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Beware the Rose of War

Stop me if you've heard this before, but a great evil is coming from beyond the horizon. Armies as far as the eye can see, marching towards their destination of absolute conquest. They cannot be reasoned with, they cannot be argued against, they cannot be slowed, they cannot be stopped. They will come, they will see, and they will conquer.

Unless...

The Holy Blade Fenrir. Said to have been forged from the fang of a mighty wolf spoken of legend, this blade was crafted by the goddess of metalworking, the impervious and invincible Omelia. Its blade is fine, its handle opulent, and it has the power to cut anything in twain. It has been stated that this sword was gifted to beastkind to help protect them from any force which threatens their way of life. Housed within the Temple of Gods, it has been sealed away for ages, only to be awaken in a time of great need.

Legends say that when this great evil arises from beyond, that a hero, pure of heart and noble of soul, will obtain the Holy Blade Fenrir, and wield it against these foreign invaders. That this hero, will overcome any and all obstacles. That this hero will lead all of beastkind in an unbeatable army, and rebuff the forces which threaten them!

This hero.

This hero.

This noble, valiant, pure-hearted hero that came from nothing...

Has already lost...

Clang! Clang! Clang!

He couldn't believe this. He couldn't... he couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe this.

Every time he closed his eyes, he thought he'd open them up to see that this was all some horrible nightmare. He'd think back to the day the Temple of Gods opened up before him. He'd think back to the day where he pulled the Holy Blade Fenrir from its casing. He'd think back to the reassuring speech King Odin gave when he set out. He'd think back to the afternoon Juli woke him up on when he was casually sitting under his favorite tree. He'd think that... this would be the moment where he'd hear her voice, teasing him for his perceived laziness. And then he'd wake up.

But every time his eyes reopened, he always found himself back... here...

In this... cage.

Like a feral rat.

History was always going to remember his name! He was to be the warrior who freed beastkind from these powerful invaders! He was to be the one who ushered them into a new age of prosperity! He was to be the one who scholars spoke of in reverent tones, who musicians created ballads in order to worship, and kings and queens would always think of as their superior!

At least... that's what his uncle always said. His uncle put it in his head that he was to be the hero that would forge a new word with his voice alone. And when he held the Holy Blade Fenrir within his hand, yes, he truly felt it. He truly felt that he was the hero who would do all these things.

But where was that hero now? Where had he gone? Who was this runt of a fox that was dripping with sweat, and shivering in apprehension? Why was it both hot in this metal cell, yet oh so cold? What had he done to suffer this fate? Had he, somehow, besmirched the gods and had gained their ire? Or was this some sick joke? Was he truly not the hero of legend spoken of.

Right now? He didn't feel like it. Right now... he felt so... less.

Becket. Becket Baldr. That was to be the name of the hero who rebelled against the invading army, and brought beastkind into a new era. That was to be the name. Instead... what would it say in the history books? How he was a failure? How he was a fool? How he waged war against the invading nation, only to be utterly and completely crushed?

Yeah... that sounds more accurate.

He was young, only nineteen in fact. Just a few months ago, he was casually taking potshots at his grandmother's old pottery outside the family farm. Now here he was, his arms bound together via chains, his fur dripping with sweat, his feet shaking, and his body bruised. But none of that was worse than the realization that he had failed.

He didn't care about history before. He didn't care about where he'd be when time marches on. He didn't care about being the paramour of some princess. He cared only about his family's farmlands, and the simple living awarded him in his village. He was humble like that. Humble... and simple. But the morning those dreams started occurring, everything changed. And when his uncle started feeding those words into his ears, started calling him the hero of legend, Becket found himself changing.

Perhaps... perhaps simple, mundane living in his family's farm, wasn't his only goal in life. Perhaps he can have something... more.

And when he grasped the Holy Blade Fenrir, he truly felt that 'more'. He truly felt that, yes, he can obtain a higher place within this world. He truly was the hero of legend, the one foretold to bring beastkind to a new era, a new prosperity. All he needed to do was defeat... them.

And he felt like he could do it. In fact, he was doing it! He defeated foes, he bested them in combat! Driven by this blade that can cut through anything, he overcame challenge after challenge! He proved that this simple farm boy was no simple farm boy, and that he could be the hero of legend!

But his enemies... they were wily... cunning. They learned of the boy with the blade that can cut through anything, and they matched his wit, his cunning. They sent after him a warrior unlike any other, a force of strength he could only compare to a demigod. A warrior, capable of matching his in battle. A warrior who seemingly had strength infused within every fiber of her being.

Even now, her name sends shudders down his spine, the sight of her is enough to make his blood run cold, and her mere thought makes him stiffen. They called her the 'Rose of War'.

The Rose of War...

He had heard of her even before their interaction; her lists of feats precede her, considering how mighty they claim her to be. How she's slain more than a thousand men, how not even mighty magics and spells are enough to stop her, and how her troops number in the hundreds beneath her command. But above all, they say her blade is long and red, and when she slices through her foes, the petals of a rose fall around her.

He wouldn't believe these claims... had he not faced her himself.

And then that morning came, that morning where men wearing red armor pounded into the fields of Wulkar. They brandished weapons of all kinds, from swords and shields to axes and crossbows. They even had a battalion of wizards within their ranks. Despite this, they all shared the same coat of arms, whether it be on their shields or capes. That of a single red rose resting among a bed of flowers.

At the head of this troop was a carriage fit for an aristocrat, and descending from this carriage was a woman. She had long hair as blonde as gold, though it was braided and tied into something extravagant, and a large bang fell over the right side of her face. Her body was clad in a red and gold dress, one with various bits of armor attached to it here and there, whilst retaining its high-class beauty. And at her hip, there was a sword, one that was long and red with a vicious and clean edge.

He had heard how great her skill and prowess on the battlefield was, but they never spoke about how this was matched only by her physical beauty.

Becket and his army set off to face her on the fields of Wulkar. He remembered that morning well. He was obviously apprehensive, but confident that he and his forces could defeat their opponents. And how couldn't he? His journeys had introduced him to such great warriors. The kind yet large Thalmor, the ditsy yet skilled Amelia, the cool and stoic Bolton. His army had bested all foes; none were too great, none were too strong, none were too skilled.

None... except her...

He fought as well as he could. He battled her army with every inch of his soul. He swore he could manage it, he knew he could defeat her. He knew he could defeat her.

He was wrong.

The enemy army was too great, too numerous, too strong, and with the Rose of War there to lead them, they were practically impervious. Their battle waged for hours, and one by one, Becket watched as his army, his friends, fell before them. And he too, eventually fell before the Rose of War herself.

The Holy Blade Fenrir... it should cut through everything, right? Everything. But only if he could actually strike his target. Which he failed to do. Again.

And again.

And again.

The Rose of War was too great, too skilled. She had been fighting all her life. He'd been fighting only for a few months. The skills of a farm boy matched not the skills of a warlord, even when clutching a divine blade in hand. He learned that the hard way. Whether or not his previous victories were flukes, that matters not. In the end, the Rose of War reigned supreme. And Becket – the hero who would usher in a new age for beastkind – fell to her feet.

Defeated.

And now, this was to be his fate. Chained and bound, and brought into their kingdom. Made to be a slave before the brutal and unstoppable Dudral Empire.

“We've arrived..." said one of the drivers outside his cage.

“Good..." replied the other, with Becket even hearing him stretch and groan, “Aaaahh... annoying little twerp, wasn't he? Heh... the knights said he was some 'hero' or whatever. That's what those beastkin were calling him. Stupid fools... heh... looks like our lady showed them what a real 'hero' is like. Hmph... let's hurry this up. The sooner I get home, the sooner I can wash off all this fur smell on me."

“Hmmm..."

Becket heard them dismount, a sound that sent a shiver down his spine. They were coming to him, but where would they be taking him? He's heard of the many, horrible things the Dudral Empire does to beastkin. How they eat them, tear their pelts from their flesh to make clothes and other items, and – if your lucky – how the make them into slaves. Any one of these things would be horrible, but knowing that one was to be his fate, horrified the fox even more. He even thought it would be better if he died on the fields of Wulkar alongside his army. At least then he'd be spared this terrible end.

But he was just as quick to chastise himself for these thoughts. He was a hero, even if a failure at that. How would the spirits of his allies feel if the saw him cowering in defeat like this? He needed to be strong, and face whatever death he had with dignity.

So when those men came to the side of his cage, and he heard them steadily unlock it, he tipped his head up to face them. The steel walls barring him from escape were steadily pulled open, where a flooding of sunlight came gleaming into his eyes, blinding him.

On the outside, he was revealed to all. A young man at the age of nineteen; a beastkin of the fox variety. A kitsune to be exact. And... you wouldn't call him masculine or big, instead he was rather slender. He was still but a boy, in all honesty. From his softer cheeks, to his curly hair, and even those wide eyes of his. His fur was silver, his hair was black, and his eyes were blue.

In better days, he looked charming... cute even. In fact, that's one of the key descriptions of the hero of the beastkin; that he was a cute young man. But here, after having been locked in that cell for who knows how long, he looked so scrawny and weak, disheveled and pathetic. But he still looked up at them, still tried to stare them eye to eye. His captors, these... humans.

A human was something he's never heard of until the Dudral Empire attacked. They've been known about, yes, but their lands were far from those inhabited by beastkin. These strange creatures who lack fur and tails, wings and horns. Their even stranger machines that grant them great boons. And – above all – their belittling natures that make him feel...

Lesser...

Two humans. They were standing in front of him, wearing these black clothes that lacked style, and showed only business. Both had fair skin, though the one on the right – the larger one – had a darker complexion, and the one on the left – the older man – had graying hair. Becket stared up to them, his eyes having relaxed under the harsh sunlight. The two men before him... they didn't look too bothered.

“Come on, little 'hero', said the larger human as he forcibly tugged on his chains, “Your new home awaits."

“Ah! H-hey! Nnghh!"

His clothes had been replaced. When he went out to battle, he was wearing his blue tunic baring the Kingdom of Yggdrasil's coat of arms. It was such lovely garbs, both elegant, yet formfitting. Whenever he put them on, he truly felt like the hero of legend. But now here he was, wearing this shabby shawl that barely came down to his stomach, and these shorts which couldn't even reach his knees. It made him feel poor, dirty... pathetic even. It frustrated him, angered him... but what could he do?

So he held his head low; defiant, yet still submissive to a point. That is until his ears perked up, hearing the sound of... voices.

“Oh my... who is that?"

“Isn't that the hero they kept talking about?"

“He's so scrawny... he's no hero..."

“I wonder what will happen to him..."

“Isn't he heading to House Invictus? He'll never be seen again."

Drawing his eyes up, Becket gazed towards his surroundings. He stood on a sidewalk, and all around him were many buildings... homes from the looks of it. Their walls were made of elegant stone, and they came in a wide variety of colors. Blues, reds, yellows, blacks; it just went on and on and on.

And they were all so opulent! Just one of these homes looked grand enough to house entire families three-times over! He'd never seen houses so big! In fact, the only home larger would have to be that of the King of Yggdrasil himself!

And the people around! They only enhanced this feeling! Humans! Clothed in elegant dresses and suits. Men and women alike! Even the children wore clothes that shimmered brightly! Like the buildings before, Becket had never seen anything like this before!

And they... they'd never seen someone quite like him before. They all stared at him, some knew he was the so-called hero, others were merely curious, but most saw him as putrid. They thought he was ugly, meek and poor. And some of them... some of them...

Some of them outright hated him.

“He's the one who killed Kopis' son..." he heard someone whisper, making him jerk his head in their direction.

He wasn't sure who it was, but it did not matter. If they knew he was the hero, then it was likely they knew of someone he's killed. Those emotionless suits of armor that he cut through like paper; beneath them laid some living soul. And if he had slain someone's son or daughter, husband or wife, friend or lover... these people would hate him.

And he was in their midst. Trapped... on all sides... by people who hate him.

“I said get going! I know you are a beastkin... but you aren't stupid," snapped one of the jailers, forcibly tugging Becket's chains to move him.

Turned away from the onlookers around them, the jailers began leading him towards great stone walls with great golden gates. What laid beyond these walls, Becket wondered; his death? Was this where they execute people like him? Was it to be some show among all these people who despised him?

Come see the great hero of the beastkin as his head is cut off!

He could only wonder if that's what they tell everyone. It made him swallow his spit in anticipation and growing fear, while the two jailers continued forcing him along towards these gates. Every step made his heart race faster and faster, while sweat began dripping down his brow. He even shook on the chains, which ultimately garnered nothing more than an annoyed grunt from his captors.

“Would you knock it off, you stupid dog?" snapped the larger man, “Just hurry this up so we can get this over with! Unlike you, I have a family to return to."

“Oh Derrick..." muttered the older man at his side in a berating manner... only to chuckle too at his sinister joke, “Please, do try not to enjoy yourself!"

“What is going on?" Becket asked, his voice stained with slight desperation, “T-tell me!"

“He can talk?" he heard others around them say, “I didn't know beastkin like him could talk."

“He sounds so young..."

“I hope the duchess cuts out his tongue..."

That remark froze Becket solid, and his voice even got caught in his throat. He still attempted to fight off, but no matter how desperate he was to escape, his exhaustion and their superior strength made it impossible. Before they knew it, they were standing before the gate of this strange stone wall, and the older gentleman pressed his lips to an even stranger brass tube.

“Hello, is Duchess Invictus here?" he said into it, “We have arrived with her prize as per her instructions. Please, open the front gates!"

And then... silence. Both Becket and his captors waited for several moments, with the kitsune quivering in place. He was trying to be brave, he was trying to face his death with dignity... but it was so very, very difficult! He was more scared now than he'd been in his first fight on the battlefield! At least there had had his friends, and the Holy Blade Fenrir. Here? He had nothing. He was nothing...

The gates began opening...

Grrruuuuuuuuuuuuuun!!!

Glink! Glink! Glink! Glink! Glink! Glink!

Gears hidden by the stone wall began moving, causing the golden gates to start rising. Becket's eyes and mouth grew wide with wonder at the sight, mesmerized. That man merely spoke into a tube, yet the gates began rising! There were no guards on duty to do so, at least from where Becket stood! So how was this information traded so quickly!

But he was not given the pleasantry to marvel at this sight, for once the gates were open--

“Now get moving!"

Chang!

“Aah!?"

He was forced along by his jailers once again.

On the other end of the gates was a stone pathway that led through amazing and massive green fields. They went on forever! They even appeared larger than the fields of his farmland! And such brilliant fields as well! Holding this shimmering green shine that reflected the rays of the sun itself. Once again, Becket gasped in awe of what he was seeing, while his mind continued to wonder where he was going. If he was to merely be executed, was he being delivered to a prison? Well, who would put a prison in such a brilliant place like this?

But before he could voice his opinions, his ears twitched at the sound of... water. Water was rushing somewhere, somewhere close! It was enough to make his dry mouth twitch, desperate for something to drink. When was the last time he had something to drink? Before his captors threw him into his cage? Becket couldn't even remember!

Desperate for water, the kitsune gazed into the direction of the sound, and he saw...

A fountain. An elegant, opulent, flowing fountain! Its stone surface was so white, so flawless, it was practically silver, not to mention reflective! In fact... no, it was silver! It was made of pure silver! It bore the image of three angelic women holding vases in their hands, and pouring water upon a flower in the center. The water would then sprinkle down the flower and flow into the basin around it. And... my, the water was so clean, it was clear and reflective!

And Becket could see himself in its reflection... this poor... horrible imitation of himself at least. He had never seen himself appear so... pathetic before.

And then...

He drew his head up.

What did he say before? That he's never seen homes so large? So grand? So opulent? Well, if the homes outside of the gates were all of these things, then this building before him was even more so.

He had been in the castle of Yggdrasil. He had seen all of its elegant walls, its extravagant rugs and furniture, its more than impressive architecture, even its plush, grandiose beds; he had seen everything! He had met King Odin himself upon his throne, when the great lion gifted him a battalion all his own as hero of the beastkin!

And yet, even the king himself would shudder at the sight of this home before him.

Becket stood before the grandest, most elegant, more reverent estate that his imagination could come up with. No, not even his imagination was detailed enough to come up with something as amazing as this! A building, with smooth white, gold and red walls. The ceiling was dome-like, its walls had many arches in it, pillars stood tall beneath awnings, and its shear size seemed to stretch on for as far as the eye could see! Becket couldn't even see all of it!

Just what was this amazing place? And why was he being led up towards it?

“Hghh... stopped fighting now, have you?" said one of his jailers, the big one gain, “Don't worry... you'll really be fighting for your life here. Best enjoy the décor, little hero... geh... it'll probably be the last home you ever live in."

While he continued holding upon Becket's chains, his fellow jailer walked up to the home. Once again, there was that strange, brass tube. Bringing his lips over to it, the older man said,

“We've arrived with your prize, duchess..."

'Your prize'. That's what they kept calling him; a 'prize'. Not like he was a living creature who could breath and speak, but more like an object to be won and used. It frustrated and belittled him, but all he could do was bare his teeth and snarl. His mouth opened and he was about to roar at these two jailers... but...

Click!

The door to this opulent estate began to open, revealing on the other end...

“Good morning, Mr. Leif! Good morning, Mr. Halford!"

“Good morning, Leona," said the two jailers in response.

She was a beastkin, a feline beastkin. Standing there at a similar height to Becket himself, this feline wore a red maid dress. Her fur was a golden-brown, her hair wavy and neck-length, she had cute cheeks, sharp blue eyes, and there was even a red bow tied around her tail. This cheery young feline moved with elegance and grace, and when she saw the shaking Becket between the two jailers, her eyes grew wide with shock.

“Nyah! You have arrived!" she said excitedly, “Oh! The duchess has been waiting so long for your arrival!"

And Becket? He was too stunned to speak! Just looking at this feline maid felt like he was staring at an anomaly! The people outside spoke about how much they hated beastkin! Even the way they looked at him felt less like they were staring at a creature, and more like they were staring at some object! But this feline, she was... smiling at him? Was she a slave? Weren't slaves worked until their bones broke? That's what all the rumors claimed! But this maid looked so...

Normal...

“Come, come!" said the cat, Leona, as she beckoned Becket forward with her curling hand, “The duchess is so excited to see you, and the rest of us are so excited to meet you!"

“Be careful with him, Leona," said his burly jailer as he handed the kitsune's chains to her, “He's still a danger. If he so much as thinks about bringing harm upon the duchess, will skin him alive before the entire kingdom!"

“Tee-hee! So lovely of you, Mr. Halford! But we understand. Do not worry; the duchess has been looking forward to this for so long! And I'm sure the hero will behave himself..." her eyes looked back down upon him, “We will make sure of it!"

Grasping his chains in hand, the feline began walking back into the estate, passing through its doors with Becket in tow. He gasped, his eyes grew wide, and his voice got caught in his throat, while the flooding of light around him began to dimmer. When they stepped inside, the first thing he noticed about this grand lobby was...

Its floors.

Wide. Spacious. Reflective. Wooden floors. They shimmered and glimmered when the sunlight struck it through the windows. Gasping in awe, Becket had never seen such wonderfully varnished floors before. Whoever tended to this place was immaculate!

Another tug to his chains by Leona, and Becket found his head tipping up. Again, his jaw slid open as his eyes fell upon a grand staircase. It led up to the second floor of this home, steps that were both lean and flawless, and a banister that was rose-gold in color. And all the way at the top of the stairs, standing on the second floor was a woman. A human woman.

Elegant. Regal. Divine. These were the words one would use to describe the woman standing beyond him. Her figure was lithe, tight and flawless, befitting a dancer without equal, and warrior fit for the gods. From her looming height, to her golden-blonde hair, her slender midsection, the toned yet not overtly muscular arms, her shapely waist, and of course, her busty chest: she had a body no mortal could hope to obtain in over a hundred, if not a thousand years of work.

She wore a red and white dress befitting a queen, or empress, or in this case, a duchess, one with a grand yet slender skirt that was adorned with the golden imprint of roses, and was also parted at the side to flaunt her leg. Her cleavage was on display too, for the bodice she wore hugged around her waist to flaunt how toned it was.

Her hair... her golden-blonde hair. Yes, it was golden like the rays of sunlight! Long and wavy, it was tied in a braid which slid down her back; thick and strong. And on the right side of her face laid bangs which both obscured her, and also gave her an unequaled mystique. There was even a beauty mark on the left side of her face, beneath her lips, and above her chin.

And it all... all of it... all of it... attracted his eyes to her eyes. These glowing green eyes. Greener than the grass outside. Greener than his farmlands on a cool spring day. Greener than anything he's ever seen before.

And they were locked squarely on him.

This woman slowly descended down the stairs, holding a chalice in one hand, while her sleak eyes seized Becket up, and her lips curled into a coy smile. He was mesmerized, astonished, and enthralled, all at once. But as she grew closer and closer and closer, his heart began racing faster and faster and faster.

This woman... he knew this woman! How could he possibly forget this woman!? Her hair style may change, her clothes too, but he could still remember the way she moved, the way she spoke, the look in her eyes, and the blade she had at her side. And yet, he remained silent... not until...

“Welcome to my estate, little hero..."

She spoke. Her voice was like water in how it sounded; clear, crystal, pristine. Lacking any impurity and any flaw. This woman was truly and completely divine.

And Becket hated her!

“You... you! The Rose of War!" he shouted, even marched up towards her, only for a sudden yank of his chains too-- “Aah!?"

Thump!

His legs were weak. Days with barely any food and water had nearly reduced him to a husk. If he wasn't such a fit warrior, he would have possibly died by now. Still, with a mere tug of his chains, he was knocked off balance, where he fell face-first into the ground.

“Oh my... so embarrassing!" said the woman in a purposefully teasing manner, “Thank you, Leona. It seems our new friend here has yet to learn any manners."

“Tee-hee! We were all like this in the beginning, I'm sure, duchess," said the feline who held his chains, only for her gaze to shift towards Becket on the floor, “Now hear this! You stand before Duchess Nadia Bridgettainia Invictus! The Rose of War! In her presence, you will give her the respect she is deserved! For it is with her endless and boundless kindness that she has seen to give you house and home, despite your actions against her and the Dudral Empire!"

Leona spoke with strength, authority, and with Becket down on the round as he was, there wasn't much he could say in response. But... why would any self-respecting beastkin say such a thing about a woman like her? It wasn't just respectful, Leona's tone was outright worshiping!

“Oh now, Leona. No need for such grandstanding; he is new to the estate, after all," said Nadia as she stepped up to the kitsune on the floor, “You may stand, Becket. I'm sure the floor is not so comfortable."

“You... know my name?" he groaned whilst looking up at her.

“How could I not? The Hero of Yggdrasil, foretold to bring the people of his land into a new age of prosperity, all whilst wielding the Holy Blade Fenrir. I have done my research on the boy carrying a sword that can cut through anything. Why else did I best you in battle so easily? Now then..." she curled her hand in a beckoning manner, “Stand up. I'm sure those chains are uncomfortable."

And then, with a flourish of her hand, a key appeared. The keys to his chains in fact. Becket gasped, for these chains around his wrists had been digging into his flesh and fur for days now. Getting it removed would feel so good!

But why would she do this? He bit his tongue...

“What is your game here?" he asked whilst using every bit of remaining strength to stand on his feet.

“No game. I don't play games," Nadia claimed as she handed Leona her chalice so that she could use her hand to lift his chains up, “They are such... childish endeavors, wouldn't you agree? Instead, I make offers. Deals. Exchanges. Uru..."

The key in hand came sliding forward, making Becket stiffen as he watched the Rose of War bring it near his keyhole. So close, so close; she was so close to actually unlocking them! But she stopped.

“Will you behave yourself?" Nadia asked whilst trapping his eyes with her powerful green gaze, “You have no friends here, Becket. No allies to aid you, no one to lean on. My servants are also here, and they all have their eyes on you. If you in any way give me or my servants reason to believe you will bring harm upon us... well..."

“You'll skin me alive before your entire kingdom?" he muttered, his eyebrow raising while his teeth grew clinched.

“My... uru... you catch on fast," the duchess said as her smile grew in size, though they remained so powerfully alluring, “So... do be a good boy, and behave yourself. I'd hate for a cute hero such as yourself to find such a grueling end."

That term 'hero'.... when he was fighting alongside his fellow beastkin, it's what they often called him. At first, Becket hated it. He was still shaky around the whole 'hero' thing, and much preferred it if his knights called him 'sir' or 'captain' or 'Becket' or even his nickname, 'Beck'. But, no, they all called him 'hero', again and again and again. Only his close friends found it in them to call him anything else, and even they'd tease him with the occasional 'hero' every now and then.

But after a while, Becket started enjoying it; started enjoying it when people called him 'hero'. It was a boon to his spirit, and truly made him feel like he was a valiant hero of legend, riding in on horseback to save the weak and defenseless.

The term 'hero' was strong, was powerful. And that's what it made him feel; strong and powerful! But here, in the Dudral Empire, whenever these humans called him 'hero', it felt belittling. It was less to boon him, and more to mock him. As if to say...

Oh? He's a hero?

Putting it lightly, Becket was starting to hate it when he was called a hero again. And nowhere was that more prevalent than with the woman who defeated him; the Rose of War. From her regal lips rang a voice that, put lightly, sounded like divinity. So when she called him 'hero', it felt three-times as belittling.

Becket gritted his teeth and growled. And yet... what else could he do?

“I... understand..." he muttered, making Nadia smile.

“Lovely. Good boy."

Click! Cha-Ching!

Becket's eyes grew wide. Around his wrists, the chains which had been sitting there for several days were undone, falling loose upon the floor where they audible clanked against one another. It felt liberating! The fox even gave a gasp of joy as his hands began rubbing his sore wrists! His heart raced, he panted audibly, and his ears and tail even stretched up!

Only to lower slowly...

He was distrustful. What was Nadia's game here? Oh, sorry, what was her deal here, her offer? Why would she undo his chains like this? He could rise up and attack her, didn't she know this? Even if the humans were to skin him alive before their entire empire, if he killed Nadia, then it would be worth it!

But he stared her in the eyes and gazed upon her alluring smile. She showed no bend, no break, no flaw; she wasn't afraid of him in the least bit. In fact, she was more... intrigued.

“Why am I here?" he asked, causing the duchess to straighten up and stare at him with that elegant smile of hers, “What do you want from me?"

“Uru... I'm sure, you have many, many questions. I'll answer them all... later..." looking over to her maid, Nadia took back her chalice, “Leona. Be a darling and show Becket to his quarters. Just like we practiced."

“Yes, duchess," said the cat maid with an honorable bow, before her gaze shifted over towards Becket, “Come, Mr. Hero! I'm sure you are tired following your time in chains, so please, enjoy your bedroom to your heart's content!"

“My bedroom...? What?"

His eyes grew wide as the word rang around in his head: bedroom, again and again and again. He had a bedroom in this massive place? No, this had to be a joke, right? She was actually leading him to the estate's dungeon to be tortured for Nadia's sick enjoyment; that had to be it!

Becket thought about fighting off, but what could he do? He was so tired and weak, that standing up after falling over was almost too difficult for him! So he just followed, resigned to whatever fate would befall him while Leona led him on.

Such a peppy girl. Was she not a servant under Nadia, the Rose of War? Humans hated beastkin, didn't they? So why was this maid so happy? So cheerful? She didn't just work for Nadia as a slave, or maid or whatever, the feline seemed to outright adore working for the duchess!

He opened his mouth to speak to her, but he found himself gazing around at their surroundings instead. Being led through the halls of the estate, Becket gasped in awe at what he saw. The rugs were opulent with their red and gold coloration, the windows grand enough to gaze upon the great fields around, there were grandiose paintings detailing people within the house Invictus, all of which Becket did not know. Well, save for this one, glorious portrait that stood grander than all the others put together. This wide picture of Nadia, sitting in a throne upon a bed of flowers. Less like a duchess or ruler, and more like an outright deity.

It made Becket shiver.

“Who... who are you?" he asked Leona whilst gazing away from the portraits they were walking past.

“Hm? Who am I?" asked the feline whilst looking at him, her eyes holding this certain, star-like glow to them, “Well... isn't it obvious? Tee-hee! I'm one of the duchess' maids!"

“But... doesn't Nadia hate beastkin? Don't humans hate beastkin?" Becket asked, confused.

“Well... no! Not the duchess! She is.. she is beyond all others!" Leona exclaimed, without a hint of it being a lie, “Unlike many in the Dudral Empire, she does not hate beastkin. She doesn't even hate you, despite the battle you're shared. In fact, that is why you are here!"

“It... what, it is?"

“Well... tee-hee! I've said enough! Duchess Nadia will explain everything else!"

“Ummm..."

Then Leona stopped, with Becket doing likewise. Before them were a door, one the cat maid opened up to reveal--

“Wow..."

The greatest, largest, grandest bedroom Becket has ever seen. Gazing upon its width, he audibly gasped in shear awe. From wall to wall, it would probably take him a full minute to walk it in its entirety! The windows gave a wide view of the surrounding landscape, it had a full walk-in closet, a vanity dresser with a grand mirror upon it, an even larger, full-body mirror beside that, and a bed!

This bed!

This large, great, amazing bed! It was covered in red and gold sheets, and looked softer than any hay bail, softer than any cloud, softer than any... anything! He couldn't even begin to quantify the shear size of this bed! It had Becket's jaw dropped and his eyes wide, all in shear amazement.

He flinched.

“No... this has... this has got to be a joke!" he said, snapping at Leona. In response, she merely cocked her head.

“What? No! This is no joke! This is your room, tee-hee!" said the feline gleefully as her tail sprang up, “Duchess Nadia has gifted it to you. You are allowed to have your way with it as you please! I'm sure you could really use a bed following your... ahem... ordeals! So, please, enjoy it to your heart's content!"

“And... what do you want in return?"

“Oh? Nothing, of course!" replied Leona, “Though, the duchess does have a schedule set out for you!"

“A schedule...?"

“Yes, tee-hee! You see, Duchess Nadia has set out a specific plan for you! We know that you are confused, no doubt wondering why you are here! Because of that, the duchess will explain everything to you. Why you are here, and what will happen now."

“Is she... going to kill me?" Becket asked whilst shaking slightly in pace.

“No! Of course not! If she wanted you dead... you'd be dead," Leona said. And she said it with such simplicity. It made Becket shake, “Soooooo~! Duchess Nadia has a schedule planned out for you. We will allow you to rest for the next several hours, but we will wake you up for dinner. My fellow maid, Mara, will come and wake you up, okay? She will also bring you a fresh pair of clothes. Everything has already been laid out for you by the duchess' design, so there's no need to worry."

“No need to worry...?" Becket repeated under his breath as he looked away, “I'm trapped in the home of my mortal enemy. How could I not worry?"

Frowning, Becket thought about how hopeless this situation was. Contained here within Nadia's estate, where she could perform an untold amount of sinister acts upon him. Would she do it? He had no reason to believe she wouldn't. This bedroom, the promise of food and clothes; this all had to be a ploy, a gambit of some sort.

Nadia claimed not to play games, but how could this all not be anything but some sick twisted game? Whatever it may be, he wasn't going to fail. Nadia may have bested him on the battlefield, but she would not best him again! Not just for his own dignity, but for those who fought and died alongside him.

It was the least he could do.

“I'm... tired..." Becket muttered as he looked at Leona.

“Tee-hee! Then rest, Mr. Hero! We'll come for you... later..."

Looking at her, the kitsune watched as the cat maid exited the room whilst closing the door behind her. And with an audible 'THUD!' he was all alone.

Staring over towards his bed, Becket wondered how life came to this. That morning on the fields of Wulkar, if he knew things would come to this, would he have continued on with the fight? Or would he have ordered a retreat?

The Rose of War. He wrote her off before as nothing more than another general among many in the Dudral Empire; just one with a few more accolades attached to her name. He'd defeated many before her, and felt, outright believed that he'd defeat many after.

But if he knew she would have bested him on those fields, would he have gone through with it? Or would he have retreated, no matter how shameful it would have looked?

Is this even up for debate?

At least... this bed was soft. Mmm... almost too soft. The moment his body fell in, Becket instantly felt the weight of the situation being pulled off of his shoulders. He groaned with delight and closed his eyes, all while sinking in further... deeper... deepeeerrr...

The blankets fell over him. He descended into darkness.

…

Do not fall for her wiles.

You must remain vigilant, Becket.

She will toy with you. Trick you.

Remain cautious.

Becket.

Becket...

“Misssssss-terrrrrr Heeeeeerrooooooo~~~! Chchchchchch!

“Gah!?"

Blue eyes snapped open.

How long had he been asleep? The answer escaped him, but one thing was clear; he couldn't remember the last time he slept so good! It was amazing! The moment he closed his eyes, he fell asleep faster than ever before. Far better than his bedroom at home, far better than the bed he had at the king's castle, and certainly better than those uncomfortable cots he used on the camp barracks!

But his rest had been ruined, awakened by a voice which rang to his right. Pulling up, Becket first stared to his left, where he saw the night sky staring back at him. Well, that answered the question of how long he had been asleep; wasn't it only noon when he arrived at the estate? But uh... who was it that woke him up? Well, he slowly looked to his right.

And his eyes befell another maid.

She was just as cheery as Leona from her outward looks, though she had a more playful look in her hazel eyes. Her fur was chestnut, her cheeks was round, her brunette hair was so long, it was done up into symmetrical twintails which fell from her head, and she had the big, bushy tail of a sciuridae. She was a squirrel, one who – like Leona – was of similar height to Becket. Also like Leona, she was wearing a maid uniform. Where as the feline's was red however, this squirrel's was green.

“Ah! You're awake! Chchchchchch! Good evening, Mr. Hero~!" said the squirrel, with Becket rising whilst giving her a curious gaze.

“Uuhh... h-huh...? Who... who are you?"

“Eee! You don't know who I am!? Didn't Leona tell you!?" replied the squirrel, as if him not knowing her was some affront to the gods. Well, she was poised to remind him as she placed her hand upon her rather flat chest, “I am Mara! One of Duchess Nadia's beloved maids! I was sent to collect you for dinner, chchchchchch!"

“R... right... Leona did say that," Becket muttered as his eyes glanced away, “S-sorry... I uh..."

“Snifff... snifff..."

“Hm?"

“Oh! Chchchchch! Nothing! Nothing!"

What? Not 'nothing', she was just smelling him, wasn't she? Then again... sniff... he did smell pretty awful. Could you blame him? He hasn't had a bath since before the battle of Wulkar. And, no, getting buckets of water tossed upon him does not count. He could use a bath... but more pressing matters were at hand.

“I'm... supposed to have dinner with Nadia, right?"

“Duchess Nadia," Mara corrected with a sternness in her voice that actually jolted Becket, “And yes! You are to have dinner with her, chchchchch!"

Stepping aside, she brought his attentions over towards the vanity dresser, where resting upon it were clothes. Nothing too extravagant; just slacks, a button up vest, an undershirt, and some suede shoes. They were all blue in color, save for the undershirt which was white.

The blue coloration... it was the same kind of blue shared with his warrior's tunic.

“Do not worry; you have underwear and socks along with it. And even garter straps if you'd like it."

“Gllk!? G-garter straps?"

“Chchchchchchchch! Just kidding! We don't have your measurements for them..."

“Uhhh... y-yeah..."

Becket stared at the grinning squirrel, finding her statements rather embarrassing. Garter straps? Measurements? She was clearly just messing with him but...

As he made his way over towards the clothes, he saw that they may have already been his perfect size. Of course, he was only eyeballing this; he wouldn't be sure until he put them on. But the fact that they looked so precise... he...

Becket swallowed his spit.

“Can I... have some privacy?"

“Chch!? Oh! Right, of course, Mr. Hero!" Mara said as she turned to exit the bedroom.

Once she was gone, Becket stared down to his newly acquired clothes, giving them an incredulous gaze. They couldn't have been his exact measurements, right? They had to be wrong somewhere... right? Well, there was only one way to find out.

He slowly removed the dingy and dirty garbs they gave him when he was locked up, revealing his musky form to the cool air of the bedroom around him. He felt so small, so weak... though by now, the bruises he had suffered following the battle of Wulkar had largely faded. They were still there, just hidden beneath all of his fur. He could still feel them however, stinging and throbbing.

“Nnghh..."

He hated this feeling. This weakness... it ate at him. Trapped here within Nadia's opulent estate, while his friends were either dead or suffering. He burned with hatred towards the Rose of War, his mind turning with sinister gears. The first chance he got, he was going to stab her. Yes, that's it! The very first chance he got to take her life, he wasn't going to hesitate!

“Huh?"

But these clothes... they... they fit him perfectly. The undershirt, the vest, the slacks, the shoes, even the socks and underwear; it all fitted him perfectly. The only thing that ruined his looks would be Becket himself, with his messy, sweat-covered fur, and musky odor. He truly needed a bath to clean this off... but...

Dinner was in order.

“Huh? Wooooow! Chchchchchcchch! You look so handsome, Mr. Hero!" Mara said as she watched him emerge from his bedroom.

He could only glare at the squirrel, annoyed by her tone and words. It came off as a compliment, but with how disheveled his fur looked, he certainly didn't feel 'handsome'. But above all, it was her calling him 'Mr. Hero', that truly angered the squirrel.

It was belittling. Cruel. Infuriating. It had to be.

“Stop that..." he growled, making Mara twitch.

“Mm? Come again?"

“I said stop that!" he snapped louder, “Stop calling me that! Stop calling me 'Hero'! Haaah..." his arms slumped over, “I'm no hero... I'm... hmm... just call me Becket or whatever..."

“Oh... Mr. Hero..." Mara whispered, her lips outing.

She eyed him and he looked back, struggling to decipher the teasing nature of the squirrel maid. She looked emotional following his outburst, what with her slightly puffed cheeks... but this was only momentary before she began grinning again, her big teeth flaunted towards him.

“Okay! I'll just call you 'Becket' from now on!" Mara said as she placed her finger upon her cheek, only for her face to shift into a more thoughtful pose, “Hmmm... Becket...? Beck... et... Beck... a... Becka? Rebecca?"

“Huh? What are you talking about?" Becket asked, making the squirrel snap up again.

“Oh! Chchchchchch! Nothing! Nothing! Come on, let me lead you to where dinner will be served!"

Becket continued leering at Mara however, confused by her words as she began leading him down the halls. His eyebrow raised and he wanted to say something to her... but he decided to stay his tongue and just follow along.

These long, elegant, beautiful halls. There was something eerie about them. Like... where were all the people? He heard the rulers of Dudral had many slaves thanks to their conquests, but the walls of the Invictus Estate were devoid of them, save for the maids. And Leona and Mara certainly didn't feel like slaves. Servants, yes, but slaves? With how devout they were to their duchess? No, they weren't slaves; they wanted to be here.

They wanted to be here.

“Okay! Okay! This way! This way!" said Mara as she continued guiding Becket along, “You won't be eating in the dining room area like usual. Instead, the duchess wishes to dine with you at her favorite spot; the flower bed! She usually eats here when she desires privacy, so for her to share it with you? Oooooooh! I'm so jealous! Chchchchchchchch!"

“Uhhh... y-yeah...?"

This path she was leading him on, took Becket to a hall that was more open than the others he'd seen thus far. Walls one way, glass doors the other. Glass doors which themselves led out to a garden in the near distance. He couldn't see much through them save for the plants of the garden of course, but he could see just the inkling of Nadia.

Her silhouette. Unshaken. Undisturbed. Her back was to him. This idol of elegance and power. Her luscious blonde hair waving slightly in the nightly wind. A teacup gently brought up to face. She sipped it, and then looked over her shoulder.

Their eyes met.

Becket tensed up, but Mara moved forward. Opening the glass doors, she exited into the gardens whilst guiding the fox out.

“Duchess Nadia! I have brought your prize!" Mara announced, drawing a smile to the Rose of War's lips.

“Lovely. Thank you, Mara... now..." her eyes cut over towards Becket, “Ah... there you are. No need to act shy, Becket."

“Nadia..." he replied through gritted teeth, only for--

“Duchess! Nadia!" Mara snapped, again correcting and chastising him for his perceived disrespect. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at things...

“Please, Mara, be kind to Becket," Nadia said, defending him as she took a sip of her tea, “He is new here. Confused even. He has not yet learned of his place among House Invictus."

“Huh... hmm... apologies, duchess..." said the squirrel with a respectful bow.

“It is okay. You may leave us now," Nadia replied while bringing her gaze back towards the kitsune, “Now then. Will you sit with me, Becket?"

Stepping aside, the Rose of War revealed a small metal table with two chairs sitting beside it. All were elegantly designed, with a floral imprint upon them. But there was only space for two; there could be and would be no one else to join them for dinner.

It left Becket feeling uncomfortable. To share a table alone with his mortal enemy... what will she do to him? Still, he moved on. If they were alone, perhaps he could use this chance to kill her. All he'd need was a knife.

But for now...

“Why are you doing all of this?" Becket asked as he sat down on the table before him.

“Uru..."

But Nadia did not answer right away. Instead, she drew his attention over to the elegant teapot on the table with them. Grabbing it by its handle, she poured herself another cup of tea, before offering him an empty cup.

“Tea?" she asked.

Becket gritted his teeth. He wanted to yell at her, to roar at her, to scream at her... but damn was he so parched! He hadn't drunken anything for so long! And while his sleep was the best sleep he's had in ages, now his body desired something else. His body needed sustenance! More than just the scraps of food and dingy water given to him when locked up.

So...

“Y-yes..."

Nadia smiled.

“Good boy."

Drawing over her teapot, she poured its contents into an empty cup on his side of the table. Becket watched, his dry lips smacking against one another, while drool began bubbling from within. He... he didn't know he was this thirsty, but it was starting to come to him. More, more... more!

“There..." Nadia said as she pulled back her teacup.

Swipe!

“Oh my! Uru~!"

Yeeaaaaaah, Becket lacked finesse. As soon as she pulled away, he swiped the teacup into his hand and brought it to his lips, guzzling it down with fervent need. She hadn't put any cream or sugar into his tea, so it had a very bitter twang to it, but the kitsune didn't care. He just drank it down, more and more until the tiny little cup was empty.

Ooooooooooooh, sooooooooo goooooooood!

“Would you like more?" Nadia asked.

Her voice brought him back to reality; he'd just drank her tea, and without hesitation. What if it was poisoned? He could be dying right now! But... he didn't feel weird, and when his eyes looked back at Nadia, he found himself... trapped.

Her green gaze, her regal face, her coy smile... it was all so enthralling. He took in a deep breath.

“Yes... please..." he whispered.

“Uru... how polite of you."

Nadia poured him yet another drink, with Becket watching yet again. At a slower pace this time, he drank his tea. His eyes remained locked on Nadia, watching as she poured herself a cup of tea as well. He also watched as she put in one cube of sugar, and poured just a tiny bit of cream as well. Grasping a spoon, she then spun and mixed the ingredients together, infusing them with her drink.

Her movements were all so refined. She truly was the pinnacle of nobility.

“What... what do you want with me?" Becket asked, causing Nadia to cock her head while her smile widened out a bit more, “Oh? Wish to have this conversation now? I thought you'd wait for dinner to arrive. In fact..." she looked over his shoulder, “It's coming right now."

Becket's ears perked as he heard the sound of wheels rolling against a smooth surface. Looking over his shoulder himself, the kitsune's gaze fell upon a raccoon. Bandit mask, brown eyes, and wavy long black hair with blunt bangs hanging over her eyes. Like Leona and Mara before, she was of similar height and age to Becket, and she too was adorned in a maid uniform. This time, it was yellow as oppose to red or green. The bright color of her uniform helped balance out her... relatively gloomy vibe.

“Your dinner, duchess," she said, her tone dry.

She was pushing forward a tray on wheels, one that had a silver platter resting upon it. Bringing the tray near their table, she first looked at Nadia... then drew her gaze over towards Becket. He stiffened up in response.

“Thank you so much, Eva," Nadia said as the raccoon placed the platter upon their table.

“Is he... the one...?" the maid – Eva – asked as her brown eyes remained locked upon Becket.

“Uru... yes, he is. This, Eva, is Becket Baldr. The one I fought against in Wulkar, and the hero of the beastkin," Nadia explained, speaking of him like he was not her enemy, but more like an associate... or... more like her trophy, “Becket. This is Eva, one of my maids. She typically cooks for me, as she has done now."

“Duchess Nadia asked me to prepare a meal you will enjoy for this moment," said Eva as she performed a curtsy for Becket, “I pray it is to your liking, Mr. Hero."

There it was again, that 'Mr. Hero'. Was that his nickname among the maids? Had Nadia spoken of him before with that title? It angered him, mocked him, humiliated him. But following Mara and Leona before, Becket just didn't have the will to correct her. So instead, he looked away.

He'll correct it later.

“Thank you, Eva for dinner," Nadia said, making the gloomy raccoon smile.

“It is my pleasure, Duchess..."

“Now then, may you please go and collect Clara? Make sure she brings... it with her."

“It? Oh~! Right... it... keke..."

Smiling, the raccoon pulled away with a respectful bow, while Becket could only tense up in growing fear. What was this 'it' they were talking about? With him being stuck with Nadia, his imagination went wild with thoughts. Could 'it' be the means of which she exacts her torturous pleasure upon him? A whip? Perhaps her sword? His heart began racing! But...

“Dinner, Becket?"

Nadia pulled the top off of her silver platter, and a burst of flavor struck his nose.

The kitsune's eyes snapped forward, falling upon food... glorious food! An entire pig had been laid out for the two, dripping with sauce and gravy, and garnished with vegetables. It was floating in a bowl of its own juices, and had an apple jammed into his mouth for extra flourish.

And this isn't even getting into the multiple bowls of mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese, broccoli and spinach that surrounded it!

Any thoughts of death were immediately tossed from Becket's mind as he stared opened jawed at the food before him. And though he had silverware to eat his meal with, the kitsune instead extended his claws, and--

“NOMPH! GARRGHJPMH! MMMFFF!?"

“Uru! Oh my!"

'Voracious' didn't begin to describe it; Becket was outright rapacious when it came to his hunger! Eyes giving a primal glint, the kitsune attacked the pig with his fangs and claws, tearing flesh from bone in his relentless attack.

By the gods, it tasted so good! Chewing and tearing and eating and swallowing. Feeling it drip and ooze down his tongue and into his throat; it was like he was eating heaven! This tasted better than anything he's ever eaten before period! Yes, even better than his grandmother's chicken potpie! He couldn't believe he was thinking that!

When locked up, his cruel jailers sought only to give him enough food so that he did not die. Terrible food that tasted no better than dirt, and putrid water that was clean enough just to make sure he wasn't sick... but not much else. They seemed to indulge in watching him suffer, but he ate and drank it anyway.

But here, now, it was like the jailhouse was months away. This food was so good, it was almost enough to make him forget everything that's happened.

Almost...

His eyes grew softer, only to intensify yet again as he looked his gaze on Nadia. The duchess was smirking, her teacup in one hand, and its plate in the other. She was quiet, idly enjoying her drink while Becket leered at her as sauce dripped down his lips. Pulling away, the kitsune tried to put on a brave face in spite of his once voracious appetite. Now that his mind was clear, those questions began flooding back to him.

“Why am I here?" he asked. Nadia chuckled.

“Hn. Isn't it obvious, Becket?" the duchess responded as she put down her teacup and plate, “Since your arrival, what has everyone called you? Aside from 'Mr. Hero', of course?"

“Hmmmgh... they keep calling me your 'prize'," Becket answered through gritted teeth.

“Exactly, you are my prize," Nadia repeated, “Therefor, I own you."

“Wh-what!? So is that it!? I'm your slave!" Becket snapped as his hands slammed down upon the table.

Nadia didn't even flinch.

“No. You are not my slave," Nadia stated with a shake of her head, “Honestly, I find the idea of slavery quite appalling."

“Then... then why do you want me if not to make me your slave?" Becket asked, “Why go through all this business of giving me a room and clothes and food? And... and..." he tensed up, “My friends. Those who fought alongside me who didn't die; what happens to them?"

“Them? Uru... that, I cannot say," Nadia stated, “My fellow lords are nowhere near as... accommodating as I am. They may be... sent to the butchers... perhaps they may be... skinned for their pelts. Or maybe even they will be fortunate enough to be made slave labor... or perhaps even more fortuante still, they could simply be dead. Uru... not even I know everything."

Her statement made Becket shake, and he fell back in his chair. His friends could have all these horrible things done to them? Skinned, butchered, slaves, or just simply dead? How was he supposed to feel hearing all of these horrible things?

“Then... why not me?" he asked, his face appearing utterly and truly lost, “Why am I here? I've killed more than they have. I was the hero. I should be suffering, not them."

“Perhaps..." Nadia responded, while her green eyes gazed past him.

“Duchess. I have arrived with your treasure."

Becket's ears twitched upon hearing this new voice. Just how many maids did Nadia have? This would be the fourth one! Though King Odin had many, many servants within his castle, so perhaps this isn't too surprising.

What is surprising is just how similar all the maids were. The same uniform of course, though this new maid's outfit was black and white in a more traditional manner. Also like her fellow maids, she was a beastkin, a reptile. Perhaps a lizard or a salamander, Becket couldn't really tell. With a soft snout, yellow eyes, and green scales, she was far more slender compared to her compatriots, though was only a smidgen taller than they and he was. Her hair was also short and red, styled like a pixie cut.

Oh yeah, and she was holding a sword and scabbard in her hands. A very familiar sword and scabbard.

This elegant, silver hilt, the scabbard that was gold and brown with spirals on it. This was a sword and scabbard Becket knew all too well. A blade that could cut through anything, and a scabbard that could hold it. It was his sword and scabbard; the Holy Blade Fenrir and its sheath!

He had been mentally formulating a plan to kill Nadia the first chance he got. Stab her with a knife when they were alone, or just try and dig his claws into her; anything to end the life of the duchess as soon as possible. But whatever plan he was coming up with was instantly thrown out the window when his eyes fell upon his sword and sheathe. No hesitation, he cried out-

“Fenrir!"

And he leaped.

Despite how weak he had been for so long now, seeing the holy blade was enough to spurn energy within him. Like a blur, he darted for the lizard holding his sword, feeling hope explode within his chest.

This hope was quickly dashed.

THUMP!

“AAH!?"

“Oh dear!"

He felt a heel slam down upon his back, pinning him to the ground. He was just a few inches shy of tackling the lizard to the ground and rending his blade from her grasp. But somehow, in the blink of an eye, Nadia was capable of crossing the distance from the opposite side of the table, and slamming her foot upon him.

He was trapped on the ground, incapable of moving thanks to the Rose of War and her superior power. Working up enough strength to look over his shoulder at her, he found himself trapped beneath her domineering gaze. Gone was any sense of affability that she was showing before; here was this overbearing, overpowering, dominating woman, with piercing green eyes and a controlling aura.

This was the Rose of War he met on the fields of Wulkar.

And she was so easily capable of putting it aside.

“Apologies, Clara," said Nadia as she smiled at her maid, “I should have known he would have reacted in such a way when he saw his sword."

“No need to apologize, duchess. I knew I was in your capable hands!" said the lizard as she clutched the Holy Blade Fenrir close, “So... he's the hero, right? You're Becket, right?"

“My sword!" he replied whilst reaching out for the lizard, “Give me back my sword!"

“It's no longer your sword though," Clara retorted, “This sword – the Holy Blade Fenrir – is now property under the ownership of Duchess Nadia Invictus! Her second most prized possession."

“Ngh...! What?"

“The sword, please, Clara," Nadia said as she held her hand out.

“Of course, duchess!"

Once the blade was handed to her, Nadia held it horizontally with her body, while her eyes ran upon its full length. Such a curious little sword; capable of cutting through anything, but only when in the possession of the chosen hero.

“G-get off of me!" Becket growled, causing Nadia to look back at him.

“Will you behave yourself?" the duchess asked, “I will not stand idly by while you try to attack my servants."

Her powerful gaze returned, pinning him in place from eyesight alone. At the same time, he felt the weakness of his body return, and that hunger he felt also double in size. He hated this feeling, but what else could he do besides swallow his spit.

“Yes... I will... behave myself..."

There wasn't a hint of lying in his tone.

“Good boy..."

And Nadia rose her foot off of his back.

Groaning, the kitsune slowly rose up, watching as Nadia returned to her seat, and Clara stood at her side. The duchess was cradling his sword, rubbing his sword, appraising his sword. Watching her stroke and tease it angered Becket to no end. His blood began boiling, both from having his things touched without his permission, and the humiliation he felt knowing there was nothing he could do about it. Nothing but sit.

“I don't understand this," Becket growled as he sat at his chair and glared at them, specifically Clara, “Why are you listening to her? Why are any of you listening to her? The people of Dudral, the humans, they hate us beastkin! Why do you obey her? You all act like you love her!"

“We don't act like we love her. We do love her!" Clara replied rather gleefully, taking Becket aback.

“What? Why!?"

“Because I took them in," Nadia answered, “I put those clothes on their back, I allowed them to live with me in my estate, I gave them the food they eat day in and day out. And I've showered them with my boundless, endless love."

“No... I.... ngh!? Their families! You killed their families and kidnapped them, didn't you!?" Becket countered.

Nadia raised an eyebrow.

“Uru... do you know how long this war has been going on?" she asked whilst glancing at him, “You've only been fighting for a few months. Me? I've been fighting in this war for three years now. One of the first villages we attacked was on the outer rim. Your king thought it best not to care as the Dudral Empire moved in on poorer lands first, so they were left undefended from our invading armies. I've never been the type to pointlessly cull the weak, like some of my fellow imperials may indulge in. So when we occupied this town, we did so as peacefully as we could. But many beastkin still feared us, and rightfully so. They begged, they pleaded not to be kidnapped, not to be killed or turned into slaves. And some... some of them..."

Nadia brought her eyes away from Becket, instead looking up at Clara as she rose her hand. Gently she stroked her palm upon the lizard's face, who herself nuzzled back into her duchess lovingly.

“Imagine mothers and fathers – parents – abandoning their children to save their own worthless hides," Nadia remarked as her thumb stroked upon Clara's features, “That's what happened. Parents, leaving their children to die as bait, while my army stepped in. Leona, Mara, Eva, and Clara, all abandoned by heartless parents who cared only about themselves."

“Maybe they wouldn't have needed to abandon their children if you didn't attack!" Becket replied, drawing Nadia's gaze back to him.

“I don't agree," the duchess retorted, “In my eyes, you only know the true merit of a person when put under great duress. They showed their true selves when they left their children. So, feeling pity for them, I gave them new lives with me, as my servants. They'll never know suffering again when under my watchful eye."

SCHLING!

Becket tensed up, his eyes wide as Nadia pulled the Holy Blade Fenrir from its sheathe. Not only was its handle elegant and flawless, the blade was even more so. It has seen battle after battle, for more than centuries, and yet it showed no dent, no blemish of any kind. The blade was just as immaculate now as it was when it was first created.

And it sat within Nadia's trained hand.

She rose the sword higher and higher, her eyes locking in upon it target. His heart racing, Becket wondered what she was going to do with it; attack him? Before he could ask, he watched her eyes grow intense, and--

“YAAH!"

SMACK!

Becket flinched... but no attack befell him. Instead, the Holy Blade Fenrir struck the pig carcass between them, where it did nothing. At best, it caused the fat of the pig to jiggle, and absolutely nothing else.

“I find this blade so curious," Nadia said as she took a napkin to clean whatever juices got upon Fenrir, “In your hands, I saw it cut through armor like scissors through threads. But whenever I wield it, the blade is as harmless as a swat to the hand."

“Because it is only meant to be wielded by the hero of legend... by me..." Becket replied.

“Interesting..." Shlink! “So... if you were to hold this blade, you'd be able to cut through anything? Including me?"

“Why are you asking me these things? You already know the answer to the question," Becket growled, his eyes closing back as his mind drifted back to their battle, “It's why you defeated me on the fields of Wulkar. I tried striking you as best as I could, but you kept dodging me!"

“I'm a superstitious woman," Nadia claimed as she handed the holy blade back to her maid, “Unlike my colleagues, when I heard of a legendary blade that could cut through anything, I believed it. Especially as you continued increasing your body count. Lord Vyron. Sir Heinrich. Duke Finster. You beat them all. All of them... save for me..." she smiled at her made, “Thank you, Clara. You know where to put this."

“Of course, Duchess," the lizard said with a respectful bow, before hugging the blade close to her chest, “Now I'll just leave you two to dinner!"

She scampered off soon after, with Becket watching in a forlorn manner. It was around this time he realized what the purpose of this all was; it was a power play. He was here, the hero foretold by legend, and the Holy Blade Fenrir which can cut through anything, was in the same area. Meanwhile, across the table from him was Nadia Invictus, the Rose of War and his mortal enemy.

And there was nothing he could do about it.

Nadia was no fool. She used that blade to taunt him, tease him, as if saying through action alone...

There's nothing you can do...

“So... glgkh... what now...?" Becket asked as he looked back at Nadia.

“Isn't it obvious?" she replied whilst standing up from the table, “You live with me now..."

Walking past the table to be near Becket's side, Nadia reached over and stroked her hand upon his face and cheek. Her touch... he should have ran away, but... it felt so... soothing. Though his heart was racing, the kitsune felt himself growing calmer and warmer beneath her talented touch. Her smooth palm, her slender fingers, her soft movements; all of it melted Becket down like mold in a heater.

His expression... looked so lost.

“My darling... little... hero... uru..." Nadia said as her hand left his face, “You may finish dinner to your own pace. When you're done, I have Mara waiting at the entrance for you. She will show you to the baths..."

…

“Aaaaaanddd... here we are! Chchchchchchch!"

Before him, Mara pushed open a door, revealing on the other end a wide open room, one where half of it was filled with water. It looked like a public bathhouse, though it had a fountain which spouted water at the back end of it. Said fountain bore the image of an angelic woman holding a vase, from which water spewed, much like the fountain outside. The water was pure and clean, and from sight alone, he could tell it was warm to the touch too. On a nearby table were multiple jars, each one filled with scents and soaps. At the back beyond the water, there were windows giving one a wonderful view of the nighttime fields outside.

Becket shook in place. He had never seen a bathing chamber so large before. The tub he had back home – the one he's known since his days as puppy – was nothing compared to this massive tub. He's never seen the ocean before, never been to a beach, but he'd say this was the closest he'd ever get to witnessing such a thing.

“This is the duchess' private cleaning quarters," Mara explained, taking Becket aback.

“Private? This is private? This is bigger than the cow stables at my farm!" the kitsune replied.

“Chchchchchchch! The duchess adores bathing!" she further explained, “She can spend hours in here. Why, it's not uncommon for Eva to bring her meals when she's here!"

“You've... seen her naked before?"

“Chchchchchch! We've all seen her naked before," Mara replied, “The duchess is many things, but prudish is not one of them!"

Well... that's not super strange, is it? They're girls, and girls often times see each other naked so... there's no problem with that. Uhh... though, that didn't explain why the thought of Nadia naked seemed to stick around in his mind. Closing his eyes even, he thought about females and how attractive they were.

Queen Nanna was a beautiful woman. And so too was Princess Livia. And Amelia was a fetching beauty. And... ahhh... Juli was beautiful in her own right. And... and...

And Nadia too...

Uhhh...

“Um... I can... undress and clean myself..." Becket said, causing Mara to pull back.

“Oh rrrrriiiiight! Chchchchch! I'll get out of your hair!"

The squirrel took a step back... and then another... and then another... and then she slipped through the door and vanished, leaving Becket alone. Taking a deep breath, the kitsune could feel his body relax as he walked over towards the square-shaped tub in the distance. Nostrils flaring, he could smell himself, how sweaty and musky his odor had become. It disgusted him but... but...

“Haaah..."

Bit by bit, Becket pulled his clothes off of his body, undressing down to reveal his... surprisingly dainty form. His flat chest, his thinner waistline. Half of this was due to training he took on to become a capable swordsman, the other half could be blamed on his still young age. At only nineteen, he still had many years to grow. But right now, his eyes were focused only on the bathtub before him.

He'd spent days toiling about within the sweaty confides of his jail cell. First captured by Nadia's forces, then put into containment, transferred to another prison, held there for a few days, and then finally taken into another cell which transferred him here. So... yeah, didn't give him much time to clean, did it?

Didn't give him much time to do anything, really.

But now he had the near endless and clean waters of Nadia's bathtub before him. Coming to its edge, Becket could see his reflection in its surface. It made his heart shake seeing this scrappy young fox, lacking any of the charm he once had. Just like in the room gifted to him, seeing his reflection reminded Becket of how weak and small he had become in such a short amount of time.

Maybe a dip in the water will...

Splaaash!

It felt so good. No, it felt so amazing. No, it felt so perfect!

Being submerged in water, Becket felt like all the troubles he's suffered thus far had been cleaned away. He was taken into a state of euphoria, feeling nothing but pleasure as water coursed along his fur and form. Dirt and grime was steadily drawn from his body, while his tail fluttered about behind him.

For a moment, Becket thought about how good it would feel to just... die here. To just let the gods take him away within Nadia's bathtub. He'd failed as a hero and was trapped by the Rose of War, so what was the point of going on? Why bother?

Even if he wanted that to happen, his body instinctively clambered for air. His eyes grew wide, and--

Splash!

“GAAH-HAAAH! HOOOOH!"

Water streaking down his face and hair, Becket let out a groan of pleasure which reverberated through the wide chamber of the bathroom. He felt elated, strong, pure, in his own strange little way. It took a few moments, but his eyes opened, gazing down to his hands as water dripped off his fingers. And... there was a shadow in the water, a blurred reflection of someone standing behind him.

“Becket..."

His eyes widened as her voice rumbled in his ears, causing him to tense up. Slowly, he worked his head over,

Nadia was standing behind him, wearing a red cloak... and absolutely nothing else. Said cloak was tied around her neck and flowed down to her ankles, but it was open in the middle. She was completely naked, her perfect body on full display from the shadows of her opulent robe. Her legs and thighs were long and splendorous, her ample bust was pushing against the cloak she wore, her toned midsection flaunted how trim her figure was, and – above all – her flesh was perfect. No blemish, or cut, or scar in sight!

But anything else would require a more... thorough examination. The cloak may have not been the best covering, but it still blocked enough of his wayward eyes. Enough to taunt him, tease him, titillate him. But not enough to see all.

“Enjoying the waters, Becket?" Nadia asked, as if this was a casual conversation.

He could only gawk at her, his blue eyes wide, before he realized what he was doing. Closing his wide open jaw, Becket turned around, facing the opposing side of the bathtub he was in. It took him a couple of moments to speak, and when he did, all that came out was--

“You're naked!?"

“Uru~! Of course I am," Nadia replied as she pulled the hood off of her body, “Why would I not be? Do you expect me to bathe whilst clothed?"

“Why are you here!?" he cried, using all of his strength to not look directly at her.

“Because... I wish to bathe. Did you not hear me?" the duchess answered.

“Is it your bath time? I could have... I could have bathed later!"

“With how filthy you were, it's better if you bathe now," Nadia stated before turning to face the soap jars in the distance, “Now then... tell me, are there any specific soaps you wish to use? Name your scent; I'm sure I have it."

“No, I! Nngh!"

Walking over to the soaps, the duchess popped open a specific jar, one which filled her nose with the scent of apples. She picked it up, held the jar close to her chest, then walked back over to the edge of the tub. Becket was still cowering some feet away... how cute.

Placing the jar on the floor, Nadia stood up straight and raised her fingers to her cloak. Slowly she undid the string which held her crimson garment in place, causing it to grow loose on her body. A few more pulls, and the garment fell to the floor. Now she was just as naked as Becket, and the fox knew this. He could hear her cloak fall, could hear it crumple on the floor, and could hear her as she walked into the bath.

Step...

By step...

By step...

A pleasured sigh escaped Nadia's lips as she sank down to her chest into the warm waters of her tub. There were little seats within the tub, allowing her to sit comfortably within as her back pressed up to the rim of the tub behind her. And Becket? He still had his back to her, still refused to look at her... but he was shaking.

And Nadia spoke.

“Haaah... amazing..." she said, “There is nothing better than a nice soak after a long day, wouldn't you agree, little hero?"

“Hgnnngh... w-would you stop calling me that?" Becket asked whilst staring up, “Everyone here calls me 'hero'... I get it... I failed. Please, if I'm really your prize, could you stop rubbing in my failure?"

It was humiliating and belittling constantly being called 'hero', as he had felt time and time before. But it's one thing when a bunch of maids call him it; its something else entirely when the woman who defeated him calls him hero. He hated it; it made him feel awful and terrible and less like a living creature, and more like a toy.

But Nadia didn't answer him. Instead, she...

Swish... swash... swish... swash...

She began wading through the waters, coming in closer and closer and closer. Becket stiffened up... and then her hands touched him. Draping her arms along his shoulders, Nadia pulled the kitsune in close by palming his chest with her immaculate hands. When they stroked upon his slender and flat chest, Becket groaned momentarily, before biting into her bottom lip.

Why did her touch feel so good?

Becket didn't realize it, but Nadia was slowly drawing him back. Her stroking hands, so soothing, so lovely, so divine, so sensual. He was melting under her wiles, while she compelled him to sit... on her lap.

Sitting silently against the Rose of War, Becket could only focus on how amazing her touches were, and how warm her body was. Reaching over, Nadia picked up her jar of soaps, popping its top to fill the air around them with the scent of apples. Then her fingers dipped inside, tracking the gooey and sticky soaps upon her digits. And then her soap-lathered fingers laid upon Becket's head.

Softly, she began scratching and scrubbing the soaps into his scalp and fur. The kitsune shook, quivered too, but her touches kept him pinned. Strange, this was. Nadia was his enemy, he hated her! But her touches imbued him with this strange combination of disgust, but also intrigue. He wanted her to keep touching him.

And Nadia did. Humming softly, the duchess began moving deeper as her soothing scratches continued on. Pressing and soaking the soaps into Becket's neck and chest, her nails grooved into and along his fur. Any remaining dirt and grime that marred his body, the Rose of War cleaned away.

“Don't be afraid of me..." Nadia whispered into his ears, her voice as divine as gold, “Just... relax..."

Up and down, the duchess worked the soaps into Becket's body and fur, soaking him down to the flesh in its apple-flavored scent. He'd never been touched in such a way by another. Such arousing, sensual, pleasurable touche. They didn't just stroke and groove, they teased and prodded. And it all had Becket melting more and more.

Nadia was trained in her touches, skilled, and refined. As she continued working her way down, the kitsune opened his mouth and let loose a cry of--

“Aaaahhhhnnnn..."

It was so... cute. From a far, you'd think it was the voice of a nubile girl.

But Nadia was not pleased with just idly rubbing his body. As Becket grew more relaxed, reclined more against her divine body, the Rose of War's hands began sliding down his form. Further, deeper, breaking under the surface of the waters to slide down towards his now throbbing manhood.

Through the clear waters, Becket could easily see the piping red spear that is his penis. How it throbbed readily, yearning for his touch, or the touch of another. And as he stared upon it, he watched the hands of that 'another' come sliding forward.

Becket's eyes grew wide.

Clinch!

“NAAH~!?"

Nadia's hand wrapped around his penis.

Her touches before had lulled him into a sense of security. Now, thing were different. Now her hand was wrapping around his turgid length, holding it like any polearm. Mouth opening, Becket first let out a cry of shear surprise, before looking over his shoulder to meet Nadia's green eyes.

She was smiling at him.

“Something wrong?" she whispered into his ear.

“Your hand, it's--" Stroke, “Ahn!?"

“You sound so cute, Becket," the duchess whispered, “You're just like a little girl..."

One of her hands rested on his thigh, keeping his legs open. The other hand stroked back and forth upon his member, putting on a firm and steady rhythm that just kept going and going and going. He could feel her soft, smooth palms, running along the throbbing veins of his dick. Every stroke, every slide, caused his swelling manhood to eagerly twitch within the palm of her hand.

But...

“P-please stooooppp~!" he groaned out, his teeth clinching against one another as his hands fell upon her wrists.

But he didn't actually stop her. He just palmed her wrists, slowed her yes... but never outright stopping her.

Nadia grinned; she didn't even need to respond to him. Her sensual, sinful, and divine hand, continued coursing along the full gamut of his cock; from the tapered tip, to the throbbing knot, and everywhere in between. And with every touch, all Becket could do was grip her wrists, but never to stop or even slow her. Just... touch her...

Why was she doing this? Why was she doing this? Why didn't she stop? Why didn't she stop?

As she stroked and teased and pleasured his body, Becket found himself quivering in place. Incapable of fighting her off, but also unwilling to. How could he when he found his body growing so hot and aroused beneath her philandering touches? And his penis, throbbing and bucking and twitching and yearning in her hand, to the point that it hurt him. He felt so much pain, like wearing a pair of pants two sizes too short.

And Nadia knew this... so she increased the pleasure.

Her thumb and index finger forming a ring around his length, the Rose of War began jerking her palm and fingers along his cock at an increased pace. Eyes growing wide, Becket felt his veins being squeezed upon by her skillful touches, his length now jerking and pointing straight up towards the surface of the water around him. He bit into his bottom lip, he tried to let out another cry of retaliation, but all that came out was--

“Aaaaahhhn~!?"

Followed by a--

“Nngnggh!!!"

Becket's teeth ground against one another, his head tipped up, his eyes grew squint, and his entire body jolted. And then... he shuddered. Again, and again, he shook and quivered, while his body was racked with such a vicious climax. It came sputtering out of his cock; thick ropy bullet followed by thick ropy bullet of cum. They spread out through the waters of the tub like the webs of a spider, rising higher and higher until they pooled at the top to mix with the soaps. All the while, Nadia's stroking hand slowed to a near halt on his manhood, moving just enough to draw out his climax more, and nothing else. And once it stopped – once he stopped – then and only then did she move away.

Nadia's hand pulled up from the tub, oozing with water, and cum. It trickled and stretched and oozed down her dainty digits, glowing in the light of her bathing chamber. Pulling her hand back, the duchess eyed his seed as it tracked upon his finger, extended her tongue, and then--

Lick... lick...

“Mmmm..."

Becket was far too dazed to realize what happened. He just sat there, eyes wide, gawking at nothing, but finally coming down to reality. Nadia just... she just... she did... she stroked off his cock. And he came from it!

Disgust fueled Becket, feeling shame both towards the situation, and towards himself. How could he gain something so disgusting as pleasure from this situation? It wasn't Amelia, or Princess Livia, or even his childhood friend Juli; this was Nadia! His enemy! The one who captured him! The one who probably doomed his friends to death or life as slaves! And not only did she bring him to climax, he liked it?

Becket wanted to scream, to roar, to attack Nadia... but she moved.

Sliding from behind his body, she allowed the kitsune to float in the waters like a lifesaver, while she walked towards the distance. Hesitantly and begrudgingly, Becket drew his gaze up to stare in Nadia's direction.

His eyes fell upon her back. Her lovely, sensual, sexy, divine back. Her blonde hair was tied up, offering him an endless view of her flawless form, up to where the waters came as it swallowed her up to the crack of her buttocks. Hands raised, Nadia undid the clips and strands within her hair, allowing aaaallll of it to fall. Glorious golden locks of luscious beauty, now covering her silhouette, while she moved beneath the fountain at the edge of the tub.

Skskkssshhhhhhh!!!

“Haaaaah..."

Water flowed upon Nadia's form, making it radiate, glisten, glow, while pleasured groans escaped her. Swallowing his spit, Becket realized she had her back to him; she was completely defenseless. With his claws, he could stab her, with his fangs, he could bite her, with his will, he could kill her.

But the will... the anger... despite all he felt, it just wasn't there. He wasn't as angry with Nadia as he was angry with himself.

What was she doing to him?

“Becket..." called the duchess.

Turning to face him, the sensual Rose of War gave him a look with one of her eyes between the wet, golden locks of her hair. Extending her hand out to him, she beckoned him in close by a curl of her hand.

“Becket..." she called again, “Come here, Becket..."

It was unfeasible. It was relentless. It was impossible. It was unconquerable. How could anyone be this beautiful?

He didn't want to. He fought it off in his head as best he could... but his feet constantly drew him in, nearer and nearer. Wading through the waters of the tub, he came close to the Rose of War, who pulled herself out from under the spout of her fountain's head. Taking his hands into her own, she pulled him in to meet her, their bodies pressing up against one another. The fur of his form against the flawless flesh of hers, brushing and melding and grinding against one another. She was taller than him; his head only came up to her chest. But she guided his face to look up at her, gazing through the falling water to meet eye to eye; green to blue.

Nadia pursed her lips. He did likewise. But...

Chu...

She just kissed his forehead.

“Uru... let me clean your hair."

…

What was that? Seriously!? What was that!? What had he done!? What had she done to him!?

Staring up to the dark ceiling of his bedroom, Becket tried to spin her mind around what Nadia had done to him in the tub. Her hand on his length, he could still feel her phantom touches. How good they were, how they made him melt, and how he let it happened. Sure, he presented some defense, but not enough. Ultimately, he relented, and allowed her to do whatever it is she wanted.

He tried to blame it on the fear of the situation. He was trapped by her, trapped in her home with her servants and humans all around. Even if he fought back, to what end? She'd have him sooner or later. His resolve, his will, it would break eventually, if it hadn't done so already. Days toiling in the cell, fearing for his life and the lives of his friends, only to hear that they could already be dead, or being worked to death.

What's the point in fighting back? Here he had the finest foods he's ever eaten, fine clothes, this large bathtub, and this grand bed which even now he was sinking into! If this is what it means to be Nadia's 'prize' then is that such a bad thing? He could imagine worse fates.

But even when he thought these things, he chastised himself! No, this is wrong; a gilded cage is a cage nonetheless! And what of his friends and allies? Those who fought at his side? Those who were dead or suffering in slave pits? Those who couldn't even get it a fraction as well as he could? He'd be spitting on their graves, their sacrifice if he just... gave up!

No, he needed to kill Nadia! He needed to kill Nadia! He needed to take her life and free himself of this hell he's been placed into! He needed to... he needed to...

He needed to...

Perhaps not today, but soon. If he can just get his hands on Fenrir, then he'd be unstoppable in the estate. The maids couldn't stop him, and neither could these walls. He'd tear them down and slaughter Nadia with it! Then and only then would he be at peace.

But until then... until then... he'd close his eyes... he'd sleep...

He'd sleeeeeeeeeep...

…

…

…

Do not fall for her wiles.

You must remain vigilant, Becket.

She will toy with you. Trick you.

Remain cautious.

Becket.

Becket...

_ Little Hero... _

A black void. A marble couch. A woman sitting upon it. From around, a glowing light emerged, allowing him to see her as she sat there. On her body was not clothes, but spiked vines which wrapped and coiled around her figure to cover her body. And yet, the thorns did not bring her any harm. Instead, they writhed and moved about as if alive, and offered glimpses of her flesh beneath here and there.

Her green eyes glanced over.

“Little hero..." Nadia whispered, her hand raising up, “Come here... little hero..."

Becket took a step forward. His feet were wobbly, causing him to stumble forward. But before he could lose his footing, Nadia reached out and grabbed his hands, holding him in close. Dazed and lost, all the kitsune could do was look up at her, his eyes attracted to her green ones.

Nadia pursed her lips. He did likewise. But...

Chu...

She kissed his forehead.

Sitting there, the fox focused on the kiss. There was something about this warmth that drew him in, kept him there, kept him resting against the Rose of War. Even as the vines began growing around him, the fox remained firmed against her. And she kept her lips in close, pressing... pressing... pressing...

A glow emerged around Becket's body. It became brighter and brighter, enveloping his body entirely. It didn't remain for long however, and as soon as it appeared, it began subsiding. And once it was gone, he...

“Aahh?"

Becket pulled back. Was it him, or did his equilibrium suddenly feel... off? Like his tail had gotten longer or heavier. Uhh...

He looked over his shoulder towards his backside... and he was wrong. His tail hadn't gotten longer, no... he had grown a second tail. Gawking in disbelief, Becket pulled away from Nadia, his hands palming at his butt to feel himself. He was a kitsune, yes, but such changes were unheard of among their race! Tails only grow as you get older! His uncle was in his forties, and he only had three tails! So how had Becket grown a second already!?

Spinning around and around in disbelief, the fox only stopped so that he could stare up at Nadia. She was smirking at him, grinning as if having information he was desperate to become privy to. She merely chuckled.

“Nadia..."

The rush of a sleep began drawing away from him; the world began breaking apart. Becket shook in place, and before he knew it--

“Ah!?"

He was... awake!

The morning sun peered through his windows, casting a golden light upon his bedroom. Stretching out his arms, the kitsune gave an audible groan as he tried to decipher his dreams... well, assuming if it had any meaning to it. It was just a dream; of course he'd think about Nadia when he's in her home. But...

What's his purpose in life now? If not to defend his people from invading forces, what does it mean to be Nadia's prize. She hadn't explained much to him last night, but he feared that – sooner or later – her 'charity' would run out. It didn't matter; so long as he killed her, then Becket felt like he could be at peace.

Until then, he'd just try to navigate the halls of Invictus estate, and learn where they were keeping Fenrir. So he pulled himself out of the massive bed, crawling over towards its edge where he--

Thump!

“Nnnghh? What?"

Why was his... equilibrium all wrong? Wait... equilibrium? His balance?

“Oh no? What!?"

Becket looked over towards his buttocks.

He had two tails.

“Wh-what? N-no... that's not... that's impossi..."

That dream...

…

The Blade of Roses.

The term 'zweihander' is used to describe a type of sword that's even longer and heavier than a long sword. Typically, they are around 80 inches in length, and weigh upwards of eight pounds. Because of this, their wielder is required to hold the blade with both hands. Thus the name zweihander, or 'two-hander'.

So what does it say of this sword? A sword that isn't eighty inches long, but ninety. A sword that's not eight pounds heavy, but upwards of ten? What does it say of a sword whose edge is razor thin, its tip is sharp enough to penetrate steel, and its blade is as red as a crimson moon? A sword whose hilt is as elegantly carved as the sword itself, and is embroidered with a rose at both the pommel and the guard? A blade wielded by one woman and one woman alone? A blade that when it cuts through its foes, the petals of a rose fall around it and its wielder?

And what does it say of the woman who wields the blade? What does it say of the woman who can hold this mighty, two-handed blade, with just one hand? What does it say of the woman who controls it with such finesse and skill, you'd confuse her for a dancer? What does it say of this woman?

What does it say?

The Blade of Roses is a mysterious sword. Some knights who have fought alongside the duchess for years, couldn't exactly tell you who created the blade, or where it even came from. Considering its name, its just as synonymous with Nadia as her love of the thorned flower. In fact, no one could tell you what came first; the duchess' title as the Rose of War, or the sword's name itself. But some things cannot be argued, and that would be Nadia's viciousness.

The Blade of Roses sat locked away within a glass case, its red blade glowing in the morning sunlight. Around it was a bed of flowers, roses naturally, though not all of them were as red as the sword they surrounded. Some were yellow, some where black, some were green, some were even blue, but all of them were absolutely brilliant!

But none were as brilliant as the duchess who overlooked the.

Her feet clad in soft sandals, Nadia walked down the stone pathway towards her contained weapon. Coming near its glass casing, she placed her palm upon its surface and gently rubbed it from back to forth. Letting loose a soft sigh, she made a forlorn expression, as if... missing something. But she said nothing, and instead drew her eyes over towards the entrance to this little courtyard.

He was standing there.

“What have you done to me!?" Becket shouted as he clung to the doorway for support.

He looked a bit frantic, his body clad in the same night shirt and pants he'd been gifted to sleep in. Huh... she was surprised; she thought he'd sleep in longer, but here he was, awake before breakfast. And his angered expression? Nadia had no reaction.

“You're awake," she said instead, to which Becket marched up closer.

“Nadia! What have you-- Ah!?"

Thump!

Again with his lost of balance. He didn't think trying to move around with two tails would be so troublesome! Having stumbled his way through the silent halls of the estate, he found himself falling over more than he'd care to admit to. And for the umpteenth time this morning, his ruined equilibrium had him tumbling over before Nadia.

But the duchess... she reached her hand out for him. By instinctive response, he reached back and grabbed her.

“What are you talking about, Becket?" Nadia asked as she helped him stand on his feet.

“I--"

And then he realized what he was doing. He was clinging to her hands not only for support, but far closer than he expected. He tried pulling back but...

He didn't want to leave her...

Not only that, but Nadia wasn't fully dress. Like him, she seemed to have woken up early, and didn't bother with fully dressing herself. Her body was clad only in silky robes, one tied gently around her waist to flaunt her divine figure, and her perky bust. With her cleavage on display and his height relative to hers, he got more than just an eyeful of her chest. It caused his cheeks to turn red.

“Nngh! My tail... er... tails!" Becket stated, working up enough courage and willpower to step back so that he could turn around, “I have two tails!"

“Uru... oh my..."

Cocking her head at him, Nadia allowed a smirk to spread out on her lip while she walked closer and closer. And then--

Clinch!

“Yaaaah!?"

One hand fell on one of his tails... the other hand fell on the curvature of his butt. Speaking of...

“Such a cute buttocks you have, Becket!"

“Wh-what!? Nnnghh!? S-stop touching me l-like that!"

Her hands... her gentle, soothing, stroking hands. The hands which washed him last night, were now outright groping his backside! One hand sat on his tail still, stroking it gently, while the other hand explored the smooth curvature of his rather round buttocks.

“You have a cute... girlish frame, Becket," Nadia whispered into his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

“N-Nadia? Nnnn! Aaaaahhh!"

Why didn't he fight her off? Why did he like this so much? His body was getting hotter beneath her touches, and the more her hands teased his body, the more he melted beneath her. His legs even buckled; he was about to fall over! But after working up enough strength, he pulled away from Nadia's hands. She didn't react.

“Why do I have a second tail?" he asked whilst turning to face her.

“Why would I know that?" Nadia asked back as she brushed some hair behind her ear, “Do you think I gave you a second tail?"

“I'm a kitsune! I naturally grow extra tails!" he replied, “But it takes years for that to happen! The older and wiser a kitsune becomes, the more tails they grow!"

“Uru... I know that," she stated, “But I also know that kitsune can change their bodies in a different way. If they come in contact with someone they love, their bodies can undergo changes at a more rapid pace..." she smiled at him, “Becket..."

And then she pulled back. Placing her hands behind her head, Nadia pumped up her hair in an extravagant and flaunting manner. Her green eyes glowed, her lips were in a sensual, seductive smirk, and she gleefully teased him with her flawless body.

“Are you in love with me?"

“GLGKGHGKLH!? WH-WHAT!? Oh!?" Thump!

Falling back, he stared up towards the Rose of War as she walked up towards him. Her lips were adorned in a grin as she gazed back, eyes first leering upon his panting face... before drawing down towards his pants. The shorts he wore betrayed him; she could see the lump of affection standing firm between his legs. Did he even realize how hard he was? From the looks of it, no.

Or... did he?

“N-Nadia... what have you done to me?" Becket asked, desperate for answers.

She cocked her head.

“Tonight... after dinner, you will come to my bedroom," Nadia stated as she bent over, her hand guiding his gaze first towards her perfect bosom, and then up towards her seductive face, “There, we'll get to the bottom of your feelings towards me."

“My feelings... towards you? Wh-what?"

Becket stared at Nadia, mouth agape as he picked apart her words. What did she mean by his feelings towards her? He has no feelings towards her! He... he hates her! He absolutely hates her! Right...?

RIGHT!?

She took everything from him! Everything...

Becket scoffed at the idea that he could feel anything towards Nadia aside from shear hatred. Whatever she was going to get to the 'bottom of' tonight, would be of no surprise to him. This second tail of his? He only grew it to help further along his plans to kill her.

That... that's all that matters.

“Breakfast will be ready soon," Nadia claimed, “Do you need help getting there?"

Becket lowered his head.

“Uru... good boy..."

…

These clothes were familiar to him. If there were changes, then they were incredibly small. Like, the shorts being an inch shorter than he was used too, and the hole for his tail not being nearly as tight. Their was no cape as well, though there were slots at the back for a cape if he needed one. The major change to this uniform would be the coat of arms on its back. Instead of bearing the insignia of the Kingdom of Yggdrasil, it bore a new symbol to show his begrudged affiliation.

That of a single red rose, resting among a bed of flowers.

Becket's fears had been confirmed; somehow, in some way, Nadia knew his measurements down to an exact science. The clothing he wore previously was just a hint. This tunic he wore now was almost exactly the same as the one he wore during his campaigns, even with the few changes taken into account. How she'd managed such a thing, he didn't know, and quite frankly, he didn't want to know. Nadia always seemed to be several steps head of him. And that's not even getting into his newly grown second tail.

Now with it being later in the day, he had managed himself quite well to move about with these two tails. It took some time yes, but like riding a horse, you never truly forget what you're doing. It's all about maintaining balance.

And now, that balance was at risk of being sent off again. Dinner was done, a dinner he did not share with the duchess. She was busy from what her maids told him, so he ate his meal alone. Still confused, Becket wasn't really sure what he should be doing. What was his purpose here at the estate? Just to live? No, Nadia will want something from him, she just hasn't made her demands yet.

He hated this feeling of waiting. Of not knowing what was in his future. How long would he have to suffer here? If he just got his hands on Fenrir, then he'd once again be the master of his own fate. He just needed to find it. He just needed to--

“Mr. Hero..."

Becket pulled himself back, his eyes gazing upon his reflection. The disheveled young man from yesterday was gone, replaced by someone who was far more presentable. His silver fur had a sheen to it, his black hair was now curly and glowing too, he even had a cute cowlick which extended from the middle up. This... was all Nadia's doing from the bath he shared with her last night. He only ever looked this good when he first went to meet King Odin.

Ah... but...

Looking over his shoulder, Becket's eyes befell Eva, the raccoon in yellow with the dim expression. Slowly she approached him through his doorway, her lips curling into a smile.

“You... are to meet with the duchess, correct?" asked the raccoon, “I'm here to take you to her bedroom."

“Right... yes..."

Sliding back from his vanity drawer, Becket stood up and put on a resolute expression. Whatever happen tonight, at least he'd know where Nadia's bedroom was. Makes it all that much easier to find her and kill her when he gets his hand upon Fenrir.

So he followed Eva, who led him through the halls of the estate, and up the great staircase towards the second floor of the home. The longer he spent here, the larger this home became. Just how grand is the Invictus estate?

Oh... this grand...

These large, grand, opulent doors. Framed red, with roses curling up. The Rose of War, the Blade of Roses, the red coloration of the estate; Nadia had a motif, and she stuck to it well. Was it a love of roses which spurned her, or her own incredible vanity? Whatever the case may be...

Eeeeeaaaaarrrrrrrrrnnn...!

The doors opened by themselves.

Becket gawked in surprise, but Eva showed no reaction. This must be normal for them. Fine; so be it. The kitsune stepped forward.

“I'm so jealous..." the raccoon remarked.

Stopping himself, Becket looked over his shoulder towards Eva. She was blushing and shy; the envy on her face obvious. He wanted to ask her about it, but he silenced himself and turned away. Stepping forward, he walked through the doors.

Eeeeeeeeeaaaaarrrrnnn... thunk...!

They closed behind him, once again by no force of his – or anyone's – own. And to make matters worse...

Click...

The doors locked themselves. No interruptions.

Gazing ahead, Becket's eyes once again gawked in shear amazement at the bedroom before him. This massive chamber, one that could put to shame entire home's he's been in. The domed ceiling, the wide, panoramic windows that offered a glorious view of the estate's main courtyard, the portraits of vistas on some walls, and that's not even getting into the furnishings.

The floor had a soft, elegant rug on it. Gold and red in color, it exuded such majesty and beauty. The bed itself with drapery hanging from its bars above to cover it, though they were translucent and crimson in color. The vanity mirror, made of mahogany wood, and adorned with a variety of tools and trinkets to make its duchess look greater than the Empress. And over there, overlooking the windows of the courtyard was a couch. Brown and gold, it looked to be the softest couch in existence.

And Nadia was sitting upon it.

Why is it that... when he's seen her naked, her wearing clothing is still enough to excite him?

Around her waist sat panties, ones elegantly framed against her divine figure. Frilly and red, they had white ruffles upon their edges, and their straps were sinfully thin, giving a soft squeeze upon her hips. The brassier which hugged her chest was unlike any bra he's ever seen. Split in the middle, it completely flaunted her cleavage, and there were strings fastened between the two to give them a soft clinch. Tying it all together, there was a shimmering sheer shawl that was tied around her arms and draped upon her shoulders. And, yes, it is red; just in case you thought otherwise.

Nadia Invictus sat upon her couch, reclined softly as her green eyes cut out the window towards the nighttime skies outside. One hand rested in her hair, streaking through her golden locks. The other hand rested upon the elegant scabbard of a sheathed sword; the--

“Holy Blade Fenrir!"

Becket stepped forward, but just as quickly stopped.

This... this was his chance! Alone with Nadia, if he just got his hands on Fenrir, he could accomplish his mister! First, he'd just need to manage his time. The moment he gets the chance... the moment...

“Becket," Nadia said whilst glancing over towards him, her expression this cool mixture of sensuality and indifference, “No need to act so shy now... why don't you come closer?"

Reaching over with Fenrir, Nadia placed it aside upon a nearby table, before shifting her gaze back to Becket. Patting down the empty spot on the couch beside her, she guided the kitsune in, who begrudgingly yet ultimately walked beside her. And then...

“Huh? Oooooh..."

Did everything here have to be so soft? The bed, this couch, Nadia's body.

Wait...

One leg draped over the other, the duchess reached over to place her hand upon his hand. Gently she rubbed the top of his hand. Then she clinched it, picking it up and drawing his paw over so that he could palm her thigh. Her smooth, slender, sensual thigh. Becket felt his cheeks heat up, but that didn't stop him from touching her. He did however, draw his eyes away from Fenrir and back over towards Nadia.

Suddenly, she was holding a chalice in her hand.

“Drink?" she offered, allowing him to gaze into the deep red liquid within.

“I uh... n-no thank you..." he said with a shake of his head, “I've already had enough to eat and drink today at dinner."

“Uru... apologies for not being there. I had business to take care of," Nadia said as she drew the chalice up to her lips for a few casual sips, “So... how was your first full day at my estate? My maids? Did they treat you well?"

“They uh... they... hmph..." he shook his head, “I don't get it. What is the point of this? Are you just softening me up? Are you going to kill me?"

“Of course not," Nadia answered after another sip of her drink, “There's no need to do such a thing. I have you here with me. That is all I've ever wanted..."

“But... why? You gain nothing from taking me in and not use me for... slave labor," Becket stated, “Why am I here? Aren't I just a burden if you expect nothing of me?"

“Uru... such a simple boy you are," Nadia claimed as she tossed up her hair, “Can't you tell? Money is of no object to me. Before I was born, I had been blessed with an abundance of wealth. The Invictus family has never known anything save for riches."

“It sounds... snobby," Becket replied.

“It is snobby," Nadia answered whilst giving him a cheeky grin, “I will not deny the fact that my family can come off as being rather uppity and superior... but we are only that way because we are superior."

That statement... it sent shivers down Becket's spine. It was vile and venomous, but the tone was anything but. Nadia said it with such poise, such strength, such conviction, that it couldn't be anything but the truth. What should have been poison instead sounded like honey and gold flowing straight into his ears. He grunted, shivered, groaned... and before he knew it, he was moving in closer.

“So if its not a money thing then... why do you have me?" Becket inquired whilst moving in to the point that their hips were touching.

“Simple..." she took another sip of her drink, “I just want you."

That proclamation... why did it sound so strange? What is one supposed to say in response to that? She just 'wants' him? It brought back thoughts about him being her prize, and nothing more than just a plaything. Shivers were sent roaring down his spine, while the duchess' overwhelming allure only seemed to increase.

Nadia's looks, her voice, her personality; it all exuded this dominating charisma that made it difficult for one to deny her. And when her green eyes glance over to meet his, he found himself being trapped... ensnared...

“When I saw you on the fields of Wulkar... I almost couldn't believe my eyes," Nadia remarked, “When I heard of the hero who slayed my colleagues, I was imagining some strapping young man. Perhaps a horse, or some mythical creature like a dragon. Instead, I got a fox like you. A... kitsune. Curious..."

“Why does it matter?" he murmured, his voice entranced.

“Because when I saw you at first... I thought you were so cute," Nadia claimed, her beaming smile becoming cute in its own right, “In your little tunic. Your little shorts. Uru~! Your glowing hair, your soft face. Hnnm... from that moment on, I knew I just had to have you! Uru! I suppose... you could call it love at first sight?"

Love at first sight? That bounced around in his head again and again; dancing like fires in the distance. Something about it was wrong; all of it was wrong! She fell in love with him, yet she called him her prize? No... that's... this is wrong; all of this was wrong!

But after another sip from her chalice, Nadia continued talking.

“You're not an actual warrior, are you, Becket?" the Rose of War inquired, an eyebrow raised, “When we fought at Wulkar, you didn't strike me as the warrior type. You were skilled with the blade, I'll give you that... but not too skilled. Your were above average in your fundamentals, and nothing more. You were no savant, no scholar of the blade. If I had to wage a bet, I'd say you were nothing more than a mere farm boy."

“I... I am..." Becket stated as he looked away, “I'm no warrior. This whole 'hero' business still goes beyond my head. It's... haah... it's something my uncle has always claimed me to be. He always said I was the hero of legend finally born. I didn't agree until... until I grasped upon Fenrir."

“I see..." Nadia said, her hand once again clinching over his hand, while her eyes looked over towards the sheathed blade, “I thought as much. It would seem to me that the Holy Blade performed most of the work for you. It cuts through armor like it wasn't there. When you slew my colleagues, you must have taken them off guard. Everyone thought the legend was nothing more than fluff. I thought otherwise."

“I couldn't hit you... no matter how hard I tried," Becket remarked, “You moved too fast... too quick. You were unlike any other foe I've battled against."

“I wasn't like my fellow generals and soldiers. I took the legends very seriously. Though..." she smiled at him in a warmer manner, “I am happy you ended up being such a cute fox."

“And... what would have happened if I wasn't?"

“Hmmmm..." Nadia brought her chalice to her lips again and sipped it, “I don't know..."

Hearing her answer, the strangeness of this situation struck Becket once again. Was her so-called 'love' for him nothing more than skin deep? He tried to imagine what would have happened if he wasn't too Nadia's liking, and he figured that would be enough to make him nothing more than a slave... or worse.

It made him uncomfortable, enough so that he began looking away, while his teeth ground against one another. But Nadia gripped his hand again, clinching it softly. It drew Becket's gaze back towards her, meeting her alluring face.

“Am I not to your liking?" the duchess asked, causing his heart to start racing.

“Ffgh!? What do you mean?" he replied, his hatred towards her rising up, “After all that you've done!? O-of course I don't like you!"

But Nadia cocked her head.

“Is that true?" she asked, “Because... I remember something different from yesterday..." releasing her hold on his hand, she reached over and placed her hand atop his head, “I remember a little silver kitsune, pursing his lips when his duchess held him. Did you want to kiss me yesterday?"

“I--!?"

And then he stopped.

And his jaw grew slack.

And his eyes widened.

Nadia was right...

He did try to kiss her last night, even if it was some involuntary, instinctive movement. The fact that any part of him wanted to feel her lips against his, made his stomach churn. And not only in the bathtub, but in his dream as well.

Nadia gave a soft sigh.

“Haven't you ever thought about giving up on the idea of being a... hero?" she asked, “It doesn't sound like you wanted to be a hero in the first place. Like you'd prefer being a humble farm boy."

“But my people... I... I owe it to them to..."

“Do you? Do you truly owe them anything?" Nadia asked, “You weren't given a fate you chose, you had a destiny forced upon you. You could have lived your life as nothing more than a peaceful farm boy, but your uncle forced in your head the idea of heroism. And your King Odin – desperate to save his own worthless hide – chose to send you – a young boy – to fight his battles for him. All because of some ill-conceived legend. And now look at you, trapped in the snares of your enemy, with people who hate you surrounding you for miles. All the while, the people of Yggdrasil no doubt run your name through the mud. Thinking you worthless for your failure. So..." she brushed some hair from his face, “Do you really owe them anything?"

“I..."

“Why don't you just stay with me, Becket?" she continued, “Let me take care of you. Let me shower you with all of my love. You don't have to worry about anything."

“But I... I..."

He closed his eyes as he thought about this, how wrong and vile it was, but how amazing and heavenly Nadia's voice sounded. She was telling him to give up his beliefs, betray his people... for her.

No... no! He can't do this! He won't do this! The Holy Blade Fenrir was right there! The first chance he got, he was going to slay her!

But...

Nadia's hands continued guiding him in, drawing Becket close to her body. Before he knew it, they were closer than they were in the bathtub the previous night, and they were holding onto each other's hands. The kitsune had even moved in closer, his chest nuzzling up against her chest. There was nothing but just a few centimeters of space separating the two now.

Nadia smiled.

“Stick out your tongue..."

Becket fidgeted upon hearing such an order. Was it an order? Or was it a suggestion? A mere idea? Whatever the case may be, he felt compelled to listen. Stick out his tongue? He knew what that would mean. He's never done something like this before... but he was willing to learn. So...

Becket stuck out his tongue and closed his eyes.

“Good boy..."

Placing her hands upon his face, Nadia framed it with her own. Moving in, she could feel Becket's breathing increase in pace; he was so desperate, it was cute. Did he even realize just how much he yearned for this?

She closed her eyes... and opened her mouth...

“Nmmm..."

“Mmmm..."

Becket first felt her tongue. It slid along his own, this sweet and slender appendage that moved with expert skill and ease. Her tongue guided his tongue into her mouth, followed by her lips. They pushed up against his own, while the heat and spit of her maw trapped him inside. Groaning around her, Becket felt his body sinking further into this embrace of lips and entanglement of tongues, all while Nadia continued her approach. She hugged him in deeper... closer... melding their lips against one another as he felt the overwhelming heat of her illustrious body pressed against his.

Before he knew it, Becket found himself on his back, his hands pinned to the sides of his head, while Nadia's voracious appetite took over. The kiss was simple at first; he merely felt her tongue sliding against his own in these euphoric strides. But now, she had become hungry, pressing her lithe and divine body against his as she had her way with his mouth and tongue. Her tongue continued being this wily beast that could not be contained. It danced along his tongue, swiveled along his teeth, and coasted along his gums. The longer the kiss went on, the muddier Becket's thoughts became. He couldn't even think outside of these walls around him, and the duchess who showed him such intense pleasures of the body.

And then Nadia pulled back, their lips audibly smacking as a sliver of spit hung from them. Sitting up on her knees upon Becket's hips, the divine duchess allowed him to marvel at her sensual form. The utter perfection of a female's body: from her height to her lithe figure, her green eyes to her blonde hair; everything about Nadia was absolutely flawless.

And this absolutely perfect woman was looking down upon him.

“How was that? Your first kiss?" Nadia asked, “I stole it... uru..."

“Naaadiiaaaaaa~" Becket groaned back,.

The duchess smirked, her green eyes cutting over towards her bed in the distance.

“Let's continue over there."

Becket swallowed his spit.

“Yes..."

Stepping off of his body, Nadia took his hand into her hand. Entranced, he followed along with the duchess as she guided him towards her bed. Her slender movements kept him beguiled, even as she crawled upon the bed with him in tow. He crawled after her, pressing her body beneath him as his blue eyes got lost in her green ones.

“I... I'm not so good at this..." the kitsune admitted, “I've never... done this before..."

“Uru... I know, Becket," Nadia said as she stroked her hand along his cheek, “But it's okay. I'll teach you."

Again she guided him in, and again he obeyed without hesitation. Becket pressed his lips up against Nadia's, kissing her deeply as his eyes closed shut. One hand fell upon her smooth, toned belly, gently rubbing up and down as he explored her form. This fit, flawless body; feeling her smooth flesh move against the pads of his palm sent shivers down Becket's spine. How could anyone feel so glorious?

Their lips continued dancing, kissing, sucking, smacking, with Becket far too overwhelmed to keep up. He just let Nadia control him, command him, lead him, teach him, while his mind continued growing more and more opaque. All the while, the duchess' hands gripped the hem of his tunic, gently lifting it up and pulling it over his head. Becket's slender form was revealed to her, with Nadia grinning upon him. He suddenly felt so self-conscious, despite having bathed with her only last night. But before those thoughts could overtake his head, Nadia moved in, kissing him once more on the lips.

As their tongues wrestled, the duchess' hands slid along Becket's back, both pressing him more into her body, and also reaching down to palm at his buttocks. For a supposed 'hero' he had such a girlish frame. Lovely hips, and a particularly shapely butt, Nadia indulged in feeling her fingers explore his furry form.

She just wanted to touch him. To grope him. To toy with him. To please him. To reduce him to nothing but clay so that she could mold him into her perfect little kitsune. Her... good boy.

And that all begins tonight.

Her knee shifted, sliding between Becket's legs to brush up against his hardening length. The shorts betrayed him; he was as hard as a diamond. So thick, so strong, so hot; his rod felt like it could burn her up through his shorts! She'll need to have tighter shorts sewn for him in his future, and slimmer shirts as well.

Uru!

Her hands couldn't help but to snake downward as well, each one grabbing upon the soft curvature of his cute butt. And they squeezed. And they clinched. And they brought him in closer to the dominating mistress who overpowered their kiss. Each grab sent a rush through Becket, followed by a groan that morphed into a wobbling moan. He was trying so hard to fight off this pleasure, to retain some semblance of himself. But with every touch, every grab, and every lustful kiss, he found himself waning.

He was getting lost in this sea of pleasure... Nadia was drowning him in it.

And as their kiss continued building more and more, the kitsune felt the duchess' hands leave him. He didn't know it, but she had grabbed the shawl on her shoulders. It wasn't until she broke the kiss that he opened his eyes. And when he did--

Fwwoosh!

“Huh!? What?"

Nadia captured his head with her shawl, blinding him.

Becket struggled, but her superior strength kept him bound, and her giggles kept him drugged. He couldn't tell you where was up and down, that is until his back suddenly felt the plush mattress beneath him. Then and only then did Nadia pull her shawl from his face, allowing him to gaze up towards the divine duchess who now sat atop his lap.

“Heroes of legend... are often times revered both for their boundless strength and courage... but also their seemingly infinite libido," Nadia claimed, causing Becket to cock his head, “I know not of any hero in Dudral's annals who was not recognized as a lover of many. I wonder... do beastkin follow the same notion?"

“Wh... what?" Becket asked, still a bit slow to catch on. Fortunately, Nadia had no qualms being a bit blunter.

“Your balls, Becket. Your balls," she stated, causing his loins to tingle, “How tight are your balls?"

“I uh... I... oh gods... I don't know...?"

Nadia smiled.

“Then... we will learn together."

Her hands gently stroked down Becket's chest, causing his breathing to quicken in pace. He watched her slender, majestic fingers slide down his stomach, stopping at the hem of his shorts. Clinging in, an audible and sensual giggle left Nadia's lips, and she slowly began dragging his trousers down.

It didn't take long...

Fwip!

For his throbbing manhood to appear before them.

Becket's penis stood hard and proud, thick and red, hot and throbbing, all while veins spread down its side like the webs of a spider. Looking at it, Nadia gave an alluring and sensual grin, while her majestic hand drifted near. Hypnotized, the kitsune watched as she danced her fingers through the air, constantly curling them again and again above the head of his length. It sent shivers down Becket's spine, who desperately yearned to feel the touch of her hand against him.

But she kept teasing him.

Taunting him.

Torturing him.

It wasn't enough for him to so desperately want her touch, he needed to ask for it, perhaps even beg for it. And as white-hot breaths left his lips, Becket realized that's what she wanted. She wasn't going to touch him until he asked for her to touch him. It frustrated him to know this, because it would be so humiliating for him to ask! And yet, he was so damn desperate, he didn't care.

“Please touch me..."

Nadia nodded.

“Of course... little hero..."

Those belittling words and her superior tone; why did it all sound so good? Why did it make him melt? Why did it make him moan?

“Aaahhhnnn~"

And such a cute, girlish moan.

Propping her head up with one hand, Nadia's other hand moved towards Becket's length, where she draped it with her fingers. The moment her sultry digits touched his cock, the kitsune stiffened up. His manhood was so sensitive, and Nadia's hands felt so good. Up and down, she began stroking his penis, drawing her fingers from the top of his knot, up to the tip of his length, and then back down again...

And again and again.

Glistening pearls of precum began forming at the tip of Becket's length, which streaked down the sides to stain Nadia's hands. She stopped briefly, giggled, looked over to his cock, and then up towards Becket's desperate face.

Her fingers continued stroking him, only... she was getting faster.

Wrapping her hand completely around Becket's cock, Nadia held upon his manhood like she was brandishing a sword. And if there's one thing the War of Rose knows well, it's how to handle a sword.

So...

Fapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfap!!!

“AH!? HOOOH! OOOH! GODS! AAAAHHHNN~~~!"

Nadia's hand was a blur, jerking upon Becket's length with far more strength and power than he's ever treated himself! Every time her hand slammed down, it would slap against his knot, which sent a wobble through his length and straight to his balls. They jostled and jingled against one another, then sent a roaring bolt of pleasure straight up to Becket's ears.

And that roaring bolt, it--

“YAAAAHHHWWW~~~!?"

Squirt!

Nadia's eyes briefly grew wide, while Becket sent a bullet of seed shooting straight up into the air. It reached far, almost high enough to strike the duchess face, but then it came sprinkling back down upon his cock and her hand. Oozing white with seed, Nadia drew her hand back, watching as cum streaked between her fingers. It brought a smile to her face... and then a hunger. So she brought her hand over, extended her tongue, and--

“Slick... lick... mmm... exquisite..." Nadia remarked, while Becket laid there, panting for air, “Lovely taste... gelatinous texture. You... are a very healthy boy, Becket."

“Haaah! Haaaah! Haah! Hah! N-Nadia!" he panted back.

“I was afraid your defeat would make you incapable of performing. But with what we have between us right now," she looked at his dick, which remained firm and rigid, “I think that's a fear safely put aside," and then her hand wrapped around it yet again, “You're so young and lively. Uru... I wonder how long it will take to ring you dry."

“Wring me... dry? Nadia... you don't mean..."

“Uru... I do... you were a farmboy, right? So you know well how long it can take to ring your feral cows all dry. So..." she rose her head, positioning it above his cock, “Let's see how long it takes... to drain you..."

Becket was confused at first, wondering what Nadia was going to do to 'ring him dry' if she wasn't going to use her hand. And then her mouth opened wide, causing his eyes to do likewise. Was she about to... suck his cock? Isn't that dirty? What girl would--

“Mmfff..."

“YAAAAH~!?"

So...

Cute...

Nadia's perfectly thin lips slipped and slid around Becket's cock, completely engulfing it in the moist heat of her mouth. He tasted salty and bitter, with so much sweat having accumulated on his length since this tryst started. And though he'd been cleaned twice now in her baths, not to mention the days he spent toiling in his jail cell, Becket still had the taste of grass on him.

He really was a farm boy.

While she was getting a taste and feel of his erect cock, Becket was getting a feel for her mouth! Lips so smooth and soft, teeth so pristine, mouth so hot, spit so heavy, and tongue so wily! And her face! This alluring, sensual, divine face! Nadia's green eyes pierced through the air towards Becket, and her lips were curled into a smile even with his cock pushing into her! Everything the duchess did was flawless! Everything the duchess did was perfect! Everything the duchess did was divine!

Even when she did something as dirty as sucked on his penis, she did so with this unparalleled, unbeatable, unequaled flair. His length twitched and throbbed within her maw, pain surging through him even as his length was cradled. He was so hard, so needy, so lustful, that his body screamed for its orgasmic release!

But Nadia's torturous side had returned. She slapped his cock left and right within her mouth, clinched down to prick its sides with her teeth, and softly began bobbing her head up and down. And like her hand before, the duchess began growing faster and faster... and louder...

“Mmmff! Mm! Mmm! Mmm! Nmm! Mmmff! Mmph! Mmm! Nmmph! Mmm!"

“GYAAAAH ~~! GODS! AAAAHHAAAHHHNN~~~!"

Becket threw back his head, forcing it into the pillows beneath him, while his hands gripped tightly upon the blankets as well. Bawling them up into his fists, he tried so desperately to withhold himself from exploding, but Nadia was relentless! The speeds at which her head moved, and the force behind it, caused the massive bed they were on to quiver and quake. Becket was drowning! He was absolutely drowning in this ocean! And Nadia was holding his head deep underwater!

She controlled him... commanded him... owned him...

It was up to her to decide what he was... and what he wasn't.

And right now...

“AAAHH!? Y-YOU'RE BEING TOO ROUGH!!!"

He was nothing more than her boytoy...

“CUMMING! GODS! OH GODS! I'M CUMM-IIIINNNGGGG!!!"

Such a cute, high-pitched voice for who was once a valiant hero. Fortunately, Nadia preferred this side of him.

Within her mouth roared an explosion of young, vulpine seed. It sputtered from his dick, rushing to fill out every inch of space within her maw, and then some. Cum. Hot, glorious, spunky, cum! Coating anything and everything: her tongue, her teeth, and her gums; none would be spared! And Becket could only lay there, mouth opened wide and eyes closed shut, while he filled his duchess' mouth with his desperate cum.

It all happened so quickly... but it felt like it would go on forever. At least... Becket wished it could go on forever. The glorious feeling of an orgasm... ahh... and the ones he was suffering beneath Nadia, were the greatest climaxes of his life.

And the duchess wasn't done quite yet.

Slowly she pulled off of his still rigid length, letting him watch as her stretching lips pulled back in a lascivious display. Cum oozed out of it, her tongue lashed at his length's tip, and her mouth curled into a smile. Furthering her lewd showing, Nadia allowed his sinful cum to ooze out of her lips and down her chin and splatter upon her chest... where her green eyes grew sharp.

“Nadi-- OOOH!?"

Her hands grabbed his cock; one around his knot, the other at the tip. Looking at him with her lips curling into a sensual smile, the divine duchess began rubbing the top of his cock viciously, allowing his sensitive length to feel the smoothness of her palm. Around and around and around and around, she abused the end of Becket's penis with her smooth palm, and he couldn't take it!

“NADIA! NADIA! NNGHH! HAAAAHH! NADD—III!!! NNGGHH! DUCHESS! I-! SLOW DOWN! PLEASE, SLOW-- AAAHHHHAAAAAAHHHNNN~~~!"

Squuirrrrt!

His hips jerked up, shooting blasts of his seed right into the smooth palm of Nadia's hand. This was his third climax? Yet it was still this strong? Bulbous and thick vulpine seed splattered upon her hand, where it slowly began streaking down his length. It clung to her fingers too, moving slowly like jelly or even glue! All as Nadia watched, and smiled, and giggled. Pulling back the palm of her cum-soaked hand, the duchess began sensually licking it clean of seed and cum, and even stuck a few fingers in her mouth to suck them dry. And she didn't stop until not one bit of cum remained.

“Mmm... uru... mmm... delicious..."

“Hah! Haah! Ha! Haaah! Oooooh-hoooooh!"

Drawing her gaze up towards his face, Nile's lips curled into a sensual little smile. He looked so cute panting and moaning like this. If he had longer hair and maybe a change of clothes, he'd be virtually indistinguishable from a girl.

And Becket?

He was struggling to recoil from his dual climaxes. Resting against the mattress below, his hands were curled up beside his head, while his eyes were closed shut. Again and again he gasped for breath, while his mind struggled to catch up with his body. By the time he worked enough courage to open his eyes, he found Nadia leering at him once again.

Her elegant, lovely green eyes. How they penetrated and overpowered. Whether it be in the fields of Wulkar, or here in her bedroom. Becket was trapped. Utterly and completely trapped.

And he wasn't sure if he wanted to escape.

“Your skills on the battlefield left much to be desired, but your other sword seems rather eager, doesn't it?" Nadia remarked, making Becket flinch.

“My other... sword...?" he muttered weakly as he looked down to his crotch.

It was still so hard! Why hadn't his cock softened yet? Why was it so rigid? Why did it still hurt! Why did it still yearn for her touch!?

Reaching back, Becket palmed the top of his head as he panted for air. He couldn't believe he was still desperate for this; still desperate for her! And the look in her eyes, it spoke to him.

Things... they weren't over quite yet.

“The pleasures of a woman... of flesh... uru... you truly are a virgin, Becket," Nadia said as she began tugging at the strings of her brassiere, “So... are you ready for this? For me? Uru... we won't stop now until I'm truly satisfied..."

As the strings on her bodice grew less and less constrained, he watched as her breasts expanded to fill the now empty space. Her perfect, perky, divine tits. So shapely and smooth, lacking blemish or flaw, and with nipples poking hard through the garment she wore. And once the brassiere grew loose on her breasts, all it would take is one pull, one bounce, one shake, one anything, to let it slip right off her shoulders.

But Nadia wasn't done yet. Looking down, Becket watched her hands trail down her sides and to the waistband of her panties. Her thumbs hooked under, and she slowly began pulling them down her sensual and divine legs. As she did so, this odor began flowing into his nose. It smelled like... flowers. Flowers on the first day of spring. Flowers during the Jord Festival. Flowers his mother used to plant on the first day of Summer.

That's what Nadia's womanhood smelled like. Sweet, aromatic flowers.

There was something absolutely divine about Nadia's body, and nowhere was that more apparent, than the sacredness of her now exposed womanhood. Yesterday in the bathing chamber, he got nothing but glimpses of her nudity. But now it was exposed towards him; her elegant and lithe figure. From her smooth shoulders to her perky breasts, her slim midsection, and her shapely hips and legs; there was nothing on her body one could describe as irregular or too much, or too little.

And no where was that more obvious than her womanhood.

Soft blonde pubic hairs sat above her pussy, cleanly shaven and stylized in a certain pattern. It was a triangle, thin and faded, but still visible against Nadia's flesh. Perfectly measured on all sides, one of its points even pointed down towards her crotch, as if to purposefully guide his eyes towards it.

And... haah... that's all Becket could do. Stare.

Stare stare stare stare stare.

“Uru... this is the first time you've seen this part of a woman, isn't it?" Nadia asked, to which Becket swallowed his spit.

“Y-yes..." he answered.

“Uru... no need to be ashamed..." her hand then rested upon his cheek, guiding his gaze up towards her face, “I actually prefer you this way. Uru... it makes you mine. All mine."

“Nadiaaaa..."

Her fingers slid over, covering his mouth and silencing him. Nadia just wanted Becket to lay there and watch. Completely immobile, and completely trapped.

Then and only then did her hands begin rising, her face still leering at him with her alluring looks. Mesmerized, the kitsune watched as the duchess began undoing the various strings and bands within her hair, allowing her once thick braids to become loose and weak. It didn't take long for it all to fall over, covering her head in her golden-blonde locks, save for the part that was open over the left side of her face.

It did little if anything to distract from her overwhelming divinity.

“This is the part where I make you completely mine," Nadia whispered, voice like gold and diamonds, “Are you ready?"

Once again, all Becket could do was swallow his spit.

“Yes..."

“Uru... good boy..."

Raising her lower body up, she guided Becket's eyes back down towards her womanhood. Sensually she trailed her fingers upon her womb, moaning from the feeling of her own digits on such a slight touch. It sent a thrill do Becket, though he couldn't explain why. His body just jolted and twitched, as if knowing instinctively what she was insinuating.

“This body of mine..." Nadia whispered, “Uru... perfect and refined in every way imaginable. You do understand... after tonight, you'll not be allowed to lay with any other female. Even if you did, you'd gain no pleasure from it. So..."

“So...?"

“If you don't like this, then feel free to push me off," the duchess further explained, “If not... then..." her green eyes grew sharper, “I'll just take that which now belongs to me."

Becket stiffened up, his entire body becoming rigid. Quickly darting his eyes between her face and her pussy, the kitsune began questioning everything up to this moment. Should he push her off? They could top things now! And the Holy Blade Fenri was right over there! If he scrambled for it, he could kill her!

All he needed to do was push. All he needed to do was push. All he needed to do was push. All he needed to do was push.

All he needed to do was push...

But Becket didn't.

He laid there, watching as Nadia positioned herself over his throbbing manhood. His read spear twitched beneath the heat from her pussy, and when her nectar trickled upon his length, he groaned audibly. Her pussy. Her perfect pussy. Her divine pussy. It was coming closer and closer and closer and closer and cl--

“Nhhaaah~! Haaaaaah~~!"

The tip of his dick speared her tight folds, parting them open around him as she sank down deeper and deeper. Truly, everything about Nadia was godly. It made so much sense why her maids seemed to worship the ground she walked on. As her pussy slid down over him. Trapped on all sides in this tightness, but not too tight. Wet and hot as well, while rubbing and running the full course of his length. It was like a bunch of tiny little tongues were teasing his dick all at once.

Is that a strange way to describe it? Well, no one ever said Becket was a poet.

The kitsune leaned back in the bed, his back arching, his hands curling, eyes closing shut, all while his mouth split open to let out the loudest, cutest, high-pitch moan of pleasure Nadia's ever heard! When it rang into her ears, the duchess gave a womanly moan of joy herself, while her hands fell upon his chest to clinch a hold of him.

And then Nadia stopped... but only because she could no longer push herself down. Her full weight barred down upon Becket, where he realized just how light she was. The duchess was taller than him, older too, but her body felt lighter than a pile of pillows.

“Uru... your penis is twitching and jumping so much inside of me," Nadia remarked as she drank in the sight of Becket's overwhelmed face, “It's cute... like you are. Uru..."

“Nadia~! Naaadiiaaaa~~~!"

“Don't move... nmm... your mine..." her eyes slid in, “I'll tease you lots tonight..."

Nadia slid up...

“Hoooooh~~!?"

And then she slid back down.

Pat!

“Aaah~~!?"

She slid up...

“Naaadiiiaaaaa-aaaaah~~~!"

And she slid back down...

Pat!

“Nnnghh~!"

She slid back up and...

Well... you get the rest.

Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat! Pat!

“AH! HAAH! AAH! AAH! AAH! AH AHAH HA~~~!"

Up and down Nadia road Becket's length, her lips in a grin, her green eyes a squint, and her hands pinned down upon his chest. She was fast and hypnotic with her hips, moving them at a rhythmic pace that sent a quake through him and her mattress. Pat! after Pat! after Pat! sounded off through her bedroom, sometimes followed by Nadia's womanly giggles, but mostly trailed by Becket's girlish moans.

“Haaaahh~~~!"

They sounded like music to Nadia's ears, even made her turn her head upwards in a superior manner. AS he cried out with pleasure more, Nadia increased the speed and pace of her hips, driving them down on his length to the point that her body was blurring. The expert control she had over her body which she used to dominate the battlefield, was now being put to work on him in this bedroom. Didn't matter if it was her arms and swordplay, or her hips and sexual skill; everything Nadia did was divine!

And it was pounding him in...

Deeper and deeper...

Harder and harder!

Those once sinful Pat! noises...

Became outright roars of debauchery!

PATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

“AHN! HAAHN! HAH! HA! AAHHN! HAAAAAAHHH~~~!"

Becket's eyes were closed, his mouth was wide, his cheeks were red, and his mind was numb. Yes, numb! He couldn't think about anything, couldn't tell you what was up and what was down, couldn't tell you his own damn name! All he could feel was the madness of pleasure! How it covered him up to his neck, only for Nadia to then plunge him in deeper and deeper. He reached so deep, the light of knowledge was no longer in reach. He was underwater, overwhelmed, dominated, completely washed.

And his cock...

“Oh my... uru!"

His knot... his plump, throbbing, juicy knot. It was enlarging, growing; his climax was imminent!

Good.

“You're going to cum, aren't you, Becket?" Nadia whispered as she continued her erotic hip movements, “I want all of your thick, gooey, fox cum inside of me. The biggest ejaculation you could possibly muster. Feed my lower mouth with it."

“Nadia! Nadia! Nadia! Naddiiaaaaa-haaaaah~~!" he screamed back.

The duchess licked her lips.

“Do it..." she whispered, “Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!"

Falling forward, Nadia trapped Becket beneath her as her hands pinned him down to her mattress. Blonde hair falling like a veil, he was completely and utterly trapped in the shadow that is the duchess' body. His only light was that of her green eyes, glaring at him.

She raised her hips up. Becket gritted his teeth.

THWAP!

“AAAAHHAAAAAH~~~!"

With one slam down, Nadia forced the entirety of Becket's cock right into her body; knot included. It was so fat, so large, and it widened the divine duchess' perfect pussy out. And in return, oh, she swallowed upon him, holding it close as it grew in size, locking them in place.

Becket's eyes widened and he looked down. She did it? She forced it all inside her him? His knot included? It was intense! Its one thing feeling the perfection of her pussy around his length, but it something else entirely to feel his knot too being clamped and clinched upon. But it wasn't over yet. His balls were churning, but it hadn't happened yet. Why? Was he holding himself back now of all times? Or maybe...

He was looking for permission?

Well...

“Cum..." Nadia whispered, “Cum, Becket, cum. Cum while being made love to by your mortal enemy."

That? That seemed to do the trick.

“AAAHHH~~! AAAH! HAAAH! AAHHN! AHN! HAHN! NAAADIIAAAA-AAAAA~!!!"

Nadia flinched. Yeah, Nadia flinched. If anything could break her sensual face, it would be the massive climax erupting inside of her cunt. Thick, vulpine seed, spurting and shooting ropes of voluminous cum. Endless, filling, overwhelming, staining. Nothing was pink, everything was white.

The seed of a hero. Aaahh...

Nadia bit into her bottom lip, chuckled too, then grinned as she felt her womb being filled to the brim with spunk. There was so much seed, it almost came out of her pussy... but Becket's knot made sure that would never happen. The heat could be felt, the weight too, and as his orgasm began tapering off, the duchess gave off soft groans of her own.

And then...

Nothing...

“Haaah... hoooh... uru... lovely..."

His knot... it would keep them tied together for how long? Minutes? Hours? Nadia wasn't sure, but she didn't mind waiting. They had the entire night out for them.

Looking down, Nadia read Becket's face. His cute, blushing, panting face. Eyes closed, hands curled, he looked like he was trapped in his own little world. Smiling, the Rose of War reached her hand down where she began gently palming and stroking his sweaty face.

“It's okay now, Becket... it's all over..." she whispered.

“Na...! Na...! Nadiaa... ahh... haaaah...!"

“Uru... hm?"

Gweeeaaaammmm...

A light had appeared over Becket's body. A bright blue light, one that began growing brighter and brighter with every passing second. It shined and shimmered, with Nadia watching. She never blinked, never flinched, never pulled away, she just watched as the brightness of his body overwhelmed him...

Only to then start subsiding.

It died away, with no changes having been made to Becket... well, save for his backside. Yes, for the second time in such a short amount of time, the kitsune had grown yet another tail. Three of them now fluttered about behind his back, the third tail lashing wildly about as its owner relaxed against his duchess.

Nadia smiled.

…

“Mmff... mmmff... mmm... mmm.... mmfff..."

“Uru... don't suck so hard... I'm not going anywhere. Uru..."

“Mmff... mmm... mmm... mmm..."

“You're like a baby. You just need someone to look after you..."

“Mmfff... mmmm... mmmm..."

“Forever... and ever..."

The silver gleam of a gray morning was pouring through her massive windows. Slightly dismal yes, but the glow of sunlight could be seen in the distance. It was going to be a cool day, the duchess was sure of it.

Against her bedpost Nadia laid, resting up in all of her nude glory, while the odor of sex permeated the air around them. Gently, her hand stroked upon the top of a certain kitsune's head, nuzzling him in closer against his bust. And that kitsune?

Desperately, Becket suckled at Nadia's tit, lapping at the delicious flesh of her bosom like he would die of dehydration if he didn't. His mouth perfectly fitted itself upon her bosom, his tongue lashing viciously at her areola and nipple in desperate swirl after desperate swirl. His hands cupped up against her bosom as well, holding her tits up to force more of them into his maw.

His endless hunger... his dripping desire... he needed everything... all of her!

Licking... sucking... moaning... groaning...

“Hnnghh... mmm... hmmm... mmfff... hmmmfff..."

“Uru~ see? Was this too hard? I knew you love me..."

Reaching down with her other hand, Nadia gently clutched upon Becket's newly grown third tail. Sensitive still, it wiggled in her grasp, but the divine duchess' tender touch was enough to quell it. It also brought Becket away from her tit, if only momentarily.

It was dripping with drool; his heady desires having driven him to suck on her for what felt like hours. With how time no longer mattered to him, it could have even been hours.

But...

Even as he laid against Nadia, even as he sucked her breasts, even as his three tails gently swayed behind him, he clung onto the hope that one day, he'd be able to kill her. He couldn't release his feelings towards the duchess, even if she showered him with so much affection and so much pleasure. That didn't change anything though... that didn't...

No it didn't...

He looked over towards the table in the distance, where resting upon its surface was the Holy Blade Fenrir within its elegant scabbard. If he got his hands on it, he could do slay her. This divine woman with who he rested with. This divine woman who let her guard down around him. This divine woman who he gave his body up to. He could kill her.

He could kill her.

But... he wouldn't. At least, not today...

Yeesssss...

Becket looked up to Nadia, giving her such desperate, needy eyes. It warmed the duchess' heart.

“Can I... kiss you?" Becket asked.

Nadia cocked her head.

“Uru... of course, little hero..."