Chapter 105 - Slipping the Grand Duchess a Drug
I ended up staying in a guest room in the castle. They'd spat out those words, so they wanted me to take responsibility and wait until they confirmed it...
"This is just them trying to keep you locked up!"
Ray vented her anger for me instead.
"You okay with this?"
"It's not a lie, so why would I back down? I'll hold out now and get compensated later."
"Hah... up..."
Ray getting pissed off for my sake was so damn touching. As thanks, I kissed her and pulled her into my arms. When our lips finally parted, she whimpered in my embrace.
"You promised we'd stick together. I still have to head back to the temple."
"Sorry. What am I supposed to do when our Ray's pussy is itching?"
"Watch your mouth."
Ray was a busy woman. In the future, she'd get caught up in power struggles within the church. Back then, her feisty personality had left her at a disadvantage, and it even distracted her from focusing on the Demon King battles. That's why I'd told her from the start to build up her faction. So now, she was steadily working to bring this duchy’s temple under the saintess's control.
"Elinne, got nothing to say?"
"What."
Elinne replied curtly. She was still hung up on what happened that morning. There was no point hiding it from Jed anyway. They weren't even officially dating, so it wasn't like I was breaking any rules. That said, Jed had been subtly eyeing Elinne... and Elinne actually liked him too...
The solution was simple. If Elinne liked me more than Jed, she wouldn't have these hang-ups, right?
"Elinne. Take good care of Ray for me."
It might take a few days at best, or weeks at worst, for Grace to verify if my words were true. In the meantime, the heroes would hunt some monsters to build their strength while helping out the grand duke's family.
"If your pussy starts itching too, come find me anytime."
With that, I shoved Ray's panties aside and slid my cock in.
Pop. Another hymen tearing.
And now, no foreplay needed—I could just ram it in straight away.
"Wh-what are you—"
"Haaaah...!"
I had Ray on top of me in a facing sitting position. We rocked our hips together, sharing the pleasure. Doing it right in front of Elinne was kinda turning me on.
"You're not gonna touch me while you're stuck here anyway. Perfect."
"Haaaah... ♥"
Elinne's tsundere voice got muffled by Ray's moans. Ray wailed even more sluttily, like she was bragging to Elinne about how deeply connected we were.
"Just in case—come over anytime."
"As if that'd ever happen!"
What would happen if Elinne, who'd been getting fucked by me every day, suddenly went cold turkey? Everyone's different, but I was curious how she'd hold up.
"Haaaah. Daron, focus on me."
"Yeah, yeah."
As I savored Ray even more intensely, Elinne glared at us with jealous eyes. She wouldn't admit it, but she definitely liked me now. Just not as much as she liked Jed—yet.
"Wait. She's bleeding? You're doing it on her period?"
"Don't worry. It's just virgin blood."
"Virgin blood?"
"Our Ray's a saintess—she can regenerate anytime."
"Fucking... perverts..."
Elinne recoiled again at the lewd saintess before her.
"Wanna get popped again? Should I ask Ray for you?"
"No, hell no!"
"Daron!"
Ray grabbed my face and turned it back to her.
"Don't talk about other girls while you're fucking me! Just keep that dick hard!"
She clenched her pussy and twisted her hips like a pro whore. Her cock-squeezing skills had reached expert level.
...
After Elinne and Ray left, night fell.
My quarters were pretty swanky. As expected from a grand duke—even the guest rooms were luxurious. Dinner was delicious, and the bathroom was huge. No need for servants to haul water; just turn the faucet, and it flowed out, draining through pipes below.
I'd have to ask Elis to rig up something like this later.
But still...
"Bored as hell."
Sex every day was the norm, but the thought of not getting any except for occasional visits bummed me out. What a freak I was. Still, gotta push through. Might as well amp up my training since I'm stuck here. Sweat it out starting tomorrow, and time'll fly.
That's when I heard a voice calling from outside.
"Baron, the Grand Duchess is here."
"Huh."
I hadn't even said come in, but the door creaked open. Soon, Grace Nova appeared before me.
"What brings you here?"
"How about a glass of wine? We could chat a bit—sound good?"
"...Sure."
Wine beat tea at night. She was probably trying to loosen up the stiff atmosphere with a light drink. Grace had brought two glasses and a bottle. Her outfit wasn't the formal daytime attire anymore. Not quite a party gown, but on her stunning beauty, even a simple black-and-white dress looked gorgeous.
"Cheers?"
"Cheers."
We clinked glasses and sipped. The wine seemed pricey, but to my mercenary palate, they all tasted about the same. As long as it was drinkable, fine by me.
"Baron Dran, how was dinner?"
"Every dish was exquisite."
"I know it's regrettable to hold you like this, but we'll treat you with the utmost hospitality. Don't feel too inconvenienced."
"I understand. A mere baron like me was a bit presumptuous anyway."
"Seeing this thoughtfulness, I think I misjudged you. Sorry about that."
But she still wasn't letting me go, right?
"And I hold you in high regard, Baron."
"Me?"
"A promising noble catching the princess's eye. Plus that boldness you showed me today..."
Grace swirled her glass lightly and eyed me seductively.
"Baron Dran. The title of baron feels too small for you. Honestly... don't you have even bigger ambitions?"
"You're suddenly praising me so highly—it's embarrassing."
"Whether it's true or not, we'll see the results soon enough. Until then, I like your guts."
Kasid Nova had sent a separate messenger about the dragon issue. And they'd started investigating changes in the monsters. What I'd asked Kelly was similar—two factions probing at once.
"Guts? It might just be clueless bravado. I'm just an ex-regular soldier, not even a knight. Could've been overstepping my station."
"Someone like that wouldn't admit it themselves."
Grace smiled sweetly, licking the wine from her red lips.
Damn, I'd met all kinds of people. Princesses, and now the daughter of the empire's toughest noble house. Oh yeah, I'd banged a goddess too.
"...So what are you getting at?"
"Just... hoping we get along from now on."
"Grand Duchess Grace."
"Yes?"
Alright, time to dig in.
"Drop the mask around me."
"...You're quite rude after all."
"I know one of your secrets you're dying to keep hidden."
"Mine?"
She dropped the formalities too, her face twisting in clear displeasure. I only treated women I genuinely liked with real kindness—and only if they deserved it.
"The one thing you fear most coming to light."
"Me? Heh... A secret even I don't know? Now I'm curious."
I caught her lips trembling for a split second. She was rattled.
"So, what is it?"
...She really wants to know if I know, huh.
"What."
"You're one ambitious bitch."
"...Huh?"
"Reason you're not cooperating with the empire. Honestly, what your father said earlier wasn't the core issue, right? It's about devouring the empire someday..."
How's that? No one suspected her rebellion plans until it was too late. Probably not even Kasid Nova knew yet.
"Ah."
Grace nodded calmly.
"Impressive. Never told a soul."
...What? That didn't feel like a direct hit.
"So, what do you want to say?"
...There was something worse?
She stared at me coolly.
"No idea how you found out, but the princess doesn't know, huh? So what—you wanna team up? Or first... how'd you know?"
"No need to tell you that."
I drained my glass and set it down.
Why was she so brazen?
"What if I tell the princess?"
"Your tone says you won't."
"Tch. If I had to pick a side, it'd be her over you."
"Then why bring it up with me?"
Grace refilled my glass.
"Want something from me?"
Something I want, huh.
"Your body."
"...What?"
"Lend it to me once."
"You dare, you baron shit—ugh?"
Oh.
"W-wait. What... ah."
Grace couldn't steady her slumping body.
"You... what did you... do."
"Why? Just returned what you slipped in my glass."
"Wh-when..."
"Swapping glasses when you looked away? Piece of cake."
Since I was the princess's man here, this place was enemy territory. Good thing I'm Daron—insurance swap, just in case.
And then, Grace suddenly bowed her head and went still.
I lifted her chin. "Huh? Sleeping with her eyes open?"
No. Not a sleeping pill, apparently.
It was more like...
"Ahem. Grace. Lift your head."
"...Yes."
Grace Nova raised her head blankly. Eyes open, but doll-like and motionless. No consciousness, but she obeyed my words to the letter.
I'd heard of this drug before.
"Ahem, heh."
Heh. Heheheheheh.