Lance sat on the edge of the boat that his guards had taken to the beach. He faced the forest on the island. He had been sitting out here for almost an hour. But he was unwilling to even stare at the ocean for more than a few seconds at a time. Is this what he really wanted? To leave his life of unlimited luxury? For what? The ability to see the surface world? He could do that if he married Beatrice. Unlimited vacations. But his day job would be playing husband for her inflated ego.
"I think anyone would choose the unknown seas to have to deal with Bitch-Rice day to day." Standing up, he began moving boxes to give himself room to sit and sail off. Before he finished, he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
"Lance! What are you doing?" Lance could feel his heart sink into his chest as he turned around to see her standing there. She was wearing the adorable maid outfit that she always wore. The outfit was black and white, featuring the cute snow-white lacing that all his family's maids wore.
"Mary? What are you… How did you?" Lance balled his fist as he realized. "You read the damn note."
She looked a little bashful as she stood in front of him. "Well…you did leave it right there." Lance kicked the sand as he looked out at the ocean. With a sigh, he sat back down on the side of the sloop.
"So what? You're going to take me back to my family?" Lance brought his right leg to sit on his left knee. He could feel his dreams crumpling inside his chest.
Mary walked up slowly with her hands in front of her body. "Um…no." Lance looked up to meet her gaze as she was just a few feet away. "W-why are you leaving? Did I do something to chase you away?" Her hands gripped together. Thinking she had pushed her only love away.
Lance let out a small chuckle. The awful feeling deflated in his chest. "No! No, Mary." He stood and walked towards Mary. He put his hands around hers. "Leaving you is probably the hardest part about all this. You're like a friend to me!" A cold wave of killer intent washed over the two in an instant. Lance went on, not noticing the change in tone. "To be honest. I learned recently that my mom is from the lower world. And it made me realize that… I have a choice here. I don't have to live my life how other people want me to! And I can finally go after what I've always wanted. I desire the freedom to sail the seas and collect as many beautiful women as I want. And make the world's largest harem!"
Mary's eyes were covered in shadow as she stared up at him. A deadly intent behind her eyes. "And what about me? Were you just going to leave me behind? While you were galavanting around the world with a bunch of…" Mary struggled to get the word out. But Lance gently rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"Sssh. It's alright. I would never want to leave you behind." Mary's eyes began to water as she looked up at Lance. Preparing herself. As he finally confessed his love for her. "You're like a sister to me! I was thinking I would invade the holy land to let you see all your nieces and nephews!" Mary's expression changed in a flash. This was, unfortunately, the first moment past his last chance.
Mary struck Lance on the cheek with her open hand. Lance blinked after being struck like that. He looked down at her in true shock. He had never had a slave openly defy him in such a way! His father would have ordered him to execute her… It's fortunate that he no longer listened to his father. "M-mary! What are you doing?"
Mary put her hands up on Lance's shoulders and then jumped up. Wrapping her legs around his waist. She wouldn't have been able to support herself. That's why she was counting on Lance reaching down to grab her thighs with his hands. Forcing a deep blush onto his face as he held onto her silky smooth flesh.
As his hands touched her bare thighs, Lance experienced butterflies in his stomach. He had been plenty lustful with all five of his bodyguards. But something about the idea of being intimate with Mary made him…giddy. "I never thought I'd have to be so direct! I heard stories from the other maids. How you'd wander into the slave quarters and get something new every night. I guess I was kidding myself that you'd see me like that on your own." She pulled herself in close so her maid outfit was pressed up against his fine silk shirt. She smiled, seeing his blush spreading to the rest of his face.
"What was the deal you made with your father? Once you got married, I would be transferred to your ownership?"
"Y-yea…" Lance could feel his heart thumping as she got closer to him.
"Well…considering you won't be getting married anytime soon. Maybe you could just…steal me~"
Lance could feel himself become short of breath as the idea lay in his mind. "Oh, Well, that certainly sounds like a plan. And…what would you like to do now that you're all mine?" He smiled as he turned to push the boat with his foot. Giving it kicks that got it closer to the shoreline.
"Well, I have a few ideas~." Mary wrapped her legs tight around his waist as Lance walked around to sit in the boat. Ready to finally set sail. Lance grabbed the oars while Mary remained on his lap. A few notifications popped up for Lance.
You have failed a quest. Native Hunting Competition CCXLV. You have found a secret failure condition in this quest. Leaving before the end of the game. You will end with a score of 0.
Congratulations! You have acquired a slave. As a Celestial Dragon, your slave count can provide additional benefits. You currently own 1 slave. Acquire four more for your first benefit.
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If you enjoyed it, please leave a review or comment! Let me know if you want to see more of the Harem Pirates. And if we get to 100 stones, I'll drop the first cover story.