Yuki's red eyes narrowed at me, sharp as daggers but glimmering with something softer underneath. I could see her tails twitching, all nine of them, like they had a mind of their own.
"Don't you dare lie to me, Seb. Understand? Or not even Dracula or Shadow God themselves could save you from my wrath."
Her voice was fierce, but I could see her trembling. The way her claws dug into the wooden railing of the gazebo told me she was just barely holding herself together.
I swallowed hard. My chest felt heavy—like I was dragging chains—but the words pushed their way out anyway.
"I do mean it. I think I… love you too."
Yuki froze. Her breath hitched. Then her entire face broke into the brightest, most dangerously mischievous grin I had ever seen.
"Oh, you're dead now, Seb."
"Huh?"
Before I could even blink, she launched herself across the table like a fox pouncing on prey in the snow. Plates and goblets went flying as she landed on me with all the grace of a predator. I staggered back against the bench, her tails wrapping around me like living ropes.
"Wait—wait, Yuki! Let's not—hey, stop trying to—"
She leaned in, fangs flashing, eyes burning with joy. "Nope. Too late. You're mine now!"
I tried to resist, putting a hand against her forehead like she was some overexcited puppy. "Hold on, hold on, don't you dare—"
"Don't I dare what?" She tilted her head, all innocence, even as her tails pulled me closer. "Kiss you?"
Her lips brushed mine for half a second, just a feather's touch, and every ounce of resistance I had crumbled like rotten wood.
The kiss left me stunned. Yuki had pounced over the table like a fox springing on its prey, and before I could even catch my breath, she pressed her lips against mine again. At first, I resisted, arms up as though warding her off—but her persistence and warmth melted through my defenses. Slowly, I gave in. Our lips moved in sync, her small hands grabbing the collar of my shirt like she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go. My chest felt like it was going to explode.
When we finally pulled away, both of us were panting lightly. Yuki's cheeks burned crimson. Mine probably weren't much better.
"You're insufferable," I muttered.
"And you're mine now," she countered with a victorious grin.
Instead of hopping back on Hairless for the return to the castle, Yuki tugged at my sleeve. "Let's walk," she said softly. "A proper romantic walk under the blood moon. Riding him would ruin the mood."
Hairless stomped his hooves and let out a long, guttural snort, glaring at Yuki with his eyeless face. If looks could kill, she would've been ash.
"Oh, don't sulk," Yuki teased the horse. "You'll have your turn carrying us again."
Hairless pawed the ground and turned his entire body around in dramatic protest, presenting his bare, ugly backside like an insult.
"…I think he's jealous," I said.
Yuki giggled. "Then he'll just have to deal with it. Tonight is mine."
We strolled through the gardens, hand brushing against hand, the blood moon glowing high above us. The air was so quiet, so intimate, until—
"Woooo!" Two skeleton guards leaned against a hedgerow, clacking their jawbones. "Knew it! Pay up, Gregory!"
One of them groaned and yanked his femur clean off, collapsing instantly into a heap. "Fine! But you still owe me from the last bet, you bastard!"
"Ugh, right…" the other guard muttered, ripping off his own femur and tossing it into the heap. Now both stood wobbling on one leg, brandishing each other's bones like trophies.
"I swear, one day they'll both fall apart," I muttered.
Yuki was doubled over laughing, her shoulders shaking. "Don't you dare scold them! They're hilarious."
"Sometimes I think this entire castle is conspiring to drive me insane."
We made it back to the castle, and dinner was already waiting. Dracula sat at the head of the table, sipping his wine with an expression that said finally.
"About time," he muttered, red eyes glimmering. "Even I was starting to wonder why my son was this hopeless."
"Father," I grumbled.
Yuki squeaked and hid her smile behind her sleeve.
The maids had gone overboard with their pranks: every dish that night was heart-shaped. Heart-shaped bread, heart-shaped soup bowls, even a massive roasted heart-shaped meat pie.
"I hate all of you," I muttered as Yuki burst into laughter again.
The kitchen maids winked at each other and whispered, "They're so cute."
Later, when we passed through the halls, gossip buzzed from the cleaning maids dusting the chandeliers. "Did you see them walking in together?" "Holding hands!" "I heard she kissed him first!" "No way, I bet he begged her—"
"I can hear you," I snapped.
They shrieked, giggled, and ran off, leaving Yuki clutching her stomach in laughter.
Eventually, Yuki excused herself, whispering something to one of the maids before slipping away. "I'll be back soon," she promised. "Don't wander too far."
That left me walking the halls alone, where I stumbled into the werewolf professor. He smirked, handing me a heavy book.
"Seeing as you're courting a beastfolk, you might find this useful," he said, eyes glinting.
The title read: How to Properly Consummate a Union with Beastfolk.
I nearly set him on fire. "You absolute flea-ridden cur—"
Before I could act, Yuki returned and accidentally bumped into me. Her eyes caught the book. "What's that?"
Panic surged through me. I hurled the book out the nearest window with such force that it shattered a tree outside. "What book?"
She blinked. "…You're an idiot."
"An idiot you like," I muttered under my breath.
When I finally entered my chambers, I froze. The place looked… different. The bed was no longer the standard single—now it was massive, practically a royal mattress. Two sets of pillows. Two blankets. A few of Yuki's things scattered neatly around the room. And sitting at my desk, chewing on something and looking far too smug for her own good, was Yuki.
"Uh… surprise?" she said, ears twitching.
My eyes narrowed. "…What did you do?"
She blinked, confused. "What do you mean? I just went to the kitchens to grab some snacks. I come back here and—bam!—my stuff is moved in. Bed's bigger. My clothes are in your drawers. The maids were giggling the whole time too. So… apparently I live here now?"
I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Those damned maids."
Yuki smirked. "What's wrong? Afraid to share your precious bed?"
"I'm more afraid of you drooling on me in your sleep," I shot back.
Her tail puffed up. "I don't drool!"
"I've seen you nap in the garden. You drooled so much the flowers drowned."
Her ears went red. "L-Liar! That only happened once!"
I smirked. "So you admit it."
Yuki stomped her foot, cheeks glowing. "You're insufferable."
"And yet," I leaned closer, lowering my voice, "you're stuck with me now."
She froze for a moment before snapping her gaze away, flustered. "…You're evil."
"And you're cute when you're flustered."
Her whole body jolted, ears twitching violently. "Shut up, Seb!"
By the time we both climbed into the massive bed, the tension was unbearable. I lay stiffly on one side, back to her, trying to look unaffected.
"…This bed feels weird," she muttered after a moment.
"It feels too big," I replied.
"So scoot closer."
"…No."
She let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. Then I'll scoot closer."
The mattress dipped slightly as she inched toward me. My ears burned hotter.
"…Yuki."
"…Seb."
We both went silent again, lying there like two idiots with our backs to each other. My face felt like it was on fire. I could hear her tail swishing behind me.
Finally, she whispered, "Goodnight, Seb."
"…Goodnight, Yuki."
We both turned at the same time—only to catch each other's flushed profiles in the corner of our eyes. Instantly, we jerked back, staring furiously at the wall again.
If anyone had walked in, they'd have found two red-faced fools lying as far apart as possible on a bed big enough for three.
And somewhere down the hall, I swear I heard the maids giggling, probably pressing their ears to the door, no doubt congratulating themselves on their little scheme.