Chapter 936 - 935 - Impish
The old patriarch narrowed his eyes. "Don’t play me, boy emperor," he growled. His tone deeply suspicious. "I’m willing to believe you about Hanna’s disrespect and concede your right to claim compensation, but you claimed it through property. My people must be returned to me! I will not leave here without Aster and Hanna!"
Magic power brimmed through Bakome’s muscles and into his fingertips. He wasn’t forming magic circles yet, but his intention was clear. If Erik didn’t comply, he’d continue their clash regardless of his low chances.
The man’s threat shook Erik to the core of his smallest toe. He looked at Bakome with some amusement, as well as respect. Setting aside Astrid and Ankhur standing just a few steps behind him, he knew this man stood no chance against him, even if he had to protect Alice during what would be a very short battle.
He suspected Bakome knew this. Yet, he threatened out of loyalty to his family. That was worthy of respect to people like Erik and Elora.
"Although I’m always up for a scrap, it seems like you didn’t listen to me," Erik smirked, his stance calm, arms still crossed in front of his chest. "If that truly is what you’re intending, then you may want to pitch a tent. Hanna isn’t here. I haven’t seen her since that day at the market. Hell, I’ve not even thought about her. As for Aster, she’s here because she wants to be. You can talk to her if you wish, but she belongs to me now. She is already home."
The patriarch frowned. "Even if she’s here of her own volition, what precedent would it set if I allowed my family to leave whenever it suits their fancy? Family should stick together through thick and thin!"
"Agreed!" Erik chuckled, nodding. "But it’s not like she’s disowned you, right? She just serves me now. If you view this from another angle, then one of your family members is now a part of the emperor’s permanent retinue."
That got his attention. Whether he actually liked the idea or not, it gave him an out. A reason he presents to the family. A reason not to start a fight he couldn’t win...
Calculations flickered through his wizened eyes until he nodded. "Fine," he grumbled. "Let me speak to her. But we’re not done talking about my niece!"
Erik shrugged, wholly uninterested in what’s-her-name. He waved his hand. A blue portal flickered in and out of existence, leaving only a scantily dressed Aster. She still wore the same altered servant outfit as before. Erik felt Elora snort a little inside his soul.
Though the fairy nominally approved of the change—the main reason she’d made the original servant outfits as minimally conservative as they were was to make sure they were still taken seriously—but she’d decided Aster still needed to be punished.
Unfortunately, being forced to wear a vibrator at all times without being allowed to cum only excited her. She loved the idea of keeping herself wet for Erik. Her own discomfort was an irrelevant afterthought.
"Crazy bitch..." Elora muttered softly, brooding for ways to actually punish this pervert. Even Nora and Anne—for all their devotion to their master—didn’t enjoy being edged.
As soon as she appeared, Aster smiled impishly at the old man. Her long hair was still done up in long pigtails, dangling freely down. She’d folded her hands behind her back and pushed her chest out a little. Her body turned a little towards Erik, though her eyes stayed focused on Bakome. Her pale skin and glimmering incisors were a distinct difference from Bakome’s dark, human features.
Since Elora had excluded the possibility of her being a hybrid, Erik could only conclude she was either adopted or brought into the family by a vampire parent of hers marrying a human from the Kamau family after having a child with another vampire. She’d since confirmed it was the latter.
Truthfully, Erik’s impression of the Kamau family was only improving, despite his negative experience with Hanna and the current confrontation with Bakome. They were clearly open enough to marry other species, and this patriarch cared enough about Aster to try and get her back, despite the fact that she didn’t possess a single drop of his blood.
These were the values he wanted to impress on his empire.
"Hi, gramps!" she giggled, eyes glimmering mischievously. "I heard you were looking for me!"
Erik had informed her what was happening before teleporting her in.
As for Bakome, he was a little taken aback. He’d heard about some of Erik’s abilities, but this was the first time he’d seen them. Seeing a person materialise out of thin air for the first time was not something you could prepare for.
But he recovered quickly. "Aster..." he sighed, seemingly relieved. "I’m glad you’re okay. Tell me, are you here against your will?" Seeing her attire, Bakome showed concern and worry, but his gaze was piercing as he searched for any sign of discomfort from Aster.
Aster blinked a little... then her face suddenly fell. She glanced furtively at Erik, then took a step away from him. "I— I—" she muttered, her voice slowly degrading into sobs. Tears appeared. "H-He did— did such h—horrible things to me, gramps, I— I—"
She burst out into tears. Her body trembled, seemingly in fear as she quickly edged closer to Bakome and away from Erik. Seeing this, Erik raised an eyebrow. Astrid, Ankhur, and the honour guard all had their eyes widen in astonishment, unsure of what was happening now. Some grew nervous, gripping their weapons tighter, thinking a clash was about to happen.
Yet, Bakome didn’t react. His piercing gaze continued looking straight into Aster’s soul... and after a moment, he sighed with the patience of a kind grandfather. "Uhm... Alright then. So long as you’re here by your own will, then I won’t interfere."
Instantly, Aster stopped moving, and her face reverted to the impish smile. Tears evaporated. Giggling, she quickly moved back to Erik’s side. "Hehe, I never could fool you, gramps!"