The Vampire King's mercy

Transformation complete

On the day the transformation was going to be complete, Natalya woke up feeling fresh and energized. She was able to sit up on her own now. Ivan walked into the room, looking pleased.

"Looks like your transformation is complete," he said, scanning her new appearance. "How do you feel?"

"I feel fresh and new," she said. He walked over to the bed, helped her stand up, and had Natalya look in the mirror.

"Whoa..." She commented, looking at her new appearance. Her skin was paler, her eyes were red-violet, and her hair grew. Then again, Natalya didn't remember how she looked as a human.

“Do I look like how I did when I was human?” She asked shyly.

“Terrible,” Ivan admitted, remembering all the cuts and bruises riddled on the poor girl.

“Aside from that, you weren’t as pale as you are now. Your eyes were brown, and your hair was shorter,” he added. Natalya nodded in understanding, looking into the mirror to take in her new appearance. While she did that, Ivan walked over to the dresser and pulled out a white long-sleeved white dress with a black apron and some ballet flats.

“I had this outfit prepared for you,” He explained. “Why not put it on?” Ivan suggested. Natalya nodded and grabbed the outfit, walking into the en-suite bathroom.

Natalya walked out of the bathroom, feeling shy and giddy simultaneously. She saw Ivan sitting on the edge of her bed with a knowing look. Natalya wasn't sure if he was smiling or smirking, but he reacted to her outfit.

"How do I look?" Natalya asked, trying her best not to sound shy.

"Gorgeous," Ivan complimented, standing up and clapping his hands together.

"Come, Child, I have a special task for you," he explained.

Once Natalya was dressed, she followed Ivan as he led her to a room. They passed by halls of paintings, presumably Ivan’s descendants. The eyes felt as though they were watching Natalya

"Where are we going?" Natalya asked, trying to ignore her anxiety.

"I think my wife would enjoy having someone around to help her with day-to-day activities," he explained. Natalya felt slightly disappointed hearing that Ivan had a wife, but she couldn't be surprised either. It's hard to believe someone as charming and handsome as Ivan would be single. They walked into a bedchamber. The room was bright and flashy. A contrast to the gothic aesthetic in the rest of the castle. Sitting at the vanity was a pale woman with pink hair who had a blonde fade in an updo. She wore a black and red gown with a headdress made of blood-red roses.

"Hmm? Ivan, who are you with?" She asked, looking at them from her mirror.

"This is Natalya," Ivan introduced, gesturing to the shy girl. The woman looked at Natalya, her orange eyes narrowing a bit.

"I don't recognize her," she mentioned.

"She's a new vampire," Ivan explained.

"New vampire, as in she was turned?" Lilith asked, her tone tinged with disdain.

"Da," Ivan nodded in confirmation.

“So a re-vamp?” Lilith asked, rolling her eyes in disdain.

“Lilith, be nice,” Ivan scolded. “Natalya is here to help. She will be your servant from now on.” Ivan explained. Natalya felt a pit of nervousness as the woman's orange eyes pierced into Natalya's heart. It was obvious Lilith didn’t like the girl for being a newly transformed vampire, and Natalya couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread at the thought of working with her.

"Ivan, sweetie. I don't need a revamp as my personal servant," came out of her mouth. Natalya was taken aback. Re-vamp was obviously a derogatory term judging from how Lilith used it and Ivan’s annoyed expression.

"Just give her a chance; she's been through a lot," Ivan sighed in annoyance. They stared at each other. Ivan got closer, whispering something in her ear.

"Fine," Lilith sighed in defeat.

"I'm glad to hear that. Be nice to Natalya." Ivan told her, patting his hands on Natalya's shoulders.

"Of course, sweetie," Lilith smiled, watching her husband leave the room. Natalya stood there, waiting for Lilith to give her first order.

"Now that he's gone, why don't you scurry off?" Lilith suggested in a condescending tone.

"But I'm supposed to help -"

"I don't want your help, so get out and go do whatever you want. Just don't interrupt me," Lilith ordered. Natalya sadly sighed and obeyed, walking out of Lilith’s bedchamber. She walked through the halls, remembering the steps to her own bedchamber. Natalya couldn’t help but be betrayed. Ivan was so nice to her, yet he was making her work with his wife, who clearly disliked her. He cared for Natalya, then left her with his wife, who was quick to insult her and throw her out.

"Oh, Lady Natalya," a gentle voice called out. It was Sebastian. He gently approached her, taking in her new appearance.

"I must say, you look quite lovely after your transformation," He complimented.

"Oh... Thank you..." Natalya blushed. She wasn't used to compliments, and while it didn't come from Ivan, it still made her good.

"Though I must ask why you're standing outside Queen Lilith's room," Sebastian then asked. Natalya looked down, wondering if she should lie or tell the truth.

"I was supposed to be her servant..." she admitted.

"A servant for Queen Lilith? You must be quite disappointed. I suppose His Majesty had to make some use for you, " Sebastian replied. It stung a bit, but Natalya knew it was true.

"Consider yourself lucky," Sebastian told her with a chuckle.

"He could've made you a regular maidservant for the castle. Instead, he deemed you worthy enough to work with his wife, the Queen," Sebastian explained.

"Not many accomplish that," He added. "Some of the maids can only dream of getting that close to the Queen," he added. Natalya was a bit surprised to hear this. Ivan doesn't even know what her skills are, but he decides to make her his wife's personal servant. On the other hand, she couldn't understand why anyone would want to work with such an unpleasant woman.

"But Queen Lilith said she didn't want my help and told me to go away," Natalya explained. This time, Sebastian was surprised.

"Strange... Her majesty is very... high maintenance..." Sebastian tried putting it into kind words. Natalya knew what he meant; Lilith was demanding.

"Perhaps give her some time to warm up to you and prove yourself," he suggested. Natalya nodded solemnly.

"I'll do that," she said, but she wasn't sure if that would ever happen.

"In the meantime, why don’t you help me in the kitchen?" Sebastian suggested. Natalya nodded in agreement, glad she could be of some use.