Reincarnated as the Vampire Princess' Familiar
Chapter 46: Epilogue - Bittersweet awakening

Chapter 46: Epilogue - Bittersweet awakening

Where... Where am I...?

I feel my body bare, devoid of clothing, covered only by a light veil that gives me a pleasant sensation of coolness, yet at the same time, a strange warmth envelops the left side of my body. My eyelids are heavy— as if they had been shut for years— and, with great effort, I try to open them.

I find myself lying on the bed of a... operating room? It really looks like one, or rather, it resembles a highly advanced research center— the same one where Ayra was treated after the ambush at Noxscura. Though the room is dimly lit, I can barely keep my eyes open, and it takes me a few seconds to adjust to the faint light.

One by one, my senses begin to function again, and that’s when I notice... Ayra? Y-Yes, it’s really her, and she’s... completely naked, asleep to my left! Her large, soft breasts press against my shoulder— I can even feel her nipples against my skin— her legs intertwined with mine, and her hand resting on my chest, right where the silver-furred lycan slashed me... wait a second!

I abruptly lift the blanket, and the deep wound has almost completely vanished— in its place, only a faint, superficial scar running from my chest down to my lower abdomen.

God... was it really that deep and extensive...? It’s a miracle I’m even alive...

However, my attention is inevitably drawn to my mistress, immersed in deep sleep. She is so beautiful— no, she is breathtaking, an indescribable charm... Sure, it’s not like I’m just now realizing it, but seeing her in this light— sweet, serene, almost vulnerable as she sleeps with her lips slightly parted— makes my heart pound so hard I can almost feel it explode in my chest.

But my heart isn’t the only muscle that reacted with pleasure to the magnificent yet unexpected sight of Ayra. The thought that, right now, our bodies are tangled together, her soft, smooth skin pressed against mine... Stay down, damn it! This is not the time to give in to these things!

That damn tent rising alarmingly between my legs... Lyon, think of something else... anything else! If a doctor were to walk in or— even worse— one of Ayra’s sisters... I fear my title of perverted familiar would get promoted to something even more humiliating!

I glance around in a desperate attempt to divert my mind from inappropriate thoughts and silence that little voice constantly whispering, «Lyon, she’s completely naked, pressed against you, and asleep. This is your moment!»

No no no no! Ayra is my mistress, the woman I admire most in the world. I can’t let my fantasies about her cross the inviolable boundary of my thoughts! My attraction to her is— and must remain— purely platonic! Going beyond that would be disrespectful to her authority... Sure, Sasha told me that sex between humans and vampires is common, but knowing that pervert, she probably said that just to push her own agenda and lure me into becoming her familiar. But even if it really were a normal thing... No, Ayra is too much for me. She is an unattainable goddess, proud and powerful. That’s how I see her, and that’s how she must remain!

As I look around, I realize I’m not the only familiar here. A short distance away, there are two more beds— in one, the big guy, Gerard— still asleep or maybe yet to regain consciousness— and in the other... Luke. And he’s awake!

«You sure took your time to recover... Even after weeks, I still wonder how I managed to be defeated by you...» he mutters, slightly shifting his gaze toward me... or toward Ayra?!

His voice catches me off guard, making me jolt slightly. I quickly pull the sheet toward me, covering almost all of my mistress’s body— leaving only the nape of her neck exposed.

«What’s wrong, are you jealous or something? Afraid I’ll get hard just looking at your beloved mistress?» he asks, his voice laced with irritation as he turns his gaze back to the ceiling.

W-What kind of question is that...?!

«She’s still a vampire,» he adds. «No matter how beautiful she may look on the outside, her nature remains that of a bloodthirsty monster.»

He wouldn’t talk about her like that if he hadn’t passed out just before Ayra arrived. It’s thanks to her that this ungrateful bastard is still alive! And then... jealous?! Me?! Don’t be ridiculous! It’s called modesty, that’s all! Maybe for vampires, nudity is natural, but for humans, it isn’t— and Luke is human and, above all, a guy! He should keep his eyes on his master’s wife— and sister!

«Anyway...» Luke’s voice softens and turns unsteady, as if he’s about to say something that deeply embarrasses him. «...Just before I lost consciousness, I managed to see your act of bravery— when you threw yourself between Ginevra and the lycan to protect her... It’s only thanks to you that she’s still alive. I truly thank you.»

I remain dumbfounded for a moment, my mind struggling to process his words. Luke... did he really just thank me? No, it must be a trick of my still-weary mind. I must have taken a blow to the head that was too strong—otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.

«I just thanked you, idiot. The least you could do is return it,» Luke presses, his usual arrogant tone cutting through my silence.

I let out a deep sigh... a sigh of resignation. The magic only lasted for an instant...

«How are your wounds?» I ask, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

«Fine, but not as much as yours,» he replies curtly. «After all, not everyone has the luck of being a vampire’s favorite. My master hasn’t come even once to check on me, while yours...» his gaze drifts back to Ayra. «...ever since I opened my eyes, she’s always been here, next to you. She told me she’s doing it to transfer her energy to you through skin contact, similar to the Binding Ritual, to help you recover faster.»

«Has she really been here all this time taking care of me...?» I murmur, my eyes growing glossy with emotion. Right now, all I want is to hold her tighter than ever before, to thank her for staying by my side. But she must be exhausted from all the energy she’s transferred to me, so I’ll wait until she’s recovered.

«Yeah... truly a great fortune to be the legendary predestinedfamiliar

I shake my head slightly. It’s incredible how, no matter what happens, he always ends up bringing that up. Trying to explain that Ayra’s behavior toward me has nothing to do with me, but is simply her nature, would be a waste of time. He’s convinced that I’m privileged just because I’m a predestinedfamiliar, and I have neither the patience nor the will to start yet another debate with him on the subject. Let him think whatever he wants— it’s none of my business.

A sound from a device next to Luke’s cot—connected to his right arm by a needle—finally interrupts our ’lovely’ conversation, accompanied by the flashing of a small blue light.

«Shit... this damn fever won’t go away...» he mutters nervously, yanking the needle out of his arm.

«...Fever?» I repeat. «How long has it been going on?» I add, feigning interest in his condition only to make him a little less hostile toward me. I really can’t understand how Ginevra cares so much about a bastard like him...

«Since that night, ten days ago— the night of the attack by those damned monsters. One of those beasts bit my arm, and it must have gotten infected. According to the doctors, it was supposed to clear up after a couple of days of fever and that’s it, but apparently... I’d say that’s not the case.»

So... ten days have passed since that night? Have I really been unconscious for ten days? I must have been in terrible shape... I wonder how much longer I would have kept sleeping if Ayra hadn’t transferred her energy to me... Then, a sudden thought flashes through my mind.

«This is the Valakys family’s private medical center... What are you doing here?!» I ask, rather perplexed. Luke is a member of the Dulcar house— I imagine they have a similar facility— so why is he here, ruining my awakening and— most importantly— my moment of intimacy with Ayra?!

«Your mistress insisted that I, Dimitri, Camilla, and all the other familiars who fought alongside you against the lycans be treated here. According to her, this is the best medical facility in the entire kingdom of Mildelar— a sort of recognition for protecting you. Everyone else has already been discharged, except for the two of us and Gerard, who’s still in terrible shape, but at least he no longer seems to be in danger of dying.»

«Bastard, and you still have the nerve to badmouth Ayra after she let you be treated in the best hospital in the kingdom?!» I burst out, pushing myself slightly forward with a sudden movement— perhaps too sudden— momentarily forgetting that Ayra is clinging to me, deep in sleep.

In response, she mumbles something in her sleep and clings to me even tighter— does she think I’m a pillow?— pulling me toward her with monstrous strength. My face is now trapped between her soft, oversized breasts. I’m at serious risk of suffocation!

Anyway... all’s well that ends well...

ENDOFVOLUME1

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