Chapter 42 City Anniversary

"Another event is coming up?" Lukas asked in surprise.

While stuck in work and checking out invitations manually, Lukas couldn't help but say something at last. He hadn't been to many events, but the letters they were inserting into envelopes were far more abundant than the previous event involving the tribute to fallen hunters.

"Yes, it's the anniversary of the city–the Blood Moon where we triumphed over our foes and pushed them back away from our lands." Lily pursed her lips and poked Lukas' cheek. "You're not very good at memory or lessons at all, are you?"

The two of them were stuck in the office, both seated beside each other at that moment as they conversed lightly. Lily was giving him a cute smile, looking adorable with her hair currently braided as she gave him a look.

"Not at all. I'm not a very good student." Lukas confessed.

And it was true. Even back in his human self–

Lukas' expression faltered slightly. Lily's brows furrowed together as she touched his arm.

"Are you alright, Lukas? I don't mean to upset you. It's fair enough that some Vampires do not care for holidays and events such as this one, right?"

"Yeah…" Lukas scratched his head.

He thought that everything was alright and better now. He was a Vampire–a creature of unimaginable power, physique and prowess but here Lukas was, missing his old self.

It wasn't easy just giving up the life you've always known.

Change was something that happened, but someone like him was stuck to routines and old habits.

Which was strange since he was in a new world now.

He just had sex with Chaerin last night and was having a sweet amount of time with Lily–what was there to miss in his old life anyway?

"You know, you don't have to worry about my family." Lily said. "While it's true that Theodore had heard the conversation about you and Chaerin… I've made him promise not to tell anyone else. So you don't have to worry about my family being up and over you during this event, okay?"

"Oh, okay." Lukas smiled a little, just to ease his girlfriend's worry. "Thank you for that. You know, you could have asked your cousin to assassinate me, but you didn't."

A horrified look spread all over to Lily's face and she grabbed his hand. "Lukas, I would never do something so brutal or cruel as that. I… I love you." Lily averted her gaze shyly. "Even if you had chosen Chaerin over me, I would never dare dream of hurting you at all."

"Lily…" Lukas wasn't quite sure what to say.

"You don't have to say it back." Lily smiled sheepishly. "My feelings must be overwhelming you, aren't they? We haven't known each other very long, but my heart knows it to be true. I love you."

Love was a strong word and for her to say it so suddenly–it both comforted and made him nervous. And yet for that moment, Lukas gently squeezed her hand and placed a chaste kiss on the back.

"Thank you." Lukas met her gaze. "I don't think it's possible for anyone to not love you back–it's you that's loving me that's a bit strange. Anyone else might think that I've used hypnosis on you to say it to me."

Lily's eyes widened as her face morphed into mock horrification. "Am I under the influence of a powerful gaze from a master hypnosis and seducer right now?"

"Nope. Not at all, I'm just this amazing." Lukas cracked a grin and Lily laughed.

The two of them turned and hugged each other for a moment, leaving the envelopes across the table as Lukas pulled Lily into his lap and kissed her forehead. The waves of concerns and worries abated slightly with her presence alone.

Lukas absolutely didn't know why he was still stuck on his 'human' self–everything was wonderful… and it felt like he didn't deserve everything that was happening to him right now.

What exactly did he do?

Be there at the right place and time?

Make a model that was good-looking enough to wow both Chaerin and Lily into becoming his girlfriends?

It didn't exactly feel like him at all–it was almost like a cheat. And it probably was and that was why Lukas didn't feel so good at the moment. It wasn't really him.

"Will you be my date to the event, Lukas?" Lily asked, pulling him away from his thoughts.

"Of course–but Chaerin will be there as well, right?" Lukas asked. Considering that the event was for everyone and each individual's abode was getting an invitation along with posters to be strewn across the city–it was a fair and reasonable conclusion.

"You tell me, Lukas." Lily smiled. "You know her more than me–and not everyone is obliged to attend. No matter how much we try to invite everyone, it's impossible to get everyone on board."

"I see, I see." Lukas rubbed his chin. "I don't exactly want Chaerin to feel left out again, so I could ask her I suppose… but is it a special event for you?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind that much if Chaerin comes around." Lily smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling up to him. "I think we will be having good catering as well–so her sister will probably be there."

"How did you know that Chelsea works in the food service industry?" Lukas quirked a brow.

A blush spread across Lily's face. "Of course, I have to check up on who Chaerin was some more and make sure I know her well. Since she's another person that you like, it's only common sense to know some stuff about her, right?"

"Oh," Lukas said. He chuckled and pressed another kiss across the top of Lily's head. "That's my girl."

"T-thank you." Lily snuggled a bit more closer to Lukas. "I really enjoy just being this close to you, Lukas. Isn't it so nice and peaceful?"

Lukas briefly smiled. "It is, it really is. But do you want to get caught by our supervisor in this position? He might report me to your father or other superiors and I might get sent to the chopping block."

Lily sat back up and gave him a pout. "He wouldn't do that at all. Lukas, my father is a good man."