"What, why do you keep looking at us like that?" Breaking free from my kiss with Michelle, I turned and glanced at Jasmine, who sat opposite of us, her arms folded as she looked at us in slight irritation. "Oh, I don't know, maybe because you two nearly made us late!?" Jasmine's face twitched in annoyance while eyeing us, causing Michelle and I to awkwardly avert our gaze.
"But we made it one time, so really, nothing happened." Rubbing my cheek, I flashed Jasmine a smile in hopes it would charm her, though it did no such thing as she just continued to stare. "Haa, okay, I agree we went a bit longer than I expected, but, like always, it wasn't my fault. Who told Michelle to look this sexy in a dress?" Raising my arms in defense, I pointed at Michelle, who seemed taken aback by me throwing her under the bus.
"W-Well, Jasmine, you're the one who picked this dress, s-so wouldn't this be your fault?" Michelle, not wanting to take the blame, nervously pushed the blame onto Jasmine, which seemed to further irritate her, as her eye twitched aggressively. "See, I agree with Michelle, you should've known I behave, Jasmine, this is your fault. That's like placing a piece of meat in front of a tiger; what did you expect to happen?"
"Do you two have no shame?" "No, I have some." "I blackmailed Alex, s-so no, not anymore." While Michelle averted her gaze in embarrassment, I smirked at Jasmine, who groaned and rubbed her face before heaving a deep sigh. "How are you two so childish?" I didn't respond to her rhetorical question and just smiled before leaning forward, using [Expand] to lengthen them as I scooped Jasmine into my arms and placed her on my lap.
"For the record, I didn't do it purely out of lust; Michelle needed confidence. What makes a woman more confident in her beauty than being lusted after?" Resting my head on Jasmine's shoulder, my hand sank into her top, grabbing her soft yet firm breast, though she promptly removed my arm and fixed her dress. "I figured, I know you're not just a lust-driven monkey like most men. Also, I'm entirely confident in my beauty, so you don't have to 'raise' my confidence."
Shooting me a glare, Jasmine faintly nodded while leaning against my chest, causing me to chuckle as I had really just wanted to feel her chest. However, just as I was about to do so again, Michelle grabbed my hand and leaned into my embrace before kissing my cheek. "Thank you, Alex… Even if no one else finds me beautiful, so long as you do, I'll be confident enough to walk around naked."
Smiling, I wrapped my arm around Michelle, resting my hand on her slightly plump stomach as I kissed her head. "I'll always find you beautiful. Just promise me not to walk around naked, I can't have other men seeing you; your nakedness is for my eyes only." Gently pinching her fat, she squirmed in before nodding. "Still, did you two really need to have sex for over an hour?"
At Jasmine's words, Michelle and I just laughed; of course, we didn't need to, but we sort of forgot there was a banquet. "Fufu, if you're jealous, just say so, Jasmine. I'm sure Count Alexander will be more than happy to satisfy you." Smirking, Michelle teased Jasmine, who awkwardly coughed and averted her gaze.
"Speaking of satisfying, because of someone's heavy ass, I've gotten a bit hard, and it would be embarrassing to walk with an erection. Think you could help me?" Although I saw Michelle's eyes briefly light up at my words, I stopped her, causing her to lightly pout while I looked at Jasmine. "T-To do so in a royal carriage? I-I'm ashamed such thoughts arouse me."
Blushing in shame, embarrassment, and arousal, Jasmine proceeded to kneel before me and blow me. Twice. Only stopping once we entered the royal grounds.
"Count Alexander, we've arrived." Knocking, Steward Kai opened the door and slightly bowed as I stepped out first before helping Jasmine and Michelle down. "Everything looks the same from yesterday, but I can tell the atmosphere is much different." Whistling, I locked arms with Michelle and Jasmine while observing the palace, earning a chuckle from Kai.
"Hoho, astute observation, Count Alexander. Royal banquets are uncommon and, coupled with the appearance of a Count, who happens to be Cassandra's Savior, his Majesty has spared no expense in this banquet." While explaining, Kai entered the castle, leading us through the palace and towards the banquet.
"Honestly, I think a banquet is overkill for me." Glancing at the bustling servants we passed, I shifted my focus back to Kai, who faintly shook his head. "Humility is a virtue, Count Alexander, but do not downplay your achievements. If not for your heroic actions, Cassandra, an extremely vital city to Roswald, would've been destroyed. We would've lost Duke Gorgan, Marquess Lively, and Fukley, three Counts, and even more lower-ranked Nobles."
Steward Kai's usual humble and friendly voice was firmer, causing me to slowly nod, taking his words a bit more to heart. "Yes, Steward Kai is correct, Alex. Cassandra is the economic heart of Roswald; not only would they have lost a chunk of their nobility, they would've lost a massive source of income, which would've affected them for years, possibly decades. The other Kingdoms, and even some of the nobles of opposing factions, wouldn't have done anything when Roswald had just received a massive blow."
"The Madam is correct, Count Alexander. Your heroic actions have achieved far more than you realize." Giving Jasmine a brief look of surprise, Steward Kai shifted his gaze to me and nodded, causing me to furrow my brows, coming to further understand the effect of my actions. "I'm not politically savvy, so I'll trust you two." At my words, Kai chuckled while Jasmine confidently raised her head.
"That's why you have me, Alex." Nodding in return, we continued to walk for a few more minutes until we arrived at massive double doors, through which servants flowed in and out. "The banquet looks to have already started. Aren't we late?" Frowning, I glanced at Kai, who shook his head, easing my concerns. "No, not at all. As the man of the hour, it's only right to arrive fashionably late."
'That makes sense.' While nodding in understanding, Kai gestured for us to enter, causing the three of us to look at each other before entering. As we stepped into the room, which was utterly massive —probably three to four times as big as the throne room —numerous nobles, who were conversing amongst themselves, began taking notice of our arrival; most were secretly observing us, though some were blatantly so.
While I didn't know exactly what I was supposed to do, one thing I did know was to appear confident, and that was relatively easy to do; after all, once you've gotten used to fighting for your life on the line, very few things can make someone nervous. Besides, I had Jasmine with me.
"We should have our own table, Alex. Since you're a Count, our table should be around the middle of the room, but given your current special status, it should be closer to the Royal table, probably near the Duke's table." As Jasmine whispered to me, I followed her instructions, confidently walking through the ballroom and greeting passing nobles with a smile. This made a good first impression, which seemed to work, as most would either smile back, nod, or raise their glasses in greeting.
However, while the center of attention was on us, a boisterous voice called my name. "Alexander!" Stopping, I glanced to my right, looking for that familiar voice, only to see Duke Gorgan and his wife. "Ah, Duke Gorgan, you were also here?" Faintly smiling, I outstretched my hand, shaking hands with Gorgan, sparking the nobles watching to whisper amongst themselves.
"Of course, this was partly a mandatory banquet… Anyway, you're not going to introduce me?" Faintly smiling, Gorgan gestured to Jasmine and Michelle, prompting the former to introduce herself. "A pleasure to meet you, Duke Gorgan and Madam. I'm Jasmine Vestalis, Alexander's Fifth Wife." Grabbing her dress, Jasmine lifted it and bowed slightly, causing me to wryly smile at her professionalism; compared to her, I was just relying on talent. 'Well, she is a Princess.'
Next was Michelle, who, although nervous, copied Jasmine. "A-An Honor to meet you, Duke Gorgan and Madam. I'm Michelle Vestalis, Alexander's Second Wife." "Heh, five wives, Alexander? You're pretty bold, though I can't say I dislike it." Smirking, Gorgan patted my shoulder, causing me to chuckle. "I actually have six wives, and between you and me, I have a suspicion I'll be getting a seventh." Getting pinched by Michelle and Jasmine, I flinched while clearing my throat.
"Hahaha, a seventh wife? I wouldn't in my wildest dreams even think of a mistress; I would've even realized how I died if I did." "Fufu, honey, I wouldn't be so swift; revenge is best carried out slowly." Faintly smiling, she gently patted Gorgans' chest, causing him to laugh. "Were you headed for your table, Alexander? Follow me, I had his Majesty place you near my own table." Nodding, we followed him through the remaining half of the ballroom, approaching his table and mine, which wasn't placed too far away.