15 2030-08-04: If I was a woman.

She cannot mute everything as to what she desires so she uses this headset gifted to her by Steve. She's quite surprised about hearing sounds from this thing that people wear on their heads. So, being the modern generation he is, Steve skillfully deciphers the complex difficulty of using it for Milla's viewpoint.

Never in his entire life did he imagine making a playlist for a woman but there's the proof on Milla's bedside table. An iPod Touch 2030 with an added playlist that he sometimes listens to when he's sleeping. The only thing that Milla knows about it is how to play the music since Steve already connected her headset to it. 

The playlist is perfect for a peaceful sleep if and only if Steve didn't forget to remove the random loud music in the playlist after a few hours of playing. He put this on his playlist to wake him up every few hours to check if someone's looking for him outside, something happened while he's fast asleep, or only to look at his gadgets.

*Bang bang into the room~

(I know you want it)~

Bang bang all over you~

(I'll let you-*

Milla abruptly takes off her headset and throws it across the room, only to break into a few pieces after getting into contact with the wall. All of this brings more cold sweat to the vampire king who's regretting his existence at this moment. 

*thuds*

In spite of having her sleep cut short, her senses are still functioning well, so every sound penetrates her ears the instant she removes the headset. She literally knows the location of every vampire on the island and she's able to distinguish the vampire king outside her door. If only looks could kill, Milla has been staring daggers at her door wanting to pierce through it.

She doesn't make a sound for quite a while. Then, she mutters a question for him with a grumpy voice, "What is it?"

Three words after the unbearable silence and that's enough to induce the feeling of begetting a near heart attack for the vampire king. He directly puts his hand over his chest and regains his composure, "My apologies for disturbing you, Empress. But my daughter committed a dire mistake, she- uhm, reported to the vampire emperor that you went to my son's room. Now, Steve is summoned to his mansion."

Like a normal human being who just woke up from her slumber, Milla's mind is yet to wake up, "...So?"

The vampire king is left speechless as his mouth gapes open. Closing it again then opening it again, no words seem to make it out of his mouth. Milla being disturbed at this vampire while her straightforwardness reigns on top of her, "What do you want me to do about it? Go, notify your son to tell the reason why I barged into his room, as easy as that. Also, after his errand, inform him to change the loud music, and this thing you wear on the head."

"Will do and thank you, Empress." The vampire king doesn't neglect to bow towards her room before taking his leave.

He goes straight to his son's bedroom, knocks lightly on his bathroom door, and opens by Steve wearing a towel on the lower part of his body- displaying the dripping water over his toned physique, perhaps a better one compared to Josh. Not giving any warning, his father instantly smacks him on the back of his head, "Wha- what was that for, Dad?"

Steve rubs the spot that's hit by his father while the vampire king scolds him after closing the bathroom door from the inside, "The Empress woke up because of the loud music you put in her playlist! And what are you trying to do giving her a playlist and a headset? Are you courting death?"

"Ehhh…? Ahhh! I forgot to remove that!" Steve can't help but put a palm on his forehead and reflect on what he did. And this response of him stupefies his father but still able to pass the instructions of the Empress to him.

Fifteen minutes have passed and Steve rides one of their private helicopters to fly to Lionel's mansion. It takes almost an hour to travel from their mansion so Steve arrives thirty minutes before six in the evening. Josh fetches the vampire prince from the receiving area on the wide field. He instructs the pilot to leave with the helicopter and come back at a specific time to bring the prince home.

These orders don't reassure his safety but Steve holds on to the hope he gains from hearing they intend to let him go after. He follows Josh inside to the living room until the young butler offers him a pitcher of fresh blood and a wine glass, "Please wait here, Vampire Prince. I'd let you know when dinner is ready."

Steve casually nods his head as he enjoys this fresh blood, because it's possible that this only happens once in his lifetime. After Josh is nowhere to be found, Steve looks around this dark mansion only illuminated by the fire from the hearth. But there's this hovering thought he has since the helicopter landed, 'Damn, I would have fallen for this Josh if I was a woman! Is that the reason why I'm only second to him? Ehh- I don't care anymore, I'll just enjoy this heavenly drink.'

An hour later, Josh comes back to where Steve is- only to find the almost empty pitcher of fresh blood, 'Can he still eat dinner with this state? Well... who could have an appetite and eat at the same table as Lionel?'

He calls the vampire prince's attention with his usual but neutral voice, "Prince Steve? Dinner is ready if you could follow me to the dining area." 

Steve nearly drops his glass in surprise, "Oh! You scared me. Hoooo- okay, lead the way." Not wanting to ruin his princely image if it's not already ruined, he put down his unfinished drink despite wishing to gulp it all down. Then, he unhurriedly stands up and walks after Josh while steadying himself- or more like preparing his mentality.

A 24-seater table covered with white and gray table linen, but what stands out the most is the only two sets of plates and utensils laid on both ends of the table. Servings of food are already placed near their plates because Lionel prefers to eat alone than in a room with plenty of servants present. The vampire emperor has yet to arrive so Josh ushers the prince to their right side- the nearest end of the table from where they entered.

Steve doesn't let the opposite entrance to the dining area out of his peripheral view but the closed doors are not helping him alleviate his anxiousness. Seconds feel like hours as he waits for his arrival while Josh stands away from the table. The prince doesn't feel or hear any movements so he begins to loosen up and look away from the doors. 

The moment he does, a loud slam is heard from it causing Steve to abruptly stand up and feel panicky. When he looks in its direction, the doors are just open and no one is there. "Sit down," hearing this voice from the other end of the table makes Steve freeze up. 

He doesn't have the courage to look in his direction, so he still has his eyes set on the doors as he slowly lowers himself down to his seat. Looking down, he slides himself a little bit to the left so he can face his plate. Then he realizes something- he hasn't greeted him yet. Mustering his remaining bravery, he tries to calmly greet him but fails to do so, "A pleasant evening to you, Lionel."

Silence. This feels like a guy and a girl on a blind date where the other isn't making any contribution in starting or continuing a conversation. 

Steve takes a quick glance at him and sees Lionel not paying any attention to him at all. Instead, he's peacefully eating while the guest who's been trembling inside is suffering from extreme embarrassment. So, the latter tries to eat as well for five minutes but Steve thinks like he's on the chopping block. He decides to start explaining himself, in an attempt to clear the air.

"About the Empress-"

But his words are shortly cut by Lionel, "What about Milla?"

'Do you have to call her by her name while I could only address her as the Empress? Really? Want me to call you Emperor even though you're not? This… this... why can't I think of anything to call him, damn it!'