| Val slowly woke up as day began to peek through the windows. She rolled around in her bed, trying to get comfortable so she could get back to sleep, only to roll into something on the bed. Shifting around, she adjusted herself to get a better view as she sat up slowly, her eyes meeting those of a female cat-morph. The catgirl look at Val curiously, scanning the elf's body with her eyes. "Why did you try to kill Ren? Is is something to do with what he did?" Val looked away from the cat-morph. "No, it had nothing to do with what he did, nor do I intend to try to hurt him again, if that is what you are wondering." "Promise?" She raised an eyebrow at the curious catgirl for a moment before she nodded. "Promise." Val looked up as she heard the door open, watching Ren walk into the room. The catgirl turned her head to the door, and upon seeing him, jumped off the bed and into his arms as she wrapped herself around his waist and leg. The elf watched her purr happily as he responded to the warm reception he received. Eventually he looked up at Val, smiling while he ran his fingers through the catgirl's fur. "I'm sorry if Irai woke you up. How are you feeling? I heard that you were up and about yesterday." "I'm fine, thanks to your kindness m'lord." "Please, I don't need another person calling me that. Ren is just fine." Val shook her head. "But you are my Lord now." She watched him lower his head, whispering something into Irai's ear before the catgirl nodded and left the room. Ren took a seat on the edge of the bed, looking outside through the windows. "Does this have something to do with the party and the challenge?" Val slipped out of the covers, crawling up to him before she kneeled on the bed behind him, wrapping her arms around him slowly. "Yes... yes it does." Ren turned his head to face her. "Could you explain to me why, if you don't mind?" "Certainly." She pulled him closer, letting her robe press against his back. "When I challenged you, I challenged you to a Dance of Blades... it's a tradition started by the old female weaponmasters of the Elven nations. It was used to determine if the other person was worthy of the female who challenged them." "In essence, to help keep most undesired males away as well as uphold the strong fighting tradition of the parents?" "Aye. It was also used by me in my work when I was given the option of eliminating them at a party. However, since you have defeated me... it means that I am yours to do with as you please." "And if I wanted to give you your freedom back, what would be the response?" Val shook her head before she rested it on the back of his. "I'm afraid that it's not possible. Even if I were to accept it, there would be those who would try to ensure that the result would be enforced, even at the cost of my life." "So we have very little choice now, do we not?" "No... You still have the freedom to do as you please. It is I who has no choice but to become yours." Ren slipped out of her arms, standing up before he turned to face Val. "Well, today is a good day to retrieve what you can and bring it here. You can use this room as your own." She turned her face away from him, shaking her head. "That too?... Well, I'll show you to my room later on, but..." He offer her his hand. "But right now breakfast and Irai are waiting for us downstairs. It would be a good idea to not let both wait on us long." Val let him pull her to her before he began to lead her to the kitchen. Her eyes remained focused on him, and as the two approached the stairs, she took his arm with her own, smiling weakly. "As you wish m'lord." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Val set her travel bag on a chair inside her new room, deciding to sort through her belongings later as she set her shopping bag on the bed. She glanced into the bag, her thoughts on her new lord before she looked around the room for a moment. "Demoness, are you watching?" Val turned to the bed to see the succubus sitting cat-like on the bed, smiling. "Yes Mistress, what do you want from me?" "Where can I find a place to bathe myself?" The succubus bowed. "I will show you the way, Mistress. Master is already at the bath if you expect him to be seeing you there." Val paused for a moment, looking at the shopping bag with the clothes she picked up on her return to the mansion from picking up her travel bag. Her eyes shifted back to the succubus who waited patiently for the elf before she reached into the bag, pulling out the two-piece outfit made of white cloth. The upper piece consisted of a strip of cloth joined at the ends by a ruby jewel while the lower piece was two more strips extending down the length of her legs, covering the more important parts while leaving both legs mostly exposed. Val changed into her new clothes, slipping on a robe over all of it before she motioned for the demoness to lead her on. Mimicking a cat, the succubus leaped off of the bed, crawling on all fours to the door before she stood up, opening the door. She then turned to the elf, displaying a leash that connected to the collar on the demoness as she waited patiently for Val to take the leash from her hands. Val looked at the leash for a moment, sighing. "Why do I feel as if this isn't one of the smarter moves I'll be making in this place." "Well you wouldn't want me to lose you while we were on our way, would you Mistress?" Val felt the leash tense as the succubus began to lead her through the halls. The elf placed her free hand over her face, amazed to find herself being lead in such a manner. The succubus continued downstairs, turning around at the base of the stairs with a smile on her face. "Is my Mistress embarrassed by walking her pet?" Val glared at the succubus for a moment. "Keep going." "Yes Mistress." Val continued to follow the succubus, eventually stopping in front of a set of double doors as the demoness kneeled before the doors, scratching at the doors like a cat. The elf opened the door slightly, gazing into the room to see that she had arrived at her destination. She released her hold on the leash, watching the succubus crawl up to her and rub against her leg, smiling mischievously. "Please walk me again next time Mistress." Val resisted the urge to hurt the demoness as she entered into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She heard the scratching of the succubus on the door for a moment, wondering why the succubus did not enter as well before she made her way past the changing room, opening the doors to the main bath. Before Val was a small waterfall that drained into a large pool surrounded by grass and plants. The sun shined through the glass ceiling, gracing the room with its natural light while the silence of the room was only tainted by the sounds of the waterfall. She wandered closer to the pool, looking around for Ren before she found him relaxing in the pool, his eyes closed while he sat against the edge of the pool with his arms along the edge. As Val moved to loosen her robe, she noticed his eyes open as he turned his head to look at her. "Sorry to have surprised you if you wanted to have a peaceful bath alone, Val, I'll be done in a moment." She shook her head. "It's okay, m'lord, but I came here to help bathe you. Why does the succubus not join you here?" "Because bathing alone helps me relax." "Oh......" Val turned her head to the side, closing up the robe. "Sorry to have disturbed you, m'lord..." "It's okay. You're welcome to join me if you wish." "Thank you m'lord." Val let her robe drop down to the ground, showing him her new outfit before she slipped into the cool water. Shivering, walked into the deeper part of the pool, submerging herself before she swam to Ren, stopping in front of him. She took her seat next to him, reaching for the sponge with one hand while moved her legs apart slightly, making room for Ren. "Please move, m'lord, so I can have an easier time washing you." Ren moved himself to where she wanted, sitting in between her legs before he turned his head back to face her. "You'd wash me anyway, even if I didn't move, would you not?" Val began to wash his back, rubbing it gently and slowly. "Aye, m'lord." "I really wish you would stop calling me that. Please just call me by my name." Val continued to wash Ren, working on his lower back. "But..." "I know, I know. When we have guests, I won't mind it as much, but when it's in private, I would prefer if you would not call me that. I do not think that there will be people spying on your private life all the time to make sure you're doing what you must perfectly." A small smile appeared on his face. "Don't you agree?" "Yes... yes I do." She pulled him closer to her, leaning forward against his back as she began to wash his chest, closing her eyes and leaning her head against the side of his head while she worked. A small smile sneaked up on her face, leaving Val to wonder what his reasons were for thinking the way he did. She opened her eyes for a moment as she felt his hands stop hers, causing her to lean back and look at him quizically. "I think that's enough, so let me return the favor." Before she could protest, he pulled out of her arms, sitting down close to her before he lifted her onto his lap. Speechless, Val felt his fingers trace over her back, sending shivers down her spine. His hands worked gently on her skin and muscles, causing her to close her eyes and lean into his hands. She turned her head to the side, trying to control her enjoyment, but her body surrendered to his skilled hands as soft sounds of pleasure escaped her throat. Val smiled, opening her eyes slightly to take a look at Ren while he worked on her body. She was happy to have lost to someone like him. |