Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!-Chapter 89: Lust and Royalty, Part Three

{Raven}

Raven strode ahead of Isabella and Kimiko, her silver eyes scanning their surroundings.

Escape routes, entry points, potential assassins, likely collateral... She checked for it all.

[Old habits die hard, I guess.]

Lady Amelia led them through a series of winding corridors, chattering excitedly about the night’s entertainment. Raven’s attention, however, was split between her surroundings and the nagging thoughts of Melisa that kept creeping into her mind.

Already, she was slightly worried for her.

[Focus,] she scolded herself. [She won’t be attacked yet. If the Shadow Mages do make a move, they’ll wait for her to let her guard down first. That’s when yours will have to be up.]

"Here we are!" Amelia announced, throwing open a pair of ornate doors. "The performers’ area!"

Raven stepped inside and froze, her eyes widening slightly.

The room was filled with dancers, all in various states of undress. Some wore outfits even more revealing than Isabella’s (if that was even possible). The room was a whirlwind of bare skin, minimally concealed tits, expensive fabrics, and provocative poses.

In one corner, a tall brunette was being laced into a corset so tight, her breasts threatened to spill over the top with each breath. Nearby, two kitsune girls giggled as they helped each other into what appeared to be nothing more than strategically placed strips of gauze. But it was the scene directly in front of her that really made Raven’s cheeks burn.

A voluptuous redhead was completely nude, being body-painted, the artist’s brush gliding over her curves to create the illusion of clothing.

The woman’s eyes met Raven’s, and she smiled slowly, arching her back just slightly.

Raven looked away.

[... Gods.]

Kimiko’s voice cut through Raven’s stunned silence.

"Hmm, not many kitsune, are there?"

Lady Amelia nodded, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Indeed. Which means our dear Isabella will likely be in high demand. Kitsune sundancers are always the most popular attraction."

Isabella’s tail swung back and forth behind her as she grinned.

"Hear that, Rae?" she purred. "I’m going to be very popular tonight. Sure you don’t want a private dance yourself?"

[What?] Raven pulled back.

But, for a brief moment, Raven’s mind replaced Isabella’s image with Melisa’s.

Imagining the nim offering a dance instead, heat rushed to her cheeks and she quickly shook off the thought.

"I’ll pass, thanks," she managed, her voice slightly hoarser than usual.

Isabella pouted playfully, but her eyes were sparkling.

"Your loss."

[... I don’t like how this girl’s been looking at me lately,] Raven sighed, blushing slightly. [I need to keep my distance. She might end up getting even more annoying later if I don’t.] Experience tales at novelbuddy

Lady Amelia clapped her hands lightly, drawing their attention.

"Come along, Isabella dear. Let’s get you ready!"

As Isabella sauntered off, Kimiko turned to Raven, an amused glint in her emerald eyes. It was clear where Isabella got her... intense aura from.

"You’re quite hard to crack, aren’t you?" The much taller woman asked. "Not affected at all by these... exotic sights?"

Raven’s expression remained neutral, her gaze steady, even as Kimiko took a step closer.

"Allowing myself to be distracted would make me ineffective at my real job, wouldn’t it?"

Kimiko’s tail swished thoughtfully, brushing against Raven’s leg in a way that seemed far too deliberate to be accidental.

"Hmm. But, you don’t allow yourself to enjoy the moment at least on occasion? It can’t be good for your heart, moving through life so stiffly."

[Being near you and Isabella isn’t good for my heart, actually.]

"I’m always on guard," Raven said aloud. "I have to be. I was raised to be."

Kimiko nodded sagely.

"I’ll be honest with you, Raven. That sounds exhausting and unnecessary."

Before Raven could react, Kimiko leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

For a split second, Raven flinched.

Her hand reached for a knife she wasn’t carrying. If this had happened a month ago, Kimiko’s neck would be squirting red right now.

Her eyes widened in confusion, though.

[What the-]

Kimiko pulled back, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.

"Well, well. It seems that impenetrable guard of yours isn’t quite perfect after all."

Raven’s cheeks burned, a mixture of embarrassment and... Something else moving through her.

"That was... unexpected," she muttered, struggling to regain her composure.

"Life often is, my dear," Kimiko chuckled. "Perhaps you should learn to embrace the unexpected. You might find you enjoy it."

Raven’s eyes narrowed, but before she could retort, a commotion near the dressing rooms caught her attention.

[Thank the gods for distractions,] she thought, gladly turning away from Kimiko’s knowing gaze and the confusing feelings swirling in her chest.

"I should check on that," Raven said, already moving toward the source of the noise.

"Of course," Kimiko called after her, amusement clear in her voice. "But don’t think our little chat is over, Raven. The night is young, after all."

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

As Raven strode away, she couldn’t shake the lingering warmth on her cheek.

---

{Melisa}

Melisa’s eyes scanned the glittering crowd, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Beside her, Armia stood tall and borderline regal to Melisa’s eyes, though she wasn’t too sure the dragon would agree if Melisa told her.

"Look," Melisa whispered, nodding towards a group of nobles nearby. "That kitsune woman keeps glancing our way. Think we should go introduce ourselves?"

Armia hesitated for a moment. Then, she said:

"You should definitely go, Melisa. This is your chance to make an impression."

Melisa’s tail reached up and curled around Armia’s wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"You don’t want to come with me?"

For a moment, Armia’s eyes softened, and Melisa felt a flutter in her chest. But then the darian shook her head, her expression regaining its practiced nobility.

"I... I need a moment," Armia said, her voice low as she smiled wryly. "You go ahead. I’ll join you once I’ve collected myself."

Melisa hesitated herself.

"Are you sure? I don’t mind waiting-"

"Go," Armia insisted, a small smile playing on her lips. "Show them what a nim can do. I’ll be fine, I promise."

With a nod and a final, lingering look at Armia, Melisa squared her shoulders and made her way towards the group of nobles.

[Here goes nothing,] she thought, plastering on her most charming smile.

Soon, Melisa found herself at the center of that small group of nobles.

The kitsune noblewoman with silver fur, who had introduced herself as Lady Shiora, seemed more intrigued than the rest.

"So, Melisa," Shiora purred, her pink eyes gleaming. "How does a nim come to possess such... unique abilities?"

Melisa grinned, allowing her tail to brush "accidentally" against Shiora’s leg.

"I am very, very lucky."

The nobles chuckled.

As the conversation flowed, Melisa picked up snippets of gossip from nearby groups.

"...heard the princess won’t be attending tonight."

"Again? That’s the third event she’s missed this month."

"Well, with the war in Rhaya heating up..."

[The war,] Melisa thought, a pang of guilt hitting her. [I’ve been so caught up in my own drama, I almost forgot about all that.]

She made a mental note to ask Javir for more details later. For now, she had an audience to impress.

"Lady Melisa," a portly human nobleman spoke up. "We’ve heard so much about your magical prowess. Might we trouble you for a small demonstration?"

Melisa’s grin widened.

[Time to shine.]

"It would be my pleasure," she said, raising her hand dramatically. "Observe."

With a fluid motion, she traced the spellsign for {Illuminate} in the air.

"Illumina, car ei!" she intoned.

A brilliant orb of light burst into existence above her palm, casting a warm glow over the awestruck faces of the nobles.

Melisa manipulated the light, shaping it into intricate patterns and designs.

"Magnificent," Lady Shiora breathed, her tail swishing excitedly. "Simple spell, to be sure, but your control over it is exquisite!"

Melisa grinned, a glint of pride in her crimson eyes.

"You know what they say, Lady Shiora," she said, her tail swishing confidently behind her. "Master the basics, and the rest will follow. Though in my case... it’s more like ’master the basics, and then bend them to your will.’"

Melisa allowed the light to fade, bowing slightly to the smattering of applause.

As she straightened, she became aware of a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the ballroom.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, and she could feel countless eyes upon her.

[Looks like word’s spreading fast.]

Just then, the sound of trumpets filled the air.

"Oh? The First Swing will be starting in a moment," someone nearby noted. "Gods, I need to see those dancers again. It’s been too long."

As the nobles around her began to disperse, heading towards the dance floor, Melisa felt a soft hand on her arm.

Lady Shiora had sidled up close, her breath warm against Melisa’s ear.

"You’re quite impressive, Lady Melisa," she murmured. "I’d love to see what other... talents you possess. Perhaps we could arrange a more private demonstration later?"

Melisa felt a rush of heat to her cheeks, her tail curling with anticipation.

[Well, this is moving faster than expected.]

"I’d be delighted, Lady Shiora," she replied, her voice low and husky. "I’m always eager to... share my abilities with those who appreciate them."

Shiora’s eyes glittered with desire.

"Excellent. Shall we say... after the First Swing? I know a quiet alcove where we won’t be disturbed."

"Sounds good."

[Wow,] Melisa smiled. [It’s going to be a long night, isn’t it?]