*Zeoticus POV

I am not sorry. Indeed I am not, for having taken the decision. Anticipated it, in fact, as you might well recall.

I'm talking about the possible personal clash with Vene about the employment of that vampire servant--that Kouya Satome. Barely hours after his formal introduction to the lines of servants in my household, and in the confines of our own room (making sure the door's safely locked), Vene blew up. Right now she is raging at me, hands on hips--which in itself is un-royal in every way.

"Any idea why you did not bother to consult me on that, Zeoticus? It might be perceived that you are overlooking the usual ways of employment--"

"Oh, do not speak to me of procedure, when the main interest is the very survival of our clan! It's Vladista we're talking about; offend them now, and we might no longer have a clan to bicker in!"

She crossed her arms in a huff. "All the same, I don't like this."

"What have you ever liked about me, Vene, honestly? You may have been as powerful as our children right now, my word on it; but when it comes to the clan, believe me when I say I'd be the first to stand up to its honor and... and dignity."

"How does employing a vampire make you dignified?"

"He'll be of use, you'll see. He was sent here a hostage, true, but we could perhaps make something out of him yet."

"His loyalty is not to us, Zeo, you know that. Better not expect too much from him. Either way, I'll keep a sharp eye on him for our grandson, as of today. Any attempt on his part to injure Millicas will not go unpunished, and then it's up to me. Deal?"

"Really, wife, you're making this hard--"

"Deal?" she repeated.

"...Fine. For Milli's sake. However, any attempt on your part to jeopardize the peace, and I'll slit your fine throat myself."