My Servant System

Nodding, I stared down at the ring, imagining it on Anput's finger.

"Hmm... Actually, what about something obsidian? I gave her a pretty big amethyst before..."

Nodding, the dwarf Narde placed the ring back into the container before pursuing his lips, making me chuckle.

Opening his mouth as he glanced around, he was about to speak when we heard the door open, the small bell attached to the doorframe jingling as someone entered the store.

The person who entered was taller than me, her large, crimson tipped horns almost scratching the roof of the store, forcing her to tilt her head to the side.

Matching her horns were her deep ruby eyes, and she was looking around with pursed lips, scrunching up her unblemished sapphire features.

Turning her head towards me, she raised a brow before saying "The hell you doing out of the Academy brat?"

Stepping over to me was Mom, her lips pulled into a grin as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder, her other fist rubbing the top of my skull.

Staring up at the taller, insufferable Demoness that I called Mom, I flinched as her knuckles rubbed deep, making her chuckle.

"Tch... You used to hate that..."

Pouting slightly at me, I rolled my eyes at her childish behavior, before asking "What are you doing here Mom? Is Mother here too?"

Glancing over at the door, I frowned slightly as no one else walked in, turning my gaze back towards Mom, who was 'innocently' scratching her cheek.

"Ah... well, I was a little bored, so I decided to go out for some air when I saw this place! Thought I should get a gift for Ria..."

"She's going to go ballistic."

Sighing, Mom's shoulders slumped, nodding.

"Yeah, most likely... which is why~"

Looking around, Mom finally let my shoulders go, rubbing her hands together as she said "I want to get her another ring! Been awhile, and she's been wearing the same one for over three years now! Hah..."

Her ruby eyes scanned the tables before returning to me, frowning.

"Aren't you supposed-"

"Off day today."

Letting out an 'ah', she nodded before smirking, her expression turning sleazy as she leaned towards me and asked "Shouldn't you be in bed with one of those three? Lucky you, lucky you~ Such an assortment of wonderful flowers to pick from at such a young age~!"

Coughing lightly, Narde stared at us in mild confusion as he asked "So... do either of ye need me services?"

Pursing our lips, Mom and I exchanged glances before she shook her head, saying "Nah, we'll be fine. What better way to bond as Mom and daughter than shopping for high end, expensive jewelry together, hmm~?"

That made the dwarf grin, a slightly greedy look in his eyes as he nodded.

"Aye! I hope me wares impress ye~! Haha~!"

Hopping off his stool, he giggled to himself as he made his way back to his counter, making Mom chuckle.

Leaning towards me again, she whispered "Dwarves are interesting people; their either happy little drunkards or sullen, serious drunkards! Wonder if Les would like him..."

Rolling my eyes again, I sighed before returning my gaze to the tables laden with exquisitely crafted jewelry, making Mom ask "Ah, so why are you here?"

Walking around the room, I said "We got invited to Duchess Sariel's birthday banquet, and the bitch has been rather annoying, lusting after both Leone and Kat. So, I want to... flaunt a little, that they're better off with me..."

A wied grin split her sapphire features, and her ruby eyes shone with a mixture of pride and smugness as she pat my back, saying "That's my girl~! Any ideas?"

Frowning, I shook my head, saying "I know what they're all wearing at the event; Anput's in a deep violet gown, Leone's in a rather exquisite grey studded dress, and Kat will be in her maid dress, as always..."

Stroking her chin, Mom nodded before saying "Well, the pup was always more reserved, and I doubt she's going crazy with clothes right now, yeah?"

Seeing me nod, she said "Then either an anklet or bracelet; something easy to hide..."

"Yeah, I came to that conclusion as well..."

Staring down at the container in front of us, Mom pointed at a long, amber bead bracelet, making me purse my lips.

"Beads?"

"Yup. It's more reserved, simple, and not something you notice, unlike that beside it."

What lay beside the orangish brown bead bracelet was a wide gold bracelet, various diamonds embedded onto the piece.

Frowning at it, I shrugged as I returned my gaze to the beads.

It was simple and reserved, which Kat would appreciate, but...

Clapping her hand on my shoulder, Mom made me look over at her, her face serious as she said "Listen Jahi. I know how your thinking, cause I used to be the same... kinda... but, go with her wishes for now. In a few years time, after you graduate and start whatever it is you want to do, that's when you can lavishly drape whatever onto Kat. For now, just... be mindful of her status; she's a maid to a future Marquess, not her wife."

"But-!"

Shaking her head, Mom sighed as she said "I know; you gave her a ring, made a vow... but, no one else knows that, and currently? It wouldn't be a smart move. Too many idiots want something to use against House Asmodia, and besides me being... well, me, they have nothing. When we elevate Julie and Kat to Baroness', then you can do as you please. Until then though... just be patient. Besides, I think Kat'll be fine with it~!"

Giving me a playful grin, Mom gently lifted the bead bracelet from the case, looking at it in the light.

Pursing my lips, I sighed, my heart still aching from hearing that.

It... really irked me that I couldn't just proudly declare 'This is my wife!' to the world, all because some weak yet influential people would use it as an excuse to do harm to March Asmodia, and consequently, House Asmodia.

Really... politics was rather annoying...

However, Mom was right, both with how I should act, and how Kat will react.

I need to wait a few years, and then I can host the most lavish wedding this entire Empire has ever seen.

And Kat really does seem to prefer more reserved... well, everything.

She prefers to blend in, she prefers darker clothes...

Besides, it's the thought that counts with a gift, yeah?

Staring at Mom, I watched as she moved to another table, and I followed her.

"Mom, why are you here?"

Glancing over at me, she gave me a wry smile as she said "Julie wanted to see Kat, and Ria seemed a little anxious to see how all four of you were doing... I told them you'd all be fine, but..."

Waving her hand, she sighed as she just muttered "Women are complicated..."

Raising a brow, I asked "Aren't you a woman too?"

Giving me a small smile, she nodded, saying "Am I not complicated?"

"No, you're rather simple."

Dodging her swift slap, I grinned at her as she glared at me, before we both chuckled.

"So you're getting mother another ring?"

Nodding, Mom pursed her lips before saying "I think I'll get Julie one too... something elegant... I mean, she's only going to give Ria and I two children!"

Seeing the small smile on her face, as well as warmth in her eyes, I wondered what that must feel like, knowing you have children on the way.

When I tried to imagine Kat being pregnant...

Well, besides the obvious arousal and pride, it filled me with a mixture of both joy and mild dread.

Would we be good parents?

Would our child turn out like us?

So many questions...

Sighing slightly, I returned to browsing the jewelry on the tables, rubbing the beads in my hand before eventually finding a few pieces that I thought looked good.

As Mom and I walked around, we talked about the various things that had happened over our time apart; she told me about how Julie has acted ever since knowing she was pregnant with twins, how Mother was determined to work as much as possible to free up more time, and how she was both anxious and ecstatic to have more children.

I told her about the Academy, how Leone wants to get into alchemy, how Kat is studying enchanting, Anput's progression as both a fighter and a woman, about Draka and her harem, and all the other small, interesting things that had happened between us arriving and now.

I skirted around the subject of the Draconas, and maybe it was Mom's intuition, but I could tell that she knew something had happened; she was just being courteous to me by not prying.

Mother would've forced it out of me by this point...

Approaching the counter, I was about to pay for my gifts when Mom gently pushed me aside, making me frown.

Smirking at me, she said "Jahi, I have more money than I know what to do with. Save yours. Just tell them that I helped pick these out~!"

Feeling a little annoyed at that, I could only sigh as she handed the man a banknote, making the dwarf grin.

As we exited the store I said "Mom... I'll... well, I'll tell you when we get to the cottage..."

Resting her hand lightly on my head, she smiled at me as she nodded, before saying "I'll bring everyone over later; make sure you're all ready for us~! None of us are interested in seeing or hearing you all be 'active'~!"

Glaring at her, I watched as she turned away, walking down a different street.

Keeping my eyes fixed on her as she left, I sighed before resuming my walk to the cottage, a small smile on my lips.

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Just a quick thing; if you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments.

I'm always open to those, and as long as it isn't straight bashing me I'm cool with you all commenting any opinions you have about the novel!

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