Our way back to the mansion was silent, the only problem was Jasmine and her chest pressing against my back. I told her many times to make some room, but she refused, saying that Twilight was too fast and she was scared of falling.
Normally, I would have taken those words for lies, but Twilight is indeed faster than most drakes, so she could have said the truth at that moment.
Anyway, that awkwardness doesn´t compare to what I´m feeling now that Véronica is staring at me while Jasmine is clinging to my arm.
"... Let´s go inside first... I´ll explain everything there..."
"... Yes... You better..."
Internally praying for my safety, we all entered the mansion as Twilight returned to the stables by herself.
On our way to the living, I felt the gazes of many of the guards and servants walking around the mansion. Some of them let a little laugh escape while others gave me their condolences with a grin on their faces.
"What a way to say goodbye to the Fotiadis" Said one of the guards with his body shivering in a failing attempt to contain his laughter.
Each one of those mocking comments increased the obvious exasperation of my lady, whose steps gained weight with each movement.
When we finally arrived, I was already pale and soaked with cold sweat. Jasmine never let go of me, and I never pushed her away, so the situation wasn´t the best.
The reason for that was her insecurity. She immediately stayed close to me as a method to guarantee her safety in this unknown territory of nobles.
I know how hard it is to walk around an unknown place with so many armed people, so I allowed her to do whatever she wanted to feel secure while I talked to Véronica about what happened.
We all took our seats on the couches, Jasmine at my side and Véronica across from us. Some maids had arrived to serve us some tea and cookies, and once they were done they closed the doors, leaving us alone in this enclosed space lighted by magic candles and expensive furniture.
The situation went smoothly until then. Because shortly after, Véronica filled the air with her silent but threatening aura. Something that forced Jasmine to stay even closer to me.
"Now then, tell me, who is this, and why she is holding to your arm as if her life depended on it?"
Her voice was like a swift river flowing with delicacy through the rocks, though we both noticed the end of it as a terrible waterfall that could end the life of any man.
"Y-Yes, um. Ehem. She is Jasmine, another irregular like me and... My first servant..."
For a second, Jasmine waved her hand at the same time she said a trembling "Hi~" with a sweaty forehead.
Véronica gave her a warm smile in response. Fortunately for us, she was always a sensible person, after her talk with Herion that virtue of hers only increased.
"And the reason for that is... Well... Wouldn´t you feel nervous if it´s your first time visiting the mansion of the Fotiadis family?"
"... Haaaaah... Right... I guess that´s true but..."
She paused for a moment, her eyes never meeting mine.
Feeling a strange warmth inside my chest I asked with increasing blush on my face.
"... But, what?"
Véronica´s cheeks turned red, her arms hugged her body, and inevitably made her white chest decorated in red clothes more desirable.
I unconsciously gulped my saliva as my head turned away to prevent any perverted thoughts to come to life.
"... N-Nothing! Nevermind..."
"S-Sure..."
With both of us surrounded by an embarrassing aura, it felt as if the entire world had faded.
"Soooo~. Are you going to tell her your promise to me, master? Or should I do it for you?"
But the reality wouldn´t wait for us.
"Master?!"
Much less when it was this woman beside me...
"Y-Yhea about that, well... Ugh, just hear me out on this"
I spent a solid hour telling Véronica all that had happened. I was able to witness some interesting expressions of her as Jasmine helped fill in the details that I could have let slip as I talked.
When I was done, Véronica was holding her head in exhaustion.
I could feel how anxiety was twirling inside my stomach and crawling on my back. I think Jasmine noticed my state because her hand was holding mine tightly behind our backs.
"All right... Once you arrive at the academy, you must apologize to the prince immediately. I´ll send a letter to the castle in my name so that your punishment isn´t so brutal"
With the determination to climb a mountain, Véronica stood from her seat and walked to the door.
Just as her hand grabbed the knob I jumped out off the couch and reached for her arm.
"Wait wait wait!! Hold your horses, my lady!"
She turned to me with panic and a worried smile.
"What are you saying?! This is one of the most horrible situations you could have brought yourself into!"
Sharing her emotion, I did my best to stop her from doing anything unnecessary, though my wounded body may not have been very convincing.
"I know it sounds bad, but it is not as you make it sound! I already made sure to be on good terms with your majesty!"
"W-What?"
Taking advantage of that opening, Jasmine reinforced my comment with her nodding head.
"It´s true. I was even spared thanks to him"
"... For real?"
I also nodded.
"I see... Well, I guess something like that is possible if we are talking about you, Domi..."
More exhausted by the notice, Véronica let go of the knob and placed her hands on my shoulders. It seemed as if she was using me to stay on her feet and hold her brain in increasing confusion.
"Thank you for your comprehension, my lady. Now. Could you please lend me a room for her?"
Her ruby eyes landed on Jasmine, who was waving her hand with a cheeky grin.
"Yes... She can sleep with me for tonight..."
"Ho? Are you sure about that, daughter of a duke? Don´t you think I could try to do something to you?"
Her tune suddenly became more fierce. Not to the point to be a danger, but enough to make her point.
Véronica puffed with a condescending expression on her white face, her hands resting on her hips as her peach lips responded to the woman.
"If Dominique brought you here is because he considered you worthy of his trust. And I trust him, so I´m sure that you won´t do anything stupid enough to make him mad"
Jasmine´s eyes widened. Her chin fell on her palm as an assertive smile showed her teeth.
"Heh. So you really trust him, hm? Well, you´re right. I won´t do anything that could give my master a reason to extinguish the life he saved"
"Good. Now move your ass over here, the maids will lend you some clothes and show you the way"
"Hm?"
Just as she said that the door opened. A pair of housemaids entered the living room and after bowing to us, they took Jasmine by the arms and dragged her out while her shocked screams filled the hallway as she disappeared into the distance.
With this new privacy, Véronica pulled my arm back to the couch. Once there I was forced to lay down with my head resting on her thighs.
I, of course, was invaded with joy and embarrassment in the same amounts.
"Umm, my lady?"
She was staring at me with a strange intensity in her eyes. Like trying to reprimand and spare me at the same time.
Of what? That I don´t know...
After a couple of seconds, her palm began to caress my head. Her left hand was adventuring itself into my red cheeks and ears.
W-W-W-W-W-WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!
I was happy and awkward, and also embarrassed, but it felt good. I honestly lacked the words to describe the mix of emotions dancing in my heart.
What I knew for sure, is that I didn´t want this moment to end.
Ever...
"Domi"
She said my name with such a loving voice... It made my heart skip a beat so hard that it almost felt as if it could escape from my chest at any moment.
"Yes?"
"She is just your servant... Right?"
There was bashfulness in her question, also a type of anxiety that I didn´t know.
Is this by any chance...
"Jealousy?"
"!!"
Shit! I said it out loud!
Saying those words by accident, Véronica was painted in the same red as her clothes. Her hands abandoned my face and went to cover hers.
I knew I had to apologize, however, this view was something that I couldn´t pass, even if that meant putting my lady in a tough spot.
Pushed by alien bravery, I rose from my pillow and grabbed her hands.
"Domi?! What are you- W-Wait!"
I forced her hands to move away from her face, revealing finally the image I had pictured since that word escaped from my toughs.
"You are so very beautiful..."
"Y-You..."
We stood there, looking at each other with our breathing in constant acceleration. I never knew when my hands had intertwined with hers, or when our faces got so close to the point that I was able to feel her breath.
I just kept getting closer...
With fear and expectation, I leaned forward.
And then it happened.
"My lady, your guest is ready"
"YES!"
"WOAH?!"
Tud.
Véronica quickly stood, allowing me to fall and press my lips against the cold floor.
"... Umm, did I interrupt something?"
We exchanged glances for a second.
"You have no idea..."