Eternal Undying Chronicles

Carrisa gently stroked Alicarde's head as he lay resting on her thighs. Her violet eyes never left the holographic image, deep in discussion with the others in the room.

"What a sight for sore eyes, Ali actually sleeping at night," Argint remarked, crossing her arms, her fiery red hair catching the dim light.

Amena, standing quietly behind Carrisa in her usual maid outfit, spoke softly.

"Don't jinx it. I wouldn't be surprised if he wakes up from a nightmare any moment now."

Elizalina, sitting elegantly across from Carrisa, glanced at the sleeping Alicarde, her silver hair draping over her shoulders like silk.

"I wonder what he was up to tonight."

Carrisa, still focused on the hologram, picked up the remote with a knowing smile.

"Why don't we find out for ourselves?"

The large screen in the room flickered to life, revealing a poised reporter standing before a massive hole in the street, her voice clear and authoritative.

"Breaking news tonight. The infamous figure known only as the Reaper, a wanted criminal accused of multiple murders and other heinous crimes, has once again made an unexpected appearance.

This time, however, not as an angel of death but as a savior. Eyewitnesses report that the Reaper rescued a group of civilians held captive by a suspected cult in the old underground sewer systems.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention, though the Reaper's identity remains a mystery."

As the report continued, Argint glanced at Alicarde, her expression softening slightly.

"He actually rescued people. And here I thought he was all about killing his enemies these days. Good to see he's not completely nuts."

Carrisa's hand continued its rhythmic stroking of Alicarde's head. Stay connected with empire

"He may be changing, but some things remain the same."

After a brief pause, Carrisa addressed the others, her tone steady and commanding.

"Alicarde is making waves, we should make a few of our own. Amena and I will handle the formal matters. Argint, Elizalina, you'll continue managing the underworld."

Elizalina gave a slight nod, her voice measured, though a tinge of disdain lingered.

"I suppose I can oversee the matter with the werewolf. Her presence is hardly worth my attention.

I won't stoop to the level of a parasite.

Elizalina opened her mouth to respond, but before any words were exchanged, the air rippled and Wrath, Alicarde's dark familiar, materialized in the room.

In its mouth dangled a bloodied Strigoi, its limbs broken and its pale skin marred by deep wounds. Fear replaced the malice in its eyes as it bled onto the marble floor.

Its eyes met the maid standing behind Carrisa.

Wrath disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only a puddle of dark blood behind.

Amena acknowledged Wrath's departure and quietly left the room.

Carrisa didn't need to ask where she was headed, the dungeon had seen frequent use recently. Alicarde had a particular distaste for certain criminals, and he enjoyed making them suffer before their inevitable end.

Once, Carrisa had asked Alicarde why he put so much effort into torturing his prisoners.

His response had been simple but firm, "I have two sisters. I can't let scum like that walk the same streets as them."

Though it sounded noble, Carrisa knew the truth. Alicarde just wanted their suffering.

Carrisa smiled softly, leaning down to place a tender kiss on his cheek. Her violet eyes, filled with affection and possessiveness, lingered on his face.

To her, Alicarde was more than just her undying companion—he was her greatest treasure.

Argint, who had been watching, hesitated before finally speaking.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have limerence?"

Carrisa raised an eyebrow, surprised by the comment.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You gave Ali a psychological evaluation, but it seems you forgot to give yourself one."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"I do not have limerence." Carrisa's voice was calm, though there was a slight edge to it.

Elizalina, added thoughtfully, "I hate to agree with the werewolf, but Argint might be right. You do have... certain obsessive tendencies."

"Really now?" Carrisa's smile remained, though her gaze darkened. "Do you have any proof?"

Argint, sensing an opportunity, smirked. "Let's see… you reorganized the entire mansion to fit Ali's preferences, even though he barely stays here. You also insisted on preparing his meals yourself, despite Amena being more than capable."

Elizalina chimed in, her voice soft. "I must admit, I found it somewhat... odd that you spent the entire day cooking, especially considering Alicarde did not even notice the difference."

She placed her hand delicately under her chin.

"Perhaps he did not care to notice?"

Carrisa remained composed, though her smile became a touch colder.

"I was the one who made him immortal. It is only natural that we belong together, like the Iron Empress and the Black Knight. She was an eternal, and he was her undying champion. To call it limerence is a poor judgment."

Amena had re-entered the room, quietly taking her place behind Carrisa. She knew better than anyone that Carrisa wasn't finished.

"And what about you three?" Carrisa's voice carried a sharpness that cut through the room's tension.

"Let us start with you, Argint. Correct me if I am mistaken, but are you not of noble birth? Despite that here you are, wearing the clothes of a man to whom you are not married. Let us not overlook your recent escapades—constantly rubbing yourself against him, leaving your scent. Not only is he not your kin, but you've only known him for a short whi

Argint's face flushed, her bravado crumbling as she stammered, "I-I didn't... I mean, ahh..."

Elizalina smirked but quickly masked it as Carrisa turned her attention to the vampire.

"And you, Elizalina. Correct me if I am wrong, but are you not also a noble? A vampire of your pedigree must be of the highest echelon. Your progenitors must be gravely disappointed in how their well-bred daughter has succumbed to the promiscuous lifestyle of the college.

You came here and found a boy—one who piqued your interest. Not only did you deliberately throw yourself at him, feigning accidents, but you committed lewd acts under the guise of feeding, all the while throwing yourself upon him."

Elizalina, her confidence shaken, lowered her head, her silver hair falling like a curtain over her embarrassed expression.

Finally, Carrisa's eyes fell on Amena, who had been quietly standing by her side. A knowing smile tugged at Carrisa's lips as she regarded her loyal maid.

Amena realized the storm was about to shift toward her, sensing she was closer to becoming collateral damage than an actual target.

"Mistress, I said nothing," Amena quickly pointed out, her voice measured and respectful.

"Precisely. You said nothing. As my maid, you should have defended your lady."

Amena's expression remained stoic, but Carrisa noticed the subtle tension in her posture. The maid had likely prepared herself for this and, in a rare bold move, decided to challenge her mistress, thinking perhaps a deflection might spare her from further reprimand.

"But I said nothing about your unhealthy obsession with Ali. Surely I should be spared a verbal lashing."

Carrisa's eyes twitched slightly at the audacity.

'How brazen.'

"Amena," Carrisa began slowly, her voice dangerously sweet.

"I think you may have it worse than anyone here. If I recall correctly, didn't you once take an innocent family hostage using a modern firearm? If memory serves, it was a Gatling gun. Not only were your immediate victims in peril, but the entire neighborhood was at risk of becoming collateral damage."

Carrisa paused, her fingers gracefully clutching the fabric of her dress as she shot a cursory glance at Amena, carefully gauging the maid's reaction.

"Had Alicarde discovered this little… misadventure of yours before his transformation, I imagine he would have been gravely disappointed in you. However, now…" Carrisa allowed a thin smile to cross her lips, "he likely wouldn't care as much."

Amena said nothing, her head bowing lower as Carrisa continued, her tone now mockingly sweet.

"Perhaps I should wake him and share these details. After all, he spent today rescuing innocents—perhaps he might still find such actions worth condemning. His impression of you, I imagine, would certainly plummet."

"N-no, mistress, there's no need for that."

Carrisa allowed herself a satisfied smile, her eyes glinting with triumph as she looked over the three women, all of them now firmly put in their place. None of them would dare challenge her authority again—not even in the smallest of ways.

'Hmph… calling me obsessive. How dare they.'

Carrisa, satisfied, leaned back, her expression triumphant.

"I think we've established that none of you are in a position to judge me."