Political discussions over the dinner table

   The atmosphere in the dining hall shifted the moment the plates were cleared away. Everyone’s posture straightened as the pleasant chatter faded, replaced by the weight of matters left unresolved.

   I leaned back slightly, realizing it was finally time to talk about what came next. There was just one thing—Lilith’s father, the official head of the Vermillion clan, wasn’t here. His absence at such a crucial discussion made me wonder. But before I could think too far, Sylvia’s voice cut through the silence.

   “First of all, I must express my deepest gratitude to you for saving our clan, and this territory.”

   I shook my head. “Gratitude is appreciated, Lady Sylvia, but I think it should firstly go to your daughter. If she hadn’t asked for our help, we might have left this place without ever knowing the situation.”

   Sylvia’s gaze softened. "You're right," She turned toward Lilith. “All this time, I only wished for you to live a happy life. But I forgot to consider what you truly wanted. And before I realized it… you had already grown so much. I am so proud of you, Lilith. And I am sorry—for being such a selfish mother.”

   Lilith’s eyes shimmered, tears spilled freely. 

   “Please don’t say that about yourself. You only ever wanted the best for me.”

   Sylvia rose from her chair and embraced her daughter tightly. Lilith clung to her, sobbing quietly into her mother’s bossom, while the rest of us respectfully lowered our eyes, giving them their moment.

* * *

   When emotions finally settled, the discussion resumed. 

   “Now that the Silverbane family is no more, another issue arises." Sylvia said. "We need someone suitable to take over their sub-territory.”

   Zephyra nodded. “It should be a merchant family. Even after this incident, many stores remain. Someone must manage them.”

   After Silverbane’s downfall, plenty of shops vanished overnight—though it wasn’t the shops themselves, but their workers. I believe, most of them were undercover pawns in Silverbane’s illegal "farms". The moment the truth spread, they fled. For now, the Vermillions were handling it, but restoration work, together with their current work, was bound to strain them soon. Luckily, I had already predicted this.

   I cleared my throat. “I may have the perfect candidate. A merchant family well-known for sea trading, though they also dabble in various other markets. Most importantly—they have no ties to any clan.”

   Sylvia’s eyebrow lifted, intrigued. “I see. I would like to meet them.”

   “Great, I’ll contact them later.”

   Zephyra folded her arms, her gaze shifting. “That leaves one more matter: what to do with you two.” Her eyes fell on Liam and Laura.

   Liam answered without hesitation. “As long as I’m with big sis, it doesn’t matter what happens.”

   “Liam…” she whispered softly, a small smile tugging her lips. “You’ve become such a siscon.”

   Unfazed, Liam straightened his back. “I promised I’d protect you, didn’t I?”

   They seemed lost in their own little world until Sylvia coughed, breaking the moment. 

   “I can take them under our custody,” she offered firmly.

   Liam’s eyes widened. “Is… is that really alright?”

   “Yes,” Sylvia replied. “I’ve already prepared a place for you both.”

   Both siblings rose from their seats, bowing deeply. 

   “Thank you,” they said in unison.

* * *

   “That should cover everything,” Zephyra declared, pushing back slightly in her chair.

   But Sylvia shook her head. “Not quite. There is one thing I cannot overlook.”

   The air thickened. Her aura pressed on the room like a weight. 

   “Tell me—are you hiding something from us?”

   Zephyra hesitated, her lips tightening. Rex’s eyes shifted to me, and I gave a small nod. 

   “It should be fine. Everyone here is involved more or less already. It would be safer for them to know.”

   Rex added, “I agree.”

   Zephyra sighed, rubbing the back of her neck, before finally relenting.

   And so she told them everything. Strating form how she lost her husband and son. Her hunt for Lucian. Her meeting with me. My own past. Our decision to bait the organization by making the world know both of us lived—and by having me impersonate her lost son, Noah.

   When she finished, silence filled the room.

   Liam and Laura looked stunned... 

   Sylvia and Lilith, however, remained composed.

   I raised an eyebrow. “You two don’t seem surprised.”

   Lilith’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I had a feeling. You never once called Aunt Zephyra ‘mother’—only her name.”

   "..."   

   Seriously?! How had I missed that?

   Before I could respond, Sylvia spoke. “I am truly glad you shared this secret. It would be far worse to keep such things hidden if we are to become family in the future after all.”

   “…What?” I froze.

   “In our lineage, when a vampire bites someone, it signifies they are chosen as a partner for life. By biting you, Lilith has already marked you as her fiancé. I’ve discussed it with Zephyra. We agreed it would be a fitting symbol to strengthen our alliance. Didn't she tell you?”

   I turned to Zephyra, only to see her avoid my gaze entirely.

   ...If I had a coin for every time I’d been sold out, I’d now have two coins. Which was, two too many.

   “You should at least ask your daughter’s opinion,” I muttered.

   But Lilith said. “I’m fine with it.”

   My eyes widened. “…What?”

   Her cheeks tinged pink, but her voice remained steady. 

   “If I must marry someone one day… I’d rather it be you. You make life interesting. And you helped me become a better version of myself.”

   "..."

   I had no words.

   Suddenly, I felt a suffocating bloodlust radiating from my side. I didn’t need to look to know. Luna’s stare burned into me, cold and sharp as steel. She looked exactly like a girlfriend catching her partner on cheating.

   “Luna… You okay?” I asked hesitantly.

   Her aura was far too intense. 

   “Yes. I wish you both happiness.”

   Yeah. She was definitely not fine.

   I turned to Sylvia. “Shouldn’t this be discussed with your husband, since he’s the head of the clan?”

   Sylvia chuckled. “Oh, you’ve misunderstood.”

   “…What?”

   Lilith stepped in. “In vampire society, women hold higher rank. Mother is the true head of the clan.”

   “…Huh? But you once told me you always spent time with your mother because your father was busy with work...”

   She nodded. “That’s true. But that’s because Mother gave him all of her responsibilities as the clan head.”

   I turned back to Sylvia, who nodded serenely. “I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my daughter after all.”

   For a moment, I pitied the man. “Where is he now?”

   “Busy managing documents in the Silverbane territory,” Sylvia answered.

   My pity doubled. “You’re not bullying him too much, are you?”

   “It's fine. He enjoys paperwork,” Sylvia said smoothly. Then her lips curved, her voice dropping suggestively. “And besides… he receives his reward at night.” She licked her lips slowly.

   “…I’d like to hear the details—”

   “MOTHER!” Lilith’s interrupted before the conversation could go further.

   Then we all started laughting.

   Some chaotic things have happened, but overall it looks like a satisfying ending of the case.