My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

Akiko was bored.

It was as simple as that.

She lounged in her chair, drumming her fingers against the armrest in a rhythmic but restless pattern.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. She had specifically killed Sariel to slowly drive Ezra Matten in a corner and watch as he slowly descended into chaos. She had been looking forward to enjoying it from the sidelines.

Instead, the man had taken the first step himself by coming clean and laying his cards on the table.

It was… disappointing.

"Not rash at all." She murmured to herself.

Their investigators had delved into his background, gathering information from First City and Faewall and the reports about him had painted the picture of an impulsive vampire. One who acted without thought.

They'd said that strategic vampires would have kept their head low but Ezra Matten had always kept himself in the thick of things.

They definitely hadn't done proper research because the man in front of her was… calmer. He wasn't the vampire she had prepared for, and this version was simultaneously intriguing and irritating.

She was drawn out of her thoughts by a knock on her door.

"Come in." She called, and the new guard commander entered.

She had personally vetted this one, making sure he was someone with no ties to the Society and would maintain a healthy distance from Ezra while keeping an eagle eye on the man. She couldn't afford another failure like Duke.

"Report."

"The estate is secure, Princess." The commander said. "Extra patrols have been added, and the guards have been briefed. They know to observe but not engage unless absolutely necessary."

Akiko nodded. "Good. Keep it that way."

With the attack on Olivia, the situation had… shifted. Now, Ezra was the one who didn't trust the monarchy and not the other way around.

"Observe him, commander, but give him no reason to see you as a threat."

The commander bowed. "Understood, Your Highness."

"Dismissed."

The commander left the room, and Akiko leaned back in her chair.

She was still as bored as she'd previously been but thankfully, she'd arrived.

She exhaled as she focused on her astral projection. It had been flying for hours and now, it floated down from the cloud cover, descending into the top floor of the tallest building in the Monarchy.

Floating through the ceiling was easy and she descended into the room.

The room was large, taking up the entire floor. Standing at the middle of it was a round table surrounded by three chairs. Two were already occupied.

On the first chair was the projection of Prince Caspian, wielder of Riptide. He sat with his customary air of authority, his gaze shifting to Akiko's as she arrived.

Beside him was the projection of Prince Vance, the normally reclusive wielder of Glacier. Just like the relic he wielded, the man sat with a cool demeanor, almost like he'd been frozen in time.

"Late, Akiko?" Caspian rumbled, his voice filling the empty space. "That's not like you."

Akiko's projection settled into the remaining chair, her expression unbothered. "I had matters to attend to." She replied. "An attack on Olivia Matten. I thought you'd like to know."

Caspian leaned forward slightly. "And what's the state of things now?"

"With this attack," Akiko said, "the vampires in Crossroads are beginning to see Ezra and his coven as more of their own than outsiders. He's a victim now, not a spy."

"Interesting." Caspian nodded, his expression thoughtful.

"So, what do the two of you think of the audio file I sent you?"

Vance cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the two. "I forwarded the file to Prince Romanus, the wielder of Omnia. His feedback has been… illuminating."

"Go on." Caspian narrowed his eyes.

Vance nodded. "Romanus confirmed most of the story. Ezra's wife, Genesis, was indeed from Faewall. She caused the death of some and broke the Law of Secrecy a few times before her death."

"The imprisonment of Nicodemus by James Harlow checks out as well. He wanted the man's relic before it fused with his soul but it was too late."

"However, there's one thing Matten lied about. James isn't dead. His heart is in Ezra's possession."

Akiko's brows rose in interest. "He lied about that?"

"He did." Vance confirmed. "And there's more. Romanus believes Ezra technically lied about how Olivia became pregnant."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Caspian raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"According to Romanus, while Ezra wasn't lying about the pregnancy coming from the ability of a mutant, he is the mutant in question." Vance said.

Akiko's eyes widened slightly and even Caspian leaned back in shock.

"A mutant?" Akiko repeated. "How is that possible?"

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"Romanus didn't elaborate." Vance replied. "He said it would cost extra to uncover more."

Akiko leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing on her lips. "Guess I'll have to speak to Romulus myself. Since this is my personal business, I'll foot my bill and keep the information."

Caspian nodded approvingly. "A worthwhile investment." He turned back to Vance. "And what of the event in Faewall? The changes to the world?"

Vance's expression darkened. "Romanus couldn't uncover the truth of it. Whatever blocked Omnia's reach is exceptionally strong. It had to be something tied to the Progenitor."

Akiko's smile faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "So we take Ezra's word for now."

"So, what should we do about Prince James?" She asked, turning to Caspian.

"Let him keep that secret." Caspain answered. "James wouldn't be useful to us anyway. We can't extract the relic from him as it has already bonded with his soul, and he was always a Council hound. He has and will never have any loyalty to us."

Akiko nodded, accepting his reasoning. "Fair enough. And Ezra?"

"He joins the Nightmare Court." Caspian said with finality. "He'll have a seat at the table as a fellow prince."

Vance raised an eyebrow. "You're certain?"

"Yes." Caspian said firmly. "He's valuable. Not just because his presence completes four vampires, making us equal with the Daydream court, but also because we now have a counter to Aether, Prince Arthur's relic."

"That alone is worth more than any suspicions against him."

Akiko's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Then it's decided."

"Ezra Matten will join us."