17. Erenia Meeting and Aida Dinner (2)
Count Edmund Natar sat in his war room as his aides gave their latest updates on what transpired in the Kenarias lands. Lady Erenia, still dressed in black, sat next to him, and she listened intently.
Her land was still volatile, but improving. The rumor of a royal decree has spread, and some of the criminal elements have learned to back off. The economy was still in shambles and the people are still frankly starving.
“We’re slowly flushing out the criminal elements.” One aide answered. “Some of them have started to be cooperative. We will be working with them and absorbing them into our structure indirectly.”
Edmund nodded. “For now.”
The aide repeated the Count’s words.
Lady Erenia looked at Edmund. “I have some loyalists among the former village chiefs, but many have been removed. Can we see them restored to their previous station?”
Another aide nodded. “We are in the process of locating them, Lady Erenia. Many have fled or are in hiding thanks to the instability.”
“A shame. I would love to meet them again, in far nicer circumstances.”
The aides didn’t respond. Edmund noted the moment of silence, and then took the chance to change the topic. “Once his highness makes his full decree, we will require your signatory to permit my men to enter your lands.”
The lady paused. “Permanently? Or just for one year?”
Edmund smirked at her resistance. He would make a note to punish her later. “Permanently, of course.”
“That wouldn’t look good on you, Count Edmund. The presence of another noble house’s forces in the Kenarias lands once peace returned would attract undue attention and criticism.” She said with poise and elegance he would greatly enjoy punishing. “Surely a year is enough to stabilise my land, and we can negotiate further extensions, should the security conditions require it.”
Edmund paused and considered her words. “Very well, a year it is, with options to extend. Aides, please assist to draft the declarations.”
The aides nodded, another thing for their list of tasks. At that point, lady Erenia looked at Edmund. “There’s something I would like to request, Count Edmund.”
“Yes?”
“I would like to have my own aides, as the Head of the Kenarias lands. They could be deducted and claimed from my estate, once I regain them.”
Edmund decided to humor her, he would interrogate her at night when he summoned her to his room. “Certainly. Can we arrange for some candidates for her to interview?”
The aides nodded and added to their list of tasks.
Lady Erenia nodded, and then she turned to face the aides. "Are there still any matters related to the Kenarias lands or the hero?"
They shook their heads. "No, milady."
"I see." She stood, and gave Count Edmund a small curtsey, and left the war room. "Count, as there are no further matters of interest, I shall take my leave."
***
“Glad you could make it.” Edmund smiled as Aida walked into the dining room. She was dressed in a white low cut blouse that flattered her bosoms. It was a simple attire, but it fit her really well. She blushed when their eyes met, but Edmund walked up to the young healer and led her to her seat. The other maids and waitresses worked quickly, and served them wines and their food.
Edmund had whiskey, as strong as he could make it. Apparently it was a real hit with the lower class folks, who didn’t like the pretentiousness of wines, and Edmund naturally pivoted to popularise the whiskey among his men. He found it strange how his tastes in alcohol had such a strong impact on how his populace viewed him, but it was what it was.
“You didn’t look well a few days ago, are you better now?” Zaida told him everything, so it didn’t surprise him. He didn’t expect her lust to be so strong that it poured out of his ‘bottle’.
Aida blushed as she briefly remembered what Zaida helped her with, and then she nodded. “I think so.”
“That’s great.” Edmund smiled, as he poured her a glass of rose wine. “It was an interesting application of magic, to attempt to control your own emotions.”
She blushed at his pointed jab. “Ah... I...”
“It’s alright.” Edmund offered a toast. “It usually doesn’t go well the first time.”
She nodded as her glass met his and then she took a sip. “That is true.”
“I’m glad to see you adapting to life here.” Edmund took a bigger gulp of the whiskey. It burned, but that’s the only way to enjoy it. It really sucked that being a demon lord numbed him to all the finer variants of alcohol.
She smiled, her face now a mix of pink from both her anxiety and the drink. She was more relaxed, and Edmund happily cut another piece of meat for her. “Everyone’s been nice and helpful.”
Edmund finished his last slice of beef. “That is good to hear. Have you practiced with magic?”
She nodded, a small ball of light appeared next to her. Edmund felt his heart trip for a moment, but luckily, healing magic wasn’t damaging to demons, only holy magic. “I’ve finally managed to stabilise it!”
The demon lord nodded. “Well done! I knew my faith in you was not misguided. Come, let us celebrate this!” He poured her another glass.
She blushed and drank it. But then she looked at Edmund and sighed. “It’s all thanks to you, Count. I don’t know how to repay you, Count Edmund.”
He smiled, and then he walked to one of the chests. He took out a small crystal, and tapped it. It played a simple repeating tune. “Well, there are many ways you can repay me. First, let’s start by calling me by my name. Again.”
She blushed and apologised. “I’m sorry... Edmund. I can’t help but feel there is a gap between us. A gap of status and class. Then you’ve done so much for me...”
Edmund noticed she only ate half of her food so far. He sat back down, and adjusted his chair closer. He cut a slice of meat, and then attempted to feed her. “Is it age? Is it because I am old?”
“Ah. No. It’s not like that.” She shook her head.
“Ahhh-” He offered her another slice of meat, and this time, she ate it. “Good.”
He proceeded to cut a few more slices and fed her. Now, she ate it all obediently, each time, he got a little closer. The maids and waitress had all cleverly left the room, and Edmund touched her hand and then pulled her up.
They both stood, and their eyes looked at each other. She was red from the alcohol, and he leaned closer.
She didn’t resist, and their lips met again. Her luscious pink lips were all for the taking. He hugged her and his hands touched her waist, and then her butt.
Edmund was amused by how strangely enthusiastic she was, and when their lips parted. “So... what do you desire from me, Edmund?”
He kept her hanging for long enough, so he leaned close to her ears and then gently nibbled it. Then he whispered, his voice sent an electric bolt of desire through her body. “You, darling. I desire to have you as my woman. I want all of you, if you would give it to me willingly.”
She smiled. She had expected it, somewhat. That moment when they kissed by the lake, she was sure that he desired her. Her mind had churned for a bit, wondering what she would answer if he propositioned her again. “You said you wouldn't agree to take me, if I was drunk during the first time we had dinner.”
“I’m a hypocrite, what do you know?” Edmund smiled, they hugged. “But this time, you seem to have a bit more... clarity.”
Aida smiled, and then rested her head on his chest. He was a big man, and twice her age, but they were both adults. “It is not... uncommon.”
“Indeed. Us nobles are all lecherous old men.” Edmund grinned.
The healer looked at Edmund again, and smiled. “Yup. But guess what...”
She unhooked her blouse, and it dropped to the ground. It revealed a really skimpy white bralette, and white panties that were already a little wet.
She leaned in to kiss Edmund again. This time, all of her desires poured out. “I like lecherous old men too, particularly, you.”