Taming My Vampire Servant

"What? But we finally found my sister, so why…" the blonde young man sighed. He was excited to bring Ivory to his mother's residence at that time, but his excitement got spoiled because his plan could not proceed.

"What the General did today captured the attention of many. For sure, they'd be curious about who his lost daughter is. Who knows, they might even attempt to enter your mother's residence and check. You know that she has been hiding from the public ever since she entered your household."

The bearded man was right, so Lucius stayed quiet. Some enemies of the Goldwines might think his mother's already keeping his sister, and he didn't want her to be harmed in case they barged in her residence.

Rheolous bowed a little, "Please understand that your mother left for the safety of the Goldwine family and your sister. She's also going to meet the late King Ulysses' Werewolf Servant Wolfram to seek help from him and the pack. They're quite close, so… Ah, apologies, but we need to go."

At that point, he became confused about the past. As Rheolous' carriage left, Lucius stared at its back. He thought he knew his mother well, but he was wrong.

What he knew of her is that she loves cooking and gardening. Diana is a kind and loving mother. She was the one who taught him that he should help those in need. She emphasized that regardless of a person's status and intelligence, he or she must be able to discern the right thing to do. She said that those who do good things would also have good things in store for them. He became a caring and humble person because of her.

But he discovered that these were just like the tip of an iceberg. 

He knew of her being an unchosen Royal Knight only before he left for Topazeon. And now, it was mentioned that she's close with the King's Werewolf Servant. 

How come? Didn't she have trauma with servants? Just how many secrets did his mother have?

When Lucius started walking back to the hall, his mind was clouded with numerous questions. He realized that it wasn't just Sigmund the Vampire, who existed despite being said to be banished, but also the Werewolves. If these banished Servants were already co-existing with them, could something dangerous happen?

But were the banished Servants their allies, or foes? Or perhaps Sigmund was actually their enemy? Did he really kill the Silverblades in the castle?

What the hell was the truth?!

"I'm getting a headache," Lucius murmured to himself, then he hurried to the buffet table to grab a mug of pineapple juice.

Meanwhile, Ivory, Sigmund, and Lycus strolled the small orchard at the west of the Goldwine mansion, where white benches were placed under the hawthorn and yew trees.

"Sigmund," Ivory called her beloved as she held his hand while walking, "Lycus and I are here. We will help you with your problem. Isn't that right, Lycus?"

The second Servant nodded, and gave a kind smile to Sigmund. Even though the man in front of him is a Vampire Servant, he knew he was the kind who wouldn't dare kill an innocent person. He knew well that even though he's usually stubborn and speaks highly of himself, deep inside, he cares for his Master the most. His love for Ivory is proof that even as a flawed Servant, he can endure and be patient enough to wait for the right time to openly be with her. 

"How can I prove myself? I can't even remember a lot of things that happened back then," he approached and sat on the white painted wooden bench beside a small tree. He covered his face with his trembling hands. At first, he thought that it was only Principal Arthurdane who saw him personally during the tragedy, but it seemed that there were some survivors who also saw that it was him.

"First, we need to know more details about what happened in the past. I think Principal Arthurdane can help us," Ivory uttered. She then sat beside her beloved Servant and clung onto his arm. 

Two hours later, the feast came to an end. Ivory and her two Servants went back to their table in the hall. Gracie and Flynn had just finished eating blueberry pies, and Anne checked if they had traces of food on their faces. Gordon, however, was quiet and he seemed to be down in spirits ever since he came back from speaking with the General.

"Father, what's wrong?" Ivory asked.

"Ivory… Let's talk about it at home," he sighed, then he walked forward, and the others followed him. 

To their surprise, two carriages were waiting at the mansion's gate. The coachmen said that they were tasked to bring home the Sprucemint family. General Darius waved at them from afar. He stood beside Lucius, who then gave a subtle smile.

Gordon, Anne, and the two kids rode one carriage, while Ivory, Sigmund, and Lycus rode the next one. 

When they reached Greensteid Town and entered the house, Anne helped the children change their clothes. Gracie was on the bed already, and Flynn volunteered to be the one to tell a bedtime story to her.

While the kids were busy, Anne took this chance to join Gordon and the others at the living room. As Sigmund and Lycus prepared the fireplace, Ivory and Anne listened to Gordon, whose eyebrows were furrowed. 

"So, Ivory… I heard that you already know about your real parents," he told her, and Ivory nodded, while Anne quietly listened to the conversation.

"Father… My parents are-"

"The General talked to me, saying that he wanted you to live in the mansion with them."

Hearing this, Anne commented, "Dear, does that mean…?"

"Yes, Anne. Ivory's real family are the Goldwines," Gordon sighed, "General Darius said that you already know. Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"I… never once thought of leaving this house even though I knew of my descent," Ivory then sat in between her parents and held their hands. "I will never leave Greensteid."

"But Ivory, he is the General, and the Goldwine family is one of the most powerful and influential families in the kingdom. I don't think you should disobey him, especially that he's your real father," he responded.

Anne added, subtly clenching her daughter's hand, "Ivory… You may transfer to Megalia City, but our house is always open for you. You can come here anytime."

"No… I am not leaving…" she got teary-eyed hearing this from her grown parents, "Why do you want me to leave?!"

"Think about it. Why bother living in this small house, when you can live in a mansion? You will live a better life. Maidservants and butlers will assist you everyday. You won't have to get your hands dirty harvesting acorns and blueberries. You do not have to feel indebted to the General for permitting you to have your own carriage," Gordon told her with clenched fists, "We want you to live a comfortable life!"

Ivory's tears streamed down her cheeks like waterfalls. She never expected that on the day that they would discover the truth about her, they would shove her away instead of asking her to stay.

Slowly, she let go of their hands. "I will not change my mind, even if you force me to leave."

Anne, who was also already crying, told her, "But we're poor! This kind of living isn't for you-"

"All the more, I must win the Servant Competition! My goal is still the same from when I entered the academy. I still want to win for our family…" she said with determination in her eyes, "And if I win, please do not try to convince me to leave again!!!" She could not contain her emotions, so she decided to run away!

Sigmund and Lycus went after her. In that dark pine forest, Ivory used Wind magic to leap up the trees in frustration, and her two Servants had a hard time catching up with her.

Ivory reached the northernmost part of Greensteid Forest wherein a gulf was situated. The moon was bright that night and only the whistling of the wind and the crashing of waves could be heard. She crouched as she stared at the other side of the gulf, viewing the torch-lit mountain ranges on the Land of Sandria.

"I will win the competition next year… I must win…" she murmured to herself.

Even though the crashing waves were raging, she yelled and yelled to the waters, wanting to get all the negativity out of her. 

Soon after, Sigmund heard her frustrated scream, and with Lycus, they hurried to the direction of her voice. When the Vampire Servant saw his Master kneeling in front of the waters, he immediately ran towards her and grabbed her arm. 

He forcibly made her stand up, and as he peered into her light-blue irises, he told her, "Get a grip, Ivory! What the hell are you doing?"

Ivory placed her arms around his waist as more tears trickled down her cheeks, "Train me… I want to win…" she uttered, her voice trembling.

The Vampire embraced her, "After we visit the Principal tomorrow to ask about my problem, Lycus and I will start to train you again. Alright?" he stroked her head gently, "Now, calm down. Let's achieve our goals one by one…"

Ivory only nodded at him as she got comforted with a tight hug.

Lycus, who was standing behind Sigmund, gave Ivory a reassuring smile while she rested on Sigmund's shoulder. "We still have three months to prepare for the Servant Competition, Master," he told her, "We, your loyal Servants, will do everything to help you fulfill your wish."