After breakfast, polite goodbyes were made to Demeer and Leotomas by Belle and Phria, then Rumple teleported them all swiftly to the Teapot Inn in Ranga where they'd promptly given Missus Potts the fright of her life. They'd been lucky the breakfast rush had ended because otherwise the whole inn would have been thrown into chaos at her scream. There had been no warning, nothing, just a blink and six people were suddenly stood in her hallway like they'd never been gone. Of course she recognized Rumple, beautiful Belle, Azzy and little Amicia, but the new companions were a surprise. The big one with an emotionless face gave off a deadly aura and looked more like the sort to settle things with his fists than words; the kitten on his shoulder was cute though. The raven-haired little girl had a firm hold of Belle's hand and, though seemingly excited to see all she could, she stayed partially hidden behind the teenage woman. Then there was the pantherian in cobalt armor, she was who'd really garnered Missus Potts' attention: Dorovoth was far from the Valkyrie headquarters but they did still occasionally see the women escorting mages here and there. Marquess Patrick Carste, the noble who governed over Ranga, his daughter had actually joined the Valkyries several years earlier. A nice girl was Isadora Carste, she'd often had her servants hand out medical care to the poor who the Church refused to aid for one reason or another. Regardless, it wasn't every day a Valkyrie wandered into the Teapot Inn.

Belle was quick with a smile and words of greeting, she made sure to introduce Valdis, Renner and even Demiurge – who she insisted on calling Dem – before finally getting to the Valkyrie.

"… and this is Captain Phria Federlord of the Valkyries. She's going to be Rumple's wife as well."

"She's the Captain?" Missus Potts questioned before what Belle had just said finally hit her. Her eyes widened with surprise as her mouth fluttered a few seconds before words poured out. "Wait, wife? 'As well'? Does this mean-"

Belle and Phria held their hands out practically in unison to show off their rings, one a dazzling sapphire, the other a coruscating emerald. Missus Potts was impressed – Rumple hoped she damn well was, he'd paid through the nose for those gems from Marlow. Then the old woman tilted her head from the women and their engagement rings and over to the Demon Lord she'd been holding a room for.

"Work quickly, don't you? Left with one girl and a daughter, came back with an extra set."

Rumple lifted an eyebrow as Renner hid a smirk, it was all in good fun though so Rumple let it slide and simply enquired about their room. Of course she'd kept her word and only gone in every now and again to clean the dust off of tables, so the room was a non-issue. However, the inn was almost full and Missus Potts only had a single extra room to offer them.

"You could toss someone out." Rumple suggested off-handedly but Missus Potts glared.

"I could throw you out."

"Renner will need to be with the girls anyway," Belle began diplomatically; all those years of governesses teaching her to be the perfect princess had paid off. "So he and the girls can take the vacant room and Phria will sleep in ours."

Several sets of eyes snapped to Belle at that comment, all except for the innocent ones of children who hadn't quite managed to figure out why such a comment would raise interest. Belle, however, ignored any and all sideways glances and simply nodded to herself then ushered the girls upstairs out of the way. Renner honestly couldn't have cared less as long as he wasn't out in the stables – that had happened one too many times in his life – while Phria and Rumple had no desire to pose an argument with Missus Potts before them. Soon the old woman had gotten a few coins out of Rumple and delivered a fresh pot of tea to the back table where Rumple and his soon-to-be wives had nestled themselves while the children, Renner, Azzy and Demiurge had remained upstairs with toys and books for entertainment.

"Are you sure we should keep this so low-key?" Asked Phria as she added a heathy – or rather unhealthy does of honey to her tea. "I know King Artem is involved but still."

Rumple shook his head as the early birds for lunch started to show up. They'd been to several inns and taverns throughout Dreymyr, but the Teapot Inn had always been the calmest and best maintained in his opinion. A less rowdy clientele than elsewhere.

"If we show up with an army it will not only draw unwanted attention but likely be seen as an attack on the Carste family, Adventures Guild and certainly the King as well." Rumple explained. "Best for all involved if we keep this quiet, just like Demeer said. Besides, I'm the Dark One, you honestly think I need an army as backup?"

That had Phria smirk behind her teacup. She'd never really been much of a tea drinker, but Belle made exquisite tea and since she and Rumple had such a fondness for it, Phria found she'd developed a taste for it as well; Phria guessed there were worse habits to pick up.

"I suppose we should inform Gordana that we've returned to Ranga."

"Belle makes a good point, Rumple."

"Yes, yes, we'll go once the tea is finished."

Sure enough, once the teapot had been drained, Belle had indulged in a suitably long chat with Missus Potts about this and that – probably where Phria and Valdis had come from – and Phria had gown tired of the locals gawking at her cobalt Valkyrie armor, the trio headed for the plaza the Guild building sat on. The journey was walked by muscle memory and Rumple was pleased no more of those damn wanted posters had gone up for himself nor Jefferson. Speaking of Jefferson, that Hatter had better have made headway over in Elvasitz. As they grew closer to the Guild building, Rumple made sure to check for magical traps while Phria subreptitiously checked vantage points for anybody who might have thought an ambush to be a good idea. They didn't actually expect an attack, not when Gordana was involved, she had an honorable streak and had already gone out of her way to aid them. Still, one could never be too careful.

Entering the large Adventurers Guild building felt a little like coming home for Belle, she'd missed the pleasant banter she'd shared with Maylea and the other receptionists while Rumple had been claiming his quest rewards and, despite how she'd ended up as an adventurer, she'd never regretted it.

They approached the reception desk of dark wood to find a blond man manning it, the second he spotted the Dark One his eyes widened but the sight of Phria had the severity of the situation drilled into him. The Dark One, Valkyrie Captain and Princess of Avonlea all walked into the Adventurers Guild – sounded like the beginning of a bad joke. Having apparently been warned of their arrival, the blond half-elf – Clarence, not that Rumple had actually cared, ushered them upstairs to Gordana's office without hesitation. The guildmaster sat behind her desk with a stack of paperwork before her that literally nobody would have envied; frankly, she seemed pleased by their arrival because it gave her a valid excuse to avoid it for a time.

"Hello again, Rumpelstiltskin, Belle. I see you brought a friend." Gordana stood, rounded her desk and thrust her hand out to the white-haired pantherian. "Gordana Aalto, Chief Commander of the Adventurers Guild."

"Captain Phria Federlord of the Valkyries."

The two shook hands while Rumple wondered if such niceties were really needed, they all knew why they were there after all.

"Heard a lot about you, Captain. Youngest head of the Valkyries in history, you should be proud of that." Apparently the niceties were necessary. "I assume you're here on behalf of the Grand Mage?"

Phria nodded. "The situation pertains to a mage appointed by him, he feels he and the Mages Guild should have a representative present."

"Can't argue with that." Gordana returned to her desk. "I won't pretend I know everything that's going on and frankly I don't care to know. What I don't know, they can't make me testify about and all that. My role here is simply to provide a neutral space for this … discussion of yours to take place, that's all. I support neither side if this turns into a war of some kind. The Guild members can't be conscripted by the crown and I sure as hell won't let you get your claws in if you decide you want an army. My Guild is neutral."

"Don't get yourself in a twist, dearie, I have no need for armies – Dark One, remember?"

"I very much doubt King Artem will suddenly declare war." Belle pointed out. "He's a wise and just man who isn't quick to violence."

Gordana sighed. "All due respect, but the Dark One hasn't been involved before. Besides, we're

doing all of this very cloak and dagger so best to be ready for anything. For what it is worth, my conversation with the King led me to believe he's curious more than anything."

Phria's emerald eyes peered around the office. "Shall our meeting be taking place in here?"

"No. We have a meeting hall, it'll happen in there out of the way. Looks a bit more formal in there as well. I know I wrote a letter vouching for you to the Grand Mage, Rumpelstiltskin, but I'd like to know if he has opted to support you. I see the enslavement collar is gone if nothing else."

"Yes, that was a farce, but it's gone now never to return." Rumple told her quickly. "I suppose Demeer hasn't made any public claims in favor of me, but he did insist to those Umbra brothers that I wasn't here for total control of Dreymyr."

Gordana's eyes widened as she sat a little straighter in her chair. " 'Those Umbra brothers'? Do you mean Prince Horatio and Prince Owen? How many high-powered people know you're the damn Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin?"

It was Belle who answered while marking them off on her fingers. "You, the Grand Mage, Phria, Yanhil's princes and probably King Nathaniel by now, myself and Xylda Xaver. Surprisingly none of them have opted to be hostile."

Gordana nodded to herself. "You're building quite the contact network there, Rumpelstiltskin. Anybody I should be concerned about?"

"Cynthia Stonecrop." Phria sighed.

"And who's she when she's at home?"

"Count Alan Stoncrop's oldest daughter, she was my Vice-Captain until recently. She's a devout follower of Drazva and went to great lengths to attempt ridding Rumple of his supporters. That's how the princes got involved. She's gone to extreme lengths to prove her outrage."

"Meaning?"

"She sent the House of Red Coats to kill her." Rumple stated plainly.

The assassins guild wasn't ever mentioned lightly. They were deadly cutthroats who'd kill commoners and kings alike if the price was right. Gordana really would have rather those assassins stayed out of the situation that was the Dark One's return to Dreymyr, but, with Rumpelstiltskin practically a gentleman compared to how the stories made him out to be, Gordana doubted they'd have too much problem with them.

"Well," said Phria quickly. "We can't actually confirm that, but from the story Renner told of how he was to stage my death, I can't see it being anybody else."

"Renner?"

"The assassin, dearie. Worry not, he's in my service now."

Gordana's mouth fell open. "You took a House of Red Coats assassin and made him part of your entourage? I honestly shouldn't be surprised, should I?" The question had been rhetorical but Rumple shook his head a little regardless. Of course he'd never admit it, but he'd somewhat missed this banter only Gordana Aalto was capable of. "Oh, did you find that man in the hat you wanted? Jefferson, right?"

"Indeed I did, dearie." Yeah, she'd not be getting a proper thank you and Gordana knew it would do no good to demand one. "He has gone to Elvasitz to do some research. Now, where is this meeting hall you spoke of?"

"One floor down over in the west side of the building. Got a giant sword statue outside the door, you can't miss it."

"Lovely." Rumple nodded. "We shall return tomorrow at noon for this meeting then. That's all unless you have decided what you want that last quest to be."

The brunette woman smirked, she knew he wanted that out of the way as quickly as possible to get out of her debt, but he'd be waiting a while. Gordana knew what she wanted him to do, but the time wasn't right for such things.

"Not yet."

Belle and Phria offered polite goodbyes, then each took one of Rumple's hands and let him teleport them back to the inn; their room to be exact. There, Rumple settled in at his familiar desk to brew some potions with ingredients he'd purchased in Bichelberger while his beautiful fiancées opted to take a walk through the city's shopping district. Phria had wanted a better lay of the land since the second they'd arrive while Belle would take any opportunity she got to rummage around a bookshop; especially one owned by a man as nice as Rodrick Zule. Once they'd checked on the girls and Renner – who'd seemingly been bullied into letting them play outside – the two women had departed the Teapot Inn fully aware they'd get no conversation out of their future husband until he left his potion crafting for the night.

They wandered through streets of people going this way and that, some for a little exercise while others had determined expressions on their faces and schedules to keep. For a time they walked in a pleasant silence – at least Belle had assumed it to be a pleasant silence until shortly after they'd left Rodrick Zule's bookshop with a choice purchase tucked under Belle's arm. Phria in no way suffered from a pressure of speech, she'd be polite of course and speak when spoken to, but she really wasn't one to jibber-jabber. That was probably the reason – and the fact she'd been distracted by books – it had taken Belle quite so long to notice the unease which had settled into her friend's shoulders.

"Is everything all right, Phria?" The white-haired pantherian nodded that she was but Belle wasn't so easily placated. "Please tell me what's wrong. Have I done something?"

"No, of course not." Phria was quick to respond. "No, it's just- never mind."

Belle shoved her new book further under her arm and turned to face Phria fully which forced the other woman to a standstill.

"Phria, if something is bothering you then I want to help. Please tell me what's wrong."

Phria sighed. "Is this okay? I know I'm here as a representative of the Grand Mage, but you're Rumple's primary. Shouldn't we be separate?"

Ah, now Belle understood. In almost every case, the primary wife was the one presented to the public and the one treated with the most respect. Meanwhile, any secondary wives were treated as backups with no real purpose other than to spread their legs; just servants wearing better dresses. Primaries hardly ever elected to interact with secondaries unless forced to, when Phria had agreed to be Rumple's secondary wife, she'd expected to keep a respectable distance from Belle despite the younger woman's kind heart.

"The only reason I made that stipulation was to ensure my child was recognized as next in line to Avonlea's throne after myself. It wasn't for some need to keep you in your place, Phria. I've never really cared much about the hierarchy rules of noble wives and I'm positive that Rumple doesn't. Besides, I'm sure you care little for succession rights. Things are different in Rumple's realm, they don't have the same polygamy laws there so I doubt he knows what the proper etiquette is, and even if he did, Rumple wouldn't care. He treats us equally because to him we are equals and I see no reason to argue with that."

Suddenly Phria felt much more at ease. She'd grown used to being viewed as lesser than those around her; all other Valkyries were nobles from prestigious families, women of pedigree while Phria came from a modest family of adventurers from Berryburn, her uncle had treated her like a commodity worthy of only what he permitted and, as a pentherian, those devote Church followers treated her as though she weren't even a person. Before the valiant warrior could descend too far into her thoughts though, Belle looped their arms and tugged her back into the real world much as she often did with Rumple. Though fully aware she was older than Belle at twenty-two while Belle steadily approached nineteen, Phria knew the two of them couldn't have been more different. Belle seemed far more adult, independent, resourceful and brave in Phria's eyes, a trait she envied to some extent. While she could easily go into battle and fight, things most would consider everyday situations Phria struggled with. Belle could make friends easily everywhere she went, she was a genuinely likeable person with many efficacious qualities. Meanwhile, Phria was more like Rumple when it came to people. She had many an idiosyncrasy and, though she desired friends, she'd always been a loner who hadn't quite known how to go about making those friends. Belle though, she'd come along and made it easy for Phria.

"Let's take a leaf out of our fiancé's book and make a deal." Belle suggested with a twinkle in her cerulean eyes and smile upon her lips. "So, how about instead of doing what wives normally do and scramble over one another for some gilded top spot, we be the equals we are and just stand by his side to support our future husband?"

"Deal," Phria quickly agreed and the two returned to their outing.

Later that evening, after a rather piquant supper, Belle and Phria had ordered a bath – which Chip hadn't been pleased about because he'd been filling and filling that bath in various rooms all day what with them being fully booked – while Rumple had allowed the girls – and by extension Azzy, Demiurge and the walking shadow that was Renner – to accompany him on a trip to the apothecary to restock his supplies. He'd developed a few potions specifically for Belle which she'd thankfully not needed to utilize very often, however, after his discussions with Demeer and Leotomas back at the Arcane University, he'd come up with a couple of hypothesises for new ones which he'd wanted to test. Belle's potions had been designed for defence primarily, but since he'd learned of the enhancement armor Valkyries like the Ravenscroft sisters wore, Rumple had become curious if he could fashion a potion which would allow Phria to do a similar thing despite her lower magic level. Speaking of magic level, Rumple had made a mental note to have Renner's level assessed at the Guild at some point. While he'd never be a match for Rumple, the fact Renner could use light magic so easily and with so much dexterity meant he surely had to be at least bronze ranked. 'Should check Valdis as well,' his mind added. 'She's born of dark magic, might even be able to give me a run for my money one day.' In the back of his mind Rumple also knew that testing Valdis would make Amicia want a go as well so, ultimately, his life would have just been easier to borrow the gem book from Gordana and let everyone have a go.

They'd returned later than expected since Rumple had been roped into getting Valdis and Amicia dessert from the Applecore Bakery which had been on the verge of locking the door for the night. As the Dark One, Rumple was resistant to most forms of magic, but the pleading eyes of his adopted daughters was simply too powerful. His fiancées had still been occupied with bathing upon their return so he'd given Renner an hour or so to himself while Rumple read the girls stories and tried not to feel guilty for raising them while he'd abandoned Bae. Eventually the children had fallen asleep with Azzy curled up between their beds all without seeing Belle nor Phria once. So, mildly concerned, he ordered Renner back to the room then went in search of his future wives – didn't that unexpected plural require some getting used to?

Rumple didn't bother knocking as he entered the room Missus Potts had held for them, just strolled in unsure if he was irritated they'd not bid their daughters a goodnight or actually worried about them.

"The two of you have been in here so long that the girls fell asleep."

The last word came out in a sort of strangled tone of awe as brown eyes found Belle and Phria wrapped only in white towels, their hair up in high buns and skin ever so slightly damp. He swallowed audibly.

Both of them seemed honestly apologetic but it was Belle who spoke first.

"Sorry, Rumple. We got distracted talking."

Yes, Rumple could understand a thing or two about being distracted as it took him a full four seconds to realize Belle had even spoken. Phria was taller than the teenager with a larger chest, her body held more muscle from years of being a Valkyrie and was more angular. Belle, meanwhile, was petite – dainty really, with beautifully soft curves that just seemed to adore luring a man's attention. These women were goddesses among men and Rumple wouldn't ever be convinced that he deserved either one of them.

"That's, em – that's fine, as long – as long as you're okay."

Rumple couldn't take his eyes from his fiancées and Phria elected to be the brave one for a change and make the first move. Slowly she approached Rumple and stretched up to kiss him softly. There were loose strands of white hair which had escaped her bun and gotten wet in the bath water, they tickled Rumple's cheek. Her tail swayed eagerly as she slowly coaxed one of Rumple's clawed hands to the spot where her towel had been tucked in to keep it wrapped around her. Encouraged, he loosened it exposing her beautiful body to him and groaned.

Suddenly Phria's mind snapped back to her and she stiffened a bit. Belle! Belle might have said they were equals but they'd never discussed being so open with their love in front of each other. They'd been speaking of what they found attractive about their future husband right before Rumple had entered and Phria's heated body had driven her to act without really thinking. Awkwardly, Phria turned to the younger woman expecting to see annoyance, disgust, awkwardness mirroring her own or any combination of the three. Instead, Phria found curiosity in Belle's eyes paired with something suggesting an internal debate. Opting to be brave again, Phria held out her hand to Belle in silent offer, and Belle took it. With hardly a moment of hesitation, Belle was at Rumple's side where she mimicked what Rumple had done with Phria to get her own towel off. They didn't need to fight over him like other noble wives did, they didn't need to outdo one another to earn his love an attention. They'd made a deal to stand by Rumple's side in all things, so why should this have been any different? Rumple, however, was stunned because what the hell had undeserving him done to get so lucky?

Rumple lifted a hand to cup Belle's cheek, an act which forced their eyes to meet a moment before he captured her lips for a soft kiss. Rather than one filled with lust or passion, the kiss was sprinkled gently with love and something which bordered on veneration. She tasted of sweet tea, their kiss unhurried and sensual, and soon she'd relaxed against him much as Phria had. The clawed fingers of his left hand slowly glided up the porcelain skin of Phria's hip while his right continued to cup Belle's flushed cheek. Little bumps rose on the pantherian's skin, from the odd chill everybody experienced after leaving their bathwater or from a quickly growing desire, she wasn't entirely certain. A little moan resonated in Belle's throat when his kisses worked their way lower until they found that sweetly sensitive spot at her neck just underneath her earlobe. That was when he felt Phria begin to work the fastenings of his brownish-orange dragonlinghide vest open; but he supposed he was overdressed in comparison to the naked nymphs before him. Soon she'd shoved his vest down to land in a heap on the floor before Belle grabbed at his flowing shirt to tug it up and over his head as though it had managed to personally offend her. With his chest bare he felt their hardened nipples pressed against him and strained inside his leather breeches.

Unsure of whether or not his knees would support him much longer, he guided them around the bathtub Chip had left in their room and over to the bed. It wasn't exactly designed for three people, but that hardly seemed like a pause for concern in that moment. He pushed Phria down on the bed and straddled one of her milky thighs so he could take a rosy nipple into his mouth. Phria gasped, his attention sent an electrical surge through her body, a pulse to her core. Belle was not ignored though, for his nimble hands trailed calloused fingers over her stomach where she lay at Phria's side and down deep, deeper and down, until they found that special place between her thighs. Belle gripped the sheets tight while Phria snared Rumple's hair in a vice-like grip.

Didn't take him long to have both his loves breathing heavily and moaning so wonderfully while he took the edge off by rubbing his crotch against Phria's thigh. Only when he could take the restrictive confines of his leather breeches no longer did Rumple finally rise from the bed to shove them and his boots away like the hindrance they were.

"I love you." Rumple panted into Phria's ear when he pulled her hair free from the bun she'd tied it into for her bath. It was a crime to leave such soft hair away from his grasp. Belle's had fallen loose almost as soon as she'd hit the bed, but Phria's had remained steadfast and Rumple wouldn't stand for it. "You're beautiful."

She preened as he continued to explore their bodies with those talented fingers and silver tongue of his. His mission became to pull as many mews, moans and gasps from his fiancées as was physically possible, and the Dark One was nothing if not persistent. When his fingers slipped inside her for the first time Phria's breath caught in her throat much as Belle's did when his tongue found her wet core. How a man could so firmly focus on two separate women and their needs at once, Phria neither knew nor had the mental capacity to contemplate. He was relentless, determined and, despite clearly desperate for his own release, refused to give in until he'd pulled a few out of them first. Belle might have been a virgin before she'd met Rumple, but Phria hadn't; she'd encountered selfish and giving lovers but never one so fixated on ensuring his partners were more than satisfied before he gave in to his own wanton desires. Those selfish men she'd been with had hurt her, had paid to use her and Phria had gone along with it because she'd feared her Uncle Hamish's greed and anger, and it had taken her many years to realize not all men treated their lovers so abhorrently. With Rumple she'd never shy away from sex again because his touches would always come with love and affection.

Belle arched her back off the bed when Rumple's tongue dipped deeper inside her, a panted cry escaped her lips as cerulean eyes fluttered shut. As he sucked on that sensitive bundle of nerves between her legs – oversensitive after the orgasm he'd already pulled from her, Belle knew she'd soon cry out his name again.

His jaw ached, his fingers almost locked into place but his length couldn't be ignored any longer. His beautiful soon-to-be wives had been able to partake of that euphoric bliss multiple times that evening while he had denied himself. No, no longer. Rumple pumped himself a few times just to take the edge off, then he pulled himself back from between Belle's legs just long enough to lay himself with his head on the bed and his feet on the floor. Belle soon found herself being lavished with kisses before he pulled her to straddle his face while Phria eagerly knelt between his parted legs so she could take him into her mouth. Her tongue swirled around the head causing him to moan into Belle's wet sex and dig those black claws of his into her hips while he continued to pleasure her, before Phria took him in deeper.

Rumple honestly hadn't expected such a outcome when he'd barged into the room, but he'd not trade it for the world. Back when he'd been mortal and married to Milah, he'd thought he must have just not been very good at sex and it had made him so hopelessly eager to please not only Milah but any woman who might have had enough pity to share a night with him. Over the last three hundred years, and despite being the Dark One, Rumple had learned two very important things: Firstly, that his terrible sex life with Milah had been born from her own needs rather than him lacking in the bedroom; he might not have been the best lover as a mortal, but he certainly hadn't been the worst. Secondly, was how to please a woman six ways to Sunday. Then again, women interested in the Dark One sexually normally weren't the sort to be boring in the bedroom.

Belle's legs began to quiver as she neared her orgasm atop him, his large hands guided her hips while he indulgently sucked on the small bud between her thighs. Her moans, her beautiful breathless mews, tumbled form parted lips until white exploded behind her eyes again and those mews turned to groans. Belle fell to the side as her orgasm rocked through her, she'd reached her limit, was too sensitive for more and was intent on basking a while longer.

"I love you, Rumple."

"And I love you, sweetheart."

Rumple took the chance to push himself up onto one elbow so a hand could stroke through Phria's hair until the found her eminently soft white ears. The sight before him was almost enough to push him over the edge there and then. The wet head of his length coated in saliva, her small hand cupping him and the knowledge she could taste him. Gods, it had been so long, so terribly long. As his climax quickly approached, Rumple hips began to rock slowly at first but, when Phria only hummed around him, his thrusts grew faster and his grasp on her hair tightened. So beautiful, so supple and soft, so perfect and so very his. Didn't matter what realm he ended up in, they were to be his brides and Rumple loved them with all of his dark heart.

"That's it, darling, just like that." Rumple babbled as his thrusts grew erratic. His eyes slipped shut, head fell back. "Gods, Phria-"

She clung to him as he continued to thrust deep as his climax grew ever closer until finally, with more speed and more explosive energy than he'd been prepared to expect, Rumple came with a strangled grunt which had his elbow give out and force him flat on his back. Belle shuffled closer in search of cuddles and warmth while Phria took a moment to crawl up onto the bed and collapse at the other side of the panting demon lord.

Meanwhile, in the next room, Renner found himself eternally grateful that Amicia and her sister hadn't woken because he knew he wasn't a good enough liar to pretend the noise wasn't exactly what it was. Content on ignoring everything, Renner returned to sharpening his knives on the whetstone.