That Time I Got All The Ladies (Book 2)

Ch11: A Surprising Request

The first meeting of the Octagram ends on a high with Velzard becoming the eighth demon lord. Her ascension also means that most of the demons that served Guy now serve her thus making our alliance even stronger than it was before. It also prevents them from joining the others or creating problems on their own while simultaneously putting distance between me, Veldora and Velzard so I see no downsides.

To be fair, she's been rather nice to him since I claimed her, perhaps as a means to win favour with me but still...I wonder if she'll be alright being away from us even if only for a few days at a time.

Dagruel and Dino are the first to leave with Leon following soon after. Next are Frey and Carrion who pry Millim away in an effort to get her to take her new responsibility seriously. Before they leave, however, I pull Frey aside under the recommendation of Raphael.

Me: Frey...

Frey: Yes, Lady Lena?

Me: Do you want to marry Benimaru?

She seems conflicted and plenty afraid but I continue, explaining my reasoning for the sudden question.

Me: I'm willing to nullify your engagement if you'd like.

Frey: But-

Me: Given you are now going to be a subordinate of Millim, you are no longer a potential threat. Thus, there is no further need to tie your nation to mine.

She thinks long and hard about it before responding, not aware that Benimaru is listening in just behind her.

Frey: I couldn't simply call it off without speaking with him first. It's true that I didn't want the engagement but he went out of his way to protect me and my people. I could never simply-

Benimaru: I would never force you to marry me.

She jumps in surprise, wheeling around to find herself pressed against Benimaru's chest and as her hand rests above his beating heart her face flushes red.

Frey: That's what makes you so perfect...

She whispers her words, so quietly that even Benimaru fails to hear anything but I see...I hear and it pleases me.

Me: Alternatively, if you really want to go through with the marriage then you'll both need to make an official appeal to Millim since she's now your liege, Frey.

Both: I-

Me: I see you guys need time to discuss it amongst yourselves. 

Without waiting a moment longer, I leave them for the company of Luminous but no sooner am I by her side and we're back in Tempest when a messenger arrives from Dwargon in the form of their king himself.

As we stand facing each other, the wind blows forcing Luminous to use her hands to force her dress down. As she struggles, she whispers to me, reminding me that she's not wearing any panties. I stifle the laughter as I take my coat and throw it over her shoulders.

Kissing her on her forehead, I tell her she can go ahead but now that she has my coat she seems more than happy to remain with us so we move to the nearest patio.

Gazel: I'll get straight to the point, I need your help.

Me: Quite unlike you to break courtesy. It must be serious.

Gazel: It is. The dragons...they've come down from the mountain and are attacking our trade routes cutting us off from the outside world. We believe they're being coerced into attacking us but cannot don't have the resources to investigate ourselves as everything we have is currently being thrown towards our defence.

Luminous: So what's the request?

Gazel: I would like to request that Tempest come to our aid.

Me: It goes without saying that we'd help you.

Gazel: Not for us...for a minor trading partner of ours.

Me: Oh?

Gazel: The Kingdom of Raja. Their current Queen, she's my cousin and...they need your help.

Luminous: As per the terms of the treaty between Tempest and Dwargon, we aren't obligated to so why should we help them? 

Gazel: What if she were to become your second wife?

I don't allow Luminous to respond, speaking before she can so much as open her mouth. 

Me: Velzard would kill her first, not to mention burn that nation to the ground.

Gazel laughs, before getting serious once more.

Gazel: Then they'll become your newest subjects and thus provide a buffer between Tempest and the Eastern Empire. Of course, the other offer-

Luminous: You are testing the limits of diplomatic immunity.

Gazel holds up his hands.

Gazel: I come in peace. 

Seemingly unsatisfied with his actions, Luminous prepares to leave but when I place my hand on her thigh she relaxes.

Me: So what will we be helping this new nation with? Dragons?

Gazel: Something much worse, Charybdis.