First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

Xavier came out of his room, hair still a bit damp, clean shirt on, looking like he’d just ironed out the chaos from last night. The place was quiet. Lilia had probably already left for her classes. Lyra... somewhere out there stuffing her face, no doubt.

He moved towards the kitchen to have a drink, but then the doorbell rang.

Xavier sighed, rubbing his neck before heading to the door. When he opened it, Viola was standing there, hair neat, eyes sharp as ever.

”Well, this is rare,” he said, tilting his head. ”What happened?”

She raised an eyebrow. ”Why? Can’t I come to your apartment without a reason?”

Xavier leaned against the frame, smirking a little. ”It’s not that. Just... unusual. You don’t usually drop by, not even for a second.”

Viola rolled her eyes. ”I was bored. I had nothing better to do.”

”Fair enough,” Xavier muttered, stepping aside and letting her in. ”You want something to drink?”

”I’ll make it myself,” she said, walking past him toward the counter. She started mixing something up, her movements smooth, casual as though it was a routine for her. Xavier leaned on the other end of the counter, watching her.

They didn’t say much, just small glances exchanged here and there — that quiet kind of flirting that needed no words. When she handed him the glass, their fingers brushed. Neither said a thing.

They drank together, slow and silent.

After a while, Xavier placed his glass down and said, ”By the way... think I can replace some items I bought from your showroom under warranty or something?”

Viola blinked, her expression switching from relaxed to mildly curious. ”Warranty? What are you talking about? Just so you know I truly do own the showroom and everything is 100% authentic.”

Xavier smirked. ”Go check for yourself.”

Viola frowned but walked toward his room, heels clicking against the floor. The moment she stepped inside, she froze.

The bed was a mess — half broken, frame cracked, sheets torn, and yeah... there were blood stains here and there. Some of the ”premium features” and pleasure attachments that came with it were completely wrecked.

She turned slowly toward Xavier, who stood by the doorway, hands in pockets, face unreadable.

”What... exactly happened here?” she asked, voice caught somewhere between disbelief and amusement.

Xavier just shrugged, calm as ever. ”Long night.”

Before Viola could even respond, the washroom door opened — steam rolled out, and Reva stepped out, wearing nothing but Xavier’s loose black shirt. Her hair was wet, strands sticking to her neck, eyes half-lidded like she hadn’t slept enough.

Viola glanced from Reva to Xavier, lips curving into a knowing smirk. ”Ah... I see.”

Xavier just smiled faintly, running a hand through his hair. ”Yeah. Now you see why I asked about the warranty.”

Viola crossed her arms, still standing near the broken bed, her smirk not fading for even a second. ”Didn’t think you’d start bringing home vampires now,” she said, tone half-teasing, half-mocking. ”You’ve got some new taste, huh?”

Xavier leaned on the doorframe, calm, lips tugging slightly. ”What can I say? I like things that bite back.”

That made her laugh—low and genuine. ”Guess your definition of stress relief has changed.”

”Maybe,” Xavier replied, walking past her toward the window and glancing outside. ”Or maybe the human ones couldn’t keep up anymore.”

Reva, still drying her hair with a towel, raised an eyebrow at that but didn’t say anything—just watched the exchange with that unreadable vampire look of hers.

Viola followed Xavier out of the room, still smirking. ”Careful, though. You keep this up, and you’ll need a reinforced bed next time. Or a medic.”

Xavier shot her a look over his shoulder. ”Then maybe you should upgrade your products. Can’t be having my furniture dying before I do.”

She chuckled. ”I’ll consider it. Maybe I’ll design one labeled Xavier-proof.”

”Make it soundproof too,” he added with a straight face, which made Viola shake her head and laugh again before finishing the last sip from her glass.

Reva finally spoke from behind them, voice soft but sharp. ”If you two are done flirting, leave the room. I’d like to rest cuz I haven’t slept a wink.”

Viola turned her head slightly, grin still in place. ”Oh don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m not competing. I’ve seen what happens to anyone who tries.”

Reva’s lips twitched, maybe a smile, maybe not. Xavier just sighed. ”Both of you, out. I’m not doing a morning soap opera.”

Viola winked at him as she headed for the door. ”Relax, genius. Just checking your durability.”

The moment Viola’s heels faded down the hall, the room quieted. Reva shifted slightly, shirt loose over her shoulders, wet strands of hair sticking to her neck. She leaned against the bedframe, eyes watching Xavier with that unreadable gaze that always made him second-guess himself.

”You know,” she started softly, voice low, ”She’s a master actor. She is an assassin and she knows how to please and provoke one when needed.”

Xavier chuckled, moving closer, careful not to crowd her. ”Yeah... she’s got a knack for reminding me how much trouble I can get into.” He sat on the edge of the bed, letting his fingers brush hers for a second. ”But you... you’re something else entirely.”

Reva’s lips curved faintly, almost a smirk, though she didn’t speak.

”You are the one who is strange. I can’t believe you made me beg you to stop. That’s dangerous, you know? Sometimes, vampires lose their senses and go berserk.”

”You’re lucky I like living dangerously,” Xavier murmured, leaning down just enough for their foreheads to touch lightly. ”Otherwise, I’d be the one getting pounded.”

For a long moment, neither moved. The quiet was comfortable, the kind that only came when words weren’t necessary. Reva finally let a small sigh slip through, resting her head against him just a little longer.

Xavier gave a small, satisfied grin, finally standing and straightening his clothes. ”Alright, you rest.”

He made his way to the living room.

There, Viola was lounging on the couch, feet up, clearly enjoying the view through the massive glass windows. She glanced up as he entered, a smile already in place.

”Finally decided to join the rest of the world?” she asked, mock exasperated. ”I was starting to think you’d lock yourself in your room again.”

Xavier grinned, sliding into the seat opposite her. ”Had to take care of some... business first.”

Viola tilted her head, eyes narrowing playfully. ”Business, huh? Sounds suspiciously like a certain someone I’ve heard about.”

”So, why are you here? I know you have a purpose for this visit.”

”Well...” Viola shrugged her shoulders. ”I am here for business too, I guess.”