Preparation

-----Kaede's POV

After breakfast with Yui, we ended things off with a hug before I went back down the hill to get back to the others. I'm glad to see Yui smile and joke about the stuff we talked about, but I'm really hoping that she can somehow manage to supply me with those bottles, hehe. It'll really help for when I return, not having to constantly drain myself; not that I actually mind all that much as Mell was quite cute the last time she drank my blood.

And upon moving inside of the house, I close the door as everyone huddled around the entrance, patiently waiting for me to give some kind of answer. I just give them a simple smile, which seemed to have worked in soothing their moods.

Kaede: "Everything's okay now."

Fleur: "Thank goodness~"

Faye: "Was really scary seeing that fight yesterday, I was worried that it'd continue with today."

Kaede: "Hehe, nah. We talked things out, and I properly explained to Yui what was on my mind. She still wants me to stay, but she now understands why I need to do this."

Mell: "So you're still going off to fight?"

Kaede: "Yeah... I'm sorry."

I really do feel like a shit parent right now, having to leave Mell behind even after the promise I made, but she just gives me back a bright smile instead.

Mell: "It's okay. I know you'll be back."

Kaede: "Mhmm. I promise you that I won't be gone for long. Mai can teleport me back here in an instant, so who knows, I may still be able to stay here when there's no fighting."

Mell: "Mhmm!"

She leapt into my arms at that idea as I catch her in my own. I honestly don't know why I didn't think of that idea before, but I guess that does mean I'll be relying on Mai more often. Not to mention the idea of Mai being Yui's and my little "phone."

Kaede: "But I will have Yui come and watch over you. Is that okay?"

Mell: "I'd like to learn more about her, so yeah!"

Kaede: "Great."

Sicily: "You sure that's okay? With most of us here being vampires?"

Kaede: "I trust you guys not to harm Yui."

Fleur: "Fufu, got it. I understand."

Faye: "Mm!"

Mell: "I wasn't planning on doing that to begin with."

They say that now, but I know the urge to feast all too well. They'll still need to feed before Yui comes around, so in that case-

Kaede: "Sicily, Lillian-"

Lillian: "Understood."

Sicily: "We'll look after them for ya!"

Heh, they already knew what I was going to say... Such a nice family I have here, supporting one another like this, making me feel all giddy inside.

Mell: "Y-you don't have to worry about me. I'll wait for mom to return."

Kaede: "Oh? I might be gone for quite a while though."

Mell: "Even so."

Kaede: "Hehe. Got it. Then I'll be sure to give you plenty when I return."

I pat her on the head as we both smile at one another. I guess with everything needed to be said, all that's left is to wait. Iris knows that I've accepted the queens plans so the attack will likely be scheduled soon. In the meantime, I guess I should prepare myself. I drink Yui's blood before I go, so that that leaves me with... Huh, I guess I'm already prepared. Oh! Wait! I'd like to see mom before I go! But I guess I'll likely see her when I meet up with the queen at their next meeting. I might be able to get some private time alone with mom, but I think I should be able to request it. I am giving them my aid after all.

Mai: "I can let Lilith know you'd like to see her if you like?"

Suddenly, Mai's voice echoes in my head, but it looks like she's staying somewhere else. I still find it annoying that she can just invade my thoughts, like why can't I do the same with her? Or maybe I can and I just don't know how?

Mai: "Hehehe. I wonder~"

Kaede: "But yes please. Could you do that for me?"

Mai: "On it."

Well, that sorts that out. With Mai, I might be able to see mom before the meeting even begins. I guess I'll just wait for Mai to get back to me.

Sicily: "But then, what if Mell just end up... You know."

Mell: "Hmm?"

She raises a good questions. Fleur and Faye are safe since they'll be getting fed by Sicily and Lillian. But with Mell wanting to wait for me, problems would rise up. Actually... I wonder how powerful an elf is compared to a vampire? Mell is still a child at heart and a newborn vampire at that, but she does possess the power to manipulate light magic.

Kaede: "You think you can control Mell if that happens?"

Lillian: "You're asking whether we can take on Mell?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Sicily: "In a fight?!"

Kaede: "Yes."

...

And so it begins. We first started off with a simple arm wrestling competition to see who wins out on just pure strength. And for the sake of it, everyone's participating, including me since I am quite curious how strong everyone is. But we agreed that I'm to face the strongest out of every else instead.

Sicily: "Ready, Mell?"

Mell: "Am I doing this right?"

They gripped hands on top of the table as Mell looks over to me. I give her a thumbs up, giving her the greenlight.

Kaede: "Ready~ Go!"

I was expecting Mell is absolutely crush Sicily, even breaking the table could've been a possibility. So I was shocked to see that Sicily was still managing. But-

Mell: "Wait, what am I supposed to do?"

Kaede: "Pfft!"

Sicily: "Hnnng! You're meant to- push my hand down on- the table."

Mell: "Oh-"

And in the next moment, Mell slowly brought Sicily's hand down, taking the win with a calm expression, meanwhile Sicily was slumped over the table, completely exhausted.

Sicily: "Hah, hahh~"

Lillian: "I think I'll forfeit that one, haha."

Next round began with the battle between sisters, Fleur and Faye. Sicily was in no shape to have a match straight after, and Mell might also need a break; even though she doesn't even look fazed from her match with Sicily. But this was logically the next match.

Faye: "I'm not going to hold back, sis."

Fleur: "Hehe, neither am I. I'm excited."

They clasped each other's hands as they wait for my signal.

Kaede: "Go!"

In a split second, I heard a crack from the table as their battle already ramped up. Both Fleur and Faye were giving it their all, but their hands remained in the same place, only moving slightly back and forth before meeting back in the middle. In terms of strength, they both looked to be equal as they both still continue to be stuck in a stalemate. That was until Faye finally started showing weakness for just a moment, giving Fleur an opening to quickly slam Faye's hand on the table.

Fleur: "Woohoo!~ I finally won!"

Faye: "Heh, didn't expect that."

Lillian: "Could be because Fleur's been a vampire for longer?"

Kaede: "Maybe."

But then that does raise the question on who'd win between Fleur and Mell, which ended up being our next match after giving Fleur a bit of time to recover.

They both clasped each other's hands as I once again moderate the match. It's safe to say that this was the highlight match as everyone watched closely as they repositioned their hands in a more comfortable way.

Kaede: "Alright. Ready?"

Mell: "Mhmm!"

Fleur: "Yes!"

Kaede: "Then- three, two, one... Go!"

The table ending up creaking once more from the sudden force between the two of them, but what was different than before was that Fleur had already taken the lead, steadily pushing Mell's hand down.

Mell: "M-Mmm!"

The look on Mell's face was of pure defiance, giving it her all to try and make a comeback, but Fleur continued to push Mell's hand down. A tight feeling then suddenly assaults my chest at the idea of Mell potentially losing. I didn't think I'd play favorites, but now I find myself rooting for Mell to win. It was then that Mell noticed me as we locked eyes with one another for a split second, and in the next moment, an intense aura flooded into the room as the battle between Mell and Fleur continued. Miraculously, Mell was actually making a comeback, pushing up against Fleur's hand, inching their hands closer and closer to the middle point once more.

Mell: "Hnnng!"

Fleur: "Kh!"

Fleur in response, put up a sturdy defense, but Mell continue to push through Fleur's defense, even beginning to turn the match around and now it was Mell who began to push down on Fleur's hand. Everyone was at the edge of their seats as Mell got closer and closer to winning, but the excitement quickly came to a halt, as out of nowhere, Fleur brought Mell's hand back to the middle in an instant before quickly slamming her hand down on the other side of the table, sealing the victory.

Fleur: "HAH! HAHH~"

With Fleur desperately trying to catch her breathe, Mell was actually silent and... wait, she's not moving?

Kaede: "Mell!"

I quickly move to check on her, moving her head off of the table as her eyes slowly open. She was so full of energy just before, but now it looks as though she looks as though I just woke her up from a deep sleep.

Mell: "I- lost."

Fleur: "Phew. Thank goodness. I thought I hurt you."

Mell: "Mm mmm. I'm fine... Just a bit, exhausted."

So she's completely exhausted her energy. Well that's good to know. So Fleur has a lot more energy reserves than Mell, but if we're looking at their peak strength, Mell surprisingly came out on top I think.

Sicily: "Hehe. I guess that means there's no one left to battle you, Kaede."

Kaede: "I guess, hehe."

Fleur might still have some energy left, but it'd be unfair for me to go up against her right now. And Mell is completely out, choosing to rest her head against my chest.

Kaede: "We'll continue this after we rest."

Fleur: "Mhmm. Good idea."

-----Yui's POV

Iris: "She wants bottles?"

Yui: "Yes, a whole lot of them."

Iris: "Hehe, How many is a lot?"

Yui: "I'm not sure. Maybe 100?"

Iris: "I'll see what I can do."

I'm not sure if Kaede was joking or not about the bottle idea, but I went ahead and discussed it with mom. Plus it'd just give me another excuse to come see her again before she leaves, so it's a win-win for the both of us.