“That was fun.” Rosalyn said, “I wanted more… but I didn’t actually want my first time to be on the flying cat… so it didn’t count. Okay?”
Van nodded, he could kind of understand her reasoning.
Rosalyn smiled. “Good! Now let's go do some shopping! I have a little surprise for you~”
“Oh? What is it?” Van asked.
“Not telling~! You’ll just have to wait until we reach the shop, okay?” she said in a cutesy way.
After that, they hit a few shops, buying snacks, and generally browsing and looking around. Van noticed a beautiful sapphire necklace and remembered that Rosalyn wasn’t wearing her ruby one. This made him wonder if he should go out of his way to buy something for her, but then again, she probably could buy something like this whenever she wanted.
But keeping in mind that he wanted to make the perfect date for her, he decided to get it anyway, it wasn’t that expensive, about seven thousand Crava’s with a small enchantment for relaxation and concentration. The sapphire was smaller than his pinky finger but beautifully cut, and looped with a fine silver chain that dazzled in the sunlight. He also bought some matching earrings for her for another four thousand.
But after a while of thought, he realized he probably should also get some nice jewelry for Luna. He had actually never gotten her a gift from a store before, so it was probably best to start now.
After making another purchase, it then dawned on him, not just Luna, but his other wives as well should also get some presents.
Another eighty-four thousand Crava’s later, and a small bag of jewelry, he walked out of the store a far poorer male. But at least Rosalyn seemed to be very happy, sticking out her ample bosom in pride.
Which did nothing other than to help show off how small the necklace he got her actually was…
But if she cared, it didn’t show. “Thanks Van! I’ll promise to treasure this forever!” Her joy at the gift was exposed to all with the wide giddy smile on her face.
“Well… I'm glad you like it.” Van said, happy she was happy.
Holding hands once more, they walked down the streets to see what was to be seen. Taking it slow while Rosalyn played tour guide for a bit.
After a while, she started to talk about her plans for after they married, asking if it was okay to add a few concubines to their family.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking this Van, but I have very few friends, so I was wondering if it was possible to add them to your harem. I understand of course if you turn them down, but I’ll be very happy if you at least consider it.” Rosalyn asked.
“Umm… sure, who did you have in mind?” He replied, because honestly, at this point, a few extra women as concubines weren’t going to really make a difference, right? He really had just gotten used to this kind of stuff, it didn’t really phase him anymore. He’ll probably have sex with them, then after that, maybe do them again every few months or so. No big deal…
“Well… for one… I know she’s a bit cold… but… Duvessa… She’s really sweet though, once you get to know her! I’m sure if you two had the chance, you two would get along.” Rosalyn said on her friend's behalf.
Van frowned, not sure if He and Duvessa were really compatible, but he nodded all the same. Figuring that it would be Duvessa that would turn down such a suggestion. “Alright, anyone else?”
“Yes! There is someone who I want you to meet! She’s a real sweetie! She and her father had come all the way from Istra and moved here, mostly because I scouted them… but also because it’s hard to find-” She cut herself off, then gave him a smile. “Actually, this ties into my surprise gift to you, why don’t I lead the way, I’m sure you’ll love what I have in store for you!” She then proceeded to drag him forward.
Which was a little funny with how short she was. But after about another hour of walking, they arrived at what appeared to be a weapons shop.
Entering, Van was amazed by the high-quality tools of murder on display. Rows upon rows of them, all crammed into a medium-sized shop. Each sword, spear, and even mace, was well crafted and enchanted. He had a feeling that this was the kind of shop that Ashina would go to to buy her spell breaker shield, for the cheapest thing here was a dagger for twenty thousand Crava’s. And it looked deadly to the touched.
Rosalyn happily walked up to the counter, pulling over a stool so as to better see over the counter then rang the bell.
A few moments later, a cat beastkin walked out, a large imposing man with broad shoulders and black and red fiery hair, ears, and tail, greeted them. Bowing his head a little to Rosalyn, he gave his pleasantries with a stoic face. He looked like he had been in the sun for a long time, for his skin was a shade darker than anyone Van had ever seen before. At least in comparison to those in Alcray…
“Are you looking for Katalinya? She’s in her room, moping like usual…” The large catman said gruffly.
He then seemed to notice Van, eyeing him up and down, then frowned. Whatever the catman saw, it was clear he was unhappy with it…
Which made Van feel a little offended, though oddly enough, he also felt for some reason like the catman was just being defensive, even if he couldn’t figure out why…
“Thanks, Cole, do you think you can let us through?” Rosalyn asked innocently.
Cole frowned harder but nodded stoically.
“Thanks! We’ll see you back on our way down.” Rosalyn said happily. She then turned to Van. “Follow me! Your next concubine candidate is ahead!” Holding Van’s hand and leading the way.
Cole gave Van a look that promised hell if he broke his baby's heart.
Going up the stairs, Rosalyn led him to a room where she knocked before entering. “Hey Kat! It’s me! Rosalyn! I brought you know who~!” She sang.
“Go away… I’m not feeling well…” A voice from under a pile of blankets said.
“You always say that! Now come on you!” Rosalyn said playfully, jumping onto the bed and trying to wrangle her friend from out of the sheets.
“No! Begone foul midget! Do not plague my sweet dark dreams with your hope for better days and brighter futures!” Katalinya complained.
“Who are you calling a midget! Just for that, I sentence you to the tickles!” Rosalyn said and dived deeper under the sheets to meet out her justice.
As the two girls wrestled under the covers and squealed. Van took this time to look around the room. It was filled with girly dolls, plush toys, beautiful colors, and soft furniture… mixed with war hammers, an anvil in the corner, a desk filled with tools against the wall, a lot of sharp objects just laying around and on shelves and books on smithing and enchanting, with even a few on alchemy.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
During this time, the wrestling seemed to have gotten more intense, and a few moans were heard from under the covers.
If so, Van wasn’t bothered by it. He already made peace with the fact that for most women, having a female lover or two was normal. He also made peace with the fact that as time went on, his incubus side made it easier and more pleasurable to be with more and more girls. If anything, he kinda looked forward to meeting this friend of Rosalyn.
After a while, a cry of defeat was ushered, and Katalinya begged for forgiveness. “I give! I give! You win! Aunty! Aunty!”
“Hmph! I hope you learned your lesson!” Rosalyn said playfully. Moving out of the sheets and taking them off the bed to reveal Katalinya in all her naked glory.
Just like her father, Katalinya had black and red fiery hair, ears, and tail. Though her skin tone was a tad lighter. She also seemed to have anklets on her feet, bracelets on her arms, and one on her tail, as well as a few earrings, all in gold and giving off a whiff of magical power. She was also a lot shorter than he was expecting her to be. Figuring that she might be near the height of her father, but she was barely over four feet, with modest breasts. What was her most defining feature though, was that one of her eyes was gold, like her father’s but the other was like a hard ruby.
“Hmm?” Katalinya looked at Van with wide innocent eyes. “So is this the guy you were talking about?” She asked.
“Yes!” Rosalyn gushed suddenly into her friend's face, making Katalinya lean back. “This is our first date! And already it’s been absolutely amazing! He is so nice and considerate! And does what I ask without complaint! And he has a huge cock! And-”
“Whoa, slow down, one at a time,” Katalinya complained, ears laid back.
Rosalyn took a deep breath and then began an in-depth story of everything that happened this morning till now. “And we still have half the day left! I'm just so excited to see what else is going to happen!”
Van blushed with how Rosalyn portrayed him as she told her story.
Katalinya looked impressed, then frowned near the end, and then went pale as Rosalyn finished, touching her lips. She then shared a look with Van and blushed. It looked like she was about to be mad about what happened but then thought about the reason why Rosalyn might have introduced the two of them in the first place and thought better of it. Already coming to the conclusion for his visit. Instead, she turned her head away in embarrassment and noticed the thing around Rosalyn’s neck.
She frowned at the necklace Rosalyn was wearing. “Shoddy work…” she muttered, almost completely forgetting the moment before as her craftswomen pride kicked into gear. “The enchantment would barely last a decade without recasting…” Then shook her head and made sure to at least look like she was paying attention to her friend's story.
“OH! I completely forgot! Kat! Meet Van! Van! Meet Kat!” Rosalyn said, finally introducing them.
Van and Kat greeted each other a little embarrassedly. Kat still on her bed, sitting cross-legged with her feet touching. Her body on full display. She realized then she was exposed and blushed, covering herself up a little.
“Anyway, Kat here is a master blacksmith! Second only to her father, but will definitely surpass him one day! She’s the one that made my ruby necklace with the protective charm on it!” Rosalyn said proudly as if it was her own accomplishment.
Kat looked a little embarrassed by the praise. “It wasn’t that big of a deal…” she muttered.
Rosalyn then began to explain how she met Kat and Cole. “about three or four years ago. I was lucky enough to be allowed permission to leave Alcray for a few months.” She then began to tell Van a very interesting story about her time in Istra. Headhunting for talented people with useful skills that could help improve her city. Van was already engrossed, he always got a little excited when people began talking about the outside world.
“-That’s when I met Cole and his daughter, Katalinya. They may not have been in the top ten in the city, but I thought that they would definitely bring some interesting ideas to Alcray. Maybe change things up and get the gears of innovation moving! And their skills weren’t half bad either! It really worked out, because they were feeling like they should move and I drove a hard bargain!” Sticking her chest out, rather proud of her negotiating skills.
“I see…” Van said, wanting to ask her about Kat’s mother, or lack thereof… he also had the strangest feeling that she was mixed race… but decided to keep these questions to himself. “That’s amazing.” he instead said.
“Right! And get this! Kat is half-dwarf! We’re practically cousins! It’s also why she’s so good at making equipment!” Rosalyn said.
Kat frowned. “We’re not cousins… And being half dwarf has nothing to do with my skills.” She said unhappily. Not it sounded like it had more to do with the fact that Rosalyn mentioned the dwarf part than being family tied to her in any way.
“Oh… right… sorry…” Rosalyn said, immediately apologizing for what she said and worried that she made her friend mad.
Kat shook her head. “It’s fine. Anyway… you wanted to come here to pick up your commission right?” Changing the subject to something else. “It’s over there, against the wall.” pointing at the two swords in the sheaths on the other side of the room.
“Oh! Let me get it!” Rosalyn said excitedly. Rushing over carefully and picking up the weapons and guiding them toward Van. “Here you go, Van! I heard your swords broke, so I got you new ones!”
“Oh… thank you Rosalyn… and uh… Kat… that’s very kind of you…” Van said, surprised by the unexpected gift.
Kat blushed. “I’m not the one that commissioned it… but sure… your welcome…”
“Open it! Open it! Open it!” Rosalyn cheered as if it was some sort of present to be unwrapped.
Van took the swords, the sheaths beautiful with stylized imagery, shaped perfectly for sabers, which he was most used to. Pulling one out, his eyes widened in awe, mouth slightly slack-jawed as a beautiful glittering black blade with electric blue runic inscriptions running down from hilt to tip was exposed to the air and to his sight.
He could literally feel its power… its… potential… it’s… elegance… he felt like he could stare at this beauty forever…
“How in the world did you make this… It hadn’t been that long since I lost my previous swords…” Van said, in disbelief.
Kat shrugged, “Wasn’t that hard, that was a previous work that I and my father had done. I just spent all night reworking it some and making it ready for today. Honestly speaking… not my best… not worth a name.”
Van turned his disbelief her way. Making Kat a little uncomfortable.
“I’ve been forging ever since I was a little girl. I know I can do better, alright?” She said defensively.
“Well! What do you think!” Rosalyn asked excitedly.
“I think… it’s beautiful…” Van wholeheartedly admitted, looking back at the blades in his hand. He gave the two swords an experimental slash of the air, being careful not to accidentally hit anything. And was once more wowed by how they seemed to seamlessly cut through the air as if parting thick water…
“Thank you… again… Rosalyn… Katalinya… this is an amazing gift…” gently putting the two sabers away reverently. “If there is anything I can do to repay you two, I'll do it.”
Rosalyn smiled, “funny you should say that… You know that other concubine candidate I mentioned? Well, here she is!” Pointing at Kat.
“Done,” Van said.
“Hey!” Kat said.
Rosalyn smiled at Kat. “See! I told you he’d accept you! And you were crying about how you’ll never find a man who would love you~”
“That was years ago!” Kat blushed, giving Rosalyn a quick glare to shut her up.
Rosalyn turned back to Van. “But it’s not just taking Kat as a concubine. I also want you to blood bind her. Kat isn’t one of the longer-lived races like we are. So you’ll have to do it if we want her to live for more than a century or two. It’s non-negotiable!”
“Then why haven’t you done it?” Van asked, confused.
“I’m practically her older sister! I couldn’t do such a thing to her.” Shaking her head.
He shrugged. “Alright, done.” Not bothering to argue. Tying someone who had the skill to make these kinds of weapons was nothing but a bonus.
“Don’t I get some sort of say in this? And who are you calling a younger sister!?” Kat complained.
Rosalyn looked at her friend. Turned to Van, grabbed his pants, and dropped them… revealing his massive broadsword.
“He’s also an amazing lover… Rosalyn approved,” she said with a wink.
Kat swallowed. “I’ll consider it.” Eyes glued to the thing between Van’s legs.
Van sighed. He saw it coming, so he silently just gave the go-ahead for Rosalyn to do it. It still didn’t change his happiness about how well the date was going, not to mention how happy he was to have two new amazing sabers that he quickly stored into his soul realm. So as far as he was concerned, everything was going surprisingly well!
“If I'm going to sell my body, then I might as well do it in a way that ropes in valuable talent…” He thought.
After that, Van and Kat talked for a while, getting to know each other. He was surprised to find that they had some shared interest in enchanting and even in some alchemy, at least where it pertains to using it to create new materials and weave magical enchantments into items.
After about an hour they had to part ways, promising a day for a date of their own. Which made Van also want to make sure to give a proper date to all of his wives and maybe concubines as well.
Van and Rosalyn then left for the auction house. Rosalyn promised the moon, and Van was excited since this was his first time going to such a prestigious place. Wondering what wonders would be on display…