POV David
I took a deep breath and exhaled as I prepared to enter the hall along with several nobles to be receiving promotions due to our outstanding valor and contributions to the campaign. I tried to avoid the hateful and envious glares they were giving me. A few turned to their concubines and whispered, causing me to earn yet more hateful glares.
I sighed a bit and waited for the servant to usher me forward. I straightened the lapels of my suit and nodded as the usher motioned for me to walk down the aisle.
Hundreds of nobles dressed in their finest attire looked my way as I strode through the hall to the raised dais that the royal family sat upon. Whispers spread across the hall, several nobles stood near the front, having been rewarded already. Their envious glares told me much about what they thought of me. I was an upstart, upsetting their perfect little world. I smiled as I kneeled at the foot of the throne, let's ruin their perfect little world just a bit more today…
"Baron Fulton…" the Queen intoned in a voice of regal authority. I raised my face to look at the Queen, winking as I did so.
Annoyance crossed her face briefly as she continued. "For your great deeds and meritorious service in aiding the crown in the rebellion of the secessionist lords, you are to be granted the baronies of Grance and Sido as well as the regiments of the baronies in question."
"By your grace I shall accept." I replied in a clear and conscience voice as several nobles whispered in outrage as the Queen drew the sword by her side, my sword that I'd given her last night.
The steel shone in the light, the letters of a long dead language glittered a pale blue as she held the sword above me. Ego ira, sum chalybe, sum misericordia angelorum.
I am wrath, I am steel, I am the mercy of angels. I smiled to myself as I read it again. The plain blade has seen much use, only my struggles to maintain it have let it survive its ordeals so far.
"Furthermore I, Alison Louise Vandamme, Queen of Monrovia by the grace of the gods. I hereby elevate Baron David Alexander Fulton to the rank of Viscountess and declare his line to be hereditary."
I lowered my head as the Queen tapped the blade to my shoulders then bid me to stand, she then tied a sash around my torso and presented me with the hilt of my sword. I took the sword with a bow and turned to face the crowd. Polite clapping ensued as many nobles looked on angrily. A few nobles seemed genuinely happy for me though… Viscountess Jackowitz and Earless Barford were the only ones among them that hadn't been… influenced…
I nodded to the crowd and made my way to the front row. I waited patiently for the ceremony to conclude, there wasn't much more thankfully and I was able to excuse myself and return to my quarters. I closed the door, then it was only Vylnara, Brizona, Rade, and I.
Brizona sauntered to me and smiled devilishly. "Master, I have more to offer you."
She pressed against me, our lips locking as I used my skill, draining kiss. She moaned and pressed closer as a sweet, heady feeling engulfed me. Her hands ran through my hair as I savored the sweet feeling, only stopping when I felt her knees start to give out.
She clung to me, her eyes unfocused and her skin flushed with desire. She'd lost control of herself in the heat of the moment, reverting to her daemonic form. Her curved horns rested against my chest as her tail curled happily. "Master…"
I chuckled as she started tracing my muscles, I let her have a few moments before I shoved her away. She reached longingly for me, still flushed red. I turned to Rade, she shrunk as my gaze landed on her. I moved so that I was standing in front of her. Her gaze was locked on the floor.
I gently grabbed her chin and raised it so that our eyes meet. "Do you know what you did wrong?"
"Yes master." She replied shakily.
"Good, then you'll prepare the invitations and arrangements for tomorrow's tea party with Duchess Lovur and Earless Mangel." I stared at her until she meekly nodded. I smiled and let her go before turning away from her. Vylnara smiled at me and Brizona had sunk to the floor and was staring at me as she fondled her breasts.
I clicked my tongue. "You sure are becoming bolder Bri…"
"Take me master…" she leaned towards me. I chuckled and turned away, walking to my desk. These Succubi… I rewarded them too much in the past, now I'll make them truly work for me. I slid into the chair at the small desk and started opening the letters from back home…
I smiled as I opened a letter from Isz. I chuckled as she complained about the suitors still attempting to see me. I glanced at the black ring on my ring finger and thought about the matching one on Isz's hand. We could never truly be wed… but I'd be sure to treat her as my wife. Perhaps we could have a hushed ceremony? I wanted to do something for her to let her know how special she was to me. Just letting her become my consort seemed insulting.
I shook my head and put her letter down. I had to focus on work. I'll think of something later. I started going through the paperwork like a machine and I quickly found there was nothing left. So I retired early. Tomorrow I had two important nobles to seduce to my side after all, that would require my full attention...