After getting dressed and ready for the long day. I headed to where we were supposed to meet every morning with the head maid, Gerta. Thanks to my nightmares, I was the first one up and out.

Even though Emma and Zoe wanted me to wait for them, I always enjoyed going for a walk after waking from the terror. I also did not want to be tied down to the two girls. It was useless to try to get to know them, too.

It was probably my sealed past life memories that plagued me at night. All I could remember was the loneliness and agony I felt during the events that happened in my dream. Not that I was any different now.

Loneliness still infected me in my waking moments, but the agony I felt during the dreams was on another level. It was like I was truly alone, unheard, and forsaken. My voice could not reach a single soul. Or perhaps it was that they did not care.

Slowly, I strolled through the empty halls. The sun still was not fully out. Not that it mattered in Night city, but it marked our day of work. At least time-wise. Even though empty, the castle itself felt like it had life to it. Memories everywhere…

Steadily, I made my way to where Gerta was waiting for us. Though I thought she would not be there yet. It was earlier than the time she gave us. I soon found how wrong I was when I saw her setting up our meals.

The old woman took her job seriously. Even though she did not expect us to survive five days. Noticing my presence, she stopped placing the plates on the table, turning to me, surprised to see me.

"Wow, surely I thought the boys would have done a number on you last night. Call me impressed, Vivian." She chuckled.

Her expression only showed pure curiosity. Something I did not want. The more attention on me, the worse it would be to move around. Even so, she wanted to know how I endured the previous night when other girls had not.

In her eyes, I was a weak girl, just like all the others. And it seemed Gerta knew exactly what the twins were up to. After all, it had happened many times before. That much I could tell from her reaction to seeing me.

So, that’s why Oz told me not to report it. Yet... how many of them reported it? Aren’t sexual interactions with the boys what they seek? If they accepted their offer… Why...

"Oh, did I surprise you, madam?" I bowed to greet her.

She did the same. However, the same expression remained on her face.

Interesting... I had to know. But how?

"Indeed, you did. How did you escape the little demons?" Gerta asked straight forward.

I tilted my head.

Seem... clueless and fragile. Yet... I can’t help myself. This woman...

"What makes you think I escaped?" I countered with my question, not knowing the extent Gerta knew about last night.

I was fishing for details. My response seemed to catch her by surprise, too. It caused her to relax a bit onto the table behind her. The work in front of her was not as interesting as I was.

"Well, the last few girls that Loki called out like that. They were found outside in a daze in the weirdest lingerie," Gerta smirked, triggering shivers to run down my spine.

I remembered the outfit they had picked for me. Those toys too.

Shit... How close did I…

They were serious. If I had accepted their offer, it would have ended badly. At least consent was important to one twin.

"You see, Loki's bite is the worst I’ve seen in any other vampire. His venom turns anyone crazy. It seems the ecstasy they feel is so much that when they snap out of it, well. It shattered the poor girl when she realized where she was and what she was doing." She informed, remembering each one vividly.

It was surely a day, she recalled fondly, thanks to the giant grin on her face.

"Those girls deserved it, to be honest. I don’t get why Asher wants his grandkids to have three maids each. It should be enough with just me. I mean, I’m getting old, but it’s better than letting these whores into our castle." Gerta sighed, shaking her head, stepping away from the table, and coming towards me.

"So, what makes you different? Is it true what you said in the throne room? Or is it bullshit? A front to catch them off guard." She asked, getting closer.

I did not fear her approach. Though it was a bit intimidating. A goddess was placed on edge because of an old lady. This was new. Yet she was strong. I could tell by her fiery gaze.

"Ah, well, he didn’t bite me. I guess that’s where we differ." I answered, not wanting to give her details that she did not need to know.

Though that was not enough, she wanted more. I had not expected her to be so intrigued. Then again, I never thought I would have had the night I endured.

"Yes, I can see he didn’t make a mess out of you. Why, though? All the girls before you were bitten by the time the night ended. And they seemed to be stronger than you." Gerta pointed out, circling me.

It was like a shark had found a fresh piece of meat in the water. She was something I would have to watch out for, too.

Is anyone in this castle normal?

Then again, that would be boring.

"Perhaps it was because Oswald stopped him," I informed.

Much to my surprise, it caused Gerta's eyes to widen, widely astonished by the inclusion of the other brother in the picture.

"Oz did?" Gerta gasped in disbelief before she snickered.

"That makes everything much more interesting. Just the thought of something as delicate as you surviving those two demons really amazes me." She admitted, breaking out into a burst of more consistent laughter.

It was not long before I felt overwhelmed by her reaction. Suddenly she stopped, gazing at me. She was studying every reaction I had.

"Dear child, give me lessons on how you handled those boys. In these past three years they’ve been none ending chaos in this castle." She prodded me further.

It seemed I had to give in a bit to keep her off me. And it was better if she knew how it happened than her trying to figure me out. Though this was annoying. I had to keep everything close.

Shit... This one’s sharper than I thought.

Thank the gods I was good at keeping everything inside.

"Hm... I was honest with them, madam." I answered.

I had to keep everything neutral. Or so I hoped.

"Honest?" Gerta scoffed.

It seemed she had not met a genuine person in the longest time. After all, honesty and royalty rarely mixed well. I as well... was far from that.

"Yes. I assured them I have no intention of having sexual intercourse with them." I politely smiled, trying not to remember how Loki's skin felt.

Stupid… hormones… surely… that is all.

In response, Gerta smirked, facing me straight on. She was significantly smaller than me yet still packed an aura of not to be messed with. Who knew such a tiny package could hold such a feisty woman inside? I guess that was how she survived all these years.

Little did I know she was more of an ally than I realized.

"Oh, ho..." Gerta started, eyeing me down.

Her sight caused me to avert my emerald orbs away from her. She was daunting indeed. If Lilith knew that an old lady was the one who put me on edge out of the entire castle. She would not stop laughing.

"So, they did nothing to you?" She prodded again.

I sighed. They did something, but nothing that mattered.

"Nothing, madam," I assured her, but I could see she did not believe me.

Her eyes told me she was not quite done interrogating me yet.

"Come on... Tell me, child—" Gerta stopped to collect her thoughts, only to notice footsteps headed towards us from down the hall.

For being old, she had good hearing too.

"Vivian, we’ll talk later, but know you’ve impressed me." She winked, walking back to work, when Emma and Zoe rushed into the room.

They had saved me. It seemed from now on it would be best to stick with them every morning. Though Gerta already had her eyes on me. This only made me wonder what the twins were doing before.

Biting…

Not that I could think.

"Vivian! Why would you leave us like that?" Zoe complained.

Her voice caused me to shift my gaze towards her. She was the youngest of us at seventeen. Emma was nineteen. Yet Zoe always acted like the mother in our group. Even though we had been together for a day at most.

Probably had to do with all the sisters she had.

"Well, we’ll have to go our separate ways soon either way." I smiled politely again, trying to point out the obvious.

They were not here to serve me, but our duty. The moment they noticed Gerta staring at us was when they watched their surroundings. However, that did not stop Emma from groaning, not happy to have to go work for Oswald.

She much rather spent the day with me, which was not our aim. These girls would be the death of me, as well as my salvation. Though I did not know which one they would be at the end of everything.

Taking the opportunity Emma seemed to go on a tangent, I helped Gerta set up. This was only to hurry things along. It was not to impress her or anything. I just wanted to go to Loki to try to gain some of his trust as fast as possible.

Wasting time here was not helping that objective. Zoe and Emma also took my lead to help. When I placed the plates on the table, Gerta passed by.

"There’s an air about you, Vivian. I’m looking forward to the fun you’ll show me." Gerta commented, chuckling low enough for my ears alone.

At that moment, I smiled without having to force myself to do so. This old woman would be a challenge to deal with. A fun puzzle that had fallen on my lap. Dealing with the twins and her, along with everything else, was turning into something I had not expected.

Even if my chastity was in danger with the twins. This entire experience was a test. And I would love to see how far it took me. The only thing that snapped that smile away was the sound of a dish crashing onto the ground.

My smile had dumbfounded Emma.

"Oi... Are you stupid or something?!?" Gerta yelled, stomping over to her, forcing her to pick up the shattered pieces from the floor.

These people differed completely from when I was out with Lilith and my father. No one would dare glance at us. It was like they were walking on eggshells. Especially when I was with Lilith.

"I’m so sorry!" Emma apologized, getting teary-eyed.

She did not want to be shocked. Though, Gerta seemed to have none of it.

"That dish cost more than a home! And it’s coming out of your paycheck, you klutz!" Gerta continued to berate Emma.

It almost seemed like the poor girl's soul left her body at that moment. Zoe laughed before Gerta shot a glare, shutting her up too. Luckily, no shocks came their way. Though a small chuckle left my lips.

Though I whiffled my head, unable to help myself. I wanted to join in the fun. Though I was quickly reminded, that was not for me.

Fun... Love...

Those things were for normal people, not me. Snapping my eyes away from them, I headed to serve the food as the rest of the staff made their way here. It was not long before everyone was there. I was surprised to see everybody eating, chatting with one another.

The old employees seemed to be as close as a family, too. Even though I only ever responded once directed to, I was reminded of the times when I was with Nene. When bliss was the only thing that filled my soul.

I never felt alone then. After all, I always had her. The girl who knew what I was. Of course, she would care with the utmost devotion for her deity. A sting rose on my chest, making me unable to finish what I was eating, even though it was delicious.

After the meal, we cleaned up, packing our stuff away for later. We had one break at lunch. Dinner was on after hours. It was almost seven, and the prince had a sword practice at nine. Thankfully, all their schedules were on the tablet.

Easy to remember, annoying to do.

Anticipating conflict, I poured a tea into a kettle, placing two cups and sugar into a tray. There, I also laid a spoon to take back to the prince's room. However, before I could go out, Gerta stopped me.

Zoe and Emma were behind me, but unlike me, they did not go the extra mile for their prince. Not that I was doing this for any special treatment. It was to prove something, or try at least.

"I don’t want your feelings to get hurt, but Loki likes to pour his drinks and cook his food. He won’t accept your offering of peace." She informed, unaware that I wanted him to reject it.

After all, if he knew his life was in danger, that would be the first thing to do.

Watch for poisons.

Even so, I...

"Thanks, but I’m trying to prove a point with this. Don’t mind me. His rejection won’t offend me." I smiled.

The old woman’s eyes narrowed, letting me go on my way. Emma and Zoe both grumbled at Gerta's demeanor towards me. Though, I ignored their comments. No, in my mind, I was going over every scenario that could happen with my little troublesome prince.

However, Gerta's warning on Loki's bite played in my head, too. I needed to dance around those fangs. Usually, a vampire's bite felt amazing, which acted as a leeway to sexual encounters, but if Gerta was to be believed.

Loki's bite was more potent than that. It was probably because of his awakened powers, too. Again, because of me, his life was changed. If I had stayed away, he still would have been on Rem's ship. It seemed my presence only brought misfortune to everyone.

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Once at the princes' rooms, who luckily were right next to each other while Alistair was further down the hall, Emma and Zoe headed towards their door. Slowly, I knocked on the one holding my target before opening the door either way.

Each maid had keys to the rooms of their princes. Otherwise, who else would wake up the tardy princes who loved to sleep in. It was not like we could assault them with those familiars around. Still, I did not want to walk in without knocking first.

Once opened, the room was pitch black, with little life inside. It made me a little antsy because I could not see his familiar in this darkness. Yet I felt its eyes on me. Slowly, I set the tray down on the desk where Oz had been the previous night.

From just being in here once, I already knew how to maneuver myself through the room enough to know where the blinders were. Although Night City was eternally dark, during the morning, when the sun was out, they would shine lights to brighten up the streets.

This included the castle grounds. Without hesitation, I opened the blinds, triggering the sleeping vampire to hiss at the sudden exposure of light that came. A second later, he was under the blankets.

Hah… he has a cute side too?

I walked over towards him, yanking it off him with no pity. My rough action caused him to sit up, annoyed. He deserved no sympathy from me after what he planned for me last night. And in turn, it was a way to get back at the vampire without having to say a single thing.

Though after hearing what awaited me if I had accepted, it just annoyed me further. It was one thing for them to have their way with me. Another was to parade me around like a trophy or leave me in ecstasy-induced mania, somewhere outside.

"Oi, what the fuck!?" Loki growled, wearing the same thing I had last seen him with.

His curly hair was a mess thanks to the lovely bed he laid on. Even so, he was handsome.

Ah...

The spots where he touched seemed to get warmer when the moments rushed by my mind. This body of mine would be a pain indeed. Thankfully, I had mastered burying my emotions deep in my heart. Somewhere no one would ever reach.

A mask that would not shatter. To them, I would always seem polite and fragile.

"My prince, it’s time to get up." I smiled, answering his complaint.

I tried to hide the pure annoyance I had from remembering how he made me feel the night before. It was frustrating to try to push it down. He seemed not to recognize my voice either. He shook the sleep that plagued him off, turning towards me.

That was when his eyes widened upon seeing me. For a moment, he used his hands to wipe his eyes to see if I was really there.

"Fuck, I thought it was that hag," Loki grumbled, taking a better gaze at me.

I guess he expected Gerta to be the one waking him up when I skipped or ran away.

"Why the fuck are you still here? I thought my little treatment of you would have sent you running out the door, little virgin." He added, smirking.

A soft sigh left my lips, causing me to cross my hands. It was hard, but I continued to smile at him, knowing he hated it. I guess it was time to work out my muscles, too.

"I’m not going anywhere, dear prince." I declared, knowing full well I would be here until I knew he was safe.

Something that he obviously was unaware of. To him, I was an intruder. A burden. If only he knew how light of a weight I was on his shoulders. Or perhaps I was the heaviest yet. That was yet to be seen.

Or maybe he was heavier on me.

"We’ll see about that, sweetheart. Perhaps I should have bitten you after all. It would have been fun to watch you dance for me." Loki snickered, enjoying the challenge that stood in front of him.

I gazed at him with no fear or desire. The latter intrigued him the most. Most girls gawked at him or pursued him to no end. Well, for his genes, at least. I guess we had that in common.

No one wanted us for who we were, but for what we were.

Pity, being a pretty boy, and all that for waste.

I guess Leonard was one, too. Though he had black hair and purely blue eyes. The fair skin was the same, though.

"Ah... I see. Why didn’t you do so, my prince? I heard it’s a type of initiation you have for your maids. It makes me feel a little left out." I challenged, letting myself get carried away by the moment.

I guess I thought I held the edge on this.

Wait... I think I forgot to do something this morning.

Loki clicked his tongue, stretching a bit on the bed.

Fuck, where’s that familiar?

"Don’t tempt me. Ozzy saved you last night, remember." The vampire warned, gazing at me with a devilish expression.

I acknowledged that. Yes, I was saved by Oz, but that would not have stopped him if he wanted to get rid of me. After all, his human brother could do very little against his speed.

"Ah, well, I see no Oswald here at the moment. So, what’s keeping you civil, prince?" I pointed out, wanting to see what Loki would do if I pushed a bit.

A mistake. I should have known this vampire did not have any self-control. He suddenly yanked me into the bed, towering over me in seconds. I found myself in a little trouble when he straddled me again.

I narrowed my eyes when his hands pinned mine onto the bed. Again, his scent filled my senses, gazing up to meet with his blue purplish eyes. The purple circles near his pupils were so clear from up close. As well as his beauty mark.

Is this another test? Or did I make him angry by calling out his bullshit?

Loki licked his lips like he was sizing up his meal before he lowered himself towards my ear. His breath tickled my skin again.

"Perhaps I should bite and make a mess out of you, sweetie," he whispered.

He was so close that his hair also traced my skin.

Ah... What did I walk myself into?

That was when I remembered I had not taken my daily shitty tea to make my blood taste horrible to vampires. I was too eager to get here that I forgot to prepare it.

Shit...

Loki hovered his lips through my jawline and onto my neck. Suddenly, he pulled away. Eyes were…

"Oi, compared to yesterday, you smell too tempting. I’ve never smelled something this good since... When was it… that I...?" Loki mumbled, taking his hands off my wrist, trailing them down the collar of my dress.

He seemed in a daze by my scent, eyes giving off a light hue. Suddenly he pulled my collar down, launching for my neck. Luckily, he stopped when he met with my hands. It caused him to snap from the trance my scent had placed him in.

Luckily, he did not sink his fangs into my palms that brushed with his lips. They were soft.

"I recommend you don’t bite me, prince," I warned, sitting up slightly.

My voice quivered a bit when I suddenly found myself in the defense. Funny thing... I was more worried about how my blood would affect him than his bite. I felt his smirk form again on his lips. He had regained some self-control, at least.

"Oh, why’s that?" Loki asked, gazing at me seductively.

A second later, he grabbed onto my hands, licking the palm. His fangs graced it.

"You taste different. And familiar… why is that?" he mumbled again.

My heart skipped a beat when he did that, but it soon brought me back to the day we first met.

Ah... Please… don’t…

A sting rose again as I...

"You’ll lose yourself in my flavor if you do. You see, I’m a rare meal for vampires. And I forgot my tea this morning." I warned, yanking myself off his grip, surprising him.

It was not like he was holding me roughly. In fact, both times he had pinned me, I could have escaped when I wanted to. Both times, his grip was gentle. He was treating me like a normal girl, which I was not.

I gazed at him, trying to not show the emotions that were trying to break out of me. Thankfully, the pain from that day snapped me back into reality.

What the fuck am I doing enticing this vampire? Playing with fire... won’t make me more successful. Even if I want to get back at him!

"Oh, will I?" Loki took my warning as a challenge more than anything else.

I had to shut this down before it carried too far. So, honesty to a point was the quickest way out of this. And in this era vampires did not remember the taste a pure eternal witch gave them. So even if Loki bit me, all it would do was send him into a frenzy.

For some reason, I was fine if it was him. His touch did not bother me, but that was where it would end. I could not allow myself to fancy the vampire who would hate me the moment he knew who I was.

After all, his mother was gone because of me. Because of the bond we shared. Even so... my heart seemed to be ignorant of it. It refused to stop beating faster with each moment I spent with this vampire.

Every time Loki touched me. It poisoned my mind and heart. I should have hated his kind, yet... I could not. I had to protect him.

Why are my feelings conflicting with one another? Get a grip... Vivian, this boy will hate you the moment he knows what you are. For now, keep him from biting you.

Losing my mind was not in the cards I wanted to deal with today.

"Yes, I forgot to drink the tea that makes me taste horrible, so..." I spat out quicker than the words themselves formed.

Loki seemed confused when I shifted my gaze towards the tea I had brought in.

Ah... A way out.

"Oh, that reminds me, would you like some tea that I brought?" I smiled, burying again what I felt.

He seemed perplexed by me. Usually, girls would be the ones crazy to mount him by this point, but not me. The pretty boy seemed impressed by my immunity to him. Not that I was fully immune. Just that I did not want him that way because love would never be a thing for me.

It would only cause me pain in the end.

"How are you so unaffected by me?" Loki asked, letting me go.

This allowed me to get off the bed to notice a snake tail sliding under the bed.

So, there you are.

I had been wondering where it was since I did not spot it the previous night. Yet again, it probably was under the bed the whole time. Sly one...

"Believe it or not. Not everyone wants to have sex with you." I pointed out, walking over to the table to notice blue eyes staring at me from below the bed.

Loki snickered. He probably did not believe a word I said. After all, every female that wanted to climb up would grovel under him.

"You would be a first for me, sweetie. Everyone wants a piece of me, sadly. A curse I have to live with." Loki admitted.

The tone he used alerted me he was not fully happy with it. Taking a deep breath, I let it go, turning to him, smiling again. It was hard to keep this up.

"I’ll be your first, then. Tea?" I offered, pointing towards the tray.

My words triggered the vampire to roll his eyes. There was the distrust again. I wonder how long it would take me to show him he could trust me. Perhaps… if I was clever enough.

"No thanks, I don’t eat or drink anything that isn’t made by me," Loki grumbled, getting up from the bed.

I finally found myself right where I wanted to be. A test for the prince from me this time.

"Because you think it’s poisoned?" I started pouring myself a cup, chugging it in one go.

"I hope you know that there aren't any poisons that affect vampires and don't affect humans. In fact, there are none. One will kill the other always. Our biology is too similar in a way. Minus the blood craves." I informed, smirking at him.

At that moment, he noticed I was not an average human either. I was an informed one. Noticing his hesitation, I continued.

Play him like the instrument he’s meant to be.

"Ah well, more for me. Gerta was being greedy for it. So, I just what I wanted more. Do you mind if I bring biscuits next time?" I hummed, noticing I was having too much fun for this to be a thing.

I quickly corrected myself as Loki took a few steps towards me.

"What?" Loki mumbled, not following me along with his mind.

Though his eyes were stuck to me.

"Well, I was hoping you would reject the tea. So, I could drink more of it. It was so good this morning that I wanted more, but Gerta..." I informed, causing him to grumble again before stepping closer towards me.

"Ah... Fine, give me some." Loki gave in to me a bit, only to test me.

One I would turn on him. I poured him a cup, sprinkling some sugar on it before licking the fingers I had used. It was to prove to him it was nothing but sugar. Then, instead of handing him the cup, I took a sip from it just to prove there was no poison on the cup itself before handing it to him.

He gazed at me, surprised.

"A little saliva isn’t poison, right?" I smiled, licking my lips.

It caused a chuckle to leave his lips, grabbing the cup into his hands. It was not a mile, but steps that I took with that action.

"I guess it isn't. Why are you—" Loki began only for Oswald suddenly to open the side door that connected the two rooms.

He seemed utterly annoyed as his twin was the previous moments before he got off the bed. It seemed they had chatted through the night as Oz, unlike Loki, had deep black circles under his eyes.

Loki, however, was more genetically accustomed to shorter sleep than us humans. We were similar, but not identical.

"What the fuck? You’re up too?" Oz complained, hoping to have joined his brother in the bed.

It seemed Emma's and Zoe's annoyance caused him to stomp all the way here. His familiar was by his feet when he came in too. So, it probably was by the desk the previous night. I really needed to be more attentive.

Though they kind of had me on my toes, too.

"I guess, I am." Loki scuffed, taking a sip from the tea, gazing at Oswald, who was in the worst mood than his brother.

Grumbles came from Oz, rolling his eyes in defeat before returning to the two maids. The door slammed behind him, causing Loki to gaze back at me.

"You’re right, this is an excellent tea," Loki admitted, surprising me.

I felt warmth when he said that.

Am I happy that it worked?

I mean... I had to be crafty somewhat. Though his words were not what I expected.

"I know, right?" I simpered, not noticing it was genuine.

His eyes softened as his cheeks turned light pink. His expression triggered me to clear my throat to realign myself.

He’s cute. Shit... No, Vivian, that is useless.

“You have practice soon. So, get ready and make your way towards the colosseum." I informed Loki, who finished up his tea.

Before I knew it, he suddenly placed his hand on the wall next to me. Their blinding speed was out of this world. I suddenly found myself pinned between it and him.

Had it been my smile that caused this? I guess he didn’t like it again.

"Meet me tonight again. This time, it’ll be just you and me," Loki whispered, gazing at me.

I could not read his intentions this time. Instinctively, I sighed in response to his suggestion.

Is it going to be another fucking test? Surely... Steps, Vivian.

"I won’t disobey an order. But if you’re planning on biting me. I hope you know it’ll be an unpleasant experience for both of us." I cautioned, not knowing what he wanted me for.

But that was the only thing that popped into my mind. It seemed my escape was unsuccessful. In response, he tilted his head, a bit confused.

Oh… Perhaps not that, oops. Vivian… sometimes silence is better than talking!

"Biting you will be bad for both of us? How can you be sure?" Loki asked.

I closed my eyes, well I kind of dug this grave myself. Might as well come clean. Especially... if I plan to stay here for a long time. I mean, I had one of the coven witches stop my periods by freezing my ovaries and womb with her magic, but accidents happened.

If I cut myself while forgetting to drink my tea like today. Well...

"Well, I don't know the touch of a man. Yet your bite will make me crave for it according to Gerta. While my blood will send you into a frenzy if you taste it. That’s the only warning I’ll give you. It’s best if we stay professional. We’re each other's poison, after all." I smiled, opening my eyes.

A soft smirk rose on his lips. Poison was a light way to say what we were to each other. He was dangerous to my conviction. He was hazardous to anyone, to be frank. A prince that was a handful.

"I don't quite believe that, but I think I might grow to like you, Vivian." Loki teased me with a fake emotion I knew he would never feel for me.

Like... even as a friend… It’s impossible.

I chuckled, surprising him where he was. Probably any other girl would have swooned over him the moment he said that, but I would not. I could not.

"Ah, don't joke like that. If you did, it would be a mistake." I continued to crackle, unaware I worded it out like that.

Oh... why do I keep slipping with him?

He seemed utterly confused by me again. I was just a normal girl in his eyes. I had to be.

"Oh? How so?" he seemed interested in what I had to say on that matter.

Slowly, I gazed away from him and towards the clock in the room.

He should have been in the shower by now. Either way, he will be in time if I get him moving.

"Love and I don’t mix at all, my prince. I am just not made for it." I assured, gazing back at him.

He seemed amazed yet again. I was not like the other girls he met. No, I truly had no intentions of making a move on him or hurting him. I did not care about his status, nor did I care what he was. To me, he was my protector.

The one thing he could never know. Well, for now, at least. Hopefully, by the time he found out, he would be safe, and I would disappear from his sight.

"Weird, isn't that what you women want? A fairy tale ending with a prince or whatever." Loki questioned, unable to figure me out.

I shifted my gaze down towards the floor to notice the snake was around his feet. He was still staring at me. As adorable as it appeared, I felt wary with it around.

Please... don’t notice.

"You aren’t wrong, prince. That’s what we women want. But I’m not allowed to feel that emotion." I answered honestly, jogging him to allow me to walk away from him and towards the messy bed.

For a moment, he paused, watching me. He could not figure me out at all. Yes, I was only a week younger than him. Yes, I was a girl. Yet I did not behave like a girl of my age. They usually dreamed of love and marriage to a certain point.

At least they dreamed of climbing the ranks if they desired a better life. I had no such aspirations. All I wanted was to live.

"W-what?" Loki stumbled out.

I turned to him, smiling bitterly.

Shit... I let part of me out.

I wished for that... more than he would ever know.

"Now that’s enough for now. You should get going. I’ll clean up your room and meet you for lunch later if you get back in time, that is." I announced,

It caused the vampire to gaze at me, not knowing how to deal with me correctly.

"Remember, come back here at night,” he repeated.

Slowly, I nodded.

"Yes, my prince, I’ll remember. Though I hope it isn’t for another lingerie lineup. Unless it’s you giving the show and want opinions, I’ll have to decline again." I sighed, turning back to his bed.

My words caused him to burst out chuckling. Part of me wanted to watch him laugh, yet I turned away. Focusing on fixing up the bed instead of him. Slowly, he walked over to gather some clothes from one cabinet behind me.

Before I knew it, he grabbed me by my waist, whispering in my ear.

"No, sweets, it won’t be. I promise I won’t bite you either. Though I’m curious about how you taste." Loki teased.

I was thankful he could not remember the first day we met. For him, that day was full of agony. He released me, slowly heading towards the bathroom.

"Come casual too." He added, standing by the bathroom door.

I shifted my gaze to him.

"Casual?" I mumbled, thinking I had not heard him right.

He nodded in agreement.

"Yes. Casual, you have clothes like that, right?" Loki smirked.

In a small pout, I turned away from him to go back to fix his room.

"Yes, I do," I answered plainly.

He chuckled, enjoying this new fun he had landed himself in when he picked me. A surprise, I guess.

"Good, see you then," Loki hummed, heading into the bathroom.

I shook my head, wasting little time in fixing everything else. By the time I was done, he was gone. I had not even noticed when the snake left the room, either. I guess cleaning got me a bit too focused. Especially when there was no magic involved.

Taking a deep breath, I headed to exit the room. There, I almost stumble into someone who was about to knock on the door. My heart stopped when I saw a young Lycan boy. He had silver hair with black spots on it. His crimson eyes, though, told me everything I had to know.

He... He is...

He was surprised to see me.

"Oh, sorry. I thought Loki was in. He usually sleeps in late." The boy mumbled, trying to gaze inside the room.

I took a few steps back, smiling at him like I always did.

Please don’t notice who I am.

"The young master is at the colosseum for his lesson," I informed, hoping he would leave as soon as he heard that.

"Ah, I see. Thank you." The well-mannered boy bowed, taking a few steps only to stop and turn back toward me.

His eyes seemed tired.

Had he been up the night before?

"Hey, have we met before?" He suddenly asked.

In an instant, my mind went blank. His words triggered me to clench my fist, biting into my lip, trying to think of a way to answer him. There was no way he would...

"Highly doubtful," I replied, keeping my famous smile planted on my face.

“Oh, I see. Sorry,” he nodded, leaving soon after.

Instinctively, I closed the door, sliding down to the floor. That was Leo. One of Rem's kids. He was also one kid there that faithful day that changed everything for the twins. If he possessed his mother's power, even a fraction.

I had to tread carefully around him. Even though I had a necklace to hide my aura, if he touched me, it would mean trouble. That boy was around two years younger than me. Yet posed a threat to my identity, just like Rem did.

Leo was another mark I could not harm. His power could be essential if the gods came down from the celestial plains came to find me. Same with Rem's eldest daughter, a black-haired Lycan named Thea. She was almost the same age as the boys.

Thea was nine months younger than the twins and me. I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself.

Have we met before? Shit!

I breathed deeply, trying to compose myself. My hands were shaking, but it was not from fear itself but from anticipation. If I were found... Everything would end.