Aragon:

The queen had allocated another private two-room and toilet block to Esther, Evereena and Aragon. This also had its own private corridor.

Eleanor is trying her best to encourage our relationship, isn't she? And since there are only two bedrooms, there always has to be a room with two people in it...

Oops, I don't want to get ahead of myself here.

The same morning that Eleanor and Lena were having their own discussion, he had carefully contrived the moment so that he appeared at his door just as Evereena and Esther emerged from theirs.

"Ah, hello, ladies!" With a friendly smile, ears pointing forward, tail held to one side and pointing slightly up, a perfect model of a nice gentleman who had no intention of infringing upon their personal space.

"Oh, ah, hello, Aragon," said Esther. Her smile cycled between nervousness and friendliness; her ears flicked forward and sideways while her tail was low and softly shaking.

"Ah, Aragon," said Evereena. She rolled her eyes, briefly flicked her ears towards him, then backwards, keeping her tail at half height, half curled around herself. "Mum, just go and have a talk with him or something; I'm going off to clean up."

Evereena scuttled off as fast as possible and disappeared into the bathroom.

Gosh, even Evereena is doing her best to encourage her Mum. Sort of; I still think she would be just as happy not to have the complications.

"My Evereena doesn't know how to deal with you, ah, sorry," said Esther.

"That's all right; I have no problems with that."

Since Esther was still standing there and showing no signs of retreating and hiding in her room, Aragon decided to try his luck.

"It's now been three days. Would you like to sit at my desk in my room, and we can talk about things?"

"C-certainly."

They were now sitting at his desk. There was only enough space for a chair on either side, so that's how they sat. As usual in a social setting, Esther was seated almost at attention, her body perfectly aligned with the chair, legs straight down, hands in her lap, head pointing forward and her tail neatly draped down the back of the chair and lying on the floor behind her. Aragon had left the door open; he didn't want her to worry about certain things happening.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I suppose she never had much spare time as a slave, so she hardly knows how to even relax in a chair.

I wonder how long it will take before she comes to my bed.

Ah, right, keep my mind on the current situation.

"So, I suppose it can be said that you are happy to be in a relationship with me sometime in the future?" he said.

Her tail started to curl up - in other words, she was getting embarrassed.

"Y-yes. In the future, that is."

"That's - good," said Aragon.

He stalled, not knowing what to say. So eventually Esther said: "But, this relationship stuff - how do I, err, I mean we, actually do it?"

"Hmm. Well, generally, we do it in small steps, like building a house out of bricks. Each brick doesn't look much, but if one carefully lays them out and cements them, you eventually get an imposing house. Or even a castle like this one."

Did I imply that our relationship will be equivalent to a castle? Oh, geezers, I am getting ahead of myself.

Fortunately, Esther didn't appear to notice anything wrong.

"How do we do those small steps?"

She really is hopeless.

"The best thing is not to stress too much about each step. Like, we can talk about things - for example, our childhood. Or about what happened after I was arrested. Or, you know, things that happen in our daily life."

"And, at what stage should the - sex - start?" she said.

If I were bullshitting in the tavern with some of the guards, I would say straight away!

Yeah, sure. The Voice of the World will grab my throat and strangle the words before they can come out.

"We are not anywhere near that point yet. We need to get an emotional connection going, and that will eventually lead to a sexual connection."

Aragon noticed that Esther was beginning to look puzzled.

"But no need to worry about that yet! At the moment, can we occasionally hold hands? Maybe when we go for a walk?"

"Sure. And, as we walk, we talk about... whatever?"

"You're getting the idea!"

Hey, Voice of the World, can't you give her a relationship skill, maximum points?

There was no answer.

Fine, fine. Just as well I'm happy to go at this rate.

He looked up, past Esther, and realised that Evereena was standing at the door, patiently waiting.

Crap, did she hear all of that?

Evereena:

Looks like it's serious, then.

Stupid 100% Voice of the World vows.

But at least Aragon is doing his best to look after Mum.

I still don't understand all of the sex stuff; I guess I should wait until I'm Cassy's age before doing anything about it.

But, honestly, I can't see myself ever wanting to have any.

Nonetheless, Mum and Aragon are going to be a couple.

I might as well accept it and move on.