BXBX NOVEL Chapter 11 10: Our Imminent Future
The clock on the wall looked to read around 5, if it worked like the analogue clocks back in my world. Turning to my mother, I decided to confirm that theory by asking my mother.
"What time is it?"
"Ah... 5:30ish."
Nodding, I continued to follow my mother as she approached the Marquess' chambers. When she opened the door, I could hear the Marquess and Countess whispering to each other. When they saw the door open, they both quickly sprang out of bed, approaching my mother. Guessing what was about to happen, I walked around their path, approaching the bed to find a sleeping Jahi. Grinning, I started poking her cheek, chuckling as she scrunched her brow in irritation, before turning around. Looking back the adults, I saw them watching me in amusement, making me blush and shake Jahi awake.
"Ngh... fi...five more minu..." she mumbled. Smiling, I continued to gently shake her. She turned back towards me, glaring at me, before a smirk rose to her lips, and quick as lightning she grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bed, wrapping her legs over mine, and held me by my waist. Feeling her breath on my neck, I looked towards the adults, seeing the Countess covering her mouth as her shoulders shook, while the Marquess let out a whistle. My mother gave me look of pity, understanding my suffering.
"Jahi... Let go. We... we need to get up!"
She snuggled deeper into the base of my neck, holding me tighter. The Marquess came over and gently but firmly untangled Jahi from me, earning herself a glare. Finally free, I ran and hid in-between my mother and the Countess. Jahi pouted in my direction, before finally rolling out of bed, stretching before walking towards me. Seeing this, the Countess scooped me up, before walking towards the bathroom. Jahi glared at the Countess, rushing after her. Looking at the Countess in confusion, she poked my nose, smiling.
"Someone has to save the princess from the demon, yes?"
Chuckling at that, I looked back at Jahi, seeing her sending a gaze that could kill at the Countess' back. The Marquess strode over to Jahi, snatching her up.
"Well, I guess we all needed a bath anyway, huh? Besides, we have some things we need to discuss. Jules, think you could go make something to eat? The kid'll be fine with us."
My mother shot me a glance, narrowing her eyes at me, as if telling me to behave. I nodded at her, before she bowed to the Marquess, leaving the room.
Stepping into the bathroom, the Countess helped me out of my dress, before quickly taking her clothes off too. She then turned and helped the Marquess, and I went and helped Jahi, who was pouting at me. The Marquess and Jahi walked over to the showers, sitting down on the stools before pressing the activation runes at the same time.
Seeing them in sync, I looked at the Countess, who gave me a wry smile before walking over to the Marquess, kneeling behind her. I did the same, noticing I received the same quest as yesterday.
[Quest: Wash Jahi Asmodia
Reward - 25xp
Additional Reward: Please Jahi Asmodia - 25xp]
Smiling, I copied my actions from yesterday, grabbing the shampoo before applying it to Jahi's hair, rinsing it off, before grabbing the soap and washing her body. Unlike yesterday, i gently washed all of her, still avoiding between the legs. I noticed that she was dozing off, a half smile on her lips as I gently scrubbed her down. After feeling that she was sufficiently soapy, I rinsed her off. Before I could get up, she leaned back into me, resting her head on my shoulder.
Hearing the couple chuckling beside us, I turned and pouted at them, making sure I didn't disturb Jahi. Countess Haniel was leaning into the Marquess, her pale skin a deep contrast with the dark sapphire of her wife. She was resting her head on the Marquess back, smiling at me. The Marquess was chuckling as she watched Jahi, before standing up, gesturing for the Countess to switch with her. Feeling Jahi turn her head, I looked to my shoulder, looking into her half lidded eyes. It took her a moment, but after seeing her parents switch, she abruptly stood up, before practically dragging me onto the stool. I sat down, feeling her gently run her hands through my hair, before ruffling my ears. After she finished my hair, she grabbed the soap and gently scrubbed me down, then rinsed me off. After she gave me a once over, determining I was sufficiently clean, she grabbed my hand and led me over towards the bath, where she sat down and pulled me next to her, before leaning into me. Moments later the Marquess and Countess sat across from us, the Marquess draping her arm around the Countess' shoulders.
"Ahh... this feels great. Now, Jahi, kid, listen up. In a week we have tutors coming from around the Empire, specifically one to teach History, Culture, and current Politics. Another is coming to teach the basics of Magic and Spellcraft. Finally, the last one is a musical and dance tutor, cause nobility. Jahi, you will be learning all of this, and you will be tested on it every month. If you are slacking... well, you know what happens. Kid, as her maid you will attend the classes with her, but you are NOT participating. Obviously, you still need to learn the material, but your main purpose is to keep Jahi on track. The tutors might be rude to you or just ignore you, but they won't touch you. Listen to them, help Jahi, and if you learn something, great. The tutors will be living with us for the next year or two, so unless they do something egregious, try to bear with it. Jahi, you awaken your core in a few months, so initially the Magic tutor will go over the basics of basics, but after we figure out your element, you will be taught based on that."
The Countess turned towards us, a serious look on her face. Her voice, usually frivolous and joking, was cold.
"The first class is at 8. It will last till 10, and will be your music and dance lessons. We honestly don't care too much, but you need to find an instrument you like and become at least proficient in it, same with the dances. After that is a two hour break. At noon, you start with the Social Studies class, lasting three hours. Another hour break, and the last class, Magic and Spellcraft, will be from 4 to 6, after which you are free for the rest of the day. Jahi, you will take this seriously. You need all this now, so that we can start your specialized training in a few years. We won't have time to worry about you learning the basics of our world then. Katherine, you are bound to Jahi for life. If you want to be useful, take this chance to learn, and make yourself into a woman who Jahi needs to keep by her side. The Asmodia and Haniel families bear large responsibilities, and we can't afford to have deadweight."
Jahi squeezed my hand, and I nodded to the Countess. Her usual happy expression returned, and she waded over to us, wrapping us in a hug.
"I know that you're just kids, but you have a heavier burden than most. The March Asmodia is the bastion between our Empire and the Labyrinthian. Jahi, you will eventually take up your Mother's mantle, and Kat, you will be her support, her pillar. The more prepared you are, the easier your life will be."
Releasing us, the Countess gave us a smile, before returning back to the Marquess, who gave us a quick smile. "So, hate to rush you kids out, but think you could go play?"
Jahi gave her mother a dry look, before sighing and getting up, dragging me with her. We moved towards the door, where I dried Jahi and myself off, before dressing both of us. Before we could leave, the Marquess called out to me. Turning, I saw the Countess on her lap, burying her face into the crook of the Marquess' neck.
"Kid, tell your mother to come in here. Gotta tell her about your future and all."
Nodding, I turned around and left.
[Quest Completed.
Reward - 50xp]
[Level 4 - (112.5/337.5)]
'You're a bit late, aren't you?'
[Would you have preferred I interrupt that important moment?]
'No.'
[Thought so.]
Following Jahi, who had a serious expression, we walked into the main room, where my mother was waiting, five plates set on the white table. A small stack of pancakes sat on each plate, with one having triple every other plate. A basket sat in the middle, filled with fruits.
"Mother, the Marquess wants you in the bathroom."
Saying so, I watched as a slight blush rose to my mothers cheeks. She nodded, before quickly making her way towards the bathroom.
Moments later, I heard a faint 'Kyaa~' before I turned to Jahi, both of us rolling our eyes.