The Vampire's Bride

"Mallory, I still don't understand why you need to go to your classes in the mornings. The Night Class schedule starts in the evening. Why bother wasting your energy during the day? Let's skip afternoon classes, okay?"

Leo pleaded as he felt like he would lose control and accidentally hurt the humans who kept bothering his fiancée. How long has it been since he last held his temper for such people? Yet looking at Mallory's face, Leo knew he couldn't stop her from leaving her classes all of a sudden.

"A-Azazel, you can go ahead and rest first. I want to finish today's classes. Don't worry, I can still attend the night class schedule."

"That's not it..." From the looks of it, Mallory did not know what was wrong. Leo sighed as he gently fixed Mallory's hair. "You really don't know how much you push yourself. You should take some rest, darling."

"I-I'm fine. I can handle this much."

"No. You'll sleep after this. We'll go home and return later. You don't need to study the lessons in the next class. I'll teach them later or tomorrow at home. Just finish your food and we'll leave. I won't take a 'no' for an answer, darling." Leo immediately fixed their books and waited for her to finish eating. He wasn't gonna let some stupid studying ruin their free time during the day. They've been busy with the vampire case and once they've solved it, she wanted to bury herself to her studies?! She wasn't knowledgeable in all subjects but that does not mean that she should push herself too much. Although they are already engaged (in name), Leo felt it was unfair that she didn't really give him attention (despite being engaged in name only).

Mallory sighed. Ever since she accepted the deal, Leo lost his sense of personal space towards her. Mallory knew that Leo was just interested in her unique identity. Soon, he would lose all that interest. Therefore, why the engagement deal is being offered, Mallory needed to act quick and gather information as much as she could. And to do so, she must not anger Leo. "Understood."

Just as she promised, they headed back home to rest. Their grandfathers were out so the house was quiet. Brian immediately greeted the two and offered some food and drinks to which Leo refused. "Do not enter until called. Unless it is very important, do not call any of us."

"Understood, Young Master."

Leo held Mallory's wrist, afraid that she would escape. He dragged her to her room, dropped all of her things, before dragging her to his room. He gently placed her on his bed as he fell on his stomach. "Sleep."

"Yes?" Mallory was confused. Did Azazel noticed that she was gonna study once they got home?

Leo peeked on her and sighed. He faced her and pulled her hand, letting her fall on top of him. "You're not in your house anymore. Your grandfather already told those shi– I mean, those people to behave. You're my fiancée so rest now. We've been on the edge with the Aldo issue. Do you really plan to overwork yourself?" Leo cupped her cheeks with his hands and pleaded softly, "Hey, darling, don't get sick and take some rest."

Was it alright for her to take some rests? Perhaps she was too focused on finding the answer that she had forgotten she had a mortal body. Eating, sleeping, working, relaxing... all of these are essential to one's body yet she forgot to balance these. Therefore, when she heard Leo's words, she felt the load on her back disappearing. Nothing would happen if she takes some rest, right?

"T-Then... I'll take your offer..." Mallory cautiously lowered her head on Leo's shoulder before gently closing her eyes. His heartbeat became a lullaby to her ears. His gentle touch that combed through her hair was very soothing. How come she felt safe in his arms? Was it because they were 'partners'? How could one be so sure of their partners? In the first place, is she even Leo's partner?

Questions and thoughts entered and left Mallory's mind within a minute before she finally passed out. Her body was exhausted yet she never noticed. Leo glanced at her sleeping face before slowly laying her by his side. He took off the irritating tie from their clothes and opened Mallory's button. Seeing her flesh, he could not help but gulp. Who could ever resist such a meal before themselves? Nevertheless, Leo forced himself to stay put. Mallory was tired. Now was not the time to exhaust her. Leo sighed as he removed his polo, leaving only his sleeveless top. He hugged her closer till he could feel her heartbeat and she could feel his. Leo placed a soft kiss on her forehead before drifting of to sleep. "Sleep tight, darling."

...

Hours had passed and it was finally nighttime. Leo was helping Mallory fix her clothes. He did not want to but for some reasons, it's always the first day that's hard to go through. "Mallory..."

"Yes, Azazel?"

Leo softly combed Mallory's hair, "What kind of person do you want to be? What do you want to do now?"

"?" Mallory looked at Leo's conflicted gaze through the mirror. What kind of person... Truthfully, she had no answer for his questions but one thing was for sure. "I'd like to go stronger. Only then would I be able to understand the puzzle."

"Then," Leo gently grabbed her hand and kneeled on one knee. "I will be the source of your strength. I will be the shield that will protect you from the dangers. I will always stay by your side."

A knight.

For how long had she hoped for a knight to save her? To bring her out of the dark cage she was locked in? To let her take a breather and spread her wings? How long... did she hope to be dead?

There was nothing that Mallory could give to Leo except her loyalty. Mallory could feel her c.h.e.s.t tightening but could not understand why. It wasn't a feeling that was comforting or romantic. It was a suffocating one.

"Maste... Azazel," Mallory looked straight in his eyes, "What do you want me to be?"

Leo laughed as he placed his forehead on hers, "Just be the real you. If you're angry, be angry. If you're sad, be sad. You don't have to gauge any of us here. I know that this may just be a pretend engagement but every affection I gave you is real. If there are any problems, then I'll solve it. You can cause any trouble you want and I'll clean the mess."

"Don't lose yourself. You don't have to cower anymore, darling."

Oh, how long did Mallory wait just to hear these words from someone... Who would have thought that a silly drinking night with those fake people would actually lead her to a fake engagement? Perhaps it was time. Time for her to stop being chased and to start chasing.

Mallory felt like crying as her eyes began to blur. "Mm..." She nodded her head as she buried her face in his arms. "Thank you for picking me up."

"No problem... Don't forget you still owe me from that night, Mallory," Leo teased as he hugged her tighter. Since when did he fall for her? From the moment he saw her second identity? From the moment she shared her knowledge regarding Aldo? Leo could not identify when exactly his heart begun to race for her. She looked similar to his old friend... was that the only reason why he was so fascinated with Mallory?

Who knows... Leo did not want to think about it anymore. He did not want to lose the warmth and comfort he feels right now. Slowly, he'd think this through. Leo did not want to make the same mistake anymore. Isn't that why he grew stronger?

"Let's go. It's time for you to meet your new class, darling."

"Yes, Azazel."

And that was the beginning of a new Mallory in school. A character that would make others submit and serve. A character that would befriend the good and trick the evil. Finally, she was one step closer to the truth—

One step closer to the end.