Kiyel's nervousness was palpable, etched into every inch of his demeanor. His words stumbled over each other, his fingers twitched with anxiety, betraying a vulnerability that made him all the more endearing. Every time his eyes flickered toward Yen, a shiver of discomfort seemed to wash over him, and I couldn't help but enjoy the spectacle.
Yen, however, was a study in control. As always, he moved with that quiet grace. He didn't so much as acknowledge me as he pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down, his gaze fixed on the papers in front of him. His unshakable composure had an almost unnerving effect on everyone around him.
With a mischievous glint in my eye, I shifted from my desk, making a deliberate show of settling onto Yen's lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His stoic expression didn't waver, but I felt the subtle shift in his posture as he adjusted to accommodate me. My fingers traced the edge of his jaw in a fleeting touch, just enough to tease but not quite to comfort. I leaned in, my breath warm against his ear.
"I'd like to have him." I whispered softly, watching the tension in Kiyel's face grow.
Yen, of course, didn't respond. He merely nodded, his face a mask of indifference. But his hand—steady and unyielding—settled on my waist, an anchor that grounded me even as my heart raced with excitement. His gaze remained locked on Kiyel, whose face was now flushed, as if he might combust from sheer embarrassment just watching us.
"Kiyel, right?" I asked, breaking the silence with a soft laugh.
"Yes, my lady," Kiyel stammered, his eyes darting nervously between Yen and me.
I waved a hand dismissively, my smile wide and teasing. "Just Lili," I corrected, my tone light but firm.
He hesitated, his discomfort palpable. "I… I can't do that," he replied, voice faltering.
I leaned back slightly, eyeing him thoughtfully. "Why not? I prefer familiarity with those I work with," I said, my smile turning more predatory. "It helps us understand each other better. Welcome, Kiyel."
There was a long pause as Kiyel's mind clearly raced, before he finally relented. "Then… Lili. Thank you for allowing me to work at the Soul Seeker House."
I turned my gaze back to Yen, a playful glint in my eye. "Thank Yenny," I corrected, with a wink. "He's the one who decided all this."
"Yenny?" Kiyel repeated, his voice tinged with confusion.
I sighed dramatically, resting my chin in my palm. "A nickname I gave him. Isn't it cute?" I grinned, savoring the moment.
Kiyel muttered under his breath, but I caught it, my sharp dragon kin senses honing in on his words.
"It doesn't suit him," he muttered.
Oh? That was bold. I tilted my head, a mischievous smile tugging at my lips. "It doesn't?" I asked, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "Maybe I should come up with a new one for him."
Kiyel's eyes widened in panic, and he quickly waved his hands in protest. "No, no! It's cute! Really!" he stammered.
I smirked, watching him squirm. "Right?" I pressed, enjoying the sight of his unease.
When he nodded, his face flushed with embarrassment, I couldn't help but chuckle. There was something satisfying about watching him panic. But as the laughter died down, I allowed my gaze to linger on him. It had been years since anyone new had been brought into our circle. And as entertaining as he was, I needed to know—could he be trusted?
My silence stretched long enough to make him uncomfortable. "Uhh… What?" Kiyel asked, shifting uneasily under my gaze.
I smiled, my expression turning sharp, a slight edge to my voice. "Our services end at midnight," I said, my eyes narrowing with unspoken intent. "I'll introduce you to the others later. For now, I can show you around. We've got about an hour."
"Of course," he said, bowing again, though the hesitation in his voice betrayed his uncertainty. "I'll do my best to accomplish any task you assign me."
I looked at Yen once more, my voice sweet as honey as I asked, "Want to join us, Yenny?"
He didn't even glance up from his papers. "I'll join you later."
"Okay~" I teased, kissing his cheek as I slid off his lap, gesturing for Kiyel to follow me.
As we walked through the hallways, the air between Kiyel and me was thick with unspoken questions, but neither of us spoke. It was Kiyel who broke the silence, his voice cautious but laced with curiosity.
"May I ask a question?" he asked hesitantly.
"Go ahead," I replied, the coolness of my tone a stark contrast to the warmth of the house around us.
"When the young master abandoned his position as the youngest of the Von Sumidra," he began carefully, "I heard he left with a woman. Most didn't believe it, though. They said he was too aloof, too reserved. But… it was true, wasn't it? That woman was you."
I didn't stop walking, but my ears perked at the weight in his voice. Beneath his calm words, I sensed a swirl of emotions—anger, sadness, and something more that I couldn't quite place.
Exhaling a puff of smoke, I let my words linger in the air. "Do you think it was my fault?"
"No," he answered after a pause. His tone was resolute, but there was an edge to it that suggested uncertainty. "The young master was always distant, but he was also wise and dependable. Even with his lack of talent for summoning, people respected him. What I don't understand is why he gave up and chose to run away."
I slowed my pace, turning to face him fully. My eyes locked onto his, studying him with the intensity of a dragon inspecting its prey. "Then why follow him?"
"Because he's like a brother to me," Kiyel admitted softly. "I mean, I grew up serving him. He taught me things I never should have learned as a servant. He fed us when we were hungry and protected us. Because of him, I was able to manifest my soulbound mark."
I stopped in my tracks, letting his words settle between us. "Have you ever swooned a woman before?" I asked, breaking the silence with a simple question.
He blinked, clearly taken off guard by the sudden shift. "What?"
"Simple question," I said, my voice low and teasing. I stepped closer to him, circling him slowly, inspecting him like an artist evaluating a sculpture. "Your face is fine. Your body is fit. And your charm…" I let my gaze wander over him, lingering just enough to make him squirm. "Hmm."
Kiyel flushed, trying to cover himself instinctively. "What are you doing? The young master might get the wrong idea!"
I smiled slyly, enjoying the sight of his...discomfort. "Exactly. Keep it that way."
"What?"
I grinned. "Come with me."
I led him into a room scented with roses, the soft light casting an almost surreal glow over the space. There, a man with medium-length hair and striking red lipstick turned toward us, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.
"Lady Lili," he cooed, "what can I do for you today? A makeup retouch, perhaps?"
"Not for me, Sister Chika." I gestured toward Kiyel, whose stiff form had already started to panic. "Doll him up for me, would you? I want to introduce him properly."
Kiyel's protests were immediate and frantic, furiously shaking his head. "No, no, no—"
Chika merely purred in response, circling him like a predator stalking its prey. "Oh, come now. It'll only take fifteen minutes."
I chuckled softly as Kiyel's desperate protests went ignored. I could already tell this would be entertaining.
-----
Fifteen minutes later
Kiyel emerged from the room, looking like an entirely different person. His makeup highlighted his sharp features, and his robes, usually plain and practical, were artfully loosened to reveal his toned abs, making him look every bit the part of the charming servant I'd wanted him to be. The transformation was remarkable, and I had to bite back a grin at how he seemed to carry himself more confidently now—though his flushed face gave away the fact that he was still terribly uncomfortable.
"I want to go home," he muttered, his voice small and defeated.
I smirked, walking confidently into the center of the hall, the golden lanterns casting a warm, inviting glow around us. But as we entered the room, the energy shifted. The crowd's gaze turned cold, with curiosity. They knew something was about to happen.
I tapped into the voice channel technique, amplifying my voice so that it rang through the house like a call to arms.
"Ladies and gentlemen, gather round and feast your eyes!" I announced, my voice loud and commanding. "Please give a rousing welcome to our newest recruit… Six!"
The room erupted into murmurs, the anticipation palpable as all eyes turned toward Kiyel. He hesitated, his movements stiff and awkward, like a man walking the plank toward an inevitable plunge. The crowd's collective gaze grew heavier. I could see the hungry glint in the eyes of the women, eager to claim their next conquest.
I raised my hand, silencing the room with a grin that promised mischief. "Here he stands—a man of unshakable innocence!" I paused, letting the words echo in the silence before adding with dramatic flair, "A man of unwavering loyalty! And most importantly…" I let the pause stretch out as I leaned forward, my voice dripping with teasing menace. "A man so hopelessly submissive, he might as well be a blank canvas!"
Laughter erupted from the crowd. Some voices rang with approval, while others carried a hint of amusement tinged with something more predatory. The women's eyes glittered with excitement, and a few of them exchanged conspiratorial glances, their smiles twisting into something sharp and calculating. I could practically feel the tension in the air—like a thread pulled taut, ready to snap.
"And now," I added, my voice sweet with the promise of chaos, "the question remains: who will be the first to stake their claim on our dear Six?"
A ripple of excited chatter spread like wildfire through the crowd, and the women began to close in on Kiyel, their steps deliberate, almost synchronized. He stood frozen, wide-eyed and completely out of his depth, like a deer caught in headlights. His hands twitched, his breath coming in shallow gasps, but the more he struggled, the more the crowd seemed to enjoy it.
I couldn't help but smile, the sight of him so flustered more amusing than I'd anticipated. His stiff, mechanical movements only made the whole thing more entertaining, and I reveled in the chaos I had set in motion. This was my world—a place where control was an illusion, where I could twist fate just for the fun of it.
Satisfied, I stepped back into the shadows, letting Kiyel fend for himself. My work here was done—well, almost.
The crowd continued to circle around him like sharks scenting blood, and I could hear their hushed voices, laced with intrigue and anticipation. Some reached out, brushing their fingers along his arms or neck, while others made bold remarks about how "innocent" he looked. But through it all, Kiyel remained a trembling figure in the center of the room, struggling to maintain his composure.
As the last of the guests departed and the hall grew quieter, the lively chatter faded, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. The golden lanterns flickered weakly, casting long shadows that stretched across the room. The warmth that had once filled the air evaporated, replaced by a chill that seemed to seep into the very bones of the house.
My smile faded just a little as the weight of the moment settled over me. It's time he meets the members.