academy thieves had spread, the townspeople went there to witness what the fuss was all about.

As snow slowly piled on stage, Ivory and her group were led to kneel. They saw the angry faces of the people surrounding them and even heard them cursing loudly.

Town guard chief Othello then stepped forward. "People of Topazeon Town," he said in a loud voice, calling their attention, "Some days ago, the scrolls inside the inventory office were stolen. Fortunately, we saw these students from Qawuin Academy while we were patrolling yesterday, and they were caught carrying the missing scrolls with them!" 

The townspeople became more agitated, and they kept on shouting at the suspected group in front of them. They couldn't believe that the Chosen Ones were brave enough to steal something from them.

"May I now call on the witness and the hero of this problem… Mister Vernon," a smirk escaped from his lips. 

At the side came Vernon, walking towards the front with a serious face. He glanced at Ivory and the others with a frown on his face.

Even though Vernon usually spent his hours inside the workshop, he was quite well-known as a master jeweler. His jewelry was so exquisite that it could be sold at a very high price, which only nobles could afford.

"Can you please tell our townspeople what happened?" Othello asked. He knew that he could end the apprenticeship of the nosy Qawiun Academy students very soon once Vica's twin brother spoke.

Knowing that the people trusted him a lot, the purple-haired young man mustered up his courage and told them, "I will tell you all what happened, so please listen carefully!"

Othello caught a glimpse of Vica, who was grinning at the side of the stage. She looked so calm, confident that her twin brother would take her side. She is his sister after all, the one who had been with him ever since their parents died in a mining incident last year.

"The truth is… they're all innocent!" Vernon yelled, and there was inaudible chattering amongst the crowd. "My sister Vica… She's the real thief! She's working with the town chief!"

Vica and Othello did not expect that Vernon would speak against them! He's Vica's brother, so why was he defending them? Isn't blood thicker than water?

"Mister Vernon, you might be mistaken!" Othello panicked. "Why will I be involved in something like that? You know me… I wouldn't-"

"Yes, I have known you for a year already and have always seen you inside our house to visit my sister," the purple-haired young man revealed. He said loudly, "Now I know why Vica told me that your relationship is a secret… It's because you got married!"

The crowd continued chattering amongst themselves Mona, who was watching with the crowd, stepped forward and walked towards the town guard chief. "Othello… Is it true? Why… Why would you betray me…" Tears trickled down her cheeks as she stared at her dumbfounded husband.

"It's not true! It's only Vica who did it-"

"You even call her on a first name basis! You were that close?!" Mona pushed him when he tried to touch her, "Release the students at once! What you're doing is embarrassing!"

Vica couldn't take Othello who was acting to be innocent. She mustered up her courage and spoke amidst the chaos, "It's all true. The town guard chief is involved in this!"

"Vica-"

"Othello, you don't think I truly loved you, right?" she furrowed her brows, "I knew this day would come… I'm going to take this chance and tell everyone how evil you are."

Everyone was surprised with her reaction. As she spoke, town leader Dante, who was ashamed of what the town guard chief did, ordered the release of Ivory and the others. The town guards apologized to them as they only did as they were told, and the ropes were untied from their hands. The town leader also apologized to them, as well as to Principal Arthurdane who was mad about what happened. They went down the makeshift stage and watched how things unfold.

Othello went to Vica and faced her, "Vica, what do you mean… Why-"

"I knew you were the reason why our parents died last year, you did not look for them immediately even if you knew that they're trapped inside the mines!" she uttered, with tears in her eyes. "When you told me that you wanted to be my lover, I hesitated at first, but then I thought this might be my big chance to get back at you…"

Vica continued telling everything she knew, and how greedy Othello was. When he learned that Vernon was a jeweler, he offered to put up her store beside the town guards office, and their secret relationship continued. He implied that he wanted to get rich, and so Vica gave him an idea to steal the latest scrolls.

"I told you that there are rumors of an extremely rare ore which could sell 100 gold per piece, and it's in the inventory office… That's a fake rumor. It was a trap to set you up."

"You little-" he raised his hand to slap her, but Vernon quickly grabbed his arm. He glared at him.

Vernon said with loneliness in his eyes, "If I only knew that Vica would do this, I could have stopped her beforehand… And you, Mister Othello, should resign as a town guard chief."

Hearing the jeweler, the townspeople agreed for him to resign, and some even said that they wanted him to be in prison!

Town leader Dante started to calm the agitated townspeople.. "Using the authority vested upon me as the town leader of Topazeon Town, I hereby declare that the current town guard chief be stripped of his position. He will also be imprisoned for… thirty years," the crowd cheered upon hearing this, and the town guards grabbed Othello. The old man continued speaking, "In addition to this, Miss Vica will also be punished for stealing important official documents from the inventory office. She will be put to prison for… three years."

"But sir-" Vernon tried to retort, but his sister grabbed his arm and shook her head, telling him that she'll accept the punishment. She was then dragged away by the town guards.

Since the two were already caught, the townspeople also left. Afterwards, the disheartened Mona requested to disenroll their marriage at the town hall, which was right out approved because the officer knew what happened to her. Ivory and the others went back to Precious Inn, and Fiora, who was very worried with what she heard around town, served them spicy garlic roasted potatoes, pumpkin soup, and the three whole grilled chicken given by the town leader as part of his apology.

Fiora gave them their own plates and utensils to use, and when she was about to leave, Lucius called her, "Fiora, why don't you eat with us?" he patted onto the empty seat beside him, "You can sit here."

Fiora blushed, "Can I really…"

Lucius smiled at her, and she eventually sat beside the blonde young man.

While they ate, they talked about what happened.

"Ivory, Lucius. Do you still want to continue your apprenticeship here?" Principal Arthurdane asked. "After all of what you went through, I'd understand if you won't-"

"Principal… You know we still have something to do here, right? I want to stay. Besides, I know that Lucius would also like to stay.," Ivory answered, and she glanced at Lucius, who was sitting in front of her, "Isn't that right, Lucius?"

He nodded, "You're right, Ivory," and smiled at her. "We still haven't started finding that thing, so why are we leaving town?"

"Alright," the principal sighed, "I'm going to leave the town later. I still have to meet Sir Xenos in Valios City for an update."

"Please inform us about what he's going to report," Lucius requested.

"Of course. You need to know it because it's related to why you're both here. While I am away, look after them, Miss Fiora."

"Yes, sir!" Fiora said enthusiastically. "I will make sure they enjoy their stay and live comfortably in my hometown!"

As the Principal and Fiora talked, Lucius observed how quiet Sigmund was. He chose to stand by the door, away from his beloved Master who's sitting beside Lycus. At times, he would catch him glancing at her, and they would meet eyes, but Ivory would turn away. Lucius shouldn't, but he pitied the Vampire Servant in his current state.

After eating and tidying up, everyone went back to their respective rooms. Sigmund asked Lycus to exchange rooms with him and guard their Master. Lycus immediately agreed, and he entered Ivory's room.

"Hi, Lycus," Ivory greeted. She peeked behind him, "Where's Sigmund?"

"He said he'll be staying in my room from now on. We will switch."

"Ah… I see…" Ivory let out a sigh. "Okay, then. I'm going to sleep now. You may suit yourself anywhere in the room."

Lycus noticed the loneliness in his Master's eyes. He followed Ivory behind and tucked her to bed. "May I sit?" Seeing his Master nod, he sat on her bed and leaned on the headboard.

"Lycus… Can you give me your hand?" Ivory asked.

As soon as Ivory took his hand, she pulled his arm slightly and covered her eyes with it. 

"Sleep well, Master…" he muttered. She was not answering, so he thought that she was already too sleepy to answer.

But he was shocked when his arm suddenly felt wet.

His Master was crying herself to sleep, and he couldn't bring himself to ask why. 

It's because he already knew. 

She missed her Vampire Servant very much.