A Family Date

The rest of the week passed, an odd dichotomy being established.

In classes, things were going...pretty awful. Most of the class had noticed what was going on between Alice and him (or at least, that they had had a falling out), and some of them occasionally gave him glares (especially the woman).

It's not like I care that noblewoman hate me, but it does make class fairly exhausting.

Gerard had seemed to take his side in the 'feud', still sitting next to him and dragging him along to lunch.

At the dorm, it was quite the opposite. Things were going about as well as they could. He had gotten Joan, Claire, and Belle involved in his plan. And, to Bar's relief, they all got along.

Well, mostly.

“Grr, now I only get him once every three weekends,” Claire bemoaned, hanging off of Bar again as he walked around the dorm, chin resting on his shoulder as she sighed.

“Don't you need to go on patrol soon?” Bar asked

“Don't wanna...” Claire responded.

Bar sighed, taking Claire off and setting her down on one of the beds in the living room. “We can't afford for you to lose your job, we need to save up as much as possible.”

Claire nodded. “I know I know, I just wanna stay here...can I at least get a kiss before I leave?”

Bar rolled his eyes and smiled. “That's all? You don't even have to ask...” he explained, before kissing her.

Claire held him close for a few moments, before unlatching herself. Jumping off the bed and giving a fist pump, she exclaimed “Alright, now I have the energy to go patrol,” and ran out of the dorm.

Joan, who was helping Belle wash the dishes, giggled. Turning to Belle, she asked, “It's your weekend tomorrow, what are you wanting to do?”

Belle blushed a bit. “Um...I was wanting to spend some time together.”

Joan chuckled, “Haha, of course, that's the whole point!”

Belle shook her head, “No, I mean, I want all of us to spend time together. I thought it would be fun to do something as a f-f-family...” she got out, blushing heavily.

This was too cute for Bar and Joan, who both rushed over to hug her.

After a few moments, they let go.

“Um...I don't know where we can all go, though...” Belle tapped her fingers together.

Joan and Bar helped her brainstorm.

“What about going to a cafe? We could sit around and talk,” Bar suggested.

Joan shook her head. “It's too risky, one of your classmates might recognize you, I'm sure many of the academy students go to them.”

Bar nodded his head.

“What about that restaurant you and Claire went to? You two could dress up again, and just have us as your servants accompanying you,” Joan suggested.

Bar shot it down. “No, I already don't like that we have to keep that up. Plus, those rooms won't fit all of us...”

Joan nodded in understanding.

“Um...” Belle started, “What about that...place you work at? Will anyone bother us there?”

Joan scrunched up her face, “I guess....not?”

Bar raised an eyebrow. “Do you not want too?”

Joan shook her head back and forth. “It's not that, I'm just worried we'll have to keep Bar away from Dolly.”

Bar blushed slightly. Won't it be the other way around?

Joan nodded as if deciding. “Okay, if Claire agrees, then we'll go there tomorrow.”

When Claire returned later, she readily accepted. “Getting drunk with everyone sounds great!”

Bar shook his head. “We're going there to spend time together, not get drunk...”

Claire seemed confused, “I don't see how those are mutually exclusive?”

This garnered a giggle from Joan and Belle.

The next day, the four of them went into town around when Dolly's tavern would open.

As the four of them walked down together, Bar couldn't help but smile, seeing them all together. We've got a long way to go, but-

His thoughts were cut off by a warm sensation on his arm. Belle was walking next to him (Joan and Claire walked in front) and had grabbed his arm, placing it between her breasts. When Bar looked at her, Belle just gave a smile, before continuing to walk next to him.

Eventually they made it to Dolly's. When they entered, they were not greeted by Dolly, but instead by another face he recognized.

“Hey Joan! I didn't think you were working today,” Mio asked. She turned to Bar, “I think I recognize you, aren't you...” she stopped as Claire and Belle also entered, raising an eyebrow as she looked them over.

Joan giggled, “I'm not, I just brought some...family along for some drinks.”

Mio's face lit up, “Of course, of course, come on, I'll give you the corner table...”

Sitting them down, she left to go get them all ales.

Claire looked around in awe. “This is pretty cool...”

Joan giggled, “It's just a tavern...”

“So? I've never set foot in a place like this before...” Claire responded.

“I haven't either...” Belle said, also looking around nervously.

Mio walked back into the kitchen to grab their drinks.

“Dolly, your boyfriend is here again...” she said.

Dolly blushed, “Don't call him that...” but smiling and setting down the dough she was kneading, and washing her hands.

Mio laughed. “Haha, it's not like you even know his name! But, uh...”

Dolly raised an eyebrow as she toweled off her hands.

Mio continued, “He has...company.”

Dolly shrugged. I'm not really into that, but-

She stopped, eyes going wide, as she walked out and saw. The young man she had had her recent trysts with was sitting there...next to Joan. And two other woman.

What!? Why are they together!? And who are those other two woman? She quickly leaped back, hiding in the kitchen. Sticking her head slowly out, she watched as Joan and the three others talked and laughed.

“You should just go talk with them,” Mio said, walking past her with a tray of ales. “I can handle the other customers for now.”

Dolly shook her head, retreating back into the kitchen.

After a few ales, Bar could tell who the light drinkers and the heavy drinkers were. Belle was actually still on her first, but seemed to be barely awake, nodding off occasionally before waking back up with a start.

To Bar's surprise, Claire seemed to be holding her liquor fine.

“Haha, this is great!” she said, slamming down another empty mug.

Joan, on the other hand, seemed okay, but was getting a little...handsy.

“Bar, take off your pants...” she whispered, a bit slurred.

Bar had to push her hands away. “Not here! Later! Later!”

Dolly, on the other hand, kept sneaking peeks out at them. After some thinking, she had figured out what she thought was going on. He has to be the fiance Joan mentioned, right? And if he's a nobleman from the Academy...those must be his other... She blushed, remembering when he had proposed to her. Maybe that was serious then? But still, to want to marry me...

Mio giggled watching her dilemma.

A while later, they were all pretty hammered. Joan had stopped getting handsy with Bar and was now complaining about Lady Champagne, despite having not seen her since she and Bar left for the academy over a month ago.

“That bitch! I should have peed in her shampoo before we left...”

Claire seemed to be feeling it now, as she standing on her stool laughing. “Haha, look at me now! I'm getting married to a sexy guy while you're stuck with some old fat guy! Hahaha!”

Bar was busy making sure she didn't fall off. Who is she even talking about!? Some girl that bullied her? Also, why is she calling me 'sexy'...?

Belle was just straight up sleeping now, napping with her cheek on the table, but still holding onto a now mostly empty mug.

They had also been joined by a new person. Mio, the tavern girl who had been serving them, had at some point grabbed an ale and sat down with them.

Finally getting Claire to sit back down, Bar turned to Mio. “Um...Mio, I don't mind, but shouldn't you be, you know...”

Mio giggled, “Haha, no, my shifts over, so I figured I'd come drink with you all. Seems like a fun crowd,” she added with a sly smile.

Bar didn't know what to say as Mio stared at him.

After a few moments, she asked, “Soooo, are you into tavern wenches?”

Bar choked on his ale, barely gulping it down.

Mio giggled again.

“Why are you asking?” Bar replied nervously. Luckily, the others were too preoccupied (or asleep) to notice their conversation.

“Well, you're banging Dolly and Joan, and I'm guessing these girls too, so...”

“He likes maids!” Claire interjected, grabbing Bar's head and stuffing it on her chest.

Joan, who's rambling had become incoherent, nodded in agreement (or at least, nodded at something).

Mio seemed confused for a bit, but then nodded. “I guess you're a noble, right? Uhhh...don't you have some noblewoman fiance? I'm surprised she's not upset...or do you keep it a secret from her?” she smiled deviously.

Bar shook his head, “No, these are my fiance's,” he replied. He wasn't sure if it was the drink, or just the conversation, but he added, “I tried asking Dolly, but she didn't want to...”

Mio's eyes went wide, leaning forward. “Do you just propose to anyone?”

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Bar didn't know how to answer. “I don't-”

Suddenly Belle slapped the table, waking up and raising her head, all in one motion. Turning to look at Bar, she said, “I need to start dinner.”

Mio laughed, “I'll go grab some food.”

Going to the back again, Mio saw Dolly biting her fingernails in nervousness, still peaking around the corner at Bar, Joan, and the others.

“Haha, are you just going to watch them all night? Why not go over?”

Dolly shook her head, “I don't...I don't even know what to say.”

Mio shook her head, before grabbing some bread and butter. “It's not like you can put it off forever...” she responded, and headed back.

Bar and Belle helped themselves to some bread, while Mio nibbled on one, still watching them as they talked.

“Bar, I gotta introduce you to the headmaster,” Claire said grabbing his hand.

“He already knows who I am! And if you really mean 'as your fiance', that should probably wait a while...”

Joan had fallen onto Bar, head resting on his lap, looking like she was out cold.

After they finished, Mio said, “Do you want anything else?”

Bar shook his head, “Thanks, but we should probably go.” He grabbed his coinpurse from his pocket, taking out ten silver. “I don't know how much we drank, so just keep the leftover as a tip.”

Mio's eyes went wide, taking the silver, looking between it and Bar.

Bar corralled the three woman, trying to get them back out the door. Luckily, Belle seemed mostly coherent, so between the two of them they were able to get Joan and Claire safely home.

Mio took her money, going back to Dolly. “Look at this, that guy's loaded!”

“Of course, he's a noble...” Dolly replied, stirring a soup. Since she had been staying in the kitchen all night, she had made way more food then was needed, stacks of bread and cauldrons of soup simmering around her.

Mio grabbed a roll, taking a chomp out of it. “You really sure you don't wanna marry him? He'd set you up for life...”

Dolly blushed, “That's not why you should marry someone...”

Mio giggled, “I dunnoooo...”

Back at home, Bar and Belle got the mostly unconscious Joan and Claire into the beds in the living room.

Bar wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow. “Thanks Belle, you're a lifesaver.”

Belle giggled, “Well, it was my idea,” she looked around nervously. “Um, Bar, would you like some...”

Bar raised an eyebrow. “What? Do you wanna make some tea?”

Belle shook her head, “No, I mean I...”

Bar just stood there.

Belle went silent for a moment, before just grabbing him and pulling him towards the bedroom. After the door was closed, she immediately started making out with him.

Bar reciprocated. After a few moments, he chuckled, “You were nervous about asking for this?”

Belle nodded.

Bar shook his head, “We can anytime you want. Well, as long as you're not making the others mad, at least.”

Belle smiled, dragging him onto the bed.

“Uh, don't we need to undress first?”

Belle wrapped her arms around him. “I just wanna cuddle for a bit.”

Bar acquiesced, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight.

After a while, Bar started snoring softly.

Belle opened her eyes, giggling. That's fine, he said we can do it anytime. Giving him a kiss to the cheek, she cuddled back into his chest, and joined him in sleep.

In the morning, Belle and Bar woke up together. After sharing a tender kiss, Belle went to go make breakfast.

As they went into the main area, they noticed one of the beds was empty. Looking in the other, they could see a huge mound under the sheets.

Looking at each other, they both walked over and pull the sheet back. Underneath, Claire had her arms and legs wrapped around Joan, snoring, while Joan had her cheek on top of Claire's head.

Belle giggled, “They're so cute!”

After a moment, Claire shielded her eyes from the sunlight that was streaming in. “Bar...let me sleep more...”

Bar nodded and pulled the sheets back over them. Turning to Belle, he said, “I think Claire's gonna miss her morning shift.”

Rumor-mongering

Later that day, Claire sat in her office, grabbing her head. Ughhhhh, I drank way too much. She had thoroughly enjoyed her time out with the others, but she had drank way more than she normally would, and somehow awkwardly ending up in bed with Joan in the morning (although Joan seemed to enjoy it instead of being embarrassed).

Needless to say, she also had a hangover.

Trying and failing to fill out her reports, she was startled a bit when the door opened.

Inside came Cob Peckard, sitting down across from her.

While Claire hadn't had any personal issues with Cob, she knew how he had mistreated Belle in the past, and so had to force herself to maintain a professional demeanor. “Miss Claire, did you address that issue I brought to your attention?”

Claire suppressed a grimace. The issue he was mentioning was Bar having two servants in his dorm. She had done something regarding it, although it was probably not what Cob was wanting. “Yes, Bar has obtained special permission to have two servants.”

Cob had a look of anger on his face but quickly quenched it, before asking, “But where will she sleep? The rooms only have a single servant bed,” Cob asked, barely feigning concern.

Claire again suppressed herself, although this time it was was from her own anger. “Yes, I had an extra bed brought to his room.” Although it was actually for me.

Cob seemed a bit angry again, a vein popping out in his forehead. “Did he pay you off? I can pay more...” he said, grabbing his coinpurse.

“No he did not. I know you are upset about losing your servant but Bar has shown he is able to take care of two in his dorm room just fine.” Which is true.

Cob seethed a bit, before storming out, slamming the door shut.

Urgghhh... The door slamming shut had caused her head to throb again.

That evening, at the dorm dinner table, Claire was upset. “I can't believe that idiot. Trying to bribe a staff member!?”

Joan asked, “Can't you report him to the school?”

Claire shook her head, “There's no point. His father is the school's biggest donor. If it wasn't for my relationship with the headmaster, I'd be worried he would be reporting me.”

“Should I duel him again?” Bar asked, flexing his muscles.

“No,” Joan and Claire said in unison, turning to look at him.

Bar looked down disappointed, causing Belle to giggle and pat his head.

“You need to focus on your studies and not draw attention to yourself. Or us,” Claire explained while Joan nodded.

“I know...” Bar responded. “I just wish I could do more.”

“You're doing well keeping us all motivated,” Joan explained, the other two nodding in agreement.

Bar blushed a bit.

“I'm hoping this is in the past, now,” Claire asserted. “But be careful anyway.”

The next day, Bar was sitting at lunch with Gerard and some of the other guys in class as usual.

While Bar normally just sat and ate quietly while the others talked, today they all kept whispering and looking at him.

Eventually, Bar whispered to Gerard, “What's wrong? Is there something on my face, or...?”

Gerard scratched his head, a bit nervous. “Uh, actually...”

One of the guys interjected, “Is it true you're smashing the Dorm Mistress?”

Bar almost choked on his drink. Pounding his chest, he coughed a few times while the others looked at him.

Eventually, he got his breath. “Why...why are you asking that!?”

One of the other guys answered, “There's a rumor going around that she's seen slipping out of your room in the mornings.”

One of the others chimed in, “I feel like I've seen her walking around our dorms at night, too...”

Trying to defend himself (and by extension Claire), Bar responded, “Isn't she just patrolling? That's part of her job....right?”

The first guy said, “If you are, I need to thank you. I've been sneaking over all the time to visit my fiance, and I never get caught. I thought maybe I was just good at sneaking, but then I realized I never even see her...”

The other guys all looked at him enviously, before looking deep in thought. Then, suddenly, they all left, determined looks on their faces.

Gerard leaned over and whispered, “So...is it true?”

Bar thought for a moment. If I deny it and people figure out its true, that would be bad. But if I just say yes, isn't it that also bad? “Ummm...”

Gerard chuckled, “Haha, whats wrong?”

At dinner that day, Bar told everyone about the rumor.

“What!?” Claire shouted, slapping the table. “Did you tell someone!?”

“Of course not. I'm wondering if someone saw you coming or going,” Bar asked.

Claire was holding her head, not sure what to do. Joan, who was sitting next to her, wrapped an arm around her.

“I was being careful! Errrgggghhh...”

“Should you-” Bar started, before Claire cut her off.

“No! I'm not going back to sleeping in my dorm. It's...it's so...” she started, before tears started streaking down her face.

Bar came over and hugged her, and she scrunched up in his chest. “I wasn't going to say that. We just...need to figure something out.”

Joan was deep in thought, before a frown came upon her face. “There is one person who would know...you did admit to being in love with Claire in front of her.”

Bar and Claire both blushed when they remembered.

Alice would know. But why wait over a week to start the rumor? Or did it just take this long to propagate? “Do you think she would though? It seems like she's trying to put the whole...'us'...thing behind her.”

Claire nodded. “I agree, I doubt it's Alice. Everyone thinks you two were in some sort of courtship before the tournament, right? So think how it looks on her if she would have gotten rejected in favor of me.”

Bar seems confused. “That's what actually happened though...”

She nodded. “Exactly. 'He rejected one of the most beautiful girls in his year for the short, homely Dorm Mistress instead.' Her reputation would decrease significantly. At worst it might even affect any future courtships she attempts,” Claire explained.

Bar shook his head, “I think I've proven you're not homely,” and kissed her cheek.

Claire blushed a bit but shook her head. “Yes because you have good taste in woman. Other people don't.”

Joan and Belle nodded in agreement.

Bar held up his hands. “Okay, okay. But that still leaves us without a suspect.”

After a moment, Belle chimed in, “Ummm...there is one other person who might know. Well, two actually.”

In the morning, Bar made sure to get to class early. When Bar and Carlotta came by with their entourage, he tried to get Gerard's attention. Luckily, Gerard, seemed happy to come over.

“Hey, surprised to see you here more than five seconds before the bell,” he chuckled. “Did you needa talk to me?”

Bar nodded. “Yeah, privately if we could.”

Carlotta had kept walking, along with the girls, so Gerard told the other guys to go ahead.

Finding an empty alcove, Bar just came out and asked. “Err, this is kinda awkward, but...you aren't the one who started that rumor about me and the Dorm Mistress...are you?”

Gerard looked at him sideways before chuckling softly. “Haha, do I seem like a rumor-monger to you? Especially about one of my best buds?”

Best buds!? Well, ignoring that for now... “No, or at least I didn't think so. I just can't think of anyone else that had seen her at my place.”

Gerard nodded as if he understood. “Silvia was also there.”

Bar nodded, “Yes, but I don't think she would have spread that around without you telling her.”

Gerard smiled, “I dunno, Silvia can be a bit of a busybody,” he said, then chuckled.

Is he joking? Remembering the quiet and stoic Silvia, he assumed that he was. “Well, sorry for asking. I just...hit a dead end.”

Gerard slapped him in the back. “Don't worry about it. If I think of anything, I'll let you know.”

At lunch, the guys in his class were whispering about him again.

What is it this time? Some new rumor?

One of them looked over at Bar and said, “Thanks, man, your doing the Gods' work for all of us.”

Bar was taken aback. “Wh-...what!? What did I do?”

Another answered, “Since the dorm mistress is at your place every night, all the guys have been able to sneak over to visit their girlfriends and fiances when it gets late,” he explained. “Everyone is hoping you can keep it up with her every night.”

Bar started to blush, before putting a hand on his forehead.

Gerard was laughing, “You still worried about the rumor now? It's actually increasing your reputation. Well, with all the couples, at least.”

Bar shook his head, “I don't really care about mine, I'm worried about Cl...Miss Claire. She doesn't deserve to have rumors spread about her.”

Gerard rubbed his chin in thought. “Hmm...I have an idea actually. Come with me after class.”

Once the final bell had rung, Bar followed Gerard as he led him out of the classroom, and down the hall a ways.

As they were walking down, he though he saw a head stick out of a door and look both ways. As it looked their way, it did a double take before pulling back into the room it was in.

Gerard quickened his pace when he saw this, so Bar had to almost run to keep up with him.

Stopping in front of the door, Gerard quickly pulled it back open. Inside was Cob, reeling back in terror.

Some of Cob's classmates walked by, giggling.

“Wh-what do you want?” Cob asked, looking between the two of them, unsure which he was more scared of.

“Is that how you greet old friends? We haven't seen each other in a while, have we? I wonder why that is?” Gerard asked, his jovial tone betrayed slightly by the derision in his voice.

I already thought this, but this confirms he was avoiding me. And Gerard by the sound of it.

Cob snorted, although still cowered back. “You're no friend of mine, thieving bastards...”

Gerard took a couple steps in, causing Cob to reel back three more.

“So...why did you start that rumor about the Dorm Mistress and Bar here?”

That's what he thinks? But there's no way Cob would know...

Cob, however, got a grin on his face. “Haha, why do you think? That old hag somehow got persuaded to let him keep two servants. Figured I could hurt both their reputations at the same time.”

This idiot did start it!? But who told him? Also, old hag!?

Cob continued, “I doubt anything would happen to 'Mister Duelist' over here, but if I could make that whore lose her job due to a rumor, that would be fun, at least.”

Bar started to take off his glove to throw at Cob, who had preemptively put up his arms in fear. However, before he could get it off, Gerard stopped him.

“There better be a new rumor tomorrow that your original rumor was fake. Else, I might have to speak with my future father-in-law regarding House Peckard.” He turned to Bar, “I wonder if House Peckard is giving their due in taxes? Seems like they aren't paying enough based on how much they have...”

Cob looked in fear, before bowing down meekly. “P-please. I'll say it was fake. Just...please...father will disown me...”

Gerard nodded, and motioned to Cob to follow him out.

Bar was in awe. “Th-hanks. I really appreciate it.” He handled that like...well, like a high-rank noble would.

Gerard scratched his cheek. “Yeah...I don't like pulling the 'future father-in-law' card out often, but sometimes it helps. Besides, that's what friends are for.”

Bar did a double-take, then nodded and smiled. “Yeah.”

“That said...I would like reward for helping,” Gerard said, dipping his head slightly.

“Uh, sure...what do you want?”

Gerard smiled again, “Some more of your servant's cooking. Don't tell Silvia, but Belle's is the best...”

After stopping to pick up Silvia on the way, they went to Bar's dorm for dinner. As they entered, Joan, Belle, and Claire were all sitting around the tea table, but went quiet when the others entered.

“Hey, uh...” Bar started.

Gerard slapped his shoulder, “I made him invite me again so I could get more of Belle's cooking.”

As he and Silvia walked over the dining table, Joan and Belle moved the tea table over to accommodate all of them.

Claire whispered up to Bar, “I'll just leave for now...”

Bar shook his head, “It's okay, we figured out who was spreading-”

Gerard turned, “I hoped you were going to stay too, Dorm Mistress.”

Claire blushed a bit, then nodded.

As they sat down, Gerard explained what had happened that day.

After he finished, Claire nodded, “Thank you, Mister Gerard.”

Gerard nodded, “It's no problem. Any chance I get to knock Cob down a peg is always fun.” He turned to Bar, “You never did tell me if it was true or not, though.”

Bar froze while Claire dropped the fork she was holding.

“Haha, you two are great,” Gerard said.

After awkwardly finishing dinner, Gerard and Silvia took their leave. As he was about to exit, Gerard turned to Bar, whispering, “By the way, I won't tell anyone about what you're doing. I...” he paused for a moment, “I can relate.”

Bar nodded, before having a realization. Does he mean with Claire, or...everything!?

Gerard just nodded back with a grin, and left.

That night was Claire's turn to sleep with him. However, she was in a dour mood.

“Part of me keeps thinking I made a mistake...” she told Bar as she sat in his lap. They were currently sitting on his bed (in pajamas) while Bar brushed her hair after washing and drying.

“You mean, you don't wanna get married?” Bar asked.

Claire looked back at him, “No, I just...I'm going to get you in trouble.”

He pulled her hair out of her face and kissed her cheek. “Please don't feel that way. Even if you do, I'll figure something out.”

Claire turned around. “You mean, we'll figure something out,” she responded, and kissed his lips. “Or do you not trust me?”

“I do. It's just...”

“What?”

“I'm a bad fiance if I can't even keep all of you happy.”

Claire giggled, before embracing him, causing them to fall back onto the bed. “We'll just have to work hard together.” Sliding herself up face-to-face, she said, “Hey...I love you.”

“I love you too,” Bar smiled back.

Claire kissed him again, this time longer and more passionately. After finishing, she said, “I'm just gonna sleep like this.”

Bar chuckled, wrapping his arms around her as well.