The al flew by relatively quickly; after the initial entree was laid out, a mixture of snacks and desserts adorned our tables, as well as a small assortnt of sweet and savory wines.
All three won had a glass, Anput with relish while Jahi and Leone used it as a distraction.
Giving everyone so ti to finish their als and let their stomachs digest everything, Jillian and Ayla eventually moved back towards the large center, the two Elven won wearing dazzling smiles as they looked over the crowd.
Seeing our host standing in the center, everyone fell silent, waiting for her to speak again.
Clearing her throat, Jillian nodded to Ayla before grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers together.
Returning her gaze to the assembled nobles and people of influence, Jillian grinned as she said "I hope everyone enjoyed the banquet? Again, I have to thank you all for coming; not only to celebrate a new year in my life, but also to hear my exciting news!
Now, it wouldn't be a great banquet if we didn't dance! Please, everyone, make your way to the floor! We have musicians from the Trebal Company here today."
Jillian was about to turn around when she stopped, a small smile on her face as she said "And please, ANYONE is free to dance, be them Nobles or Servants, the dance floor is available to all. That ans that I expect everyone to be getting along for tonight~! Now co, let's dance!"
She gave a swift glance, her eyes still alight with lust before she grabbed Ayla's hand and waist, leading the woman into a traditional waltz.
From a stage in the back, a large group of musicians started playing their instrunts; strumming chords of harps and lyres and pressing the keys of a grand piano.
A woman even walked to the edge of the stage, her lodic voice filling the room.
Jahi, Anput, and Leone all stood up, and the three exchanged glances before Jahi said "Co here Kat."
Placing the pitcher on the table, I nodded as I took her hand, following her out onto the dance floor.
Anput and Leone walked out behind us, and we started dancing, drawing attention.
"... she's a maid, isn't she?"
"-eally beautiful, that Dogkin..."
"-ey not jealous? Isn't Lady Asmodia..."
"I want a woman like that..."
Jahi's eyes flickered gold as she stared down at , and I slightly raised a brow at that.
She leaned down a little, her voice entering my ear as she whispered "I despise how they view you as little more than a maid..."
Mirroring her, I spoke with barely moving lips, whispering back "And I care not for how they view ; what matters is how you and our family looks at ."
The taller Demoness sighed, her plump blue lips pulled into a line as she looked away, her eyes conflicted.
We made a circuit of the dance floor, enjoying the classical and lodic music, before switching partners; Anput went to Jahi, and Leone went to .
Funnily enough, as we switched partners again, all three won said the exact sa thing; they hated how I was viewed by others, resulting in giving them the sa words I gave Jahi.
Each one frowned at it, and each one likely made so sort of vow to themselves to change that in the future, which, while unneeded, was a warming thought.
During those three circuits, Jillian and Ayla remained together, the two whispering to each other as they clung to the others body, Ayla letting out giggles as Jillian led her in dance.
However, as I found myself stepping away from the dance floor, Hawn approached , a gentle smile on his lips as he bowed to , offering his hand.
"May I have this dance, Miss Zara?"
Narrowing my eyes slightly, I looked towards Jahi, who, while doing so with golden eyes, gave a nod.
"Very well, Professor."
Taking the Elven mans hand, he smiled at as he said "You've attracted the attention of my younger cousin, Miss Zara. She speaks of you quite often."
Pushing down the urge to gag, I nodded, asking "Good things I hope?"
Chuckling, he spun around, saying "Indeed. She enjoys your spars together imnsely; sothing about you being a... what was it that she said... ah, a perfect match for one another."
Continuing on with the dance, I said "Well, we do have similar, yet different styles of fighting; Lady Sariel utilizes her limbs more as weapons, while I focus on using just the dagger. It is always a good learning experience whenever we spar."
Hawn nodded, before a smirk spread on his face as he said "I'm sure she'd love to here that directly from you, Miss Zara. In fact... here~!"
Spinning away, I found my partner replaced, going from the thin male Elf to an equally thin female Elf.
Her brown eyes were filled with an all too familiar heat, and her long brown hair was braided around her head like a crown.
Standing before was Jillian Sariel, and she leaned forwards, grinning as she whispered "Got you~!"
Her hand on my waist made shiver, and I had to resist the urge to push her away from .
"Don't think poorly of my older cousin; I requested this of him. I told him I needed a few words with you, Miss Zara."
Taking a breath, I stared at her, waiting for her to continue.
I could feel Jahi's anger and hate spreading through the bond, and two more pairs of eyes were searing into my back as Jillian and I danced together.
Smiling at , Jillian took a few more steps with before asking "Miss Zara, have you ever considered... changing your employer?"
Shaking my head, I replied "No I have not, Lady Sariel; the Asmodia Family treats very well. Besides, my mother is contracted to them for many more years."
Nodding, Jillian looked towards her fiancee, who was dancing with Hawn.
Both of them were smiling at us, and Ayla seed to not care that her fiancee was dancing with another woman.
In fact, she seed just like Jillian; her eyes were gleaming with lust as she looked at , and she licked her lips slightly.
Smiling back at her fiancee, Jillian turned back and said "Well, I had sothing... special to offer you. Of course, I can buy out your mothers contract, no problem. But you..."
Her smile stiffened as she stared at , and she whispered "You are a problem. One that I want either by my side, or dead. Now, I know that you've a soul bond to Jahi; it's common enough knowledge at this point."
I remained silent, not wanting to give this woman anything.
Nodding, she said "To be completely honest, before Ayla told of it, I had no idea what to do about that. I wanted you; I really did, Katherine. You're a stunning woman, talented, and, apparently, pretty damn good as a maid. I still really, really want you. However, that bond was a problem, so I had decided that I was going to kill you. Can't have the Asmodia's granting you a Barony. I'd rather squash that problem before it grew."
I picked up on the key thing in her words, and I stared at her in confusion as I asked "What do you an the bond 'was' a problem?"
Her grin returned, and she leaned forwards, her voice seductive as she whispered "What if I told you that Ayla has a way to remove that bond between you and Jahi?"
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rry Christmas, Happy Holidays!
Hope everyone had a good weekend, even if it was just used as a long weekend of rest!
Since it's the ti of giving and being thankful (forgot to do this at Thanksgiving lol), I just want to say thank you all again.
These last few months, ever since I started writing this, have been insane!
I've enjoyed this so much, and seeing and hearing you all daily has been a real joy, so again, thank you all!
You've done a lot for , more than you could likely ever realize, and I hope that I've helped you all as well, even if it was just a smile and fun read for a few minutes, I hope that it helped!
Enjoy the double chapter for today, and as thanks, I'll try my hardest to do double uploads from now to New Years Day!
Thank you all, and I hope that you continue to enjoy my works!
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