The shop of Livia Noctela was almost empty at that hour of the night. Lanterns hanging on the walls cast a warm glow over the shelves filled with elegant bottles, each one holding a different fragrance.
Behind the counter, Livia was preparing something special.
On the small work table sat a vial containing the Dragon Woman's Tear, the ruby liquid glowing softly as if it carried its own warmth.
Livia picked up the vial and studied its glow for a moment.
— Let's see what kind of perfume you want to become…
She opened a clean glass container and began preparing the base of the fragrance.
First she poured a small amount of refined perfume base. Then she added a few drops of deep rose, bringing an elegant floral aroma.
Next came a light touch of jasmine, soft and delicate.
To give the fragrance more warmth, Livia added two drops of golden amber.
She mixed everything with a glass rod, slowly stirring the liquid as the perfume began to form.
The scent that rose from it was pleasant and enveloping.
Only then did Livia pick up the small vial containing the tear.
Carefully, she tilted it and let a single drop fall into the mixture.
The liquid shimmered for a moment before dissolving into the essences. The fragrance immediately changed, becoming deeper and richer.
Livia brought the container closer to her face and inhaled slowly.
A satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
— Yes… this turned out very well.
She took two dark glass perfume bottles and carefully began filling them.
When she finished, she sealed them with golden caps and placed them side by side on the counter.
— One for Odette… and one for Selene.
The soft aroma continued drifting through the shop, warm and elegant, while Livia observed the two bottles now ready to be delivered.
Livia Noctela carefully closed the two perfume bottles and placed them inside a small dark wooden box lined with velvet. The soft scent of the new fragrance still lingered in the air of the shop, warm and pleasant.
She extinguished a few lanterns, picked up the box, and stepped out into the street.
The night in Châtelune was calm. The stone streets reflected the golden glow of the street lamps, and a gentle breeze carried the distant scent of night-blooming flowers.
Livia walked calmly down the main avenue, holding the box against her chest. She knew exactly where she was going.
Odette's mansion stood a little away from the center of the city, behind a tall wrought-iron gate. The pale stone walls of the house shimmered under the moonlight.
When she reached the gate, Livia rang the small visitor bell.
A few moments later, footsteps could be heard coming from inside the property.
The gate slowly opened.
Livia lifted the box with a small smile.
— I brought something I believe Odette and Selene will want to try.
Livia was still holding the small wooden box when she heard footsteps approaching along the stone path of the property.
The night was quiet, and the moon illuminated only part of the mansion's garden.
Then a figure emerged from the darkness.
First came the eyes.
Two red points glowing softly in the dimness.
Odette stepped out of the shadows slowly, the moonlight touching her hair and revealing the subtle smile on her face.
— Livia… — she said calmly. — I wasn't expecting a visit at this hour.
Her crimson eyes still glowed faintly, reflecting the vampiric nature that was now part of her.
Livia lifted the box she carried.
— I thought you wouldn't want to wait until tomorrow.
Odette let the gate open a little wider while observing the small box in Livia's hands.
The red glow in her eyes briefly lowered toward it.
— So… this is it.
Livia nodded and slowly opened the box.
Inside, the two perfume bottles rested side by side on the dark velvet, the ruby liquid reflecting the moonlight softly.
Odette stepped a little closer.
— It's ready…
Livia picked up one of the bottles and lifted it slightly between her fingers.
— The essence of the Dragon Woman's Tear is mixed into the fragrance.
She slowly turned the glass, letting the red liquid shimmer for a moment.
— When you and Selene use this… you'll be able to walk in the daylight forever.
Livia then added naturally:
— But first… the bottle has to run out.
Odette released a quiet breath through her nose, like someone hearing something she already knew.
— Yes… you already explained that before.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
— Still, it's strange hearing it out loud.
Livia closed the box again and handed it to her.
— I just wanted to repeat it.
Odette held the box carefully, feeling the light weight of the bottles inside.
Her red eyes still glowed in the night as she partially turned toward the mansion.
— Selene will want to see this immediately.
While Livia and Odette were talking near the mansion gate, the house behind them remained silent.
Upstairs, Odette's bedroom was lit only by the moonlight streaming through the tall windows.
On the large bed with dark sheets, Vivienne slept deeply.
She was naked beneath the sheets, her body relaxed against the soft mattress, her hair spread across the pillow. A satisfied smile remained on her sleeping face.
Not long before, she and Odette had slept together.
Now Vivienne rested after the night they had shared, breathing slowly while the silver moonlight softly traced her silhouette beneath the sheets.
Odette remained silent for a few seconds, looking at the box in her hands. The weight of those two bottles felt much heavier than it actually was.
Then she lifted her head toward the mansion.
— Selene! — she called, her voice echoing through the quiet garden.
A moment later, a light turned on in one of the ground-floor windows. The mansion's front door opened and Selene appeared, looking curiously toward the gate.
— Odette? What is it?
She walked toward them, her steps soft on the stone path. As she approached, she noticed Livia standing there as well.
— Livia? Did something happen?
Odette opened the box again and showed the two bottles.
The ruby liquid shimmered under the moonlight.
Selene fell silent for a moment, immediately recognizing what it was.
— You did it… — she murmured.
Livia simply nodded calmly.
— It's ready.
Selene carefully picked up one of the bottles, observing the liquid inside.
Odette then repeated calmly, almost as if confirming something they already knew:
— When we finish the bottle… we'll be able to walk under the daylight.
Selene slowly lifted her eyes, a spark of surprise and emotion passing across her face.
— Forever…
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Selene looked back at Livia.
— We… truly don't know how to thank you.
Odette nodded slightly.
— You've changed everything for us.
Livia smiled lightly, as if it were simply another job well done.
— Just use it slowly.
After a few more minutes of calm conversation by the gate, Livia said her goodbye. The two vampires thanked her once more before she walked back down the lamp-lit street of Châtelune.
Odette and Selene remained there for a few moments, holding the bottles.
Both of them knew exactly what it meant.
At last, the promise of a day under the sun was in their hands.
Odette and Selene were still standing near the gate, watching Livia's silhouette slowly disappear down the lamplit street of Châtelune.
The two bottles still rested in their hands, the ruby liquid glowing softly beneath the moonlight.
Selene let out a quiet sigh.
— I still can't believe this…
Odette closed the box carefully.
— Neither can I.
Behind them, light footsteps appeared along the stone path of the garden.
One of the women who lived in the mansion had approached, curious about the movement at the gate at that late hour.
She looked first at Odette, then at Selene, and finally toward the street where Livia had just disappeared.
— Lady Odette… — she said respectfully. — That was the perfumer, wasn't it?
Odette nodded.
— It was.
The woman tilted her head slightly, thoughtful, before letting a small smile appear.
— If you wish… I could thank her in a very special way tomorrow.
She then added, glancing up at the dark sky:
— Since it's quite late now.
Selene let out a soft laugh at that.
Odette raised one eyebrow, clearly amused by the suggestion.
— Perhaps — she replied calmly. — We'll see if Livia accepts that kind of gratitude.
Selene crossed her arms, still smiling.
— Knowing her… I wouldn't be surprised if she does.