“DID something happen?!” Kuki shouted, frantically barging into the room after hearing Azusa’s scream. Her eyes locked on Azusa’s hands clamped on Kouya’s shoulders. Her eyes peeled back in surprise at the fury on Azusa’s face. “Miss Azusa! What are you doing?!”
Kouya held out his hand to stop Kuki from lunging at Azusa.
“It’s okay… Azusa was just frightened by a mouse she saw in the room. Nothing wrong here.” Kouya put his arm around Azusa’s back in feigned concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yes! I am! Thank you very much, Kouya.”
Th-That was dangerous! Cold sweat trickled down Azusa’s back. Everything would be over if she got found out here. Kuki put her hand on her chest in relief.
“Is that so? What a relief. This humble maid Kuki was prepared to tear off the limbs of any fool who dared to be offensive toward Master Kouya, even if they happened to be the very woman he chose to contract with! I am glad you were no fool, Miss Azusa,” Kuki said with a toothy grin, her canine teeth clearly longer and sharper than normal.
Chills trailed down Azusa’s back.
Oh yeah, Subaru said most of the people living in this town are vampires. I bet that means Kuki is one too! Her terrifying comment about tearing limbs off confirms it! This really is a town of vampires. It didn’t seem real because I haven’t walked outside the mansion grounds much, but I’m forced to believe it after coming across nothing but vampires since going outside for the first time today.
“Kuki, can you clear the area until the meeting with Father?”
“Yes, sir! Your wish is my command, Master Kouya! My utmost apologies for my lack of consideration. I remember what it was like to be young!”
“……”
Kuki was under yet another grandiose misunderstanding. Azusa apologetically watched the furrow lines deepen on Kouya’s brow.
“I’m sorry,” Azusa apologized.
“What’s done is done.”
Kuki left the room like she was walking on air, leaving Kouya and Azusa behind to work things out.
“I was shocked when you said a contract is the same as marriage… I raised my voice without thinking… Sorry for making you tell all sorts of lies.”
“I said it’s done with already. I’ll clear up the stuff about the contract after we finish what you came here to do. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you very much for taking care of everything for me,” Azusa thanked him from the bottom of her heart. She kneeled on the ground before him in a formal bow to express her gratitude.
Kouya poked her head and grumbled, “Yeah. Anyway, what do you plan on doing now?”
“There’s only one thing to do—crash the court of inquiry and ruin their plans!”
“…While I was waiting for you to change, I heard the court of inquiry you plan on crashing is to be held the day after tomorrow. If you still want to burst in on them, I can speak on your behalf to let you stay here until then.”
“Is there anyone I can meet with now?”
“You would only be able to meet my father. Well, the Patriarch holds all the power over the Red Coven. No matter how unreasonable the demand and how many voices rise up in protest, the nobles must follow what the Patriarch decides. In other words, your wish will come true if you can convince the Patriarch.”
“Then I’ll commence my plan when I meet him!” Azusa promptly decided.
“Okay.”
If the Patriarch had the power to decide, going to the court of inquiry or meeting with him would render the same result.
“I’ll absolutely get Dad’s unconditional release!” Azusa exclaimed. Kouya felt a little worried watching her huff like a dragon ready for battle.