Taming My Vampire Servant

The confused Vampire waited for her to answer, but Ivory's eyelids seemed to be getting heavy, and she had already fallen asleep after a short while.

Sigmund was about to stand up and check the other rooms and outside to check if there was really someone eavesdropping on them, but his Master was already clinging onto him. He didn't want to wake her up, so he just stayed by her side.

"You'll leave me hanging again and forget everything tomorrow, huh," he kissed her forehead, and embraced his Master very close towards him, "Sleep well, Ivory."

…

Ivory opened her eyes as soon as the sun had risen. She didn't know why, but she somehow felt a bit tired even though she had just woken up.

"Maybe I had a dream, but I can't remember anything," she sat and stretched her arms high up.

The door suddenly opened, and Sigmund entered with a plate of baked potato and a thick slice of grilled bacon in his hand. "Hey, dimwit, you're finally awake," he closed the door and placed the plate beside her. "Hurry and eat up. We're going to visit your sister in Prisma, which is just next to this city."

"Yes!" she excitedly responded. With her bare hands, she grabbed her food and munched them happily.

"Do you remember what happened last night?" he asked her after sitting at the edge of the bed.

Ivory almost choked from the baked potato she was eating and blushed. She swallowed the food before speaking, "You bit me in the chest?"

Sigmund slightly shook his head, "After that."

"I fell unconscious, right? Because you sucked too much of my blood."

"Why am I even asking an obvious question," he muttered.

"Hmm? What did you say?" she chewed on the thick slice of bacon while the corner of her mouth had sauce from the baked potato.

"I said, don't talk when your mouth is full."

Ivory shrugged and just continued eating. Afterwards, she and Sigmund prepared to depart the place. She double-checked her knapsack, making sure that her gift to Katie was properly wrapped and placed in the safest part of her bag.

Last time, Ivory asked Preston to inform Lucius about her being absent for two more days and he would be the one to inform their adviser. She hoped that the Educators and the Principal would understand if she'd tell them that it was an important, personal matter that would determine her fate as a Master.

From Valios City's arc to Prisma City's arc was a fifteen-minute walk. As soon as they stepped foot in the city, also known as the City of Visual Arts, Ivory's eyes widened in amazement upon seeing the half-timbered houses painted with bright colors. Most houses had decorated walls and had potted flowering plants in front of their houses, windows, or balconies.

As they walked along, they noticed that there were some painters who were painting on the streets while many passersby watched them. In stores were paintings of picturesque flowers and vibrant trees, and they also offered customized paintings wherein nobles were usually their customers. Ivory enjoyed seeing the intriguing, colorful city, since they came from Valios City where all houses were painted with white.

They then asked a patrolling guard about where the Prisma Gallery was located, because according to Katie's letter in the past, her friend is the daughter of Prisma Gallery's owner, and she's working for them as an apprentice painter and a part-time docent with perks of accommodation and food.

At a corner street stood the art gallery, a beige-colored half-timber building with a flat clay tile roof was seen.

"Here it is. Prisma Gallery," the city guard said, and Ivory thanked him.

When he left, Sigmund glanced at Ivory and saw how she stared at the door for so long. "Hey, don't tell me you're chickening out? I thought you're excited to see her."

"Yes, but…" she clenched her first as her heart was beating fast, 'But it's been a year! I wonder if she can still recognize me..." she glanced at him with very worried eyes.

He chuckled, "You birdbrain, of course she'll recognize you. It's only been a year."

"Really? You think so?" she bit her lower lip and stared at the floor this time.

"Yes. So stop hesitating and let's get inside," he patted her back gently to comfort his Master who was really feeling anxious.

They finally entered the wooden double-doors, and she gasped in awe when she saw the interior. Several bright paintings were lined up on the walls. Each wall had a specific theme, like nature and people.

As Ivory was admiring the view, an assistant approached her and said, "I'm sorry, the other docent had just left. Please wait for the other group to finish. They're almost done."

"Thank you," Ivory told her with a warm smile. She and her Vampire Servant were led to a bench beside the door, and they sat beside each other while observing the visitors coming inside the gallery.

A group of people was coming with a docent who seemed to be having her farewell message as their tour was just about to end.

"And that's all," the female docent gave a sweet smile to them. "Any questions?"

A young man raised his hand while admiring the lady who was wearing a cream floral printed sleeved pleated gown paired with a brown bonnet with lace ribbon tied under her chin. "Miss Katie, can I ask a personal question?"

"Hmm, what is it?" she turned her head to the man.

"Do you have a lover?"

"Oh, I do not have one," she giggled. "But I'd love to have one."

Then a visitor commented, "How come the most beautiful girl in Prisma City has no lover? Perhaps you have too many suitors that you couldn't choose from any of them."

More questions were asked one after another, and Ivory and Sigmund observed them from afar.

"Katie looks pretty in that dress," she smiled as she looked at her smiling sister. She was pleased that she found herself a nicer place to stay.

"She almost looked like a noble. If not for her attitude-"

Ivory pinched Sigmund's arm, "Quit it, Katie's a lovely girl," she sighed. "It's just that she doesn't like me, perhaps because I'm adopted and she doesn't see me as family."

"So… Are you still going to see her?" Sigmund asked upon seeing her lonely eyes.

Ivory slowly stood up from her seat and said, "I changed my mind. Let's find a place to stay for tonight, and catch the horse-drawn bus tomorrow morning in Umbria City. Let's just go home tomorrow."

"You chicken," he reacted jokingly, and she shot daggers at him as they headed to the exit.

But before they could even step out of the building, Ivory was stopped by a good-looking gentleman. His long green hair was tied on one side and his golden eyes looked at her with such adornment. He was dressed in a three-piece suit with golden embroideries on the lapel and vest.

"Excuse me, beautiful lady," the young man told Ivory. "My name is Helios, the head painter in this art gallery. May I ask why you're leaving before even seeing my paintings? Are they not to your liking?"

"Uhm… I apologize, but we were here for a different matter."

"I see… But can you please come with me for a while?"

"Uhh, sure," she glanced at Sigmund and she was nodding her head, as if telling him that it's alright. Sigmund narrowed his eyes on the man and cautiously observed him.

Ivory, followed behind by Sigmund, was led to a portion of the gallery wherein there were no paintings yet, only a blank canvas and a cushioned stool in front of it.

"Please take a seat."

Ivory sat on the stool in front.

"Okay, please don't move until I say so."

She didn't know what was on Helios' mind, but she still followed him with Sigmund's go signal. The Vampire was closely observing how Helios drew Ivory on the canvas.

"Is that the youngest master painter Helios?!"

"Oh my, Sir Helios is so handsome, especially when he's serious while painting!"

"Who's that woman? I've never seen her before. Is she a city visitor?"

"She's beautiful!"

Ivory was viewed by many as a woman with a rare beauty, because of the color of her silver hair, as well as her light blue eyes.

Katie turned around to see who had been stealing her spotlight.. And she was shocked to see her sister in the territory that she worked hard to build her reputation into.