17 To the ball

-Naberius territory, outskirt of main city-

The indigo light dissipates. Looking around, I see that we are in an alleyway.

On my right is the Devilish Mistress herself, Grayfia.

In front of us is a carriage pulled by two horses. A carriage made of red wood of sorts.

And on the driver's seat is a man in a dark brown trench coat, wearing a driver's hat. He looks like your typical middle-aged man. Clean shaven. And dark green hair can be seen poking from under his hat.

The man, finding two strangers teleport into a shady alley, rather than freak out, drops down from the driver's seat and stands next to the carriage's door.

He bows "Lord and Lady Atari, I am your driver for this evening, Wato."

I raise my eyebrow, looking at my Mistress "Atari?"

Grayfia answers my question "A forgotten, extinct family of Extra Demons. Is there a problem?" She also raised her eyebrow. Not knowing why I asked about the name.

"Heh. None at all. It's a good name." I found a funny surname to use in the future.

Watching the man's reaction, I ask my lovely Mistress, softly "Is he part of the Op?"

Grayfia affirms "He is usually the one who will be acting as our designated driver. If there is any need for that role."

I eyed the man, gauging him 'His demonic power is that of middle-class. I guess he really is just a driver.'

"I see." I silently cast [Look M] to change my facial features.

(silent cast = casting with [Illusion] to hide circle)

I remove the mask, walk up to the man, all smiles. And offer a handshake "Good to meet you, Wato."

'No need for him to know my appearance. Not like he can.'

Wato, being the gent he is, returns the handshake "Good to meet you too, Snake."

Grayfia also joins in on the greeting, she nods "Wato."

He greets her, bowing deeply. Respect hinted in his voice, says "Lady Silver."

Seeing him treat Grayfia in utmost respect, I mimic his greeting.

I bow too deep and with 'reverent' voice, say "Lady. Silver.'

Mistress, not liking me for making fun of her, grabs my earlobe and pulls me up to standing position.

"W-wait! You're gonna tear it off!" I regret teasing her.

She faces Wato, irritation evident on her "Do drive us to the mansion. After that, your duty ends."

The driver nods and hurriedly opens the carriage's door.

Grayfia drags me by my poor earlobe. And the door closes after we enter.

…

Letting go, she pushes my face away so that I would sit on the black leather seat. And she sits on the opposite seat. Two people can sit on each seat. A tiny crystal stuck to the ceiling that's giving off light.

"Ooo~, you stretched my delicate part. Please take responsibility." I cancel [Look M] and rub my earlobe in a 'hurtful' expression.

"Hmph." She turns her head to look at the window, and coldly says "That is what you deserve for belittling me."

"Oh? Are you really upset? That was just a joke, y'know." I worry, since it's not normal for her to get upset because of teasing.

While we've only known each other for a handful of days, I can pretty much tell that, right now, she is displeased. If she wasn't, she would've verbally shot back.

I get up from my seat and sit next to her, the left side of her seat. There isn't much space, given that our thighs are touching.

Clearly not happy that I sat next to her, she crosses both her arms and legs. Still looking out the window.

'Oh, boy.'

I gulp and place my hand on her left shoulder to show good faith.

When I placed my hand, I saw her reflection on the window, her sharp eyes gazing into me.

I nervously smile. And attempt to console my unhappy cute hag "I'm sorry that I made fun of you back there. Usually, you would take it like a champ. And even better, retort harshly. I won't do that again in front of others. It'll be just us next time." I rub her shoulder to reassure her.

She turns her head, and with a cold stare, coolly says "Hmph. Disrespectful disciple, do not think that I am easily appeased. If you want to repent, you will be spanked 20 times."

Hearing her demand, I sweat a bit.

'The way she said it sounds like something out of a Chinese novel.'

"S-spanking... . That's a very humiliating thing to do to your beloved disciple, isn't it? How about something tame, hm?" I try to change her demand.

"Hoh, then what would be enough to wash away the sin you have committed?" She crosses her arms tighter under her breasts, shaking the tightly clothed meaty orbs.

'Guh, this damned saggy tittied hag. Stop seducing me.'

*Cough*

I cough and answer "How about we dance at the ball?"

"We do not have to dance at the ball." She rejects promptly.

Seeing a bit of hope from the way she worded her rejection, I tighten my hold on her shoulder and say "Is it that you don't have to or don't want to?"

"...." She chooses silence and turns her head back to the window. A clear answer to me.

I move my head close to hers. My lips next to her ear. And whisper "How about we dance for most of the night. Not only that, but we'll do whatever it is you desire."

Her ear twitched. Showing that what she heard is to her liking.

'Hag, aren't you too easy?!' I'm troubled by such fact.

…

Still facing the window. she responds "Do not mock me when there are others, ever again."

Hearing her concession, I hug her shoulders and rub my cheek against hers "Mistress, you're so cute when you're sulking!"

Surprised by the sudden attack, her cheeks redden and tries to peel herself off of me "Y-you mutt, unhand me!"

"Ehehe. C'mon, Mistress. This is skinship. It's a must between Master and Disciple." I try BS-ing my way into feeling her up.

"I have had apprentices before, and we never had done any of this!" She seizes me by the cheeks, and tosses me to the opposite seat.

"Ahn. You're being too rough on me. And you're cruel to boot, comparing me to your former conquests, you brute."

I place the back of my hand on my forehead dramatically.

She sighs, smiling this time "Cease your buffoonery. We have arrived." And dons her mask

I, too, don the mask that she gifted me.

I look out the window. And see the mansion coming into view.