The Vampire's Bride

"Mallory, can I ask you something?" Leo asked as they were finishing their dinner.

"Yes?"

"Can you hypnotize everyone? Like... all vampires?"

Mallory pondered for a moment, "Actually, I'm not sure about that myself, Master Orpheus. It's been a long time since I've used it and it's not like I used it on people."

Not even your family?

The question was stuck in Leo's throat. Realizing that it was a s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e question, he faked a cough and looked away. "I see. I guess that's amazing since you're a halfling. I did not expect it, to be honest."

"Young Master - -"

The pair looked at the door and saw Brian who just entered the dining room. "Young Master, Miss, there's a problem with the child."

"What's wrong with her?"

Brian glanced at the pair before replying, "She is having a high fever. Do you want me to call a doctor?"

"I think we sho—"

"I believe after resting for a night, she'll be fine."

"..."

Leo coughed and was about to speak when he heard Brian's clear voice, "Understood, Miss."

"..."

Seeing that his butler not waiting for his answer, Leo could only sigh and agree with Mallory. "Let's check her situation for now. If it gets worse by tomorrow morning, we'll call a doctor."

"Yes, Young Master."

Afterwards, Mallory and Leo visited the sick. When they reached the guest room, a maid exited the room. She quickly bowed and reported, "Young Master, Miss, good evening. Young Master the child had already been taken care of but her fever is quite high. It would be better if the two of you do not go inside."

Not bothering to answer, Leo raised his hand as he dismissed the maid.

After the maid left, the two entered quietly. Lying on the bed was the girl without a trace of Mallory's blood. She seemed to be having a hard time breathing as she panted and was sweating coldly.

Without wasting anytime, Mallory got the towel in a basin nearby and squeezed it before placing it on top of the child's forehead. She quickly wiped her sweat with another towel.

Afterwards, she removed any 'unnecessary' objects around the child. Soon, the girl started calming down and the ceases on her forehead disappeared.

Seeing it all accomplished with a few minutes, Leo could not help but chuckle. "You're like a mother."

Mallory became fl.u.s.tered at Leo's comment. Subconsciously, she started explaining why, "I-I was just like her and since I'm a halfling, I was told to learn how to take care of myself. I stopped getting all kinds of sickness when I grew up. A-Also, I have a friend who was like me so I also took care of h-her."

"Hmm..."

Leo pondered for a moment that the friend she was talking about might be Lula. He noticed her mouth moving and asked, "What did you say?"

Mallory was startled and quickly shrugged it off. "N-nothing. I was just talking to myself."

"... is that so?"

Seeing that Leo focused on other things, Mallory heaved a sigh. She gently c.a.r.e.s.sed the girl's head as she mumbled, "Get well soon."

Unknown to Leo, she was not talking to herself. Instead, she was casting a spell...

...

The next morning...

A couple of knocks woke Mallory. "Y-Yes?"

"Miss, the clothes for today are here. Breakfast will be ready soon. Please proceed to the dining table."

"Y-Yes. Thank you."

Mallory took a quick bath and changed clothes. She stood in front of Leo's door, hesitating wether to go call him or to head straight to the dining room.

In the end, she decided to invite Leo. After all, she was the guest and he was the owner... it seemed improper if she did not wait for the owner.

But just before she could knock, she heard a voice from behind the door, "Don't just stand. You may come in, Mallory."

Startled, Mallory took a while before entering his room. "M-Master Orpheus, will you have breakfast?"

Leo smiled as he went closer to her. "Yeah. Are you done preparing? If so, let's head to the dining room."

"Y-Yes!"

The pair headed towards the dining room. As soon as they entered, urgent footsteps came nearing them.

Leo could only heave a sigh as he realized who it was.

The door flew open as the man panted. Leo glanced at him and casually spoke, "I see you're energetic early in the morning, Young Master Jillion."

Jillion's face was filled with disbelief as he sat besides Leo. "Obviously, it's because I want to see the truth but even after seeing it, I still cannot believe that you're actually eating, Leo."

"What are you saying? I have a guest to accompany," Leo said, hinting at Mallory.

"Ahh!" Jillion finally took notice of the woman besides Leo. "You must be Mallory, right? Nice to meet you face to face. I'm Jillion, Leo's friend."

Jillion offered a handshake to Mallory and the latter accepted it. "Nice to meet you too, Master Jillion.

Jillion's lips twitched at the formality. "Just call me Jill or Jillion! No need to add Master. It feels uncomfortable."

"Y-Yes..."

"Young Master Jillion, Young Master, Miss, the food is now ready." Brian's voice interrupted the trio and the food was quickly served.

As much as Leo hated it, Jillion was invited to eat breakfast with them. During their breakfast, Jillion asked about Mallory.

"Yes, I'm a halfling," Mallory confirmed.

"That's rare..." Jillion said as he whistled.

"Rare?"

"You're probably the first halfling I've met in this lifetime. Oh, by the way Leo," Jillion quickly changed the topic.

"What?"

"I heard from the old guy that you found something else?"

"Yes and no."

Jillion frowned a bit. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Leo took a sip of his hot coffee before replying, "I did tell the principal but it was not me who found out. Mallory did."

"Mallory?" Jillion quickly observed Mallory. He could not believe that she was capable of finding something crucial to the case.

Mallory just gave a confused look, unable to follow.

"Truth to be told, we met the killer the other night," Leo started. "It was just as you said, he killed his next victim."

"And? Did you catch him?"

"...No."

Jillion cautiously looked at Leo. "Why?"

For some reasons, Leo took longer to respond. He opened his mouth and slowly spoke, "The killer is a vampire, Jill. It's not just A vampire... it's a missing vampire."

Jillion almost choked on his water as the info was revealed. "I-I-Is it... Aldo?"

Leo nodded as he finished his breakfast.

Jillion's gripped on his glass tightened. Although he was staring at the wall, Mallory felt suffocated. "That damn vampire!"

"Jill." Leo calmly spoke, "You have far better things to ask than worry about the past."

... past?

Leo's words made Mallory uneasy. She did not know why but she could not help but feel that... something was wrong. This is the second time I saw Master Jillion acted like this... and during those times... it involved 'him'.

Jillion took a few deep breaths to calm himself before asking, "So what's the connection between Mallory and that guy?"

"Well, she noticed Aldo's sign."

"His... sign?" Jillion tried hard to recall where Aldo's sign was hidden. "Ah! The blood!"

"Yes," Leo confirmed.

"So what happened that night? Did you talk?" Jillion asked.

"No. I don't but," Leo looked at Mallory before continuing, "She did. She even got him to confess."

"Confess?! No way!" Jillion was so surprised that. He accidentally slammed the table. His eyes glistened as he asked Mallory, "How? How did you make that arrogant vampire to submit?"

S-Submit?

Master Jillion... th-that's a bit too... exaggerated...

Mallory: "H-He's someone I used to b-be with. Unfortunately, he lost his memories when we met."

Leo: "Long story short, Aldo truthfully answered Mallory's question about the killer."

Jillion: "But... doesn't that mean Aldo recognized you? I mean if someone loses their memories, they'll still recognize a few of those memories, right?"

Leo: "He did recognize her — at least he subconsciously recognized her. When he knew her name, he was suddenly gentle with her but he's still arrogant with others."

Jillion gritted his teeth as he mumbled, "That guy better not show his face in front of me or I'll grind him to death!"

Although it was soft, Mallory caught all of it. She worriedly looked at Jillion and tried to figure out why he resented Aldo to the point of killing him.

She glanced at Leo and remembered what he said a while ago...

Just like her, Jillion met Aldo in the past.

Suddenly, from behind, they heard the creaking of the door. They instinctively looked at the door and saw Brian entering with a child.

Jillion watched as the little girl ran towards Mallory.

"W-What's wrong?" Mallory asked as she did not understand why the girl came to her. "Are you hurt?"

The girl shook her head and tightly hugged Mallory. Mallory could only sigh and embrace her, letting her sit on her l.a.p. "Is your head aching?"

The girl shook her head once more, burying her head on Mallory's shoulder.

Leo looked at the girl before speaking, "She's probably insecure. Also, I think she remembers what happened."

The girl looked at Leo with a surprised looked and nodded, indicating that he was right.

Seeing her actions, Mallory could not help but chuckle at the adorable little girl. "I see. It's good that you're awake now."

BANG!

A chair fell. Looking at the man standing, Leo and Mallory knew what was going on inside his head.

Jillion pointed at Mallory before moving it at Leo, then the girl, then back at Mallory.

"Y-Y-You... T-This..." He tried to find the words to say but was lost. He looked at the little girl's eyes and was dumbfounded.

A child...

A child just went running straight and went to Mallory...

Leo had this gentle expression at the two while Mallory was patting the girl's head.

No matter how I look at it...

This.. this is...

Jillion: "F*ck! You actually went ahead and got a child!"

Leo: "Language."

Jillion: "..." Sh*t!

Mallory: "..." Please deny it, Master Orpheus...!

Jillion could not hold it in and held his c.h.e.s.t as if he was truly betrayed, "Why?! You already got a girlfriend before me and I let it pass. Now you have a child?! What's next? You're gonna have a wife?! Just how much of a traitor can you be?!"

Leo was slightly amused. Wife? Mallory?

He looked at Mallory who was also stunned by Jillion's words. If it's Mallory... I probably would not mind... I guess.

Mallory, on the other hand was going to a different path.

G-Girlfriend? Is Master Orpheus seeing someone? Then aren't I a hindrance?! I have never seen a woman near him and I have never seen him looking in love!

Mallory gasped as she realized something. Am I... the reason? I mean, what if he cannot meet with her because he is busy taking care of me? T-Then what should I do? S-Should I leave?

Mallory glanced at Brian. If it's the butler... he should know about it.

Sensing the weird look from the guest, Brian involuntarily shivered.

The Future Mistress is looking at me... intently...

Jillion saw the movements of their eyes. Leo looked at her while she stole a glanced at him.

Slamming the table, Jillion shouted, "I get it! You don't have to stuff me with dog food! This single guy here will leave! You must remember, you traitor! You caused the death of this single person by stuffing him with too much dog food! Hmph!"

Jillion turned around and started heading towards the door. He was already near the door when he heard Leo's voice.

"You stuffed yourself with dog food because of your misunderstanding, Young Master Jillion."

Jillion froze on his tracks. "Misunderstanding?"

Leo locked eye contact with him as he spoke slowly, enunciating every word clearly, "She's not my child."