Chapter 20: General Belmond of House Dolor

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Idyia of Tribe Tethys - Maidservant to Ranger Levin of Renalis.

I awoke sometime in the late afternoon. The pain plaguing my body was gone and so was the nausea. Idyia was still at my side, although she was dressed very differently. Gone was her leather armor and practical, weather-worn traveling clothes. In their place was a brand new maid uniform. My eyebrows disappeared into my hairline as I took her in.

"Do you dislike it?" She asked and straightened the hem of her outfit after she caught me staring.

"N-No. Why do you have one of Anna's uniforms?"

"In an official capacity, I am your concubine and personal attendant, appointed by Miss Anna."

Lydia and Anna suggested Idyia take this role to prevent me from drifting into low-class brothels and catching the attraction of any uncouth or unworthy women. She could also help me navigate any political waters more easily if she were around in an official capacity as my servant.

"I mean, I remember this conversation, but I don't remember packing a uniform."

"I snuck it into the Bottomless Dufflebag while you were making love to the Queen and Miss Anna on the morning of our departure. Miss Anna mentioned wearing it in public may help the nobles accept my presence as a servant to a hero."

"No," I disagreed. "You are my partner not a-"

Idyia placed a finger on my lips.

"Yes, but the world cannot be changed in a day. This is a reasonable compromise and serving the future King of Renalis is a better job than most people, much less a Dark Elf, can hope for."

I brushed aside her finger. "Why’s that?"

"Most of the maids and butlers serving in the castle are the third or forth sons and daughters of prominent Houses. I now stand among them as a peer out of technicality. I may be the highest ranking Dark Elf in Valarian history."

I whistled. "I guess Lydia really is trying."

"Miss Anna taught me the basics of servitude, so I will live up to the role as your servant."

"It would be nice to be surrounded by a whole fleet of beautiful maids."

"I am the only one you will ever need." She cut in with a frigid smile.

"Uh, I mean, the castle is pretty big. One more wouldn’t-"

"Unnecessary chaff."

My little joke died an ugly death. I opted to scan our stats and let the awkward silence naturally recede. My HP returned to 50%. One more night of solid rest should top it off. Idyia was doing better; she was at around 75%. Renala's did not recover, but I felt she was fine through our bond. That meant she hadn't rested since leaving the keep and the dream I just had painted an obvious picture.

"I think Renala’s pissed. She flew off toward Thaysil Forest. She's hunting monsters and wiping out entire villages of trolls and orcs hidden there."

"Should we pursue her?" Idyia fetched a plate of cold cuts, bread, and cheeses and set it on my lap. I threw a few meats and cheeses onto a slice of bread and took a large bite.

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"No. I told her not to journey beyond our side of the border. Better to let it out of her system before she burns a building down or something."

"She's throwing a tantrum."

"Yeah, that sums it up."

"Since we have no plans, a servant dropped by while you were sleeping and said Lord Belmond expects us to grace his dinner table this evening. Many local lords and ladies will attend. He will honor your valor before an audience."

"Tell them I died in my sleep or something."

"I will tell the Queen you do not wish to partake in your own victory celebration."

I almost choked on my improvised sandwich and had to painfully swallow the rest of it.

"God damnit, I hate dog and pony shows."

Idyia smirked, pulled the empty tray away, and straddled me, to my surprise.

"If you attend and socialize, then I shall happily devote myself to my auxiliary duties until then, Master Levin." She shot me a salacious grin and slid her whole body over mine. I felt her lush curves even through the bedsheets between us. I was pent up, sure, but I didn't think Idyia was just as sexually frustrated. She tucked her nose right below my ear and began to brush her lips across my neck. I shivered. She really wasn’t going to let me wander into any brothels.

"N-not to look a gift horse in the mouth, b-but what’s the occasion?" It took a herculean effort to resist my carnal urges, especially with a beautiful woman grinding her whole body against mine. But even with my best efforts, I still found myself playing with Idyia’s hair.

She leaned back and locked gazes with me. I pulled my hand away at her sudden change in demeanor.

“I wanted to beat you once, to prove to myself that we were at least somewhat equal. I-I wanted to know I could fight you off if you forced yourself on me.”

My eyes widened. Of course Idyia needed any kind of self-validation, any kind of empowerment. I held a metaphysical chain around her neck. If I really wanted to, I could abuse the Geass and rape her.

“Ah, shit. I know this is a sore topic. We’ll break the Geass when we see Lydia again and you can be a free woman. I’m sure she has a way to undo the spell.”

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. “But after today, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know I can kill you.”

“I-Is that good!?”

“Yes,” her voice was husky. Her lips trailed from my chin to my neck once more.

I didn’t need to hear anything else. I don’t think I could have stopped myself even if I tried. We spent the next few hours relishing in each other's bodies. I never heard Idyia moan before, but it was the sweetest music to my ears and I couldn’t get enough. We squeezed in a quick nap and a bath after venting out our sexual tension. By the time one of Lord Belmond's servants came to retrieve us, we were clean and fully dressed although our bedding was a moist, smelly mess.

Anna hand-crafted my outfit for this sort of occasion and forced me to pack it, so I was smartly dressed in a shockingly modern looking suit. Anna had tailored it personally after I gave her telepathic images of Earth's formalwear. She was avidly fascinated by modern clothing and wanted to adopt its styles to breathe new life into Renalis’ luxury culture. If she wasn't working in the castle I'd bet my kidneys she'd start a brand new clothing line. Lydia was ecstatic, because it would give her another exotic item to trade with.

Anna's take on a modern suit looked nothing like the medieval clothing the nobles wore, but none could deny how fashionable it was. I turned just as many heads as Idyia did. She fell in line behind me, silent and demure, but I knew better. Her gaze was sharp and she had three knives strapped to each leg and one knife hidden in each sleeve of her uniform.

I drifted from one guest to another. Idyia was desperately trying to guide me through the social waters via telepathic advice and instruction. My awkward greetings and foreign attire was novel enough for the lords and ladies to excuse my myriad of faux pas. The overall attempt came off as charming and amusing instead of how I felt, which was like a gorilla trapped in a suit pretending to be a nobleman.

"Be at ease, Master Levin. They will not call your manners into question. You will soon be their king."

"Right," I snorted. "I really hope Lydia understands I’m going to be a trophy husband.”

“We know.” Came three mental replies.

“It’s scary when you three are so in sync.” I telepathically said while chortling out loud.

My attention was soon drawn to the second floor when the chamberlain announced Lord Belmond's arrival. The entire venue gazed up to see Lord Belmond and his family finally grace the scene with their presence. We clapped in a ceremonious reply. Belmond was an older noble, with gray streaks running through his otherwise black hair. He looked far more severe than most, and I instantly realized he carried himself like a military officer or even a general. He was in charge of the Renalis-Thaysil border defense, so it made sense. He garnered respect based purely on how he carried himself.

“My esteemed Lords and Ladies, I welcome you. Today is an auspicious one: for the Queen has sent her betrothed to personally vanquish the demons plaguing our lands. I bore witness to his courage-”

But something about the way this was playing out irritated me.

“-and alongside the last of Renala’s sacred offspring, our future king slew the demons to the last. We are hale and hearty thanks to his bravery!”

I clicked my tongue when Lord Belmond beckoned me forward onto the staircase. Idyia urged me on and I complied to stand beside Belmond while he continued to describe the battle with great embellishment.

Ah, I knew why this was pissing me off so much.

“You’re wrong, Lord Belmond,” I cut into the tale. Lord Belmond’s eyes widened ever so slightly and the entire venue went dead silent. It was obviously rude for anyone to interrupt the host’s words, even the guest of honor.

“My friend and partner, Idyia Tethys fought alongside me and killed the Greater Demon.”

Idyia looked flabbergasted, but the words ‘silver haired warrior maiden’ began to circulate among the crowd. Despite her desire to keep a low profile, by forcing Idyia to fight out in the open, it was inevitable that her beauty and skill would spread by word of mouth, especially after she saved all those people outside the walls for all to see.

“I-I see.” If Lord Belmond was angry, he hid it well and motioned for Idyia to join the two of us. He wore a small smile despite my rudeness. Why was he so amused?

Idyia, confused and flush with embarrassment, made it halfway up the stage before a younger nobleman stepped forward, his face livid. He couldn’t have been anymore than 20 years old.

“Surely you jest, Lord Belmond! You would have a demonkin address your guests?! She is an affront to nature and the Primaries!” There were murmurs of agreement and discontent.

“Lord Finlay-” Belmond apparently tried to salvage the situation but I wouldn’t allow them to bury their heads in the sand.

“Without Idyia’s sword, this keep would be burned to the ground and you would all be worse than dead.” I declared to the nobleman and those gathered. My tone was seething. How dare they insult the woman who fought tooth and nail to defend them. How dare they treat one of my friends like trash on the street. How dare they belittle and demean the woman who protected me and fought alongside me.

“Silence, you ignorant, foreign heretic! Just because you weasaled your way into the Queen’s bedchamber does not give you the right to address me in such a manner! To think she would wed someone lacking any noble lineage like some corner street whore-”

I was moving before I realized it. Even when holding back, my punches were strong enough to dent a metal helmet and knock out the guard wearing it. But I had no intention of pulling my punches. He called his Queen a whore. He called Lydia a whore. He called my fiance a whore.

I’m going to cave in your fucking skull!

Idyia dashed between us and back-handed Finlay before I could paste him across the floor. The sharp sound of knuckle against cheek echoed through the silence. His head snapped back and he staggered away, shocked and revulsed.

“How dare you lay your filthy hands on me, you unholy hellspawn!”

“You have defiled the honor and integrity of my Queen and the future King. I, Idyia Tethys, challenge you to a duel on behalf of my Lord, Ranger Levin of Renalis.”

“There is no reason for me to accept-”

“Proceed.” Belmond announced over the din like a judge’s gavel against the block. Finlay’s face was drained of color. I turned toward Lord Belmond and the amused smile he once wore now curled into a predatory grin. My anger evaporated after I realized this might be some kind of political trap.

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