MORNING AT THE CASTLE
Servants busied themselves, moving back and forth as they carried out their duties. Lilith was seated in the dining hall together with the rest of her family. A blue-haired woman sat beside Claude. Alice, Lilith's mother.
On Lilith's right and left were two women. One had short silver hair. Cecilia, the middle child. The other had long blue hair. Mika, the youngest.
They chatted casually while waiting for the servants to finish preparing breakfast. Claude glanced around as if searching for something, then looked at Lilith.
"Where's Aven?"
Lilith shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't checked on him since earlier."
Alice smiled gently.
"Aven? Oh right, I haven't met that young man yet. Lilith, why don't you call him and invite him to eat with us?"
Claude nodded.
"Call Aven. He needs to eat too."
Lilith stood up and left the dining table, heading toward Aven's room.
Cecilia raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"So, big sister brought someone here?"
Mika looked at Alice.
"Mother said… a man?"
Alice nodded.
"Yes. It's normal that you don't know yet. Just relax and you'll see."
Mika raised one eyebrow.
"Father, you're fine with Sister bringing a guy home?"
Claude shook his head.
"It's fine. I know this man, so don't worry."
Lilith stood in front of Aven's room and knocked softly.
"Aven, are you inside?"
Click.
The door opened. Aven stepped out, rubbing his eyes.
"Lilith? What is it?"
"Father wants you to join us for breakfast, but wait…"
She looked at him carefully.
"Did you just wake up?"
"Ah… yeah."
Aven stretched his body.
"I was exhausted, so… this happened."
"Then hurry up and get dressed before you come" Lilith said, turning her gaze away, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
Aven returned to his room, changed quickly, then followed Lilith to the dining hall.
Lilith slowed her pace to walk beside him.
"How's your condition now? Does anything still hurt?"
Aven rotated his left arm lightly.
"Much better. I'm almost fully recovered."
Lilith smiled and placed a hand on her chest.
"Thank goodness…"
They walked through the corridor and arrived at the dining hall. Lilith opened the door and entered, with Aven following behind. Aven glanced around, seeing Lilith's mother and sisters staring at him.
Lilith pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Why are you just standing there? Sit."
Alice smiled warmly and waved her hand.
"Come on, dear. Don't be shy~"
Cecilia and Mika nodded in agreement with their mother.
Aven pulled a chair beside Mika and sat down.
Alice smiled.
"So you're Aven, right? I'm Alice. Their mother, and Claude's wife~"
"Nice to meet you" Cecilia said with a gentle smile.
Meanwhile, Mika lightly nudged Aven and smiled sweetly.
"Nice to meet you too~"
Aven nodded "Nice to meet you..."
Claude smirked slightly.
"Feeling better?"
"Somewhat. My body is recovering."
Cecilia blinked several times, slightly mesmerized as she looked at Aven.
Alice chuckled softly.
"So, you'll be staying here for a while, right?"
"Well… Sir Claude said so."
Claude nodded.
"Of course. Treat this place as your home."
"Good. Treat us as your family too," Alice said cheerfully.
"Don't hold back or feel awkward. I've always wanted a son, but all I got were daughters."
Claude cleared his throat.
"At least with you here, I won't have to deal with four women alone."
The servants arrived and placed plates of food on the table.
A few minutes passed as they ate and chatted. Once the plates were emptied, the servants began clearing the table.
Claude stood up from his chair.
Alice clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to give some instructions to the soldiers," Claude said, waving his hand before leaving the dining hall.
Alice puffed her cheeks in irritation.
Aven blinked, realizing he was now trapped alone with four women.
Lilith glanced at him and smiled.
"So, what do you want to do now?"
Aven stiffened in shock and felt chills down his spine. He looked at them one by one.
"Sir Claude, wait for me!"
Aven stood up and hurried out of the dining hall after Claude.
Lilith giggled. Mika smiled, and Cecilia laughed softly.
"Why was he like that? Isn't that kind of cute?" Mika asked, glancing at Lilith.
"Really? You think he's cute?" Lilith replied.
Cecilia giggled.
"I agree with Mika."
Alice sighed.
"I'm going back to my room."
"Bye Mommy~" Mika waved.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Cecilia smiled.
"How about we go watch Father and Aven?"
Lilith and Mika looked at each other.
"Sure," they answered in unison.
ELSEWHERE
Aven walked alongside Claude as they headed outside the castle toward the soldiers' training grounds.
"Why did you follow me?" Claude asked.
"Didn't you want to stay with my daughters?"
Aven shrugged.
"It's not that I don't want to, but I'm not good at dealing with three women at once. One is fine,but three? That's too much."
Claude snorted and smirked.
"First time? I've been dealing with all four of them alone for hundreds of years."
"Just listening to Alice's nagging already exhausts me. Add Lilith, Cecilia, and Mika who are just like their mother and I'd go insane."
"Nagging, huh…?"
Aven muttered.
"That reminds me of my sister."
Claude sighed.
"Oh right, you have a sister. She's still in Eidolan, isn't she? But you don't seem too worried."
"I've entrusted her to my best friend," Aven replied.
"As long as she's with him, she'll be safe."
Claude nodded and lightly nudged Aven.
"When you're ready to take your sister out of Eidolan, don't hesitate to ask for my help."
Aven smiled, slightly moved.
"Thank you, Sir Claude."
TRAINING GROUNDS
The soldiers were busy training as usual. Their eyes turned toward the approaching figures, and in an instant, they lined up to greet Claude. They lowered their heads slightly in respect.
The captain stepped forward, placing a hand on his chest.
"Greetings, my lord. Why did you come without informing us?"
"I I just want to see how your strengths develop"
Noa glanced behind him, looking at Aven who was observing the surroundings like a curious child.
"Who is he, my lord?"
"An old acquaintance. He'll be staying with me for a while."
"Nice to meet you, sir…"
The man smiled.
"Just call me Noa. No need for 'sir.' You're Sir Claude's guest, so there's no need to be so formal."
Aven nodded "Call me Aven."
Claude cleared his throat.
"Report. How is the training and the improvement of your strength?"
"All is well, my lord. Some of the new recruits are already showing great potential."
Claude scanned the lined-up soldiers, then glanced at Aven with a slight smile.
"What?" Aven asked.
"I was just thinking of something."
Claude paused.
"But before that—Noa, how about a sparring match with Aven?"
Noa widened his eyes.
"My lord?"
"I want to see the extent of your abilities."
Claude turned to Aven.
"How about you? You're fine with it, right?"
Aven thought for a moment.
"Sure. I don't mind, as long as Noa doesn't."
Claude clapped his hands.
"Good. Then it's settled."
"MAKE SPACE!" Claude shouted.
The soldiers immediately dispersed to the edge of the field. Aven and Noa stood facing each other.
"This is only a sparring match," Claude said firmly.
"No killing, no grudges. Show me what you can do."
Claude walked to the side of the field, took a sword hanging on the wall, and threw it to Aven.
Aven caught it and lightly swung it a few times, taking his stance.
Noa bit his hand. Fresh blood flowed downward, slowly forming into a scythe
The unique power of the vampire race: Blood Manipulation.
The surroundings fell silent.
Both of them stood ready, waiting only for Claude's signal to begin.