Chapter 176 - Welcoming The King And Queen

[ Zhou Ancestral Mansion… ]

It was already 9 o'clock in the evening when Kira brought Marceline back. Upon opening the entrance door, a small figure was already standing in front of them.

The young hybrid boy was looking at Kira with a serious expression on his face. He was still aware that Kira was a vampire so he didn't like him.

His small paws started punching and scratching Kira's legs. He even kicked him. His expression was telling him to put Marceline down. 

Kira knitted his eyebrows into a deep frown. He couldn't proceed as the little boy was blocking his way. He didn't want to make a noise as Marceline was sound asleep in his arms.

"Shhh, she is sleeping! Don't make a noise. Let me pass now, young kiddo! I have to put her in her bed. So make a way," Kira said to the little boy. "You can't carry her, can you?" Kira added, lifting his eyebrow.

The young boy had no choice but to give way. He was still a small kid so he couldn't carry Marceline. In the end, he just escorted Kira as he carried Marceline going to her bedroom.

Aunt Brianna was just watching the three figures, walking upstairs. Her eyes were fixed on Marceline's sleeping figures. Her lips curled up into a faint smile as she looked at her.

Marceline was like a daughter to her. She was not supposed to feel attached to her but as time went by she became closer to her. Now, she had to leave her and it pained her heart to say goodbye to her in times like this.

Marceline was still having a hard time because of her grandfather's condition. She was reluctant to leave but she had no choice. Her only consolation was that Marceline finally found someone whom she could rely on. It's Kira!

She was glad that Kira would be Marceline's great support in the difficult moments of her life. She could share her burden with him. So Aunt Brianna would not worry about her too much.

Besides, she knew how brave and strong Marceline was. She could handle difficult things and with the help of Kira, she could overcome any challenges that she might encounter.

"You've gotten stronger now, Celine," Aunt Brianna called her by this nickname.

Her eyes gleamed with hope as she moved her gaze from Marceline to Kira and the little young boy. "These two men will help her heal the wound in her heart. I'm counting on both of you."

Aunt Brianna roamed her eyes around the mansion that served as her home for several years. She saw lots of ups and downs in Marceline's life and she was there with her. 

She glanced at Marceline's room for one last time. The three were already inside. Flashing a satisfied smile, Aunt Brianna turned around to leave the house.

Meanwhile, Kira already put Marceline on her bed. The young boy still stayed on guard against Kira. He was watching over her as if the little young boy was trying to protect her from Kira.

"I'm not going to hurt her. I'm her husband," Kira explained to the young hybrid who was still on high alert. He looked like he was about to eat Kira if he tried to harm Marceline.

The young boy just pouted his lips while crossing his arms over his small chest. He was eyeing Kira with doubt and suspicion.

Kira could only shake his head helplessly. Though the little boy was serious and angry, he had to admit that the kid still looked cute and charming.

He ruffled the young boy's hair and pinched his chubby cheek, making the boy groan irritably. He looked up, his eyes shooting daggers at Kira.

Kira could only raise his hand while trying to hold his laughter. He was afraid that his laughter would awaken Marceline.

"Come on. Let's go downstairs. Let her sleep and have enough rest. She got tired," Kira said, his eyes sparkling with delight as he remembered the passionate moment he shared with Marceline on the rooftop.

"Have you eaten already? Where's Aunt Bri?" Kira continued talking to the young boy. He was in a good mood so he could tolerate this young hybrid boy who was about to throw a fit because of him.

Kira had forgotten that the young boy had lost his ability to speak words after witnessing a very traumatic experience in the hands of the vampires.

Kira didn't notice Aunt Brianna's presence. He just realized that he couldn't determine Aunt Brianna's scent. 'This is strange. Is she wearing a different perfume every day? I can't identify her scent at all.' Kira mused to himself as he was trying to check if Aunt Brianna was still in the house.

Kira motioned the young hybrid boy to follow him. But the boy stayed still, not leaving Marceline's side.

"Mama!" The boy said before shaking his head repeatedly. He was only saying that he would not leave Marceline.

On the other hand, Kira rubbed the space between his brows. He was not used to hearing someone calling Marceline 'Mama'. He wanted to correct the boy and tell him that Marceline was not his mother. But Kira restrained himself from doing so because Marceline allowed the boy to call her like that.

This time, Kira was the one who gave way, allowing the young boy to do what he liked. He came out of Marceline's room to take a bath. A relaxing warm bath might help to relieve his stress. 

He got stressed because the woman who ordered to kill Marceline escaped! He was mad at himself as he failed Marceline. So he tried his best to make it up with her by pleasuring her a while ago.

Kira just left when the boy climbed on the bed, sitting on Marceline's side. He started to stroke her hair using his small paws. His expression softened already as he watched Marceline's sleeping figure.

'Goodnight, Mama!' The boy thought to himself. He leaned over, planting a small kiss on Marceline's right cheek. After that, he lay down on the bed, hugging Marceline.

He had been waiting for her for a whole day. Now that Marceline was back, the young boy grabbed this opportunity to be with her. He liked to sleep by her side. Marceline's warmth could help him relax.

He chose to sleep there because he was afraid he would have a bad dream about the vampires' attack. Marceline's presence gave him a sense of comfort that nothing bad would happen to him as long as he was with her.

Half an hour later, Kira went back to Marceline's room only to see the two hugging each other while sleeping. 

For some unknown reason, Kira felt jealous after seeing another person embracing Marceline and vice versa. Yes! The Vampire King was jealous of a little kid!

Without a second thought, Kira also climbed the bed, lying next to Marceline. He joined them and cuddled Marceline. The three of them were now lying on the bed like a family of three.

*****

[ Evelyn's Hideout… ]

In the early morning, Vladimir arrived at Evelyn's hideout, bringing an urgent mission. Several knocks awakened Evelyn from her deep sleep. She lazily dragged herself up to open the door and welcome her guest.

"Master? You're here…" Evelyn gave him a questioning gaze.

"Go quickly and prepare. We will go to the Northern Portal today."

"Huh? But why Master? Will someone from the kingdom of Phantasia pass through?"

"It's not someone! But they are the King and Queen of Phantasia! Our Alpha King and our Queen Luna," Vladimir informed Evelyn, making her speechless.

'W-What? The King and Queen of Werewolves are coming today? I thought they would come next week?" There was disbelief in her voice.

"They changed their plan," Vladimir simply said. He didn't look happy as Dominique gave them a surprise visit. He was supposed to come next week but he moved it earlier. The messenger came last night, informing Cedric and Vladimir.

"Okay, Master! Just give me ten minutes. I will just change my clothes."

*****

A few minutes later, Vladimir and Evelyn went to Northleaf Timberland Forest where they could find the portal gate. Cedric was already there, waiting for them to arrive.

Cedric was also surprised by the sudden change of schedules. He was caught off guard when the messenger informed them last night. He wondered what made them decide to come earlier.

It did not take long when Evelyn kneeled on the spot in front of the portal. She performed the ritual, singing some chants. After the incantation, the invisible portal gate appeared and the gate was opened.

Two figures passed through the portal gate, coming from another world– the Kingdom Phantasia.

Evelyn gasped in amazement when she finally met Dominique Silvano and his wife. She expected them to look old like Vladimir's appearance but to her surprise, they looked younger than her. Evelyn was already in her 40s but the husband and wife were like in their 30s only. Too young!

'So this is the advantage of being a supernatural creature! They can maintain their youthful appearance,' Evelyn murmured to herself, her eyes fixed on Queen of Werewolves, their Luna!

'Why do I feel like she has a slight resemblance with Marceline. Damn! Why am I thinking about that woman?! It will just ruin my mood!'

Meanwhile, Cedric and Vladimir showed their respect to the Queen and King by bowing their heads and kneeling in front of them.

"Welcome to the Human World, our Queen and our King!" Vladimir and Cedric said in unison.