A Daughter's Plea
Mikaela Hyakuya clutched the front of her vampire guard uniform, taking a deep, steadying breath to suppress the overwhelming urge to slide down to the ground, where she leaned against a cold stone building in the heart of downtown Sanguinem. Just moments before, she had endured yet another vile encounter with her ex-benefactor. He'd attempted—for the umpteenth time—to tempt her into drinking human blood, callously snatching a livestock child off the street and slicing his neck with his razor-sharp vampire talons, letting crimson droplets spill forth.
In those moments, Mika wished fervently that she possessed the strength to carry out her threat of killing Ferid. Though she no longer shared his bed, his relentless taunts regarding her denial of blood only deepened her frustration. The thought of slaying Ferid brought a flicker of hope; she knew that both humans and vampires alike would offer their gratitude if she succeeded. Such was the extent of the seventh progenitor's unpopularity.
Time and again, Mika had heard Krul lament that Ferid was a thorn in her side—yet she refrained from eliminating him, knowing it would invite too many uncomfortable inquiries from the Progenitor Council, questions she would rather avoid to prevent any undue suspicion.
But at that moment, Ferid was not Mika's most pressing concern; the throbbing ache in her throat was becoming unbearable. Once she regained her composure, she hurried towards Queen Krul's palace, deliberately ignoring the inquisitive glances of the humans and vampires who watched her pass, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Upon entering the royal audience hall, Mika found her dame seated regally on her throne, one hand clutching a glass vial half-full of her blood, while the other dripped crimson liquid from an open cut on her wrist. When Krul's gaze met her fledgling's, a smile lit up her face.
"Oh, Mika! You're here! I was just preparing some blood…"
Krul never finished her sentence; Mika was beside herself with hunger and swiftly bit into her neck, finding much-needed relief as she drank deeply. Though Krul had the strength to break free from her fledgling's hold, she remained still, allowing Mikaela to indulge until she was satisfied.
As Mika finally pulled away, the queen chuckled softly, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Were you really that thirsty? There, there, drink your fill, my pet," she cooed in the most soothing tone she could muster.
Realization washed over Mika, and she quickly distanced herself, panic rising in her chest. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty!" she blurted, bracing for anger or reprimand. To her surprise, Krul simply smiled.
"It's alright, dear. We all get a little ravenous when we haven't had enough blood," she reassured her.
Feeling a wave of relief, Mika shifted the topic. "If it's not too much trouble, could you spare me a little extra today?"
"Of course, my dear. I can give you as much as you need. Or want."
"Thank you…" Mika breathed, stifling her sigh of relief. But when she noticed Krul's smile falter, concern pricked at her. "What's wrong?"
"Did you fight with Ferid again?"
Mika flinched at Krul's perceptive question. "W...what makes you think that, Your Majesty?"
With a gentle touch, Krul placed her hands on Mika's face, her expression softening with a mix of understanding and concern. "I made you what you are, Mikaela. As your dame, I can sense your emotions, even if I cannot read your mind. I gather you had yet another unpleasant confrontation with Ferid, yes?"
Mika hesitated, feeling exposed. It was uncanny how well Krul understood her, a bond deeper than she had ever shared with her human parents. Ultimately, she nodded. "Yes… but it's nothing worth mentioning. Ferid was merely up to his usual antics."
"Like coaxing you to drink human blood?"
Mika flinched again, her discomfort evident. "Yes. But it's nothing for you to concern yourself with, truly."
Krul shook her head gently. "I am sorry, Mikaela, but he's right this time. You can't survive solely on my blood forever; sooner or later, you'll need to feed from a human. If not, you risk becoming a mindless demon."
"I understand. But for now, I'll be fine. You needn't worry about me, Your Majesty."
The queen nodded, stepping back to her throne. "Very well. I would like a full report on the attack in Shinjuku. I want to hear it directly from you, as I do not trust Ferid."
Instead of responding immediately, Mika asked, "About that… I think you owe me an explanation first."
Krul raised an eyebrow. This was the first time Mika had ever questioned her authority, and although the queen typically tolerated no defiance, she always made an exception for her adopted daughter.
"Are you referring to the Progenitor Council?"
"Yes. You told me the people at the Hyakuya Orphanage used Yuichiro, me, and the others as guinea pigs for their spellcraft experiments, and that you saved us."
"Indeed, that is true, Mika. I have never lied to you about that."
"No, you haven't. But you left something out: according to the council, you were meant to kill us. Why did you spare us, hiding us in Sanguinem as livestock? What was your motivation?"
Krul fell silent for a moment, contemplating. "That… is something you do not need to know, Mikaela. In fact, it's better for you if you don't."
Mika gritted her teeth, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Despite Krul's intent to protect her by withholding information, anger surged within her. The queen was both her dame and a high-ranking progenitor; challenging her authority could be unwise. The best Mika could do was politely ask for what she desired.
Taking a deep breath, she chose her words carefully. "Queen Krul… mother… please. Even though you forced me to become a vampire against my will, I have served you loyally these past four years. I have never disobeyed you or questioned your decisions until now. Is it too much to ask for this one answer, this one favor, in return?"
Upon hearing Mika's heartfelt plea, Krul's expression softened, a moment of vulnerability passing between them.
"That's the first time I've ever heard you address me as 'mother,' Mikaela. Very well, then. If it's that important to you, I will reveal to you why I spared you, Yuichiro, and the other Hyakuya orphans."
After casting a quick glance around to ensure no one was within sight or earshot, Krul approached Mika and leaned in to whisper her secret.
Mika nearly stumbled back in shock. "Are you serious?" she gasped, disbelief etched across her features.
The queen nodded, her expression softening as she tenderly cupped Mika's face, her thumb gliding over the young blonde's soft, rosy lips.
"Next month, we will launch another offensive against the humans, and this time, we will not hold back; they pose too great a threat to be underestimated, especially with Yuichiro in their clutches. If mishandled, his power will unleash a catastrophe the world has never witnessed before—far worse than the epidemic of eight years past. To avert such disaster, I am entrusting you with a secret mission: you will conveniently become 'missing in action' when the attack commences. Use this moment to locate Yuichiro and bring him back to me. I will handle the rest."
Mika swallowed hard, anxiety bubbling in her chest. The thought of returning Yuu to the city where he had nearly lost his life in an escape attempt was daunting, yet she understood she must either comply or feign compliance with her dame's demands. This was likely her last chance to find her adopted brother.
And as much as she despised to admit it, Yuu would be better off with her and Krul than in the hands of the humans. He couldn't remain with the JIDA any more than he could risk falling into the grasp of other vampire progenitors.
"Yes, mother. As you command."
Krul's smile widened as she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss upon Mika's forehead. As her adopted daughter and beloved swordmaiden, Mikaela Hyakuya was the queen's pride and joy. The blonde's radiant beauty had captivated the attention of both human and vampire alike, and to safeguard her identity as a seraph, Krul had decreed that no common vampire in Sanguinem could drink Mika's blood under penalty of death.
"I love you as if you were my own daughter, Mikaela. I understand your desperation to save Yuichiro, but I must caution you: in this world, your affection for him may only lead to suffering. I won't lie to you; children who carry the seraph gene are fated for tragedy. Many will meet untimely deaths—and that is if they are fortunate. The unfortunate ones, if their genes become fully active, transform into angelic monstrosities that endure for eternity."
Mika gasped at this chilling revelation. "Is that Yuu-chan's fate? Is there truly no way to prevent it?"
"There are only two paths to rescue him from that doom: you must either kill him or turn him. One or the other."
"Is there no other option?"
"Not that I know, my dear. I'm sorry, Mika. Now that you are aware, do you still wish to pursue him?"
Mika remained silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of Krul's words, knowing their grim truth.
Yet, she understood the answer she had to give.
"Yes.