♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

A Special Story Event－Vampire's Embrace[後篇]（Louis）

A full moon hangs low in the sky...
You wander into a castle full of vampires,
unwittingly entering into an engagement...
………
Louis "I'm sure we'll meet again."
Louis "I love you, Jily... I know these feelings will never change."
………
The worlds you lived in were different.
But now you're about to experience an unforgettable, eternal love story...

◆ Select a Suitor ◆
Who will you choose?
Choose and your story will start.

＞＞＞Choose Louis

Louis, Chapter 1： 

???(Giles)：And that lord is—
The man turned and bowed politely to the dignified young man with the blond hair.
I turned as well, to find the young man gazing directly at me with his beautiful blue eyes.
I couldn't read his expression at all, but his gaze seemed to draw me in.

（Wait—）

Suddenly he walked towards me, and reached out to take my hand.
He lifted it towards him, and a moment later chilly lips touched the back of my hand.
Jily：Oh!
My eyes widened in surprise, and another voice spoke from behind him.
???(Giles)：Lord Howard?
???(Louis)：It's just a greeting.
???(Louis)：She's my fiancée, isn't she?
???(Giles)：Yes, she is. However—
???(Giles)：She's only just arrived, and we have no idea who she is.
The blond man turned his cool gaze on the taller man addressing him.
???(Louis)：Do you think she's going to do something to me?
???(Giles)：No, of course not—
???(Louis)：Then will you allow us a little time to talk together, alone?
As he spoke, the man gently tugged on my hand, pulling me towards him.
Jily：Um—

（Alone together? Where are you taking me?）

But I didn't know what else to do, so I followed hesitantly as he led me up the stairs.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Jily：Um—

（Alone together? Where are you taking me?）

The man led me by the hand through the castle, until at last we entered a room.

（What is this place?）

The door shut behind us with a quiet thud, and I looked anxiously up at the man.
???(Louis)：My name is Louis Howard. You can call me Louis.
Louis：What's your name?
Jily：I'm Jily.
Louis：Jily...
He repeated my name softly, half to himself.
For a moment I thought I saw a flare of warmth in his gaze.
Jily：So, Louis—
As soon as I spoke, his eyes turned cold and flat again.
He stared down at me, his voice detached as he said,
Louis：Now that you've entered this castle,
Louis：you have no choice but to live here as my fiancée.
Jily：But that's not fair! Please—please, let me go home.
Louis：These are the laws of our castle.
His gaze remained cold and emotionless, in spite of my pleading.

（But I feel sure I saw warmth in your eyes just a moment ago.）

Confusion welled up inside me, and I shook my head.

（There's no way you have any warmth in you, is there?）
（I mean, you're a vampire—）

Just as I thought that, Louis reached out towards me, and fear rose up inside.
Jily：Ahh!
Without thinking I gave a small shriek, stepping back from him.
Louis's fingers stopped, hovering in mid-air, and then he slowly lowered his hand.
Louis：Are you scared of me?
I had thought him cold up until that point, but now his face seemed to fall.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis：Are you scared of me?

（Wait a minute—）

Louis：If you want to run away, I'll help you.
Louis blinked slowly as he continued to study me.
Louis：On the night of the full moon, the lord of the castle can return a human to their own world.
Louis：So all you have to do is pretend to be my fiancée until then.
Jily：Are you saying you'll help me get home?
Louis pressed his lips together at my question.
But he said nothing more, simply studying me in silence.

（But—）

His kindness was completely unexpected, and I suddenly began to doubt everything.
Jily：Louis—are you really a vampire?
Louis：What do you mean?
Jily：I just feel like... you're different from what I thought vampires would be like.
Louis's expression went flat at my words, as if distancing himself from everything.
Louis：I am a vampire. After all, I'm the lord of this castle.
I caught my breath at how quickly his expression changed.
He stepped towards me then, pushing me down against the nearby bed.
Louis：I could attack you right here, right now.
Louis：Like this.
Jily：Louis—?!
He tilted my head upwards, and I felt his lips against my neck.

（You ARE a vampire!）

Sharp teeth grazed my fragile skin, and panic welled up inside me.
Too late I realized that there was nowhere to run to.

（Louis—）

Before I could react, his teeth pierced my skin, and I gasped at the bittersweet sensation.
A moment later everything seemed to fade away as I lost consciousness.

＊＊＊

The next day—
Jily：Nnnnn—
I awoke to a knock at the door, and a voice speaking from outside.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

I awoke to a knock at the door, and a voice speaking from outside.
Maid：Princess. Sir Giles requests your presence.

（Me?）

I frowned in confusion as I climbed slowly out of bed.
After I finished getting ready, I made my way to the room I'd been directed to, and Giles spoke smoothly as I arrived.
Giles：Starting today I would like you to begin studying etiquette as is appropriate for a princess.
Jily：Etiquette?
Giles：Yes. Lord Howard has said that he will teach you personally, now that you are his fiancée.
I caught my breath at the unexpected mention of Louis.
My whole body tensed as I remembered what had happened the night before.

（I'm scared but—I don't have much choice, do I?）

Jily：Very well.

＊＊＊

Jily：Hello?
I stepped cautiously into the room, glancing around.
At last I spied Louis by the far windows, staring outside.

（I don't know why, but—you look lonely somehow.）

There was a pain in his gaze that seemed to draw me in.
But I shook my head quickly, pushing it out of my mind.

（You scared me so much yesterday—I don't want that to happen again.）
（I need to leave here before I get too deeply involved.）

Louis：I'm sorry for what I did yesterday.
Jily：What?
My voice squeaked in surprise at his unexpected apology, and he turned slowly towards me.
Louis：But the fear you felt in that moment was correct.

（What on earth do you mean?）

My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Louis.
Louis：I don't want you to forget that this place is not safe for you.
There was an edge of loneliness in his voice, and it set my thoughts abuzz.

（Louis—）
（Did you do that on purpose to show me how dangerous this place is?）

My thoughts whirled with confusion as I studied Louis, but he only crossed to sit down at the table.
Louis：Anyway, let's get started. Please, sit.
Jily：Okay.
I sat awkwardly across from him at the table, and he picked up a book.

（I don't know why I feel this way, but—）
（I don't think you're a scary vampire after all.）

I couldn't really sort out my own feelings, so I did my best to push them away.
I picked up a piece of parchment and began to write down the things Louis was teaching me.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Time seemed to pass by in a flash after that.
Louis was teaching me all sorts of things I was supposed to know as a princess.
He always kept me at arm's length, yet I could sense his kindness.
My first impression of him hadn't changed at all.
But my feelings towards him had gone from confusion to something else.

＊＊＊

One day—
I was headed towards my usual lessons with Louis when I overheard voices talking nearby.
Bureaucrat 1：He's finally found his princess, and yet—
Bureaucrat 1：Lord Howard still won't even so much as smile at her.
Bureaucrat 2：Well, there's a reason everyone calls him an ice sculpture behind his back.
Bureaucrat 3：But the real problem is that he won't move forward with the wedding plans.
Bureaucrat 1：Tsk. And the wedding is meant to be on the night of the next full moon.

（Wait a minute—we're getting married on the night of the full moon?）

Anxiety fluttered in my tummy, yet my heart began to race at the same time.

（I should be terrified of the idea of living in the castle forever.
（But this is something different. Why do I feel like this?）

I fell deep into thought as I hurried towards the study.
I stepped quickly into the room, shutting the door behind me.
Louis must have noticed something was up, and he narrowed his eyes a little.
Louis：What's the matter?
Jily：Is the wedding really being held on the next full moon?
Louis sighed softly at my words, and nodded slowly.
Louis：Yes. The full moon is the day of our wedding.
Louis：And it's also the only day that I can help you get home.

（Can you really do that?）

Louis：On the night of the full moon, the lord of the castle can return a human to their own world.
Louis：So all you have to do is pretend to be my fiancée until then.

（Is that what this has all been about?）

I caught my breath, looking Louis directly in the eye as I asked,
Jily：So... is this all for me? For my sake?
To my surprise, Louis's gaze seemed to waver.
He swallowed hard at my words, but he didn't answer.
There was something bashful about his expression, and it set my heart racing.

（Why do I feel this way?）

Jily：Can I ask you one more thing?
Louis：What?
Louis frowned a little in confusion, and I spoke hesitantly.
Jily：Did you know they call you an 'ice sculpture'?
Louis responded immediately, his voice deadpan.
Louis：Yes, I know. But I don't really care what other people say about me.

（Oh, that's so sad.）

I knew his gaze could be cold, but I'd always sensed the kindness in it, and I spoke without thinking.
Jily：But I don't think you're cold at all.
Louis's eyes widened in surprise at my words.
I could see warmth in his gaze, and I smiled gently at him.

（These feelings I'm starting to feel for you—don't tell me—）

＊＊＊

Several days later—
After we finished our lessons, Louis and I took a walk in the gardens.

（It's only two more days till the full moon.）

I glanced up at the waxing moon, and Louis looked up as well, following my gaze.
His eyes narrowed a little, as if staring at something distant, far beyond his reach.
Louis：Jily, there's something I want to tell you.
Louis：I—

Louis, Chapter 2：

Louis spoke softly as he stared up at the waxing moon.
Louis：Jily, there's something I want to tell you.
Louis：I... I was once human.
Louis：It was a very long time ago, so long I can hardly remember.
My eyes went wide with shock at Louis's unexpected words.
Louis：But I remember when I was brought to this castle.
Louis：And I also remember how hard it was for me, as a human, to get used to life as a vampire.

（Oh gosh, that's—）

Jily：When you were brought here, were you still human?
Louis：I was. I was just a child, but—I felt so hopeless, so alone, so scared...
Louis：I have felt all the things that you are feeling now.
My heart ached to imagine what it must have been like for Louis, coming to this castle as a child.
Jily：I—
I had no idea what to say, and I chewed my lower lip. Louis's expression wavered as he gazed at me.
Louis：When you look at me like that, I feel it all the more.
Jily：Feel what?
I lifted my head in surprise, and when Louis spoke again, his voice was gentle.
Louis：It's strange, but—I want to take care of you.
Louis：That's why I promise I will return you to your own world.
Jily：Louis—
Louis reached out towards me.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis：That's why I promise I will return you to your own world.
Jily：Louis—
Louis reached out towards me.
Louis：It's okay. I promise I won't ever hurt you again.
I remembered the fear and shock I'd felt when Louis had bitten me.

（But right now—）

His fingers gently gripped my arms, and his lips pressed softly against my forehead.
They were so cold I knew there was no blood flowing through him.
And yet, as he pulled me into his embrace, he felt warm to me somehow.

（I still want to go home—that hasn't changed.）
（But I also want to be with you, Louis.）
（Why do I have to feel this way?）

My feelings seemed to be directly at odds, and I buried my face in Louis's chest.
I felt him quiver a little, and heard him give a soft gasp.
I looked up at him in surprise, but he wasn't looking at me.
His pale blue eyes seemed to be focused on something in the distance.
Jily：What's wrong, Louis?
Louis：It's nothing.
He quickly looked down at me, a small smile on his face.

＊＊＊

At last it was the day of the full moon.
Everyone in the castle had been preparing for the wedding, but a new rumor was spreading fast.
Bureaucrat 1：Lord Howard! I demand an explanation!
The bureaucrats were crowding around Louis, but he looked unconcerned.
Louis：As the rumor suggests, I was once human.
Bureaucrat 1：How dare you!
Bureaucrat 2：We believed you were of pure lineage!
Bureaucrat 2：You've been deceiving us for centuries!
Louis fell silent at the accusations, his expression revealing nothing.
After a moment of silence, an angry voice rose up from the group.
Bureaucrat 2：You will be kept under lock and key until we decide what to do with you!
Louis：Very well.
Louis shrugged slightly as he followed after the bureaucrats.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

I hurried to find Giles, my words bursting out of me the second I entered his room.
Jily：Why did this happen to Louis?!
Giles：That's a good question.
I felt faint with shock, but Giles spoke blandly.
Giles：A rumor about Lord Howard's origins spread through the castle.
Giles：And then he confirmed that rumor himself.
Jily：So where is he now?
Giles：He is being confined in the tower.

（Confined? Oh Louis, what should I do?）

I pressed my lips together, considering my own feelings.

（They've stolen your freedom away, and I want to give it back to you.）

Jily：Could you tell me exactly where Louis is being held?
Jily：I want to help him.
Giles：Do you mean it?
Giles was studying me intently, but I met his gaze directly as I nodded.
Jily：I do.
Giles：Very well.
Giles pulled a large key out of his pocket and handed it to me.
Giles：He's locked in the western tower.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles：He's locked in the western tower.
I stared down at the large key Giles had given me.

（I asked you because I was hoping you could help with this.）
（But even though this is to help Louis—）

I couldn't help but wonder why Giles had been so quick to give me the key.
I studied him for a moment, feeling suddenly suspicious.
Giles：Aren't you going?
Jily：I am.
I nodded quickly, but as he turned towards the door, I found myself speaking.

（I need to know why you gave me this key.）

Jily：Giles—why are you helping me?
Giles paused with his hand on the doorknob, sighing softly.
Giles：I don't support the belief that we must all be purebloods.
Giles：But I do believe that the lord of the castle has an obligation to tell the truth.
Giles：Of course, I would like you to tell that to Lord Howard, but—
Giles cut himself off, and then gave me a meaningful smile.
Giles：It's really because Lord Howard has changed since he met you.
Before I could ask what he meant, Giles opened the door and left the room.

＊＊＊

I hurried to the tower Giles had directed me to, and used the key to enter the room at the top.
Louis：Jily?
Jily：Louis!
Louis stared at me in shock for a moment, but his expression quickly changed to anger.
Louis：Why did you come?
Jily：Because I heard that you got locked up!
Louis：That's not a reason.
Louis's expression turned grimmer still, so I tried again.
Jily：Because I wanted to help you.
Louis's expression contorted for a moment, and then he sighed, his gaze dropping away.
Louis：I'll be okay. Now please, go back before someone finds you.
Jily：I can't do that.
Louis looked up again, finally meeting my gaze directly.
Louis：Jily, listen.
Louis：I might be able to get you out of the castle if I do it now.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis：I might be able to get you out of the castle if I do it now.

（What?）

For a moment my pulse seemed to roar in my ears.

（But—）

I shook my head firmly, because I knew what was important to me now.

（I want to help you, Louis.）

Jily：If you explain to everyone in the castle about where you really came from—
Jily：I'm sure you can get them to understand.
Louis's expression turned serious as he studied me.
Louis：I will explain everything to them, I promise. But—
Louis：Before I do that, I'll return you to your own world.
His voice was filled with determination, and it sent a wave of emotion flooding through me.

（If you do that, then I'll never see you again.）
（And I feel—）

Louis：Are you scared of me?
I'm sorry for what I did yesterday.
It's strange, but—I want to take care of you.
I met Louis's serious gaze head on, filled with a determination of my own.
I reached out and placed my hand over his, squeezing it gently.

（This might be the first time I've ever made the first move to touch you.）

Louis：Jily—
Louis's eyes widened with disbelief as I smiled at him.
Jily：Louis, I want to stay here with you.
I spoke with all the conviction I felt, and his gaze wavered.
Louis：Do you understand what it means to be with me?
I knew what he meant—I would have to become a vampire.

（I understand why you're worried. But—）

I pushed aside my nervousness and smiled up at him again.
Jily：I do.
Louis：All right.
Louis's voice was soft as he leaned close and pressed his lips against my neck...

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Louis, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

Louis：All right.
Louis leaned closer and pressed his lips against my neck.
Jily：Ahhhhhh!
A sharp pain hit me, and I screwed up my face, my eyes tearing up.

（This is what it felt like the last time you bit me.）

A strange sensation flooded through me, inviting me to sleep, and everything grew distant.
Louis raised his head slowly, his eyes trembling with sorrow.
Louis：I'm sorry.

（Louis?）

Consciousness was fading fast, and I couldn't hear his whispered words.

（Wait—what did you say?）

His face blurred in my vision, and then I sank into darkness.

＊＊＊

Louis cradled Jily in his arms, listening to the sound of footsteps approaching.
Giles：Lord Howard, what happened?
Giles's eyes widened with surprise as he took in the scene before him.
Louis：I just put her to sleep.
Louis：I'm going to return her to her home.
Giles：But if you do that, you'll be banished from the castle as well.
Louis looked down at Jily, her expression peaceful as she slept.
Louis：I think it would be best for everyone here if I left the castle.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

＊＊＊

Jily：Nnnnn—
I realized I was lying down on something, and I rolled over, opening my eyes.

（Wait, is this my room? But why—）
（Oh no! Where's Louis?!）

Memories flooded through me before I was even fully awake, and I leapt out of bed.
I heard a sound, and turned to see a figure standing by the door.
Jily：Louis?
I whispered his name uncertainly, my voice breaking the stillness.
Louis turned slowly to look back at me, his eyes widening.
Everything I was feeling for him welled up inside me, threatening to burst out in a rush.

（I want to be with you, Louis! I can't hide these feelings anymore!）

Jily：Please, don't go...
Louis：I want to make you happy. I think you're better off living your life here, in your world.
Jily：But Louis—I want to be with you—
Louis frowned at my words, taking a slow step towards me.
Louis：Humans and vampires live in very different worlds.
His voice was gentle, yet I heard the warning tone in it, and I shook my head.

（You know better than anyone how different our worlds are.）
（And you know better than anyone that the whole idea is impossible.）
（And yet—）

Jily：If you're going away somewhere, I'm going with you.
Louis：Jily—
Louis's voice was a sorrowful whisper as he shook his head.

（What do I have to say to make you understand?）

Tears welled up in my eyes and began to stream down my cheeks.
Louis reached out and wrapped his arms around me.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

（What do I have to say to make you understand?）

Tears welled up in my eyes and began to stream down my cheeks, and Louis wrapped his arms around me.
Louis：I'm sure we'll meet again.
His voice was filled with sorrow, and I knew then that I couldn't change his mind.
Jily：Oh, Louis—
As I whispered his name he placed a soft kiss against the corner of my lips.
I could feel my tears dampening his lips, and then he pulled back.
Louis：I love you, Jily.
I stared up at him with tear-filled eyes, meeting his gentle gaze.
Louis：I know these feelings will never change.
He loosened his grip on me then, and I knew he was letting go of more than just me.
I reached out to grab hold of his hand and try and stop him.
But he was already turning away, and a moment later he was gone.
Jily：Louis!!

（I love you too, Louis!）

I began to cry again as I stared at the closed door.
The days and weeks seemed to pass by in no time after that, but it was all flat and empty.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

I was on my way home from a neighboring town,
and I glanced up at the night sky.

（I thought it was bright, but I didn't realize it was a full moon.）
（It's so pretty.）

Ever since Louis left me,
the light of the full moon always filled my heart with sorrow.

（Oh, Louis—）

I looked down at the ground and began to hurry forward again, when—
???：Jily—
A familiar voice echoed in the darkness, and I looked up in shock.
The person I most wanted to see in the world was standing in front of me.
Jily：Louis?!

（What are you doing here?）

My eyes flooded with sudden tears at the sight of him.
I'd searched the forest countless times since the day he'd left me.
But I'd never found any trace of him, or of the castle.
Louis：The full moon led me here.
Jily：What?
Louis smiled slowly, his voice soft as he said,
Louis：The world of vampires and the world of humans are separate.
Louis：The night of the full moon is the only night that links them.
Louis：But—I wasn't sure I'd really be able to see you.
The light of the moon lit up Louis's pale eyes, and I could see emotions wavering in them.
Louis：I'm glad to see you looking so well.
He smiled gently at me, and without thinking I threw myself into his arms.
Jily：I missed you!!

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis：I'm glad to see you looking so well.
Louis smiled gently at me, and without thinking I threw myself into his arms.
Jily：I missed you!!
Louis：You haven't changed at all.
Louis：You're so good at showing me exactly how you feel.
There was an edge of shyness in his gaze as he enfolded me in his embrace.
Louis：I missed you too.
The gentle honesty of his words filled my heart with happiness.

（I want to be with you.）

My feelings were as strong as they had been when he'd left, and I knew they wouldn't change.
Louis：Is it okay if I come visit you again like this?
Louis：It will only be on the night of the full moon, though.
I knew that Louis was determined not to make me into a vampire.
And I knew that he might never change his mind about that.

（But I don't care.）

Jily：I want to see you, Louis.

（I want to be with you, Louis.）
（That's the only thing I wish for, the only thing I want.）

I smiled brightly up at him,
and he reached up to cup my cheeks with his hands.
Louis：Jily—
I could feel his breath against my lips, and a moment later he kissed me.
The kiss quickly deepened,
and I felt a final tear trickle down my cheek as I gave myself over to the moment...

fin.

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Louis, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

Louis：All right.
Louis leaned closer and pressed his lips against my neck.
Jily：Ahhhhhh!
His lips were cold against my neck, and a sharp pain throbbed through me.
Louis：Hold tight to me.
Jily：I... know. Louis—I'm okay—
Louis：Jily—I'm sorry.

（Oh Louis, you don't need to apologize.）
（This will help me be the same as you.）

The realization filled me with sudden happiness.
I reached up towards Louis's blond hair, stroking it gently.
I could see the conflict in Louis's eyes as he stared down at me.
Then he leaned over and bit me again, his teeth sinking deep into my skin.

（Ahhhh!）

All my strength seemed to escape me, and I sank down into darkness.

＊＊＊

Louis laid the unconscious Jily down on the bed.
As he gazed down at her, the door opened behind him.
Giles：Lord Howard, what happened?
Giles's eyes were wide with surprise as he surveyed the scene.
Louis：Giles, could you give the bureaucrats a message for me?
Louis：Tell them I'll explain everything about who I really am.
Louis：And in return for that—
Giles's eyes went wider still at Louis's unexpected request.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis：And in return for that—
Louis：When that's done, I want to make preparations to return Jily to her own world.
Giles's eyes went wider still at Louis's unexpected request.
Giles：Very well.

＊＊＊

The bureaucrats were gathered together, and Louis moved to stand before them.
Louis：The rumors are true. I am not a pureblood vampire.
Louis glanced around at the whispering vampires as he went on.
Louis：I was brought here by the previous lord of the castle, my sire. I was originally human.
Louis：There is no longer anyone else in this castle who was around back then.
Louis：So it's only natural that none of you knew about it.
Bureaucrat 1：Are you trying to say that you weren't purposely deceiving us?
Bureaucrat 2：But we believed you had the blood of your sire. We believed you were our lord.
Louis：If you tell me I am not suitable to be lord of the castle then I will leave this place.
The bureaucrats all caught their breath at Louis's firm words.
Louis：However, even though I was once human—
Louis：I accepted this role, and I do not intend to abandon it.
Louis：I will fulfill my duties as the lord of this castle.
There was resolve in Louis's voice, and the room fell silent.
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut.
But suddenly a noise broke the silence, and everyone jumped.
Louis：Giles—
Louis stared at Giles as the sound of his applause echoed through the room.
After a long pause, applause rose up from amongst the bureaucrats as well, until they were all applauding.

＊＊＊

Jily：Nnnnn—
I woke in a room in the castle, and I sensed someone approaching as I opened my eyes.
Louis：Are you awake?
Louis leaned close to study my expression, and I blinked up at him with wide eyes.

（That's right—you bit me.）

Jily：I—am I the same as you now, Louis?
I searched my memory as I spoke, but Louis's expression went flat.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis leaned close to study my expression, and I blinked up at him with wide eyes.

（That's right—you bit me.）

Jily：I—am I the same as you now, Louis?
I searched my memory as I spoke, but Louis dropped his gaze to the floor.
Louis：I couldn't do it.

（What?）

Jily：Why?
I frowned in confusion, my voice hoarse and weak.
Louis gently stroked my cheek, as if trying to ease away the sorrow in my expression.
Louis：My hands are cold, aren't they?
Jily：Yes, but—
Louis：It's not just my hands. My whole body is cold as ice.
Louis：Do you really want to become like me? Like this?
There was pain in his voice as he leaned towards me.
He nuzzled against my ear, his lips cold, and I caught my breath.
Jily：Louis—
I quivered at the sweet sensation, and I could feel myself blushing.
Louis：You're so warm.
Louis pulled back again, studying my face as he did so.
Louis：I can't do this.
Louis：This isn't what you deserve.

（Why are you being like this, Louis?）
（I don't understand you at all.）

Part of me was overwhelmed with sadness that he refused to make me a vampire like him.
Part of me was hot and bothered by his teasing caresses, and I didn't know how to react.
Jily：You said something to me once before—

〝Louis：It's strange, but—I want to take care of you.〞
〝Louis：That's why I promise I will return you to your own world.〞

（You told me you'd take me home because you want to take care of me.）

Jily：Louis, how do you really feel about me?
Louis：I—

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Louis：I—
Louis seemed completely lost for words, and I reached out and wrapped my arms around him.

（You're so kind. If you can't decide—）

Jily：If you want me, you can have me. So please, make me like you.
As soon as I spoke, Louis caught me by the shoulders and pushed me away from him.
Louis：You are very special to me.
Louis：That's why you should go home.

（What?）

Louis：I had them postpone the wedding for a day.
I used the excuse that I haven't yet made you into a vampire.
So they made an exception and agreed to hold the ceremony tomorrow instead.
Louis：Today is the only day I can return you to your own world.
Louis：Please, think it over carefully.
Louis placed his hands gently over mine as he tried to persuade me.

（Ahh, how can I make you understand, Louis?）

Jily：I've already thought it over.
Jily：Since I came to this castle I've been thinking about nothing but you, Louis.
I was on the verge of tears, my voice trembling, and I looked up to see Louis's gaze wavering in confusion.
Louis：Jily—

（Louis, I just want to be with you.）

Jily：Please, make me a vampire. If I'm the same as you I won't be afraid of anything.
I spoke the words firmly, and Louis dropped his gaze for a moment before meeting mine again.
Louis：You're so strong, Jily.
He stepped closer to me, his voice throaty as he pushed me back against the bed.
Louis：Are you sure?
I could feel the weight of those words, and all the meaning that lay behind them.

（But I won't regret this. I know it.）

Jily：I am.
I nodded firmly, and Louis leaned closer to whisper in my ear.
Louis：I want to share my life with you, Jily.
Jily：Louis—
Louis brushed my hair back, baring my neck, and then pressed his lips gently against my skin.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Jily：Louis—
Louis brushed my hair back, baring my neck, and then pressed his lips gently against my skin.
Jily：Ahhhhhh!
I cried out softly at the bittersweet pain, and I heard Louis's panting breath.
Louis：I love every part of you, Jily.
Louis：I want to remember the human side of you, too.

（My body feels hotter than ever.）

Louis parted the fabric of my dress, baring my breasts, and rained kisses down on them.
Louis：I'll make sure it doesn't hurt.
Jily：Ohhhh—Louis—
Warmth and passion were building up inside me, and Louis's lips seemed somehow feverish against my skin.
I wrapped my arms around Louis, giving myself over to him and to the feverish desire that seemed to consume us both.

＊＊＊

At last our wedding was held in the castle, with everyone attending.
The castle hall was beautiful, but I barely noticed it as Louis and I shared a kiss.
Louis：I'm never letting you go.
Jily：I know.
Jily：I'll be with you forever, Louis.
I smiled up at Louis, the skirts of my white wedding dress swirling around me.

＊＊＊

The reception party was still going, and I listened to the distant chatter and laughter.
I was standing on the balcony, feeling the soft touch of the breeze on my cheeks.
It should have left me shivering, but it didn't feel cold at all.

（I'm kind of having trouble believing it, but I really am a vampire now.）

Louis：Jily.
I lifted my head at the sound of my name, and felt a soft kiss brush my lips.
I reached up and wrapped my arms around Louis, kissing him back.
At last our lips parted, and Louis smiled sweetly at me as he said,
Louis：I never knew—
Louis：I never realized I could feel this happy, loving someone.
Joy filled me up inside at his sweet words.

（Maybe I already knew it the moment I met you.）
（I feel as if I've been waiting all this time to see you smile like that.）

Jily：Louis—let's stay together, forever.
I wanted to tell him that my feelings for him would never change, but by the look in his eyes he already knew.
He wrapped me in a tight embrace, his arms strong and sure around me.
Louis：I love you.
Jily：I love you too.
The words were like an eternal promise, and our lips came together in another kiss under the pale moonlight...

fin.

After Episode

Find out what happens afterwards in a sexy After Episode...

........
..................
You've sworn your eternal love with Louis,
and now a dizzying night together is upon you...
Louis：I like to hear your voice. You don't have to hold back.
I hadn't even realized what I'd been doing, but I gasped as Louis kissed me again, parting my lips with his tongue.
Louis：You feel so warm.
Louis：I love you.
The moment the pain of his bite to your neck changes to shuddering pleasure...
All you can do is give in to the promise of an unbelievably seductive night with your vampire.