Chapter 147: There is No Bad NTL in the World (5)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147: There is No Bad NTL in the World (5)[R-18]
The day after I built True Trust with Laplace.
Step, step—
I was walking down an imperial corridor adorned with pristine white marble and all manner of artworks.
“...Lord Ian, this way.”
Of course, I wasn't walking alone.
There was no way I could know the layout of the Imperial Palace, so I was following behind a maid who was acting as my guide.
Our destination was the reception room where Valentine Mapleflower was waiting.
Even though it was called a reception room, it wasn't one of those ‘official reception rooms’ used for meetings between high-ranking nobles and the Imperial Family.
Laplace had told me it was a ‘Secret Reception Room’... also known as the ‘Back Door,’ used when figures from the underworld, who couldn't be publicly accepted as guests, paid a visit.
The underworld, huh...
As someone who had lived an honest and diligent life, it was a term I never thought I’d be associated with. But now, walking through the ‘Back Door’ in my capacity as the ‘Sacred Academy’s representative male escort,’ I realized that life truly is unpredictable.
“We have arrived. I will seek permission to enter, so please wait a moment, Lord Ian.”
I nodded at her polite request, and the maid knocked on the door.
Knock, knock—
“I have brought the guest.”
“Good work. Bring him in.”
“Understood.”
When the voice of permission came from inside the room, the maid, whose face was marked by striking freckles, looked at me.
“Lord Terras has given his permission. There is no need to knock; you may simply open the door and enter.”
“...Thank you.”
As I reached for the doorknob, a wave of tension washed over me, despite the mental preparation I’d done while building True Trust with Laplace yesterday.
Whew... Alright, let’s go in.
Click!
I exhaled a quiet sigh to shake off the nerves and opened the door to the Secret Reception Room. Inside, a man and a woman were sitting on a luxurious sofa.
“....”
First, my eyes fell upon Valentine Mapleflower, whose appearance was so similar to Laplace’s that anyone could tell they were sisters.
The differences were her sophisticated short hair that slightly covered one eye and the mature aura she radiated from her years of experience.
“....”
Sitting beside her was a handsome man with blue hair that felt strangely familiar for some reason—Terras Bluetulip.
Slide—
I immediately knelt on one knee and bowed my head, following the etiquette Laplace had taught me, and waited for them to speak first.
“Ian, was it? You may raise your head.”
Terras was the first to speak.
“Thank you, Lord Terras.”
“Ho! I heard you were a very famous male escort... and seeing you in person, you truly possess the qualities of a magnificent male escort that a mere photo couldn't capture! You have the kind of face that looks like you’d sow your seed in any woman like a dog in heat!”
“....”
As I debated how to respond to a comment that was somewhere between a compliment and an insult, Terras continued.
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. It’s a compliment, not an insult.”
“...Yes, thank you, Lord Terras.”
“Hahaha, thanks for understanding. This is a first for me too, so I suppose I’m a bit nervous and made a slip of the tongue. But I just wanted you to know how much you truly look the part of a male escort. Honestly, it’s surprising. I can’t understand how a male escort like you hasn't become famous until now...”
“Terras.”
“Ah, sorry, Valentine. I got a bit too excited, didn't I? We should get down to business first.”
As soon as Valentine cut him off, Terras immediately backed down.
“This lady shall take over from here.”
Glance—
Valentine scanned me, then crossed her legs before speaking.
“You, I presume you have already heard why you are here?”
“Yes, Princess Valentine. Lady Laplace explained it to me last night.”
“What? That child explained it herself?”
Valentine’s eyes narrowed, as if she couldn't imagine Laplace explaining such a thing.
“...Well, I suppose it makes sense, as the fewer people who know, the better. Fine, then I shall speak bluntly.”
With a short sigh, Valentine continued.
“You will be entering into a relationship with this lady.”
“....”
“As you surely know, I harbor no feelings for you. Your relationship with me is strictly a play for the excitement of us as a couple. You are to be a living toy. It has no other meaning beyond that. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes, Princess Valentine. I will engrave it deep within my heart.”
“Good. Then, read this.”
Slide—
What Valentine handed me was a contract.
———
Article 1 (Purpose of the Contract)
1. The purpose of this contract is to define the relationship of absolute obedience between ‘Valentine and Terras’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Couple’) and ‘Ian’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Contractor’), and to specify all rights and obligations arising during the contract period.
Article 2 (Prohibited Acts)
1. The ‘Contractor’ shall not attempt to kiss without the permission of the ‘Couple.’
2. The ‘Contractor’ shall not request or attempt sexual intercourse outside of the location and time designated by the ‘Couple.’
3. During sexual intercourse, the ‘Contractor’ must use the designated contraceptive tools under the supervision of the ‘Couple.’
4. During sexual intercourse, the ‘Contractor’ must stop immediately if a request to stop is made by the ‘Couple.’
5. The ‘Contractor’ shall not disclose the contents of the contract to any outside party under any circumstances.
Article 3 (Termination of Contract)
1. This contract may be terminated at any time by the unilateral will of the ‘Couple.’
———
It was written in a fairly complex manner, but to summarize: Kissing Prohibition, intercourse must only occur while Terras is watching, contraceptives must be used, and stop immediately if Valentine or Terras demands it.
‘...Hic..!..Haa...Hyaah!♥...I-Ian! Ugh..!...Wait a second♥..Hic...Mercy...!♥I...I want to tell you about my sister...Hiiieeeek?!!♥♥’
Fortunately, there was nothing that deviated from what Laplace had predicted.
“Do not worry about the compensation. I have no intention of using my imperial authority to force you into unpaid labor. When you faithfully fulfill the contract, you will be given compensation more than sufficient. However....”
Valentine paused for a moment, her red eyes flashing as she spoke.
“Should the contents of this contract be leaked to the outside, I am prepared to do anything for the sake of the Imperial Family’s honor. Do not take these words lightly.”
The carrot and the stick.
The roles of ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’ were reversed, but Valentine looked just like I did when I was building ‘True Trust’ with Laplace.
“Yes, Princess. I will keep that in mind. However, there is one condition I would like to change.”
“...What? Are you serious? Or did I mishear you? Even if we are in the same room, do you think you are in a position to set conditions for me?”
As if displeased by my answer, the atmosphere Valentine radiated shifted, weighing down on the room.
But fortunately, I had already mastered the strategy for this situation through my conversation with Laplace.
‘Target Terras, not Valentine.’
In terms of rank, Valentine Mapleflower was far above Terras Bluetulip, but I knew better than anyone that relationships between men and women aren't determined by rank.
...Wait, there really isn't a single commoner in my harem, is there?
It wasn't something I’d aimed for, but thinking about it now, it was true.
At best, could Lady Yuris, who came from an orphanage, be considered a commoner?
I’m not sure if Yuris can even be called a commoner, though...
Since Yuris was practically guaranteed to be the next Saintess, she was treated as having a much higher rank than most nobles.
Slide—
“I sincerely apologize if I have offended you, Princess. However, this is a matter of my pride as a professional male escort. If you cannot grant this, I cannot accept the contract either.”
“...You are exceedingly arrogant.”
“Calm down, Valentine. Let’s hear the condition first before we decide.”
“Terras... Hmph, fine. If you say so...”
Just as expected, Terras intervened.
“Thank you. It won't be a difficult condition. I simply wish to change Article 2, Clause 4 from the ‘Couple’s’ request to stop to just ‘Lord Terras’s’ request to stop.”
“...And why is that? All intercourse will take place only while I am watching. In other words, your condition is meaningless.”
At Terras’s question, I spoke with a slight smile.
“That is not true. ‘No!’ ‘Stop!’ ‘Wait!’ These are words that every single woman I’ve ever had a relationship with has uttered without exception. But those are merely reflexive words that come out because they’ve stepped into a level of pleasure they’ve never experienced before. They aren't sincere. But according to the contract, I would have to stop every time such words come out of Princess Valentine’s mouth, which is impossible.”
“I’ve listened long enough, and your arrogance truly knows no bounds! I am the First Princess of the Empire. Do you think that just because you’ve held a few noblewomen, I will be the same? How dare you look down on me!!”
“In the act of sex, the fact that you are the First Princess has no influence, Valentine. Because the moment we enter a relationship, I treat every woman as an equal. And if you truly wish to stop, you can simply ask Lord Terras. If Lord Terras requests a stop, I will cease immediately.”
Having said that, I looked at Terras and continued.
“So, what will you do?”
“I...”
“...Haa, do as you wish. This is all for you, so if you aren't satisfied, it’s all meaningless.”
Terras hesitated for a moment, glanced at Valentine, and then answered.
“I accept the condition.”