The Vampire's Bride

"Is it because she looks like... her?"

"Shut up!"

Leo closed the door behind him and heavily strode off. His every steps were filled with anger and irritation. His eyes were flashing red, not because of hunger but because of anger. His fists were clenched tightly that it left a mark.

The staffs saw the young master in a bad mood and quickly informed Brian who was preparing the dinner. As if it was something ordinary, Brian sighed, paused what he was doing, and quickly told Mallory.

"Miss, Young Master is in a bad mood. Please be careful."

Mallory was confused as to why Brian entered the room out of nowhere. It took her a moment before she nodded. "T-Thank you...?"

The door flew open and Leo entered. He glanced around the room, resting his sights on her. Seeing her, his eyebrows relaxed visibly but it was not enough to appease him. He coldly ordered Brian, "Get out."

Brian bowed before leaving without a word. Mallory was stiffened as she watched Leo passing by her and falling on his bed. She did not dare to move an inch and stayed seated on the floor near the table. Silence spread around the room and Mallory felt suffocated. Wanting to speak, she opened her mouth but someone suddenly knocked on the door.

"I-I'll go get!" Mallory quickly stood up and opened the door. A maid was standing in front with a tray on her hands. "Dinner, Miss."

"Thank you," Mallory said before entering the room. She gently placed the tray on the table and prepared the food. It was clearly enough for two people. She glanced at Leo who was still laying on his stomach. Not wanting him to sleep with an empty stomach, she meekly asked, "Master Orpheus, will you eat dinner with... me?"

"No, thanks," Leo's quick response came.

"Not hungry."

"..."

Mallory was at lost. She did not want to anger him anymore than this. With a frown on her face she silently sat down.

Leo turned his head and glanced at Mallory. Seeing her obvious sad face, he felt guilty. But he really wasn't in the mood to eat. As he was contemplating whether to eat or not, a familiar voice entered the room.

"Why not invite me?"

Looking at the window, they saw a man entering the room. Unlike when he was drenched and hazy, this time he was more... clear. It was as if his unsure attitude from before was a dream and now he was an arrogant one — just like how he used to be in the past.

"Aldo?" Mallory quickly stood up, guiding him inside.

Leo sat on the bed as he glared at Aldo. "And what are you doing here?" He turned at Mallory and asked, "Mallory, why did you let an outsider in?"

Mallory was stunned for a moment before slapping her forehead. What was she doing?

Leo raised an eyebrow. The exact reason why she did not scream when he entered the house...

"I came to visit you again, Mallory," Aldo said with a smile.

"Me?"

"Yeah." Looking at the table, he added, "And it seems like there's food. Oh? For two people? You prepared one for me? Thanks, Mallory!"

"Ah, no! That's not... yours..." Mallory's voice trailed off as she watched Aldo sitting at her place. Motioning her, Aldo said, "Let's eat, let's eat! I'm hungry."

"Y-Yes..." If Master Orpheus does not want to eat then... giving his share to Aldo is alright... right?

Glancing at Leo, Mallory took a sit besides Aldo. For some reasons, Mallory felt the scenario was a bit too... weird.

The owner of the house was just watching them, feeling annoyed that the uninvited one ignored him while the guest that he brought was just letting the uninvited one in. Not to mention, the uninvited one is a killer...

Seeing that Aldo was being too comfy with his partner, Leo clicked his tongue and sat on the other side of Mallory. He got his plate from Aldo's side and said, "Why the heck are you joining us?"

Jillion's lips twitched as he rebutted, "What 'us'? You're clearly the uninvited one here!"

"Mallory invited me in," Aldo said as a matter-of-fact.

"This is my house."

"I am the guest."

"Mallory IS the guest."

"... then I am the guest's guest."

Without anything else to say, Leo finally exclaimed, "You're uninvited. Get out."

"Uninvited by you but invited by your guest. In other words, I am invited," Aldo replied.

Leo and Aldo entered a staring contest. However, Aldo has a smirk on his face while Leo was gritting his teeth.

Seeing the food being prepared, Leo was slightly agitated, "Why are you bringing food for the intruder? In the first place, why did you let this intruder enter?!"

"Young Master, Miss called me."

Me? Mallory pointed at herself as everyone turned to look at her. Slightly frowning, Mallory said, "I did not ask for..."

Brian pushed back his eyeglass and stared at Mallory. Noticing the sign, Mallory subconsciously followed through, "Yes! I called Butler Brian..."

"Why?" Leo frowned.

Mallory wanted to take back what she said but knew it was too late. Seeing Leo frowning, she felt slightly guilty. Then she looked at Brian, feeling wronged. Butler Brian... please don't include me in this!

"Young Master," Brian said through telepathy, "I believe that you do not want the case to drag any longer. Noticing Sir Aldo's behaviors whenever he was with Miss, I believe it is safe to consider that he has a clear mind. Maybe Miss could stop Sir Aldo from drinking innocent human's blood."

Leo pursed his lips and did no reply. What Brian said was correct. Leo did not want any more victims. Keeping an eye on Aldo was the best choice as of now. Sighing, Leo finally relented. "Fine. He can eat dinner here but after that, he must leave. Father is here now and if he notice you, you are dead, Aldo."

As if he knew who Leo was talking about, Aldo smirked, "Don't worry. I won't die that easily. I've been alive for a couple of years. A simple father of the creep is nothing."

"Oh?" Aldo fixed his meal as he slowly exclaimed, "I thought it was obvious as to who I was talking about. Even dogs will realize when someone is calling them stupid or something."

Leo was annoyed but tried to calm himself. Before he could have his first bite, he said, "Maybe it's because the person calling creep or stupid is a person not worthy of their time. Why would they bother talking to someone with an IQ less than theirs? That person should know when to stop being an idiot."

"...What did you say?"

"Didn't understand me? I guess it's only safe to say that I'm calling you an idiot who know nothing but stealing my partner."

"Hmmp!" Crossing his arms, Aldo continued, "What kind of partner are you? I doubt you're even her real partner."

A little amused, Leo asked, "If I'm not, then who is?"

"...Me."

Mallory, who was about to drink some water due to the tension in the room, was forced to cough a couple of times.

As if not noticing, Aldo exclaimed, "She even visits me in my dreams!"

Looking at her, Aldo's features softened, "Mallory, although I don't have any memories other than when you first found me recently, I'm pretty sure you are the one in my dreams who kept repeating the same thing."

Leo asked, "Repeating what?"

For some reasons, Mallory did not want to hear it. But before she could stop him, Aldo answered.

"That she'll accompany me for the rest of my life!"

Mallory quickly shook her head. No! I never promised something like marriage!

Seeing her refusing, Aldo frowned. "You don't like me anymore?"

The sad face pained her and she quickly comforted him. "It's not that. For me, Aldo is still Aldo."

Leo was watching from the sides and saw the frown curving upwards. He was speechless.

This guy... he's shameless!

...

After eating their dinner, Leo quickly fell asleep, tired from all the talk since he went home. Aldo, on the other hand, stood up and prepared to leave.

"Leaving?" Mallory asked.

"Yes. I'll visit again soon." With that, Aldo left through the window but not before getting the sandwich left untouched.

This is a good midnight snack.

After fixing their mess, Mallory gave the tray to Brian. "I'm sorry for the mess. Thank you for the food."

"Miss, please do not open your room's door for the meantime. All staffs are requested to talk to Young Master and not to you," Brian explained.

"...I understand." Mallory knew what he meant. Leo's father was present and they're protecting her.

Mallory patiently waited for Brian to leave but just as he closed the door, Brian turned around and smiled, "Miss."

Startled, she stuttered, "Y-Yes?"

"Please take care of Young Master."

Without another word, he left. Mallory was confused as to what he meant but she was too sleepy to think. She half-carried, half-dragged Leo to his bed before entering her room, finally sleeping.