19 Dylan – There's Way Too Many Laws

After eating breakfast (without Ms. Yul), the four of us gathered in the living room to continue where we had left off and talk about Ms. Yul's required slave application. Personally, I would have stayed in bed and slept more, but having her as the new addition to our household changes everything.

"Wait. Let me get this straight. After the news of my death, you got stabbed in the back multiple times by an angry fan on your way back home . . . at night?" I asked Ms. Yul who was seated beside Rhea.

Ms. Yul rolled her eyes. "Ugh! Believe it or not, that fan blamed me for not keeping you safe. She said, I deserve to die too."

"Oh, my. That fan is dangerous." Rhea covered her mouth. "At least you're still . . . alive? Like supernaturally alive . . . but still dead."

"What matters the most is Ms. Yul got very lucky," Cordelia said, taking her seat by my side. "Not many humans can get a second chance in life."

"I know! I would have bled to death on the sidewalk if it were not for Mrs. Belmont's bodyguard . . . who happened to be a pureblood vampire." Ms. Yul sighed, sharply. "What's his name again? Oh! He called himself Frederic."

"Is Mom alright?" I frowned. This was beyond my control, but still concerning.

"Don't worry about her. Frederic and the other bodyguard are protecting her day and night."

Dad made the right call leaving two servants behind. I couldn't even stomach the thought of her receiving death threats and harassment every single day. I know firsthand that these scary experiences can damage a person's mental health.

"When Frederic found you bleeding . . . he bit you because . . . ?" I stared at her, waiting for an answer.

"He recognized me and said that I could prove to be useful. Then without warning, he bit my neck and brought me to your father in the Underworld—while I was in excruciating pain, mind you." She touched her neck and grimaced. "God! That bite felt like I was being bitten by an army of fire ants! Who the fuck romanticized vampire bites?"

Horny readers and writers, maybe? I have no idea. Ah, whatever. I better thank that bodyguard for calling the shots when I meet him. Dad wouldn't have thought of sending Ms. Yul to me. She'd know me better instead of that servant he initially had in mind.

"Just to be sure, we won't have any problems once we sign up her name in this slave agency?" I asked Cordelia. I just didn't want to cause any trouble again.

"No problem at all!" She smiled, reassuring me. "This bodyguard serves King Asmodeus, and Lord Dylan is King Asmodeus's son. I am most certain that the necessary documents have been submitted in advance to the managing director."

Documents? I'm amazed. Dad may look like a slacker, but he gets the job done behind the scenes.

"I'm curious. What if Frederic doesn't work for my dad? Will it be hard getting Ms. Yul back to us?"

Cordelia nodded. "Pureblood vampires have specific laws to follow for turning a human into a vampire and transferring their rights to someone else."

"Oh! They were talking about something like that in front of me," Ms. Yul said, sitting upright. "When a pureblood turns a human, that turned vampire becomes their responsibility. They went on about the possibility of going feral, staying out of trouble and . . . how I am linked to Frederic whether I like it or not."

"It is called a Sire Bond," Cordelia said, in a matter-of-fact tone. "Turned vampires are rarely sold to slavery due to this symbiotic relationship. Most of them stay loyal to their Sire and work as servants to survive. If one wishes to break the bond, one must seek a High Warlock to unlink their bond."

"Are you still bonded to him?" I asked Ms. Yul, wanting to clarify something.

"I still am. Your daddy explained to me that my bond to Frederic will come in handy in the future."

"But all rights have been transferred to me?"

"You got that right. Now I'm your responsibility."

"Then why are you still sold to slavery?" I turned to Cordelia whose expression just turned gloomy. "Is that how rights are transferred?"

"Yes, being sold to slavery is how rights are transferred according to the vampires' law," Cordelia emphasized. She didn't seem to like explaining. "The Bonded and Unlinked are given the option to leave or stay with their Sire. If they chose to leave or even dare to escape . . . they will be sold to slavery."

I went silent. Rhea heavily sighed. Ms. Yul looked half-bored and half-mad.

"Unfortunately, they are not allowed to roam free in this realm as they were once human," Cordelia continued. "Humans are forbidden to step foot in this world, let alone carry the knowledge that supernatural creatures exist. If word gets out to the human race, the Sire and Sired will both be answering to the law of vampires, Zemoria's law, and the Underworld's law.

"Thus, only a few slave owners are willing to accept the privileges passed on to them by a pureblood vampire. Potential high risks come with it . . . and demons will somehow be involved."

"Demons have some kind of law for vampires? Wait. Pause." I shook my head. I was beginning to feel it throbbing from all the pieces of information dumped on me. "What— What do you mean by let alone carry the knowledge that supernatural creatures exist? How about my mom? She knows about you guys!"

"Um . . . that's for the demons and their Underworld law. At least 64% of the human population already know that demons truly exist."

"How about mythical creatures? Humans believe in some of them."

"Several ethnic groups have always believed in mythical creatures such as the dragon, phoenix, and nine-tailed fox. However, no reports of real sightings have ever been made to prove their existence compared to demons who have . . . possessed humans." Cordelia hesitated for a moment. She twiddled her fingers and said, "Lord Dylan's head might . . . hurt if I continue unless you want to learn more about their laws in detail and how everything is connected?"

"Let's stop for now. I can already imagine the list of laws and historical facts I'd need to learn in this realm," I said, outright refusing any more information to download in my brain. "I'm not a law student, but I am well aware of this legal principle: ignorance of the law excuses no one."

"If Lord Dylan has a difficult time understanding every written rule and law, I will always be here to help!" Cordelia smiled sweetly.

"You can count on me," Ms. Yul said, raising a hand. "I won't run off screaming about vampires and supernatural creatures in the mortal realm. My loyalty has always been yours."

"And don't forget about me!" Rhea winked. "This beautiful raven has decided to serve you forever."

I tried to think of something tear-jerking to say, but only a few simple words came out of my mouth. "Thank you. I appreciate you girls a lot. I mean it," I said, smiling warmly at them.

"Shall we go then?" Cordelia stood up. "We'll be paying a visit to Yamizumo—the favored nation of the Underworld. It is widely known for its black market, warlock residents, and slave business."

She was explaining about transporting us to the City of Umbra, the city where I could legally buy slaves, but my thoughts kept swirling around the words Underworld and warlock. There could be demons casually walking in the streets. What if they saw me and felt something strange? I sat there for a while, thinking anxiously.

Yesterday, Dad mentioned about High Warlocks before returning to his kingdom. He got me all paranoid with his I will never allow you to step foot in the Underworld cliffhanger. Then, this demon in my head decided to play with me. What if going to Yamizumo wouldn't be safe for me? For us? I better tell Cordelia about it before we head out.

When Cordelia finished her dialogue, Rhea stood up and happily suggested, "Lord Dylan? Would you rather walk through the city or get things done quickly? Yamizumo has many tourist spots to offer and you're going to love their delicacies!"

"D-Delicacies?" Ms. Yul dropped her shoulders. She looked really disappointed. "A dead vampire can't eat hot meals and drink cold drinks anymore. Watching you guys eat breakfast is painful enough. I can't help but feel more jealous!"

Rhea awkwardly laughed, then she patted Ms. Yul's back. "Don't worry, my dear Yul. If you hate hunting for your food, there are blood brothels everywhere. I can take you inside and have you drink—"

"No, thank you!" Ms. Yul recoiled from her in horror. "I'm not ready to drink anyone's blood!"

"Oh, but dear, aren't you a newly turned vampire? You need to consume blood within forty-eight hours! You can't make trouble for our master and you just promised!"

"But . . . but . . ." Ms. Yul felt like retching.

Rhea crossed her arms and squinted her eyes. "Don't be stubborn, Yul. You need to drink blood. You're not a pureblood who can last a month without blood!"

From their conversation alone, I assumed that pureblood vamps can eat and drink like a normal human being since they are alive while turned vamps can only survive by drinking blood since they are dead. Harsh life.

"Rhea's right. Let's walk through the city," I said, standing up. "You need your blood and I want to see the world I'm living in too. But before we leave . . . I want you to come with me." I started walking up the stairs.

The girls exchanged puzzled looks with each other. They weren't sure if I was referring to either one of them. So, I stopped and locked my eyes on Cordelia.

"Y-Yes, Lord Dylan! I'm coming!"