I am not a daughter of the vampire queen!

"So, she really is your friend then."

Nika clasped her hands together and smiled at Julia.

"I was thinking she was lying about it."

Nika looked relieved. Julia paid her no mind and walked towards still crying Nemi. Who doesn’t seem to notice her approach. Julia squatted next to Nemi, and lightly rubbed her shoulder.

"Come on, don’t cry. They didn’t hurt you, did they?"

Julia glanced at the two soldiers that were holding Nemi down. Both took a step back, visibly nervous. At that moment, Nemi stopped crying and lifted her head.

"I am fine. But more importantly, are you okay?"

Nemi jumped and embraced Julia in a firm hug. And after a few seconds, looked at her from head to toe, making sure Julia was unharmed. Her expression was filled to the brim with worry.

"Nothing happened to me, don’t worry."

Julia smiled reassuringly at Nemi. Nemi hugged Julia tightly, worry melting from her face as a wave of relief washed over her. While they were embracing each other, a scoff was heard from behind Julia.

"Of course, she is okay, why would I ever hurt my elder sister?"

Nika crossed her arms in dissatisfaction. She sounded as if Nemi’s words had deeply hurt her. Nemi, though, froze as she heard her talk.

"Elder… Sister?"

Nemi looked up at Julia, confused, as she began to wonder if her ears were working correctly. Julia just shows her a complicated smile.

"It’s complicated, but- "

"I am her little sister, Nika. And since you are my sister’s friend, I will be happy to consider you mine as well."

Nika smiled and performed a peerless, noble greeting. Though her tone was friendly and her smile was as graceful as could be. Nemi could swear she saw a glint of hateful resentment flash in her eyes.

"However, my dearest sister is not truly well at the moment. It would be better to let her rest."

Nika sounded as if her words were pure poison, and with hate flashing in her eyes and a gentle smile on her beautiful face. She grabbed Julia’s shoulders and removed her from Nemi, standing in between them.

"As I said, I am fi-"

"Shhh. Eldest sister, your health is more important than anything. Don’t force yourself to look strong, wasn’t that what you taught me when we were kids?"

Nika glanced into Julia’s eyes with a kind, loving smile on her face. Meanwhile, Nika hugged Julia tightly while still gazing into her eyes. It looked like Nika had completely forgotten Nemi’s very existence.

"Excuse me, but we were talking."

Nemi obviously didn’t like being ignored, and she reminded Nika of her presence. Nika only turned around and tilted her head.

"You still here?"

"Why you…"

"Okay, okay. Let’s calm down a bit."

Julia, noticing the girl’s hostility towards each other, had put herself in between them. giving each a stern look, especially Nika.

"I don’t appreciate you treating my friend like this."

Nika gasped as if she had just realized something and embarrassedly looked away. As her face reddened, Nika looked down in an attempt to hide her face.

"I am sorry you had to see that, sister."

Nika sounded apologetic as she spoke. From behind her, though, Nemi was clearly annoyed. Shouldn’t you be apologizing to me? Nemi most likely thought so based on the way she looked at Nika. Of course, Nika ignored her and focused only on Julia.

"As an apology, I will make your favorite food for breakfast!"

Nika lifted her head and smiled confidently as she clapped her hands. And with a look that screamed, "Leave it to me," she ran out of the room without waiting for Julia’s response.

After roughly 15 seconds, she peeked into the room once again.

"I almost forgot, but it will take some time, so you can take a nice relaxing bath."

And with that and a smile plastered on her face, Nika once again left with a speed that seemed to approach the speed of sound.

"I think she hates me. Not like is not mutual."

Nemi mumbled her opinion and impression of Nika. To which Julia smiled awkwardly as she turned back at Nemi.

"I don’t think she likes anyone who is not me."

As Julia said that she noticed a few of the soldiers nodding from the corner of her eyes.

"I can understand that."

"Did you say something?"

Nemi quietly said this and turned away once she realized that Julia had almost heard her. She shook her head and changed the topic.

"Eh? n-no, not at all. Ah, didn’t she say something about a bath? We can talk and relax there."

Nemi clasped her hands and simply laughed nervously. Julia was curious as to what Nemi had said, but she decided not to press it and thought about the offer instead.

"Bath does sound good now."

"Then if you would follow me, your majesty."

The cat-eared maid from earlier suddenly appeared behind Julia and bowed to her. When did she get here? Julia jumped at how close behind her the maid was standing. Nemi also seemed shocked by the maid’s sudden appearance.

The maid ignored their reaction. And lead them out of the room, without truly waiting for them. Julia and Nemi looked at each other and followed the maid.

"Your majesty?"

Nemi leaned closer to Julia and asked, confusion clear in her voice.

"Believe me, I don’t get it either."

Julia helplessly shakes her head. Nemi could see on Julia’s face that she didn’t have a point to ponder about. Not so long after, they arrived at the bath. With a bow, the maid silently left them.

Once they were alone, both girls went in.

"I really needed this."

Julia let out an exhausted sigh; it had been several days since she took a bath. Nemi was seated close to Julia because of the bath’s size; being so close to her made her blush.

"This is really nice."

Nemi shifted her posture a bit, using the size of the bath as an excuse to get in physical contact with her. Julia flinched a bit but otherwise didn’t react. Disappointing Nemi.

"It’s surprising; I didn’t know you had a sister."

Nemi spoke out purely to get rid of the silence that had enveloped them. Julia looked blankly at Nemi and let out an exasperated sigh. Before then looking Nemi in the face.

"I don’t. She is under the delusion that I am her dead sister."

As she heard the word "delusion" Nemi couldn’t help but show a sympathetic smile to the girl she met earlier. Then Nemi inched closer to Julia. Just like earlier, she didn’t react, but a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Nemi…"

The blush on Julia’s cheeks deepened. Nemi smiled at the sight. She felt that now was the best time to make her move. So, she leaned towards Julia and looked her directly in the eyes.

"Julia I… I love you."

"…"

Julia was silent. She didn’t know what to say. She already knew what Nemi felt towards her, but she wasn’t sure how she herself felt. One thing she knew for sure was that Nemi was important to her as well.

"Do you perhaps dislike me?"

Nemi lowered her head. Julia awkwardly scratched her head and then hugged Nemi and ran her fingers through Nemi’s hair. surprising Nemi.

"I don’t dislike you."

Julia whispered in Nemi’s ear and kissed her. Nemi closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment to the fullest. But it didn’t seem the gods were on her side.

"Your majesty, breakfast is ready."

The voice of the cat-eared maid comes from outside the room. Nemi and Julia separated, both with a deep blush on their faces.

"…we probably should get out."

Nemi nodded as she observed Julia drying herself and putting her dress on, captivated. Realizing she had been staring at Julia for too long, Nemi began drying herself and putting her clothes back on. Once they were both ready, they followed the maid to the dining room.