POV: Nerys
In a small room overlooking the battlefield, there we were: me, Nerys, Flávia, Selena, and Viena — the eldest sister.
We watched the brutal "fight"… or rather, what was supposed to be a fight, because Bruno was simply being decimated. Tortured.
Each punch from our mother tore holes into his body. She spared only two areas: his blood star and his head.
Other than that, it was pure savagery.
Not even we had gone through something like that during our own training with her.
Even after the effect of the regeneration potion wore off, she kept attacking, relentlessly, without giving him a single moment to recover.
Boom.
My eyes followed Bruno as he was hurled against the wall.
The impact created a terrifying crash, though it only caused light ripples in the protective barrier.
Unfortunately, our mother kept advancing, despite Bruno's critical condition.
From afar, for the first time, we could see a faint trace of desperation on his face.
He then conjured a thin fire barrier.
— "Why? Hasn't he realized it's useless?" — said Viena, confused and disturbed by our mother's brutality.
— "Bruno..." — Flávia's voice came out faint.
Trying to encourage him, something unexpected happened: a magic bookmarking book appeared in Bruno's hand.
Ten fire spells were cast in multiple directions.
Each one held the power of a young vampire — around 100 to 200 years old.
Three fire phoenixes soared into the sky.
Four flames burst in the four cardinal directions.
Three blue fireballs shot out randomly.
Bruno dashed toward one of the spreading flames — but it was still no use.
Our mother pinpointed his location instantly.
Vush.
A sound echoed through the flames. It was Bruno. Without even attempting to hide, he raised two fingers, and all the attacks converged on our mother.
But… that was it.
They did nothing.
With her usual disdain, she vanished and reappeared behind Bruno, ready to land a heavy blow to his back.
But then… something happened.
Bruno's bracelet appeared on our mother's wrist — without him even touching her.
It expanded rapidly, revealing her position on purpose.
BOOM.
With a spinning kick, Bruno launched our mother into the barrier.
It was his first hit.
— "Shit…"
— "She's going to kill him…"
— "Damn…"
I heard murmurs as we all rushed toward the training field.
But then, curiously, something unexpected happened...
Hahaha.
Our mother… laughed.
Fortunately, it seemed she laughed because of the kick.
---
POV: Bruno
That's it.
Happiness coursed through me as I landed that precise kick on Serapynhe.
But that feeling was immediately erased by a terrifying aura that enveloped my entire body, followed by a dark, unsettling laugh.
Hahaha…
Shit.
I'm going to die.
I tried to back away on instinct.
I was panicking.
— "What kind of stupid idea was that? Kicking Serapynhe? Am I insane?!"
Before I could react, she was already in front of me, lifting me by the arms like I was a child.
I thought that was the end...
But then, I saw her face.
And what I saw was strange… yet familiar.
Possessiveness.
Pleasure.
A twisted kind of love.
Her eyes gleamed intensely as she looked at me.
It was as if a thousand words were dying to be spoken every second.
Then, a loud voice echoed:
— "Get away from him, you witch…"
I know that voice.
— "Flávia?"
Before I could confirm it, a blur shoved Serapynhe away and placed me gently on the ground, hugging me tightly around the waist — like a frightened cat seeking shelter.
— "Witch?!" — Serapynhe's voice came out extremely hostile. Her expression twisted into pure aggression.
— "Seems like you need a new round of training," she growled. "And, while I'm at it… a punishment for returning before finishing your three years of barony management."
Her aura began to expand over both me and Flávia.
But now, without the potion…
With extreme injuries…
My body just gave out.
I collapsed, completely defenseless.
---
POV: Serapynhe
This insolent child...
She dared call me a witch?
Seems I've been too lenient with her education.
I readied myself.
But then I saw that child — Constantia — fall from exhaustion.
— "Did I go too far?"
No. This will only make him stronger.
Today... I'm satisfied.
So, it won't be a problem to let this go.
I calmed down. I scoffed. And I pinned my aura on Flávia for a few seconds.
Buff.
In an instant, I vanished. And there I was again: back atop the castle.
But something felt off inside me.
A new feeling — a desire to take something for myself.
That kick...
These emotions…
It was the first time in many, many years that someone dared face me with true courage.
Even without enough strength. Even wounded...
He stood. He struck back.
That burning determination in his eyes…
I sat down on a single-seat sofa. Crossed my legs.
And I remembered his expression — thinking I might kill him.
But instead of begging for mercy, he tried to hurt me.
Bold.
Driven.
Young.
Handsome.
Maybe I'll take him for myself.
Take him from Selena… and from Flávia.
Wouldn't be difficult.
And let's be honest — in beauty, I surpass them both.
Who knows…
Maybe I really will take him…
---
POV: Flávia
Before my eyes, Bruno slowly collapsed to the ground.
Without the regeneration potion, the wounds and exhaustion simply shut his body down.
I ran to catch him before he hit the floor face-first.
Standing before me, my mother remained still.
I waited... for her next move.
Buff.
Suddenly, she scoffed and pinned her aura on me for a few seconds.
It was terrifying.
I remembered when it had been my turn in training…
But luckily, she vanished a few seconds later, her aura withdrawing with her.
— "Bruno…"
Ignoring that she was already gone, my concern split in two:
1. Bruno's condition.
2. The look my mother gave him.
Then Viena, my eldest sister, broke the silence:
— "Did you all see what I saw?"
The expression in our mother's eyes… it wasn't good.
— "Obsession," Nerys finished, in unison.
— "Looks like that old witch wants to hop on the boat too," I muttered, annoyed, not thinking about what I was saying.
— "Flávia, be careful with your words. If she hears you, you'll be in serious trouble. Speak cautiously," Viena warned.
— "I don't care!
She's my mother! And she had the nerve to look at my man like that!
She was brutally attacking him… but when he surprised her…
She showed obsession, pleasure…
An expression of… love."
I ended, filled with rage.
— "But not even if the world falls apart will I let her stay alone with my Bruno!
Not even if pigs fly, Viena.
Conclude my barony term."
— "Flávia, you still have three years left…"
— "So what?!
I'll finish it after Bruno's training ends.
But leave him alone with her?
Not even over my dead body!"
---
Viena, being the eldest — even without sharing blood ties — was the one who handled territorial matters.
After all, Serapynhe is one of the four vampire empresses.
Her domain is massive, including baronies, counties, and entire regions.
But Serapynhe isn't exactly known for administrative skills, let alone patience.
And so, all the work ended up falling on the shoulders of the eldest daughter.
— "Alright, Flávia…
I'll lock your time in the barony."
— "However, if Mother opposes this… it'll be between the two of you."
— "Thank you, sister…"