Chapter 7: Noblesse conference hall

Nectar, the city of entertainment. A well-dressed woman received a piece of paper.

“Thank you… Grace Field? I can find Lord Isabel there?”
“That’s right.”

Layla Mistrenge clutched the paper to her chest.

Lord Isabel, just wait a little longer. I’m coming for you.

Her devotion to Isabel Leonhardt, the Black Hound, bordered on fanaticism.

The tavern owner, observing her, thought, Lord Isabel? That’s odd…

Few people addressed the Black Hound with such reverence.

While not openly mocked, he was more often the subject of derision than respect.

“Be careful, whatever your relationship with the Black Hound.”

Layla turned to the tavern owner.

“…What?”
“There’s a notorious killer in our city, they call her the Phantom. She preys on women and children… She hasn’t been seen lately, but it’s best to be cautious.”
“Oh…”

That’s me… A wry smile touched her lips. Layla was the second Phantom.

But she was no longer that person.

Only Lord Isavel could redeem me… I have to find him quickly.

“I’ll be careful. Thank you.”

She left the tavern.

“…Strange girl.”

Seraphina’s redemption was within reach.

Her malice gauge was at 15%.

We were on our way to the Nobles’ Conference, riding in a carriage.

“Mistress, you remember what to do at the conference, right?”
“…What?”
“Be careful what you say.”
“Ha… as if I need you to tell me that. Just be quiet.”

Seraphina was unusually curt.

It was her usual tone, but laced with irritation.

She had been like this since we boarded the carriage.

She stared out the window, her face a mask of displeasure.

This could trigger a rise in her malice gauge.

Maintaining her good mood was part of my job as a Mediator.

“Mistress?”
“…What?”
“Is something bothering you?”
“…Nothing.”

Clearly, something is wrong.

“I think there is. It’s written all over your face. ‘I’m in a bad mood. Fix it.’”
“…What?”

She turned to me, her irritation plain to see.

“…You jerk.”
“Excuse me?”
“You said you’d take responsibility…”
“Responsibility for what?”
“We…we slept together! You said you’d take responsibility!”

Her words from last night came flooding back. …But why is she upset about it?

“Yes, you did say that. But why…?”
“…Why are you sitting so far away?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why. Are. You. Sitting. So. Far. Away?”
“Well, I’m your butler. I should maintain a respectful distance…”
“Don’t you remember what I said last night? You said you’d take responsibility. You said I was captivating. Shouldn’t you be by my side then?”

…That’s it? Her pride wouldn’t normally allow a servant to be so close, but today was different.

My distance seemed to have offended her.

It felt…like possessiveness.

And who was I to deny a beautiful woman’s need for my presence, especially when that woman was Seraphina?

I smiled gently and moved closer to her.

“I apologize, mistress. I didn’t realize.”
“Hmph. Stay close. Understand?”
“Of course. It’s my duty…”
“And one more thing.”
“Yes? What is it?”

She hesitated, her lips trembling slightly.

“Call me by my name…”
“Your name?”
“Yes.”
“B-but mistress, it would be presumptuous of me to…”
“It’s an order.”

Her eyes were cold, leaving no room for argument.

“S-Seraphina?”
“…Yes… I like that.”

She looked away, blushing. “I like it… Yes… I like it…” Then, she suddenly looked up at me, a radiant smile on her face.

“Isavel, I like calling each other by our names! Don’t you?”
“Ha ha, yes, I do. Mistress… I mean, Seraphina.”

She looped her arm through mine, beaming.

“…Mistress?”
“Seraphina.”
“S-Seraphina… If you hold my arm like this…”
“What? Do you not like it?”

She looked up at me with a slightly hurt expression.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just worried you might be…uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable? You said you’d take responsibility! It’s fine!”

She was different.

The arrogant, condescending villainess was gone, replaced by someone…softer.

The sweet scent from last night, the feel of her skin against mine… It was all…nice.

The points I’d spent and the sleepless nights were worth it.

Elysion, the city that housed the Nobles’ Conference Hall, was a beautiful tourist destination.

Its most famous landmark was the statue of the Goddess Thermisia.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
“You don’t often come to these conferences.”

Seraphina smiled and nodded.

“There’s no reason to travel so far.”
“Shall we do some sightseeing then?”
“Now?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”

I took her hand and led her through the city.

Normally, she would have objected to such a familiar gesture from a servant, but her personality had softened considerably.

“You seem to know this place well.”
“I’ve been here many times as the Black Hound. Various…assignments.”
“Assignments? Were you seducing other women?”
“Excuse me?”

I laughed at her joke.

“Of course not.”
“Hmm… really?”

She looped her arm through mine and looked up at me, smiling.

“I don’t know about your past, but you’re mine now. Understand?”
“Excuse me?”
“You said you’d take responsibility… So don’t look at other women. Got it?”

She tightened her grip on my arm.

She was smiling, but there was a darkness in her eyes.

A possessiveness that hinted at dire consequences if I betrayed her trust.

It was…thrilling.

This was a legendary scene from LilTy: Possessive Seraphina.

And here it was, in 4D! Her jealousy, her possessiveness…it was all incredibly rewarding.

I wanted to shout, Seraphina is best girl!

“Isabel, are you listening?”
“Y-yes! I’m listening!”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing, mistress. I’m just…happy. That you, Seraphina, acknowledge me. That I’m yours. It makes me happy.”
“Oh…?”

She stopped walking and looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. My words had clearly pleased her.

“R-really? You’re…happy?”
“Of course! It’s an honor to be needed by someone as captivating as you, Seraphina. Ha ha ha.”
“…Yes… That’s right…”

Her smile widened.

“I’ll escort you, then. Shall we go, Seraphina?”
“Yes…!”

I led her towards the statue of Thermisia, the location of a crucial event that would further boost her power and bring us closer to her good ending.