Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Necklace

"Lady Nephelia, this is a matter for the Morigerants," she announced in a neutral tone.

Damien and Nephelia's lips gently slid from each other's, leaving behind a tingle of unfulfilled desire. Nephelia let out a barely perceptible sigh, and when she opened her eyes, they glowed with an intense crimson that seemed to burn.

"What do those Morigerants want now?" At such a cold question, it was clear that her usual calm had vanished.

Though Damien hadn't known her for long, he could sense the barely contained anger through their shared connection.

He understood the feeling, as he himself was seething with fury. Since his transformation into a vampire, he found his temper flaring up more easily, even over the most insignificant things.

Damien struggled to regain his composure. The tingling sensation on his lips from the contact with Nephelia still lingered, and frustration threatened to erupt reckless words.

'Let's count some sheep. 1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep, 4...'

'Morigerants...' The term was unfamiliar to him, but instead of asking, he chose to remain silent and focus on the conversation.

"The Morigerants have reported an urgent case that requires immediate attention. The Leader requests your presence at Headquarters to assign you to the mission."

As Camille delivered her message with her usual calm, Nephelia's lips curved into a smile that failed to reach her eyes. If deadly thoughts could manifest, the Leader would have died by now.

Simultaneously, Damien couldn't ignore the weight behind the words echoing in his ears. He understood that whatever it was, it was something serious.

'Does Nephelia belong to some secret organization?' he pondered inwardly. While he lacked the specifics, he could at least grasp the context and draw some conclusions.

He slowly separated from her, like someone letting a butterfly slip through their fingers. Nephelia let out a discontented sigh but reluctantly rose to her feet.

Their precious moment alone was being interrupted, just when they longed to be together! If she had her way, Nephelia would spend eternity in Damien's embrace, with nothing and no one to separate them... They would do this and that...

The idea caused a slight upward curve at the corners of her lips, forming a dark smile.

Meanwhile, Camille cast a cautious glance at Nephelia's disheveled attire and earnestly remarked, "Please, Lady Nephelia, tidy up your clothing before you depart. Remember that you are a noble vampire, even though no one knows, and it's important to always present yourself with dignity and grace."

Nephelia found herself distracted from her reverie at Camille's comment. She refocused on the here and now, smoothing her gothic dress with graceful movements.

"You're right, I should maintain appearances," she said, finishing up her primping. "Although, I wish I could stay here a bit longer."

Damien noticed the longing expression on her cute face, and a pang of regret pierced his chest as he witnessed it.

"We'll meet again soon," Nephelia softly promised. The twinkle in her eyes dimmed slightly, eliciting a smile from Damien.

As she prepared to depart, Damien took a few steps closer. The moonlight bathed the garden, giving the scene a serene and deceptively calm look.

"Wait..." The words escaped his lips before he could hold them back. "Is your mission too dangerous?"

Nephelia nodded slowly. After a brief silence, during which her eyes seemed to break into a thousand conflicting thoughts, she said, "Would you like to join me?"

Damien held Nephelia's gaze, trying to guess what was going through her mind.

Of course, he didn't know that she actually fantasized about locking him in a dungeon and keeping him all to herself.

But that would meant depriving him of that spark of life, and that was absolutely unacceptable. So, she devised a more practical plan: to educate him everything about this world and, at the same time—most importantly— to take or accompany him everywhere so that he would always stay by her side.

Nephelia nodded, satisfied with her brilliant idea. How clever she was!

"If I could, I would follow you to the ends of the earth," Damien responded calmly. It sounded strange, but that's genuinely how he felt. "But are you sure it's wise? I wouldn't want to put you in danger."

She smiled, and her face lit up in a way that could only be described as otherworldly.

"With both of us looking out for each other, there will be no danger we can't overcome," she whispered, gently brushing his hand. Their fingers briefly intertwined before parting. "If you want to explore this world, I'll guide you carefully."

At that moment, Camille reappeared, as if she had already anticipated this. She brought with her a small wooden chest, placing it gently on the table. Opening it, Damien could see a delicate silver necklace inside.

Nephelia delicately held the exquisite piece between her fingers. "The Magicians created this to conceal the aura of vampires. It allows us to blend in among humans and other races without drawing attention."

Damien's curiosity was piqued by something he had heard. "Magicians again, huh?"

She gave a slight nod before speaking. "The Magicians are perphaps the most recognized and hold significant influence among the other factions. They are devoted followers of the Goddess of Creation and Craftsmanship, dedicating themselves to various forms of crafting in her name. Hence, they are known as the Divine Craftsmanship Faction."

Nephelia was a girl who usually kept quiet most of the time, so she paused briefly as if searching for the best way to express herself.

"The Magicians possess a complete monopoly over the Crafting Pathway. As a result, they have honed their skills in the art of creation over the years. They are responsible for supplying crafted goods to all other factions. Any artifact we use has likely been forged by their hands."

Damien nodded slowly, carefully considering Nephelia's words. There was much about this world that still remained unknown to him. He thought that, perhaps later, he could borrow some of her history books to fill in those gaps.

"I see," he finally responded.

Then, Nephelia stood on her tiptoes before him. For a moment, Damien wondered if she was hungry, but he soon realized that wasn't the case. With a gesture, she indicated for him to bow his head. With a warm smile, he obliged.

Nephelia's eyes sparkled with joy. With careful movements, she fastened the silver necklace around Damien's neck and, once it was on, planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

Stepping back, Nephelia scanned Damien up and down, assessing the effect. "You're ready. Umu, you look very handsome."

Looking down, Damien noticed that the necklace gradually became invisible on his neck. Not only would it conceal his aura, but even those who knew its purpose would see nothing, eliminating any suspicion.

"Now that everything is set, shall we prepare to leave?" Nephelia asked calmly. Damien nodded in agreement, and she added, "Camille, we can go now."

A long sigh escaped from behind them. "As you wish."

Camille had been enduring the couple's affection for hours! As a dutiful maid, she had to remain composed and fulfill her duties. She wondered if she would have to tolerate this every day...

'Maybe I should ask for a raise...'

As they departed, Camille guided the sleek black car through the quiet streets of the night. The vehicle hummed smoothly as it glided along.

Damien and Nephelia settled into the plush leather seats in the back, leaning back comfortably. As the car picked up speed, Damien couldn't help but steal a sideways glance at his little vampire.

'Not only is she a vampire and a yandere,' he thought to himself, amused. 'But she's also rich... I almost feel like I have a sugar mommy.'

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