CHAPTER 22: OH DEAR VICTOR SOON YOU SHALL JOIN YOUR BROTHER IN THE SHIP

Hearing her recollection of the incident, I was more than a little troubled.

I ran a hand across my face, rubbing my forehead in annoyance. ’

It seems like Eleanor’s possessiveness is far more than I expected,’ I thought worriedly, my mind replaying the scene of her crazed fury. ’

And considering what she did in her rage, I worry she might do something even more stupid that might screw up the situation even more.’

I just hope it doesn’t come to that, I sighed, the weight of my new responsibilities settling heavily on my shoulders.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Alicia’s voice was a soft tap on my head, pulling me from my troubled thoughts.

"What’s done is done. It’s better to accept this situation than to ruin our lives by trying to break out of it."

She looked at me with a calm resignation that told me she assumed I was still trying to reject this new reality.

But I had already accepted it.

I had no choice, after all.

Besides, at least My Friend wouldn’t nag at me to get a girlfriend anymore.

’Hmm, that reminds me. I wonder how he’s going to react to my change in race.’

.....

In a Club

The pulsing bass shook the floor, and the neon lights of the club painted the scene in a vibrant haze.

A blonde man stood at the bar, a bottle of beer in his hand, a foolish grin plastered on his face.

"Hell yeah, brothers! The party is on me! Drink as much as you can!" he cheered, his voice slightly slurred.

This was none other than Victor Evans, Valerian’s best buddy.

Tonight, he was celebrating his freedom.

"Heck yeah! I finally feel so free!" Victor exclaimed, downing an entire bottle of beer.

"Can’t believe I couldn’t party around because of that Bitch."

The female bartender in front of him, a woman with a sly smile, leaned in.

"Mister, you seem quite happy today," she inquired curiously.

Victor’s grin widened. "My girlfriend broke up with me," he said, holding up his beer bottle like a trophy, "and I’m happy about it!"

The bartender’s smile flickered.

"Shouldn’t you be sad or something? Why are you happy?"

Victor just shook his head, a mix of relief and bitterness in his eyes.

"Though I say my girlfriend, that was just someone I was forced to pretend to be with because of a damn rumor about me liking her.

And after that, for some reason, my parents also engaged me to her."

He lowered his voice, his expression turning weak.

"And I found out that it was all that bitch’s doing, all because she wanted to use me to experience what love was.

Worse of all, she wanted to date my friend and not me.

She only forced me because my friend rejected her!"

The bartender looked genuinely surprised.

"My God, that’s dirty, not to mention illogical. It must be rough to pretend to be someone’s replacement."

Victor sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"I’m not really mad at her, because to be honest, that girl is truly pitiful. But I can’t help but resent her for bossing me around like a master for the entire three years."

The bartender’s hand caressed Victor’s, and she looked at him with an intense gaze.

"Then, to relieve all your pent-up frustrations, why don’t I help you, dear sir?"

Victor, already too drunk to think straight, nodded with enthusiasm.

"Why ask? I’m always open to getting help!"

The bartender’s smile turned predatory, and she guided the drunk Victor toward a room on the upper floor.

.

.

.

But the poor guy didn’t know what awaited him.

And Valerian didn’t know a comrade would soon join his boat of Inevitability

....

"Valerian, I think it’s about time you leave. We don’t have much time; you need to find others."

Alicia’s voice was gentle contrasting to the urgency of her words.

’I guess she isn’t as possessive of me as the other ones,’ I thought with a small smile. ’Or perhaps she’s just worried about my life.’

I found myself strangely touched by her concern.

’I guess I really have come to like this situation.

Having someone worry about you, other than your mother, is nice.’

"Alright," I said, my voice playful.

I wrapped my arms around her soft waist, pulling her close.

"But before I leave, give me a goodbye kiss."

"H-huh? Wha-what? K-kiss? WAIT! I’m not mentally ready yet!" she stammered, her face a deep scarlet as she turned it away.

I smirked.

At first, I was just teasing, but now I was intrigued.

"Why? Isn’t it my right as your husband to demand a kiss, hmm?" I pressed.

My words made her blush intensify.

"Ahm! But I’m a witch!" she argued, as if that were a valid excuse.

My next words left her speechless.

"Is that so? Then I’m cursed to never receive love from my wife, I guess. That’s my curse. Ah, I’m so pitiful!"

I said, dramatically wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

I couldn’t believe I was actually flirting.

I guess this whole ordeal was changing me a lot.

"No! You’re not cursed! I... I am ready!" Alicia’s embarrassment was gone, replaced by a fierce determination.

She gazed at me with a cute blush.

She cupped my face and leaned closer, her lips soft against mine.

"Mhhmmm," I murmured. I hadn’t expected her to give up her resistance and proactively kiss me like that but I wasn’t complaining.

It was a sweet, tender kiss.

I was glad she wasn’t so awkward around me anymore.

I melted into the kiss, my hands coming up to tangle in Alicia’s hair as I deepened the embrace.

She responded eagerly, her lips moving against mine with a growing passion.

As the kiss intensified, I felt the familiar urge to taste her blood rising within me once more.

Breaking away from her lips I trailed kisses down her jaw and neck nuzzling against the pulse point that beat steadily beneath her skin.

"Alicia," I murmured against her flesh, my voice husky with desire.

"May I?"

She shivered at the sensation of my breath ghosting over her sensitive skin.

"Yes," she whispered, tilting her head back to grant me better access.

With the approval, I sank my fangs into the tender flesh of her neck.

I suckled gently at the wound, drawing forth a rich liquid that filled my mouth and slid down my throat.

Alicia’s moans of pleasure echoed in my ears, spurring me on as I drank deeply from her.

"Ahnn~ ahhhh~ Valerian," she gasped, her fingers tightening in my hair.

"Not so hard... mhmm... Husband."

The term of endearment sent a shiver down my spine, and I redoubled my efforts, sucking harder as I pulled her closer.

Alicia’s legs wrapped around my waist, her hips lifting to press against mine in a silent plea for more.

I could feel the power of her blood coursing through me, strengthening and invigorating me with each swallow.

After satisfying my thirst for her I lifted my head from Alicia’s neck, my lips and chin glistening with her blood.

She looked up at me with hazy eyes filled with desire, her chest heaving with each ragged breath.

Slowly, I leaned down and captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

The taste of her blood mingled with the sweetness of her mouth, creating a heady combination that left me drunk with desire.

Alicia kissed me back eagerly, her tongue tangling with mine as she poured all of her passion into the embrace.

I wrapped my arms around her tightly, pulling her flush against my body as I lost myself in the sensation of our shared intimacy.

...

After what felt like an eternity, I finally left Alicia’s secret hideout.

My mind was still reeling, replaying the kiss from just a few moments ago.

’Oh, my dear Grandfather-in-law, why is that girl so intoxicating?’ I thought in a mix of bliss and despair.

’If she hadn’t forced me to leave, I worry I might have just accepted my fate to spend the entire night with her, even if it meant certain death.’

It was a terrifying thought.

Was she using some kind of spell on me?

Or was it because the ritual was already halfway completed, and its effects on me were increasing? Either way, it was a scary thought.

As I walked through the quiet forest, lost in my thoughts, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.

I turned around and faced an old man wearing a priest’s outfit, his face stern and his gaze piercing.

"Young man, did you happen to come across a weird man wearing a long coat?" he asked.

’A long coat... that sounds like that crow bastard,’

I realized.

Is he after him?’

"Yes, you mean that crow, right? He went that way," I said, pointing in a random direction.

I couldn’t exactly tell him I had killed that feathered guy and was carrying his corpse just moments ago.

But the priest’s face immediately hardened.

He took out a golden-looking chain, its links humming with a holy power, and aimed it at me menacingly.

"So you are his accomplice. Prepare to surrender, wicked creature."

’Huh? How did the situation come to this?’ I thought in confusion.

I didn’t even know the guy, let alone remember being his accomplice.

Then, a crushing realization hit me.

’CRAP! I called him by a nickname! Of course, a normal human wouldn’t call him ’crow’! That’s it, my bad habit just gave me away.’

Now what should I do? Should I explain myself and try to resolve the situation, or should I fight?

’No... if he learns I’m a demon+vampire+warlock, he’d go completely crazy trying to purify me.

I can’t let that happen.’