Ascendant Path of a Lustful Vampire

Chapter 403 403: A wonderful life

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-One Week Later-

Life had been wonderful for Caius with Arlette living under the same roof as him. It wasn't just about the nights they spent in each other's arms—which was every other night—or the fact that she was his steady supply of Blood to keep his slow but steady pace of Advancements.

No, it wasn't really any of that even though they were all great.

It was just her being there. The feeling of companionship. It felt nice.

And they didn't spend all their time rutting in the sheets. Really, they didn't do it as much as either of them would have liked because they tried to be as inconspicuous as they could be. Well, at least that's what Arlette wanted.

She was still amazed that she and Caius hadn't been overheard when they went at it on that first day she arrived at the Estate. A lot of that day was a haze of pleasure but she knew she hadn't remembered to be as quiet as she could have been.

And so, as much as her hormones raged for Caius, she did her best to tame them. And as difficult as it was for her, she believed it was tougher for Caius since he wasn't being as careful or as secretive with his desire.

In any case, since they—mostly Arlette—were trying to control themselves and leave sex for only nighttime (though they couldn't ever fully avoid the occasional loss of self-control), they decided to fill their time together with something else;

Alchemy. Specifically Blood Alchemy.

Caius had more of a handle on Blood Alchemy but Arlette was no slouch herself. And thanks to her higher Magic Circle, she could create higher-tiered concoctions. So they worked in partnership.

Caius no longer drank any of the Beast Blood he was given. After all, he had Arlette. So, they had a lot to use for their experiments. There was a learning curve, but soon, thanks to Arlette's higher Circle and greater experience with Alchemy overall, Caius was gaining access to even stronger 'Trait Acquisition' potions that drew out more of the Beast's attributes.

Arlette enjoyed their time working with Alchemy. For one, as an Alchemy Professor, it made sense why she was staying close to a student. Maybe to offer some remedial tutoring.

For another, and really the most important reason, Alchemy was a 'clean' activity that she and Caius could actually discuss with Count Lucian Von Helsing during Dinner.

Speaking of Dinner, it had become very commonplace since Arlette's arrival and that wasn't a coincidence. The questions Lucian threw her way made it clear he was trying to learn more about her.

That made Caius curious. His father had vast resources so he could have had Arlette investigated and learned more than she was willing to share. Yet, he was always curious and that told Caius that his father hadn't learned much.

Was that because there was nothing to learn or because there was nowhere to learn it?

Caius decided it was likely the second option. 'Louvene' was almost definitely a last name Arlette had picked for herself after she had grown. Likely around the same time she joined 'Ophiuchus'.

And if the name she currently had didn't have any ties to some family or region, then there was no proper thread to follow up on Arlette's past. Hence why it was still shrouded in mystery.

Arlette never avoided any of the questions Lucian asked her. In fact, there was never even a pause or noticeable change in her expression to betray that she had anything to hide. Her answers were always just vague enough but still with finality that announced that she had revealed all she had to reveal.

Caius wasn't surprised she was so good at answering the questions without actually answering them. After all, secrecy is important if one spent a decade or two working for a secret organization. Arlette answered the questions readily because she had had much practice at it.

Hell, the illustrious Lochxen Academy had employed her in what had to have included a grueling series of interviews and investigations because they found nothing worrying. Which means, Arlette's continued employment at Lochxen was a testament to how good she was at keeping her life a secret.

Still, while Lucian was always curious, he was never outright suspicious. He seemed to have warmed up to Arlette. Though, to be fair, he had never been unwelcoming.

And Arlette had gotten past the awkward phase. She was becoming more comfortable and her personality was starting to shine beyond the private moments she had with Caius. Now she cheerfully engaged in the occasional banter at the dinner table with a glass of wine in hand.

Yes, life was great with Arlette around. So great that Caius had mostly forgotten he had an assignment on the way in the form of his cousin, whom he had been asked by his father to 'show the lay of the land'.

Even now, Caius couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it than giving his cousin a tour and whatever that was, he couldn't help but feel he wouldn't like it one bit.

In any case, exactly a week after Arlette began to stay at the Von Helsing Estate, an entourage of Carriages arrived, ferrying Alexia Von Helsing, the lastborn daughter of Duke Marcus Von Helsing, Duke of the Von Helsing Duchy, and Uncle to Caius.

Alexia should have arrived days before but for whatever reason, she had been delayed. But she was here now. And as the sole welcoming party—because he was meant to start his task right now—Caius stood in front of the Estate's main building and waited.

The entourage of Carriages finally completed their drive down from the Gates and stopped. Well, actually only one stopped while the ones ahead kept going. The ones behind the stationary carriage moved around it and, along with the ones that were going on ahead, they drove, turned, and drove out of the opened Gates, heading away from the Estate.

Caius's expression went from a frown to surprise. And then, the driver-side door of the singular carriage left behind by the entourage opened and a high-heeled boot stepped out first before the rest of an elegant female figure followed.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties but Caius knew she was older than that by at least a decade. She was dressed in a black—with royal blue lotus-patterned designs—military-like outfit complete with braided cords that spoke of some rank Caius didn't quite understand. She had a short cape draping from around her neck to her very slim waist. A waist which perfectly complemented a well-covered but so clearly ample chest.

She had on a great-looking belt and attached to it was a slightly curved scabbard that held a sword that looked so much like a Katana as far as Caius could see. The handle was wrapped with Black and Navy blue cords to match her actual outfit.

Her pants framed a full-figured lower half that matched the top half and the ends of both pant legs were tucked into her high-heeled boots which were strapped tight with shoelaces.

Caius's eyes went up to her face and it was beautiful. Perfect even. High and proud cheekbones, full lips turned up in a smile that was a mix of mischievous and deadly. Her eyes were a deep black—the classic Von Helsing Hue—and her hair was Navy blue with a few streaks of black.

At this point, Caius couldn't help but think that blue and black might be her favorite color scheme. And for whatever it was worth, it looked great on her.