"Wha—?!" The boy yanked his hand back too late, already bleeding.
Vargas cut him, grinning like he was proud of himself.
"You've terrible reflexes, kid. Always assume that people want to kill you—and learn a thing or two about noble customs, while we're at it."
He waved at the seal, and Konrad's eyes widened.
"You could've told me it needs blood," he mumbled as crimson runes spread across the page.
"Where's the fun in that?" The captain put his dagger away. "You've to be on your guard. I can't have someone assassinate you after you hired me—"
He'd snap back, but an illusion sprouting from the parchment mesmerised him.
"If you are hearing these words, Konrad of House Halstadt, it means your claim has merit."
"Called it," Vargas pointed at the floating figure. "You're a Halstadt, alright."
"T-that's the king?" Konrad stuttered. He had stern eyes, but was younger than expected.
"Halaima, the once proud heart of your house, now suffers from bandits and heretics. A town of such strategic value cannot falter; for this reason, we propose to find a solution."
Heresy? That was new. How would there be heretics when the church oversaw everything?
"To measure your judgement, your name will be one bound by the Halaima Code of Conduct."
"The what?" Konrad glanced at the letters appearing on the parchment, all dry and legalese.
"While Halaima fails its obligations to the crown, oversight goes to the Inquisition. Yet, by our hand, Lord Erwin's decrees will stand once more—now enforced by your authority."
Was that a fancy way of saying he'd get the title?
"Our inspectors will review your stewardship in a month. Make Halaima prosper, earn its title, and the Inquisition will withdraw. Fail, and the Church will assume permanent control."
"To meow, this says 'city's screwed, fix and you can have it,'" Lily poked at the fading illusion.
"Sounds like the perfect job for the Prodigy of Haiten," Vargas rubbed his hands. "And once you have established yourself, I'll recommend myself to lead the town's guard."
"You're putting the cart before the horses," Konrad complained. "They talk about heretics—"
"First time I'm hearing of them, too," the captain shrugged. "I'm sure it's nothing serious."
"I can burn them for nya," the ginger offered with a grin. The boy shot her a glance. "What, you think I'm afraid of the Inquisition or something?"
Oh, they'd sure love her chunibyo streaks.
"No, if the king wanted a smoldering ruin, you'd be perfect for the job," he noted. "But since he wants the city to function, you're better off staying here with the Black River tribe."
Her mouth dropped open, crooked incisors and all.
"D-did you— This is the first time someone rejected meow," somehow, Lily seemed excited about the fact. "And how're you gonna deal with the local tribes? Most bandits are—"
"I'll take Welf," Konrad shot her down.
Eyna was already clinging to his arm.
"Please, Master, take me, too," she pleaded, eyelashes fluttering. "I could be useful."
He still couldn't master the art of saying no to those purple eyes.
But those hazel ones? They could kill.
"That's not a bad idea," Welf poured oil into the fire, taking the brunt of his sister's glare. "If the chieftain's daughter told the council you freed the Black River tribe—"
"Traitor," Lily pouted, crossing her arms. "If you want to be useful, negotiate with Gabby first."
"For what?" Konrad asked, already working on a plan.
If that council—whatever that was—cooperated, he'd have an easier time.
Merchants in the area should've also remembered him—he had a strong footing to deal with the bandits. And as for the heretics, he could've paid a visit to Father Alastair in Haiten.
"I don't meow," the ginger shrugged. "But she should show off her skills."
"The duke could provide you a carriage—he wants you as far away from her daughter as possible," Vargas noted. Konrad almost approved, but seeing him eyeing the girl, he hesitated.
"I'll go with her," the blacksmith offered, as if reading his mind.
He couldn't help a jab, though.
"The duke already knows that the two of us are your slaves, 'master,'" he grinned. "I'll try to secure food for the road, too. Or even better if we can feed the people staying behind."
"Good, but let Eyna do the talking," Lily suggested. "I'll help Konny prepare until then."
Welf nodded, already ushering her toward the door.
"I won't fail you, Master." The purple-eyed girl lingered, but the ginger's tail swished like a metronome. Oh, she was up to no good—but Konrad was eager to find out what it was.
The moment they were on their way, she skipped closer, hips swaying.
"When was the last time we were alone, sweetheart?"
The boy gulped. His memories were spotty, but they included a dragon, a kiss, and—
"You've destroyed an invaluable relic," he said, bracing himself.
"Meanie," Lily pouted, tapping his chest. "Didn't something else happen back then? Something more memorable?" Her fingers trailed lower, until she reached his belt.
This much teasing wasn't anything new. This was the part when they'd get interrupted.
But there was nobody to do that now.
Lily's other hand pressed flat against his stomach, warmth seeping through his shirt.
Konrad blushed.
"T-that was pretty memorable to me," he noted, thinking of how far she might go. How far did he want her to go? "But there was also something about rules, and you calling me a boytoy."
He hated the word—he wanted to be the one toying with her—but that memory was still vivid.
"Ah, yes, the rules," she tiptoed, her hazel eyes closing. "I hope you remember the first one."
Of course, he did.
Never kiss with eyes open—and without realizing it, Konrad squeezed his shut, too.
His lips parted, and something soft brushed against them.
Too soft. Fluffy even.
And a giggle, coming from somewhere else.
His eyes snapped open to see Lily's cat-tail from up close.
"Oh, now you've done it." He wasn't even mad—but he's got the perfect Cassus Belli.
He reached for her hips and—how was she so light? Like a feather—or a real cat.
She'd pounce on him so many times, with the momentum of a freight train, almost crushing bones. But she was still a petite girl, grinning down at him as he lifted her into the air.
"Oh, what's next, Konny boy? You're gonna violate a poor innocent girl?"
She flicked her fluffy ears to play up her words, but her hazel eyes begged him to say yes.
And he wanted that, too.
He wanted it in so many ways—from kissing that flat tummy, now at his eye-level. To give her a hickey so she'd have a reminder while he was gone. But he had zero experience.
Seconds rolled by, and Lily grew impatient.
She wrapped her legs around his torso, pulling herself closer. The next thing he knew, he was falling backwards onto the bed, and the girl landed square on his hips.
Again, deja vu. She'd shift—only an inch—and a shiver ran along his spine.
"Oh, someone's eager," she was merciless.
Her thighs squeezed him, sweet scent enveloping, and—
She turned into a ragdoll, her body going limp on top of him—almost as if she were in a coma.