Chapter 102 - Nervous Morning & Maelle’s Plan

Chapter 102: Chapter 102 - Nervous Morning & Maelle’s Plan

"GAAAAAH!"

Vincent leapt backward against the headboard like a cat and yanked the bedsheets up and around his waist.

"Ava!? What are you doing here?! And... that dream! The arrows! The kitchen! The hot spring! All of it! Was that YOU?!"

"Heh heh heh~" Ava sat up on the mattress.

A coy, teasing smirk spread across her lips as she rested her chin in her hands and pouted dramatically.

"I was merely fulfilling my duty, Master~ When Maelle came down for breakfast, she said she couldn’t wake you up. She needed someone to bring you downstairs, and I eagerly volunteered. But the moment I sat on the mattress, you attacked me in your sleep and pulled me right down! Oh~! Imagine my surprise."

"I... I attacked you?!"

"Yep~ It was a ferocious assault!" Ava giggled, covering her mouth as her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I mean, Maelle warned me to be careful, but this... this was such a lovely morning surprise~ She didn’t have to warn me about anything." \

Panic instantly gripped Vincent’s chest. "Wait... if I attacked you... did I do something to Maelle while she was sleeping last night?! Crap! First Gwen and now... Crap!"

Beside the bed, Eugene hopped onto the wooden nightstand and pointed a claw at Ava’s nose.

"She’s lying through her teeth, Bluey! Sort of! She had the chance to escape you, yet she still doused your sleeping brain with succubus magic! I couldn’t get her off you and my fire did nothing to her. Nothing worked! So I had to bite her nasty tail to save you. And do I get a thank you?! NO!"

"Okay, okay! Just stop screaming... Thank you, Eugene. You’re a lifesaver."

"Hmph! You’re welcome!"

Knock, knock...

"Ava? Is Vincent awake yet? I’m coming in."

Vincent’s heart leaped into his throat. He looked at the disheveled, half-naked Ava sprawling on his bed and panicked. "AVA! PUT SOMETHING ON! HURRY–"

Click–creak...

The bedroom door swung open and Gwen stepped into the room.

She froze mid-step.

Vincent, completely bare-chested and clutching a blanket to his waist in a state of terror as he hovers over Ava, who is lying across the mattress with her blouse torn open and her hair wildly messy.

For a second, a faint, barely noticeable pink dust brushed across Gwen’s cheeks as she looked at his chiseled body. Then, her professional attendant persona clicked back into place without missing a single beat.

"It’s good you’re awake, Vincent. Good morning."

"A-Ah! Ahahaha! Gwen! Good morning! What’s... what’s for breakfast?!"

"For breakfast today, we have prepared freshly baked cinnamon pastries, warm eggs, and a large bowl of chilled fruits. The children specifically requested grapes."

"GRAPES?!"

At the mere mention of the word, Vincent’s brain violently flashed back to his dream – Gwen in a white apron, pinning him against the counter, feeding him grapes, and pulling his hand straight onto her bare breast while grinding her hips against his thigh.

"Ahahaha!" Ava burst into uncontrollable laughter, rolling across the mattress and clutching her stomach. "Aw~ Look at him! He’s turning into a strawberry!"

"AVA JUST! ARGH! JUST GET DRESSED ALREADY!"

"Ehehehe– O-Okay! Okay! Kyaaa! He’s attacking me again! Save me, Gwen!"

Gwen offered a graceful smile. "Please hurry down before the food loses its warmth." She backed out and closed the door smoothly behind her.

Click.

""....""

"Bad girl! Fix your clothes! Now!"

"Y-Yes, Master!"

She quickly scrambled off the bed. As she adjusted her blouse, she casually dropped two names he never expected to hear from her.

"So... Who are Natasha and Deina?"

Vincent froze mid-motion while pulling his shirt over his head. His blue eyes snapped to her. "How do you know those names? I’ve never mentioned them to anyone."

"When I slipped into your dreams, I didn’t just see fantasies... I saw your memories of two beautiful angels. It looks like they hold a special space inside your heart."

"... They are my two lovers back where I’m from."

"My, my... such an enormous appetite for women~"

Softly, she added, "Tell me, Master... is there any space left in that grand harem of yours for a humble succubus like me?"

Vincent kept his back to her as he picked up his jacket, pretending he didn’t hear a single word she said.

"Hey! Don’t ignore me!"

She suddenly darted forward, pressing her lips to the side of his neck and sliding her tongue in a quick, playful lick.

*Slurp!*

"Eurgh! Ava! What was that for!?"

"Ehehe! A down payment!" Ava giggled, sticking her tongue out before scurrying out the bedroom door like a cat.

"... *Sigh*."

"You heard her, didn’t you, Bluey?"

"....."

"Lucky bastard."

A short while later, Vincent walked down the staircase into the dining hall.

He felt intensely self-conscious as his eyes darted around the room.

The moment his gaze brushed past Gwen, he hastily looked away. The moment he looked toward Roxa, his brain reminded him of that steamy hot spring, and he broke into a cold sweat.

Roxa’s sharp elven ears twitched. She narrowed her eyes as she watched Vincent’s suspicious behavior as he took a seat.

Maelle, who was seated at the head of the table, looked pristine and commanding in her Imperial Academy uniform. She set her teacup down, looking up at Ava.

"As much as I am pleased to see you survived waking him, Ava, at this rate, we’ll be late. Go change into your uniform."

It suddenly hit Ava that they indeed had classes today. "Oops. Hehe..." She saluted playfully and scurried off back upstairs to change.

Toby began serving him the warm plates, while Leo and Zally sat across the table happily munching on grapes – making Vincent wince every single time a fruit was popped into their mouth.

Beside them, Eugene was sitting on a high cushion, grumbling as Leo tried to feed him. "I have claws! I can eat my own food, kid! I’m not a baby!"

Roxa sat right next to Vincent and asked. "Why are you fidgeting like a guilty thief? Your heart rate is elevated. You’re sweating."

The entire table – Maelle, Gwen, Toby, and the kids – immediately turned their attention onto him.

Vincent stammered nervously, grabbing a pastry and stuffing it into his mouth. "N-Nothing! I’m fine! Just hungry! Like, really hungry! *Munch!* Man, this food is amazing, Gwen! Nice work!"

"Toby assisted in preparing that portion of the food. You should thank him."

"Really?! Awesome job, Toby! Best eggs I’ve ever had!"

Toby blushed bashfully, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah... thank you, Vincent. I guess taking care of two picky younger siblings does that to you."

Ava came hurrying back downstairs in her academy uniform, only to freeze when she saw Roxa sitting squarely in the chair beside Vincent. "Roxa... do you want to swap seats with me?"

"No."

Drooping her shoulders, Ava let out a dramatic sigh and slunk into a chair the furthest away from them.

Now that the entire household was gathered, Maelle set her teacup down and her tone with seriousness.

"Now that we are assembled, I wish to outline our long-term strategy. After a night of pondering, I’ve come up with a solution.

"Regarding my sister, Maeve Ebony... as I’ve stated yesterday, launching an immediate counter with what resources we have is politically foolish. To counter her, we must build an independent, unshakeable power base."

"What do you propose, Your Highness?" Gwen asked attentively.

"Mm. Rather than relying on noble factions or imperial courts, we shall establish a new, independent Guild branch in direct association with the Adventurers’ Alliance."

Vincent’s eyes lit up with fascination. "An independent Guild? That’s brilliant, Maelle! A Guild gives us total freedom, endless resource gathering, and an army of mercenaries who aren’t corrupted. It’s every man’s dream!"

"Agreed," Roxa smiled with approval.

"I’m glad you like my idea." Maelle continued. "After classes conclude today, Gwen and I shall visit the Adventurers Association to inquire about the formal requirements for registering a Guild."

Maelle stood up, adjusting her academy cape. "Ava, prepare yourself. We must depart for the Academy."

As Vincent put down his food and got up as well Vincent stood up as well, Maelle declined gently, looking at him with a soft gaze.

"No. Gwen shall accompany today. As much as I know you love showing off, I’d prefer if the heat died down a bit before you make an appearance at the academy."

"Show off? Me? I’d say you’re just as much of a showoff as me. Maybe worse."

"... In any case, you should remain here and rest, Vincent. If you wish... I can dismiss you back until I come back."

"Hold off on the dismissal until this evening. There’s something important I need to tell you when you get back."

Maelle raised an eyebrow as a teasing smirk graced her lips. "Oh? Is this another formal admission of your feelings, Vincent?"

"Ha. You already know full well how I feel about you, Princess. This is about something else. Something serious."

"Hmm... Very well. I shall see you later then."

"Later, Master~!"

With a final nod, Maelle, Gwen, and Ava departed through the front doors.