"Man, I miss them, wonder how Scarlett is holding up, Mizuki is probably taking care of her"

<- System ->

[ Who is Scarlett? ]

"Oh, I never did tell you about her, well she is my adopted daughter, so of course she wouldn't be registered in the system"

<- System ->

[ What is her full name? I would like to register her in my system ]

"Scarlett Bathory, a vampire, although she's older than me, in her race, she would be considered to be a child"

<- System ->

[ How old is she? ]

"1,000 if I recall"

[-System-]

That's quite old, even for a Vampire, correct?

"Yeah, that's what makes her an Elder vampire by our standards, it's a funny story about how I met her, my uncle once had me and Mizuki explore a dungeon"

"We didn't know it was an abandoned dungeon, so no monsters were located and because we were bored out of our minds we decided to just walk for what felt like forever before reaching the end"

<- System ->

[ And what did you find at the end? ]

"A big ass door, honestly they exaggerated with all the diamonds attached to the door"

["Not that I was complaining, I made a killing selling them"]

<- System ->

[ And you just opened it? ]

"Yeah, and in the middle was Scarlett, just sitting motionless, it seems that she was under a memory wipe spell as she didn't remember how she got there or her name"

<- System ->

So she was essentially a blank slate then?

"Essentially, I picked her up, and while walking back out she attacked us," Yuto let out a soft chuckle looking fondly at the memory.

"Good times, excellent times"

<- System ->

[ I assume you defeated her? ]

"Nah I just let her bite my arm, I had to stop Mizuki as she was about to blow up the entire dungeon"

<- System ->

[ And did your blood calm her down? ]

"Yeah, her eyes became filled with life, and she stopped and looked around clearly confused at what she was doing, she didn't have a name so I just gave her one"

<- System ->

[ Why did you choose the name Scarlett? ]

"Dunno, it was just at the top of my head, she liked it so it stuck, guess it has some connection to her past"

<- System ->

[ I see. And this memory wipe spell, was it ever broken? So that she could recall her memories? ]

"Nope, still looking into that, all she knew was the amount of time she spent down there, my uncle wasn't too keen on me adopting her"

<- System ->

[ Well she is a vampire and he was probably concerned about how this would affect your training ]

"He's always been a little paranoid," Yuto sighed, rubbing his chin. "He kept going on about how she was dangerous and unpredictable"

<- System ->

[ What about Mizuki, what were her thoughts? ]

Yuto chuckled, a fondness creeping into his voice. "Mizuki was surprisingly all for it. She saw Scarlett's vulnerability and wanted to help her"

"She had faith that we could help Scarlett find her place in the world, despite her... vampiric tendencies"

<- System ->

[ Still becoming a father at 19, I wonder how Cynthia would react to becoming an aunt at 18 ]

Yuto snorted softly, "Yeah, not exactly your typical parent at 19, I am going to be 20 in 2 months so it's not so bad. But I wasn't about to abandon a kid in need, just because of my age"

<- System ->

[ How generous of you ]

Yuto chuckled wryly. "Yeah, I like to think I have a rather benevolent heart"

He then winced as a sudden sharp pain shot through his chest, reminding him of his current predicament. "Haha, she laughed if she saw all this blood, I wouldn't hear the end of it"

"She'd probably be laughing her head off at the sight of me laid up in bed"

"Mizuki would probably be fussing over me, making sure I take it easy," he added, his tone softening at the thought of his partner.

"She worries too much sometimes," he mused, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "I swear, she treats me like a fragile glass ornament, afraid I'll break at any moment"

"But I guess I can't complain," he admitted. "I know it's all out of concern and care for me. It's just her way of showing love"

He sighed, the smile fading as he reflected on his current predicament. "Still, laying in this bed, stuck in recovery for three days... it's going to drive me insane"

<- System ->

[ What type of magic does your daughter use? If you feel bored we can talk about your family ]

Yuto paused for a moment, contemplating the question, "Scarlett is a bit of a mystery when it comes to magic," he admitted.

"She possesses the natural abilities of her race, like transformation and mind control, but she also seems to demonstrate some more unusual powers. I've seen her use ice magic with incredible precision, and she can even manipulate shadows to a certain extent"

<- System ->

[ Does she use blood magic like you? ]

Yuto nodded, "Yeah, she can use blood magic like me. She's quite proficient with it. It comes naturally to vampires, I suppose"

"But she's still young, and her control over her magic can be quite unpredictable at times," he added, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "Whenever she's upset or angered, her powers tend to manifest without her being able to fully control them. That's one of the reasons we've been working on her emotional control"

<- System ->

[ Young you say, right . . . ]

Yuto chuckled softly, a slight hint of pride in his voice. "Well, young by vampire standards," he clarified. "She's only a thousand years old, practically a baby compared to some of the elders"

"But age doesn't always equate to wisdom," he added wryly. "Scarlett can be impulsive and reckless, especially when her emotions get the better of her. She's still got a lot to learn and a lot of growing up to do"

<- System ->

[ You talk like an old man ]

Yuto chuckled at the remark, his expression turning amused, "Old man, huh?" he mused.

"Sometimes I do feel like an old man, especially when I'm dealing with Scarlett and her antics. She's constantly making me worry and gray my hair"

"But I guess that comes with the territory of being a parent," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Even if she's a thousand years old, she still needs guidance and care. It's my job to be there for her, to help her navigate the world and make sure she stays out of trouble"

"And in the meantime," he joked, "I'll do my best to avoid going prematurely gray from all the worry she puts me through"

<- System ->

[ You should probably get some rest now, I can tell your eyelids are about to shut close from the amount of stress and pain you are under ]

Yuto gave a weary chuckle, acknowledging the truth of that statement. "You're probably right," he conceded. "These damn painkillers are starting to take their toll. I can feel myself getting drowsy"

He shifted slightly in the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. "I just hope I can keep my sanity during these three days of bed rest," he muttered, his voice growing slurred with exhaustion.

"Three days of staring at the ceiling... I might start counting the cracks in the ceiling at this rate," he joked weakly, his eyelids drooping, Yuto's breathing slowed and deepened as he surrendered to sleep, the pain of his injuries momentarily forgotten as he slipped into unconsciousness.

His rest is marked by uneasy dreams and occasional twitches of pain. The bandages wrapping his chest restricted his movement, making it uncomfortable to find a restful position, it was a very unpleasant experience, and before he knew it nighttime rolled in.

-Night-

Yuto's eyes flicked open, the faint light of the moon seeping through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. He groaned softly as he shifted in the bed, the movement causing a sharp pain to shoot across his wounded chest.

He glanced around the dimly lit space, his mind hazy with sleep. The room was silent, apart from the occasional soft rustle of his sheets and his strained breathing, he was about to go back to sleep when he heard a few knocks on his door.

Knock knock

Yuto frowned as someone knocked on the door, irritation and fatigue seeping into his voice as he answered. "Who is it?"

"Milady, it's Rose, I came at your request"

Yuto's irritation eased slightly as he recognized Rose's voice. He grunted in acknowledgment, "Come in"

The door creaked open, revealing Rose standing in the doorway, a tray of assorted drinks in her hands. She gave a polite courtesy before stepping into the room, her shoes softly thumping against the floorboards.

"Pardon my late entry, her Highness Claudia told me to come when no one else was around"

Yuto nodded in understanding, gesturing for Rose to approach. "No worries," he said, his voice still rough with sleep. "Just shut the door behind you"

As Rose closed the door behind her, Yuto shifted slightly in the bed, attempting to sit up a bit more. The movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his chest, causing him to wince involuntarily.

"Careful, Milady," Rose cautioned, moving closer to the bedside. She placed the tray of drinks on a nearby nightstand before gently helping Yuto sit up against the pillows.

"Appreciate it," Yuto mumbled, wincing again as he settled into a more upright position. He eyed the tray of drinks, the various liquids reflecting the soft moonlight.

"What's all that for?" he asked, gesturing towards the drinks with a weary sigh.

"A few tonics and herbal remedies," Rose explained, her voice soft and nurturing. "Her Highness Claudia instructed me to bring you some, to help with the pain and aid in recovery"

"Ah," Yuto responded, his irritation ebbing as he remembered Claudia's offer to send someone to help with his treatment. "Right, Claudia mentioned something about that"

Rose from the time she came in and the time she took to put down the tray, has not once looked him in the eye, "First, I would like to apologize for not being able to do more during the assassination attempt on your life"

Yuto waved off her apology with a dismissive gesture, his expression weary. "It's not your fault," he said firmly. "No need to blame yourself for what happened. I'm alive, that's what matters"

"B-but it is, Milady it's my duty to make sure nothing like that even comes close to happening"

Yuto shook his head, his voice gentler than before. "Rose, you can't be everywhere at once," he said, trying to reassure her. "You can't prevent every threat from coming my way, no matter how hard you try. It's not your fault, understand?"

["I mean she was there but it's not like she would be able to feel bloodlust not directed at her"]

He reached out to place a hand on her arm, the touch meant to be comforting. "I don't blame you for what happened, and you shouldn't blame yourself either. We just need to focus on moving forward"

"Besides, you're here now, helping me recover," he continued, his gaze meeting hers. "That counts for something, doesn't it?"

"M-milady," Rose covered her mouth as she silently sobbed.

Yuto's expression softened further as he witnessed Rose's emotion. "Hey, hey," he murmured, his tone gentle. "Don't cry, please"

He reached out his other hand, gently guiding her closer to the bed. "It's alright," he reassured her, his voice a comforting murmur. "There's no need to be so hard on yourself"

["M-my arm is in so much pain, control expression, control them!"]

He placed his hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair in a gesture meant to soothe her. "You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ask. Okay?"

"Take a deep breath," Yuto instructed, his hand still on her head. "Inhale... and exhale. Just focus on your breathing, it'll help calm you down"

As he spoke, his touch gradually slowed, his hand gently petting her hair in reassurance. "There you go," he murmured as her sobs began to subside. "Just breathe, nice and slow. You're alright"

"And remember," he added, his voice firmer now. "I don't want to hear any more apologies or guilt from you, understand? You have nothing to be sorry for"

His hand continued to move through her hair, offering silent comfort. "You're not at fault here," he repeated, his tone gentle but firm. "So please, stop beating yourself up over it"

Stolen story; please report.

"Y-yes Milady"

Yuto smiled faintly at her response. "Good," he said, giving her hair a final gentle pat. "Now, how about we focus on what we can do now, instead of dwelling on the past, hmm?"

"R-ruby. . ."

"Huh?"

"Please call me by my middle name, Ruby"

Yuto's expression softened even more, taken aback by her request. "Ruby, huh?" he echoed softly. "Alright, Ruby it is, then"

There was a moment of silence between them before Yuto shifted slightly, his gaze dropping to the tray of drinks. "Now, about these tonics and remedies," he began, changing the subject.

"Which one should I start with?"

He glanced back at Ruby, raising an eyebrow in question. "And do I even want to know what's in them?" he joked half-heartedly, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

Ruby's smile came back, "I just bought what I thought was necessary"

Yuto chuckled softly, amused by her response. "Right, the necessary remedies," he echoed, eyeing the array of drinks skeptically. "Well, I suppose we'll see how 'necessary' they are once I start downing these things"

He carefully reached out, picking up the first cup on the tray. "Here goes nothing," he muttered before taking a small sip. The liquid tasted bitter and earthy, and he grimaced slightly as it hit his tongue.

"Ugh," he grumbled, making a face at the taste. "This isn't too bad, I suppose. But not something I'd want to drink for fun"

Ruby smiled as she picked up the next cup, "Allow me"

Yuto raised an eyebrow at her request but didn't protest. "By all means," he said, gesturing for her to proceed.

He watched as Ruby lifted the second cup to his lips, bringing it gently against his mouth. He parted his lips slightly, allowing her to tilt the cup, letting the liquid slide inside. The taste was even worse than the first, bitter and astringent. Yuto tried not to cringe as he swallowed, the foul taste lingering on his tongue.

"Gods, this one is worse than the first," he muttered, making another face. "Are you sure these are supposed to help me heal?"

"On Her Highness Claudia, she requested the best medicine that would cure you in one night"

Yuto's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and disbelief on his face. "One night?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "That's... incredibly fast. I can't imagine any medicine being that effective"

"You know what they say, the nasty tasting medicine often has the best effects"

"Yeah, yeah," Yuto grumbled, his expression skeptical. "I've heard that saying before, but it doesn't make the medicine any more pleasant to swallow"

He glanced at the remaining cups on the tray, his expression resigned. "How many more of these potions do I have to endure?"

"Just one more, it's not so bad, you just have to push through it for one more potion"

Yuto sighed, resigning himself to the bitter fate. "Alright, alright," he said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "One more, then. Let's get it over with"

Ruby nodded, lifting the third cup and bringing it to his lips once more. Yuto opened his mouth obediently, letting her pour the liquid inside. It tasted even worse than the last two, a sharp, metallic tang that made him want to gag. He swallowed with difficulty, grimacing at the taste.

["I'm a princess now so I can have whoever made this shit get executed right?"]

"Gods, if this is supposed to heal me, it better work its magic quickly," he muttered, his voice a bit strained. "I don't think my taste buds can handle any more of this"

He leaned back against the pillows, trying to wash away the bitter taste. "So, tell me," he began, his voice a weary sigh, "what exactly is in these potions? Any magic ingredients that'll turn me into a frog or something?"

"They are supposed to help deal with the pain and any other effects from the arrow so that the royal doctor can come in and help tomorrow"

Yuto chuckled weakly at her explanation. "Ah, so no frog transformation then," he joked, his tone slightly sarcastic. "I'm both relieved and disappointed, not gonna lie"

He shifted slightly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his chest. "But I suppose I should be grateful for the temporary pain relief since I'm not fond of lying here in agony"

He let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. "I'll give these tonics a chance to work," he murmured, his voice growing weary. "Though if they don't work their magic by morning, I might just have to curse those 'best medicines' to oblivion"

They both looked at each other before letting out small chuckles, Ruby noticed how late it was getting and decided it was time to leave to let Yuto get some rest.

Ruby helped Yuto lay more comfortably in bed, fluffing up the pillows and pulling out the softest blankets, Yuto grunted his thanks, his body slowly sinking into the plush pillows and blankets.

The pain was beginning to subside a bit, the effects of the potions finally taking hold. He let out a low sigh, his muscles relaxing as the worst of the pain receded.

"Goodnight, Milady"

Yuto managed a small, weary smile, his eyes drifting shut. "Goodnight, Ruby," he murmured "And thank you, for everything"

He sank deeper into the pillows, the fatigue of the day finally catching up to him. The pain had dulled to a tolerable ache, thanks to the tonics, and he let out a long exhale, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

As the minutes ticked by, he gradually fell into a light sleep, the potions taking full effect and allowing his body to rest and heal. The room was silent, save for the soft sounds of his shallow breathing and the occasional creak of the bed.

-Morning-

The morning sun streamed through a crack in the curtains, its golden rays casting a warm glow across the room. Yuto slowly awoke to the light, his eyelids fluttering open as he blinked away the remnants of sleep.

<- System ->

[ How do you feel Master? ]

Yuto groaned softly, his voice a gravelly rasp from sleep. "Not great," he muttered, his eyes still heavy with weariness. "Everything still aches, and I feel like I was hit by a truck"

<- System ->

[ You seemed to have had a great night with Ruby last night ]

Yuto's eyes snapped open, his exhaustion quickly forgotten as he registered the system's words. "What?! What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice a mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

<- System ->

[ I mean the laughter, the smiles, you seemed to be in such a good mood ]

Yuto blinked as he recollected the events of the night before, the memories slowly resurfacing. Indeed, he had shared a light moment with Ruby, a rare respite from the pain and the grim reality of his situation.

He shook his head, a weary smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, I suppose I did have a good time," he admitted, his voice soft. "Thanks to Ruby. She knows how to make even the most dire situation a little lighter"

<- System ->

[ You got up rather quickly, why is your face red? ]

Yuto's face instantly flushed as the system's question registered in his mind. He cursed silently, realizing his cheeks had grown inexplicably warm. He had been so lost in thought he hadn't even noticed his physical reaction.

<- System ->

[ Well, it seems as if the potions worked, seeing as how fast you managed to get up ]

Yuto cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I suppose they did," he mumbled, his voice still tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "The pain is a lot more bearable now. And I slept pretty well, all things considered"

Knock knock

Yuto's head snapped up at the sound of the knock on the door, his gaze fixed on the door. "Who is it?" he called out, his voice still groggy from sleep.

"The Royal Doctor, your Highness"

"Come in," Yuto responded, beckoning the doctor inside. He sat up a bit more in the bed, wincing slightly as the movement aggravated his injury.

The door opened, and the royal doctor stepped inside, a leather bag clutched in one hand. He was an older man with a stern expression, his eyes immediately fixed on Yuto's bandaged chest.

"Good morning, Your Highness," the doctor greeted Yuto, his voice brisk and professional. "I trust you've had a good night's rest?"

"As good as I can get, considering," Yuto replied dryly, gesturing to his bandaged chest. "But the pain is a lot more tolerable now, thanks to some tonics I was given last night"

The doctor grunted in acknowledgment, his expression still business-like. "Ah, I see," he said, moving closer to the bed. "May I?" he asked, gesturing towards Yuto's chest.

Yuto nodded, bracing himself for the inevitable pain as the doctor slowly began to unwrap his bandages. The doctor's hands moved with practiced precision, each touch gentle yet firm as he revealed the injured flesh beneath.

"May I ask what exactly made this wound?"

Yuto winced as the doctor continued to remove the bandages, the pain of his injury fresh on his mind. "Assassin," he replied shortly, his voice a low hiss as the doctor probed his chest gently.

"Ah, I see well close your eyes and turn your back to me"

Yuto raised an eyebrow at the doctor's instructions but heeded them obediently. He closed his eyes and turned his back to the doctor, curiosity mixing with apprehension in his stomach.

[ Healing Magic - Tier 5 ]

As the doctor laid his hands on Yuto's back, a soft, glowing light emanated from his palms. Yuto could feel a gentle warmth spreading through his body, beginning at the point where the doctor's hands were pressed against his skin.

The warmth continued to spread, seeping deep into his muscles and bones, and Yuto could feel a tingling sensation where the magic was at work, healing the damage and knitting the torn flesh back together.

The healing magic was subtle but powerful. The pain from his injury slowly faded, replaced by a sense of warmth and relief. Yuto could feel the tension in his body easing as the doctor's magic did its work, repairing the damage in his chest and mending his wounded flesh.

As the doctor continued to work, the healing magic grew stronger, its bright glow intensifying. Yuto could feel the damaged tissue in his chest repairing itself, the muscles and skin reknitting and reforming beneath the doctor's hands.

Eventually, the doctor's hands lifted, the glowing light from his palm slowly fading. Yuto opened his eyes, turning back around to face the doctor, a look of relief on his face. He could feel his chest, the pain gone, the injury almost completely healed.

"All done, your Highness, I shall take my leave now, oh and take these 2 times a day, every lunch and dinner, in case you experience any form of pain"

Yuto nodded his thanks, accepting the offered pills from the doctor. "Thank you, doctor," he said, his voice a mixture of gratitude and relief. "I appreciate your help. And don't worry, I'll make sure to take these twice a day, like clockwork"

The doctor bowed slightly, his expression still serious but with a hint of satisfaction. "It's my pleasure, Your Highness. I advise that you rest for a few days to allow your body to fully recover. Avoid any strenuous activity or anything that could potentially damage the healing tissue"

"Right, no vigorous activity for a while," Yuto agreed, suppressing a sigh of frustration. Being bed-bound and unable to train or engage in any physical exertion was not something he relished, especially considering his situation.

He bowed before leaving the room, Yuto pushed himself up from the bed, a touch of determination on his face as he sought to regain some sense of normalcy.

He took a moment to gather his bearings, careful not to put undue strain on the healing wound in his chest. Once he was confident he wouldn't collapse in a heap of pain, he limped his way over to his wardrobe, opening the doors and perusing the contents.

He rifled through the various shirts, tunics, and trousers, searching for something that would be comfortable and easy to put on. His eyes landed on a plain, loose-fitting shirt, well-worn yet still in good condition. He pulled it out, draping it over his arm as he made his way back to the bed.

He sat down gingerly, taking a moment to catch his breath before slipping his arms into the shirt. The fabric was soft against his skin, a stark contrast to the rough bandages that had covered his chest moments earlier. Once the shirt was on, he took a deep breath, noting how it strained gently against his injured chest, but not unbearably so, after getting dressed he made his way back into the bed.

Yuto carefully lowered himself back onto the bed, wincing slightly as the movement strained his injured chest. Once he had settled into a comfortable position, he reached under the bed, his fingers feeling for the hidden cavity where he kept his stash.

With a touch of triumph, he found what he was looking for, a bottle of wine, its smooth surface cool to the touch. He lifted it from its hiding place, examining the label briefly.

["Finally get to enjoy this!"]

Knock knock

Yuto started at the sudden sound, almost dropping the bottle of wine. He glanced in the direction of the door, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected intrusion.

"Who is it?" he called out, his voice a touch hoarse from sleep. He placed the bottle of wine on the bedside table, sitting up a bit straighter in bed.

"Alice Elizabeth Marie, I am here to meet your 'Highness', for our session"