The table I was sitting at had now increased from three people to four. Sophichan quickly got a meal ready for Ester-chan. She was breathing heavily and it was quite an erotic sight. I couldn't stop staring at her trembling lips. I want to french kiss her.
"There was actually something I wanted to tell you."
Ester-chan said this after we had been sitting for a while.
By the way, she was sitting next to Sophichan, across from Edita Sensei. She was diagonally across the table from me. The dining table is only meant for four people, so that was the only seat left.
"Tell me?"
"Yeah. Actually, it was decided that the audience with the King will be held tomorrow afternoon."
"Eh, tomorrow?"
"That isn't a problem, is it? I'm sorry for bringing it up so suddenly."
"It's an audience with the King, I doubt I can refuse…."
It must be about me potentially receiving the title of baron.
"Thank you. I'm glad you'll be by my side."
"But, umm, I…."
"If you become a nobleman your life will become so much easier. I'll do whatever I can to support you so let's do our best together. When you become a noble, I'll take care of all of the difficult things and you can continue living as you have. I'll make sure you won't have to worry about anything."
"No, I should be the one saying that."
I never expected to receive an offer to be the gigolo of a beautiful young blonde girl.
Ester-chan's appeal has been steadily increasing. To be honest, I have to control myself around her. If she were to grab hold of my penis I wouldn't be able to escape. If ever there comes a day when she offers me a blowjob, I am one hundred percent confident that I would say yes.
"O-Oi, are you going to become a member of the nobility?"
After listening to our conversation, Edita Sensei looked incredibly surprised.
The thought of a commoner becoming a nobleman really must be quite shocking.
"It hasn't been decided yet, Editsan."
"No, it has. They sent a letter saying they were beginning the necessary procedures to give you the title of baron."
"Eh…?"
Seriously?
"That's what I came here to tell you. There were those that opposed the idea, but they finally agreed to allow it on one condition. The audience tomorrow is being held to tell you this condition."
"I-Is that so?"
"I'll still attend the Academic Conference in the morning, but I'll leave for the castle in the afternoon. I can stop at the dormitory to pick you up if you'd like. Does that work for both of you?"
"Yes, I'd like that."
"As long as I'll be able to still attend the conference."
"…good."
Ester-chan and Edita Sensei stared at each other.
I could feel a strange foreboding feeling.
This must be how the Tokugawa shogunate felt when they first saw the Black Ships appear off the shores of Japan.
***
The following morning a guide arrived as promised.
Christina was already in the carriage as Edita Sensei and I got in. Our destination was a lecture hall located on the school grounds. It would've been possible for us to walk here, but the distance was far enough that it made more sense to take a carriage.
"Lord Fahren, this is Editsan, she's my alchemy teacher. She's actually the one that created the recipe for the medicine used to cure the Princess."
"Hou! You can call me Fahren. I'm a teacher here at the academy. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The noble mage greeted her with a smile.
"R-Right…I'm Edita. I'm just a simple alchemist. I don't have any great title."
While Edita Sensei was a little more restrained than usual.
She really is a shy person. Last night, I don't think she said a single word to anyone but me.
"Then…u-umm, thank you for allowing me to attend as well."
While fidgeting in place, Edita Sensei politely thanked the noble mage.
The difference between her cute appearance and rather blunt tone is wonderful.
"Don't mention it. If you're friends with that man, I have no reason to refuse. If you'd like, I can have them prepare a meal for you at the venue before your arrival."
"This is more than enough. As long as I can watch I'll be fine."
"Okay, that's fine, but if you change your mind, don't hesitate to speak up."
"Yeah, s-sure…."
The noble mage seemed to be in a good mood.
I wonder what this Academic Conference is going to be like. Based on everything I've seen so far, I'm reminded of the stress and anxiety everyone felt when we'd be preparing for a cultural festival.
"Oi, aren't you going to greet me, human?"
And there was Christina standing next to me.
The love consultation from the other day doesn't appear to have been a joke. She's probably the reason the noble mage is in such a good mood.
"You said tomorrow, didn't you? It's been several days now."
"I'm sorry but a lot of things happened."
What does she mean by 'tomorrow?' I don't remember.
Well, whatever, it's just Christina.
"Tch…."
The loli dragon clicked her tongue.
By the way, she was wearing her usual dress but it appeared to be slightly shorter than normal. The noble mage probably told her something to satisfy his own sexual desires. That ossan is slowly but surely going down the loli route.
"I'm sure you weren't bored if you were with Lord Fahren."
"Oh, I don't know. I feel like I'd be able to use you more. Don't you agree?"
"I don't know about that, but Lord Fahren really is a nice person."
I took this chance to praise the noble mage.
I glanced over at the noble mage and saw him observing our conversation.
"Fu~n…."
But Christina just let out a displeased sigh.
"What's wrong? You seem to be lacking your usual energy."
"Shut up, human."
"…r-right."
Since returning from the conflict, I've been worried that everything seems to be going too well. I'm surrounded by beautiful girls and me and everyone close to me seem to be enjoying life. It's the pinnacle of my life. I get to eat good food every day as well. I almost shed a few tears of joy thinking about this.
I hope this will last forever, and, eventually, when I graduate from being a virgin, I can evolve into a man that sleeps with many women. I hope that threeway with Edita Sensei and Ester-chan actually happens. I can envision it now: dozens of women all rubbing their swollen bellies, smiling at me.
***
We all got back in the carriage and travelled to the location of the Academic Conference.
We separated from the noble mage once we arrived. Edita Sensei, Christina, and I followed the guide into the conference. I wasn't exactly sure where we were going, but the guide mentioned something about a box seat for VIPs.
Based on his description, it seems like we'll be given some great seats with a view of everything.
The majority of the audience will have to sit in normal seats resembling stadium seating.
Considering the fact that the majority of the audience is nobles, it really is unbelievable that we're being given such great seats. I'm honestly worried if three commoners like us will be able to fit in.
"Here you are. Please, take your seats."
"Thank you very much."
I thanked the guide before walking down to the front row of seats.
The venue reminded me of Mariinsky Theatre or Ford's Theatre that I had seen in some travel magazines. Our seats provided us with an amazing view.
There were a couple of rows of seats in our box but there was enough space for a little girl to lay down flat between the two rows.
"Hmm, it's about time you humans treated me with the respect I deserve."
The loli dragon walked forward before plopping herself down in one of the seats.
Her loli body sank deep into the soft and fluffy cushion.
"Editsan we should also take our seats."
"S-Sure…."
In stark contrast to the loli dragon, Edita Sensei was overwhelmed by the beauty of the venue. I had to snap her out of it to get her to sit down.
I sat down in the middle seat with Edita Sensei on my right and the loli dragon on my left.
Half of the seats in our box were now filled.
There were two maids standing next to the entryway that hadn't moved or said a word since we entered. I wonder if this is what it feels like to fly first-class on a fancy airline.
"O-Oi, I can't afford seats like these…."
Edita Sensei leaned over and whispered this to me.
She was looking around uneasily.
"You don't need to worry. I invited you here."
"B-But…."
I guess that reaction is to be expected when a commoner gets to experience the life of a noble.
"Even if they try to make you pay, I'll cover all of your expenses. You don't need to worry about the finer details. As long as you're able to enjoy yourself to the fullest, I'll be happy."
"Uouu~…."
"Uouu?"
"I-It's nothing!"
Edita Sensei let out a strange sound before quickly facing forward. She was looking straight at the stage even though the curtain was still lowered. If she's saying it's nothing then I'm not going to push the issue.
Anyway, I already know I don't need to worry about Edita Sensei. The real problem is the problem child on my other side.
"Oi, why hasn't it started yet? How long are they going to make me wait?"
"Could you be a little quieter?"
She fidgeted in her seat for a little bit before falling silent.
The noble mage fell in love with a troublesome girl.
Well, she is really cute. If she were to ask me to have sex with her, I'd be naked and finishing inside of her in no time at all. I want to be able to admire her swollen belly from various angles.
Damn it. Damn it.
"Would you like a drink?"
A maid had, at some point, approached our seats.
It was one of the maids that were standing at the doorway. She must have noticed Christina fidgeting and came over to see if she could help. She's treating her as if she were actually a little girl.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Bring me something bubbly."
"Yes, right away."
Does she like foamy drinks?
That's useful information.
I can't forget that.
Christina blew bubbles in her drink as we waited for the conference to start. After some time had passed, the door to our box opened and someone new entered. It was a beautiful girl wearing an exquisite dress.
"…seriously?"
I know that person.
We met before in the castle in Kalis. She was wearing a nightgown at the time. If I remember correctly, she is the princess of this country that we cured using the recipe Edita Sensei created.
"Oh, there are other guests this year."
She gave us a slight bow.
After she greeted us the owner-like ossan guided her to her seat. He didn't even acknowledge our presence.
This ossan looked like he was in his fifties and he goes by the name Sebastian. No last name.
Once the Princess was seated, he turned around and positioned himself next to one of the maids by the door. I guess he's not going to sit down.
"Oi, the curtains are going up."
"Yeah, it must be starting."
The loli dragon barely even noticed the Princess come in. The moment there was a change on stage she cried out for everyone in our box to hear. She doesn't have any tact.
Edita Sensei didn't seem to pay any mind to the Princess either. Or it could be that she doesn't want to draw attention to herself in case they try to make her pay.
"Oh, that's Lord Fahren, isn't it?"
We all noticed the familiar ossan take centre stage.
Just as the Princess arrived, the show began.
***