"No, no, no! Why am I with you?! What happened while I was unconscious?!" I exclaimed in shock.
"Of course this is your fault. Who told you to form a blood contract with me?" said Alice.
"Huh? How could that happen?" I asked.
"Because of that contract, I got aroused. And after you passed out, I tasted your body," Alice said, licking her lips.
Hearing what Alice said, Alicia who was beside me innocently asked,
"Daddy, why did Mommy taste your body? Is Daddy's body sweet?"
Hearing Alicia's words, Alice and I immediately tried to find the right excuse to get out of the situation.
"Uh, i-it was just a joke from your mommy, right Alice?" I said.
"Hehehe, y-yeah, it was just a joke. Your dad just woke up, right?" said Alice.
"Oh, I see! Daddy just woke up, so Mommy made something funny to cheer him up?" said Alicia.
"Exactly!" said Alice, laughing nervously.
As Alicia nodded innocently, we both sighed in relief.
Not long after, I turned to Alice again.
"So, you didn't try to break the contract?" I asked.
"You think I've been sitting around doing nothing for the past four years, waiting for you to wake up? I've tried everything," Alice replied.
"Huh? Four years? I didn't expect to be unconscious for that long," I said in disbelief.
"Yeah, but I did find something interesting about this contract," Alice said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I accidentally found an old book in the royal library. It mentioned this kind of contract," she replied.
"And what did it say?" I asked.
"It said that to break the contract, the offspring from the contract must be killed in order to be freed from it," Alice said.
I was stunned by what she said.
"What?! That's insane! Are you saying you want to kill Alicia?!" I shouted.
"Watch your words! If I wanted to do that, I would've killed her the moment she was born. Why would I go through the trouble of raising her all these years if I were that cruel?" said Alice.
"I see... So, what should we do then?" I asked.
"You just do your duty as a father," Alice said plainly.
I looked over at Alicia, who was happily humming on her little chair.
"Since she's my own flesh and blood, I'll fulfill my role as her father. There's nothing wrong with having a child, even if she's from my enemy," I said.
Alice's face turned red at my words.
"W-what?! What did you just say?" she stammered, looking to the side.
"Did I say something wrong? Or... are you getting shy?" I teased.
"S-shut up or I'll suck your blood dry!" she yelled.
"Okay, okay, I'll shut up. I still have to take care of Alicia, you know," I replied.
"Hmph! Good. If you understand, take care of Alicia. I need to attend to matters in my kingdom," said Alice.
"Alright, alright, you tsundere queen," I said.
"What did you say?!" Alice snapped.
"N-nothing!" I said, sweating nervously.
Alice then left the room, leaving the two of us alone.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Rudhal Kingdom, the traitor Gepard still seemed to be enjoying himself.
"Hahaha! It's been four years and there's still no sign of him. Looks like he was really killed by those vampire soldiers. Now I'm the hero of this kingdom!" said Gepard proudly.
Suddenly, a royal soldier approached him.
"Sir Hero, you have been summoned by His Majesty," said the soldier.
"Very well. I'll go at once," Gepard replied.
He made his way to the royal hall to meet the king.
Soon, he arrived at the Rudhal castle, facing the king with several others present—some of whom were from the Banshee family.
"Gepard, do you know why I summoned you here?" the King of Rudhal asked.
"No, Your Majesty. I do not," Gepard replied respectfully.
"I summoned you to honor you. You successfully killed the traitor Leon Banshee four years ago," the king said.
Gepard smiled slyly at the king's words.
"It is an honor to receive this recognition, Your Majesty," said Gepard.
"Good. Because of your dedication in eliminating the traitor Leon Banshee, I hereby appoint you as the new hero, replacing him," declared the king.
"I accept this honor, and I swear to protect the Rudhal Kingdom with all my soul and body," Gepard vowed.
The hall erupted in applause even from the Banshee family members.
But one person did not join in the celebration Luna, my younger sister and closest sibling.
"There's no way Oni-chan betrayed the kingdom. Something's wrong. I must find out the truth," Luna whispered to herself.
She quietly left the hall while the others continued celebrating Gepard's appointment.
---
Meanwhile, back to my side, I was playing tag with Alicia in the garden near the castle.
"So, Daddy has to chase you now?" I asked.
"Yep! You're it! I'm running!" said Alicia excitedly.
"Alright then! Let's catch the little princess!" I said.
I ran after her and quickly caught her.
"Gotcha!" I said.
"Kyah! Daddy, you're amazing! I ran as fast as I could!" Alicia laughed.
"Of course! I'm your dad. I have to be awesome!" I grinned.
"Hehehe, you're right, Daddy. Do you think I can be just like you one day?" Alicia asked innocently.
"Of course, Alicia. You might even surpass me one day," I replied warmly.
"Really?! Yay! I'll be even greater than Daddy!" she cheered.
"Yosh! (I lifted her onto my shoulders) How about we go for a little walk around the market?"
"Whoa! So high up! Okay, let's go! But you'll keep carrying me, right?" Alicia asked.
"Of course! Don't underestimate your daddy's strength!" I said proudly.
Just as we stepped outside, Alice was already waiting for us at the castle gate.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.
"Daddy said we're going to the market!" Alicia answered.
"Do you have any money?" Alice asked.
"Hehehe… Not really. I just wanted to take Alicia out of the castle for a bit," I said.
(Sigh) "You're impossible… Fine, I'll come with you," Alice said.
"Huh? You're coming too? What about your kingdom duties?" I asked.
"I already finished everything. Not like the kings in your kingdom," Alice smirked.
"But is it okay for a queen like you to go to the market with us?" I asked.
"What? You don't want me to come? Or are you worried I'll catch you flirting with some girl at the market?" she said.
"Oi, oi! I'm not that kind of guy! And I'm not going alone Alicia's with me," I replied.
"Doesn't matter. I'm coming whether you like it or not," Alice insisted.
In the end, I had no choice but to give in. Alicia, still on my shoulders, looked very excited.
"Yay! Mommy's coming too!" said Alicia.
"See? Even our daughter's happy. Why aren't you?" Alice teased.
"Alright, alright. Let's not waste time. Let's go," I said.
The three of us then headed out to the market together. Though I was reluctant, I had no money so I had no choice.
What will happen at the market? And where will Luna search for the truth about Leon? What will she do if she learns that Leon is now the husband of the vampire queen?
Find out in Chapter 3.