More deliberations

After that, there was surprisingly little extra fluff. The fight schedule was announced. (My own fight was to begin tomorrow, at three in the afternoon) Sylphid, Valkyrie and I all agreed to meet up this evening and then all of us where transported back to our respective towers.

“Welcome back, Master Beta. You gave a most splendid performance.” Not missing a beat, my maid poured me a glass of water.

“Thanks…” I replied as I sat myself down on the table and sipped on my drink.

“Well, you could have done with a little less shaking,” Beatrice quipped. “What was that all about?”

Before I even had time to contemplate my answer, I was interrupted by the sound of clapping. “I don’t know how you do it, Daddy”, Cassandra said. “But your insane luck won out again. All the real monsters are stuck fighting each other.”

“A-are ye insinuating that Lady Sylphid is a monster?”, Fisti blustered.

“Was a compliment.” Cassandra shrugged, seemingly not interested in escalation this time. “All I'm saying is that Daddy can deal with the little snake-girl. And if he's smart about it, he makes sure to end the battle in a draw.”

A time out. Of course, that was an option even for a lucky loser. But that didn’t mean it was an option for me. “I...that’s….It’s not possible. I need to win this next fight.”

The huntress predictably replied to that with a groan. “Yeah, yeah, in order to pay some hack magician. Come on Daddy, lets be realistic for once.”

Naturally, the “hack magician” got most of the girls curious.

“Riiiight, Daddy didn't deem it necessary to tell the rest of you. Same with him being a lucky loser.”, Cassandra sneered. “Any other secrets you might want to share with the class, Daddy?”

“Can you not, Cassandra?”, I huffed annoyed. I really do not need this right now.

“You know...the slaver has a point for once”, Fisti argued reluctantly. “Ya need to tell us this stuff.”

“And why is that?”, I snapped at Fisti. “This is my own business.”

“Oh, please.” Beatrice let out a sigh. “You are acting weird ever since the ceremony. Something is clearly afoot and your childish desire to keep secrets will only serve to...”

“Shut up!”

My shout was loud enough to make Beatrice flinch. Realizing that I went too far I took a deep breath to compose myself. “I...I’m sorry...this is...it’s just very stressful for me. It’s not just the money...I mean, that’s part of it...but...”

“My Lord.” Sanakia went on one knee in front of me. “I beg of thee! Share your pains and sorrows with us!”

“Want to help.” Aiju nodded determined.

…

I suppose they have a right to know. So I told them. Why I needed the money and why I was so agitated about my next opponent.

…

..

.

“Ya lost against the Hebi-san”, Fisti asked.

“Yeah”, I confirmed, somewhat sheepishly. “We faced each other in the qualifier finals and she got the better of me.”

“How?”, Cassandra asked.

“That's...”

“If I had to hazard a guess. It’s her mind control powers”, Beatrice mused. “You have pretty much zero resistance when it comes to this stuff.”

It was shameful to admit, but Beatrice was completely right.

“And giving Hebi-sans personality, she probably **** you”, Beatrice deduced further. “Hence your strong reaction.”

The table fell silent.

“Oh, you got to be fucking kidding me!”, Cassandra, tactful as ever, cried out. “You're telling me Daddy got a trauma against the Galmon? Come on, grow some balls!”

“I don't have a trauma!”, I defended myself. Probably a bit too loud. “And Hebi-san didn't **** me, she just hypnotized me and...made me do...stuff...”

The girls stared blankly at me.

“My Lord! What made this fiend you do! You have to tell me!”

“Yes!”, Fisti nodded eagerly. “We need to know it. Talking about it will make you feel better.”

The girls all looked at me with very curious eyes.

This feels like a very bad idea.

“We promise we won't laugh”, added Beatrice.

...

Perhaps I should tell them.

Wasn't that the reason I fought on, despite my loss against her? How could I possibly hope to defeat Hebi-san if I can’t even talk about fighting her?

“Alright.” I took a deep breath.

“You probably should know that Hebi-san and I used to be childhood friends, or perhaps calling her a childhood bully would be more appropriate.”

“A...bully?”, inquired Fisti.

I nodded, staring at the table in front of me. “We grew up together. Hebi-san lived in a nearby forest and she used to play with the village children. Back then she used to be much friendlier, but even then she had an odd fixation on me.”

“Yeah, yeah, get to the part where she fucked you over in the qualifiers, daddy!”

“Alright, fine.” I took another deep breath. “This happened about half a year ago back in Helman. I faced her in that wooden arena and she pretty much hypnotized me right away.” My cheeks flushed. “She...commanded me to take off my clothes and...dance.”

“She **** you to dance...naked?”, Beatrice decided to confirm.

“...like a ballerina.”

The entire table felt silent.

….

…

…

“...p-pfft.”

“You said you wouldn't laugh!”

“Well, screw you! I tried to keep it in!” Beatrice cackled.

“It..is not...funny and all and...ugh...I get it...it was...very...t-traumatic for you” Fisti was biting down on her lip. Hard.

Meanwhile Cassandra ran very quickly to the guestroom. Unfortunately she didn't make it before breaking out in maniacal laughter.

“Is Mari, good dancer? Wanna see Mari dance naked.” Aiju stared at me with a rather curios look in her eyes.

“M-maybe that would help?” suggested Sanakia. “I am sure you are a majestic dancer, especially in the nude, my Lord! If you want to give us a presentation...”

“Sure, why not?”, Beatrice grinned, evidently very amused. “Show us your moves, ballerina-boy.”

That was all I could take. “You guys are awful! I hate you!”

I stood up, shaking, and stormed off.