Arthur felt uneasy after his meeting with Thorne. He wanted some alone time to figure things out, so he went into his room and found Lily putting his clean shirts away.
She had her hair braided and her maid outfit was spotless, but Arthur could tell she wasn't okay. Her hands were shaking a bit.
"Hey Lily," he said softly.
She turned and bowed. "Hey, my lord." Her voice was quiet and she avoided eye contact. "I've got your clothes ready for tomorrow's Trial."
[Emotional Sensing Activated]
[Energy Cost: -5]
[Target: Lily]
[Worry: 85% ↑, Insecurity: 80% Devotion: 95%, Jealousy: 40%]
He went up to her and gently lifted her chin up. "Hey, what's the matter?" Please tell me the truth."
Her lip quivered. "The other servants are talking, my lord. I know you and Lady Valentina are together, and you got your eyes for lady Lysandra too...
Arthur could tell their relationship was at risk. Though Lily was still devoted to him, she was feeling threatened.
Arthur said, "I get that you're worrying about me and our relationship and whether you fit in here."
She started crying, "I know I'm just a maid." Not a noble lady with magic or important connections. I wonder if you still need me."
Arthur wiped away her tear. "Lily, you were my first. Do you know what that means?" He led her to sit with him on the bed.
"It means you've been by my side since day one. None of this would have happened without you." "But what about the others?" she started to say.
"But what about the others—" she began.
"I need them for different reasons," he explained. "Valentina gives me information and political protection.
Lysandra helps me against Gareth. But you..." He held her face gently. "You give me something much more valuable. Complete loyalty. Unwavering devotion. These things are incredibly rare."
Her eyes looked into his. "Really, my lord?"
"Let me prove it to you," he murmured, leaning in to give her a kiss.
Arthur's lips connected with hers. Lily melted into him with a soft sigh, fingers tangling in his shirt. "Oh, my lord," she whispered in between kisses, hips starting to move slightly against his thigh.
"Shhh, none of that tonight," Arthur murmured, hands sliding under her maid's dress. The rough fabric rustled as he pushed it up, revealing flushed skin. "Just Arthur when we're like this." He lightly nibbled on her ear, making her let out a shaky moan.
[Emotional Sensing Activated]
[Lily Arousal: 98% ↑, Devotion: 100%]
Lily gasped as Arthur's rough hands touched her boobs through her shirt. The way she called him by his first name made her feel even more excited. She struggled to remove his belt. "Please, I really need—"
"Tell me," he said sharply as he held her neck and his fingers snuck under her undies.
"Y-you," she choked out, hips bucking into his touch. "Always y-you—nngh!" She couldn't help but let out a moan when he slid two fingers inside and curled them.
Arthur worked her wet pussy with slow, dirty thrusts. "That's right, baby," he said, enjoying her little whimpers. "Still so tight for me… still mine."
[Loyalty Reinforcement Success]
[Bond Stability: Restored to 95%]
They stripped each other with practiced urgency—buttons popped, fabric tore slightly, breaths coming in ragged bursts. When Arthur finally sheathed himself in her wet heat, they groaned in unison. "Fuck," he hissed, hips stuttering. "Always feel… perfect…"
Lily clawed at his back, legs locked around his waist as he set a relentless rhythm. The bed creaked under them, skin slapping skin with every deep thrust. "H-harder," she begged, nails digging in. "Wanna—ah!—wanna prove I'm… yours…"
"Don't prove it," Arthur grunted, slamming into her until her breasts bounced. "Beit." He kissed her to muffle her scream as she climaxed, her muscles contracting around him. He came inside her with a groan.
[Emotional Sensing Results]
[Post-Climax Clarity: Lily's Insecurity ↓ 15%, Devotion ↑ 5%]
Afterwards, while they were in bed covered in sweat, Lily ran her fingers along his chest and let out a happy sigh. "Still… essential?" she whispered, cheek flushed.
Arthur pulled her closer, hand possessively cupping her ass. "You're the fucking foundation," he said, voice rough with truth. "Everything else crumbles without you."
While Arthur and Lily reached their climax together, something special happened:
[Emotional Sensing Activated]
[Energy Cost: -5]
[Target: Lily at Peak Intimacy]
[Loyalty: 98% ↑, Devotion: 95%, Possessiveness: 45% ↑, Submission: 100%]
Arthur felt Lily's intense loyalty flow into him. This energy was stronger and more powerful than before, carrying her complete submission with it.
[Energy Harvested: +70]
[Total Energy: 195/200]
[Energy Quality: Exceptional]
[New Ability Unlocked: Submission Strike (Rank 1)]
[Channel the loyalty of a harem member to sap an opponent's will in combat. Cost: 30 Energy. Duration: 10 seconds.]
Arthur gasped when he saw this new ability appear in his mind. He quickly caught on to how it worked and figured out it was just what he needed for tomorrow's Trial to take on Gareth's powerful elemental magic.
Lily snuggled up beside him, her breathing getting slower as she drifted off to sleep. She absentmindedly traced patterns on his chest with her fingers. "I'd do anything for you," she mumbled, half asleep.
[Relationship Status: Lily - Secured]
[Bond Strength: 98% ↑]
[Loyalty Lock Established]
Arthur gave her hair a pat as he thought about all the stuff he could do with his new power. "You're the best," he murmured. "You've given me just what I was looking for." Once Lily was fast asleep, Arthur snuck away quietly.