Taming My Vampire Servant - Chapter 168
When they arrived at Alpharion, Arcea immediately took Ivory to her favorite dress shop. The dresses there were not less than 2000 silver coins, and those with intricate designs cost more.
“If you are Lucius’ sister, then you’re already rich now, so I know you can afford these,” Areca told her.
But Ivory shook her head, “I wouldn’t dare to spend a lot on a dress that I will only wear once.”
She facepalmed, seeing her friend did not change even after a long while, “Fine. Then choose anything, and pay just half. I will pay the other half.”
“Arcea, that’s too much, let’s just choose another store.”
She quickly pulled her towards the counter before she tried to exit the door, “I want you to be the most beautiful in the graduation ceremony! We haven’t seen each other for a long while, so grant my wish!”
“But-”
“No buts, Ivory!” she exclaimed, then asked the dressmaker to show them the dresses and gowns for the graduation ceremony.
Afterwards, they went to another store for the accessories.
“I already have something to wear as a necklace, so I think I will not be buying anything.”
“How about earrings?” Areca asked, showing a pair of beautifully-made diamond-studded earrings on one of the shelves.
“I think I developed an allergy back there in Topazeon Town. My ears have been extra sensitive and itchy lately.”
Areca furrowed her brows, “Is that so? We should have it checked up with a physician, then.”
“Maybe on another day.”
Her friend nodded at her. Instead, she pulled her towards a shelf full of bejeweled bracelets and head accessories. Satisfied with what they bought, they went to the shop adjacent to it and chose pairs of closed heels.
After they spent a lot of coins for their upcoming graduation outfits, Arcea took Ivory home. Ivory got down the horse-drawn carriage, and Sigmund was in front of the door with his arms crossed. His eyebrows furrowed, and he frowned when he saw who she was with.
Arcea greeted the Servant in a high pitch, “Oh, long time no see!” she waved at him as she peeked by the coach’s window.
“Damn it, where did you take her? It’s already sunset,” he growled.
“Now, now, Sigmund, help me take the things inside,” she gave him two big boxes, “We just bought things for the graduation ceremony, so do not be mad.”
He carried the boxes, one in each arm, “But what took you so long? I was worried.”
“It’s been a while since we last met, so we did some catching up as well.”
Arcea narrowed her eyes on him, “How will my pretty friend find a lover, if you’re always guarding her?!”
Sigmund was about to retort, but Ivory suddenly said, “I don’t mind it if it’s Sigmund who would guard me. He’s my Servant after all,” she chuckled, easing the tension between them. “By the way, they prepared and cooked a newly hunted deer. Would you like to eat supper here?”
“Ah, thank you, but I’m afraid I have to decline. I have a special guest at home, and my family also prepared supper,” she said, her cheeks turning red.
“Hmm, I think I know who this guest is.”
Arcea pursed her lips. She knew that Ivory might insist on her guest’s name, so she just told her, “I will surely join you next time!”
After saying their goodbyes, Sigmund took the boxes upstairs. In the kitchen, Anne and Lycus had just finished making all the dishes. Flynn and Gracie already sat on the chairs, staring at the mouth-watering and colorful food served in front of them. Gordon placed the slabs of grilled deer venison on the table.
When all of them had settled down, they started eating. Aside from the grilled deer venison, blueberry pie, rose pudding, and of course, Lycus’ special mashed potato were also served. As they ate, Ivory opened up about her memories in Qawiun Academy.
“I couldn’t forget the first day I entered the academy. I was late, fortunately, Lucius helped me get in.”
“Maybe he already had an affinity for you as your brother,” Anne said.
Ivory shook her head, “Even if it wasn’t me, he’d help the person. He’s a very kind man.”
“Indeed,” her foster mother responded. “What else can you not forget during your stay?”
“Hmm… When I summoned Sigmund…” Ivory recalled that her stubborn Servant rejected her, telling her that her mana had very low quality. He even escaped and left her!
“Thanks to me, you’re already strong,” the Vampire uttered.
“And also thanks to Lycus,” she added, and Sigmund narrowed his eyes on Lycus.
The second Servant shrugged, and they all laughed at the first Servant who seemed to be annoyed. Ivory patted her two Servants’ heads while she was sitting in between them.
For Ivory, moments like that were as precious as gold. Even though she had a lot of predicaments in her life, as long as her family and her Servants stayed with her, she felt like she could overcome anything.
…
Two days later, the graduation ceremony commenced. The grand hall was decorated with long banquet tables on each side with long golden candles entwined with vines and strings of pearls as decors. The hall was also lit with luxurious wooden chandeliers and flags of the academy were hung on the walls.
The Masters were required to wear their best attire, while the Servants were required to be presentable. Those who had big sizes in their active states like Golem and Beast Servants should be in their inactive state in the hall and would be reserved a vacant seat beside their Masters.
Principal Arthurdane and all the Educators were already inside, and soon after, the sixty third-year students came one by one inside the grand hall, and proceeded to their assigned tables. They came with their best attire, considering it as a very important event.
Most of the men were dressed in a three piece set coat consisting of a long jacket, vest, and trousers, while most women wore a half sleeve satin and lace ball gown.
When Ivory and Sigmund came, all eyes were fixed at them. The Vampire Servant wore a black high collared coat with golden embroidery on the collar, shoulder line, and hem sleeve, and black leather pants.
Walking beside him and holding his arm was Ivory, who was wearing an off the shoulder lace ball gown with organza in colors of violet, plum, lupine, and dusty pink. She also wore the crystal moon necklace that Lucius gave her, as well as a golden circle headband and a crystal bracelet that matched it. Her long silver hair was loose, covering up her itching ears.
The Educators did a head count, and realized that there was only one student who had not yet arrived.
“Educator Rosanna, where’s your sister?” asked the Principal.
“I told her not to take an afternoon nap today,” Educator Rosanna facepalmed.
A few moments later, she finally arrived.
“Anastasia! I told you to come early!” she told her sister.
Everyone in the room was mesmerized by her beauty and elegance. The ginger haired lady with ultramarine blue eyes was dressed in a cream ball gown with frills and paired with a wide brim hat.
They observed her as she sat with her classmates at the table assigned to the Green Crystal section.
Arcea, who was sitting on Ivory’s left side, whispered, “Look, Ivory. That’s Educator Rosanna’s sister. Their parents unlisted their marriage years ago and they got separated, that’s why they used different surnames. When the Educator graduated from the academy, their mother already had a different family, so she asked her to take care of her.”
“I see… What a difficult situation.”
She continued, “I heard the young miss was bedridden for almost all her life, but the Goddess answered her prayers. One day, she just woke up full of energy. Fortunately, she was just a week late after the first day of our first year. She was able to catch up with the lessons.”
“I heard she’s the topnotcher in Green Crystal,” their classmate in front of them uttered. “They said that her Servant’s so powerful that it never revealed its true appearance. Even so, I heard Educator Wallace even praised her superb magic abilities.”
“Do you know? They said she’s indifferent. She doesn’t have any friends, because she drove people away. She’s also known to be able to reject a guy in five seconds, before the guy even asked her to be her lover. They say she can read minds…”
As she heard her classmates talk about her, she got more and more curious. Ivory had already seen her a few times during their magic class, but they never once had an opportunity to talk to one another. There was wonder in Ivory’s eyes, and she glanced at Anastasia, who caught her looking at her. To her surprise, she smiled at Ivory, and she returned the kind gesture. It seemed to her that the rumors about her being unfriendly were untrue.