33. The Bath and The Next Day

Two maids helped Kiara out of the armor, and immediately to the bath. Everything was wet, and the maids took them to the laundry.

"It must be really hot in there, Lady Kiara." A maid said while she helped her into the hot bath. "It's all wet from sweat."

Kiara nodded, and she sank into the bath. She had to admit she really liked living in luxury again, even her own house didn't have hot bath, since, they had to be powered by magical stones and those were a little expensive. A single 5Gold Magical Heating Stone could only last 10 uses.

Once the maid finished washing Kiara's back, they left her to her own devices, as she relaxed in the bath. Yet, Kiara's body was on fire as all the stimulation accumulated from her use of the tentacle armor suddenly hit her.

The tentacles had numbed her senses, while they applied all the stimulants. That was why she didn't even realise she was so wet, or her nipples were being squeezed. Now that the numbness began to fade away, she began to feel the full effects of the aphrodisiacs and stimulants, and without realising it, her fingers started to touch her own vagina and clitoris.

It was so sensitive, each touch sent such a strong jolt of electricity through her body. It helped that the entire bathroom was filled with steam, so she didn't feel embarrassed to touch her own body.

She didn't do this before, but today, she felt a strong urge to stimulate herself and so... she did. Her fingers played with her own nipples and her own clit, pressing, pulling, rubbing them, and as the numbness faded away, it unleashed such an incredible sensitivity that she came.

It was so good, that she almost felt like she passed out in the hot bath. Luckily, a maid came in and helped her.

"Milady, are you alright?"

Kiara's face was flushed, red.

"Milady, you've spent too much time in the hot bath. It's time to come out now."

"...okay."

***

"Mom?" Kiara saw her mother waiting for her after the shower.

"I want to talk to you a bit. About... our financial situation and what's really happening to our lands." Her mother sat there, and Kiara, soon got dressed. They would have to leave for dinner, with the Count once more. "The Count's very financially savvy, and I... I want to put things in perspective."

"Okay." Kiara sat, and Erenia repeated things that she learned from the Count earlier. About their debt, about the incomes of the Kenarias land had declined considerably to only about 13,000 to 15,000 gold a year, from their peak of 75,000 almost a decade ago. It would take significant repairs to the damaged infrastructure and restoration of trades before it would get back up.

Then, Erenia explained parts that she wasn't aware of. "The Count's begun to negotiate for delays to our repayment, and... are you aware of what happened to the Sarras family?" Kiara had never heard of them, as they were a smaller, far flung territory, but as her mother explained, it was exactly as how the Count described it. The entire family had been sold as slaves over a debt of just 120,000 gold, and the King consented to the abolishment of the Sarras family. The land itself was scattered, and sold to the nearby nobles.

"I don't want to put things lightly, and I know I've said things are getting better, but it is getting better, because the Count has agreed to help us. The Natarian province is the second wealthiest province in the Kingdom, it's income only pales to the King's own take. Even the Dukes treat the Count with a fair bit of respect because of his financial savvy, and his extensive assets."

"Why are you telling me this now?"

Erenia sighed. "I said you will be the next-in-line, and I realised, I shouldn't treat you like you didn't deserve to know the state of the house. That's why I'm making some deals with the Count to help get us through this patch, and fix our land. It's a debt, which I will repay. He is in need of some advice and administrative talent, and I do have friendly relationships with the ladies of my generation, which he will utilise. The Kenarias land's militia will also support the Count in any conflict."

Kiara stared at her mother. Her mother omitted the part of her own sale. She tried, but she still lied. Kiara sighed, and nodded. "Thanks for letting me know, mom."

"The Count was very pleased to see you in the armor today, and your demonstration of your skills was great." Erenia waited. "Can you wear it more often? He's a lecherous man, and seeing you in armor should kill his desire."

The Knight looked at her mom, and nodded. "Okay."