Chapter 143 – Rules of the Party

The shoes are actually a little strange to walk in. They're not difficult like heels, but not the same as flats. I'm not quite walking barefoot, but I feel the ground more. I'm not sure how to describe it—not that it is important. I kind of like them, not that I really want to wear this stuffy suit again.

The stairs are much easier to walk down than last night in those stupid heels. I can do it in heels without a thought, but I can always feel my mana stirring around. Today, everything is calm as I walk down to the first floor.

At the door, I find the woman who forced me into this marriage. All of them are in beautiful dresses. Most of them show off their figures, except Shimmer. She is still in a stunning dress, but it hangs a bit loose over her, unlike the warriors who are trying to show off their abs.

Fine, trying is the wrong word. They are showing them off, and it is working.

"Lord Alzi," a maid says as I walk down the final flight of stairs. "I know this is a bit much to ask of you. But could you let out a bit of your life mana? It seems Princess Elora had too much to drink last night and I, this is all my idea, was hoping you could help relieve her headache."

"I would appreciate it, my dear. But I understand if you are still angry with me," the Princess says, giving me a weak smile.

Aurora places a hand on my back, gently pushing me towards my new owner. She really hopes I fall in love with this...

"Sure," I say. I circulate my mana as I practice all week and let it out for a second, covering all the women standing in front of the door.

"Thank you, Lord Alzi," the dark maid says with a deep bow. "I think you did a lot more than just heal the headache."

"Yes Alzi," Isda says. "You did do more than that. Thank you. I didn't even notice how much my feet were hurting me. You look handsome in that suit. Shyla did a great job fitting it."

"Why are her breasts so pronounced?" the Princess asks. Her eyes glued to my chest.

"She said the wrap hurt, your Highness," Shyla says. "I did not wish for her to be in pain for her first party, so I put her in a bra."

"That is fine," Isda says, giving me a hug. Her head presses into that very bra. "The jokes will be a bit useless with a pair this powerful. Let her wear what she wants underneath. The suit looks amazing, and I think her womanly side just makes it better."

"True. I'm guessing you don't like the suit much then. I'll try to limit how often we force you into one," the Princess says. "Well, we need to get going if we are to make it in time."

The maids seem to agree as they shepherd us out of the entrance hall and into the carriages. Shimmer and Geta somehow end up in my carriage, while my maids end up somewhere else.

Maybe they aren't coming?

"You do look stunning," Shimmer says, sitting beside Geta on the opposite side of me. "I know you look amazing in everything, but some just let your beauty really shine."

"Thanks," I say. "Is there a reason you don't let me see your figure clearly?"

"Alzi, dear, that isn't something you should be asking a lady," Geta says.

"Oh honey, we are married," Shimmers says back. "We need to be able to ask rude questions and speak our minds with each other. I'm happy to know you trust me enough to ask something like that. I heard a snippet of what Geta shared with you in the changing room, and she is right. I love you, Alzi. I want you and worry that I will jump into your bed and let you have your way with me for the rest of the time. Even now, that sounds like a great time. But this family needs me to perform, so I must wait to join you in bed. I won't control what you wear, but I can try to help what I do and wear around you. Sorry if it looks like I am hiding from you. I am, but it is out of love for you and this family."

"Ok. I guess," I say. I don't get how Shimmer could love me enough to do any of that. A week of lunches and occasionally working out is hardly enough time to come to that conclusion. Plus, she did this from the start.

"Sorry for the weirdness of it," Shimmer defends. "But I promise I love you, Alzi. I hope I've shown that this week."

"You have shown some care for me," I say.

"I hope we both have," Geta says. "I'm not crazy for you like Shimmer. But I like you. You're a pretty woman and a handsome man. We know this hasn't been the best start to a relationship, but I've heard of worse starts ending with everyone madly in love. I just wish that we could head in that direction."

"You two have been kind to me," I say. Is this what they are here for? To pitch their love and devotion.

"Now, we should talk a bit about the party," Shimmer says. "The mushy stuff is great, but words won't convince you. So, at the party, the only true difference between the women and men is dinner. You will eat with the men instead of with all of us. Used to be to make it easier to poison the women without hurting the men. The men's meals and women's meals are cooked separately. Men get a different selection of drinks. Safety for the men and all that."

Shimmer gives a small pause, waiting for a question: "Besides that, you'll dance a bit with us and some of the other guests and just socialize. There's no need to worry about calling us your wives or anything. Please don't act like a stranger to us, but we don't need you acting like we are in love. Following the etiquette to the best of your knowledge and ability would be great."

Geta cuts off Shimmer to get a word in, "But besides that, we just want to have fun and hang out with the other nobles. This is the younger generation. So a lot of baronesses or women looking to take over for their Mothers soon. Room for us to gain some allies in the new blood. You don't need to worry too much about that. Even if you divorce us you'll have to marry a noble and deal with these women. Best to have them like you."

"I think you will enjoy the night. The dancing is simple; just follow your partner and learn about them," Geta continues. "You can let your hands wander about their body. Please, don't go under their clothing without permission or take anything off. But besides that, the women will be happy to have you feel them up, and they will do it back. If they go too far for you, just tell them, and they will clean up their act."

"If they try to have sex with me?" I ask.

"Your choice," Shimmer says. "Can I make one request of you, Alzi?"

"What?"

"Don't give them more than one kid."

"If I want to give them more?"

"Please?" Shimmer begs. "I know your classes and body wish to breed. But please limit it. Women aren't used to large pregnancies, and it will be messy if you are giving out large pregnancies to every noble that gets her hands on you."

"Why let me fuck them at all?"

"The rules on the parties are clear," Shimmer says. "We are to do our best to keep you from having sex, but we can not stop you with threats or commands. Some women will be here aiming to get pregnant, others will do it on a whim. Your wives are not here to have sex. If we want a kid, we will come begging to you. Now, you being a slave does let us give you the command, but we are serious about limiting our abuse of you."

"I'm sure you are," I mumble. The last party I was in had an unknown amount of women walking away with twins, triplets, or even quadruplets. The catkin must be up to six or seven kids. The dryad has eight. Bitch should know better than to enter my mind.

"So, can you limit the number for us?" Shimmer asks again.

"What do I get?"

"Elora will get drunk at this party," Shimmer says. "She likes to drink a bit too much. I'll get her in your bed and give Aurora a few condoms for you. That way, you can fuck her properly without getting her pregnant."

"So you are saying you'll let me rape my owner?"

"Rape? No, no, no. This isn't rape. You have every right to call her into bed," Shimmer says. "I'm just helping you call her in. Trust me, she wants to end up in your bed. She just worries about you hating her. She'll play along with your games. Tie her up and use any of your toys. She'll be happy to be there."

"And if I don't care about having sex with my owner again?"

"Again?" Shimmer says, raising an eyebrow. "Anyways, how about Geta here joins you in bed or I could give us another steaming bath. I have to leave soon for a mission, and I would love to have another go at a hot bath with someone."

"Bath," I say. "I'll give any woman that seduces me just a single child, and you give me a hot bath again."

"Deal," Shimmer says with a big smile. "The girl loves my bath. Sorry, Geta. Seems I won out here. And Alzi, my dear, you don't have to give anyone a child here. Don't let them convince you that it is some tradition or they did something special to earn a child. Those are all lies. How far you go with them is up to you. I know you didn't ask for Geta in your bed. But I'm sure she would join you. Or Isda. Or any of your wives. I think we all have the condoms or potions to keep us to Elora's wishes while still joining our amazing husband in bed. Or your maids. All would be willing to relieve any lust the nobles send your way."

"Not you?"

"If I end up in your bed, I'm not leaving it till I'm pregnant," Shimmer says with a small frown. "I wish to follow my head wife's instructions and hold off for a year or two. I promise when that restriction is lifted, you can call me into the bedroom and have your way with me. I am quite flexible and have plenty of stamina. However, I have heard you are more than willing to continue even when your partner is too tired to be an active partner. You are more than welcome to keep using my body till I leave your bed. I can take the consequences."

"I'll think about it," I say.

We have just a few moments of silence before the carriage shakes to a stop.

"Well, it looks like we are here," Shimmer says. "I hope you enjoy this night. I know the lessons are boring, but they are important for you. The house will start to empty out as we all run around the Queendom doing missions to spread our family's influence. So, try to use this to get to know us as well as the other nobles."

Aurora saves me from answering. The carriage door opens. "My Lord and Ladies, are you ready to come out?" she asks, Shyla standing just behind her.

"I think we are all set, Aurora," Shimmer says. "Let's party!"