Some time later, the three of us finally arrived at the nearest market.
Alicia, who was sitting on my shoulders, squealed with joy as it was her first time going to a market.
"Woah! Dad, Mom, look! It's so crowded here!" said Alicia excitedly.
"Of course it is. This is a market after all there are bound to be lots of people," replied Alice.
"Oh, I see, Mom," said Alicia.
"Yes, and more importantly, if you want to eat something, just tell me, and I'll buy it for you," said Alice.
"Really? Yay! Then I'll buy lots of food!" said Alicia innocently.
"Just remember to finish everything you buy, alright?" said Alice.
"Okay, Mom!" Alicia responded.
Standing beside Alice while carrying Alicia, I couldn't help but tease her a little.
"What about me? Can't your own husband get a treat too?"
"You can, as long as you don't make me mad," said Alice.
"What? Do I always make you mad?" I asked.
"All the time," Alice replied.
"Well, once in a while is fine, right?" I smirked.
"You're impossible..." Alice sighed.
Alicia and I laughed together at Alice's reaction as we enjoyed our family time at the market.
---
Meanwhile, on Luna's side, she was still searching for information about me after leaving the castle.
Arriving at a narrow alley, she overheard a conversation that caught her attention.
"Did you hear? The Vampire Queen has a partner now."
"Really? I thought she was the coldest person when it came to finding a partner. Who is it?"
"I heard that four years ago, she captured a man in the forest, and to stay alive, that man made a blood contract with her."
"What a clever idea, making a blood contract with the Vampire Queen to save his life, and then becoming her husband? I should get some advice from him if I ever meet him."
They laughed, unaware that Luna was carefully processing every word.
"Four years ago...? Isn't that around the time Gepard said oni-chan betrayed them? Could it be... that man they're talking about is oni-chan? I need to confirm it myself," Luna thought to herself.
Determined, Luna began making her way toward the Vampire Kingdom—where Alice ruled.
---
Back to my side, the three of us continued enjoying our time at the market.
"Hehehe, look, Dad! This ice cream is so sweet!" said Alicia.
"Let me try some," I said.
I tasted the ice cream that Alicia offered me.
"Hmm, you're right, it's really sweet. But not as sweet as my little girl," I said.
"Hehe, of course! I am the sweetest in the world!" said Alicia proudly.
"Of course you are," I replied.
We both laughed, while Alice, walking beside me, seemed a bit jealous.
"Hmph. Don't spoil our daughter only," said Alice.
Understanding what she meant, I teased her again.
"Oho, someone's jealous~," I said.
"W-who's jealous!?" Alice snapped.
"But why's your face red then? You're totally jealous, aren't you?" I teased further.
"Oh! You're right, Mom, your face is red! Do you want to be pampered like me, Mom?" said Alicia.
"N-no! Don't make stuff up, you two! As if I'd be jealous... I'm just talking nonsense," Alice said, lowering her head in embarrassment.
"Oh well, I was about to pamper you, but since you don't want it…" I said playfully.
"Wait n-no! I mean, I do want to be pampered too! Are you happy now?" said Alice, blushing.
"Hahaha, such a tsundere vampire. Alright, come here, let me spoil you," I said.
Alice moved closer to me, and as I began stroking her head, she looked truly happy.
Then, Alicia, still on my shoulders, said something that made Alice even more embarrassed.
"Hihihi, Mom's acting like a little kid!" Alicia giggled.
"What did you say, Alicia? Do you want to be punished by Mommy?" said Alice.
"Nooo! I don't want that! I'm sorry, Mom!" said Alicia quickly.
"Good. Glad you understand," Alice replied.
I continued patting Alice's head and could only sigh at her behavior.
We continued strolling through the market when suddenly, a vampire appeared and made Alice visibly angry.
"So this is our Vampire Queen? How pathetic," said the vampire.
"Who is that?" I asked.
"He's Luka... my friend from the academy and also... my ex-boyfriend," Alice whispered.
"Wait, ex? You've been in a relationship before?" I whispered back.
"Of course! You think I just locked myself up in the castle all my life?" she hissed.
"Oh? So why'd you break up?" I asked.
"Because he cheated on me. That's why," said Alice coldly.
"Ho... so he's just a bastard who toyed with a woman's heart," I said.
Alice chuckled at my comment.
Luka, seeing her laugh, looked annoyed.
"What's so funny?" asked Luka.
"I was just laughing at something my husband said," Alice replied.
"Husband? Him?" Luka looked at me in disbelief. "You call that skinny guy your husband? Looks like you've lost your mind."
"I'd rather lose my mind than be with someone who cheats behind his lover's back," said Alice.
"That's my business. Why are you angry? You're just a useless vampire who doesn't even dare drink human blood. If you weren't the daughter of the former Vampire Queen, you'd have been thrown out of the kingdom by now," said Luka mockingly.
He laughed as he insulted Alice. I clenched my fists in anger, and Alicia, still on my shoulders, also looked upset.
"Don't insult my mom! She's the best mom in the world!" shouted Alicia.
"Hah? Whose kid is this? So bold, interrupting adults," Luka sneered.
Furious, Luka launched a spell toward Alicia.
Alice tried to stop it, but it was too fast.
"Hahaha! Die, you little brat! I hate annoying kids like you!" laughed Luka.
As the spell neared Alicia, I deflected it like swatting away a flying stone.
After it dissipated, I immediately turned to Alicia.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" I asked.
Alicia, still a little shaken, nodded. "I'm okay, Dad. Just a little scared."
"Good. Now, hop down for a second, Daddy needs to teach that man a lesson," I said.
"Okay, Dad," said Alicia.
I gently lowered Alicia from my shoulders and handed her to Alice.
"Are you done now? Insulting my wife and endangering my daughter?" I asked Luka.
"Hahaha! I won't be satisfied until she kneels before me!" Luka smirked.
"Oh yeah? In that case…" I said.
I punched Luka hard, sending him flying back.
"Y-you! What are you doing?" Luka yelled.
"Relax. That punch won't kill you. You'll just be unconscious for a week," I replied.
"Y-you !" Luka tried to respond, but I hit him again.
"This punch is for what you did to my wife!" I shouted.
BAM!!
"This one's for insulting her!" I yelled.
BAM!!
"And this one's for threatening my daughter!" I declared.
BAM!!
After three strikes, Luka fell unconscious. The previously chaotic market fell into a quiet calm.
"Phew, that's better," I said.
Alicia ran over and hugged me.
"Daddy's amazing! Just a few punches and he's out!" said Alicia.
"Of course. Daddy's the strongest in the world," I said proudly.
Alice, blushing after seeing me stand up for her, stammered.
"Y-you protected me...? But aren't we supposed to be enemies?"
"You're still thinking about that? You're my wife now. And Alicia's mom. That was just a small taste of what I can do," I said.
Her face turned even redder, and she quickly pulled me toward the castle.
"Let's go home. I don't want any more trouble," she said.
"O-okay! But wait let me carry Alicia first," I said.
"Alright," said Alice.
I picked up Alicia and carried her in my arms as the three of us returned to the castle.
---
Meanwhile, Luna had already set off toward Alice's castle to uncover the truth about me.
What will Luna's reaction be once she confirms the gossip was true all along? And what will she do when she finds out I already have a child—making her an aunt?
Find out in Chapter 4.