"Lady, how long do I have to stand here? I'm freezing!" the thin soldier held his arms and shivered every now and then.
Stars glistened. It got cold around these parts during the night. Really cold.
Lenora panted. Her bottom had taken some hits and she was more or less leady to roll over and pass out. But, not yet. She hadn't achieved flight even once. Just a high jump wasn't going to cut it. She had to do this. And she had to do this tonight. "UP!" She screamed and stiffened her butt for another kick.
A kick that didn't come this time.
Instead, she felt a solid thump on her whole body and she was airborne. Roughly two stories high, she observed the world. First in great delight, since she'd succeeded. But then in distress… after all… she was losing altitude.
She really wanted to cry but this wasn't the time. "UP! UP! UP!" She kept screaming but not even a kick to the butt. Nothing.
"AHH!!!" She could have done a handful of things to prevent certain death.
If she had time that was.
She didn't.
One second the ground was far away, but a second later, it wasn't so far away. Cracked earth welcomed her in its embrace; breath left her, heart pounded near its manufacturing limit.
Fuck….
Rustle!
Picked up.
Someone had picked her up.
Elf? Oh, it's him.
Lenora's pet had arrived. He wore white silky garb, and looked not as dead as before. "Heavy," he panted, before succumbing to the ground.
"Rude," Lenora panted herself, but helped both of them stand up. "But thanks. I'd have broken something if it weren't for you."
Slightly relieved, she tried to take off the cape.
It didn't come off and instead just clung to her. Almost feeling her bottom up. Fucking little shit….
"What were you thinking?" the elf said.
"A lot of things," she said. "This had to be done."
"Nothing that's worth doing, should be rushed," the elf said. "Please, worry about your health."
Lenora paused. She'd heard it before. On someone's deathbed. "What are you doing here though? Shouldn't you be resting?"
Lenora had put Alberto in charge of the elf. The elf was to be immediately released, cleaned, and fed. But even if they'd taken care of him rather nicely, the elf shouldn't have been able to move, let alone save Lenora. Actually, how come he arrived at the last moment like a knight in shining armor?
"Yes, thank you too," she spoke a bit louder.
"Splendid," the maid said. "You knew I was hiding without even trying," she clapped. "Truly an otherworldly hero."
She walked out of the shadows.
"You could have just saved me, without dragging him into this."
"Dinner is ready, my lady," she said.
"Don't just ignore me," Lenora cursed under her breath but, but the thought of dining with Xanard made her slightly forgetful. Or maybe forgiving?
"Why are you dressed like that?" the maid said.
"Because a certain someone forgot to bring me a change of clothes," she said.
"Oh, and here I thought you were interested in cross dressing. I even mentioned that to the head dresser that you liked to look manly."
Then why did you even bother asking? "I see," she smiled grabbed the maid's cheek and kept twisting it.
Lenora was a patient woman.
She prided herself in her ability to keep her calm in all situations. But sadly… today still wasn't one of those days.
"Ow… ow… ow…"
***
Five chandeliers lit up the long room. Everyone had individual tables, and individual portions of food. Some incense burned, and mist permeated throughout the floor, although mostly confined to the first three inches from the wooden flooring.
Lenora kept glancing at the demon lord who more or less ignored her ever since she came here. Did he dislike her baggy look?
She was positioned at the far end of the room, away from the lord, so she couldn't just walk up to him and start a conversation. Besides, it was bad manners to talk here without finishing one's food first.
So, she focused back on the food.
Mutton chops, roasted lamb, beef curry, rice and bread. Soft serve for dessert.
Food changed depending on the demon lord's tastes for the day. Dishes were hardly ever not delicious but Lenora wasn't keen on trying the lamb. And there was a reason for it. The lambs of this world weren't just lambs. They came packaged with a human torso and tasted delectable. Assuming the cooks used spices. Without proper spices these lambs just reeked. And considering the high prices of spices and their rarity, on more occasion than not, Lenora had to unload all her precious food right back up. And she wasn't looking forward to it again.
She mostly ate the beef curry with rice and bread. Finished up with dessert and merrily moved closer to the demon lord. "Sorry for earlier, I wasn't expecting anyone."
Xanard gave her a glance, and the elf who also happened to be dining with them, albeit on the other corner. "Why did you have my prisoner freed?"
"I need him for one of my plans."
"What plans? You were summoned today. You don't even know what you're supposed to-"
"As I said before, I know why I'm summoned. I just have to do something about the elven lords so they don't wage war on this country, right? And towards that end, I need his help. After all, you don't just see pure elves like him who know their country in and out. He's indispensable."
"Just what are you planning?" he mused and glanced back. "Alberto."
"Yes, my lord?"
"How much did you inform this human?"
Alberto paused. He stared quietly for a few minutes before clearing his throat. "She possesses some knowledge of our world and thus far bares no ill will towards you, my lord. It would be prudent to let her proceed with her plans."
"I was not asking for your opinion."
"She knows enough, sire."
Xanard smirked, swirling the glass full of white wine, and taking in the sweet salty beverage, relinquishing its eloquence. "Zabruza will attack us later tonight."
He-he knew?
And wait, tonight?
"Not surprised?" Xanard's smile turned to a grin. "It would seem my pet may be able to see into the future."
Lenora gulped. "Would you like me to read what sort of romantic future the two of us have?"
"No," his smile vanished. "I must apologize for you're not my type. I prefer women with a more… oomph," he emphasized glancing at her chest. "So, it would be preferrable if you stopped your advances, which are tiring."
She ground her teeth but didn't let anything show. Of course, you do. She stared at the demon lord one last time, a cold gaze, "Good night. I'll take care of the invasion by tomorrow."
That being said, she left. The elf followed her out like a dog running behind its master.
Meanwhile, Alberto couldn't help but wonder- "Why did you lie like that?"
"Because that woman is clearly trying to seduce me."
"And you don't want to be seduced?"
Xanard snorted.