Yurika clutched the pillow tightly, thinking back to the vampire's lips on hers and his cold hands caressing her face without being able to stop smiling.

She was happy.

For once in her life she understood what it meant to be happy without wanting anything else.

"And to think that only yesterday I was here trying to console your tears." "And instead..." Yurika whispered. "... I'm..." Kurena laughed.

"I know it perfectly well; I am your demon after all. In fact, probably thanks to this takeover by your vampire my role will be even more useless, though.... I don't remember to have ever seen you like this, you know?" "Maybe it's because life before never gave me anything good."

Then she smiled at the demon. "Except for you, of course. And don't forget, we still have a lot to do."

Kurena laughed mischievously. "I remind you that you and Ferid still have a lot of things to do as well." And vanished.

Yurika quickly chased those thoughts away, everything would come in its own time. She closed her eyes, trying not to think about anything and enjoying the moment.

She was brought back to reality by a cold caress on her face. "Good morning, my little sheep."

Yurika smiled at the vampire's voice. "I brought you breakfast."

The girl lifted herself onto the bed and the vampire snatched a brief kiss from her, causing a slight blush to appear on the girl's cheeks.

He laughed. "Are you ever going to get over this?" "I'm not used to it yet." Whispered Yurika with a hint of a voice.

As strange as it might sound Ferid felt drawn to her shyness and for once he was willing not to rush things; he wanted to enjoy all the stages of this new story they were embarking on together, even if it was perhaps too early to define what he and Yurika were.

In the meantime, she had approached the coffee table. "Ferid, you brought me too many things. It's only breakfast, I won't be able to finish it all!" "I thought I overdid it yesterday." "I still have limits."

"So Yurika, what are the plans for the day?" "Can you stay with me all day?" She asked hesitantly. "Yes, for once, business can wait." "I'm glad."

Ferid watched spellbound the light emanated from the girl's eyes and knowing that he was the cause that gave them that intense brilliance made him happy. The vampire sat down in the chair.

"Come here with me, we haven't exchanged a proper kiss yet."

So Yurika went to sit on Ferid's lap although she still felt particularly awkward and not entirely comfortable, but she still placed her hands on the vampire's chest and he was lost in thought for a moment imagining her warm hands on his chest without the barrier of his shirt.

He repressed that thought and brought their lips together in a passionate kiss.

If it were up to him, he would never have pulled away from those lips, but he had to let her breathe.

"That's much better." He whispered to her.

Yurika loved that feeling too, still so new to her, yet feeling Ferid's hands on her body still felt strange. "Well, I'll go get dressed." "You're welcome, dear. I'll be waiting for you.

He couldn't deny that he would have gladly followed her into that walk-in wardrobe, but it was also his goal to show himself to be a perfect gentleman. He had promised himself that Yurika would never again have to deal with the monster he had been that day.

Every time he thought about it, he told himself that he didn't deserve to have her near him, but he was convinced that he wouldn't be able to stay away from her, he couldn't even imagine life without her. How could he?

"Here I am." "What about a walk in the garden?" Yurika nodded and, shortly after, they found themselves walking down the small paved paths of the garden, their hands clasped together.

The girl looked around as her mind focused on the vampire's fingers clasped around hers. Ferid glimpsed the bench where he had long ago tried in vain to kiss her and, without warning her of his intentions lifted her into his arms getting a half cry of surprise from her.

"I can walk by myself!" She protested. "But if you couldn't stand the last time! Besides, I bet you don't mind all this contact between us, do you?" Yurika blushed.

The vampire sat down on the bench with the girl still in his arms. She laid her head on the vampire's chest and then found herself observing, on his cloak, the device that allowed the vampire not to burn in the sunlight and for a moment a shiver ran through her.

The very idea of seeing Ferid in such a state made her insides chill.

The vampire immediately noticed the sudden change in the girl.

"Are you alright Yurika?" "Would you catch fire without that?" "I would become a beautiful candle!" Ferid replied, laughing. "Has that ever happened to you?" "Would you like to see me like that, my little sheep?" "No, never." and she clutched the vampire's chest tighter.

Ferid stroked her hair, somehow, he was happy to see her worrying about him.

"Don't worry, I don't see why something like this would happen." Not least because I can defend myself well, my darling." Yurika sighed. "I don't think I'd put up with something like that." "It's just you and me here and I'm one of the strongest vampires, have more faith in me!"

Although he knew full well how little he deserved, after all he had several secret plans and in time he would have to consider how and whether to make the girl a part of them, as too much would risk putting a strain on their relationship, but he also wanted to gain her trust.

Yurika interrupted the flow of his thoughts. "Why me? Why did you choose me?" "I already told you. I wanted something different. Something to distract me. And it looks like this time I've done a lot better than usual."

Yurika shifted her head and lifted her gaze to his as Ferid lowered himself onto her face, joining their lips in a kiss until she felt one of the vampire's canines pressed to her lip and she pulled back, red.

Ferid took her face forcefully bringing it close to his own. "Where do you think you're running to?" The girl closed her eyes, but he merely gave her a chaste kiss. "Don't be so afraid. I won't make you do things you don't want to."

That reassured her and she hoped with all her might that he would hold to those words as there were some matters that concerned her, but she would certainly not be the first to speak of them. She would never have dared.

Ferid intertwined his hand with Yurika's, squeezing her fingers between his own.

"The last time we were here, things were very different between us," the girl whispered. "Yes, now I can kiss you without any problems. And interruptions." "Do other vampires come to you often?" Ferid pretended to think.

"It depends on a lot of things, but I rarely get unexpected visitors. You know, I doubt anyone out there likes my presence." and Yurika noticed an odd note in the vampire's voice. "I'm sorry." "Well, I won't deny that it's my fault too, my attitude isn't one of the best calling cards."

The girl thought back to the first few days she had spent with the vampire noting that he had a point, she just didn't imagine Ferid being like that with anyone. "Why are you being like this then? Why don't you change?" "It's complicated, Yurika. You see, it's true. I'm particular, but by doing this I can devote myself more freely to certain affairs without being bothered." "So, I'm assuming you don't want those affairs to be discovered." and she lifted her gaze to Ferid. "No." whispered the vampire, looking fixedly in front of him.

So Yurika went back to resting her head on Ferid's shoulder, realizing that the vampire, at least for now, wasn't willing to delve into the subject and she certainly didn't want to force it. Who knows what other secrets he had in store? She couldn't hide the fact that she was a little sorry to see that Ferid wasn't willing to share all his secrets with her, but she wasn't surprised. Perhaps it could be said that she and the vampire were now a couple, but too short a time to have many expectations.

They remained silent for a moment.

"You seem to have managed to keep your secrets too."

Yurika laughed. "Maybe it's because no one ever really cared about me and what I was doing." "Good thing, just think if they had made you like them. Then you would have hated vampires. And what would I have done in a situation like that?" "You would have won me over. Just like you have now." she reached up, taking Ferid's hand, inviting him to imitate her.

He humored her, a little surprised by her taking the initiative. "Would you like to go for another little ride and then play something on the piano?" She asked him. "How could I say no?"

Yurika slid her fingers across the keys, finishing the piece. "How was it?" And she turned to look at the vampire. "Very well, I see you continue to make progress. Very good." "Do you mean that, or are you just saying it to make me happy?" Ferid's ruby eyes locked into the girl's.

"I'm not lying to you. You're good. You really are. Besides, I don't need to flatter you to gain your favor. You're already by my side." Then he stepped back and started the music. "Miss, will you grant me this dance?" He asked her with a bow. "I would be delighted." And she let herself be carried away in the dance.

08/02/2021