Breakfast was typical.
Leftover bread, fish, and some almost hot soup.
That's it.
Pretty bland.
Then again it was a bit late for breakfast and a bit early for lunch- so oh well.
"A plate here- nice lady-" There were of course some adventurers who came back from work and were eating- again.
"Right away- sweet lad-"
And apparently, the regular customers and the waitresses kind of had fun conversations every now and then. Awkward- but fun.
The Harpy was happy though and often giggled.
The cats didn't complain either.
And honestly, at this point, I wasn't even sure why they were hanging around with me.
Weren't they supposed to go search for their family head or something?
Anyway-
Paying up we left the inn. I kind of didn't want to stay there… one, the customers were all looking at me kind of awkwardly. Some of the waitresses blinked while the waiters also kind of…. Awkward….
The rooms were booked for exactly a week- so we were definitely going to come back here.
I assure you- I didn't want to.
However- "Now would you mind explaining?" I asked.
We walked around- I needed my morning walk.
The cats kind of walked with pride- oddly prideful.
"Sure- but first we need to do something, remember?" She pointed at the large building in the distance- the city hall.
We'd dressed up properly before leaving the inn. For my part, I had a good shirt and no armor- because I did plan on going to the hall eventually.
And Amiya was beautiful in almost whatever she wore… to me.
Her current clothes were kind of weird though. She did have a nice dress and it was clean and all but kind of old?
Also, she had this garb over her dress, so she seemed more like an adventurer- than most adventurers.
"I know. But I do get the feeling you're avoiding the topic."
"Just your imagination." She hummed forward.
She kept on walking and so did we.
'This is not going to end well…'
***
The city was pretty much the same as yesterday.
Except-
"Nice going, Sir Gain!" The guys were cheering me on- mostly.
Some did curse me out of jealousy thanks to the beauty of a Harpy next to me. Most just thanked me though.
"Ah- he already has someone with him…" As for the women- they were disappointed.
Lower nobles with potential- especially knights were prime target to seduce and become mistresses of.
So it wasn't that surprising.
But oddly, no girl tried to compete… 'Are Harpies really that scary?'
Given my aching crotch? Yeah, definitely.
"Strange- you're not fawning over these women like you did with her…" And Amiya kept quite the eye on me.
Fawning?
Getting laid?
Yeah- I didn't want to.
My crotch hurt enough.
For now, I couldn't care less even if the most beautiful woman danced naked in front of me.
"Look, I'm not a sex fiend. I just liked her, that's all." Which was kind of true.
She rolled her eyes, not a word.
Nobles often had one official wife and a bunch of mistresses. It wasn't a big deal!
Besides, we weren't even married yet-
Anyway, before long we'd arrived at the city hall.
It was surrounded by a small garden on all fronts- and a wall with iron railings.
Squeak- the large double door opened and we were led in by a soldier- fellow knight.
"I've heard great things about you, Sir Gain. Oh, and pardon me, I'm Bornvile Dracao. You may call me Dracao."
He wasn't even paying attention to the cats.
Actually, the moment they thought my cats were just plain White Lions, they kind of stopped asking questions...
except they weren't and I might or might not have wanted people to marvel at them!
"And pardon me for I'd never met anyone from the Bornvile family before- although I did hear great things about your grandfather-" Thanks to a certain geezer with a bamboo stick never shutting up. "And it certainly a pleasure to meet you Sir Dracao."
He let out a faint snicker and led us on.
A mansion.
Kind of large- nothing fancy.
A garden in the middle and a two-story mansion with good décor and maybe some paintings here and there.
I expected more from a count-
"Underwhelmed?" Dracao asked.
"A little, yes. I expected a man of his stature to maybe build this place far more extravagantly."
There weren't that many soldiers here either.
Even the plaza of the town had more soldiers than this place-
"Yes, me too. However, the count takes pride in enriching the lives of his citizens and not just himself. I'm sure you've seen the city, yourself, have you not?"
"I have and it's wonderful. Though you might have a water contamination going on."
He chuckled. "I'll let my lord know… Regardless, we've arrived." He stared at Amiya. "Would you mind staying out here?"
We'd arrived at the literal end of the corridor.
Lots of people, and guards patrolling by.
Definitely the most important room of the mansion by far.
"Unfortunately, I'm his wife- so yes, I would mind."
'Wait, wife? What wife?'
And since when?
"Ah, pardon. In that case, please accompany him, my lady." With a swift bow, the knight opened the door.
Meanwhile- I had a bit of trouble keeping a straight face- 'Hang in there Bren…'
I still kept one though.
Squeak.
Bright- glass windows- lots of light.
And just in front of that light- a man on a chair- a table in front. A man- or rather an Orc, and a rather slender and tall one at that too. Orcs were rarely taller than humans and yet this one was perhaps half an arm taller than me- and I was short by no means.
Definitely a higher breed.
"Gain Benebough, my lord." A noble bow. "This is my wife-"
"Amamiya Benebough-" Amiya also did a noble bow. In her case, she tilted the hem of her dress, gently bowing forward.
Though since she had leather armor on- it was a bit awkward…
However- 'She knows noble etiquette…'
I might or might not have underestimated this damn Harpy a bit too much.
"Ansal Val Maire- pleasure. Please take a seat."
Sharp- pristine and to the point.
This guy meant business.
The two of us took seats just in front of the table, directly facing the man- the count of Brolk city.
"May I ask why you've asked us to come here?"
Oddly this room was small. It didn't have any paintings- just a bookshelf and a coffee table in the back- with a small chair.
"You can drop the act," He waved and the knight from the door brought in wine, before leaving. "Normally, we'd hold a prize-giving ceremony for you- or at least a ball in your honor." He poured drinks for all three of us. "Or maybe give you money and precious equipment; or perhaps even beautiful women. Though- I'm under the impression you're in need of none." He took glances at the cats and Amiya before turning back to me. "So- Sir Gain, what do you want?"