Chapter 47 — First Time Unification

Three years have passed since Cliff and Laura became husband and wife. Cliff protects the Kingdom of Reaghlobe, which is where he lives now. Thanks to him, the Kingdom of Reaghlobe, initially just a tiny kingdom, has developed rapidly into a large empire.

That was because the Reaghlobe Kingdom's troops, under Cliff's leadership, always won every war against other kingdoms. He made the kingdoms he defeated fall under the rule of the Kingdom of Reaghlobe.

Naturally, the troops under his leadership always emerged victorious in every battle because Cliff often used his natural abilities to bring his kingdom to victory.

Once, he hypnotized opposing troops, so they admitted defeat and surrendered before fighting. Once, he also used his natural ability to set fire to the tents belonging to the enemy troops, then ambushed them so that his troops won a landslide victory. Even when his troops are pressed, Cliff will use his natural abilities by moving various weapons so that the situation immediately turns around and ends with the victory of his troops.

Or once he used his natural ability to make the enemy troops suddenly groan in pain for no reason and could be trounced by his troops. Of course, at that time, Cliff used Nick's natural ability to torture the bodies of the opposing troops. Cheating and cunning indeed, but he did it all to follow his father's advice first. He couldn't have forgotten that Rowan had told him to use his abilities to protect the people who were precious to him, and that was exactly what he did.

To keep his identity as a vampire secret, he uses his natural abilities in secret, using them as thoroughly as possible so that others don't find out. He also asked Laura to eat in the room and refused his family's invitation to eat together at the dinner table. For a reason, they want to eat together in the room. He did this so that Laura's family would not get suspicious because he saw that he had never eaten human food. He will go to the forest to hunt for animal blood if hungry.

Cliff also used his natural ability sparingly. He remembered the consequences if he overused it. Of course, he didn't want his eyes permanently blind.

Cliff was considered a gift from God and a hero by his father-in-law because the kingdom became a great empire now, thanks to Cliff—something the king never expected.

As a husband, he takes good care of and protects his wife. He always accompanies Laura, except when he is away at war. Three years together with Laura began to grow the seeds of love in his heart for his wife. However, he remained firm in his stance, never touching his wife's body. Even though sometimes he has to suppress his desire to rub his wife and spend a loving night with her.

Laura was never too demanding of her husband. She understands her husband's wishes. After all, for Laura seeing Cliff always by her side was enough to make her very happy.

Today, as usual, Cliff is training military troops. At the same time, Laura was embroidering with her mother. There was silence in the room where Laura and the queen were embroidering because they were too focused on their embroidery to make a sound.

"Laura," called the queen suddenly. Laura stopped her embroidery activity for a moment.

"Yes, Mother," she said kindly.

"Why don't you and your husband try to get yourself examined by the royal physician? It's been three years since you've been married, but there's no sign that you're pregnant yet." Laura stuttered at her mother's question. Of course, she was confused about how to answer because there was no way she could conceive even though her husband had never touched her once. But there was no way Laura would say that to her mother.

"According to Mother, consulting the royal physician is nothing wrong with you. He can certainly help you have children quickly," said the queen, which confused Laura even more.

"Hm, didn't you already have grandchildren from your brother and sister-in-law?" she replied.

"Yes, but I also want to get grandchildren from you. After all, the purpose of marriage is to produce offspring." Laura was pensive, what her mother had said was true, and she was at a loss for words to speak again.

"Talk about this with your husband. Speak slowly."

"Okay, mom. I'll talk about it with Cliff," Laura said, nodding.

Her mother's words kept ringing in Laura's head, and even until nightfall, she kept thinking about her mother's words. She also had trouble sleeping. She started to sob, even though she was trying hard to muffle the sound of her crying, but Cliff's sharp ears could hear it. Sitting on the chair, Cliff immediately opened his eyes and looked at Laura, who was curled up on the bed.

"Laura ... are you crying?" asked Cliff in surprise. However, Laura did not answer. Seeing Laura's body shaking, without getting a response from Laura, Cliff knew that his wife was crying.

He rushed over and sat beside his wife.

"What happened to you? Did something happen?" Cliff asked again, feeling worried for Laura, who suddenly started crying even though she usually always acted cheerful in front of him. Laura got up and took a seat in front of Cliff.

Seeing Laura's face flooded with tears made Cliff spontaneously wipe away the tears with his fingers.

"Actually, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked again because Laura was still silent.

"I love you so much, you must know it, right, because I often tell you? I thought that one day, I could make you love me back. But that seems impossible. You will never love me. I have failed as a wife." Cliff was shocked to hear that. According to him, it was unusual for Laura to discuss matters like this because his wife usually seemed happy living with him.

"No, Laura, you're wrong. Don't think like that."

"But you told me that you married me just to fulfill your promise to me."

"Y-Yes. It used to be like that, but after three years of spending time with you, slowly I started to love you. You haven't failed at all. Instead, you managed to make me fall in love with you." Laura looked up into Cliff's blood-red eyes to search for lies in those eyes, but she found none.

"But you won't even touch me like you don't want me at all," Laura added.

"I didn't touch you doesn't mean I don't want it, but because I really can't do it," said Cliff. Laura looked surprised. She didn't understand what her husband meant.

"Why can not?"

"I will hurt you if we do. You know I'm a vampire, right? It could be when we're doing it accidentally. I bite you. It will be easy for me if you are also a vampire like me," said Cliff, who made Laura gasp in shock. So, was that why Cliff had refused to touch her all along? All because Cliff didn't want to hurt Laura. Moreover, he was afraid that he would accidentally bite Laura. Laura secretly smiled with relief that she had been thinking about Cliff wrong all along.

"Then turn me into a vampire like you. You can do it easily." This time it was Cliff's turn to gasp in shock at his wife's words. He didn't expect Laura to say that lightly.

"No! I will never turn you into a vampire!" He rejected Cliff so bluntly that the volume of his voice rose without realizing it.

"Why?" asked Laura, not understanding.

"In the past, I was angry and hated my father because he let my mother die instead of turning her into a vampire. I did not understand why my father could do that at that time. Then he told me one day when I have someone precious to me, then I will understand the reason for doing that. And now I understand it. I also have the same thoughts as my father. I don't want to turn a precious girl into a monster like me," explained Cliff.

"But I want to be like you. I've always been afraid of losing you. I have many things to worry about. As a human, one day, I will grow old. My skin will become wrinkled, my hair will turn gray with gray, and I will not look beautiful anymore. Later I will be an ugly granny. Whereas you, you will always be handsome and stay young. Your appearance will never change. When that time comes, you will surely turn your back on me and be with another woman. Besides, I will also die. Whereas you, you're an immortal being who will live forever. You're going to remarry after I'm gone, right? Cliff, I don't want to part with you. I want us to be together forever." Laura shed more tears, making Cliff even more sorry to see her.

It was true what Laura had said. They would part someday if Laura remained human. Cliff always thought about it secretly. No, he didn't think he would look for another woman when Laura was old, nor did he think about remarrying after Laura was gone. However, he thought he could go on without Laura beside him because of the reason for choosing to live and discourage suicide first, all because of Laura's existence.

"Life as a vampire is not as beautiful as you think. I've always envied human life. If I had to choose, I would choose to be born as a human rather than a vampire." Cliff paused. He intends to pour out his heart to Laura.

"Humans can live peacefully and eat together at the dinner table without worrying about chaos because of fighting over food. You have many types of food that you can enjoy. But vampires, that's impossible. We can't eat food with our partners because when we don't feel satisfied and don't feel full, we won't hesitate to grab our partners' food. The result would be a commotion that would lead to the death of one of us. Our only food is blood. There is no other food but blood." Laura didn't say anything. She listened carefully to everything Cliff said.

"Humans can enjoy life by doing many things. You can have a party, go on vacation with family or friends, enjoy a variety of entertainment to get rid of boredom, and do lots of activities for fun. That's why your life is very colorful. While we are a nation of vampires, our lives are less relaxed than yours. Every day we are seized with fear and worry. How to get blood? Today we can eat. Can we also eat tomorrow? Vampires will not hesitate to kill each other just to fight over food and power. Our life is monotonous—only blood and ways to maintain the life that fill our minds every day. You, humans, don't have to worry about starving because you have many kinds of food. But, we'll be brutal and savage when we're starving. We don't hesitate to kill our partners when we no longer stand our hunger. Did you know vampires often drink the blood of their fellow vampires?" Laura shook her head. She didn't know it was that scary to live as a vampire.

"Besides, after you turn into a vampire, it's not your partner anymore that will be your priority. But blood. That's why I don't want you to become a vampire like me, Laura. I want you to continue to enjoy your beautiful life as a human." Laura was stunned. She didn't expect how many cliffs cared about her. She regretted having doubted his sincerity.

"But Cliff, I don't think we should try it. The proof is that your father and mother could do it until your mother became pregnant and gave birth to you," Laura said with a shining face when she suddenly thought of Cliff's mother, a human just like her.

"My mother suffered a lot when she was pregnant with me. She even almost died when she gave birth to me. It would help if you didn't suffer the same fate as my mother. That's why I decided never to touch you, even though I wanted to have intercourse with you. Even though I'm a vampire, I'm still a normal man who is impossible not to be tempted when I have a wife as beautiful as you. Trust me. My seed will hurt you, Laura." Laura blushed at Cliff's confession. She was glad to hear Cliff wanted it too.

"But, I want to experience being a mother. I also want to be your wife completely. After all, Cliff, your mother survived after giving birth to you, didn't she? The proof is that she is still alive and can still raise you. I'm sure I will also be safe after giving birth to our child."

"No, Laura. I still would never touch you. I've told you from the start, right? The night before our wedding. I clearly said that you should never demand your rights as a wife to me because I would never grant it. But why are you so adamant about doing it now? I don't want to take any risk that could hurt you," Cliff said bluntly. There was a growl from Cliff at the end of his speech, a sign that he was annoyed with Laura's stubbornness.

Laura couldn't hold back her disappointment. She got off the bed and sat down on the cold floor. She hugged her knees as she leaned her back against the wall. Then she buried her face in her knees and sobbed again.

"Laura, please understand. Please don't make things difficult for me," Cliff asked in a voice that was made as gentle as possible, even though his tone still implied irritation.

"My mother suggested that the two of us get checked out and consult the imperial physician. She was surprised because we still had no children after three years of marriage. Mother wanted us both to give her grandchildren. You can't imagine how my heart ached when I heard those words. How can we give her grandchildren when we have never done it?" Laura said amidst her sobs.

Cliff was stunned to hear that. He had never made his mother happy or made her proud. Laura's mother treated him well, and Cliff loved her dearly. He had considered his mother-in-law as his mother, so he was determined not to disappoint her. Hearing Laura's confession, of course, made Cliff jump in shock and feel guilty.

He pondered for a long time as if he was thinking carefully about what steps to take. On the one hand, he didn't want to disappoint his mother-in-law; on the other, he didn't want to hurt Laura. However, seeing Laura, who was constantly crying, made Cliff finally let out a resigned sigh.

"A-Alright. I'll give it a try," said Cliff, causing Laura to look up and stare intensely at him.

"Are you serious?" Laura asked as if she was ensuring her ears weren't hearing the wrong thing just now.

"Yes, but I'll stop immediately if the mood is towards anything dangerous." Laura got up with a smile on her face.

Suddenly she embraced Cliff's neck, pulled his face roughly, and landed her lips on Cliff's. Cliff, who did not expect Laura's sudden action, could only widen his eyes, shocked. Cliff regained consciousness when he felt Laura kissing him too deeply. It seemed Laura intended to play with her tongue, and Cliff knew it would be hazardous. He immediately broke the kiss.

"Laura! You're crazy!!" yelled Cliff angrily, but was only met with Laura's broad, indistinct grin.

"I just want to prove I'm fine even if we kiss. All this time, you never wanted to kiss me for fear of biting me, right? Look, I'm fine. I'm sure I will also be fine when we do it. You need to try it. You'll never know if you don't dare to try it," Laura said confidently.

"After all, even your father could control himself not to bite your mother when they did. I'm sure you can, too," Laura added, encouraging Cliff.

"Don't compare me to my father. My father is a mature man while I..." Cliff paused. For some reason, he felt embarrassed to continue his words.

"For me, this is my first experience doing it." Laura chuckled at the look on Cliff's face, which was trying to hold back his embarrassment.

"This is also my first time. Therefore, we must strive together." Laura said it enthusiastically, inevitably making Cliff nod in agreement with his wife's invitation.

Then that night, the husband and wife finally united for the first time in their lives. Cliff had to hold back his urge to bite Laura's neck when Laura's sweaty body made the scent of her blood sting even more in Cliff's sense of smell. Plus, he hasn't drunk human blood in a long time, making his desire to drink Laura's blood drive him even crazier.

Even so, he did not deny doing enjoyable activities. Maybe it was because of his great love for Laura that Cliff managed to suppress his desire to drink Laura's blood so that their struggle ended.

After finishing their union, Cliff immediately put his clothes back on and hurriedly stepped towards the bedroom window, successfully making Laura, who saw him, frown, astonished.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Going into the woods to hunt," said Cliff.

"But the sky is still dark. Can't you wait for the sky to lighten up a bit?"

"No, I can't stand it anymore. I want to drink blood immediately. Get some rest. You must be tired." After saying that, Cliff disappeared in an instant from Laura's sight. He was leaving Laura, who was still blushing because she remembered her previous activities with her husband.