438 Harvest Festival (17)

"Not too shabby, Astra~! Many people struggle with formal dancing, especially on a large stage in front of hundreds of people~! And a Goddess... Impressive~!"

The Duchess smiled at me and gave my waist a squeeze, the woman making the most of this situation as we made another round around the stage, the both of us chatting and laughing as we enjoyed the dance, the topics ranging from the announcements we just heard, the businesses, to the plans that she had for tonight, which seemed so close yet so distant at the same time.

I wanted the suns to fall already so that we could become intimate, but I also wanted the suns to never fall so that we could continue celebrating and spending time together just having fun and furthering the feelings we seemed to foster for one another; that duality in my mind made it all the sweeter whenever she spouted a sappy line like "I really hope you don't plan on sleeping tonight, Astra..."

Her eyes were filled with a heat that contrasted the cool blue color, though that heat matched her fiery red hair perfectly as she gave me one more spin, only for us to reluctantly part as both the Duchess Leonisa and Magistrate Fenkar approached, something that was bittersweet.

Releasing my body, the Duchess gave me a deep bow before lifting my hand to her lips, mimicking the Wolfkin from earlier and sending me away with that simple gesture, said Wolfkin taking my hand and beginning to dance with me as well, her fluffy gray hair and heterochromatic eyes shining beneath the suns light, while her thin lips curled into a large grin as she asked "Was that first dance to your liking, Miss Astra?"

The amusement in her tone was infectious, and I chuckled and nodded my head, making the Wolfkin chuckle as well as she added "Good! I do apologize for 'intruding' between you two, but I am only getting older, you know? So I want to make the most of my time... besides, our dear Duchess does things rather methodically, so- ah, I speak far too much, don't I~?"

Chuckling some more, she ignored my curious head tilt and asked "You don't mind it either, do you Miss Astra? This old lady being rather... greedy and selfish?"

Her hand remained on my waist, but considering the way it was twitching as she held herself back from dropping it lower and copping a feel of my ass, I raised a brow beneath my veil and replied "I don't particularly mind, though... you wouldn't be offended if I said I was slightly disappointed that my dance was interrupted?"

A bark of laughter rushed out of those thin lips, surprising me as the Wolfkin shook her head and gave me a wide grin, mirth flooding her features and making her 'glow' rather beautifully as she said "Not at all! Not at all! Again, I do apologize, but I've always been a straightforwards woman! I see what I want, I try to get it... and as long as I don't step too hard on people's toes in doing so, I couldn't give a damn~! So, Miss Astra..."

Leaning down, the Wolfkin gave me a very fitting wolfish grin as she whispered "Might we make arrangements for you to visit my Manor - more specifically, for you to grace my bed? I can guarantee you an excellent night; that I swear on our dearest Goddess over there~!"

She chuckled softly as she let her hand wander, and I moaned softly in response, the two of us getting closer as my lust spiked once more, the lack of sex today making me far too easy as I just nodded, though I held back the temptation to ask if she wanted to just pull me over to an alley and fuck me a few times...

"Good, good... Raspberry, hm? Interesting... I'll send an invoice to the Duchess tomorrow morn with a cheque for 200 Gold. And depending on the results, well..."

Giving my butt a firm squeeze, she laughed as she whispered "Maybe we can work something out... I have a few things I wouldn't mind showering you with, Miss Astra... semen, wine, slaves, gold... I have it all~! You would just need to earn it..."

Drawing a moan from my lips again, Magistrate Fenkar smirked at me and released me after getting a good feel, allowing two women to approach me; Magistrate Augustia and-

We all stood straight as the Goddess smiled warmly at us all, the green skinned Divine giggling as she waved her hand and asked "Gia, dear, please have this dance first~! You have something to talk about with Miss Astra, correct? I do as well, but... I fear my topic will require a large amount of time, so please~! Ah, Fenkar~! Come; my sweet wanted to discuss something with you, so I would hear your answer..."

A pressure descended on me as those molten gold eyes landed on my veil, the Goddess smiling still as she gave me a small nod, before she looked away and took that pressure with her, walking away with Magistrate Fenkar.

"Well... you get used to it eventually, Miss Astra~! If you continue working with Duchess Poinset, then you will meet our wonderful Goddess many times. Ah, my apologies~! Might I have this dance, Miss Astra?"

The Boarkin gave me a curtsy before extending her hand, and I nodded, taking her hand in mine, only for us both to exchange a glance as we tried to take the female role, something that made Magistrate Augustia laugh as she said "Apologies~! It would seem we are both accustomed to being the ones who are led, hm~? Might I trouble you with that role, Miss Astra?"

I nodded, taking her hand and grabbing her waist, beginning to waltz slowly with the Boarkin Magistrate, wondering where I should begin, only to have her take that lead - despite me being in the leading role of the dance.

"My nieces - Vienna and Lizbeth - spoke highly of you, and they also gave me a name that I am... all too familiar with, Miss Astra. Now, let's just get this out there now; I... have always been of a mind that the actions taken all those years ago were reprehensible, however I do not have the proof or the authority to do anything about it, hm?"

Still smiling warmly, the Magistrate's voice matched it too, though her words did not.

"I know who they employed, I know what happened. Who you are a wife to. I know a fair bit. That's... sort of my job, and I pride myself in being damn good at what I do."

Looking up at me, Magistrate Gia Augustia gave me her warm smile even as her eyes fell neutral, causing me to swallow hard as I tried to remain neutral as well...

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Plot and 'Plot' need to be done accordingly inside this arc lol, so I get that this might be 'dragging' on, but uh... yeah, I would like to think that the distinct lack of Duchess X Astra at the moment will be made up by the plot that is being brought forwards instead?

And... that the Duchess X Astra moment will be much longer than just a 'moment', so yeah... 

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