Leaving Elaya behind, the group of us headed back to the mansion using the backdoor entrance into the basement. As we reached the mansion, Garnet and Bernice looked around at the lavish hallway with wide eyes. The pair had never really been in a mansion or palace before. Bernice lived the life of a poor person and Garnet typically moved to small towns and slept in the dirt more often than not. Only Carmine was comfortable with this kind of lavish environment, although I didn’t think she’d ever seen my manor before, since I had previously left her at my properties in the Capital or Alerith.

“Y-you really do live in a mansion?” Bernice’s mouth fell open. “I know you said you were a lord, but…”

“Yeah… I guess, since you’re my slave, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want. If you’d like to stop being my slave, then I’m happy to release you, but then you also wouldn’t get to stay here.”

“A-are you trying to bribe me?” Bernice demanded.

“I’m just being clear on our relationship.” I shrugged, just trying to make sure everything was handled.

“R-r-relationship!”

“Carmine, why don’t you find Garnet and Bernice a room? The mansion still has plenty.” I tried to redirect them.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Isn’t Master just asking that so you can play with your girls without us watching?” Carmine asked wryly.

“Th-that’s not true!” This time, my face turned red.

Since I had taken her to bed, Carmine had grown more territorial and a bit more willful. She was usually the strong, silent type who took all her pain on the inside, but since her mind had been invaded from the karmic infection and we had gone through a life and death battle together, only for her to end up as the only girl with me in my world, well, our relationship had changed. She was someone I cared about deeply, and who I trusted to keep me safe. That’s why she was more comfortable with teasing me about these things as well.

“Animal…” Bernice gave me dark eyes.

“Ahh… even though Master has me, he’ll run into another woman’s arms.” Garnet jokingly added.

They didn’t linger to torture me though. Carmine took the two women and walked off toward one of the unused wings. The wing I slept in had been filled up, all of the women closest to me wanting to sleep closest to me as well. They all slept in my room most nights anyway. I guess they hadn’t been doing that the last few months… no, it had only been weeks for them, I had to keep reminding myself.

I went toward my wing, heading for my bedroom. It felt strange not being able to feel where any of the girls were. I supposed I could locate them using the map and sense life, but I felt like I lost something doing that. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go far. Upon opening the door to my room, I found one of them waiting for me. As soon as I saw her, my heart nearly beat out of my chest.

“Ah, Master?” Lydia smiled at me.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back,” Lydia responded. “Ah… from where?”