The upset dukes and duchess were still scowling despite what they'd seen happen to one of them. Roswald was gone and his wife turned into a zombie. Even so, the greed of the already wealthy knew near no bounds. They didn't care much for the fat bastard himself, after all, like everything else he was just a means to an end–until they could get an upper hand.
Having seen such a situation arising, however, Milo had planned ahead, far ahead than any of them could've.
"Markus..." Standing above them all, Milo glanced over to Markus. "Next time any of them lift so much as a finger, I give you full authority to take their hands."
"As you wish my lord," hearing the grumbling voice of the dark knight, the nobles grew a bit more hesitant.
But then Milo added something that made them more subservient.
"As for those who remain loyal to me, you'll be granted territory from any and all traitors, same goes for those who bring up any information about those same traitors!" Greed–it drew them like moths, and although Milo would've preferred loyalty, for now land was what he had to use to manipulate them.
Leaving the nobles to mummer amongst themselves about the offer, Milo turned his attention to Raven and his party next. Holding his hands forward, he cleared his throat with fake coughs to get everyone's attention. Then finally as all eyes were on him again, he looked back at Raven and his companions and granted the first caught traitor's territory to their new owners.
"Raven 'Phordite, Erika 'Phordite, Aria 'Phordite, Melicia 'Phordite, and Amedith 'Phordite, you're the first dukes and duchess to received the traitor's territory," gasps and roars of dissent chorused from the nobles' side, however, ignoring their banter, Milo continued with his decree.
"For now, you're free of duty as landlords and landladies, the work shall be split with the other nobility in exchange for a portion of your land's harvest and taxes."
"Agh!" But the sudden shrieking voice of Tia pulled him out of his thoughts.
"What happened?" He asked, watching as she reached for her ankle.
Checking the heel it appeared to be broken and since they were climbing a stair, her ankle had twisted leading her to pull a few nerves that were causing her pain.
"Etetee..." Clicking her tongue with annoyance, Tia tried to set her foot back, but instead regretted it. "AGH! OUCHHH!"
Lifting her feet back up from the pain, she held onto Raven's arms before slowly looking up at him. With quivering eyes, she stared at him–expecting herself to be carried in his arms. Picking up on her wish from the look alone, Raven moved one hand under her thighs and picked her off her feet so he could carry her.
A bit embarrassed now as they passed the servants and maids, Tia buried her face against Raven's chest–hoping deep in her heart that the moment would come to an end real soon. However, that small journey to her room felt like an hour, especially with ears pressed right against Raven's beating heat.
'Why does this feel so calming?' She wondered, finally giving in and enjoying his warmth enveloping her body. Her hands moved onto his chest and feeling the outlines of his muscles underneath, she couldn't help but want more than just a princess carry.
Like a honeymoon or just a couple's first night, she was slowly coming to expect to be turned into a woman and leave her life as an innocent girl behind. And so, pressing her face even harder against his chest, she requested in a muffled whisper. Continue your journey on m|v-l'e -novelhall.net
"Be gentle...please~" Kissing her forehead in response, Raven decided to grant her that wish.