They arrived at the sitting room. The lights were low, red velvet armchairs arranged around a softly crackling fireplace. Odette gestured for Lirael to sit in the largest chair, while she and Vivienne settled onto the sofa in front of her, close together, thigh against thigh.
Lirael slowly crossed her legs, the slit of her dress rising slightly, revealing the smooth skin of her thigh. She smiled faintly, her lilac eyes glowing.
— So... — she began, her voice soft and calm, as if she were talking about the weather. — You two really are together, huh? I heard rumors, but seeing it with my own eyes is something else. You look radiant, Odette. This transformation suits you... made you even more dangerous. And you, Vivienne... my, what a beautiful elf. I can perfectly understand why my daughter lost her head.
Vivienne let out a soft laugh, blushing slightly but not looking away.
— Thank you, Lady Lirael. But you can just call me Vivienne. And yes... we're doing well. Better than ever, actually. The mansion is filled with us now, everywhere you look.
Odette sighed softly and rested her head on Vivienne's shoulder, her body relaxing against hers.
— Yeah... we've been filling the walls with paintings of us. Just today we bought a bunch. I want the whole house to know she's ours. That we're eternal together.
Lirael raised an eyebrow, her smile turning more playful.
— Paintings, hm? I imagine they're not just innocent landscapes... I bet some are quite... intimate. The kind of posing only people mad with desire can pull off.
Odette let out a low chuckle and squeezed Vivienne's thigh beneath her dress, her fingers slowly sliding upward.
— You can bet on it, mother. There's one of us in a diamond bath that... well, let's just say the painter almost dropped his brush.
Vivienne bit her lower lip, feeling Odette's touch rise a little higher.
— Stop that, love... your mother is here. But it's true, Lady Lirael. We don't hide anything from each other. Not on canvas, not off it.
Lirael tilted her head, white curls falling over her shoulder, and let out a soft, warm laugh.
— Oh, girls... relax. I'm not one to judge. I've lived long enough to know that when two women love each other like that, the rest of the world can go to hell. I just want to know if you're truly happy. No fear, no secrets. And if you need anything... anything at all. I'm still a mother, even after all these centuries.
Odette looked at her, her gaze softer now.
— We're good, mother. Truly. The transformation was... intense. But with Vivienne by my side, everything became easier. And you? How are you? It's been so long since you showed up like this, out of nowhere.
Lirael shrugged, the neckline of her dress dipping slightly, revealing more of her generous curves.
— Ah, the usual life. Traveling, watching the world change... but when I heard my daughter had truly become a vampire, I couldn't resist. I wanted to see it with my own eyes. And, well... I also wanted to meet the woman who completely stole her heart.
She winked at Vivienne, a knowing smile.
— And from what I can see... she made an excellent choice.
— I'm glad you think so, mother — Odette replied with a lazy little smile, still resting her head on Vivienne's shoulder, her hand calmly on the elf's thigh. — She really chose me, and I chose her. And honestly... I feel amazing. Lighter, happier, more... myself. I wake up every day wanting to hold her, kiss her, stay close all the time. It's been really nice.
Vivienne laughed softly, blushing faintly, and kissed the top of Odette's head.
— She's really like that, Lady Lirael. So affectionate, always present... pulling me close all day, looking at me like I'm the most beautiful thing in the world. I love seeing her like this. She's radiant, smiling, with that fire in her eyes that melts me.
Lirael let out a soft, pleased laugh, leaning forward slightly. The neckline of her black dress dipped a little more.
— Well, well... my daughter, all in love and soft. I raised you to be strong, but I never imagined I'd see you like this, all tender because of a beautiful elf. — She winked at Vivienne. — You two make quite the enviable couple, you know? I'm just here enjoying the view. And those paintings you bought... I bet they're quite... revealing, aren't they? Nothing innocent about them.
Odette let out a husky chuckle and gently squeezed Vivienne's thigh.
— You can bet on it, mother. Some are very much ours, very intimate. But nothing we're ashamed of. The house is full of us now... just the way it should be.
Vivienne squeezed Odette's hand back, smiling calmly.
— Exactly. We want the whole mansion to remember we're eternal together. No rush, no fear... just us.
Lirael leaned back into her chair, crossing her legs again slowly, her smile soft and maternal.
— That's good, girls. I came worried, but I'm leaving with a light heart. You're happy, you're well... and that's what matters to me. If you need anything — anything at all — just call me. I'm still your mother, even after all this time.
The room felt warm and comfortable, the fire crackling softly as the three of them remained there, talking like family... with a light, affectionate atmosphere filling the air.
Lirael tilted her head, curious:
— So tell me... what do you have planned for the next few days? Besides filling the house with naughty paintings, of course.
— Honestly? — Vivienne said softly, intertwining her fingers with Odette's. — We just want to enjoy this… us. The quiet, the nights, the feeling of finally having a place that's ours. Maybe invite a few artists over, commission more pieces… turn this mansion into something alive.
Odette smiled, pressing a slow kiss to her temple.
— And spend a lot of time like this. No rush. Just… existing together.