"Selian… are you prepared?" Priscilla said, looking over to me. "Hopefully those commoners won't keep us for long, so let us make our public appearance short."
"Understood, Pris," I replied, my eyes wandering over her figure. "And by the way… you look beautiful."
It was true.
Of course, it was always true, but having dressed up a bit for the party, she had made me lose my breath in a way that I just had to comment.
While she was wearing her usual red dress, she had done up her hair in a braided bun, exposing her bare nape to the world, which… did things to my brain.
And her exposed shoulders… and how her breasts threatened to burst out of her dress… dammit, I really hope that she wasn't kidding about that 'night of pleasure' she mentioned, or I was going to be really disappointed.
"Oho? I'm glad you think so. And for your information…" she said, stepping closer to me as she reached to grip my collar. "I find your current attire quite satisfying as well."
"Oh… then I'll try to wear this more often," I said, feeling my heartbeat quicken at her proximity.
It was only a simple black and white tuxedo, and while it felt a bit too restrictive to be used for combat, from how Priscilla's hand had moved to trace my biceps, I had a feeling that she liked said tightness.
But oddly, as her fingers led towards my chest, she suddenly frowned at me before letting go of me and crossing her arms.
"Hmm… actually, I would prefer you do not. I would certainly get annoyed by passing vixens constantly overstepping their bounds, so perhaps we shall withhold it for formal celebrations only," she said as she walked away. "Anyway, shall we go? I can only hope that after a brief speech the boorish nobles will be satisfied, as I wish to see the commoners enjoying their festivities as well. So come, you two."
With her heading out into the main reception hall, I looked over to Crusch, who had remained at my side while Priscilla and I complimented each other.
I really needed to work on not flirting in front of her… but at least she didn't look upset.
"Well… we shouldn't keep her waiting," I said.
"Ah, you're right," she nodded, taking a few steps forward before she paused.
Huh?
Why did she stop?
"But first… uh, Selian?" she asked, turning around to face me as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do I… how do I look?"
…What?
She was wearing a plain black dress that fit to her slim figure, with a gold pin holding up her hair and black gloves.
Well… considering how I knew what she felt for me, I wanted to tread carefully here, especially since we had quite a nice relationship at the moment despite the awkward situation.
But if she wanted me to give my honest opinion…
"I… think you look nice," I said.
Her eyes widened before her lips spread into a warm smile.
A warm smile that was quite dangerous…
"Anyway… let's get going," I then said, breaking the silence between us.
"A-Alright! And… thank you," Crusch replied, her head turning down as she turned around once more.
I still didn't know just how exactly I should treat Crusch, especially in regard to closeness, but seeing the expression that was blooming on her face right now… well, I think this much is fine.
"Selian," Priscilla said as we came up to her.
"What is it?" I asked.
She narrowed her eyes at me, her expression unreadable.
"…Nothing," she replied.
And with that, we entered the party hall, a den of snakes masquerading as nobles that wished to use the chance to stake a claim of this rapidly growing city, or even in Priscilla herself as a candidate.
There were even a few people that had attempted to marry her, or marry their sons to her, and were sure to try it once again in person.
But considering the woman they would be trying to convince… well, I wasn't worried about anything happening.
—
"Mmm~? Selian… are you taking me to bed~?" Crusch slurred as we entered her room.
With her arm slung around my shoulder, and my arm wrapped around her waist to support her, I walked the two of us towards her bed, keeping Crusch steady despite her uncoordinated steps.
"Yes, I am. Now lie down," I said, moving her arm off of my shoulder as I prepared to rest her gently onto the bed.
But instead of going down calmly, her arms moved to wrap tightly around my neck, pulling me down as I ended up falling right on top of her.
"C-Crusch?" I stammered, feeling her hold tighten as I found my face pressed between her breasts.
"Mmm… comfy…" she muttered, and as I looked up to her face, I saw that her eyes were closed with a soft smile on her face.
So she was just delirious… well, at least that made things simpler.
Reaching behind to release her hold on my neck, I lifted myself off of her chest to stand over her, watching as she curled up with an expression of slight displeasure.
About an hour had passed since the official party celebrating the city of Prisola came to an end, although after Priscilla's initial speech and greetings, the three of us moved to have our own celebration in a separate room without the worry of politics, and were soon joined by Subaru, Beatrice, Emilia, and Rem, while Schult and Felix remained at the main party to act as Priscilla's representatives.
It was a fun, relaxing time, but eventually, the other four needed to leave after Emilia had a bit too much to drink.
Although, from how affectionate she was, I could only think that Subaru was glad about that whole affair.
And while I already knew my limits in that regard… there was another person that ended up having too much to drink, as evidenced by the woman currently mumbling to herself on her bed.
"Honestly… weren't you supposed to be good with alcohol?" I muttered to her.
Of course, being fast asleep, she didn't answer.
Well… at least she felt comfortable enough to let herself go like that.
Releasing a sigh that was more amused than frustrated, I pulled the sheets out from under her before pulling them up to cover her, exposing only her head that had manoeuvred itself onto the pillow.
To see the usually composed woman in such a vulnerable and relaxed state was definitely something.
And she even had some hair on her face…
Reaching down, I gently brushed it to the side and behind her ear, the warmth of her skin causing me to pause for but a second, and as I started to pull away, her cheek moved closer as she began cuddling into my palm.
Was she a cat?
Honestly… when she could act this adorable, what was with her being worried about not being 'girly' enough?
"Goodnight Crusch. And for your sake… I really hope you don't remember this," I said.
It would be quite embarrassing to look back on, after all.
As I moved my hand away from her face and rose to leave, I paused momentarily at the sight of her curled up and peaceful.
Well… just one little thing wouldn't matter, right?
And in case she did remember, it would be best to make sure not everything is bad, right?
Besides, it was just a way to bless her with good dreams… yeah, just a blessing.
Convincing myself of that, I briefly leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her forehead before moving away to the door.
"Selian. Are you quite finished?" Priscilla said, nearly causing me to jump as she appeared in the doorway.
"Y-Yes… sorry it took a while," I replied.
"No matter. In fact, I await seeing this blundering fool of a woman in the morning. It is certain to be quite the amusing sight," she said, looking over to the sleeping Crusch with a mirthful smile.
Oh… never mind, you might be in for a bad time, Crusch.
"Anyway, come. I have a promise with you to keep, remember?" she said, pulling me out of the door as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
Oh, I definitely remembered.
"Are you sure you aren't too tired?" I asked, pulling her close, her body was flush against mine.
"Just who do you take me for?" she asked, lifting her head as her lips brushed against my ear. "So is it not about time you, how should I say this… 'paint me in your essence'?"
…Damn, that was hot.
And yes, I liked the sound of that. A lot.
"Hmph. To think that my lover would get such excitement from me whispering lewd words," she said, having apparently felt the physical manifestation of my excitement as she separated. "Then follow me, my perverted Selian. I am in quite a good mood, so enjoy me to your heart's content."
She did not need to tell me twice.
—
"Heh. You ready? I'm not the same weakling from the last time you saw me," Subaru said, taking out his whip from his belt as his contracted spirit stood beside him. "Let's do this, Beako!"
"I was already prepared, in fact!" she replied.
As for how the three of us ended up in this position, with both of us standing on opposite sides of the yard, well… it was quite simple.
When I went out to begin my regular morning training, I caught Subaru preparing to do the same, and so, I suggested we train together.
It was originally meant to be a simple workout, and perhaps me seeing how he was coming along with his training over at his camp, but with Rem and Beatrice beside him, and eventually Emilia, Priscilla, and Crusch joining us, well… it ended up like this.
"Are you prepared for your knight to be thoroughly trashed, half-elf?" Priscilla said.
"T-That won't happen! Subaru is… he tries really hard!" Emilia replied.
"Emilia-sama… perhaps it would be best to have some confidence in Subaru-kun," Rem added, a worried frown on her face. "But yes… Subaru-kun does try very hard."
That doesn't sound very confident.
"Well… let's just hope he takes this as a learning experience," Crusch said.
Ignoring the spectators, I nodded over to the man opposite me as I twirled my practice spear in my hand.
"By the way, why a whip? I would think that a sword would be easier to learn, especially as a beginner," I said.
I had noticed it when I first saw him yesterday, alongside his increased level of fitness.
And people said I used an odd weapon for a knight…
"Ah… well, that would've been cool, but Clind-san said I was too weak to wield a sword properly, so I guess I'm stuck with this," he replied with a shrug. "But I don't mind. It fits me, and since it's a bit unique, I think I can surprise a few people with it, you know?"
Whatever you say…
"Then, come at me whenever-"
"Shamac!"
An inky black mist exploded from Beatrice's hand in the same instant, engulfing me as I felt all my senses vanish, muddled by the Yin mana that had permeated the surrounding air.
I am pretty sure this was my first experience with such a magic.
While they were quite rare, I had seen a couple Yin magic users during my days, but none of them in a fight against me.
But I guess there was a first for everything.
Still, this was a bit disorienting, and if it was a normal person, they would find themselves completely helpless without a single sense to count on.
But luckily… I could still feel their presence.
As while this magic seemed to mask my sight, touch, hearing, and everything else… I could still sense mana.
I leaped into the air, dodging what I assumed to be his whip on instinct as I exited the cloud of black smoke, only to see the two of them with their hands pointed upwards to where I was, as if prepared for it.
""Minya!"" they shouted in unison.
A line of dark purple crystals suddenly formed in front of their hands before shooting towards me.
Now… how should I handle this?
Subaru knows I have teleportation, so it must be a bait of some sort.
Infusing Yang mana into my spear, I deflected the oncoming crystals as I began heading towards the ground, a final slash from my spear bisecting the last volley in an instant.
"What a ridiculous human," Beatrice said. "And it seems your prediction was off, Subaru."
"Yeah, he's something alright. But that's why we have plan B! You ready?" he said.
He was leaving himself much too open while strategizing… although, I suppose I could wait to see what they had planned before defeating them.
"R.M.T!" he shouted, his uncoiled whip slowly getting cloaked in his and Beatrice's mana. "You like this? I got the idea from your example and Rem's help. The unstoppable force, Rem Major Angel!"
…That was seriously the name?
I briefly looked over to the maid, only to see her face buried in her hands in embarrassment, and red ears that peaked past her hair.
She seemed quite flustered, but seeing the joyful smile as she looked up again, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
I didn't have any time to think of the interesting name any further as his whip suddenly lashed out, but with the way he flicked his wrist, he still had the majority of the whip's length surrounding his body.
Trying to keep me from suddenly attacking from a blind spot?
Smart. Definitely smart.
I could tell that his magic was mostly supported by his spirit, and his impressive whip control was likely a part of that R.M.T. spell, but just the combat intelligence alone was praiseworthy.
He had truly done his best to become a strong knight for Emilia.
But Subaru… you weren't the only one trying to get stronger for the one they loved.
With a smooth thrust, I clashed my mana together at the end of the spear just as the whip approached me, the shockwave of mana and air pressure blowing away the mana covering his weapon, and sending my two opponents sprawling back as well.
And with their formation broken, I quickly teleported over them, holding my spear tip over Subaru's neck while my finger was pointed at the spirit, the tip blazing white with Yang mana.
"I won," I said with a smirk. "However, it was a valiant effort."
He instantly frowned in frustration, kicking his legs against the ground in a child-like tantrum.
"Argh, dammit! I even planned all of that for you, and you broke it in an instant without even knowing about it!" he whined.
"I'll praise your planning, Subaru. You definitely punched above your weight because of it. But on the other hand, once your plan broke down… well, this was the result," I said, moving away from them. "But I still have time, and Schult is busy helping the maids with some tasks for the day, so I can train you for the rest of the morning if you wish."
He would certainly need to gain some more instinctual combat experienced if he wanted to get stronger.
Planning only worked until the fight deviated from it, and as it turned out, that happened quite a lot in battle.
"Urgh… you're annoying as hell, but you're right… please help me," he asked.
"My pleasure," I said, extending my hand as I pulled him to his feet. "And how about you, Miss Spirit?"
"I'd rather not. Betty is much too tired, and you are dangerous past how you affect spirits, in fact," she said, brushing off her legs as she moved to where the others were sitting. "Besides, while I may dislike your presence, as well as the arrogance of that girl, I cannot deny that the sweets here are quite tasty, I suppose."
Ah… well, at least she was somewhat enjoying her stay.
Even if she still hated me.
"Oh yeah, speaking of relaxing, do you guys have a bath I can use after this?" Subaru asked, looking down at his dirtied clothes. "I'd rather not spend the rest of the day in this state, you get me?"
"Yeah. There's a bath on the ground floor for servants and visitors, so you can use that as you please," I said.
He heaved a sigh of relief before suddenly pausing.
"For servants and visitors? Wait, does that mean Priscilla-sama uses her own bath?" he asked.
Well… it technically wasn't only for her, as I used it as well.
"Of course. She needs to maintain a certain purity as the lord of the land and a candidate for the throne," I answered.
And there were… other reasons for privacy.
"Damn… not even Roswaal is that vain," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "But if you can have two baths here, I'm surprised there's not a public one in the city. You went on and on about sanitation and hygiene during the tour yesterday, after all."
…Wait.
That actually wasn't a bad idea…
"You, idiotic commoner. I heard an interesting idea come out of your mouth," Priscilla said, her fan tapping against her chin in thought. "I'm surprised, but I suppose even a baby can write a sentence with enough ink and paper."
"Hey! Subaru is very smart!" Emilia said.
"Oho? Even in the aspect of city development? I thought the point of your visit was to aid in addressing your lack of experience," Priscilla replied.
The silence from the half-elf was deafening, causing Subaru's expression that had initially lit up at his praise to fall.
Sorry, my friend.
"Moving on, a public bath… I have heard of such a practice in Kararagi, although being reserved for only the upper class, likely due to the availability of hot water," Priscilla said as I walked over to her.
"Yes, but with our new waterway implemented, and the heat transferring magic stones from the eastern mines…" I continued.
"Then it is possible," Priscilla finished, smirking as she leaned up to kiss my cheek. "Then I suppose our next project is decided, my love."
"Indeed it is," I replied, looking into her mesmerizing eyes as the world around her faded away.
That was, of course, until Emilia interrupted us.
"U-Umm, I don't want to interrupt, but… do you think I could help?" she asked, causing both of us to look over to her flushed face. "Please? Just with the initial process…"
Priscilla's expression flashed in annoyance at the request before taking on a thoughtful expression as she removed her hands from my shoulders.
"And I suppose this would be the experience you wish for? Last night held little in the realm of political manoeuvres, after all," Priscilla said, taking out her fan and tapping it against her arm a few times before she suddenly unfurled it. "I have decided."
"Y-Yes?" Emilia questioned.
"Indeed. You will act as my servant while I organize the initial steps, and while you may learn the skills required of a ruler, you will also learn just how outmatched you truly are," Priscilla said, her victorious smirk covered up by her fan. "A fair deal, do you not agree?"
Rem instantly stepped forward in protest.
"Priscilla-sama, is that not too far-"
"Rem… it's fine," Emilia said, reaching out to stop her. "It would be rude to ask for instruction without anything in return… and if I'm helping her, then I'm bound to learn more, right? So I can do this!"
"If… if you're sure, Emilia-sama, then I will send a letter to… that man… relaying that we will be extending our stay," Rem replied, a flash of anger spreading across her face mid-way through her sentence.
Who was 'that man'?
Whoever it was, he had really pissed Rem off.
I then looked over to Subaru, who had walked over to Beatrice to rest his hand on her head.
Thankfully, it seemed that he wasn't too annoyed at Pris' antics, and instead, was looking over at me with a thoughtful expression.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well… if we're going to be staying here a while longer… I was wondering if you could train me in some fighting skills," he asked. "You said I was lacking, and my teacher back at the mansion is more of a trainer than an actual fighter, so… would you mind?"
Training him?
Hmm…
I glanced down at the spirit next to him.
She… she was an extremely skilled magic user.
I could tell from how strong those crystals were, as well as how fast they formed.
So, if there was anyone that could help with my current stall in progress with magic… it would be her.
"Deal," I accepted, Subaru's lips spreading into a big smile in response. "But, I'll still have duties as a knight to attend to, and also… I wish to receive lessons from Beatrice here."
The spirit girl's eyes widened in surprise before she glared at me.
"For what reason would you want that? We use completely opposite elements, human, so what could I possibly help you with, I suppose?" she asked.
"Well, you're still a skilled magic user, right? And I haven't really had a magic teacher since I was five, so you might be able to help me with my current roadblock," I said.
She narrowed her eyes in thought before snapping her head to the side with a huff.
"Nope! Betty has no reason to help a human like you, in fact!" she replied.
Quite the quick rejection.
"Beako… come on, please? He'll be helping me, and I doubt I can do much in return…" Subaru said, leaning down to ask her.
"Nghh… but Subaru…" Beatrice whined.
"Please, Beako?" he asked again.
"Grr… fine! I'll help you with your magic, human, but don't expect me to take too much time for you, I suppose!" Beatrice snapped, crossing her arms in annoyance.
And like that, I gained a temporary pupil, as well as a temporary magic teacher for the duration of our guests' stay, which only amounted to a single week.
Subaru got a bit better during our training together, as the combat experience slowly forced him to start thinking on his feet more often and make his strategies more malleable in a fight, and even I had gotten a bit further in using magic without a chant during that time, although there was a still a ways to go before I could use Jiwald as well as I could my teleportation.
But eventually, the week came to an end as our guests eventually had to return, and as we promised upon their departure, we would see them again in the future…
In fact, we would see them again much sooner than any of us expected.