A New Dance, An Average Client
The next morning, Luciel quietly opened her eyes inside Miren's embrace.
She was slightly flustered by the cozy, soft warmth, but strangely, she felt no urge to push it away.
Having fallen asleep nestled against Miren's chest, she could feel her companion's warm body heat with every breath she took.
...When did I let myself get this comfortable?
As she cautiously sat up and raised her head, she found Miren already awake, looking down at her with a gentle smile.
"Did you sleep well, Luciel? You were out like a light. You were holding onto me so tightly, too."
Luciel froze for a moment, her face flushing crimson, before she hastily dragged a pillow over to hide her face.
"Eonni, your arms were just too comfortable. It was an accident."
"I'd welcome that kind of accident anytime."
Miren chuckled as she tidied the sheets, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Luciel's forehead.
"You tossed and turned for quite a while, but once you finally drifted off, you even snored a little."
"Liar," Luciel muttered, her voice muffled behind the pillow.
She pouted behind the plush fabric.
"I'm serious," Miren laughed merrily.
Luciel kept her face buried in the pillow for a long moment before slowly sitting up.
Her body felt remarkably light. It was the first time she had slept so deeply since arriving at this place.
But that fleeting peace didn't last long.
The sudden reminder that she had to perform on the VIP stage sent a sharp throb through her temples.
Her refreshed morning mood vanished, and her relaxed shoulders grew heavy once more.
Pressing a hand to her forehead, Luciel let out a heavy sigh.
"Eonni. Do I really have to do this show?"
Sensing her distress, Miren quietly handed her a warm cup of coffee.
"The Madame handpicked you herself. She must have her reasons."
She offered a soft, reassuring smile.
"Luciel, you're beautiful, strong, and absolutely perfect for the stage. So don't be too afraid. It's not always as terrible as you think."
Luciel took the cup and gave a slow, heavy nod.
As the warm aroma of coffee brushed her lips, her mind cleared slightly.
"...Thank you, Eonni."
Sipping the coffee, Luciel sighed and stood up.
Opening the door, she walked down the hallway, taking slow, measured breaths as she headed back to her own room.
Yet, the more she thought about it, the more her anxiety mounted.
A dance? I, the absolute Emperor, am reduced to shaking my body in front of a crowd? And a striptease, no less!
Right then—
A soft knock sounded at the door, and Sia cautiously poked her head inside.
She peered into the room with her usual mixture of nervous innocence and curiosity, her eyes shimmering with unmistakable affection for Luciel.
"Luciel-eonni, are you awake? I heard from the Madame... that you're performing on the VIP stage! How is your dance practice going? Would you... like some help? I'm actually pretty confident in my dancing!"
Seeing Sia pump her tiny fist with such earnest determination, Luciel couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle.
But a heavy sigh quickly followed the laugh.
"I'm fine, Sia. I don't need your help. I'll handle it on my own, so don't worry about it."
Though her tone was blunt, Luciel couldn't bring herself to harshly reject Sia's pure intentions.
Still, her pride simply wouldn't allow her to take dance lessons from the girl.
But Sia was persistent.
"Oh, come on! Just watch me dance once! I'm really, really good, I swear! I'll show you on the stage in the corner of the hall!"
Sia grabbed Luciel's hand and dragged her toward a secluded stage in the depths of The Feast—a corner rarely used on ordinary days.
It was also the very venue where the upcoming VIP performance would take place.
On one side of the stage sat an old phonograph.
With practiced ease, Sia wound the crank and lowered the needle onto the shiny black vinyl disc.
Soon, a slightly crackly but clear melody began to pour from the large brass horn.
The moment Luciel saw the phonograph, she froze in her tracks.
A strange wave of nostalgia washed over her, like a familiar scent from a lifetime ago.
...That's a phonograph. Back when I was Emperor, I threatened the gnomes into inventing a device that could record sound without relying on magic. Only seven of them were ever made. To think I'd run into one in a place like this.
The civilization of this world was a bizarre blend of magic and science.
Because powerful magic could solve almost any problem, pure scientific technology was often abandoned mid-development.
During her reign as Emperor, she had laid down railways and developed airships for military logistics, but once two-way dimensional warp gates were established, physical transport simply couldn't compete with their efficiency.
...Come to think of it, almost all of those warp gates have been destroyed now.
Following the collapse of the Empire, every dimensional gate outside of the major metropolises had either shattered or become highly unstable.
The era of effortlessly traversing the continent was over.
The gambling city of Tyrel, where The Feast was located, happened to sit along one of the old railway lines, and she had heard that more and more people were relying on trains these days.
...How ironic. The supply tracks I laid down for war have now become the hub of civilian transit. The very railways I built are now the lifeblood of the common folk.
With a bitter smile, Luciel looked at Sia standing on the stage.
As the music filled the air, Sia began to dance joyfully with her petite frame.
Her movements were as light and charming as a butterfly, strictly adhering to clean, fundamental techniques.
With her bright smile, fluttering sleeves, and rhythmic footwork, she was undeniably a skilled dancer.
Luciel abruptly lifted the needle, cutting the music short.
"Sia. Just out of curiosity, have you ever actually performed on the VIP stage?"
Sia shook her head with a bright, innocent grin.
"No! Not even once! But I really want to someday! That's why I practice every single day!"
As if.
Luciel muttered inwardly and gave Sia's forehead a light, playful flick.
"You silly girl. Your dance is just cute. Do you really think that's enough to satisfy the VIPs? You'd have better luck acting like a playful puppy. What a waste of time."
"Ouch! That's so mean, Luciel-eonni! I worked really hard on this..."
Sia puffed out her cheeks, her eyes welling with tears.
Finding the display adorable, Luciel chuckled and gently pinched both of Sia's cheeks, stretching them out.
"Alright, alright, don't cry. You really are cute, you know. If you just focused entirely on acting adorable, you'd make a fortune."
"Hmph... You're so mean..." Sia whined, her cheeks still puffed as she sniffled.
"Even your crying face is cute, Sia. But this isn't enough. Not by a long shot. The VIPs aren't interested in innocent things. They need something... more stimulating. Well, though I suppose some might like this sort of thing."
"Then should I teach you?"
Just then, Elberta slipped out from the shadows behind the stage like a phantom. Neither Luciel nor Sia had sensed her presence. Startled, both of them jumped back.
"Ah! You scared me! Elberta-eonni, make some noise when you walk!" Sia grumbled, clutching her chest.
Luciel frowned as well.
"You always appear like a ghost. Is that your specialty? Or is it just a beastkin trait?"
Unbothered by their reactions, Elberta approached Luciel with her signature lazy smile. Her yellow, cat-like eyes locked onto Luciel.
"Should I... teach you, Luciel? A very... special dance. One that will captivate men in an instant."
Sia's eyes sparkled at Elberta's words, and she eagerly chimed in.
"That's right! Elberta-eonni made the most money during the last VIP night! I heard the VIPs who saw her dance completely lost their minds! They almost got into a fistfight trying to spend the night with her! I want to see that dance too!"
Luciel gave Elberta a skeptical look.
How could this gloomy, quiet beastkin pull that off? I thought she was just as silent as a cat. I can't even picture it.
As if enjoying Luciel's scrutiny, Elberta began to slowly circle her like a feline. Then, without warning, she began to move in an incredibly fluid, provocative dance.
Her body moved so smoothly it was as if she had no bones. Though the phonograph had long fallen silent, her physical movements created their own rhythm, becoming a melody in themselves.
Her arms and legs slithered around Luciel's body like a pair of sensual serpents. At times, her hot, damp breath brushed against Luciel's earlobe, sending an unbearable shiver down her spine.
Lick...
A wet tongue provocatively and sensually licked up Luciel's cheek, while Elberta's long, delicate fingers boldly yet fleetingly caressed her hips and breasts.
Slide... Twitch...
Every single movement was calculated with absolute precision—explicit, yet elevated to the level of high art. It was far more than a mere dance.
It was a dangerous temptation designed to rouse the most primal instincts buried deep within a human soul. A heavy scent of musk and radiating heat seemed to roll off Elberta's skin.
"Elberta! Eonni...! No more...!"
A hot, choked groan escaped Sia's lips. Her face was flushed as red as a ripe apple, and her body trembled with uncontrollable arousal. She frantically grabbed Elberta's arm.
"U-Um, Elberta-eonni...! S-Stop...! I can't... watch anymore...! It's too... too lewd...! My body feels... weird...!"
Elberta stopped her dance, wearing a smug, almost mocking smile at Sia's reaction. Then, acting as if nothing had happened, she casually asked Luciel:
"Well, Luciel? Do you think this... is enough to satisfy the VIPs? Or... do you want something even more stimulating?"
Luciel was utterly speechless. Elberta's dance was a profound shock. The sheer sensuality of her movements seemed physically impossible for a human, radiating an explicit, overwhelming sexual magnetism.
Yet, at the same time, she realized just how potent of a weapon it could be. Even so, a wave of intense resistance surged deep within her.
That... is not a dance I can perform. A beastkin's body is fundamentally different from a human's. Those kinds of movements are impossible for me. And... even if I could do it, I don't want to throw myself away to that extent. It's... too... animalistic.
Suppressing the strange arousal blooming inside her alongside a wave of disgust, Luciel hastily fled the stage.
Back in her room, Luciel collapsed onto her bed. Her mind was still completely consumed by Elberta's dance.
Those erotic, beastly movements, and the intoxicating atmosphere they had conjured.
As if under a spell, she stood up and walked over to the full-length mirror.
Swaying her shoulders without realizing it, she tentatively tried to mimic Elberta's motions.
But her reflection looked awkward and ridiculous.
Damn it...! How am I supposed to dance like that!
She bit her lip in frustration. But soon, with a heavy sigh, she muttered in resignation:
Ah, whatever happens, happens. What more do I have to lose in this hell anyway? I'll just wing it.
Her eyes held a hollow emptiness, yet they also flickered with a hint of dangerous madness. The VIP stage was only a week away.
What kind of fate awaited her there? Along with an inexplicable anxiety, she felt a very faint spark of anticipation.
In the days following Elberta's shocking performance, Luciel remained locked in deep thought.
Her mind was entirely consumed by what kind of dance she should perform for the VIPs.
Sia's cute routine was out of the question from the start, and Elberta's beastly sensuality was impossible for her human body to replicate.
Yet she couldn't just stand on stage and do nothing. Madame Tana's chilling gaze loomed in her memory.
Damn it, to think that I, the former Emperor, have to rack my brain over a mere dance!
Sighing repeatedly in her room, Luciel clumsily tried out various poses in front of the mirror.
An inexplicable dread weighed on her, but beneath it lay that same faint, lingering spark of anticipation.
That evening, Luciel was summoned by Madame Tana to receive a new client.
Normally, Tana would have offered a few remarks or warnings about the guest, but today she was strangely quiet.
Her expression was devoid of emotion, and she made no special mention of the man.
Her silence is even more ominous... What kind of freak is waiting for me this time?
Assuming it would be another pervert, Luciel headed to her VIP room with a mix of tension and resignation.
When the door opened, the guest waiting inside was an utterly ordinary-looking middle-aged nobleman.
His name was Adel.
He had a moderately soft build, gentle brown hair, and plain features.
Although he wore expensive clothes, he lacked the overwhelming presence or bizarre aura of her previous clients. He just seemed a bit timid and tired—the definition of an average man.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Shiel. I have heard much of your renown. It is an honor to meet you."
Adel greeted Luciel politely, looking rather nervous. His voice was quiet, and his eyes darted around awkwardly, unable to look her straight in the face.
How strange. Is he really a client? Or is he just some noble bureaucrat who wandered into the wrong room?
Luciel felt a wave of confusion.
She bowed her head slightly in return.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Adel. I shall do my utmost to ensure your pleasure tonight."
The words were entirely insincere, but they flowed naturally from her lips by now.
However, the night with Adel went in a completely different direction than Luciel had anticipated. He didn't make unreasonable demands or force any bizarre fetishes upon her like the others.
He simply held her hand, chatting briefly about the weather and mundane affairs of his estate, before awkwardly undressing her and leading her to the bed.
His touch was clumsy, but his obvious nervousness almost made Luciel laugh.
Is this man really a novice to brothels? Or is he just incredibly self-conscious around me?
"Um... Lady Shiel... Are you alright with this?"
"Yes. Please proceed, Lord Adel."
He really is tense. Every single movement is incredibly clumsy. He is nothing like the monsters I've dealt with before.
Hovering over her, he awkwardly parted her legs and carefully inserted his shaft.
His breath was ragged against her ear, and his body trembled slightly, smelling faintly of sweat.
"Ngh... Haa... Haa..."
Luciel stared blankly at the ceiling with cold eyes, enduring his clumsy thrusts. He moved his hips stiffly, like a child trying to ride a bicycle for the first time.
The rhythm was monotonous, the depth shallow. He didn't even attempt to stimulate her sensitive spots, seemingly focused entirely on his own pleasure.
Luciel let out a mechanical, shallow moan to match his movements.
"Ah... Ah... Ngh..."
Adel's stamina wasn't particularly impressive, but he wasn't disappointingly premature either.
"Ah... Ah... Lord Adel..."
I wonder if this is enough to satisfy him. Faking these moans is exhausting when I feel absolutely nothing.
Luciel sighed inwardly. She was forcing the sounds out, but the experience was incredibly dull.
This... feels like a student doing homework out of obligation. There's no passion, no heat.
After barely five minutes of grunting and sweating, he let out a short, low groan, shuddered, and ejaculated.
A slightly sheepish yet deeply satisfied look washed over his face.
"Haa... Wonderful... Lady Shiel... You are... truly... beautiful..."
His voice still trembled slightly with lingering tension. His movements had been monotonous from start to finish, completely devoid of any technique.
He was simply an average man acting on basic instinct.
Luciel was momentarily dumbfounded.
That's... it? So quickly? He wasn't skilled, nor did he last long. I felt a slight physical reaction, but honestly, it was barely anything.
She felt a sense of hollow disappointment at how abruptly it had ended before she could even warm up.
Cursed by the Constellations, her hyper-sensitive body was still burning with unreleased heat, but Adel, oblivious to her state, lay catching his breath in a post-coital daze.
Good grief... If it's going to be like this, I'd almost prefer that goblin. At least he knew how to drive me mad.
After catching his breath, Adel leaned over Luciel once more to initiate a second round.
"Lady Shiel... Once more... please allow me... to experience your beauty..."
He moved with a touch of urgency, as if trying to get his money's worth or fulfill some self-imposed duty.
The second attempt was merely a tedious repetition of the first.
Adel remained visibly tense, his hands fumbling aimlessly over her body.
Luciel counted the patterns on the ceiling with cold eyes, wishing for this chore to end as quickly as possible.
Twice... to have such an incredibly average and boring experience.
His penetration was clumsy, his movements nothing but a monotonous, repetitive back-and-forth.
Once again, Luciel let out obligatory moans to match his pace.
"Ah... Ngh... Ah?"
Feeling no real pleasure, her body simply bore his weight.
After another five minutes, he panted heavily, let out a cliché exclamation along with a short groan, and came.
"Mmm... As expected... Lady Shiel is... the best..."
"Ah... It was wonderful... Lord Adel..."
With Adel's vague praise, the sex fizzled out, but Luciel couldn't shake a sudden, nagging thought.
Is he doing this on purpose just to tease me?
But Adel simply looked immensely satisfied, as if he had accomplished a great feat. He thanked Luciel repeatedly before leaving the room.
His retreating figure looked almost pathetic.
Left alone in the empty room, Luciel sat in stunned silence, utterly bewildered by the absurd situation.
"Is that really it?"
Until now, she had only encountered intense, abnormal partners—Gobul, the elves, Dorian, Albert Lintz, Reigen, and Countess Carnelia.
Even when she dealt with clients who finished quickly, those nights had been filled with extreme pleasure, humiliation, or entirely new sensations. But this man was just too normal.
And that very normalcy came as a massive shock to Luciel.
Is... is this how it's supposed to be? Were all the men I met before just freaks? Or is this guy the weird one?
Luciel was deeply confused. Her entire understanding of men and sex was being shaken to its core.
The next day, Luciel cautiously brought up her experience with Adel to Madame Tana.
"Madame, about that client, Adel... Was there something wrong with him? It ended so... anticlimactically."
Madame Tana chuckled at Luciel's question. Her eyes remained deep and knowing.
"Hoho, Shiel. Why so surprised? The average man is only capable of that much. I don't know if you've been lucky or unlucky, but the clients you've had so far simply possessed extraordinary stamina or highly unusual tastes. Most men finish in a matter of minutes. There's no need to feel disappointed or blame yourself. Isn't this actually better for you? It's less taxing on your body, and it saves time."
The Madame's words dealt another shock to Luciel.
The average man is only that much? Then what on earth were those wild, intense nights I've endured until now!
A sudden sense of emptiness washed over her, accompanied by a strange feeling of betrayal by the previous clients who had pushed her so hard.
At the same time, a creeping dread seized her—had she unconsciously become conditioned to those extreme, abnormal pleasures?
What... what do I even want? Have I become unable to find satisfaction in a normal relationship? Or do I just want to escape this living hell?
Luciel fell into deep contemplation. Her thoughts grew increasingly tangled. Life here at The Feast presented her with new questions and confusion every single day.
And the answers were hers alone to find. Her gaze grew deeper and darker than ever before.
