Father walks out behind them. Hearing my invitation, his brows come down but he continues walking.

“Lou, I rather not deal with any of your games tonight.”

Jac tries to pull away but I hold fast. Please. I spar with an elf with a pure physical affinity. Like some noblewoman who spends her free time knitting or some other nonsense can compete. She can do nothing as I pull her through the house and out the door. Matt comes along rather obediently, good man that he is.

At the end of the road leading up to the house, I hold out my arm for Geneva to hand me my coat. Instead, my wife motions for me to hold out my arms and the succubus puts it on for me. Bell jumps into my arms as Geneva runs off to get our carriage. I have seriously got to get some servants. Having her do this kind of thing is really demeaning for someone of her station.

“I thought you said a walk,” Jac grumbles.

“You’ll have to walk back to the house, won’t you?”

“Enough, Lou. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s my last night in the city. Let me have my fun.” I chuckle at her glare. “Keep frowning and you’ll develop wrinkles overnight. What will your intended say when he meets his future bride that looks like an old woman?”

“Oh, piss off!”

Whoa. That’s real anger. I hold up my hands in surrender, not actually wanting to get into a fight with her. “Okay, okay. I’m done now. See? Done. Though I’m a little surprised you didn’t manage to talk your way out of this one.”

She scoffs. “I wish. Count Mareen may only be a count but he’s a vassal of Duke Rosefield and an established family of the noble faction. As if my father is going to give up the chance to get in good with the oldest and most politically influential families in the kingdom.”

“Oh.” Wish I knew what she was talking about but my knowledge of nobility is sorely lacking. I didn’t even recognize one of the princes until we were standing in the palace and he was announced to me. Sad, I know, but I’ve got more important things on my mind.

“You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

“Not a clue, no.”

“Sometimes, I wonder how we’re related.”

“I’m not that bad. Besides, working people really don’t have time for that drivel. Matt, you’re with me, right?”

The quiet man shrugs. “I can recognize the different crests and know enough about them.”

“Don’t lump him together with you.”

Kierra puts a hand over her mouth as she snickers. “Slacker.”

That’s right, keep it up. We’ll see who has the last laugh. Why do I need to remember these people’s names? For the powerful, what I plan on being, that’s another job for a subordinate.

Speaking of subordinates, Geneva arrives with the carriage. We all board, my cousins suitably impressed by the space inside. I play around with Bell for several minutes before we stop.

Jac looks out the window with a frown. “Why are we stopped in the middle of the road?”

“Because there’s no better place to meet than nowhere when you’re trying to keep a secret,” I say without taking my eyes off my adorable imp. “Just wait for a while. They’ll be along shortly.”

I’m right. We wait for barely a minute before I hear the clopping of horses. Another carriage pulls up alongside ours. I hear Jac breathe in sharply. “That’s a Grimoire carriage. Lou, what the hell is going on here?”

“Relax, cousin.”

The door opens, revealing Gordon Grimoire Jr. and Fendelheim, his contracted thrall. My old nemesis doesn’t look too good. His portly figure has thinned and dark rings hang under his slightly swollen eyes. Most importantly, that arrogant spark has dimmed drastically, making him appear lifeless.

In contrast, Fen is beaming. She’s changed her looks. Before, she was a demure beauty with a perfect figure and pale skin, her only exotic feature her violet hair. She appeared strangely human, down to her dainty feet that had to be requested as succubi have hooves. Now, her elemental nature was far more pronounced.

Though she kept the same features, her skin had a slight purple flush and her hair was silver, complimented by lilac eyes. A thin, silver tail waves behind her and her hoofed feet are on full display. She was charming before but now, with her otherworldly origins on full display, she has the attraction of power about her with the added bonus of confidence that comes with having control of her life.

Well, more control.

“Junior,” I greet as he throws himself into the carriage. Jac shies away as he climbs onto the bench beside her. “You’re looking good.”

All I get is a grunt in response.

“Lourianne,” a husky voice whispers in my ear as Fen climbs into the carriage. She leans into me, holding my arm against her chest. “You haven’t been to see me at all~ How unfair, when I’m working so hard for you.”

Wow, these succubi are shameless. Blatantly trying to tempt me in a situation like this. Though she’s out of her depth. I have to contend with Geneva on a daily basis. This is nothing. My arm is in a great place right now though. I wish I could just—actually, wait. I can.

Pulling my arm free, I pull her closer and bury my face in her chest. The thrall squeals in delight, putting her arms around my neck and drawing me closer but I don’t let things escalate. It’s steadily being degraded but I do still have a sense of decency.

“What the hell is going on here?” Jac asks.

“Since my wife is preoccupied,” I hear Kierra say over me, “allow me to explain. As you can see, Junior here has become one of our vassals.”

“A vassal…” Junior’s voice is filled with dissatisfaction but he doesn’t refute. After over three months of being conditioned by Fen, he knows his place well.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Jac’s disbelief. “You’re kidding me.”

“Not at all. You see, the succubi have taken a liking to Lou. Whoever controls the succubi controls the Grimoire family. And whoever controls the Grimoire family—”

“Might as well control the capital.” Jac’s eyes are shining. “Saints’ damnation, what kind of wicked games did you play to pull this miracle off?”

I raise my head out of Fen’s chest to answer but Kierra pushes me back. “The how isn’t very important. What matters is that Lou wants to give you a chance. She thinks that you can make something of yourself, Jacquellin. But I have my reservations. I don’t know you. So, tell me why we should bother to change your fate?”

A deep inhale followed by a shaky exhale. “…because I want to re-establish our family on Green Mountain.”