After about three weeks, Lia reluctantly gave me her seal of approval and I was freed from being her toy. It wasn't like I didn't thank her for the help, but I quickly tried to leave after that.
However, I couldn't go back home since now that my lessons were complete, I had to get ready to meet those nobles Lia showed me.
"The first one will be him."
From across the desk in the library where we normally had our academic lessons, Lia showed me his files. I had already seen them once before, but this was the first time I could read them in depth.
"Viscount Miliam Renon Rose. He's a dryiad of the parasitic variety but to put it simply he's a submissive guy."
"Is that not just in front of you?"
"Fufu, well I am good at dragging out a man's weak side, but no. He isn't much a schemer but he knows how to side with the strong and leave a good impression. He's the type who would kneel down in a heartbeat if it would help him."
"I see. Doesn't sound like the type to help start a rebellion."
"Normally you would be right, but he's afraid that a war would cause immense chaos throughout our territories, bringing us into an even more lawless era. There's another reason but you'll probably hear that from him. He won't help in battle but we can count on him for any herb-related supplies like medicine and potion ingredients."
"Sounds good."
"Make sure to have his information memorised. I'll be there but I'll try to limit my interference as much as possible."
"Got it."
"Good. I recommend that you sleep over here this time so you can stay focused on this meeting."
The concern itself was something that I would be thankful for, but since it was from Lia's mouth I had to wonder if she was talking about a different type of 'sleep over'.
These thoughts must have shown on my face for Lia grinned and continued in a seductive tone while reaching for my hand which was on a document.
"I didn't plan on doing anything to you, but if you wish for it..."
"No, I don't."
I didn't want to damage the documents so I only used minimal force to brush off her hand, and surprisingly, she didn't try to do it again.
"Hmm, I guess you're actually serious for once."
"I can get serious in bed too."
"Please return the respect I just gave you."
"You're no fun."
As expected, she was still the same as before.
Once Lia left me to study and I memorised what I needed to, I also left the library and was escorted to my room by the blue-haired succubus.
I was a little worried when I was first given this room, but there was nothing strange about it. Unless, I included how uncomfortable I felt stepping into a bright pink room which oozed with femininity despite the lack of cute decorations.
I quickly threw away the reluctance I had to use this room since I didn't want to be picky, but later on I learnt that Lia purposefully gave me this room even though there were more normal rooms available. However, that was a story for another time.
"Hmm, what should I do?"
Since there was a clock in the room, I was able to tell that there were more than ten hours left until I would meet Viscount Rose.
Considering the circumstances, this would be something like an important interview that would determine the direction of my future plans. Naturally I had no intention of messing up, but even including my past life I didn't have much experience with this.
'As long as I can do what I studied, I should be fine.'
I kept telling myself this but there was still an annoying feeling in my chest that refused to let me be.
I had no interest in accumulating more social power as a noble, but this was a necessary step to stop the Demon King from ruining my peace and quiet with some stupid war.
"Master."
As I thought about whether I should keep trying to adjust my mood or just go to sleep, a telepathic message came in. Similar to capital city, Asura, Night City also had a complex barrier that I feared was even better so I didn't doubt that Lia noticed this message, even if she decided not to listen in on it.
It was fine since Lia was an ally but I still didn't expect Jeanne to take this sort of risk.
"Did something happen?"
"...That woman sent a message saying that you won't be coming home. Is it true?"
Lia might have been eavesdropping on this telepathic channel so I shook my head at Jeanne's rude way of addressing her, but I didn't say anything about it since I could tell that something was strange.
"Well, yes. I have to get in the right mood for my meeting tomorrow."
"...Was I not good enough?"
"Hmm, what do you mean?"
"Am I not appealing to you?"
...
My mind crashed for a moment as I tried to process what Jeanne just asked me in a nervous tone. While I did sometimes wonder if Jeanne had such feelings towards me, she wasn't the type to be so bold.
Furthermore, I really didn't want to go into an important meeting with love troubles on my mind.
"Before we go any further, let's see if there are any misunderstandings I need to clear up. What did Lia tell you?"
"She, said that, you need to rest there so that you could meet that noble with a clear mind."
"Mhmm."
"And so to make sure you could be in your best condition, she said that she would provide you with the best service."
"...Wait, what?"
"She said you told her that you needed to **** a few ******* so that your hungry **** could be satisfied."
"Um,"
"And so she sent some of her succubi to your room so that you could **** and **** while ******** without worrying about safety."
"And you believed her?"
"I didn't want to believe her at first, but then she mentioned the cute mark on your upper back and the fact that you are sensitive around the upper part of your stomach."
"Huh? I have that? I do!! Wait, why does she know that? Why do you know that?!"
"But, but the thing that pushed me to believe her the most was the image she sent of the two of you in bed. I ran all sorts of tests but, it, it, it was real!"
"It was real?!"
Jeanne sounded like she was on the verge of tears but before I tried to comfort her and worry about my privacy, I quickly stretched my perception throughout the room.
It was likely hidden well enough so that even Lia wouldn't be able to find it if she didn't know about it, but I didn't think it could escape the golden combination of the Magic Eyes of Perception, Dragon Eyes of Truth and Spatial Perception.
'One, two, three, four, huh?! Why are there so many?!!!'
I thought I was being careful, but once I properly checked I found a camera in basically every crevice.
"Liaaa!!!!!"
I aimed my shout right where I felt she was, but instead of getting alarmed she simply hid her presence.
'I'll remember this one.'
I wanted to drag her out right this instant, but since we had important business tomorrow I would have to get my revenge later.
"Master?"
Though I was still raging, I couldn't neglect Jeanne when she was feeling insecure.
"It's not like that. Do you really think I would waste my precious time on something like sex?"
"Well, no, but she mentioned that you would find it bothersome to have a one night stand with someone you see everyday."
"..."
'Damn it, that sounds like me.'
"It's true, isn't it. It's okay I'll still be faithful to you. I'll always be your right hand. Even if you don't want my help in that area."
Her voice started to calm down but that only made me feel worse. Having to fret this much about my familiar was the opposite of what I wanted when I made them, but since they were mine I had to take care of them.
"J-, Witch. I'm your master, aren't I?"
"...Yes."
"Then there's no point to this conversation."
"You're, right. I shouldn't poke my nose into my master's matters should I."
"No, that's not it. I became your master, I made you one of my people because I wanted you by my side. Out of all my surbordinates, I made you my aide. Don't doubt the feelings I had when I made that decision."
I knew that parts of my speech could be taken in different ways, but there was not a single lie in my words. Furthermore, I was sure. Even though she made me stressed sometimes, she would understand exactly what I was trying to say.
"... You're right. I really wasted your time, master. And to make it worse I let the words of that woman stain my loyal feelings, I'm willing to take any punishment to make up for this sin."
"It's fine. Just continue to act fit as my right hand."
"Of course. I'll put my greatest efforts into making myself useful to you."
Once Jeanne finally cut the call, I sprawled out on the bed.
'So tired. Time to sleep.'
As I closed my eyes and waited for sleepy land to welcome me, I wondered if a voice had reached my ears.
"What sickeningly sweet exchange."