The next day, Bar woke up, sore all over.

“Bar...” Joan said. “Let go of me...”

Bar retracted his arms, which had been wrapped firmly around Joan. “Sorry...”

Joan giggled, “I'm not upset, but I do need to get up and start breakfast.

However, they both sniffed, as they could smell breakfast already. “What?” Bar asked.

Before Joan could respond, the door opened, Belle walking in. “I started....oh, sorry!” she said, going red and covering her face, closing the door.

Bar looked down. He and Joan were both in their pajamas, which weren't particularly provocative, just normal pajamas (although Bar thought Joan looked sexy even in her normal pajamas).

Joan sighed, “If she gets embarrassed from that, she's going to have...”

Bar blushed, “I want to be considerate of her, but I also still want to be able to sleep with you.”

Joan nodded, “I know, I'll talk with her while you're at classes,” she said, before adding quietly, “Besides, I'd be upset if I couldn't, either.”

Bar leaned over and gave her a kiss, “Good, we'll need to tonight, then” he whispered, before getting out of bed. As his body hurt from yesterday, he groaned. “Well, if my body can handle it...”

Joan giggled again. “Hurry up and change, you need to eat before class starts!”

After getting dressed (and sneaking peaks at Joan as she dressed, which she was aware of and gave him a good view of) he went out to the main area of his dorm to a plate of eggs and toast, along with some tea.

Belle, in her airy voice, said “I hope you like it,” with a nervous smile.

Bar nodded, “Where are yours and Joan's though?”

Joan walked over and plated some food for herself, before sitting next to Bar. “Master Bar likes his servants to eat with him.”

Belle nervously looked at the both of them, before grabbing some food for herself and sitting down. As she watched Bar and Joan eat, she timidly ate some herself.

Bar looked up and smiled, “Thanks Belle, it tastes great.”

In truth, it was pretty good, and he figured Belle could use the confidence boost.

He seemed to have guessed correctly, as Belle lit up, smiling and standing up before bowing, “Thank you master.”

Bar tried not to stare as her breasts jiggled in front of him. “You can keep eating with us. Oh, and just call me Bar, not master.”

“In private,” Joan added. “Master in public.”

“In private,” Bar confirmed, before sipping his tea.

Belle nervously looked between them. “Okay....B-Bar.” She sat down again, looking a bit defeated, before sitting down and meekly eating again.

After finishing eating, Bar quickly made his way to his first lesson. Now that classes were starting, the older students were there as well. Unfortunately, he also heard a few things he wish he hadn't.

“Did you hear? There was two duels during the new student mixer. Two!”

“Yeah, I guess the new Bearen girl found someone she felt like smacking around...”

“Really? I heard he at least held his own.”

Bar didn't look at the students he heard gossiping, thankful that they must not know his face, and briskly walked by them.

Lessons at the academy were what you would generally assume young adult nobles would need to be taught. Military, diplomacy, and administration, but also subjects like math and history, that any educated noble would be presumed to know.

The hundred-plus students of the first years were split into four separate groups. Bar was hoping that he would be in one where no one would recognize him.

That would not come to pass.

As soon as he entered his first classroom, the students already there saw him and started murmuring amongst themselves.

Bar tried to take it in stride. It's fine...just got to lay low, and something else will get talked about eventually.

A few moments after he sat down, the door slid open again, this time Gerard and Carlotta entering, along with a gaggle of their hanger-on's. Where Gerard saw Bar, his eyes lit up, hand reaching into his pocket as he walked over.

He pulled a scroll out and slapped it down in front of Bar. “Here's that servant...Belle's papers. I got them from Cob and had the headmaster notarize it, so she's yours now.”

Bar nodded, grabbing the paper and sliding it into his jacket. “Thanks.”

Gerard took the thanks as an invitation to sit down with him. Carlotta and her followers sat a couple rows up.

“Shouldn't you sit with your fiance?” Bar asked. He seems nice enough, but he draws too much attention.

Gerard shook his head. “Nah...we'll be together our whole lives. I'm sure she'd rather spend time with her friends.”

Bar nodded, “Makes sense.” It'd be nice if Joan and Belle could be friends. Or at least, hopefully they get along fine...

While Bar was thinking about his maids, the door slid open again, this time Alice walking in.

“Ha, good, I was hoping we'd be in the same class,” she said, smiling seriously at Bar and walking over, sitting on his other side, opposite Gerard. She pulled a folded piece of paper from between her breasts, unfolded it and slapped it in front of Bar.

It was a club registration form, with 'Dueling Club' written at the top.

“I'd have you fulfill your end of the duel bargain now,” Alice said, still smiling.

Bar looked over the paper. 'Dueling club, open to anyone with training, meets three times a week, only...' Bar paused, making sure he was reading correctly. 'Only required to attend one meeting a week'. Well, that's not so bad, I can still work the other days then.

Bar smiled and filled out the form. “Just to let you know, I probably won't be coming more than once a week.”

Alice seemed a bit disappointed as she grabbed and folded the form, placing it back between her breasts. After a moment, though, she acted as if she had a realization, “Oh, I understand, you'd rather give it your all one day then rest.” She nodded, having convinced herself. “That's not a bad plan.”

What exactly am I planning though!? Well, I guess I am planning something, but it doesn't have to do with dueling...

Thankfully for Bar, their first teacher came into the room at that point, so he opened his notebook and got ready to to take notes.

For now, I just need to get through one class at a time.

Joan was walking down the path to the town, scaling down the hill the academy was on. After talking with Belle for a bit (including helping in moving the servant bed into the main area) she had left her to tend the dorm room, although given its size it wouldn't take long to clean, so she told her to 'rest' (servant speak for 'take a nap') while Bar was gone.

While wearing her maid outfit into town wouldn't be an issue, as the townspeople would (correctly) assume she was one of the nobles' servants on an errand, she instead opted for a plain dress, as trying to find a job in a maid outfit would probably lead to some unwanted questions.

Getting into town, she wondered around, familiarizing herself with the area, while also looking for anyone with a hiring sign. Unfortunately, as she had been a maid her entire adult life, her options as a woman were...limited.

After a couple hours of searching, she took another turn down a new street. Sighing, she pushed herself to keep walking. I really get a sense for my place in the world now. I know Bar wouldn't throw me out, but...I'd be in a pretty bad way.

As she was having these nasty thoughts, she did a double-take as she saw a 'Hiring' sign in a window. Walking over to it, underneath it said 'Wanted – Bar Maid – One Silver a night plus tips'. Joan considered, Hmm...one silver a night isn't great, but if I can make a decent amount in tips...Deciding she may as well inquire, she pushed through the door. “Hello?”

As she walked in, her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit bar. Inside, a woman, wearing a worn red blouse and skirt, with thick, shoulder-length dark-brown hair held back by a bandanna wrap, was mopping the floor. Turning around and seeing Joan, she started, “We ain't open 'til close to dinner, sorry, but...” she stopped as she looked Joan over. “Are ya...intuhrested in applyin'?”

Joan nodded.

A big grin came across the woman's face. “Well I'll be, come on then, sit down, sit down,” she said, putting down the mop and grabbing a couple of chairs.

Joan sat down on hers as a servant would, while the lady sat backwards, putting her arms over the back and resting her head on them, looking over Joan.

“So, you looking for a job?” she asked.

Joan nodded again. “Yes. I was wondering...how much can you make in tips on an average day?”

The woman counted on her fingers, “Well, that depends. Are ya willin' to do 'special' orders?”

Joan blushed and gulped, knowing what that probably meant. “Would those give...a lot?”

The woman smiled, “Someone like you might get a gold a night. You could even get guys biddin' on ya, haha!” she laughed.

Joan thought about it. I...she thought about all the tender moments she'd had with Bar. She shook her head, “Sorry, I'm already...engaged. I'm actually working to help us afford a house in the future.”

The woman got another big grin on her face, clapping Joan on the shoulder. “Haha, that's fantastic! It's not like ya half ta, and the regulars know what'll happen if they get handsy with a girl tha' don't like it,” she said, cracking her knuckles for emphasis.

Joan gulped again. “So...”

“Oh sorry, haha” the woman continued, rubbing the back of her head, ruffling her hair. “Well, you'd still git a few silvers usually. Ignorin' the 'special' requests, most girls make about five silver on slow days, and sometimes over ten on busy days.

Joan did some quick math in her head. Five silvers a day, working several nights a week, that would definitely make a good chunk out of their needed funds for a house. Of course, that would be a small house. If Bar went crazy acquiring woman...

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Joan sighed. No sense worrying about that now. I can always talk with him if I need too...

The woman was staring at her. “I understand if yur not...”

Joan shook her head. “No, I'll take it.”

The woman's face lit up. Standing up, she shook Joan's hand. “Good to have you...”

“Joan,” Joan responded smiling.

“Name's Dolly,” Dolly responded, pushing the chair aside. “When can you start?”

Joan shrugged, “I guess, whenever...”

Dolly nodded. “I'm assumin' you wanna see yur fiance, so if you wanna work the first shift, that should work. It'll probably be pretty slow today, if you wanna get some experience.”

Joan nodded, “I'll do my best.”

Bar got through the day as best as he could. In between classes, Gerard and Alice would talk with him, while during lunch, he was all but dragged by Gerard to sit with some of the other guys from their class (luckily Cob was nowhere in sight). Then, once the afternoon classes were done, Alice did drag him to the dueling club room.

“Hello,” came a deep voice as they opened the door. A man, presumably a third-year, who was leaning against the wall in the back, was the source of the voice. Bar was pretty sure he could fit two of himself inside this man, that was how large he was. “Oh, Alice, is this the one?”

Alice nodded, smiling. “Yes, he managed to hit me in our duel yesterday.”

The third-year nodded, before walking over, looking down at Bar. Bar, who was already taller than average, wondered how this guy managed to fit inside rooms normally. “Are you really a student? You look like you're thirty.”

Everyone in the room went silent, as the man stared down at him. After a moment, he burst out laughing, “Haha! I like you. What's your name?”

“Bar.”

“Yeah, I'm only twenty-two. Hopefully I stop growing eventually,” he said, turning around and walking over to a row of wooden swords. Picking one up, he tossed it to Bar, who caught it.

Alice, who had been standing next to him the whole time, pulled a sword out from behind and under her shirt. So that's where she had it yesterday! Actually, didn't she have two!?

“Rolf, you gonna judge for us?” Alice asked, taking off the jacket of her uniform. As she did, her breasts bounced out a bit, and Bar could make out a black bra under her white undershirt. Noticing Bar looking, she smiled, “I don't mind if you look, but you're gonna get your face beaten if you get distracted.”

Bar blushed a bit, looking away, before taking off his own jacket.

Rolf laughed at their interaction. “Haha, you two already know each other well, I see. Yeah, I'll judge for you, this should be interesting...”

The other dozen or so members stepped to the sides, as Bar and Alice faced each other, Rolf in between them.

“Alright, this is just a practice duel, so you can still hit but no attempting to injure or maim each other.”

Someone should have told my older brothers that when we 'practiced'... Bar thought, grasping the sword.

Alice, smiling at him, took the same graceful stance she had the previous day.

“Go!” Rolf shouted, lowering his hand.

This time, Alice stood still, not charging him. Bar, thrown off, tightened his grip. She wants me to take the initiative this time...

Charging in, Bar swung at a forty-five degree angle, right at her shoulder. Alice easily parried, side-stepping as she did. Bar, predicting the side-step, stepped towards where she should be. Following through after the parry, he caught her near the hip, although it only glanced off as she took another quick step back.

Some of the other club members gave an 'oooohhh' as the two duelist's stared at each other again.

Rolf had his hand around his chin. “Well then...”

After a couple moments, Alice decided to take the initiative, whipping around quickly. She hid her sword behind her body until the last moment, causing Bar to only barely be able to parry, which allowed Alice to quickly shift and rap him on the shoulder.

Bar winced in pain, as he got hit on a part of his body that was already bruised.

Alice smiled a bit, before charging in again.

Bar got better at parrying her hidden strikes, but every one made him more and more tired. Alice was getting tired too, but he wasn't sure he could outlast her. I need to go on the offensive.

Bar decided to pull out a move his oldest brother was fond of. It was a hard lunge, followed by a spinning strike. Taking the steps over to Alice, he thrusted the sword at her.

However, it didn't work as Bar intended. Instead of dodging backwards, Alice misjudged her sidestep which caused Bar's sword to make contact with her chest. As he tried to turn into the spin, his sword pulled at her shirt, ripping off a couple buttons, and causing her bra (chest still inside) to spill out.

While Bar became distracted at this, Alice noticed, and firmly rapped him on the head, causing Bar to drop his sword.

“Winner, Alice!” Rolf shouted, raising his arm.

Bar held his head, his vision a bit blurry.

Alice was laughing, hands on her hips, making no motion to cover her bra. “Haha, I told you not to get distracted.”

Bar winced at the pain, “That's...well, I guess that was my fault.”

Alice smiled, shaking his hand as she had yesterday. “Still, it was a good duel. You might have had me if you didn't let yourself get distracted.”

Bar wryly smiled back, “Maybe...”

After toweling off their sweat, they sat down, as the other members took turns dueling.

Alice (who had put her jacket back on to cover her bra) asked him, “Do you have a lot of experience dueling?”

Bar nodded, “Yeah, I'm the youngest sibling in my family, and my brothers would often 'practice' with me, although I think generally it was just an excuse to whack me.”

Alice giggled, “Well, you obviously learned a lot.”

Hmm...I'm a little worried about asking, but maybe Alice isn't that bad. “What about you?”

Alice nodded, “Mostly the same, although I would often beat my brothers.”

Bar, deciding to state the obvious, “I'm surprised to see a woman interested in dueling. Usually only men seem to take to it.”

That was a bit of an understatement though. Alice was the only female in the room currently, and Bar would guess probably in the whole club.

Alice took the statement in stride. “Yes. It was hard to convince my father, although once I was able to sometimes beat him, he didn't have much choice but to accept.”

“Are you...trying to also get into the military?”

Alice nodded. “Yes. Does that bother you?”

Bar shrugged. “Not really, do what you want,” he said. I mean, that's what I'm doing.

Alice smiled. “I'm glad I forced you into this.”

Bar shook his head, “That makes one of us.”

Alice giggled in response.

Joan started her shift, wowing Dolly with her drink making and serving, and of course, her cooking.

“Are you sure you haven't worked in a bar before?” Dolly asked, raising an eyebrow.

Joan quickly shook her head, “No, I just...have some experience with this.”

“Hmmm...I'ma bit curious, but as long as ya do good work I won't say nothin',” Dolly said, shrugging it off.

Unsurprisingly, Joan got quite a few leers from some of the male clientele. Despite it not even being dark yet, she had already had to turn down three different men who had propositioned her. Luckily, Dolly was shadowing her, so no one decided to take issue with her rejections.

While it was a slow day, Joan seemed to be doing a decent job, as she had already amassed almost three silver in tips.

“They definitely like you,” Dolly said, clapping Joan's back as they were counting out their tips. “Yur fiance must be a happy man.”

Thinking of all the care and attention Bar had given her recently, Joan blushed and nodded.

Dolly smiled, “Hehe, I'd like to meet him some time.”

He'd probably want too, but I don't know if an academy student should be seen in a place like this...

Belle sighed, looking out the window as she scrubbed it for the third time that day. I'm guessing Master Bar is probably doing club activities, but where is Joan at? she thought. While she was glad to be out of the service of the abusive Cob, she felt a bit anxious being all alone as she was.

A nice, silver-haired servant had brought over her clothes earlier, so she decided to unpack them. Opening the servants dresser, she saw a lot of...interesting clothes in the drawers already. Curiosity getting the best of her, she looked around, before carefully taking some out to look at. Several were nice dresses that would befit a noblewoman.

Are these Joan's? She said she and Bar have are planning to marry, but these are... Putting them away, she also noticed something else. Pulling it out, she unfurled some sexy black lingerie. Blushing heavily, she quickly put it back where she found it, and finished unpacking her own clothes.

Laying down on the servant's bed, she thought about her situation. Master Bar is a bit odd, wanting to marry his maid, but...he seems rather nice. And Joan seems quite taken with him, so... really, I don't know what to think.

Belle shook her head to try to clear her thoughts. Too many things were being thrown at her in too short a time. Exhausting... she thought, before closing her eyes.

Belle jolted awake as she heard the door open. Jumping up quickly, she quickly fixed her maid outfit and walked over. Seeing Bar had entered she quickly bowed. “Welcome home Master Bar. Would you like dinner?”

Bar looked around. “Is Joan back? Also, just Bar is fine.”

“Sorry, B-Bar. No, Joan hasn't returned yet.”

Bar looked like he was thinking. “Hmm...I guess let's get started on dinner. We'll make a portion for Joan too.”

Belle bowed. She was then surprised, as Bar rolled up his sleeves and started grabbing some pans. She thought he had misheard, but it seemed like he was intent on helping cook.

After thinking for a couple moments, she decided to just accept this as another quirk of Bar's, and helped cook alongside him.

After a while, they had gotten together some roast chicken and soup. Bar seemed worried, checking outside every so often.

“Well, I guess we'll just start without her,” he sighed. As they ate, Bar kept glancing up at the clock on the wall.

After they finished, Joan's meal was still sitting at the table as they cleaned up. Belle watched as Bar paced back and forth in the main area. He...he must really worry for her.

Eventually, the student curfew passed, and the time was close to 9:30. Bar grabbed his jacket and headed to the door.

“Um. Mas-....Bar. It's past curfew...”

Bar nodded. “I know. I'm just going to look for Joan quick,” he replied and headed out the door.

Bar briskly walked through the moonlight, heading towards the gate. Is she still working? I hope... shaking his head to clear any worse thoughts, he picked up the pace.

As he reached the end of the dorms to turn towards the main gate, a voice called out to him. “You there!”

Bar instantly recognized the voice. Turning around, Bar saw Miss Claire running over to him as fast as she could. She was wearing pink-pajamas, with a light coat over, and holding a lantern. As she got close, she did a double-take as she recognized him.

“Mister Bar!? I didn't expect you of all people. You know it's after curfew, right? Why are you sneaking to the girl's dorms?” she asked.

Bar shook his head. “I'm not. Joan....my servant, hasn't returned. I wanted to go look for her.”

Claire seemed somewhat conflicted. “Be that as it may, the rules are-”

“Master Bar!” a voice called out to them. From the direction of the gate, Joan was quickly walking over.

Bar ran over towards her, throwing his arms around her. “Where were you? I was so worried...”

Joan blushed, and then saw Claire, who was also blushing, looking at them. “Bar, please, save it for later...” she hurriedly whispered.

Claire, snapping out of staring at them, coughed. “Ehem. Well, you found her, so I'll overlook it this time, but please return to your dorm.”

Bar turned around and nodded. “Thank you.”

Claire blushed a bit again as she was watching Bar and Joan return to their dorm hand in hand.

Inside, Joan quickly explained the job she had found, bringing out the seven silver and myriad coppers she had made that day.

Belle was stunned. “Wow, that's a lot for one day!”

Joan looked at Bar, who was thinking, “Would you...want me doing 'special' orders? We'd get a lot more money that way.”

Bar scrunched up his face. “I know it's hypocritical, but I'd be a bit...”

Joan smiled and shook her head. “I would rather just stick with one man from now on anyways.”

Belle blushed and looked away, poking her fingers together.

Coughing, Bar continued, “Besides, I'll get one tomorrow too, then we'll be able to save up a lot more.”

Joan smiled, followed by her stomach loudly rumbling, so she grabbed her spoon and started wolfing down her soup.

While Joan ate, Bar described his day, everything from receiving Belle's papers to being dragged into another duel with Alice.

“Bar...” Joan said, between mouthful's of chicken. “This Alice woman probably likes you. And I don't just mean in a friendly way.”

Bar had a questioning look on his face. “That can't be, why would she like me?”

Joan shook her head. “What are you saying to your own fiance!?”

Bar blushed a bit. “Sorry....but, that still can't be. You and I have known each other for years. I just met her yesterday.”

Joan shrugged. “My own feelings for you developed quite rapidly,” she said, blushing. “Besides, I'm not saying she already wants to marry you, too, but...”

Belle, who had been washing the same plate for a couple minutes now, dropped it back into the soapy water with a 'splash'. They could see her face was red.

“I'm sure Bar doesn't mind you listening to our conversations, or even partaking in them, but please don't drop the plates,” Joan said, before going back to Bar. “She basically spent the whole day with you. And this duel you had...you saw her in her bra, but she didn't mind at all?”

“To be fair, the whole club saw her in her bra, and she didn't mind...” Bar shrugged. “Besides, I'm still not interested in noblewoman.”

Joan sighed, before grabbing her dishes and washing them next to Belle, who was drying the rest off.

Belle, who seemed to have been waiting until they finished talking, looked at Bar. “Um...Master Bar, I can sleep in the main area, so you can...with Joan...” she trailed off, blushing.

Bar smiled. “Thank you Belle. Joan and I could use some alone time tonight.”

Joan spritzed some water off her fingers at Bar, although was blushing slightly and smiling.

Belle continued, “Um...Joan told me...is it true you want to marry a bunch of maids instead of noblewoman? Your comment about Alice...”

Bar nodded. “Yes. Oh, but don't worry, I wouldn't force you into anything,” he said, smiling at her.

Belle blushed and looked down, nodding.

After that, all three went to bed.

“I was going to surprise you with the lingerie tonight, but...” Joan said, frowning.

Bar shook his head. “Don't worry about it, I just want to get down to it anyway.”

Joan blushed as Bar took off her brown dress she was wearing. They stood their making out, Bar grabbing a breast with one hand and sticking another down her panties, while Joan had stuck both of hers into his undergarment.

Suddenly Joan stopped. “What about Belle?”

Bar shrugged, “She said it was okay.”

“Yes, but still...” Joan walked over to the door. She cracked it open slightly, to see Belle lying on the bed, looking like she was asleep. “Okay, I think we're fine.”

Bar responded by unhooking her bra, grabbing her breasts from behind and kissing her neck.

Joan tried to keep her moaning in as she forced Bar over to the bed. Not wasting any time, Bar quickly stuck himself into Joan, pistoning quicker and quicker until he came deep inside her.

Joan, face red, smiled, “Sheesh, I thought you'd be tired after dueling again.”

“I am, my lust for you just outweighs it,” he said, grabbing her breasts and kissing her again.

Joan moaned softly as she swirled her breasts around, grabbing and rubbing his member until it was erect again. This time, Joan sat on top of him, moving up and down as Bar tried to thrust upwards. “You're way to sexy, I don't even deserve you...” Bar said, panting.

Joan giggled, “I still think you're weird for thinking your older maid is sexy...but I love you anyway,” she got out, as Bar thrusted up into her, releasing deep inside again.

Holding her tightly, Bar responded, “I love you...too...” before, unable to keep his eyes open, he fell asleep.

Joan gave him another quick kiss on the cheek, before pulling the covers over them.