Reincarnated as the Vampire Princess' Familiar
Chapter 55 - 9 - A mysterious upcoming celebration

Chapter 55: 9 - A mysterious upcoming celebration

«I still can’t believe that tomorrow I’ll watch my little sister fight in a JudiciumSanguinis. Seriously, that Amelia Dulcar must have quite the nerve to challenge someone from the royal family!» mutters Sasha, while rummaging through her seemingly endless wardrobe in search of the perfect outfit for a certain party scheduled at the royal castle a few months from now — I’d say, this time, she’s planning ahead.

After my rather successful advice last time, it seems she’s now officially hired me as her personal fashion advisor...

Last night was quite eventful. Confident in her own strength, Ayra accepted Amelia’s challenge without a second thought — and the stake is, of course, Ginevra’s fate... and, for some reason, mine too!

If Amelia wins, she and Ayra will exchange their familiars — apparently, the idea of owning a predestined familiar isn’t tempting only for Sasha. If that happens, I’ll become Lyon Dulcar, which definitely sounds worse than Lyon Valakys... and frankly, I’m not thrilled about it.

If Ayra wins, however, Amelia will be forced to break her bond with Ginevra, effectively turning her into a familiar without a master. Technically, that shouldn’t be possible, but with a few tricks and legal loopholes, Ginevra would be formally reclassified as Ayra’s "personal slave" — though she’d still keep the surname Dulcar.

A decidedly convoluted operation, disguised as a transfer of House Dulcar to House Valakys to settle some alleged past debts.

Just a few minutes after agreeing on the terms, the two women were already at King Drakhul’s court to make everything official and settle the date of the duel, which will take place tomorrow around mid-morning.

Furthermore, the law requires a twenty-four-hour isolation period for both challengers — the necessary time to prepare what is undoubtedly the most admired and anticipated event in vampire society, thanks both to its spectacle and to the rarity of JudiciumSanguinis duels. During this time, they’re kept under strict surveillance by numerous guards, to prevent any outside interference from other vampires that could compromise the fairness of the challenge.

Fortunately — since I’m not with Ayra — Ginevra is also free from the claws of her cruel mistress. I can’t get out of my head the chilling state she was in last night, both physically and mentally shattered. I don’t even dare imagine the kinds of torment and abuse Countess Amelia must have inflicted on her, driven by absurd jealousy — or perhaps envy? — that she’s always harbored toward Ginevra, to the point of repeatedly scarring her face.

But then, why did she choose such a charming familiar? Sadly, it’s impossible to understand what goes on in the minds of such twisted creatures — whether they’re human or vampire.

And so, here I am... in Sasha’s bedroom, lying — this time not by force — on her bed, while she scans through the thousands of clothes in her wardrobe one by one. As I glance around, I can’t help but notice that the sex toys scattered everywhere have multiplied... poor Sasha, she must be really desperate.

Maybe that’s why she treats her familiar so badly?

«I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,» I say calmly. «Ayra has become really strong. I saw her fight almost on equal footing with that former Scarlet Army commander who defected to the CrimsonRequiem, Draven Vorthgen — and before that, she killed over a thousand lycans in just a few seconds. Not to mention she’s currently training to become commander of the Scarlet Army herself. I don’t know how strong that Amelia is, but Ayra — thanks to her Innatus — has to be far stronger than her.»

«Oh, there’s no doubt about that...» agrees Sasha. «But during a JudiciumSanguinis, using the Innatus is strictly forbidden — to avoid unfair advantages that come simply from the luck of being born with such a power.»

«In other words, Ayra will have to rely solely on her own BloodWords. But still, I agree with you. My little sister has become really strong; even without her Innatus, I fear she’s surpassed me too. She shouldn’t have much trouble with that Dulcar girl.»

Am I wrong, or did I just catch a hint — a very faint, almost imperceptible hint — of admiration in Sasha’s words toward her sister? Considering I’ve seen nothing but arguments between them since I got here, I’d say that’s a huge step forward.

«But, in the unfortunate event that my sister were to die...» she adds, flashing me a wicked, exaggerated smile. «My offer for you to become my familiar still stands,» she says, while squeezing her own breasts to make them bounce, as if trying to emphasize them even more.

As if the microscopic lingerie she’s wearing right now weren’t already doing the job...

«I’d like to remind you that if Ayra were to die — which, by the way, won’t happen — I’d automatically become Countess Amelia’s familiar,» I point out, arms folded behind my head like a pillow, trying hard not to stare at Sasha’s curvy body for too long — I wouldn’t want her to get any weird ideas.

After all, just looking isn’t exactly a crime or a betrayal to my mistress... right? Admiring the body of such a charming woman is like appreciating a painting or a sculpture — I don’t see anything wrong with it. Still, better to do it without her noticing.

«If you do become her familiar, we probably won’t get many more chances to be alone together in my room... with no one around to interrupt us,» Sasha says, her voice turning warmer, more seductive — almost like she’s on the verge of an orgasm.

«You promised you wouldn’t do anything to make me uncomfortable...» I murmur, turning my gaze away from her.

«Oh, how delicate you are! You’ve spent entire weeks sleeping in the same bed as Ayra — I didn’t think you still got scandalized over something so small...» she mutters. «I’m starting to think you like men. That’s why you don’t even look at me!»

I must’ve been really good at secretly spying on her without getting caught!

«That’s not true!»

«Yes, it is true, and you don’t need to be ashamed to admit it! Actually... to be honest, knowing that you’re into boys excites me even more! Just imagining you and Kajetan kissing, touching each other in front of me, while I’m tied to the bed, powerless and forced to watch... AWWW.»

Sasha’s body starts trembling as she hugs herself... and begins to drool! And not just from her mouth...!

I should’ve guessed she had a fetish for this kind of stuff, judging by all the themed posters hanging around her room... someone save me...

«Not even these work?! Ugh...» mutters Sasha, tossing outfits aside one after another. «There are only three months left until the ceremony for Commander Edgar Narkov’s return to the homeland, and I still don’t know what to wear! I’m desperate!» she exclaims, clutching her hair in frustration.

«The return of Edgar Narkov...» I repeat, feeling a strange uneasiness I can’t quite explain. That name isn’t new to me... but why does it bother me? It’s like it brings back the memory of something terribly unpleasant... but what?

«Yeah, I mentioned him to you the last time you were here, remember? He’s considered the most powerful vampire alive — the one who managed to master his own Innatus in just six months. A record that, however, pales in comparison to the one set by my little sister.»

Yes, now I remember — that’s why his name felt so familiar.

The melancholy I’m feeling must be tied to that rather grim period right after the ambush in Noxscura — when Ayra went from being hospitalized in critical condition to having to push past her own limits and control the Innatus, just to avoid execution, since they considered her a walking threat.

I don’t even want to think about it... thankfully, that’s all behind us now.

«My father told me to dress properly, because — aside from Edgar’s return from the continent of Gharzor — there’s going to be another event, though he hasn’t told anyone what it is. He just said it’ll be a pleasant surprise for everyone. I can’t wait, I’m dying of curiosity!» continues Sasha, rummaging through the clothes with growing excitement.

Brief geographic and sociological aside: the world I’m in — N’raeth — is roughly twice the size of Earth and is divided into seven continents, each completely different in terms of the races that inhabit them, their cultures, and their flora and fauna. The continent where the Kingdom of Mildelar lies is called Khavvsk.

The largest of the continents is called Gharzor — also known as the Lands of the Demons — and it’s located on the opposite side of the globe from Khavvsk. It’s precisely there that Edgar Narkov and his troops have been fighting over the past few years, dealing heavy losses to the demonic army.

Over the millennia, the armies of vampires and demons have coexisted in a state of mutual fear, carefully avoiding direct conflict. But since both races share the same goal — the conquest of N’raeth — a clash between them was bound to happen sooner or later.

Aware of this, King Drakhul Valakys and the Council of the Ten Elders decided to strike first.

Not only do they have to defend themselves from the attacks of the other races in the Khavvsk continent — who have clearly united against the vampires — and keep the war against the CrimsonRequiem in check — which boasts among its ranks incredibly powerful members and even managed to seize the Devoranimas — but they still have enough resources to invade other continents? Good for them...

Obviously, there’s no need to point out again whose "strictly confidential" knowledge made all this possible...