Revenge

The following day, after the court adjourned, Alex's grandmother and mother took Ariana and Alex aside, filled with questions and suggestions for the future parents.

Curiously, Alex's grandmother asked Ariana, "What month is this?"

Ariana shyly replied, "Um, only the 5th week."

Grandmother nodded, then asked, "Okay, but when did you find out that you are pregnant, and are you taking care of yourself and the baby?"

Ariana responded, "Um, we just found out three days ago, and yes, I've been taking all the magical medicines and potions that the lady medical head prescribed me. Actually, Alex is taking good care of me."

Alex's mother chimed in, "That's great that you've been in touch with the lady medical head since the beginning of your pregnancy. By the way, did she diagnose that you are pregnant?"

Ariana shook her head, "Ah, no, it's Alex who suspected that I am pregnant!"

Alex's mother and grandmother exchanged surprised looks, thinking, "Although he is master of everything, I never thought that he is a great gynaecologist who can tell whether a female is pregnant or not just by looking at her."

Curiously, Alex's mother asked him, "Alex, when did you study gynaecology? And how did you know that she is pregnant?"

Alex became a little uncomfortable and replied in a faking tone, "Um, just intuition! Nothing else! After all, I am the father of these kids."

Alex's mother nodded, "Oh, I see."

Then, Alex's mother and grandmother completely ignored him, focusing all their attention on Ariana, giving her advice on pregnancy, from what to eat and what not to eat, to how to walk and relax—literally everything from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night.

Alex's mother interjected, "Ariana, if you want, jot it down! You have to follow our instructions throughout your pregnancy period of 11 months!"

Confused, Ariana responded, "Mom, I think you meant to tell me 9 months!"

Grandmother chuckled and corrected her, "No, she meant to tell you 11 months, silly girl. You are pregnant with a vampire child, not a normal human child! We vampires give birth after 11 months only. The time span for a vampire child in their mother's womb is 11 months. Fit this thing in your mind. Our rituals, behaviors, and world are completely different from your human world. But now, as you are the wife of our Lord, you have to understand all these things. Don't worry, I will teach you everything gradually."

Later, at bedtime, when Alex was reading something while sitting on his room's balcony, Ariana angrily approached him, demanding, "Why didn't you tell me earlier that vampire babies stay in their mother's womb for 11 months? Now, what will I tell my friends when they ask to see my babies after 9 months? Thank goodness I haven't informed my family about it! Otherwise, I don't know what lie I'd have to make after 9 months."

Alex smiled, stood up, and guided her to the sofa, sitting across from her. As he tucked her hair behind her ear, he explained, "I never told you about this because you never asked me! And don't worry about your friends. I will give you a magical potion that will erase their memory of your pregnancy news. As for your family, we will inform them after 2 months that you are pregnant. Now everything is sorted."

Ariana heaved a sigh, her face expressing exasperation.

Then Alex scooped her up in his arms and carried her to bed. As he gently placed her down, he said, "It's too late now! You shouldn't keep staying up so late. It's not good for you or our kids! Now, hurry up and get some sleep."

As Alex was about to get up after settling her into bed, Ariana turned towards him, stopping him by holding his hands, and asked him to wait for a moment.

Patting her head affectionately, Alex asked, "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Ariana hesitated for a moment before replying, "Um, nothing! I just suddenly wanted your company!"

Alex climbed onto the bed comfortably, gently placing Ariana's head in his lap, and said, "It's okay! During pregnancy, these feelings often happen when you just need someone by your side. Don't worry, I'm here for you!"

After a few seconds, Ariana suddenly turned curious and asked him, "Um, Alex, I've been meaning to ask, how did you realize that I was pregnant? Even though I'm going to be a mom, I haven't felt any symptoms. How did you figure it out? And I don't think the reason you gave to your mother and grandmother is the whole truth."

Alex hesitated for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed, and then confessed, "Because you kicked me away!"

Ariana's eyes widened in surprise, "What? Because I kicked you away?"

Alex nodded, "Yes, because you kicked me away. Normal people, even ordinary vampires, don't have enough power to push me even an inch. But that day, your kick was so strong that it actually pushed me away. That's when it struck me, how could a normal human kick me away? "There must be something powerful within you, something as strong as me. And what can be as strong as me other than my own blood? That's how I figured out that you were pregnant."

Ariana's face displayed a mixture of emotions, "Oh! That's what happened! But how can a 5-week-old fetus have enough strength to kick away a vampire lord?"

Alex smirked and explained, "Because they are vampire babies. They're just beginning to show their presence. As the days pass, they'll start to influence your moods, habits, food preferences, and even your actions and language!"

Ariana suddenly recalled all the scenarios of that night when she conceived them and thought, "I think what you're saying is true. That night, I put all my energy into pushing you away, but I couldn't even budge you an inch. But that day, with just one kick, I managed to push you away. It must have been these two little monsters! But if everything you just told me is correct, then I'm in trouble because I don't know how these two little monsters are going to handle my actions and moods."

Alex, holding her hands, heard all her thoughts. He smiled tenderly and gently kissed her forehead, tucking the blanket around her, and said, "Don't worry about strange thoughts. I will always be with you, no matter what. You can always count on me. Now Just close your eyes and get some rest."

The next early morning, Ariana woke to the feeling of being watched. Still groggy, she struggled to open her eyes fully. When she finally managed to do so, she found her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law standing around her, accompanied by a few vampire maids.

Ariana immediately sat up, her heart racing. "What's going on? Why are you all standing here like this?" she asked, her voice betraying her nervousness.

With a gentle smile, Alex's grandmother replied, "My dear, today we are going to celebrate your motherhood! You are carrying the child of the vampire lord, so there are some rituals you need to perform."

Ariana, still a bit groggy, asked in a confused tone, "Rituals? Do I need to soak in multiple bathing tubs again?"

Alex's mother chuckled at her question before replying, "No, no, nothing like that. Don't worry. Think of today's ritual as similar to a baby shower in your world."

Understanding dawned on Ariana's face. "Ah, I see," she said.

Alex's grandmother continued, "Now, hurry up and get ready! These ladies will assist you. Once you're ready, we'll head to the Energy Forest."

Interrupting with curiosity, Ariana asked, "The Energy Forest? What's that?"

"It's a place where all kinds of positive energy from across the universe are present in the form of trees, flowers, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, and herbs," Alex's grandmother explained.

Ariana listened, her eyes filled with wonder, as if she were a child listening to a magical story.

In a slightly firmer tone, Alex's grandmother said, "That's enough for now. Get up and get ready. We need to be there before sunrise. I'll tell you more about it once we arrive."

Feeling a little overwhelmed, Ariana got out of bed, her expression a mix of excitement and nervousness.

After about an hour, she emerged, dressed in a royal gown made of pure silk and adorned with precious gemstones.

Her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law escorted her to the Energy Forest. The moment they arrived, Ariana was spellbound by the beauty around her. "Wow, what an exotic view!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the breathtaking scenery.

Grandmother's smile was warm and inviting as she said, "Don't just stand here; you'll be even more amazed as you go deeper into the forest! This is just the beginning." With a gentle grip, she took Ariana's hand and led her deeper into the forest. As they walked, Alex's mother and grandmother explained everything in detail.

"The reason we brought you here is to seek blessings for your child from nature," Alex's grandmother began. "The air here is the purest form of air available on this earth. Just as humans worship air, water, fire, earth, and ether because their bodies are made up of these five elements, we vampires are different. Our bodies are not made up of just these five elements; there are additional elements and energies behind our birth. So, like humans, we also seek blessings from them. This forest is abundant with all those energies. Since the establishment of our vampire world, all pregnant vampire women have come here to take a walk through this Energy Forest. When they do, the baby in their womb absorbs all the energies, giving them unbeatable and unique powers when they are born."

Ariana's expression was one of mesmerized awe. "Wow, that's amazing! I love this ritual," she exclaimed.

They returned home in the evening after performing the rituals. When they arrived, Alex's mother insisted that Ariana eat something first and then rest, as the "Pregnancy Celebration Ceremony" would begin a few hours later, during the night.

During the ceremony, Ariana and Alex sat on the throne, while dancers and singers made the event even more lively. The hall was adorned with intricate decorations, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers. One by one, all the citizens of the vampire world came to congratulate them on their upcoming happiness, offering them gifts and blessings.

The ceremony lasted until 3 a.m. Throughout the night, everyone indulged in the festivities, dancing and celebrating. The music echoed through the halls, and laughter filled the air. By the time the ceremony ended, Ariana was exhausted. She went straight to her room to get some sleep. Alex accompanied her and gently helped her lie down on the bed. As soon as she lay down, she fell asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Alex lovingly kissed her forehead and tenderly tucked the blanket around her. Then, he quietly left the room, as he had some important court matter to attend to .

After an hour, Ariana stirred from her sleep, feeling thirsty. Still groggy, she attempted to sit up, but before she could, a maid approached her.

"Dear Lordess, do you need anything?" the maid asked, her voice gentle and soothing.

Ariana, still half-asleep, mumbled, "Water, please."

The maid nodded understandingly. "You just rest, my Lady. I will bring it to you right away."

As Ariana waited, the maid swiftly returned with a glass of water. Ariana's throat felt parched, and she eagerly drank the entire glass in one go. However, as soon as she finished, an uneasy feeling crept over her. Her head began to throb, and she started to feel increasingly uncomfortable. Suddenly, her breaths became shallow, and her heart raced erratically. Panic seized her as she struggled to draw in air.

Realizing that something was terribly wrong with the water she had just consumed, Ariana clutched her chest tightly, gasping for breath. She looked at the maid who had given her the glass and managed to choke out, "Who are you? What did you make me drink?"

The maid's features contorted into a wicked smirk, and in an instant, she waved her hand in front of her face, transforming into "Venoma", her true form.