“Wow, you really are good at this. Leaving the job of company president to you was a good idea.” [Ryner]

Ryner remarked as he looked at the papers in his hands while Evelyn was going through some more.

“All I did was engrave magic on the coins you gave me, assigned tasks to all of the slaves you bought, made an inventory of the products we’ll be selling, set their price and secured deals with the merchants that we’ll be working with. It also speeds things along when the rulers of the country are willing to back you.” [Evelyn]

The blonde-haired vampire said without stopping her pen or taking her eyes away from the documents on her desk. The two of them were currently inside the mansion that had been given to Ryner.  One of the rooms had been renovated into Evelyn’s study and she was currently sitting at her desk, setting up the future company.

“You can surely do this job better. After all, I learned everything from you.” [Evelyn]

“Who knows? One thing’s for sure, I’d be complaining non-stop about sore shoulders right now.” [Ryner]

Her teacher replied lazily before someone knocked on the door.

“Enter.” [Evelyn]

Once she gave her permission, the person swiftly opened the door. It was the black-haired female slave that was chosen to work as her assistant. Unlike when she first arrived at the mansion, she wore a white blouse and a tight dark blue skirt. She had put some meat on her bones and her fair skin regained a healthy color. There was a pair of glasses on her beautiful, but expressionless face and her black hair was pinned up behind her head.

“President, I’ve brought the reports that you requested as well as a sketch of the logo.” [Assistant]

The assistant dutifully reported as she handed over a stack of papers to her boss. Her grey eyes then turned to Ryner and she silently, respectfully bowed her head.

“Good work. You may go.” [Evelyn]

“Understood.” [Assistant]

Just like how she entered, the assistant exited the room at a swift pace.

“She sure changed a lot compared to when I first met her.” [Ryner]

Ryner casually commented while leaning his back against the window and looked at the blue sky outside.

“All of the slaves have changed a lot, but that’s to be expected when you’re feeding them, clothing them and sheltering them. Currently, they are more like freeloaders than slaves.” [Evelyn]

“We’ve got a fairly big group. It’s important to maintain morale. Anyway, you sure you can handle this?” [Ryner]

“You don’t need to ask for a third time. The queen won’t be bothering me with this kingdom’s administrative work anymore and I can easily engrave thousands of coins. Moreover, once we start selling our products, we’ll be popular for sure. Managing this company will be easy.” [Evelyn]

“You sure are confident.” [Ryner]

“But of course. Skin cream, facial masks, hair conditioner, hair removal gel, stamina drinks, fertility pills, perfumes. All of these products that you’re providing will definitely sell.” [Evelyn]

Evelyn said as she thought about all of the items that were stocked inside the mansion. The majority of them were commodities from other worlds and they were made using technology aboard the Avalon. Since the giant battleship also served as a shelter for citizens, it had factories capable of producing daily goods for the populace. Very soon, products that only her company could offer would be on the market.

“Still, why is it that most of these are beauty products geared towards women?” [Evelyn]

“That’s because our targeted clientele will be women. We’ll get some satisfied customers, use them to spread the word and put up other products later, like toys for kids. Quite a few women won’t hesitate to spend money for their appearance, so they’ll keep coming back as regulars.” [Ryner]

“Is that how it is?” [Evelyn]

Evelyn wondered as she tilted her head. She didn’t have any such memories. But, then again, she hadn’t seen anything like hair conditioner before.

“That’s because you’re already so beautiful that you don’t need anything. If you say that in public, you’ll be making lots of enemies.” [Ryner]

Ryner said bluntly as he stared at her with half-closed eyes and walked towards her. She quickly looked away and focused on her work again, though the flush on her face and the wide smile showed that she wasn’t concentrating.

“I see. Yes. You may be right. Maybe, for the man they love, women would want to be the most beautiful. I can understand that sentiment.” [Evelyn]

“(Th, that was close. I nearly threw the work he entrusted to me aside to embrace him… He said I’m beautiful…)” [Evelyn]

Battling her inner demons, the vampire mumbled on while flipping through the reports that she received from her assistant.

“Wait.” [Ryner]

When she arrived at a particular paper, Ryner, who was standing next to her, pointed at the picture on it. It was something that he was familiar with. He had seen it for several centuries. In fact, he used to carry it on his back.

“What is this?” [Ryner]

Evelyn took a breath to calm her mind and cleared her throat before answering him.

“You left the company to me and I needed to choose a name. Seeing as you are the true owner, I found this the more fitting.” [Evelyn]

On a red background, several black lines were drawn to create the image of a rose.

“From now on, we shall be called Roseseed.” [Evelyn]

The vampire declared and showed a proud, boastful and loving smile. It was the family name that her guardian and mentor used when he was a dhampir in her original world. It was the name that represented his house when he attained a nobility title.

“Can’t you pick something else?” [Ryner]

Contrary to her feelings, he didn’t seem too happy about it.

“It’s already been decided. There’s no harm in using it, is there?” [Evelyn]

“I came up with it at random. Just use your name. It’ll be cooler.” [Ryner]

“But, I think it is wonderful. Ryner Roseseed… I remember when there was a time that I wanted to become Evelyn Roseseed.” [Evelyn]

The blonde and red-eyed woman sighed as she gazed into the distance. She remembered her younger self that had been innocently content with her position that could never become his wife. Her gaze then naturally turned towards him, the man she yearned for.

“I also didn’t mind if you became Ryner Ivyblood. Either way, the result would have been the same.” [Evelyn]

She reached her hand out and grasped the front of his shirt. Her cheeks were red. Her almond-shaped eyes were feverish and filled with heat.

“To continue our bloodline, we would be doing our best to produce an heir.” [Evelyn]

Her struggle against the inner demons didn’t last very long. She pulled him towards her, forcing him to bend down and her lips neared his.

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“How can you be getting in the mood when you’re sitting in front of so much paperwork? Snap out of it!” [Ryner]

Ryner delivered a light chop on her head while trying to get away. Unfortunately, vampires were much stronger than humans and she had a firm grip on his shirt.

“Just a bit. Just a little bit.” [Evelyn]

She softly pleaded and her gaze was focused on his lips.

“This perverted side of yours… It’s not my fault, right? I did raise you properly, right? This is nature, not nurture, right?” [Ryner]

Seeing her breathing hard made him seriously worry about her future.

“It is your fault. It is wonderfully your fault that I fell in love~. So, please, let me kiss you just a bit.” [Evelyn]

Evelyn asked in a coquettish voice and slowly closed the distance. Ryner didn’t look away and stopped his escape attempt. After all, he had promised her and it was his policy to always keep his promises no matter what. His eyes focused on her left cheek for a second before he closed them. It was rather awkward since the other party often kept her eyes open.

A second later, the kiss came. The contact was light and only lasted an instant.

Once done, Evelyn released her grip, put her fingers on her lips and looked down. It was different from her past passionate acts. That was because of how her heart had been getting tighter. The uncomfortable feeling had been growing in her chest every time she kissed him lately.

“You okay?” [Ryner]

Ryner noticed that she was acting strange, but he didn’t know why.

“Yes. I’m fine… Thank you.” [Evelyn]

He knew she was lying, but decided not to force her to talk for the moment. So, he kept quiet and patted her head. The vampire sat still and accepted his gesture of care.

Deep inside, she now understood that it wasn’t her imagination.

----------------------------------------

After leaving the mansion that became the headquarters of the Roseseed company, Ryner made his way to a patient’s house.

“I keep saying thanks, but it just doesn’t feel like it’s enough.” [Lily]

Lily repeated for the umpteenth time and took a good look at the man sitting before her in her kitchen.

“Is something the matter?” [Lily]

She asked seeing how he was spacing out despite his usual sleepy expression.

“I’m fine. Just that lately, I’ve been thinking about a problem that has an obvious answer.” [Ryner]

“What kind of problem is it?” [Lily]

“It’s a problem that I heard from an acquaintance. Would you love someone if at one time, you trusted him the most in the world, but he loved you to death, lost to his wicked desires and raped you?” [Ryner]

“What the hell? Of course not. I’d never go near him again.” [Lily]

“See? Obvious.” [Ryner]

Ryner shrugged his shoulders and raised the cup of coffee she had offered to his mouth.

“You’d have to be stupid and insane to even care about him.” [Ryner]

He took a sip and furrowed his brow.

“Bitter.” [Ryner]

He immediately started adding sugar to his drink.

“You’ve got a sweet tooth?” [Lily]

“Only medicine and bitter melons should be bitter.” [Ryner]

“Haha! Why should melons be bitter in the first place?” [Lily]

The red-haired woman laughed lightly and gazed at her benefactor. It had been five days since she woke up in her house. Upon doing so, she noticed two very important facts. One, Ryner, who had knocked her out using some weird spray, was sitting next to her bed and making himself at home. Two, she could see with her left eye again.

At first, there was disbelief. Then, there was anger. After, laughter came, followed by tears. She got her left eye back, just like he said. Remembering that moment made her smile, but it also embarrassed her since she wailed in front of him.

“Did you know that the Madame’s place was being remodeled to fit your pole dancing idea? That’s pretty interesting, especially the part where the dancers can’t be touched. I think I’ll do that from now on. Of course, I’ll need to learn to dance first.” [Lily]

To prevent her cheeks from turning red, she said the first thing that came to her mind.

“Well, it’ll decrease your chances of getting injured or blinded by some good-for-nothing customer.” [Ryner]

“That’s true… So? Any reason why you came to visit?” [Lily]

“It’s a post medical visit, like the one two days ago and the one before that.” [Ryner]

After her eye regenerated, Ryner came to check up on her a couple of times to make sure that no complications arose after the medical treatment.

“Same question than last time. Did you notice any problems? Like your vision turned white for a second?” [Ryner]

“If there’s one problem, it’d be that all of the girls at Madame’s place won’t leave me alone. They keep hugging me in relief and keep asking how I got my eye back. But, I don’t know what you did, so I can’t tell them. Even if you said that you took me to a hidden village for healing.” [Lily]

“What’s with that tone? You don’t believe me? Is this the face of a liar?” [Ryner]

Ryner pointed at himself and stared at his host with lazy, half-closed eyes. She kept gazing at his sleepy-looking expression for a while in silence before chuckling.

“I can’t tell at all.” [Lily]

Lily propped her elbows on the table and supported her chin with her hands on her cheeks.

“That means doubly so for the girls. They’ll be all over you.” [Lily]

She said teasingly to which he blinked and tilted his head.

“Huh? You told them about me? Or was it that old owner? I thought I told her not to mention me.” [Ryner]

“It was me, but before I lost and eye and before the coup d’état. I told my friends about this weird client I met who gives great massages and pays money to literally take a nap next to me. Then, I told them everything that his hands could do and how good he really was once he got in the mood. They said they wanted to meet him and see for themselves.” [Lily]

The nature of Lily’s smile changed as she stood up and circled around the table. It wasn’t one that was joyful at getting her eye back or one that was thankful to her benefactor anymore. It was a flirty one that was up to no good.

“… Why are you suddenly sitting on my lap?” [Ryner]

Ryner asked after she turned his chair to the side and straddled him.

“Just thinking that it’s been a long time since you’ve been my customer.” [Lily]

“How the hell did we make that jump during the conversation?” [Ryner]

“Well, just saying thank you isn’t enough and I only have this to offer.” [Lily]

She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“If you act now, I won’t charge you. It’ll be free service, all on the house.” [Lily]

Her face approached his and her lips slightly parted. However, before she could kiss him, he placed his hands on her shoulders and lightly pushed her away.

“Thanks, but no thanks.” [Ryner]

“… Again…” [Lily]

She whispered as she stared at his sleepy-looking expression.

“Every time we slept together, you did this too. Every time I try to kiss you, you don’t want to. Even though we’ve done way more than that, you still don’t want to kiss me.” [Lily]

She pulled her face away and gazed at him with frustration.

“What gives, scaredy-cat? What are you afraid of?” [Lily]

At Lily’s question, Ryner’s eyes widened slightly for a moment.

“… Weird… And my lazy look was my best poker face too.” [Ryner]

He accidentally mumbled softly.

“Coincidences and women’s intuition are scary.” [Ryner]

“Scaredy-cat?” [Lily]

“Nothing. You mind getting off me?” [Ryner]

Lily couldn’t hear what he muttered and he took that opportunity to try and dodge the issue.

“First tell me why you won’t kiss me.” [Lily]

But, his attempt was unsuccessful. She firmly remained on his lap with her hands on his shoulders.

“Because it’s a big deal to me.” [Ryner]

“Huh? That’s a big deal? We already-.” [Lily]

“That’s a big deal too, but kissing is a bigger deal.” [Ryner]

Her eyes went wide open.

“What? Why is kissing a bigger deal to you?” [Lily]

Then, after lightly shaking her head, they slowly narrowed down until her surprised look became an inquisitive stare.

“What is it? Is there some rule that forces you to marry whoever you kiss? Is that some custom from where you come from?” [Lily]

“No way.” [Ryner]

Her guess was denied in an instant which still left her in the dark.

“Then, why?” [Lily]

She asked him in a firm voice, strangely feeling determined to not let him go without first understanding more about his weird self. Maybe it was because he gave her back her left eye and she wanted to be closer to him. Maybe, having her kiss refused so many times, her pride was wounded and she was simply mad at him. Or maybe, she just wanted to know why he was afraid of kissing her.

“… Alright. I’ll tell you.” [Ryner]

Perhaps, having seen the stubborn determination in her eyes, Ryner relented.

“… Let’s go somewhere more comfortable, like your room.” [Ryner]

“Fine. Whatever gets you to talk.” [Lily]

He sighed and suggested to move to her bedroom to continue their conversation to which she impatiently accepted.

A few seconds later…

“… Zzz…” [Lily]

Lily was in her bed, fast asleep. The moment they entered the room, Ryner rendered her unconscious with the same spray he had used to knock her out and tucked her in bed.

Her red hair covered her face, so he combed her fringe to the side. Two closed eyes were revealed and no scar could be seen.

“… Reproducing to have offspring is something that all living creatures understand and do because of their basic survival instincts.” [Ryner]

Kneeling by her bed, he began to talk.

“But, kissing is something that comes from a race’s culture. I’m not saying that we should do it indiscriminately like animals and sleeping with someone is definitely a big deal to me, but… Kissing is something that people made to convey their care and affection… Or, or at least, that’s what I was taught and… That’s what I believe.” [Ryner]

In his hazy eyes, the figure of a woman from a distant past was reflected. Her gentle smile vividly appeared in his mind. Not a detail was missing despite the hundreds of thousands of years that had gone by.

“… That’s what I want to believe.” [Ryner]

A soft, strained whisper leaked from his lips. So weak was his voice that it could disappear in the wind at any moment.

Silence filled the room as he remained still. His unfocused gaze showed that his mind had completely gone somewhere else. It was as if he was sucked into a whirlpool of his memories, or drowning in them. His eyes blurred over from nostalgia, sorrow and the happiest moments of his childhood.

When nearly a minute passed, Ryner finally snapped out of it. Like a diver that resurfaced, he took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Basically, I value kissing more than mating.” [Ryner]

After rubbing the corner of his right eye, he patted Lily’s head and got up.

 “It’s messed up, right? No one sane would think like that. But, luckily, it doesn’t matter for me.” [Ryner]

Empty words and broken promises were the pillars that supported his childhood.

“I’m pretty much messed up, damn stupid and freaking insane.”  [Ryner]

He chuckled, but only a dry laugh that quickly died off was heard.

“I mean, this perverted, nympho vampire went and betrayed me, but I still care about her. I’ve definitely lost it.” [Ryner]

What he had been taught when he was young was what he clung onto.

“… My big sister would probably laugh at how I turned out.” [Ryner]

They were still within him, in the very depths of his soul.

“With that unchanging smile of hers.” [Ryner]

He would never forget the time he spent as someone’s “little brother”.