My Servant System

Chapter 33 32: Meeting My Rivals

Hearing a deep, low voice, I glanced up slightly, seeing the Empress' mouth moving.

"Ah, Chordeva. It's been awhile... Please, rise. Seeing you act so reserved is odd..."

Sighing slightly, the Marquess rose, looking towards the Empress. Following suit, the Countess rose as well. Looking towards my mother, I saw her rise slowly from her knees, and I rose as well.

Looking towards the assembled women, I was awed. All of them gave off a powerful aura, with the Empress and Sultana dwarfing the others, though the Marquess was only slightly below the two.

Turning her head, the Empress gave a light smile when she saw Jahi.

"My, your daughter looks just like you, Chordeva. And she has your gaze, Ria."

Moving towards Jahi, the Empress towered over both of us. Leaning down slightly, she pursed her lips.

"Oh? She has a soul bond... to you..."

Looking towards me, I shivered slightly. While I had gotten used to the Marquess, seeing a woman taller than her and with hair that seemed like a live fire, as well as wearing a cloth over her eyes, was intimidating.

Even with her eyes covered, I felt like I could feel her peering into my eyes.

Moving slightly in front of me, Jahi looked up towards the Empress. Chuckling, she backed away, turning towards the Sultana.

"Well, it has been awhile, Anubi. How have things been over in the Sultanate?"

The Sultana stepped forwards, her voice a raspy whisper.

"Calm, as always. It is always a pleasure to see you, Empress."

Sighing again, the Marquess stepped forward, gesturing towards the castle.

"Why don't we talk over tea? Allow the children to acquaint themselves as well?"

Both the Empress and Sultana nodded, following the Marquess as she started walking. The Countess gave everyone a smile, though it was stiff when she saw Lorelei. Quickening her pace to match her wife, she walked closer to her than she had before, as if marking her territory.

I kept a few steps between Jahi and I, my hands clasped in front of me. I could see Jahi clench her hands briefly, and although I wanted nothing more than to dash forward and reassure her, I had to remind myself that I had to truly act as a maid. Looking towards my mother, I saw her expressionless face, though her eyes flickered between the Marquess and Countess.

Kio and Anput walked beside the Sultana, though Anput would try and fail to run towards Jahi, both her parents grabbing her hands and leading her towards the castle.

On the other side, Lorelei had a confident stride as she looked around, whereas her daughter Leone stood between her and the Empress, her head down.

Sighing internally, I couldn't help but see the complete difference between the two girls. One was hyper, the other extremely shy.

We made our way inside, and taking a route I hadn't walked before, I was briefly confused about where we were going. However, when we entered a large room that almost mirrored the main room in both the Marquess' room and our room, except this one was slightly smaller and didn't have the large desks in the back.

The Marquess and Countess took a seat on a couch, and the two other parties took seats opposite one another.

Jahi moved towards the Marquess and Countess, sitting between them. Moving to be beside my mother, I helped her set out teacups for everyone, before standing behind the Marquess' couch when she gestured for me to do so.

Everyone was silent still, but I could feel the Empress and Sultana's gaze on me, making me shiver slightly. Lorelei was patting Leone's back, calming her, while Kio had a slight twitch in her eye as she tried to keep Anput still. She looked at me with slight envy in her eyes, before switching her gaze to my mother.

Moments continued to pass, and the weight of the Empress and Sultana's gaze continued to increase. I was still shivering, but inwardly I was going crazy, wondering what I did wrong.

Thankfully, as soon as my mother poured tea in everyone's cups, they looked away.

Taking her cup, the Empress brought the tea to her lips, taking a sip. Nodding slightly, she took another sip before placing her cup back on the saucer.

"So, Chordeva, Ria, pray tell why young Jahi has a soul bond?"

Taking a sip, the Countess replied "We tied Jahi and Katherine together when they were both babies. It was a favor and payment to Julie over there."

Sighing, the Empress looked between my mother and I before nodding. "Very well. I am sure you have already discussed her... position."

I could see Jahi flinch slightly, before the Marquess said "We have. Both Jahi and Katherine are aware of what is expected of them."

"Why don't we let the children go play somewhere, hmm? They need not be here during our discussions..."

Hearing Lorelei speak for the the first time, I was stunned by her melodious voice. She had a smile on her lips as she looked between the Empress, Sultana, and the Marquess. Nodding, all three looked at their children.

Standing up, Jahi moved towards the door, before turning and bowing slightly to the room. Feeling my mother shove me forwards slightly, I followed behind Jahi, Leone, and Anput.

Upon exiting the room and taking a few step, I heard a loud sigh.

"Oh thank the Goddess we are out of that stuffy room! Hey, you guys have a training ground, yeah? Let's go there!"

Hearing Anput's high pitched, cheery voice, I sighed lightly. Seeing Leone flinch, I sighed again. Nodding, Jahi led us through the halls, quickly appearing at the training ground.

Racing ahead of us with a laugh, Anput stretched before turning, a gleam in her eye.

"Hey, Jahi~ Want to spar? I really need to stretch after that carriage ride~"

Looking back at me, I gave her a small nod. Sighing, she moved forwards, before stopping. Looking down at herself, she frowned.

Taking the coat off, as well as rolling her sleeves up, she handing me her coat. Smirking at me, she leaned in, whispering "If I beat her in, hmm, one minute, I want you to allow me to do whatever I want to you tonight~"

Hearing that, I blushed before nodding. Grinning, she turned and skipped towards Anput.

"You've awakened your core, correct?"

Hearing Jahi's question, Anput grinned, nodding. "Yea, I have! Specifically, I awoke to metal magic~"

Saying so, she quickly scribbled a sequence in the air, which slowly flowed onto her skin, turning her arms silver.

Deactivating it, she looked back towards Jahi, the normal cheerful grin gone, replaced by an arrogant smirk.

"So, we sparring or what?"

Raising her brow, Jahi chuckled, before turning to me. "Tell us when to start, Kat."

Turning her gaze to me, Anput narrowed her eyes, before looking back at Jahi.

From the corner of my eye I could see Leone lean forward slightly, but she stayed a few steps away from me. Sighing, I counted down.

"3..."

"2..."

"1..."

"Start!"

As soon as "Start!" left my mouth, Anput shot forward, an olive and red blur. Hearing the ruffling of her clothes, I watched in awe as a fist appeared in front of Jahi's face.

Swaying slightly, Anput's fist flew an inch from Jahi's face. Twirling, Jahi chopped her hand towards Anput's neck. Continuing forward, Anput did a cartwheel before spinning, laughing.

"Yes~ this is what I wanted!"

Dashing forwards, she sent a flurry of blows towards Jahi. Blocking or dodging each one caused Anput's grin to grow wider, making her look crazed.

Pulling back slightly, Jahi took a deep breath before going on the offensive.

Sending kicks, punches, chops, you name, Jahi was hitting Anput with it. A small smile rose to Jahi's lips, and I pouted slightly. Continuing to watch them spar, I felt a mix of relief and disappointment when a minute passed and neither showed signs of giving up.

Trading blow for blow, I watched as a sheen of sweat covered their bodies, and as I watched Anput, I had to admit that she was quite alluring.

Her cheerful smile, laughter, and jovial looks made her easy to get along with, and as she danced around the training grounds, trading blows with Jahi, I couldn't help but admire her flexibility and grace.

Sighing, I looked over at Leone, my jaw dropping when I saw her cheeks a light crimson as she watched the fight.

The two headed puppy was laying next to her, dozing off.

As if she could feel my gaze, she looked over towards me. Seeing me staring at her in shock, her blush deepened, before she lowered her head to look at the ground.

Although brief, when I saw her orange eyes, paired with her ashen hair, she looked quite beautiful.

In a low voice, she asked "Uhm... Do-Do you often... watch her fight?"

Nodding, I smiled slightly. "Yes, I often watch her spar the Marquess. Why do you ask, Lady Presa-Ash?"

Hearing that, she looked back up, her eyes widening. "Pl-Please call me Leone... Presa-Ash is... long..."

Nodding again, I waited for her to continue. She kept her orange gaze locked on my hazel eyes. Blushing again, she looked back towards the fight.

"It looks like a dance, and both... both of them se-seem like they are having fun..."

"Indeed, Lady Jahi quite likes sparring, Lady Leone."

Nodding absentmindedly, she asked "Has Mi-Miss Jahi started practicing... her magic?"

I nodded again, saying "Yes, she has started practicing. Arch Mage Kolia has made sure of that."

Turning towards me again, her pale face grew more red. "Have... Have you worked with magic sequences... Katherine?"

When she said my name, she looked away. Giving her a warm smile, I nodded my head. "I have been blessed enough to be allowed to attend classes with Lady Jahi. I quite enjoy creating sequences."

Hearing that, she looked at me, her eyes glowing slightly. "You do? Haha~ What do you like? Support spells? Offensive spells?"

Seeing the shift from a shy girl to an animated one, I smiled again, making her look away. "I quite enjoy both, but if I had to say... Ritual Circles. The complexity makes it quite fun to figure out the correct order and sequences."

Her smile widened, and she reached forwards, taking my hands in hers.

"You too!? Oh my, I LOVE ritual circles! It's like a giant puzzle, and finishing it feels so rewarding!"

Smiling, I nodded my head. Hearing a small cough besides us, we froze. Releasing my hands, Leone looked back at the ground.

Seeing Jahi's eye twitching slightly, she said "So I see that you two are getting along quite well..."

"Mhm~ It's almost like they're interested in each other~"

Giving me a mischievous smile, Anput stared me in the eyes. Looking towards Jahi, I could see her smile turn slightly frosty, her amethyst eyes flickering to gold before returning to normal.

"How was the spar, Lady Sera?"

Hearing me dodge the question, Jahi frowned slightly. Chuckling, Anput looked between us two, before moving towards Jahi, clinging to her arm.

"Why, it was amazing~! Y'know, I think Jahi and I hit it off quite well..."

Gritting my teeth slightly, I managed to say "Oh, is that so? That's good."

Narrowning her eyes, Anput sighed before removing herself from Jahi.

Jahi opened her mouth, but before she could say anything a low growl could be heard. Looking towards Anput, she was rubbing her stomach, a wry smile on her lips.

"Well, all that exercise made me hungry. Think the adults are done talking about pointless things?"

"Oh, and what pointless things would that be, brat?"

Freezing, Anput turned slightly, only to receive a slap on the back of her head. Somehow, Kio had appeared behind her, and after grabbing Anput by the scruff of her neck, she looked towards the rest of us.

"Chordeva said to get you all. Brunch is ready."

With that, she carried the squirming Anput out of the training grounds.

Assuming a more expressionless expression, I turned towards Jahi. Quickly wiping her off, I helped her into her coat, before moving back. Looking at me, she narrowed her eyes before sending Leone a small smile. Gesturing at the door, she led us into the hall, towards the room where the adults waited.

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So, a few things.

One. Holy LORD did y'all take what I said in Chapter 30 seriously. 183 PowerStones! Thank you all so much!

Two. So, we have a dilemma. These two portraits are currently really close (Kat Kid 1 and Kat Adult 2, which will be posted in the chapter comments.) Still a few days till the vote 'closes', but I just wanted people to know the current standing.

Lastly. No chapter tomorrow, cause I'm going out. Additionally, some time in this upcoming week I plan on taking a day to start one of the three side stories. I'm torn between the Cyberpunk one and the Romance one. So, if you have a preference, let me know and I'll start/give that one more attention.

Anyways, thank you all so much! I hope you continue to enjoy!

Hehe, also what'd you think of Anput and Leone, hmm?

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