( Congratulations, host, you did it!) Halfsie half-heartedly glorified Eve. The fact that she managed to drug the villain is quite a feat. It sent her double thumbs up for showing him who's the bigger villain.
Eve laughed maniacally in her mind. She had been preparing for a long while for this day. Finally, El is in her clutches. She can finally savor the buns.
Dragging Xaphael to the middle of the bed, she noticed something is amiss.
( Host, why aren't you sealing the deal yet?) Instead of admonishing its corrupted host, it asked why she isn't starting the immoral act. Talk about lack of conscience and morality; the two depraved life forms are hopelessly irreformable.
( He's unconscious.)
( Wasn't that your plan, host?)
( No, that drug will only stimulate a person.)
( Well, maybe you gave the wrong dosage, host?) The furball questioned since it did witness the host drugging the villain using the right bottle.
( Impossible. I followed the instructions religiously.) As proof, a bottle labeled "Devil's Spirit" appeared on her hand and, she re-examined the printed information.
She bought it, remembering that El could only be stimulated when witnessing cruelty. In any case, she had expected there would be no readily available face for her to step on. Hence, she opted to give him a light push and use the medication her supplier has introduced prior. He cited that their newly synthesized drug is akin to Absinthe with 90% alcohol content. She doesn't understand why he would say akin to alcohol but the purveyor's words: " It's the same, but different but still the same." made her curious. He also added that they tweaked it, making it a perfect blend of a downer and stimulant. The word stimulant enticed her into purchasing one.
But now, it seems like there is a mishap.
Eve examined the words and stated;
( It said mixing 2ml to a bottle of wine is enough.)
Eve glanced at Xaphael, who slept like a log. Despite pinching his abs, he groans ambiguously but won't wake up. She had taken an antidote prior and hence, was not affected by it.
( Host, it stated .2 ml, not 2ml.) The furball abruptly informed her.
( No way, it is clearly printed as 2 ml.) She argued.
( ...host, don't you see the dot before the number 2?)
( Isn't it just a blot?) She incessantly scratched it using her nail in an attempt to erase the minute stain before the digit. However, her effort ended in vain. Four chipped fingernails later, she admonished the supplier for not printing a zero before the prescribed number.
( How could they release this mislabeled drug?) Eve grunted.
Halfsie: [ What could you expect from the black market?]
( Host, does it matter? He's unconscious and at your mercy. Just do the deed.)
Eve did not respond to the soul corruptor. Despite thirsting over El, necrophilia is not her thing, so there won't be any immoral battle tonight.
Annoyed, she decided to lie in El's embrace, with her face directly on his abdomen. Fortunately, the person is not awake because if he is, he's faint from shock at her perverted act.
She unceremoniously palpated his buns, not taking into account her lawless action. Her pitiful amounts of self-restraint have long evaporated with his consent earlier.
Because his tee kept getting on the way, she elected to take it off.
It took her almost half an hour to peel it off over his head. The slumbering villain is too heavy and his limbs too long for her to manipulate. In the end, she scratched his skin a couple of times while doing so. She heavily panted after she finished. The battle between his shirt and her arms completely exhausted her slothful stamina.
"... I can't do it anymore." She murmured between her hurried breaths. Her slumped form, devoid of any energy, lies weakly on top of Xaphael. Her hands, nonetheless, miraculously found their way back on his abdomen, pinching softly.
The furball watched its enervated host, who wasted her time using needless things. Tucking the tiny abacus in its heart, it spoke;
( Host. I need to remind you that if you don't get on the plane in the next hour, you'll miss Sarien's birthday) The furball reminded in not-so-good faith. The flight back home is almost 14 hours, and if she misses the golden period, she can say adieu to the hero's good impression, and the furball, sayonara to its reward.
( But I'm so tired...and hungry.) She found an excuse to lay still on her villain. If she could, she'd rather sleep at this moment.
Suspicious of her drooping eyelids, Halfsie directly sent a piece of pastry on Xaphael's belly, near her lips. She opened her mouth, like a reflex, and started chewing.
( Can you send it directly in my mouth?) The sloth inquired.
( Are you sure, host?)
She meditated on the idea and dismissed it a second later. It was too weird. In any case, it is better to appreciate the goodies to the max using her senses of sight and smell.
A bunch of pastries later, she eventually gathered enough energy to spare.
She lifted herself off Xapahel, taking a rare chance to appreciate his beauty without laying her naughty paws on him.
" El, I'll see you soon." She murmured while gently caressing his cheek for the last time. Then as if recalling something, stopped and consulted the system guide.
***
Balin is in a jittery form while standing nearby his master's door. He appears calm on the surface but giggles silently now and then. How could he not? A little while ago, he had heard the servants that the young madam went straight to his master's room upon her arrival but left minutes later. It was too late to catch her figure and waited instead. When he received a report that she returned, he sought her shortly.
He later spotted the young madam twiddling the doorknob of Xaphael's room.
She is wearing a beautiful red dress, looking like a bride, ready to rest in the bridechamber. Such sight ignited his deep-seated yearning and nearly choked him ecstatically. Getting a clue of what she wanted to do, Balin lent her a helping hand.
He hopes his master recognizes his feelings after this encounter. For that, he is willing to drown in guilt for betraying his master once.
Balin sighed and let out a small smile.
He had seen his master's dazed look as he stares at her picture or the notes she had left him before. The young man might not realize it himself yet, but the tenderness faintly appearing on his frigid face is easy to interpret.
As Xaphael's servant, he can not muddle in his master's personal affairs. But, as his guardian, he'll do everything to help him, even if it meant using drastic means.
Balin only wishes that Xaphael, at least, has this one pure feeling to himself. It's the selfishness of his old bones, wanting to see him happy.
And so, like a loyal guardian, he readily opened Xaphael's room with a master key. Thus, letting the wolf into the slumbering sheep's pen.
Now, it's been some time since the young madam entered.
He envisions if he can finally embrace a young lord and miss soon. His crumpled cheeks blushed and let out a giggle but coughed it out a second after.
Balin raised a banner for the young madam's fruitful endeavor in his heart.
Glancing at the closed door one last time, he beamed then left.
There are still many things that he ought to do today. Maybe he should also start preparing for betrothal gifts.
Hours later, the door finally opened.
The maid he left to monitor the place quickly gave word. He came as soon as he heard and went to where Eve was. Fortunately, he intercepted her before she could leave.
Scrutinizing the young madam standing side by side with the fox, he silently cursed in his mind. Nevertheless, seeing the lass' blushing cheeks and tired look appeased him.
[ It seems the young madam succeeded.] The pleasant result outweighed the discomfort of seeing the enchanting fox. At least, his master is leaps away from the exotic man in the young madam's heart.
Eve glanced at Balin, who looks exhilarated somehow. It is all good, she mused. She's already fatigued from seeking Judas and won't need to look for the butler further. Now she can say her farewell and leave.
" Young Madam, will you have your meal now?" Balin asked. It's already way past lunchtime.
The unexpected title didn't perturb Eve as she had heard it before and is too lazy to correct him the second time. Judas, only furrowed his brows upon hearing but didn't say more.
" No need, Balin. I am already full." Eve responded honestly. When Halfsie sent her a pastry, she ended up having a non-stop snack session while laying on El instead. If the furball did not remind her of the time, Eve would remain like that for sure. Still, remembering her caring guardian/snack provider, she pulled her lazybones to set off.
Balin nearly choked when he heard her reply.
[ Full? Could it really be?]
He suppressed his verdant gossip cells that wanted to know more but almost exploded with her succeeding words.
" I will be leaving now, Balin. Thank you for your care." She gracefully smiled and took a step but paused and spoke again;
" Right, El is still asleep due to exhaustion, so don't wake him up for now."
Eve remembers that the potion would wear off hours later. Worrying that he'll nap all through his banquet, she sent a pill down his throat to at least minimize the blunder she caused.
Halfsie told her the spirits in his circulation has been neutralized and waited long enough to see it work but, he remained asleep. Eve asked the system guide what was wrong, and it reasoned out that Xaphael, might be exhausted since he has not gotten proper sleep for many days. Thus, him, unable to wake up is considered normal.
Despite his clamoring gossiping heart, Balin still curtsied to send the two. He knew she would be leaving before the day ends but did not expect she would go so soon. Upon seeing them off, he decided to give his master tonics to support his *cough vitality that can't compare to young madam.
With that resolution, he proceeded the day's duty full of delight.