Chapter 8: Da~te, Da~te, It’s time for a Da~te! (The Vampire and Mana’s Date Part 2)

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P.O.V.: Mana

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I am curious about the Princess. I secretly adore anything cute, even though I tend to be gloomy. But meeting the other version of the Princess sounds scary; she seems less like a Vampire Princess and more like a Vampire Empress. What does she mean by showing me and then explaining it rather than telling me now? As we reach the Princess's bed chambers, I hear Yami knock on the door and announce our arrival.

"Knock…knock..Lucy, Mana, and I are coming in…" Yami stated.

"Welcome back, Yami. Good morning, Mana. I'm sorry the Princess hasn't woken up yet; please don't think poorly of her for this. She had a very rough night last night and was so excited about meeting you too," Lucy apologizes.

From what I've been told so far and what I can understand, I wouldn't think poorly of the Princess because of this. As I think to myself, I look at the sleeping Princess, who is currently having her head patted by Lucy. Wait… is she crying… is she okay… I need to let them know and ask…

"Lucy, Yami, the Princess is crying, is… is she okay?" I ask.

"Shoot, Mana, I'm sorry; I know this is rude to do in front of others, but please understand," Yami says before hurrying to the Princess's side and giving her a light kiss. Wait, why a kiss? It looks as though her crying has calmed a little, but she's still crying pretty hard…

"Damn it, she will panic if she wakes up like this; hurry Lucy you do it too," Yami says.

"Yes, of course. I hope this helps ease your tears, My Princess," Lucy says to Yami and the Princess before giving the Princess a light and slightly extended kiss. Oh, it seems the Princess has stopped crying. I need to hurry and ask before the Princess wakes up.

"Yami, Lucy, may I ask what that was about? I figured I should ask now before the princess wakes up," I say.

"Very well, I suppose Yami was right; it's better that you have seen this sooner rather than later; I just wish our princess didn't have to be in pain and crying to show you…" Lucy says.

"I know, I hate it as well, Lucy; I want to see our Princess smiling, not in tears. I know this is hard for you to talk about, but I will explain everything to Mana, so can you please be by the Princess's side if she wakes up before I finish explaining," Yami says.

"Very well, … thank you, Yami," Lucy replies.

After Yami finished her conversation with Lucy, she took me to the study area outside my patio, which was linked to the Princess's room. Yami explained everything to me, including how the Princess saved them and their first meeting with Lily's other self. She also told me about the punishment that her other self delivered to the men she saved them from. Yami mentioned that the Princess had prophetic dreams about the future but couldn't remember the details after she woke up. Yami also explained the reason behind the Princess's frail and weak body and why she would cry in her sleep during her study break, immediately calling for one of them if they were alone at that time. Seeing Yami crying while explaining all this information, I also found myself shedding tears. I wondered why I was crying, as I hadn't shed tears in years. I had to be tough to take care of my mother. Why was I crying about the Princess?

After we dried our faces, we headed back into the Princess's room, where we found her sitting in Lucy's lap eating pudding before she turned and looked at me.

"…." I was at a loss for words.

She was such a cute and precious little creature. Just seeing her happily enjoying her pudding made me want to protect her forever. Is this what Yami meant earlier? I had to find out. I decided to call her Lily after our introductions. I wanted to see that smile. Why was I feeling this way? I had never cared about anything like this before, so why was I feeling this way about the Princess?

"Ahh...You're here, yataa! Nice to meet you, Mana; thank you for taking the job to tutor me, and I hope we can be friends as well". Lily exclaimed.

"Likewise, it is a pleasure to meet you as well, it is an honor to be your tutor, and I would love to be your friend, Lily." I stated.

As soon as Lily heard me call her by her name and said I would love to be her friend, I received the most beautiful and brightest smile I had ever seen. It felt as if my heart stopped for a few seconds, and my whole world got more colorful and brilliant. Was this what they called love at first sight? No, I needed to focus on my job of tutoring her; it was all for the sake of my beloved mother.

"Yaayy, did you hear that, Lucy, Yami! Mana called me by name without me having to ask! Mana, thank you, I'm ready to learn. I've been bored being stuck in this bed chamber with nothing to do. I already have most of the books in the castle. So let's get started. Can we study on the patio today"? Lily asked.

"Wow, I'm glad you're excited to learn. With a thirst for knowledge like that, I can tell it will be quite fun to tutor you. I wouldn't mind tutoring on the patio today. Is that okay with you two, Lucy and Yami"? I asked Lucy and Yami.

This was the first time I had seen someone with the same thirst for knowledge as I had, and I was starting to get excited.

"Very well, that will be fine, but I know this will embarrass you, but I will carry you, my princess." Lucy stated.

"But..but..." Lily tried to argue.

"Do as you're told this time, Lily; you're still running a light fever from last night." Yami told Lily.

"Mouu…very well…but it's not like I'm happy about it." Lily stated.

When Lily said that, I could see a slight smile on her face after being picked up in a princess carry by Lucy.

"Hahahaha!" I couldn't help but laugh out loud, breaking the silence that had filled the air. I hoped that Lucy and Yami didn't think that I was laughing at the Princess.

"Ehehehe, look, Lucy, Yami, Mana's laughing. Seeing others laugh makes me happy," Lily said, her sweet and pure voice filling the patio.

We started our study session on the patio, and the first few sessions were a lot of fun. Lily was able to memorize what she learned after hearing it or reading it once. Before I realized it, three months had already passed, and we had finished the academic part of the study sessions. During those three months, I noticed that I started to genuinely smile and laugh a lot more when it was just Lily and me together.

After finishing the academic part of the study sessions, we advanced and moved on to magical theory and formations. Two more months had passed, and I had been Lily's friend and tutor for five months now. We had become quite close, and I found myself talking about Lily all the time when reporting to my beloved mother about how my days were going. During those months, I even told Lily about my mother and how she was sick. Lily cried for me and had Lucy come with me when I went home to see if she could help. Apparently, Lucy was really good with healing magic. However, it didn't help. My mother's condition had started to get worse recently.

After I told Lily about my mother's worsening condition, she had us study different healing magic formations and theories. Some of which I couldn't fully understand myself, but Lily could comprehend and understand them. We continued to study healing magic until another month had passed, and it was the last study session on the contract, and we were able to make a breakthrough. However, Lily could only use it to its full capabilities due to her high magic compatibility.

That was when that event happened. All I could think about was testing that magic to see if it genuinely worked. I forgot why Lily hadn't been allowed to use magic yet these last six months, and that she didn't know why she wasn't allowed to either.

"Great job figuring this out, Lily!" I said, genuinely proud of her.

"Ehehehe, it's just too bad that it appears I am the only one that can use it right now," Lily responded, sounding a bit disappointed.

"True, but now that I think about it, didn't we study a magical theory that stated if someone were to use magic on someone else, as long that person survived, they would gain the knowledge to use said magic as long as they had the same affinity and compatibility with said magic. The same can be said with healing magic. As long as it can heal the wound, the person that was healed will be able to use the magic as well. So, Lily, I have a critical favor to ask from you as a friend. Will you use this new magic you figured out on me? I have affinity and compatibility with healing magic, so I should be able to use it after as well. I might be able to save my mother, please, Lily?" I asked, feeling a bit desperate.

Before she could respond, I had already taken out my knife and cut my arm.

"What are you doing, Mana!? I have no choice now. I was planning on saying yes anyways, but there was a better way to go about this. Oh, Dearest Goddess, bless the body with life and give it better health, Rejuvenation!" Lily said, sounding a bit irritated.

As soon as she finished the magical chant, I felt a surge of energy coursing through my body. "It worked, it really worked; I can also understand how to use it now; thank you, Lily," I exclaimed, filled with excitement.

Lily didn't respond, and I looked at her, confused. "Lily, I said it worked; now I'll be able to heal my mother, isn't that great?" I repeated myself.

Again, Lily didn't say anything, and I started to feel uneasy. "Lily, why aren't you saying anything?" I asked, my tone growing more anxious.

As I tried to calm down, I noticed that Lily had collapsed. I quickly ran to her, and her body felt like it was on fire. "Shit, what have I done? I need to get her to Yami or Lucy. I'm sorry, Lily, I'm so sorry. All for my selfish reasons, I put you in danger," I muttered, regretting my actions.

Without hesitation, I picked up Lily and ran as fast as I could to find Yami and Lucy. When I found them, I immediately explained the situation. "Yami, Lucy! The Princess collapsed, and she felt like her body was on fire. It's my fault; I'm so sorry, Lily," I pleaded.

Lucy interrupted me, "You can explain what happened and apologize later. Now, hand the Princess to me. You can go ahead and head home now; I am sure you have something you need to do there, judging from this situation."

Yami chimed in, "We need to get Lily into bed and get the royal physician. Let's go, Lucy. Go home, for now, Mana."

I handed Lily over to Lucy and watched as they rushed to get her the help she needed. I felt guilty for what had happened but knew I needed to let the professionals take over. I left, feeling ashamed and regretful, but grateful that Yami and Lucy were there to help Lily.