"Ah! Isobel!" I said suddenly, sitting up to face her properly. She was dressed in an athletic black outfit: black boots, thick black sweatpants, and a form-fitting black shirt. Just like yesterday, her hair was tied into a messy bun, and she had a bit less makeup on than before. "We couldn't find you anywhere, so we checked your room and you weren't here… er, clearly."
"Sure, and that's why you chose to lie with one another? Please, don't let me interrupt your intimacy. I can wait outside," Isobel shrugged, a playful expression on her face.
"We hardly slept," Lyra said, her voice absolutely nothing like it just had been. "It was difficult to rest after that thinly veiled threat from yesterday afternoon. It only seemed fair we catch up on sleep on your bed."
"Is that how you interpreted it? I'm sorry you have such a low impression of me, but I meant every word that I said: I want to ensure a smooth transition of power. That being said, the transition involves ensuring that the two of you are fit to own this House. Prove to me that you are, and I will– well, I won't gladly hand it over, but you will be entitled to it, and so I will step away with grace."
"How so?" I asked, finally standing from the bed, taking a few steps closer to her. Her scent reminded me of the events of the previous day, but I did my best to push those thoughts down.
"We'll discuss that later. For now, I'd like you two to meet me in the dining room. I'd like to discuss a few things about the House that I'm fairly certain you two know nothing about."
"There's a lot we don't know," I admitted. "Your insight would be greatly appreciated."
"And I am happy to provide. Now," Isobel said, looking between Lyra and me. "Follow me to the dining room, please."
Just like yesterday, I couldn't get the thoughts of the two of us in bed together out of my head as she led us around the House. Now, though, a new thought entered my mind. One that was far more topical:
She looked beautiful!
She'd always been attractive, but there was something about her now that was sending me to the damn moon. It wasn't like she was dressed to the nines or anything–it really was just black athleisure gear. Still, something about the simplicity of it was perfect on Isobel.
Unfortunately for me, Isobel, like Lyra had yesterday, noticed that I had unintentionally been staring.
"Like what you see?" Isobel asked without looking at me.
"O-oh, sorry."
"Is that a no?"
"Oh," I stammered, taking a deep breath. "It's a yes. You look great today."
"Today? What about yesterday?"
"Y-you look… just as good as you did yesterday."
Isobel finally turned in my direction, giving me a once-over before turning away. When she spoke, her voice was a bit softer than it had been. "You don't look… terrible yourself."
Silence.
"What'd you do this morning…?"
"Same morning routine as always," Isobel answered, voice a bit shaky. "Bathed, ate breakfast, jogged it off. You two just happened to arrive while I was making my rounds. I didn't think you'd be here so early." She glanced over at me, but looked away once we made eye contact. "What about you?"
"Same. Took a shower, got dressed, and came here. Nothing interesting, unfortunately." I took another deep breath. Flirting with someone you had absolutely no intention of pursuing was dangerously easy. Flirting with someone you had a childish crush on was… significantly harder. "Except coming to see you."
Lyra blew raspberries behind us, reminding me that she was there. I tried not to glare at her.
"She's right," Isobel laughed. "That was pretty bad!" She looked up at me, cheeks red. "Almost as bad as how much I missed you."
Lyra blew raspberries behind us once again, making it clear that she was there. I glared at her.
"Oh, hush, you," Isobel retorted, waving a playful back hand at Lyra. She looked up at me. "Well, I appreciated the attempt, Lloyd."
"Me too," I responded, laughing off a bit of my nerves.
Thankfully, we made it to the dining room before I'd be forced to come up with any more shitty pickup lines. The room, like the rest of the castle, was barren. It was large, though, and there was a massive, unfurnished, twenty-person table in the center of the room with lavishly decorated chairs to match it. The archway at the back of the room led to a similar bar kitchen, though it did have a few refrigerators and freezers to go with the central island stovetops.
"Have you two been in the cupboards and fridges? My parents left some foodstuffs for the two of you as housewarming gifts. We have chocolates, exotic fruits, cakes, a ham, sourdough, and our 'Famous Mashed Potatoes'. They aren't famous, but the recipe has been passed down in the family. Feel free to help yourselves."
I shared a look with Lyra as we took our seats at the center of the table. Lyra sat across from me, and Isobel sat beside me. "Maybe later. There was a party in the city, and they were selling food cheaply because of the excess. We had that for breakfast, so we're pretty full right now."
Isobel sighed. "You two won't let me use you as an excuse to heat the food, will you? So be it. I'm sure I can get you two to work up an appetite."
"How…?" Lyra asked.
"We'll get to that in a second. Right now, I think it's important that we discuss something rather important: Quintessential Quartet. Judging by the dumbfounded looks on your faces when my parents sold you this place, neither of you knows what that means."
"You were there for that?" Lyra asked.
"My brother was, and he told me you two looked like 'Orcs staring at a bottle of mouthwash'. I think it's clear that you understand that you will eventually need adventurers to give this House power, and attendants to maintain upkeep in your stead, butit'ss the Quintessential Quartet who will ensure your House runs flawlessly. Every House has one. Even the Fledgling Houses, which you will be."
"Fledgling Houses…?"
"Houses have three levels: Fledgling, Standard, and Great. We can get into the specifics of how to gain levels later, but for now, just know you'll be starting at that bottom rung. One of the easiest ways to get out of that bottom rung is by hiring the Quintessential Quartet: An Advisor, a Paladin, an Instructor, and a Prodigy. As much as I'd like to tell you what their roles are off of my head, I have a book that can better explain it to you both." Isobel stood from the table. "Excuse me. Lyra, do you mind going into my room to get the book? It's under my bed and bound in blue leather and titled: Basics of Noble Houses. I realized that I haven't fully checked the training halls in the far perimeter of the manor, and I need to make sure the rabbits aren't attempting to nest in there again. When I return, I can further elaborate on the contents of the book."
Lyra gave me a confused look, but ultimately gave in.
"Be right back."
And just like that, I was alone with Isobel. Once Lyra was out of earshot, I turned to Isobel, who'd also been watching Lyra leave.
"I'm sorry about Lyra earlier. She's a bit skeptical of you, and–"
Isobel cut me off with a kiss. I was completely caught off guard by it, though once it registered that we were indeed kissing, I melted into it once again. All of my desire, both romantic and sexual, raced to the front of my body as I took her in, leaning into her and kissing her deeply.
"I missed you," Isobel panted.
"I missed you more," I admitted through similarly heavy breaths. "I want you, Isobel."
"I feel the same, Lloyd May," Isobel said, her voice deliciously venomous. "But you know I have to keep my word. My priority is ensuring you're perfect for this House. That you're strong enough to lead it." She placed a hand on my cheek, kissing me softly. "I want you to make me proud. Show me that you can handle anything, Lloyd."
I kissed her back, selfishly soaking in her warmth. "...And how should I do that?"
The Demon Queen licked from the bottom of my neck to just beneath my ear before placing a soft series of kisses on my ear that made my body tingle, before smiling widely.
"Endure."