Rex and his the dragonkin sisters returned to the Heavenflame mansion in a rather quiet manner, each immersed deep into their own thoughts. There were no laughter, no commentary about the way Rex had acted. It was not yet time for it. At the very start of their return trip Mora had asked presicesly the question, to which Rex encouraged her to think back to all the smaller details she might have noticed during their walk towards the assembly hall, as well as as the signs that could have been the reason for his actions. He did say he would come back to the conversation once they reached their mansion and were in a more pleasant enviroment. And so, their return trip ended in a quiet contemplation, Xersia joining her sister in retrospection, though she had a much clearer understanding of Rex's actions and reasoning.
Their conversation was delayed untill after the supper, the meal spent with an occasional light conversation, but still mostly silent. Untill finally, Rex suggested they move to Xersias room for their conversation, stating some additional topics would be covered. With the three of them in Xersias room, both sisters taking a seat on the bed, slightly eyeing Rex, not sure where hewas going with this, rthough not worried about him taking liberties with them. He was powerfull enough to have done it the moment they all entered the mansion.
Rex deployed a couple layers of bariers, ensuring they were entirely seperated from the rest of the city, not a single doulf voulf dpy on their conversation. With the security taken care of, he withdrew another chair from a ring of his, sat down, looked at the sisters and gestured.
"We are ready now. Go ahead Mora, tell me what you think of the councils actions and then ask what you wanted to know."
In response, Mora took a minute to finalize her conclusions and then spoke. "There were quite a lot of hostile gazes dirrected towards us, you more than us, even as we walked towards the room. That only incerased once inside. Then the fact that the auditorium was set up in a way where you would have to look up, as if they were above you not only physically, but spiritually and moraly. Clearly a way to humiliate you. Then the fact that the guy who insulted Xersia, who was at that moment under your wing, was not reprimanded or punished in any way, besides you taking action personally." She though once more and then shaked her head. "I suppose that is all."
"A pretty good observation, though there was another rather obvious thing that showed their rather hostile disposition." He waited for a moment before finishing his though. "The fact that 'The Council' spoke through a single representative speaks for itself quite a lot. Whether it was unanimous, or just majority decision does not really matter. The fact remains. As a body they deployed aforementioned, by you, tactics to lessen both my confidence to negotiate. Then their single representative acted with hostility and arrogance. had there been two speakers, one hostile, the other more amiable, it would send a message that they are suspicious and wary, but still hopefull for a deal that would be benefitial to all involved. As it stands, their message is clear- This happens on our terms, or not at all. Which, as you could guess, would end in no deal at all."
Rex waited a short while for Mora to absorb his point, Xersia nodding along, having understood Rex position well enough. Then Rex spoke to elaborate on his actions as well.
"So, my response was what followed. The hostile gazes of worms beneath ones feet are of no importance, so there was no need to act on that part, plus that was somewhat to be expected, what with me claiming two quite desired beauties right from under their noses. The platform I conjured served a twofold purpose. It displayed my own lack of limitations when it comes to spellcasting, something your kind is rather handicapped in, as well as the fact that if anyone, it was the council who were the lesser beings in our negotiations. Since I did not openly insult their supposed powerplay, it also indicated my willingness to forgive that stupid action of theirs, for a price of course. That was implied when I pointed out that they should unite with the other cities to come up with their payment."
"Then there was the punishement of the fool who insulted Xersia. Not much to talk there. The message was clear- I protect those I consider to be under my wing, or protection. No doubt the ones who orchestrated the snake incident will act out, once they learn that you are not only fine, leaving Xersia well and fully rational, but also together with her engaged to the foreign power. And once they do lash out, I can eliminate them, not giving an ounce of thought to any possible consequences. I have warned them already, after all. And should there be any fool brave ebough to challenge me, well, we all know how that would end."
They then talked about the probable actions of the council and a few other less important things, untill eventually, their conversation came to an end. A good thing it was too, as night was slowly descending over the mansion, and the city in extension.
"Now then thats dealt with, it is time to get to the main topic." Rex spoke as he stretched his arms.
"What else is there to talk about? I thought we covered all that needed to be covered?" Mora whined, clearly bored and tired from the hour long conversation.
"I do have to side with Mora here" Xersia added "I dont think there is anything left to speak about regarding the council and the culprits that conspire against me and Mora."
"He, he, he." Rex chuckled. "Well, you are correct there, of course, but I did not mean any of the topics we have already discussed. Now, we are going on a little, and very much secret, trip to a special place."
"Riiight, and how would we do that?" Mora snickered "Gonna wave your hands and 'magic up' a portal or something?" the sarcasm in her voice apparent, her overly expressive hand sign only enhancing her point.
"That was rather astute of you Mora. How did you know?" Rex was no slouch either, striking back in the same overexagerated voice, repeating the hand gesture of Mora, though with his one, an actual portal came into existance, causing both sisters to stare at it with wide eyes and mouths hanging open.
"Oh, and do not worry, I have deployed extremely niffty little barrier around the room. Noone will ever know we were gone for even a second."
"And where does it lead?" Xersia asked one she regained her cool.
"To a small little pocket dimension of mine, where some of my girls no doubt already await me. Since you two are mine, I thought meeting some of the girls in my hoard would be only beneficial. What do you say? Want to spend the night over and meet my girls?"
"And you would not make any moves on us during this little stay over, and come morning we would be back here, I assume?" Xersia asked, just for clarificatuion, nor really expecting him to actually consider forcing himself on them, unless they themselves asked for it. A roleplay of sorts, as it were.
"Nope. have enough hungry girls for me there as is, unless of course you want me to. And yes, come morning we will be back here, as if we never left to begin with. I have to warn you though, I have a couple of rather mischievous girls, dont be too harsh on them if they suggest a tag team or any other kinky play somewhere along the way."
"And you let them indulge in such 'kinky plays'?"
"As long as no other male is present, sure. As I said, I am very possesive and greedy dragon."
"Dont mind if we do." Mora grabbed Xersias hand and dragged the olders ister towards the gate. As soon as they went through, Rex smiled and followed suit.
What awaited them on the other side caught their breath. A rather large sized mansion stood before them, countless fields of flowers and herbs surrounding them. The refreshing and invigorating scent filling the air, bringing smiles to their faces.
"It feels so light and relaxing." Cooed Mora, as she took deep breaths, enjoying the scent permeating their surroundings.
"A few of my girls are practising alchemy. All kinds of herbs are needed, so what better way than to create endless field of the neccesarry herbs. Besides it does wonders to the atmosphere around here. Right, the lightness that you feel is due to the mana concentration in the air. It is still ways below what you are used to, so bea bit more carefull with your actions. The world around you is a lot more fragile. The attack that took out that snake Mora, for example, could create meters deep and wide trenches here, not just pin the beast to the ground. So the same would apply to you exertin your strenght, though since it is perfectly safe here, there will be no need for you to do so any time soon."
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"Soon?" Xersia asked, her brow raised with inquiry.
"You know, once you get used to the place, and trust me, you will be coming here often, some of the girls might ask for sparring lessons and stuff, You two are the most powerfull of my girls at the moment. I did say that the world is much weaker on average in the world outside the deep floors of the dungeon."
"Right, you did mention something like that." she nodded, remembering Rex mentioning it.
"REX!" a loud yell resounded from the mansion and moments later, a black figure shot towards him, his arms moved to the sides, awaiting the inevitable collision. His mana acted as a cusion, as the girl flying towards him collided with him, her arms wrapping around his neck and her lips devouring his. The two sisters just stared, as the dark haired and wolf eared girl engaged Rex in a round of passionate kissing, a slight blush creeping on Moras face, while a glint of interest sparked in Xersias slitted eyes.
A few minutes later, their kissing came to and end, the wolf girl nuzzling her head in his neck as she took deep breaths, both regaining her breath and taking in his scent.
"The new wolfkin maids Brogni got for us are undisciplined and quite untrained." she growled with frustration, clearly not satisfied with said maids, the two sisters noted.
"He, he, he." Rex chuckled. "Not everyone can be a prodigy in the kitchen like you are, my dear Aisha. Just be patient and keep working with them. Sure, they will most certainly never reach your level of skill, but they can be taught to do most of the preparatory and mundane work. Eventually they will be good enough to make the more simplistic dishes you have created for us. Just give them time and dont be too strict with them. you know we dont treat our people badly." Rex spoke gently as he held the wolf girl in his arms.
"I know. It is just a tiiinsy bit frustrating is all." she pouted, and then inhaled another large breath, her face mushed in his neck, taking in his scent. "Haaaaaaa. All charged up." she smiled and then glanced over to the two dragonklin women. "New sisters?" she asked, a glint of curiosity sparkling in her eyes, her gaze drawn to the scales on their cheekbones an arms.
"Xersia and Mora, and yes, they will be joining you as part of our family."
"Hello there." Aisha waved one of her hands at the sisters, still clinging to Rex. "My name is Aisha. Rex is my master, and I am the main cook of his family."
"Master you say?" Mora asked, her brow raised. They had slavery back in their homes too, though that was a rather rare sight. Dragonkin were quite pridefull and therewas no other sentient race to war with on their floor. Add the periodical threat of the tigermen, and the result is a rather unified race against a common enemy. Still, therewere times when crimes were commited, and death or exile was too light of a punishement, so slavery came into play. Neither Xersia, nor Mora were naive enought to asume, should there be another civilised and sentient race on their floor, they themselves would not become the masters of the other race. Their ancestor was a high drake. Domination was in their draconic blood.
"Mhm." Aisha nearly purred, which was rather commical, coming from a wolf girl. "Though most of his women come with such an origin. Not that it matters to him or us. We are all eaqually precious in his eyes."
"Lets go in, shall we? The girls can no doubt answer any questions you two have about my 'hoard' better than I could. Plus you are more likely believe them should you talk with them without my presence. Private conversations among girls ad what not."
"Indeed." Xersia nodded, and the sisters followed Rex as he walked towards the mansion, Aisha still clinging to him. If he was not asking her to vacate his embrace, whi was she to suggest such herecy? No, she was in one of the best spots around to soothe her into a rather pleasant dream. It was some twenty minutes later that her eyes shot open, a clear mission and purpose in her gaze. she tapped Rex shoulder, and he released the energetic wolf girl. He was sitting on a chair in a study, Izumi, Rashuun and their two kitsune aprentices in the matters of diplomacy at their sides. They were discussing something boring no doubt, Aisha yawned and left Rex lap.
"Gotta run, a heavenly meal will not make itself. I will suprise our new sisters with something special." She grinned, countless ideas swirling in her mind. It was to be noted that for quite some time heavenly tier meat was the only grade that his girls were having in their meals, though the servants were still on earth grade, with heavently grade meat provided to them once every month. Still, should the nobles hear of the extravagant way Rex servants were fed, most of said nobles would spit out blood. Even they did not have access to such luxury. Then again, such were the benefist when you were the property of a mostly benevolant tyrant.
The draginkin sisters were in another room, not far from Rex's study, currently conversing with Irina, Val an Mel. Irina was spending most of her time here, having developed a liking for the herbal garden and the botany, while Mel and Val rushed over once they heard Rex was here. They did manage most of the affairs in Rex's estate back in Blythe, so they spent most time there, or in the dungeon. With the amount of heaven grade meat they consumed, their bloodline purity was much higher than before, allowing them grow far beyond their previous limitations. Both girls had already stepped in the ranks of S class, though only early stages. Still that was quite impressive for women of ork bloodlines. They had become even more beautifull as well, said benefits coming with the evolved and purified bloodline. Though calling them just orcs would be wrong. They had evolved into high orcs, though besides their bodies becoming firmer and even more beautifull, not much had changed. Val was still incredibly fit, with curves in all the right places, and Mel had even deadlier milf body. Something only one male could ever get to enjoy, and enjoy Rex did, though it went both ways. Case in point, their presence here, due to Rex's return.
Both dragonkin sisters learned a lot from their conversation with the orc trio. The girls were the very first slaves Rex had aquired, and through their tongues did they learn more about their man to be. And honestly, both had the same conclusion- Rex was as greedy and overprotective as he said.
And then there was the last lady, that was sitting with them. A seemingly human woman, in her late twenties. She was innitially looking at the two sceptically, though as their conversation with the orc girls continiued, her judging gaze became more and more relaxed and warm, eventually even a light smile bloomed on her face. The woman was no other than Arana, the sister of Rex. Amd it seemed that the woman had decided to be the one to eduate and guide her brotehrs hoard, his harem. There was this nearly maniacal grin on her face when she had spoken with the foxlady Izumi and the demoness Rashuun. The human woman was just too overprotective of them both, for reasons of course, both the fox and the demoness were clearly with a child, even if in the early stages of pregnancy.
Their conversation eventually came to and end, Arana all smiles with the two new additions, slipping in not too concealed hints about wanting more nieces and nephews. Rex did send them a few apologetic looks at the start of their conversation when they were still together in a single room and Arana had started to drop her hints, not too subtly, one had to remember, though that was probably as much aimed at Rex as at them. Still, he had warned them of a possible coaxing, so it was not like they were not prepeared for this.
Their evening ended with a heavenly supper. Rex did warn them that his sweet Aisha was a maestro in the kitchen, and lords, had he understated it. The two sisters also understood why he was so sure they would like to spend more and more time here. The meals of the wolfkin girl were to kill for, and they could enjoy such meals each time? If his offer before was too good to refuse, it might have just stepped into the unlikely dreamlike scenarios. The small worry that with such numbers of girls they were neglected in the bedroom was also quicly put to rest, each and every one becoming dreamy at the mere mention of it. Turns out Rex was a beast there too, always leaving his girls pleasantly exausted and in total bliss. And as he had promissed, after their heavenly supper, he lead them to a room for them to rest the night, while he himself left with a purpose. There were women waiting for him, and he would perform his duties as theirt man.
Xersia sat on the bed, her sister doing the same on a bed right next to hers. She looked towards Mora, who, just like her, held a hand just above her breasts, an invisible brand hiding out of everyones sight. A blank brand, was what it was called. A mark to connect them with Rex, allowing one to feel malicious toughts towards the other, ensuring there would be no unexpected betrayals. Even now, they both felt Rex possesiveness and desire to protect them, his dragonic greed clearly shining through. Though the most important usage of the blank barnd was the sould protection it provided. They would walk in the ourside world eventually, and slavery was running rampant there. This blank brand was yet another layer of protection that Rex had given them.
They slept incredibly well, the beds felt unreasonably soft and relaxing, as if they slept in clouds, all their worries stripped away. Their morning was just as good. They once again enjoyed the heaven that was Aishas cooking, said girl becoming their clear favourite amongst Rex's women, for obvious reasons. And just liek he had promissed, after their breakfast, they returned to the Heavenflame mansion, where he dispelled the barrier and they emerged from Xersias bedroom, all three sporting large smiles. No doubt the few spies among the maids and staff would soon hear of this and forward the information to their lords, hastening any plot that was being hatched to deal with the audacious mercenary for taking what was rightfully theirs - The Heavenflame sisters.