'She's a Paladin? More importantly, what do you mean seeking employment!?'
"I see... Does this have something to do with the grievance the Vampire Hunters have against us?" Rachel asked.
Melania nodded. "My master told me to approach you and get close to you. That way, the Sovereigns would stop bothering you, and in turn, I'd be able to get stronger by learning from you."
Rachel put a hand over her chin in contemplation. "Who's your master, exactly?"
"I can't tell you that," she replied immediately.
It was obvious this conversation would go nowhere. It was also clear Rachel would just keep asking questions in a roundabout way to try to get an answer to whatever she needed.
Which was why Gabriel chimed in.
"What happens if we decline and send you back home?"
"Then you'll have another Paladin come to observe you, except their goal will be to kill you when the month is over. As for me, I'm loyal to my master's wishes."
Aha.
"Well... I doubt we'd be able to take on an actual Paladin in a fight, so you're hired."
At Gabriel's words, Rachel jaw dropped.
"Are you serious? What do you mean we wouldn't be able to take an actual Paladin in a fight? I could easily take one on by myself."
"No you couldn't," Gabriel said with a sigh. "Think of it this way. If it takes three Vans to kill a Vampire Noble, it takes three Vampire Nobles to kill a Paladin."
"Now aren't you a very informed? You're Gabriel Lament, I take it?" Melania said.
"Be quiet for a second, vixen. I need to think." Rachel rubbed her forehead in frustration.
In his mind, this was a very easy solution. But Rachel, who had lived longer than him and knew so much more about the world, obviously saw things differently.
Or maybe there was some other reason he couldn't quite make out...?
After just a few minutes, Rachel finally made up her mind.
"Since Gabriel accepted you, I shall accept you as well. However, you're walking on eggshells, so watch your back."
Melania chuckled. "I'll be sure to do just that. Also, madam and mister, may I treat you two informally?"
"Sur—"
"Not until I tell you that you can. Now leave. Gabriel and I need to talk."
"Where do you want me to go, miss Rachel?" Melania asked innocently.
A disgusted look appeared on Rachel's face. "Nevermind, just call me Rachel. And just go wherever. You know where I live anyway, so just be there by tomorrow, or I'll fire you or feed you to my Cerberus."
"Alright. See you later, you two~"
With those words, Melania vanished without a trace. Gabriel couldn't track her movements, and from the large frown on Rachel's face, neither could she.
Though...
"Gabriel, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
She paused for a moment, then leaned back slightly.
"What exactly do you want to do now that you've become a vampire? I realized that I never actually asked you about what you wanted, and I always just took you around."
Rachel lowered her head.
"I guess, I was being too selfish. It was a dream of mine to make you, well, mine. So... I was both hasty and impatient ever since I first turned you. For that, I'm very sorry."
Gabriel's eyes widened. "You don't have to be...? Where's this coming from?"
"These interviews made me realize just how different we are... so I want you to be honest with me," she said.
He fell silent for a brief moment, taking in her words. From the day he first met her, she never once acted this serious. But then again, he had never once even thought about what he wanted.
What exactly did he want now that he became a vampire?
Back when he was a human, all he wanted was to become a strong Vampire Hunter, because it paid very well. Not to mention, he always had great genetics when it came to fighting and gaining muscle.
He was a perfect fit.
But now...?
"I guess I never really thought about what I wanted. Even now, I don't have anything in mind. Aside from a few drinking buddies, I don't have any friends."
He met her gaze as a determined look appeared on his face.
"Though I can tell you what I don't want. I don't want to be killed by some Vampire Hunters. I don't want to just be baggage to you. I don't want to remain weak, and I most definitely don't want to become some kind of experiment just like those Vans mentioned."
It really was that simple.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened. I already stopped blaming you for turning me into a vampire. And honestly, if you're feeling like you don't know much about me, or want to know more, we can always hang out outside of just eating food together or sharing blood."
He stood up, fixed his collar and then smiled at Rachel.
"Just because we have different opinions and we're different people doesn't mean anything. So how about we get some dinner now, and then go back home?"
Her whole body shook as she slowly lowered her head. Hearing that from someone like Gabriel... She never knew it would sound so soothing. All of her worries melted away, and with the same cheerfulness she had when she first sat down, Rachel stood up.
She silently approached him, and to Gabriel's genuine surprise, Rachel placed a kiss on his cheek before mischievously putting her hands behind her back and tip-toeing away.
Her lips were soft and warm. Gabriel couldn't help but bring his hand up and touch the cheek she had placed a kiss on. By the time he snapped out of it, she was already gone.
'Jeez... I'm way too flustered for something this simple. This has to be the vampires' emotion boost she mentioned.'
It made him too vulnerable, but from now on, he was determined to not let her have her way with him like now. Next time, he would retaliate.
With that, Gabriel finally left this underground auditorium and carefully navigated back the same route he had come from. After just a few minutes, he was back in the very front of the salon, and sadly like before...
"Kyaaaa!"
"Who's this model?"
"Do you think he's the owner?"
'Ugh...'
Gabriel glanced at the receptionist who Rachel referred to as the 'big breasted red haired woman.'
As if on cue, she leaned over and said:
"Rachel's waiting in the car for you. Also... You might want to start wearing glasses and maybe some larger clothes. Otherwise, some woman is going to spike your drink and take advantage of you."
"Uh?"
Yeah?
"Glasses would probably make me look better, but I appreciate the sentiment."
"No worries. I just don't want anyone taking Rachel's husband now that she finally got one. Speaking of, if I ever hear tales of you playing around with other women, I'll be sending a steady supply of laxatives to this new batch of maids. Watch your back, Gabriel."
For someone who was an ordinary vampire, she sure had a lot of balls to speak that way to a Vampire Noble. Well... It's not like he cared.
"I'll keep that in mind. Good luck with your work."
Finally, Gabriel stepped out of the salon, and after getting inside the car and sitting beside Rachel, the two of them quickly made their way to the Italian restaurant.
...But unbeknownst to either of them, a letter bearing the Vermillion family crest had already arrived at the mansion.