Unexpected Delay

-----Yui's POV

I've just finished meeting with the queen and have successfully got a letter of approval for Kaede and Mell, but only on the condition that Mell remains at Kaede's side. I doubt those two would want to be separated so that's not even an issue. I didn't get to see Undine or Ona during my little visit, but Cecelia said that they'll come visit us tomorrow before we leave for Epillon. Now all that's left is to tell Kaede the good news!

I would've liked to just walk to the capital and back, but Natalie insisted for me to take one of our carriages, saying that it's dangerous for someone like me to be walking around alone. I get what she's saying, but I just would've liked to have more freedom and explore for a bit.

Natalie: "Take us back home, please."

Driver: "Very well."

And in the next moment, the carriage began to move as we head back to our city.

Yui: "The capital isn't even far. I don't see why we could've just walked."

Natalie: "Like I said, you're from a distinguished family. You need to take appropriate measures to maintain your image."

Yui: "Fine~"

I get it, it's what I signed up to when I accepted the fact that I'm my mother's daughter. I guess I'm just still getting used to some parts of it.

Natalie: "So then are you going to tell Kaede the good news?"

Yui: "Mm. I'll jump out before you return to the mansion."

Natalie: "You don't want me to join you?"

Yui: "Ah, no, you can join if you like!"

Natalie: "Pfft. Okay."

It really didn't take too long before we entered our city. I immediately took notice of all the new faces around, seeing a decent amount of demi-humans walking around too. Mom sure has put in the work to organize all of this, but she has gotten some assistance with a few workers now so I guess that'd help.

We soon passed the central water fountain before stopping at Kaede's house. Natalie and I waved off the driver before he continues up to the mansion. I quickly make sure that the letter of approval is still in my pocket before knocking on the door. I'll need to visit Olivia after this and talk about the food situation, but since we're now in mom's city, I don't think there's a need to ride around in a carriage. But after waiting for a few more moments, the door opens, revealing Fleur.

Fleur: "Yui?"

Yui: "Hey Fleur. I just finished my visit with the queen. Is Kaede here?"

Fleur: "Y-yes... But she's a little busy right now."

I figured the reason why she looked a little uncomfortable answering the door was because of my smell, but after hearing that Kaede's busy, it makes me think something must've happened; especially with the sullen look on Fleur's face.

Yui: "Can we come in?"

Fleur: "Yes, but... Be careful."

Careful? It's alarming to hear that coming from Fleur as now when Natalie and I enter, I can tell that the both of us have started to feel anxious.

We got lead to the dining room as everyone was gathered around. But I could tell that this isn't a merry atmosphere. I can already feel how tense of an atmosphere is when Sicily and Lillian looked my way but didn't say anything. That was when I saw Kaede clinging to her mother, Lilith, with Mell clinging to Kaede's back. Neither Kaede or Mell bothered to turn around to greet me, however Lilith locked eyes with me as she gave a soft, gentle smile our way. I tried to speak up, but this atmosphere was just too dense for me to even say a single word, and that was when Kaede finally lifted her head away from Lilith before turning her head to face me. Her face stained in tears as her bright, scarlet red eyes glistened in the light.

Yui: "H-hey..."

Kaede: "You're back earlier than I thought."

Yui: "Yeah, well I got the letter of approval from the queen, so..."

Yeah, this isn't the right time to be talking about this. I move to the table, gently laying the letter on top of it before sitting down. Natalie sat beside me, choosing not to speak up just yet.

Lilith: "Selene... You should tell her. She's clearly worried about you."

Kaede: "..."

I wanted to ask that question myself, but just couldn't figure out when was the right time, so I thank Lilith for speaking for me.

Kaede: "I've decided to turn mom into a vampire."

Yui: "Huh?"

Kaede: "..."

Why the sudden change of heart? I thought she was against that idea, so what made her change her mind?

Mai: "To put it simply-"

Suddenly, Mai came out of the corner, startling me in the process, but I quickly pay attention to her words, focusing my attention on her.

Mai: "Her mother doesn't have long to live, and in order to save her, we had 2 options. Seems as though Selene has chosen one of them."

Natalie: "What was the other option?"

Mai: "To-"

Kaede: "To skin the crest off of mom's back..."

I could feel my stomach begin to churn as I find myself imagining what that would even look like. I haven't seen the crest on her back in a while now, but isn't it her entire back? That's a lot of skin to- Yeah... I'm not going to imagine it any further.

Lilith: "I feel bad for making her do this... I can tell that she never wanted to make this decision, but I agree it's the safest option."

Yui: "But what's killing you? Mai said you won't live for much longer?"

Mai then explained to me exactly what's going on in Lilith's body. Her vessel is no longer cooperating, essentially shutting down as there's no use for it. But instead of feeling sad, I just can't help but wonder if those mages in Inasdale thought it would turn out like this. Like did they know that the crest would end up killing her? I remember them letting her free if she agreed to have this crest carved onto her, but did they only free her because that was essentially her death sentence? This line of thought only pisses me off as I end up digging my nails into my fist. I've been trying to be peaceful about everything, but after seeing Kaede crying her eyes out for god knows how long, forcing her to turn her own mother into a vampire... It's too cruel... Right now, I just wish I could at least punch those mages in the face, but I don't think I could stop with just that if given that opportunity.

Kaede: "Yui..."

Yui: "...Mai."

Mai: "Yes?"

Yui: "You can still teleport, right?"

Mai: "Certainly. As long as it's a place I've been before."

Yui: "Perfect."

Kaede: "Yui?"

I'm so tempted to do this... After learning how strong Lucien is and knowing that Kaede can win against him, I'd like to think our chances of pulling this off is in our favor. Although it would most certainly spark a war. Calm down, Yui... You're just mad, don't do something stupid.

Yui: "...It's nothing. I just thought of something stupid."

Kaede: "Eh?"

Mai: "Ohooo~ I see. Would you like me to check out Inasdale? Perhaps the mages?"

Yui: "No! Well... Yes, but-"

I guess it would be nice for Mai to see what Inasdale is like. I am curious to know how Fabian is doing, so maybe I could just go with that instead?

Kaede: "Don't do anything serious, Mai. Just stay low."

Mai: "Understood. I'll be back then."

But before I could voice anything, Mai quickly vanished, leaving me lost for words as I stand there defeated.

Kaede: "I was thinking the same thing actually."

Yui: "You were?"

Kaede: "Of course. I would like nothing better than for those mages in Inasdale to rot. They need to pay for what they've done."

Lilith: "I did break the law though."

Kaede: "I don't care about that. You shouldn't have to suffer with this."

She then clings back onto Lilith's shirt as I can already hear her voice beginning to tremble again. Everyone else remains silent, but Mell tries her best to comfort her mother. Despite how bleak the situation is, it's cute to to see the three of them bundle up like that. I would love to join in and give them a hug, but I don't think it's my place; at least not right now.

Lilith: "I'm not suffering anymore. You've given me a second chance at life, and even now I'm the happiest I have been. Just holding you in my arms like this makes it feel like all those years of waiting were worth it."

She then gently caressed Kaede's head, brushing her fingers through Kaede's long, white hair.

Lilith: "So no matter what you decide, I'll be happy. Happy that I managed to find you again. And more importantly, I want you to be happy."

Kaede: "I want to be happy "with" you though."

Lilith: "Hehe. Mell is a vampire now, right? It's not that bad, right, Mell?"

Mell: "Uh- Yeah!"

Lilith: "See?"

Kaede: "Pfft. She's just saying that."

Lilith: "Well, regardless. Whether I'm a skinless human, or an ageless vampire, I'm happy with whichever you choose."

Yeah this is definitely not my place right now. Hearing their little conversation really does make me anxious about Lilith's situation. Both her and Kaede want the same thing, but it just sucks that these are our only options...