Noah knew that entering the banquet without proper preparation would be reckless. He needed information—detailed knowledge about demons, his race, and the world around him.
For that reason, he made arrangements for a maid to stay with him at all times, explaining to Mistress Elena that he intended to spend the seven days leading up to the banquet in the library.
Mistress Elena had raised an eyebrow at his request for solitude but ultimately agreed with a condition. "Very well, Zeph," she said, "but I reserve the right to summon or visit you whenever I please. Understood?"
"Of course, Mistress," Noah replied, hiding his relief. He intended to use this time wisely.
The maid assigned to him, Messe, had apparently misunderstood the nature of his request. When she first arrived, it was clear she had come "prepared" for anything.
Her attire was purposefully chosen to highlight her curves, and the sultry looks she shot him left no doubt that she was hoping for something more than a simple servant-master relationship.
Noah quickly disabused her of that notion, explaining that her duties were strictly to bring him his meals and assist him in the library. But despite his clear rejection of her advances, Messe didn't give up; in fact, she seemed more determined than ever.
For three days, Noah managed to avoid falling into her traps. He was focused on the texts he had managed to find, which began to bear fruit.
He learned more about his location: the city of Desmir, part of a region known as the Demonic Continent. His research took a darker turn when he discovered another name for the place—the First Layer of Hell.
Hell. It wasn't just some demonic territory; it was literally one of the layers of Hell itself, a place teeming with demons and devoid of humans. Desmir was just one city in a vast landscape of infernal power struggles.
On the third day, Messe's advances became more blatant. Noah ignored her flirtatious remarks, but then something seemed different.
He took a sip from the drink she had brought him and immediately noticed an unusual bitterness beneath the sweetness. It was faint but unmistakable. An aphrodisiac. His gaze flicked toward Messe, who was watching him with a subtle but expectant smile. She was clearly waiting for a reaction.
'So, that's your game,' he thought, smirking internally. If she believed she could catch him off guard with such tricks, she was sorely mistaken. The (Self Control) skill actively suppressed any effects that could sway his behavior, rendering the aphrodisiac useless.
Three hours passed, and Messe's frustration grew evident. She paced restlessly, occasionally glancing at him with a mixture of confusion and annoyance.
Her plan had clearly backfired, and Noah was content to let her squirm. But as the fourth hour approached, a familiar chime interrupted his focus.
Ding!
[New Mission: Tease the Maid, Messe.]
[Objective: The maid, Messe, is doing all she can to grab your attention, and it only gets worse as you ignore her. Give her attention and tease her in a way that'll leave her wanting more of you. Rewards: 120 Seduction Points and 2x Low Grade BloodSpite Gems.]
Noah raised an eyebrow at the mission. 'Tease her, huh?' The system was practically daring him to indulge in a bit of payback for her little trick. He still didn't know much about the gems, but they seemed valuable, and this mission's reward was too enticing to pass up.
"That sounds inappropriate," he murmured to himself with a grin, "but I'm in."
He stood up and closed the book in front of him, drawing Messe's attention as he walked toward her.
She glanced up, a mixture of hope and curiosity in her eyes as she noticed his approach. "Messe," he said, his voice dropping to a low, inviting tone, "come here."
She hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, her cheeks already tinged with pink. "Yes, my lord?" she answered, her voice soft.
"I couldn't help but notice," he began, his hand reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, "that you've been quite… dedicated these past few days." His fingers lingered just long enough to make her shiver. "I appreciate the effort."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she took a step closer, emboldened by his sudden attention. "It's my pleasure to serve you, my lord," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I only want to please you."
Noah smirked, his hand sliding down from her hair to trace the line of her jaw. "Please me, you say?" he murmured, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned in. "Tell me, Messe… did you enjoy slipping that little something extra into my drink?" His fingers brushed down her neck, resting just above the collar of her dress.
She gasped softly at his touch, her breath hitching in her throat. "I… I just thought you might need… help relaxing," she stammered, unable to meet his gaze.
"Relaxing?" he echoed with a low chuckle. "Or were you hoping for something more?" He stepped closer, pressing her gently against the bookshelf behind her.
His hand slid down to her waist, pulling her body against his. The heat of his breath danced across her skin as he whispered in her ear, "I'll give you what you want, Messe. But first… let's see if you can handle a little teasing."
Messe's body trembled as his hands roamed over her sides, tracing the curves of her figure. He let his lips graze the sensitive skin of her neck, feeling her pulse quicken beneath the light touch.
"My lord…" she whispered, her voice heavy with desire. Her hands tentatively reached up to rest on his chest, and she leaned into him, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps.
Noah pulled back slightly, just enough to see the frustration in her eyes as he denied her the contact she so clearly craved. "Not so fast," he said, his tone teasing and edged with authority. "You went to all that trouble to get my attention, but now you seem so… desperate." He ran a thumb over her lower lip, watching her struggle to keep her composure.
Her blush deepened, and she bit her lip, her gaze flicking between his eyes and his lips. "Please," she breathed, her voice almost a whimper.
Noah's grin widened as he leaned down to whisper, "Please… what?" He let his lips hover just inches from hers, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. "What exactly do you want, Messe?"
The maid's resolve seemed to crumble as she pressed herself closer, her body flush against his. "I want… I want you," she confessed, her voice trembling.
"Hmm," he murmured, letting his lips brush against hers in a teasing almost-kiss before pulling back once again. "You'll have to earn it." With that, he released her from his grasp, stepping back and allowing the moment to dissipate.
The look of longing and frustration on her face was priceless, and Noah couldn't help but feel a touch of satisfaction at having turned the tables on her so thoroughly.
Ding!
[Mission Complete: Tease the Maid, Messe.]
[You have been rewarded with 120 Seduction Points!]
[You have been rewarded with 2x Low Grade BloodSpite Gems!]
Noah glanced at the notification and dismissed it, still savoring the sight of Messe as she stood there, flushed and breathless, her lips parted in unspoken need. "Now," he said calmly, returning to his seat, "I'd like my tea refreshed, if you don't mind."
Messe nodded mutely, still recovering from the intensity of their encounter, and hurried to obey his request. As she left the room, Noah allowed himself a quiet chuckle.
He had gained his rewards, had a little fun, and Messe's reaction would serve as a reminder that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.