" Jasmine look who I brought."
" Not now marc,I already have my hands full here."
Jasmine sounded irritated, Marco shook his head in defeat with a smile.
" She's bit cranky but I assure, she doesn't bite...Come on in."
It was two story house, situated in populated society of vampires. It's built was modern yet it looked worn out.
Eren who was new in this kind of environment had admiration for all the architect, they were far cleaner and eye-catching structures than anything he was familiar with and obviously he was curious as well as amazed.
But there were other things, He followed Marco but his horns butted the wall that hung low. It was obviously made for normal height but Eren's horns just came out of syllabus.
Eren ducked his head and went inside, He was surprised because from outside it wasn't clear but insides were quite spacious.
And it was clean as a polished gem.
Living room was mildly decorated, Otherwise it was all neat and tidy.
Eren sensed one presense, behind the wall that separated kitchen from the living room and likewise, she also noticed eren from the small round window of a sort that was on the wall.
Eren greeted her, the woman who looked young mature and very much deadly with green realm cultivation base.
She was a cultivators unlike Marco here, who was just an ordinary vampire.
Eren was confused because this didn't make sense from what he knew, asura's needed awakening to become a true asura and they needed mana to do that.
So how come Marco had an awakened vampire bloodline and wasn't a cultivator.
' Did he loose it?, is that even possible? Or is he an immortal like him?'
Eren had numbers of question yet no way to ask them.
" Jasmin This is eren, our new nanny."
" Huh.."
Jasmin and eren both were confuse.
" And eren, this is my wife and your boss jasmin stark." Eren bowed in respect the way he knew, And in response jasmin smiled, politely but fake.
" Marc can I talk to you?" Her face looked incredibly scary even though she was smiling.
" Yeah sure, what is it?" Yeah, Marco was ignorant and stupid. So Jasmin politely dragged Marco to kitchen.
.
.
.
.
.
That few minutes of discussion was chaotic, Every now and then loud smacking sound was heard, guess who was unlucky.
Obviously their arguments involved eren.
Jasmin was furious with the fact that Marco brought an unidentified man in the house as a nanny without prior discussion with her.
While Marco argued as it was godly opportunity with loud laugh and when presented with questions about Eren's background, Marco had no answer to give.
It wasn't very convincing argument.
That was just stupidity from marco's end, even eren felt sad for jasmin. More than that he concurred with her questions and worries.
But the response to her was just annoying laugh.
Eren could just picture his annoying smile, even jasmin's irked emotion from other room and after series of attacks and tackles it finally came to an end.
They came back, sat on couch with a smile as if nothing had happened.
" Mr. Salvatore, Though my husband has already made his offer. I just cannot take a word of an unknown individual.
But I'm not outright discarding your situation, if you can tell us about yourself or provide some identification proof that you're in fact who you say you are. Then I'm ready with you being new caretaker." Eren understood her wariness and wasn't one to argue to that.
" Before that Mind telling me what kind of job it is?"
" Yes, It's doing cleaning, cooking, outside shopping and all the chores.
With monthly wage of 1000 yon."
" Don't take it the wrong way, Just checking."Eren nodded as he gave his identity card to jasmin.
" No, That's very meticulous of you I hope-" her voice halted, smiled faded as she looked on ID, she was shocked.
Obviously she was bewildered after what she saw, she closed her eyes to process the thoughts and passed the card to Marco who sat beside her.
He's reaction was no better than jasmine, his eyes shifted between the card and eren alternatingly for multiple times.
He practically shouted, Not bearing the suspence much longer.
" You're forteen year-old, Dragon vampire hybrid with no family, friends and place to live.
And this also says you're yellow rank cultivator.
Is there anything else?, Maybe want to say that you're actually a god who degraded to mere mortal for your crimes and actually trying to learn the way of life among mortals."
"...."
" Only first half of it."
" Marc We have more important things to discuss.
Like he's minor and how is he a cultivator?" Jasmin shouted to the guy who somehow made even fun of such serious situation.
" Yes Yes sweety I know.
So Eren, is this really true?" This time, unlike of all time his words carried weight.
" Yes, My core is hidden so I may look normal asura but I really am a yellow rank cultivator.
And I'm really forteen." Eren did his best to relate as much as information as possible to not make this more troublesome.
And telling that he was an immortal was not something he considered a wise decision, it was troublesome as it is.
" Damn it...how can you be so lucky and unlucky.
You're like a legendary movie character.
Extremely handsome and polite yet burdened with a heavy responsibility to tranquilize the drift between vampires and dragons.
Oh brave hero..."
" That's the story of Nova the alien boy And it was good movie but-"
SMACK..
THUMP....
" Take this seriously." He deserved it.
Jasmin had her head above the shoulder, she was little perplexed and had the far the most normal reaction.
" Okay so Eren." Unlike before and this time for real, Marco had an serious expression as he carefully chose his words.
" We can't give you a job."
" Why?"
" Because you are under 18, Laws of Ravenvale constitutes to prohibits employment under age of 18.
That will be illegal." Eren may have come from outskirts village but atleast he knew what rules and laws meant.
Like how killing was prohibited and those who did were executed in his village, While on surface it was meant to benefit society and It really did to some extent but living with Alena had made him skeptic.
He knew how flexible and brittle those laws were, for those who had enough power they weren't even there.
Though this revelation came as quite a predicament.Eren had no intention to oppose the laws, Atleast till he analysed and understood them in whole extent.
" Is that so?"
" Yes." Marco's expression spoke louder about his own dilemma.
" It's Okay and Thank you." With that eren turned around. Now he had really much to think.
If it was true that those under 18 weren't allowed to work then there was not many options left, Atleast legal ones.
It was about to turn arduous task to find decent job to start.
" Wait, What are you gonna do?" Marco's voice asked his attention.
" Haven't thought about yet." Eren kept walking without turning back, he was ready to duck and leave but Marco's hand grabbed his shoulder.
" I can't let you leave just like that, Atleast let me offer you some tea."
" There's no need Marco, But thank you anyway."
" No please, I insist." He was hellbent, his strength held eren in place.
Feeling of not being able to help eren was more impactful then he originally thought.
Eren had the same calm gaze that saw Marco's guilty mirthless smile, he nodded felling pity for the poor fellow, he wasn't angry with his forced manner.
" jasmin-"
" Say no more. You guys wash up, I'll bring tea right away." Once she was gone, Eren was dragged around like a small child.
Marco showed him every corner of house, the things he considered to be unique to a guy who didn't knew much about this new world.
It was short but very much informative tour for eren, Afterwards they washed up and sat before Tv.
" Here's your tea." just in time tea was served, Marco would've advised him to drink it carefully to not get burn but surprisingly Eren's behaviour was sharp, nothing but nobility dripped from his calm and precise movement as he gently held the cup.
" Eren, are you a noble?" Eren looked at him, little surprised before the realisation came. He shook his head, sipping tea usually without explaining anything.
Marco didn't ask anything either, They were strangers to begin with and anymore prying would not make this any better.
" Eren, How about you become our son?"
Fuah...
That was shocking.
Eren was completely taken aback, so much so that he had much difficulty handling the tea from spilling out, this sudden suggestion was though quite the shocker.
" What?!!" He was as shocked as jasmin if not more. he put the cup down, wiped his lips clean and looked at them both. Though jasmin eyed Marco with suspicion and shock, her face fell in utter defeat yet She was agreeing. Her silence spoke her will.
Eren was little shocked. he hoped atleast jasmin would act rationally, that she would intervene but when she didn't, he was left with no choice but to take matter in his own hand.
" No, Thank you for the tea." his tone was flat, he wasn't angry but just didn't like where this was going.
" Atleast think about it some more. I know this is sudden but you're all alone with no money, no home and no family.
we can give you that, we can help you." The goofy smiling face of his was no longer funny, even when he was smiling.
Eren looked at him, Angry. With much difficulty as he held everything inside and walked away.
" Just give us a chance?" Jasmin's eyes glistened with tears, her built up emotions were trying to break out but she held everything inside as she smiled, painfully.
It was hard to imagine for eren to picture strong jasmine to sound so weak, it made his own distant self feel guilty.
Eren wanted to rebuke, Shout his throat out but only if could do that after watching jasmin.
He sighed in defeat as he walked back to couch and sat down. His head hung low and thoughts ran chaotic.His eyes met jasmin, the way she looked reminded him of past.
That's how aunt sara looked.
That situation was Much similar too. Aunt sara was an old lady in her mind thirties, Widowed and alone. She longed for the family, But her own love for her deceased husband prevented her from ever achieving loving family life.
It was then she met two boys, Eren and yuta, left alone by their father in the struggling world. She pitied those childern and wanted nothing more than to support them by becoming the loving mother she always hoped to be.
But Yuta refused, The thing he said rang in Eren's ears as it was just yesterday.
Past and present overlapped, eren quoted yuta with smile and said,
" I am a salvatore and I have dignity to carry out this name for rest of my life."
" But.." They wanted to argue but no answer came out.
" You can't have kids of your own for some reason?, Then looks like an advisor is in need of advice." Eren snickered a smile and continued.
" Don't worry, First session is always free."
*******
" Aunt Elizabeth!!"
" I'll explain this just once so you listen close." Elizabeth's eyes changed fluently between Natalie and surrounding, then she turned around.
Walking steadily as she left on foot, Somewhat hinting Natalie to follow her.
" Your mother is gone off to vampire continent, obviously to search for you.
so instead of her I was sent here.
Now any questions?"
Natalie had few, Like that's not helpful at all, tell me more? But both were in quite a predicament to converse that easily.
Natalie nodded with indifference attitude, afterall the woman who saved her was none other than her father's first wife, she still held her responsible for what had happened along with all the others.
But she was the one who saved her, so this wasn't a time for playing personal grudges.
" Good, I am pretty sure your mother is already informed of your arrival, so she'll be there soon." With that, glow of gold shined in her hand. Now A cube shaped device rested in her hand, it was as blissful as scary for Natalie to see what it was.
" Let's go."
" No, You're still my father's first wife and my brothers mom. I haven't forgotten what you're afte-" So much for her resistance, before she knew she was already falling through space with a powerful yet gentle push.
And the next second when she opened her eyes, she was already on the other end with Elizabeth.
She had no words to argue, because the presense sitting before, left her with no choice but to bow immediately.
" I greet the ruler of Aion." Sitting above the golden throne as she owned the place with graceful yet deadly manner, she was the empress of neutral continent, Angelina faust.
She looked young, yet her presence felt like ancient colossal titan. she was fair, like a soft marshmallow with pinkish hue on the cheeks and lips. Her hair was golden and eyes olive green. She wore a green gown, Embroidered in golden accessories along with the gold necklace, earrings, rings and much more jewelleries that inhanced her beauty to another level.
And she did own everything here.
The hall was large, spacious, beautiful and empty. Natalie might have missed but there were already eyes prying on their sudden appearance. Their gazes were sharp yet completely hidden and their weapons dead set on target.
" All this commotion just cause I asked for one little favour." The empress shook her hand as she stood up, Her slight gesture relieved the animosity that hidden daggers pointed.
She also gestured Natalie to stand.
" I don't know what you mean Your highness, I did just as you asked of me, didn't I?" Supposed innocent face Elizabeth was confused.
Obviously she knew, barging in the empress's castle was not so much lenient matter but this was exactly what she wanted, to annoy the empress.
" I could have you beheaded for this even if you're my daughter."
" In this room, I am not your daughter but a subject, just like everyone else in this kingdom." Their conversation somewhat relayed this unfinished quarrel of sort.
" In that case, you're grounded for a week." Swift wind passed Natalie, wind created from mana. It was so minute, so much so that Natalie didn't notice but In that short period of time single drop of water flew on Elizabeth's forehead.
Where it came from was obvious and what it did was written all over Elizabeth's face, she was angry yet powerless to argue.
" What did you think would happen?, Headmaster of starlight academy acting so impertinently before the empress." She paused, waiting for few seconds before she spoke again.
" Give your mother a small kiss and I'll not only free you but also give you a vacation." Elizabeth knew that empress never lied to her but it was hard to gauge into her schemes, it was obvious that she held some doubt.
But,
She walked upto throne, slowly and gracefully as her soft back swayed in slithering curves. She didn't made it long and awkward despite angelina's insistent eyes and came back, fulfilling her freedom.
" Well that was too shallow but it'll work for now and as part of deal-" The small part of mana that laid dormant in elizabeth's body, which prevented her from using full extent of her power , vanished.
She was free again yet there was no perticular change in her expression.
" You're to enjoy yourself in vampire continent for a week, With Evelyn evans." Hearing that, Elizabeth's expression that had rose on peak smile dropped in deep frown.
" That's not a vacation." She shouted in anger, her eyes shifted to Natalie who stood beside for second and then again on the empress." You're just ordering me to babysit her because she's too much trouble for you to handle right now."
Empress chuckled at her blatant remark,
" You're partially right but Your job is to keep her there for just a week, after that I'll take care of that matter.
And if you do that, I am willing to give you life long vacation eli."
Elizabeth's eyes shot open with surprise, her lips quivered as she made out few words barely, " You are not joking?"
" Yes but for that, You have to keep her in check." Empress snickered softly, But Elizabeth was too elated to understand her sarcasm and meaning.
Elizabeth just dashed out. No bow, no respect and no gracefulness.
If not before then now Natalie had sure some doubts about this scene. Empress who is known for overwhelming authority is playing prank, Evil aunt the Headmaster of one of the most prestigious academy is pouting and they are treating her own mother like some mad woman on rampage that needs to be in check. It was more that just surprising.
" So how was your trip." Empress joked, her eyes cought Natalie on rope. She was smiling beautifully, like a caring mother.
Natalie felt her tension ease up a bit,
She smiled akwardly and bowed multiple time with apologies, she had to. International trespassing was serious crime, that could start a war.
" It was unintentional your highness but I know my action might cause inconvenience and I'm ready to take responsibility." Natalie didn't knew how she came to meet empress, She could place together some pieces of her mother's connection but of what extent, she didn't knew. She awaited punishment, though she never wanted it. Afterall she was the one who suffered here the most but she knew to not expect everything to go her way, the way she wished.
Empress didn't say anything, she just smiled and nodded, that was more disturbing than any other responce.
Natalie gulped in fear. It was awkward, the silence. Natalie felt like a lamb placed before a lioness, who's taking a her sweet time for the hunt.
" You're beautiful, even more so than your evelyn. Why don't you become my apprentice."
"huh??"