I followed Count Radel to another old lord. Old as in geriatric. He was mostly deaf and apparently blind, for he treated me like I was Radel's dog. He even addressed Count Radel as if he were his father. Most unpleasant.

"He was the worst," Count Radel assured me as we walked down the steps in front of the palace. "Sometimes I think someone should relieve him and the country."

It took me a few moments to process this. "Count Radel!"

"Don't worry, I only bark, not bite." He sighed when he saw my empty face. "I will not kill him. Never me. He is just too annoying. Now two more visits on my floor. Old barons too, but, ok, to be blunt, not senile."

"Maybe I should visit too."

"We could start with the elder Baron Clement of Karenland. He was the one my father had to report to until he abdicated."

"Oh, then I going too. Must learning neighbours."

"Better let me do the talking."

I nodded, not complaining. I knew my limits.

* * *

Count Radel knocked on the door two further down the corridor on his floor. It took some time before a very old man answered the door. He looked as old as you could imagine, wrinkled, bent and limping. But with a grandfatherly smile, asymmetrical but very friendly: "Well, well, the young Count Radel and the new Countess of Litra, excuse me, Countess Kiara of Earth and Litra. Happy New Year. Have a seat!"

"Happy New Year," we said again in unison.

With the speed of an asthmatic snail, the baron limped to his chairs at the table, about three paces from the door. There were five baskets of flowers and ribbons on the floor. Ours was shabby. Well, Count Radel's basket, I had only contributed one sweet.

"Baron Clement, shall we take the baskets into the living room?" asked Radel, just not shouting.

"I'm not deaf yet, young Radel. Yes, that would be great."

The count took two. I stood on my hind legs and took the other four. I had to bend sideways quite a lot to fit through the door. Count Radel stood there gawping. I put the baskets on the table and got down again on my forelegs. "You not knowing I walking on hind legs?"

He shook his head slowly. "No, you are full of mysteries and surprises. But, er." He blushed.

I giggled. "Mystery, sounding good. Like mythic."

"Is there a problem?" the not-deaf baron shouted.

"No, coming." And we hurried back.

"Well, well, new Countess of Litra. Countess Kiara, please come closer."

I sat down on my haunches beside him. Then I got down on my forelegs as well, since his face was still at the height of my front shoulders, and leaned forward until I was about a hand away from his face.

The baron nodded and I sat back straight. "Well, this is a new era. Soul mage victims are quickly bestowed peerage."

"I sorry, not."

"Well, well, countess." He somehow managed to use countess the way Old Henry had used ‘lass’. "Whatever scheme Vice-Administrator was up to, you certainly weren't involved. You were just a victim, as you had been a victim before. And old Larel was always strange. Well, so be it. Now we are neighbours, even though there is no pass from Litra to Kran."

I nodded, even though I understood less than half of his ramblings. But it was easy to remember the stunning view from the top of Litra in that direction. "No, only white ice."

The baron smiled. "Well, you were already there. The countess is fast. It seems only yesterday that you were bestowed your ladyship. Time flies." Then he looked me over from ear to tail tip. "Strong woman, and a strong body. May I touch you?"

"Not the ear, please." And I stood up and stood beside him.

The Baron stroked my back fur. "Very soft. Smooth. And impressive ears and tail. Well, well, you are quite a lot, young countess."

Again, it sounded like 'young lass'. I nodded, not sure what he was implying and to what extent I should be offended.

"Well, well, our sabeeloun count has finally found a sabeeloun counterpart." And then he coughed so hard that I feared for his life, until I realised he was laughing. Count Radel blushed, deeply embarrassed while trying to maintain an offended expression. He failed comically.

Fortunately, I was distracted enough not to laugh too. I had to find out what 'sabeeloun' meant.

"Well, well, countess, I will not run away." The Baron coughed with his laughter again. "And I would like to hear more. If you feel like entertaining an old man like me with your stories."

"Thank you."

Then he got serious again. "Countess, do not let them play you."

I nodded, even though I did not understand.

"I make sure nobody does," answered Count Radel for me.

The baron shook his head and still looked at me. "With countess comes responsibility. Listen not only to others, for you and for Litra."

I nodded, this time I got his intention.

He turned to Count Radel and looked him in his eyes. "Well, well, young Radel, is there any news I can tell that will make your parents happy?"

"Baron Clement, you know where I stand."

"Well, well, take good care of the countess. A neighbour, independent, and not related. Not all hope is lost."

"Baron!"

"Well, well, I am not the first to notice."

Count Radel blushed even more and took a deep breath. "Baron Clement, we have taken up enough of your time. We still have a visit to make, and the countess must prepare for the feast."

"Well, well, the youth is always running around. Please come again soon. You too, countess." He nodded: we were dismissed.

"Count Radel," I asked when we were again outside. "What is sabeeloun? And not understandinged much."

The count blushed. "Difficult, not like parents, independent, especially for nobility. Better ask Freya for a mindspeak translation."

"Who is next?"

"Baron Fadand of Ligur. A small domain near the southern border. Another old baron, I am afraid. The only reasons for the nobility to not return home are either feuds or being too frail to travel. You want to pass him over?"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

When he said it like that, he was probably afraid of being ridiculed in front of me again. I got the wink. "Yes, I preparing at feast. Thank you!" I bowed and went down the long way down via the wide stairs. As it was next to the healer's room, I looked for Freya. She was still on her bunk, her eyes closed. I let her sleep.

* * *

Back in my room, I took my dress and the box with my two pieces of jewellery, the earring to be bent and the heavy necklace, and went to the stable. My first priority was a shower, or at least to wash my upper body, which was still sweaty and dusty from the excursion downtown. And that damned dress was impossible to get into alone. Perils of being a countess, I suppose.

Larina was in her stall. She had already woven some ribbons into her braid and was wearing red again. Wow, she was so pretty.

But of course, we could both always use some extra brushing. For me, I filled all six buckets I found and then let Larina shower me. I used the paw cloth from my room as a towel. No more cinnamon smell.

Now for the brushing exchange: Larina worked my left side while I worked her right. When done, we switched sides. And then we were finished, the fur fluffy, smooth and shiny. And to be fair, Larina had a lot more work to do with my tail.

Now came the dreaded dress. I skipped the underwear, any extra breathing space was worth it. Especially, as my chest had swelled up a bit again. "Larina, eh, how often," I tried to ask, but gave up. I was not sure if a woman merged to a stallion could answer. Freya should know. "Is ok."

Not so the dress. "Not too tight," I gasped several times as Larina tied the laces. Even in her weakened state, she still had more strength in her arms than the seamstress. And the dress still fit, the final confirmation that I hadn't bulged out in the upper body. I was relieved, as much as it was possible when being confined in this dress.

"Still tight," I wheezed.

Larina loosened the laces as much as possible. But this dress was supposed to be form-fitting.

"Now, I can, eating, and, talking," I aspirated. Well, barely talk, gasping between words.

"You look gorgeous!" praised Larina. "So feminine."

"Not only breasts," I gasped, "you beautiful."

"Yes, but they help."

"Asking Tarik," I shrugged, or at least tried to. "No fun," I wheezed, "running." Too many words at once had sucked all the air out of my upper lungs. Damn dress.

Next came the necklace. It really was a bit heavy, probably as valuable as half of Litra. Not sure what message Dame Grendel had sent to me with it. But she was right, the weight didn't bother me at all. And then I showed Larina the gold earring. "Putting ear, not dropping, please?"

Her eyes went wide. "Who did you get it from?"

"New Year, present, from, Count, Radel."

She exhaled loudly. "Oh, you will marry him?"

"What? Larina!" I coughed, gasping for air. "No, New Year's present." Panting. "Tiny ring, for big ears."

"Ok, keep your right ear still."

This was quite difficult as I was not even aware that I was moving them. There was a tickle and then a pinch.

"Please move your ear."

I tried and they did move, one a little heavier, like an insect was sitting on it. Involuntarily I twitched it even more.

Larina nodded. "Yes, the ring seems to hold."

* * *

When we emerged from the stable, the tables had already been set up. Well, the barrels with the logs across them, and only two long rows this time. They were just starting with the white tablecloth, which was probably linen in its everyday life.

Today everyone helped. Larina, with her long arms, helped with the tablecloth and with setting the tables. Since my dress prevented any work that involved bending forward or down, I went to the kitchen to pick up some trays and pots. I think I saw Kendrick at the back of the kitchen. I still have to find out if the first basket was from him and thank him properly. But I was immediately handed two large pots with heavy lids full of sweet buns.

Picking them up was probably a good job for me, as it would have taken at least two servants. I placed them at either end of the table. When I saw the birds on the roof watching our preparations, the significance of the lid on the pot of buns became clear. There were more such pots waiting downstairs in the kitchen.

The stupid dress made even my normal non-speaking breathing a rattling, noisy affair. But getting up and down from the kitchen was still within my capabilities. And the forced breaks kept me from sweating.

By the time I emerged from the kitchen, the preparations were well underway, despite the lack of an overseer or much discussion. Everyone was eager to start the feast.

And then there were no more pots or trays for me. The last thing to be carried up the stairs was the heaviest and dirtiest object, a fire bowl on a tripod to make tea in a large kettle hanging from the central chain. I actually lifted it with two older servants, me on the lower, heavier side and them on the top of the tripod. My hands were now sooted and greasy, great. But they had sand, ashes and some leaves which, although not like real soap, helped to wash and wipe my hands clean.

I was one of the last to sit down. Freya waved me over to the left end of the table. In fact, all the nobility were now at the ends of the table, in the next row were Dame Grendel and Baron Clement, and across from them the senile lord of the palace and one I did not know, who was perhaps even older.

More importantly, at our end were Count Radel, the seneschal, and Freya beside me. Kendrick sat in the middle, next to the chef and my one-time armiger. Across from them, a young girl stood up and banged two pot lids together. The conversation died down.

"Happy New Year!" she shouted in a surprisingly strong voice. "My name is Rannon, last year's first apprentice. And what a year it was! The early winter and then the war with Kwal were not a good start. But then things turned interesting. First, there was the arrival of Centaur Larina. And then good news from the war, and finally victory. And it did not end there, we had the arrival of Lady Kiara and her memorable race to beat a horse. Well, I can only wonder what 148 will bring! Enjoy the feast!"

"Horray!" everyone shouted, "Happy New Year!" and then it was time to eat. It was not a stiff dinner, though. The kitchen had, in their last effort of the year, slaughtered and roasted four pigs, which were placed at the end of each table. Everyone (except me and the few clerics too old to be out) went over and cut the meat they wanted to eat. There were countless bowls of different vegetable salads along the table, so after tasting the nearest you walked around to talk and try another. Very informal and fun.

Eventually I got close to Kendrick and Martha, the chef. "Kendrick, Happy New Year. You giving me basket?" He shook his head, still chewing, and pointed at Martha. "Happy New Year, Martha! Thank you for a basket. And sorry for extra cooking last year."

Martha stood up and hugged me, her head between my breasts. "Happy New Year, Countess. As Rannon said, we are looking forward to the next exciting event. I am happy to provide for you." She looked up at my face. "What a big woman!"

I blushed. "Thank you."

And then Rannon dove under the table. "Countess Kiara, Happy New Year! May I touch you?"

"Happy New Year. Of course."

Well, that was how many conversations went. I felt like a Good Luck Dragon with all the hesitant petting. Only occasionally did I have to show my claws, and once someone wanted to challenge me to arm-wrestling. His loss. It was fun to talk to so many servants who kept the castle running in silence. They really had earned their fun. And I got more salad samples that way, eating slowly, waiting for the morcels to pass on into the lower stomach.

Freya had only made a small round, mostly pouring a few drinks with the healers, and was back with us, talking to Count Radel. Likely lured by the better wine here. I went for another tour of the second table when the music started and rows formed. I ran to Larina, as she was the easiest to spot and also the closest, and made her untie and lose all the laces. Then I ran for my room, holding the dress with my hands. I quickly changed into my jacket and took the necklace off. But the first dance was over before I returned.

Yes, dancing. At first, my neighbours kept a safe distance, not sure how such a large countess would dance. And I could understand them, I was horse-sized. But after half a dance, the gaps closed again. Yes, I needed more space for the turns (again jumping on my hind legs), otherwise I did as well as most of them. The next dance was a partner dance. I was watching the first verse when Count Radel tapped me on the shoulder. "Countess, the first dance of 148?"

I nodded, grinning.

This dance had a lifting of the woman at the end of each verse. "I doing," I panted to the count. However, I was a little too enthusiastic and actually threw him almost head high into the air before catching him again at the waist. "Sorry," he said, leaving the row with wobbly steps.

I went after him. "You ok?"

He smiled again. "What a strong woman! A warning next time, please."

"Again?"

We joined the rows just in time for the next lift. This time I just threw him a metre high and then everyone went one partner to the right.

My next partner was a tall servant, almost at my eye level. "As high as you can," he shouted to me. When the lift came, I gave it all and his feet sailed higher than my head. Catching him was a bit tricky, but my neighbours were cheering and whistling. Now almost every new partner wanted to fly with Kiara Airways. The music took a break after the dance, and my arms and shoulders were grateful. Time for a fruit bowl and more salad.

Soon the music started again. I managed to persuade Freya to join me for two dances in the row next to me. But then she went back to the table for her beer and fruit bowl. Her loss.

Count Radel joined every dance. He was enthusiastic, his footwork was almost perfect, probably from fencing or whatever a young nobleman had to study. But I think most of the servants had more stamina than him, just from their hard work. So often he would leave his place in the rows long before the end of a dance.

Sweat ran down my skin. I was full of bliss. Whenever the music stopped, I was with those who shouted "One more! And there would be one more, but the musicians needed a break too.

By the last dance, there was just a flute and a tambourine and less than twenty dancers. The first stars were already fading. Many hadn't made it to bed and were snoring with their heads on the table. Freya was one of them. I helped a kitchen maid to cover all the pots and then carried Freya to my room. I was also fast asleep the moment I touched the mattress.