'What do I expect.'
Zyro sighed in his mind. Fully aware of the fact that the dazzling princess before him was a blood sucking vampire, craving for blood.
Their blood, to be specific.
Despite looking innocent and young, like a playful lady in her youth whose charm begged to be protected and kept. In Zyro's view right now, Scarlet was akin to the hungry predator he had faced to survive within this feral ground. Albeit, in a adorable sheep clothing.
Needless to say, this beautiful monster were going to feast on them to satisfy her thirst. However, instead of heading straight to violence like how he usually deals with enemies. Zyro was considering a different way.
Disregarding her deceiving appearance, Scarlet was terrifying. She could cast magic and utilize vampires talents full potential. But that was just the surface of her might that was shown in unserious battle against the hunters. Judging by how swift she achieved victory, that was not her all. Who knew what's hidden within that pretty head of her's?
Everyone feared the unknown, because the most dangerous thing was something now known.
If she were literally a monster, Zyro would have tried his best to avoid her notice like what he did to specially dreadful monsters. If caught and left with no option, then he will fight to death until the end. Letting fate decide the outcome.
However, the terror his facing was no beast. she's a vampire with human logic in her head, which can be reasoned with.
She wants blood, right? Then he'll give it to her for the sake of peace. Instead of spilling blood through wounds on deadly battle.
Hearing her malicious demand for crimson liquid flowing within them. Zyro put a shaken act, calming himself after a momentary shock, he respond.
"If I guess correctly, you want blood, right?"
Scarlet nodded, pleased by his quick understanding and composed state. It makes things less troublesome for her to obtain what she want.
Zyro continued, pretending to be polite which didn't suit him.
"You saved us from the ruthless hunters just now, of course we're willing to offer you our blood as long as you spare our lives. But... As you can see, my racial inheritance was really poor. I'm ashamed of myself, I don't think my inferior blood tastes good." He gave Pert a strange glance at the corner of his eyes. Adding without shame "But my companion here are an Aster with strong lineage!"
Watching on the side, Pert suddenly looks at him with a frozen expression. Feeling betrayed. Zyro was obviously seeling him to save himself from Scarlet fangs. That said, what's so bad about being bitten by a beautiful princess? For others, it's a dream come true!
'Don't look at me like that, it's not like you'll die, and one of us had to feed her. Besides, she will probably choose high quality blood from a young Aster rather than a black-haired junk like me, anyway. I believe in you kid!' He justified himself.
Scarlet wish were easy to fulfilled, actually. She just wants some blood which is necessary for Vampires bodily needs. Having not consumed blood for one day made her starve. Fortunately, Vampire's need for blood daily wasn't much. So giving Scarlet blood will not be lethal for their health, unless she suck an excessive amount. Surely, she didn't intend to harm them. Because it will be troublesome to obtain warm blood if she did so. Unless she could conveniently find another source.
Scarlet analyze Pert as per Zyro's suggestion, but her interest remain unchanged. She turned to Zyro, her crimson eyes were big and beautiful with mixed tint of bloodlust. He didn't know wether to be afraid or charmed.
"I appreciate your advice, kind Zyro. However, I suggest you should not underestimate yourself. Although, it's true that your racial inheritance aren't so good. It doesn't mean your blood is disgusting, in fact! I rather have your's!" She said politely, with beaming excitement at the end as if she's cheering him.
Zyro was dumbfounded.
'What the duck'
Whereas Pert was disappointed, at the same time, relieved.
His not afraid of death, but was reluctant to be suck by Scarlet. Zyro can't see the allure of her grace drinking his blood at all! All he could think of was the princess's potential dangers.
Dark thought started appearing in his mind, but dismissed them quickly. It's no use. After all, Scarlet only wants some of his blood. Although, he didn't trust her, he knew she's smart enough to not make inconvenient moves.
He sold Pert to save himself, but in the end, he was punished. Zyro gave up the idea of refusing and accepted the impending loss of blood. But not without knowing why.
Taken aback, he swiftly fixed his act.
"It's my honor to offer my blood to you. But... Why me?"
Scarlet chuckled, fascinated.
"For your information, the blood of those with inferior lineage tends to have more pleasing taste than strong inhibitors of their race. That's common knowledge for Vampires. However..."
"Hmm, how do I put this. You see, you smell... strange, pardon my rudeness. I didn't mean it the bad way, it's just that, the lingering scent of your blood was eerie for me, I've never smelled something so... alluring." Scarlet gave Zyro a curious look.
Zyro sighed internally. Of course, it's his otherworldly blood fault for being too attractive for the Vampires nose. Throughout the journey, he sustain some bruises and scratch. Although, they're insignificant and healed fast. The dried blood remains, let alone, the scent. Which exposed his specialness to the princess craving desire.
Back then, his blood peculiarity favored him in trading with the old vampire store when they visited the village. Now, it became a double edge sword. Exposing it's risk for attracting vampire's hunger. Fortunately, Scarlet was a gentle lady.
With that, Pert was saved from his scheme without doing anything. While the treacherous Zyro got a taste of his own medicine.
He had no more questions.
Nodding in understanding, Zyro give his sincere permission to Scarlet. That wasn't actually sincere at all.
Zyro expected Scarlet to dig in abruptly, or slowly with grace by bitting his neck. However, she lingered for a moment, before looking around the camp in search for something.
After a while, she returned with a cup and a knife she got from the hunters bags.
Zyro raise an eyebrow. Confused.
"Umm, aren't you going to bite my neck with your fangs to suck blood?"
Scarlet chuckled. Hiding her discomfort.
"Pardon me. It's just that, what you said is outrageous for nobles nowadays. Although, it's true that our ancestors indeed committed such barbaric practices for blood consumption in the old and feral era in the past. But in this modern day, Vampires etiquette had improved. We no more encourage sucking blood directly by bearing our fangs through their skin like wild beasts. It's too indecent for me. Sorry." Said Scarlet apologetically at the end.
She must have thought Zyro preferred that kind of extraction.
'I didn't want to in the first place, thank you.'
He was glad, actually. Having someone bit your neck with sharp fangs was not comporting. What if she drains him of life? or viciously tear off his neck? Zyro wasn't having it.
'This is what you get for basing reality with fantasy too much.'
Zyro learned to reevaluate his view of this world. Although, it shared fictional traits of earth entertainment data's. His still living in reality. So things tend to be different when encountered personally.
Zyro took the knife and cup to fill it himself. He didn't like the idea of others cutting him. Making himself bleed was pretty easy as Zyro slightly wounded a blood vein on his neck. Letting crimson fluid flow. Other spots would have been more convenient, but the suit of black armor hidden beneath his deceiving clothing protected it.
When he fulfilled her wish, Scarlet release them from their restrains, allowing the slaves to be free.
Sitting beside the campfire, with Pert close to him and Scarlet on the opposite side. Zyro analyzes Scarlet with caution on his eyes. She was peacefully sitted, wrapped in her cloak to fight the night's cold. While holding a cup with two hands, as if she's enjoying hot coffee in a camping trip. The fire burns between them.
Eventually, he thought.
'Naive'
Scarlet was naive, truthfully speaking. She tried hiding it, but Zyro knew better. She released the hunters because she doesn't have the heart to kill. That decision alone was a big mistake, for the hunters might comeback to avenge themselves. Additionally, she releases them from their shackles. Probably because she's confident of her strength to bring them down their knees anytime. Not considering the dangers they carried at all.
Which was another big mistake. Zyro and Pert weren't as weak as they appeared. Perhaps, even matching Scarlet threat level.
These flaws in her judgement lead Zyro to conclude her immature age. It is said Vampires live long, making identifying their actual age rather difficult. However, one's time in life is reflected by their mindset, the more you live, the wiser you become. Clearly, Scarlet was quiet young. Her appearance wasn't fooling anyone.
The night was growing darker, and darker as time past. Eventually, Scarlet finished her drink and said.
"That was refreshing. Now I wonder, what brings you two here?"
Zyro had his head lowered, half asleep. Abruptly awoken to respond a simple yet truthful answer.
"As you have notice, we're escaped slaves from a mountain Mine hoping for a better life in Log Wall where others like us live. But the hunters caught us. Ending up here."
"Log Wall..." Scarlet thought long as she gazed at the wooden fortress direction, before adding. "Your destination isn't bad. The management there is built by wealthy people that once suffered poverty within Foggy Ring. Much like you two. So, you won't be treated too harshly inside. There's also life changing jobs there to help you prosper. But don't trust my words too much, because my knowledge regarding Log Wall was limited to what I heard, not what I've experienced and seen inside. I've not been there either."
Pert got his hopes up upon hearing that, but Zyro's opinion didn't change. After all, influential people tend to sugar coat their territory description, which in turn improves others opinions about them.
However, Scarlet wasn't done yet.
"...But who said you could leave?"