"Against Master's First Lover-2"

With Sigmund holding her tightly and as his crimson-red eyes gazed at her, she couldn't move.

"Why are you… so against it?" Ivory asked.

"I heard him and his friends talk about you. Trust me, he's just messing with you. He wants you to be his lover for a short while and break your heart-"

"Look, Sigmund, if this is about having a lover will interrupt my training, please drop it."

"You're really a birdbrain, aren't you?" Sigmund stared at his Master's eyes, but Ivory avoided his gaze. "You still don't trust me," he smirked in disbelief and removed his hand from her. "I am telling you this not only because it will hinder your training, but also because… never mind. If you don't believe me, then don't go on crying to me after you see his true colors!"

"I… I want to try to be in love," she looked at the floor as their supposedly discreet discussion had turned loud, "So please don't stop me!"

Sigmund was very disappointed. He didn't want to see Ivory being taken by another man, and most of all, not by that second-year of a scumbag. He and his Master were just starting to get to be acquainted with each other and slowly building their trust, but now, she wanted to be in a relationship just because of a random kid. She even promised not to be distracted and swore in front of the principal!

Seeing that Ivory had already decided her fate, he turned his back and started walking away from her.

"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?"

"To get your food, dimwit!"

Ivory sighed and she stared at her Servant's back, she was worried about how their conversation went. She wanted to give Jasiel a chance and trust him, and at the same time, she also wanted to experience being in love and being loved. It was the first time in her entire life that someone had confessed to her, so it was a very special feeling.

Sigmund held a special place in her life too, but she felt that their relationship was totally different from what she wanted to have. She had little, lingering feelings towards him that would always surface whenever he touched her and sucked her blood. She knew that she shouldn't feel those towards her own Servant because she's very certain that they couldn't be lovers.

Servants are pure, and they do not sin nor feel desire... that's what she learned in class.

She assumed that Sigmund had been very possessive towards her because of what happened between him and his past Master. Maybe he didn't want Ivory to leave him and untrust him, that was why he was trying to guard her so well?

She then returned to her seat where Arcea was waiting worriedly, "What happened? Why did your Servant suddenly take you out?"

"Ah, he… He asked about what food I wanted to eat since I forgot to tell him," she said as an excuse. She even felt that she's getting better and better at hiding what's on her mind.

Ivory felt the awkward silence between her and Sigmund that afternoon. She didn't know what to say to him after insisting that she wanted to accept Jasiel as her lover. She wanted to get to know the second-year and felt like it would be worth a try.

After class, when Arcea bid goodbye to Ivory and Sigmund by the academy gate, they saw Jasiel, who was leaning by the guardhouse.

"Ivory!" he cheerfully called as he walked towards them. "I was waiting for you."

"Jasiel… Hello!" she smiled sweetly at him. "Do you need something?"

"I want to take you out for dinner at Alpharion City. Are you free?"

Out of concern, Ivory glanced at Sigmund first and when their eyes met, he turned his head in the opposite direction to avoid her gaze. He was clearly upset!

But Ivory made it clear to Sigmund that she wanted to try having Jasiel as her lover, she'll still accept him, "Sure, let's have dinner together."

Ivory rode on Jasiel's horse-drawn carriage, which is more spacious than hers. He only had one horse, but judging its physique, it might have cost more than fifty thousand silver coins!

Sigmund rode on Ebleu's carriage, and the old man saw how sour his mood was. "Who's the lady's with?"

"Her future ex-lover," he crossed his arms.

Ebleu tried to stifle his laughter, "You don't like him for Miss Ivory? He seemed like a nice man!"

"Shut it. He's actually rotten to the core," he furrowed his eyebrows. "And you know what sucks? She didn't trust me when I told her that," he smirked.

"You really care for your Master," he told him. "Do not worry too much, though. If she gets hurt because of her own decisions, just let it be. Sometimes, only through pain can we realize the important things in our life."

"I'll just let her be hurt? Even if I know it will happen eventually?"

"The most important thing is for you to be there when she needs you."

Soon after, they arrived at the city, and the two carriages parked at the free space near the eatery. Ivory asked Sigmund to wait with Ebleu, and he just glared at his Master.

Jasiel smirked upon seeing the Servant pissed and when Ivory turned to him, he quickly smiled. They walked side-to-side, and the young man initiated the conversation, "So, have you ever had a lover?"

Taken aback by the sudden question, she widened her eyes, then said shyly, "Uhm… No… Not yet!"

"I hope I can be your first, Ivory," Jasiel glanced at her. "Who knows, maybe we're meant to be."

Jasiel then led her to a restaurant where metal tables and chairs were set under the awning of the restaurant. There were plants on the windowsill, and planters were also visible in the area, which both added beauty to the place. They both looked at the menu board placed beside the eatery's door before taking a seat at the nearest table outside the restaurant.

Throughout their dinner night, Sigmund had been listening to them from afar. 'That stupid woman… She's believing everything he says?!' He thought when he heard him say that he wanted Ivory to become his wife someday. It was only their first dinner and he kept on saying things as if he planned to keep her forever!

Sigmund was very bothered by this and although he felt his possessiveness towards his Master kicking in, he tried hard to resist it. The truth is, he wanted to drag Ivory away from the eatery and burn Jasiel's hair until he's bald as an egg!

But then again, he pondered on what Ebleu told him on the carriage, so he should be patient and see how their relationship would unfold in the next days.

After that night, they frequently had dinner together and after a week of being acquainted with each other, Ivory officially accepted Jasiel as her lover. During those nights, Sigmund had no other choice but to continue to silently lurk a few distance away from them. As long as he did not hold hands with her, kiss her, or take her to his bed like what he heard him say, he decided not to interfere.

Lucius, who was absent for a week, was too surprised. "I can't believe it. I was just away for a week and you already found yourself a lover. Don't you think you accepted him so early?" he asked while conversing with them near Ivory's seat.

"What? You're on team Anti-Love, too? You and Sigmund are too boring," Arcea rolled her eyes then chuckled, but none of them laughed. "Oh come on, boys! Don't be too serious! Ivory is just starting to have her sweet, youthful love!"

"You still do not know that person well. What if he's not really the guy you thought he is?" Lucius asked Ivory with a worried look on his face, "I think a week is too soon. Maybe after a month, if you get to know him better, then-"

"A month? No way!" Arcea exclaimed. "Jasiel will get tired of courting her if it's too long!"

"But if he really likes Ivory, he will wait, right?"

Ivory knew that Lucius had a point, but her own excitement urged her to make that rash decision, "It's too late to back out now. We're officially lovers."

"There's nothing I can do then," Lucius scratched the back of his head. "But if he hurts you in any way, tell me. I will get back at him."

Ivory got touched by her friend's concern towards her happiness, "Thank you, Lucius. You're really my best bud."

Ivory and Arcea then talked about the dinner dates that she and Jasiel had, and when they weren't looking at their side, Sigmund tapped Lucius' shoulder.

The Vampire told him, "Rich boy… Let's talk outside."