For the first time in nearly an entire month, Lycoris tasted the crisp night air of the streets. And yet, he felt anything but relieved.

 Beneath the dark black clouds and towering spires that stretched upward like fingers reaching toward the heavens, countless vampires bustled through the town. The ocean of pastel hair tones caused a deep unease to well up within Lycoris. He lingered at the top of the palace’s stairs, hesitant to join the flow of traffic.

 It wouldn’t have been the first time he had to sneak through the swarm of monsters while trying to conceal his identity, but… when he and Mizar infiltrated the capital, they’d mostly stuck to the sewer systems and only surfaced to skulk through the odd alley or two when absolutely forced out of the winding tunnels.

 Gripping the locket to remind himself Mizar was still right by his side, Lycoris shook his head and brandished his emotions as a riding crop to force his legs to march down the steps. The vast sea of people flowed past him like a massive school of fish. For once, he was glad to be so much smaller than the adults around him. It certainly felt easier to avoid standing out when he wasn't a head taller than everyone else.

 When he took a moment to look up at one, the steely dark structure shot up from the ground like a massive rectangular mountain. Though, instead of cave entrances, it was smattered with reflective glass paneling instead; each building appeared large enough to house hundreds of thousands of vicious nightstalkers. Just how many floors did each have, and what did they all contain…?

 At the foot of several of the structures Lycoris walked past, flashing lights and signs pulsated like the obnoxious bioluminescent frills of a Piscin; they all seemed to advertise the services offered within, but it was with such a dizzying assortment of colors and sounds that when mixed into the cacophonous background noise of the people marching about, it all made Lycoris’ head throb.

 As he sifted his way through the crowd chattering like any town's populace would, Lycoris could barely see the vampires around him as anything but ordinary people.

 Granted, the clothes they wore barely resembled the tunics and dresses fashioned in the Kingdom of Dauwen. Lilianna had already told him about synthetic fabrics, mass-produced using fibers harvested from plants, minerals, and materials from several types of monster; they were designed to be both durable and long-lasting daily attire that anyone could afford and wear.

 Just hearing about it, however, hadn’t prepared him for how strange their attire looked. In that sense, maybe it was a blessing that all of his dresses at least matched what he knew of noble attire…

 Those walking right beside or past him occasionally gave Lycoris the curious glance, but fortunately they didn’t seem particularly interested in the hooded child as he wobbled forward unsteadily. For some reason, he felt short of breath… or rather, there was a tightness in his chest as his head began to spin.

 Catching himself just as he nearly lost his footing, he staggered up to one of the buildings and leaned against the glass window. The dizziness only grew worse though, the sounds and lights grew louder and brighter, the whispering voices pressing on his ears as he realized he'd singled himself out from the crowd.

 If he got exposed here… In a city completely filled with vampires… He’d—

 No, calm down Lycoris, why are you getting so terrified? Your disguise is solid, and even if you’re uncovered, they’ll just think you’re a vampire!

 But his heart refused to relax. He didn’t want to admit it, but the time he’d spent inside the Transfixion of Heaven was more laid back than any part of his life he could remember.

 Compared to the quiet halls and luxurious rooms, the outside world reminded him of the harsh reality that he’d fled from. After sampling the luxuries offered to those with power and status, Lycoris was terrified of losing that peace.

 What am I thinking!? I can’t just… I don’t want this, I don’t want to stay here! Isn’t my goal to destroy these creatures? Why am I so afraid of losing something I don’t even want?

 The overwhelming noise of his surroundings and inner turmoil continued to build, nausea mounting inside of him until he felt as though he were about to pass out, when…

 “Excuse me, little miss?”

 Someone called out to him. His gut clenched as several worst-case scenarios immediately began racing through his head.

 Shaking them away, he turned to look, but kept his gaze lowered at her feet, staring intently at the ankle strap sandals she wore instead. Much as he didn’t want to react to being called “little miss,” it’d look stranger if he didn’t when explicitly approached.

 “Y-Yes?”

 “Are you feeling sick? You’ve been leaning against that wall for a little while now.”

 The woman crouched down, putting her hands over her knees and trying to meet him at eye-level. Naturally, he immediately turned his gaze away, a flicker of pink and white crossing his vision—though it was just her shirt and pants.

 “N-No, It’s alright. You can go,” he muttered noncommittally, his vision still slightly blurry.

 Irritatingly, she didn’t relent. “Did you get lost? Why don’t I help you find your family? Oh! Or we could go to the guard station, I bet they’d help.”

 She sounded genuine, but going to the guards was the exact last thing he wanted to do.

 But he didn’t immediately refuse, as the novelty of someone approaching him in such a kind and temperate manner was mildly baffling. He’d always been ignored or had aspersions cast at him as a street urchin. And the notion that vampires—of all creatures—were capable of such kindness was beyond just baffling.

 Lilianna was the exception, surely.

 And only towards Lycoris.

 Either way, he had no need to find his family. The little vampire knew exactly where his mother was, and if she caught him out right now…

 A shiver ran up his spine as his eyes naturally wandered toward the towering Transfixion of Heaven. Seen from ground level, its name fit the colossal building that pierced the scarlet clouds looming overhead, its peak hidden from those who dwelt within Ljosdeyja.

 As the woman waited patiently for his response, he furrowed his brow. His mind was still abuzz with incessant and unnecessary thoughts, making it rather hard to think up an excuse on the spot.

 Opting for honesty would probably be a bad idea. A realty office didn’t sound like the sort of place a child would go on their own, especially in the evening. He wasn’t sure what sort of place it was, or what they sold or produced, but it’d definitely be bad if he said he was headed there to rescue someone.

 “I’m… meeting up with someone.”

 He knew how lame it sounded, but he desperately wanted her to leave him alone. She certainly wasn’t helping with his discomfort.

 “Really? It’s awfully late, isn’t it?”

 “We’re going home together. I’m just going to where she is.” He felt his irritation rise above the sea of swirling emotions. Why won’t she just leave me alone!?

 “Seraphine? What are you doing?”

 Another woman’s voice cut above the din as Lycoris felt his gut plummet further down. A second person meant twice as much chance to be exposed…

 “Oh Emma, c’mere. You’re a nurse, right?”

 “Sera,” the other one sighed and briskly walked over, “You can’t just randomly accost children on the street. I’m sorry, miss, she wasn’t bothering you, was she?”

 “No, it’s okay,” Lycoris replied instantly. Wait, agh! I should’ve said yes! Me and my dumb knightly etiquette!

 “She doesn’t look too well…”

 “I told you I’m fine. Just a little… dizzy.”

 “Mm…”

 Emma crouched down beside him, putting her cool hand to his forehead as he squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t stop his body from trembling. He felt like he was going to puke.

 “Hmm, she does feel a little warm. And she’s shivering. Why don’t you sit down with us for a bit?”

 “I promise we won’t bite~”

 “Sera!”

 The redhead shot a glare at her companion and gently grasped Lycoris’ hand before he could refuse, placing the other against his back to support him. The last thing he wanted to do was have random civilians accompany him, but the more he stood there the worse he felt.

 He knew that it wasn’t safe to let a stranger drag him off, but… he was confident he could at least fend off a random woman, if it came down to it. The uproar it’d cause would be another matter, though.

 Holding his head with his other hand, he let Emma lead him toward a bench next to a planter overflowing with ferns. At least it was somewhat sequestered, even if it was still awfully noisy in the city.

 As they sat together, Emma slowly rubbed his back. He couldn’t tell if it was because of that, or just because he was properly sitting in a quiet place, but the overwhelming dread and dizziness started to fade.

 At the same time, the other woman sat down opposite her, sandwiching him between them. The unpleasantly familiar scent of alcohol reached his nostrils. She’d clearly been drinking.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

 “Sorry Emma, I know you got work in the morning~”

 Setting a small pink bag in her lap and unclasping it, Emma sighed, “It’s fine. I know you were just being a nosy little bat.”

 Sera stuck her tongue out playfully and chuckled, “Ehehe~ I can’t help it when I see a cutie in distress.”

 “Uh-huh. Here,” Emma pulled something out of her bag and handed it over Lycoris’ head, “Your breath stinks, you’ll make her feel worse.”

 “Hey!”

 “Anyways, what’s your name?” She turned down to look at him, though he kept his gaze firmly fixed on his own lap.

 “…Lycoris.”

 After a moment of thought, he decided to simply tell them his full name. They didn’t radiate an aura of menace like the man in the elevator did, and even if they were somehow agents acting against Lilianna… it wasn’t like simply knowing his full first name would mean anything to them. Technically, nobody even knew he existed still, since the only witnesses had been silenced.

 Still… they seem almost too nice. Is it just because they’re drunk? Or perhaps they have an ulterior motive…

 “Lycoris huh… An adorable name for an adorably shy little flower,” Sera happily hummed.

 He blanched in response, shyly mumbling, “P-Please don’t say that… it’s embarrassing enough when Mom calls me that…”

 “Ahaha, only proving my point. So, where ya headed, Lyco?”

 “Erm… I dunno if it’d be a good idea to say.” He fiddled with his hands in his lap.

 “Huh? Why not?”

 The conversation was helping him pull himself back together, but it was pretty awkward being unable to look at the person he was speaking to. Maybe he could at least get away with letting them see his eyes. Lilianna had only stated that “Red eyes and silver hair” marked one as Aphtangloa.

 “Well, because I don’t know who either of you are. From my perspective, a pair of total strangers just dragged me off.”

 “The lovely lady on your other side is the angelic Emma, and I’m Seraphine. You can just call me Sera though. There, now we’re not total strangers~!”

 Emma let out a long, tired sigh, “Just how much did you drink?”

 “Come on Emma, it’s not like we’re planning to kidnap her or something.”

 “Says the woman who wants to adopt every child she sees.”

 They certainly didn’t behave like noblewomen. Or at the very least, not like the noblewomen Lycoris was familiar with. Given how Lilianna had been educating him, there probably wasn’t that much difference between Vampire and Human nobles.

 “I do not! …Only the cute ones. And she already mentioned she has a mom.”

 “Like that’d stop you.”

 “Listen, I just don’t want her walking alone at night. It’s already past seven!”

 “I’ll be fine,” Lycoris interjected, hoping to cut the argument off at the pass.

 “Even if you say that…” Seraphine started.

 “She’s just going to follow after you anyways,” Emma finished. “She’s a worrywart.”

 “Guh…”

 Lycoris’ shoulders slumped as he felt something buzz in his pocket. Withdrawing the phone from it, he felt an appreciation for the technological advancements of Vampire society once more.

 It was far more convenient than having to carry around a bunch of pouches or loose objects.

 Something had appeared on the display beneath the time, but he didn’t really want to spend the time trying to read it when he felt the curious stares of the pair of women over his shoulders. He wished he could bring up the map to check his destination, but so long as those two were with him, he assumed it’d be a bad idea.

 Normal people, even vampires, probably didn’t have the ability to track hundreds upon thousands of people…

 “Oh wow, that’s quite a nice phone. Is your family well-off, Lyco?”

 Quickly tucking the phone back away, he turned to glare up at Emma. “W-Why would you need to know that?”

 The woman was struck speechless however, as her topaz eyes widened.

 Ack! Crap! He quickly looked away and clutched his head. Don’t tell me my cover got blown by the very first… second person I talked to!?

 “Emmaa.” Seraphine leaned over and nipped at her ear, causing the other woman to yelp in surprise.

 “Ah! Sorry, I was just taken aback by how pretty Lycoris’ eyes are.”

 “Oh? I wanna see, I wanna see~ Look at me Lyco~”

 “N-No, I should… probably get going.”

 Lycoris hopped off of the bench and looked around. It only sank in then that he couldn’t even see the only landmark he had to work off of, as they’d walked him out of line of sight of the Transfixion of Heaven.

 As he thought to distance himself to take out his phone, Seraphine followed him off the bench and bent down right in front of him, staring into his eyes.

 “Oh! You weren’t kidding Emma, they’re so pretty… You’re a real charmer, aren’t you Lyco?”

 He turned his head away again, pouting and squinting his eyes shut. “I dunno what you’re talking about!”

 “Red eyes are really rare, Lyco. They say that people with eyes like that are related to the Exaltare’s lineage~”

 “H-Huh!?”

 “Come on Sera, don’t put weird ideas into her head. There’s no proof of that.” Emma lightly bopped her on the head before holding a hand out to Lycoris. “It just means you’re special, is all. It’s not something to be shy about.”

 Ahh… she totally misunderstood the situation. I guess that means I’m safe?

 Without thinking, he accepted her hand and nodded. “That’s what Mom tells me.”

 “Hnngh, she really is too cute…” Sera exclaimed from behind.

 “Now then, where are we taking you, Lycoris?”

 “I’m going to the Volpini Building…”

 “Oh! I know where that is, I’ve been there before. There’s a really famous winery on the first floor, though it’s a little rich for my blood… Pretty sure it’s part of the Drimus corporation’s chain…”

 “Corporation…?” He blinked his eyes open, meeting the redhead’s emerald eyes with a quizzical look. “I thought they were a noble family.”

 “Well, yeah I mean if you wanna call ‘em that. They all got businesses they run though, it’s how they stay on top of society. Money is power and all that.”

 “Hey hey Emma, that cafe I was talking about is on the way, do you wanna stop by? We can treat Lycoris.”

 “Hweh!?” His heart skipped a beat as he realized he’d accidentally gone along with their silly conversation. “W-W-Wait, but I really have to go quickly… I don’t wanna keep her waiting.”

 “Hmm, was that your mom messaging you a little bit ago?” Emma looked down at her.

 Sera squeezed her other hand and crouched down, raising a finger. “Why don’t you message her back and ask?”

 What!? I can’t do that! First of all this is her phone! Even if it wasn’t, I don’t know what you’re even talking about!

 Lycoris shook his head, quickly changing his mind. “U-Uh… A-Actually, she was saying that she’ll be a little late, so… it’s probably okay.”

 Already feeling regret over his myriad decisions, he allowed the pair of women to drag him off to this cafe…

 ＊　＊　＊

 The seat of the Exaltare was a demanding position, but it was only after taking it upon herself to personally teach and raise an heiress that Lilianna truly felt the weight of all that the position demanded of her. While she wished for all the time in the world to give her daughter a proper education herself, she knew that was unreasonable. At the very least, she wanted to impart the baseline of what’d be required to function in society, and was hoping Athena would’ve been able to assist with that. But even that was proving to be a challenge.

 While she’d expected her darling little daughter to have some growing pains as she adjusted to her new life as Heir-Significate to the Exaltare, Lilianna hadn’t expected her to be so fussy about everything. At least they’d been able to compromise about blood, even though seeing Lycoris put herself through that was just as hard on Lilianna.

 And with the potential threat of a Geolle uprising at perhaps the worst possible time—something Lilianna couldn’t write off as mere coincidence, given how the Traditionalists had been acting as of late—she found herself dragged into and bogged down by meetings and bureaucratic work more and more.

 Ideally, announcing her heir would shake the families up enough to disrupt their carefully laid plans, but…

 No, we should be trying to relax right now, not brooding over work.

 Sulking and sinking into the steaming hot water of the much-too-spacious private bath, causing it to overflow onto the granite tile of the ostentatiously decorated room, she blew bubbles and hugged her knees.

 If only Lycoris weren’t so stubbornly shy. Lilianna wanted to relax and spend some time doting on her daughter, not just to make sure the girl was taking proper care of her skin and hair, but also to soothe her own fatigue and stoke the embers of her heart.

 Plus, she was almost positive those miserable humans never actually taught her how to properly tend to her hygiene. Even just thinking about the way she’d describe the pitiful sacks of viscera that dared call themselves her parents made Lilianna’s blood boil.

 “Mmrrgh…”

 Having gotten too heated for the bath as she wandered through her own thoughts, Lilianna stood back up and wrapped herself in a towel. There was no point in trying to force something that wasn’t going to come naturally, even when it was something like relaxation.

 Perhaps I can sneak a brief visit with Lycoris before I discuss the espionage detachment with Lesath. I hope she hasn’t been skipping meals again. Maybe she’ll let me play with her hair a little, she seems to enjoy having it styled…

 In the middle of dragging herself back toward her own chambers, Lilianna opted to make a slight detour.