Chapter 363: Business and Temptation
"What kind of rule is that?" said the redhead in a firm voice. "We are his bodyguards and his official team! Our duty is to accompany him wherever he goes."
"Exactly!" chimed in Lilya, adjusting her bow on her back while staring distrustfully at the guard. "We can’t just let him enter the mayor’s mansion alone. We came with him for a reason."
Tension began to rise at the entrance as the nine adventurers raised their voices in protest, refusing to part ways with their new leader. Alexander, however, raised a hand calmly, halting the commotion instantly.
"Easy, girls," said Alexander with a calm yet firm smile. "Wait for me out here. I’ll be fine."
The women exchanged glances, swallowing their complaints under Alexander’s direct order.
Alexander crossed the doors of the residence and was guided through opulent hallways into the main office. Upon entering, the mayor sat behind an dark wood desk; her beautiful blue hair flowed gently in an imaginary breeze as she watched the young hero approach with deep interest.
"Good evening, Your Excellency," said Alexander, bowing elegantly while remaining standing, politely waiting for permission to take a seat.
Lyssandra nodded in silence, admitting to herself that the boy was polite and carried a truly special aura around him.
"Good evening, young man. To what do I owe the honor of your visit so late?" said Lyssandra, leaning back in her armchair.
"Well, I have some business to attend to, and I wanted your blessing," said Alexander.
"I see... So it’s business," said Lyssandra, letting out a soft sigh and looking a bit disappointed at the cold premise.
Alexander flashed a broad smile, stood up and walked around the desk until he positioned himself behind her. Without asking for permission yet with smooth, expert movements, he placed his hands on the mayor’s shoulders and began massaging her neck, feeling the tension melted away from her muscles.
"Well, business is business... but I can always do more than just attend to business," said Alexander in a whisper near her ear.
Lyssandra tilted her head back, closing her eyes for a split second at the pleasurable touch.
"You’re quite direct, aren’t you, kid?" said Lyssandra with a low, raspy chuckle.
"Well, the indecisive never succeed, and the bold are the ones who seize opportunities," said Alexander, sliding his fingers toward the woman’s collarbone as he leaned in to press a warm kiss onto her neck. "Besides, a sponsor is always necessary. The two of us could complement each other... very well."
Lyssandra, without turning around but letting out a soft gasp at the warmth of the kiss on her skin, spoke with a slightly breathless voice.
"Let me hear about the business first," said Lyssandra, resting her head against Alexander’s chest. "What is it that you want?"
"Well, I have products from the world I come from," said Alexander, without slowing the firm massage on her shoulders. "And I know there’s a huge market for the long, thick products we can offer."
Lyssandra burst out laughing, catching the brazen double meaning behind the young man’s words immediately.
"Well, your items would be well received anywhere," said Lyssandra, flashing an amused smirk. "Why would you need my blessing?"
"Well, because my products are of the highest quality, and I wouldn’t want to waste them on the general public," said Alexander, slowly sliding his hands down toward the mayor’s arms. "So I need some recommendations within the royalty’s most intimate circle."
"You’re making me feel important," said Lyssandra, turning her face slightly to look at him out of the corner of her eye. "I didn’t know I had that kind of influence, young Alexander. What if I fail you? Wouldn’t it be a shame if I couldn’t meet your expectations?"
"Well, from where I’m standing, my expectations are already being met," said Alexander with a confident smile, locking his eyes onto hers. "So I don’t see an issue even if I don’t get what I want."
Alexander gently trailed his fingers from the woman’s shoulders down to her wrists, relishing the softness of her skin as he tilted his head to inhale the scent of her hair.
"These arms, these smooth hands, your silky hair..." said Alexander in a deep whisper. "No matter what happens, I think I’ll leave very satisfied. Business is important, but right here, I see something much, much more special."
Lyssandra let out a low, raspy chuckle, tilting her head to the side to feel the warmth of Alexander’s breath against her ear.
"You talk far too well, young man," said Lyssandra, gently stroking the back of his hand. "Are all the men from your world like this?"
Alexander thought for a moment about Earth, remembering how any man back home would promise to bring down the sun, the moon, and the stars just to convince a woman to spread her legs. A short, mocking laugh escaped his chest at the irony.
"You have no idea," said Alexander, with a smile of absolute confidence. "Believe me, in my world, real men actually exist."
"Huh?" said Lyssandra, raising an eyebrow as she turned in her armchair to face him directly. "So are you saying the men of my world aren’t real men?"
"Those things disguised as men?" said Alexander, shaking his head. "Of course not. They’re pathetic. Why don’t I show you what it truly means to be a man?"
"You sound very sure of yourself, kid," said Lyssandra, biting her lower lip as her eyes scanned the young man’s firm chest.
"Of course I’m sure," said Alexander, leaning over her until she was pinned against the back of the armchair. "Once you taste premium meat, you’ll never go back to eating scraps."
Lyssandra held Alexander’s gaze, a challenging smile playing on her lips as the tension between them escalated.
"And if you disappoint me?" said Lyssandra, running the tip of her finger along the young man’s jawline. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
"Me, disappoint?" said Alexander, letting out a small, cocky laugh. "Well, let me propose a bet. What do you think? If you win, what is it that you want?"
Lyssandra studied him intently for a couple of seconds, tapping her chin with a calculating air.
"You will become a citizen of my city and you will never be allowed to leave," said Lyssandra.
"My, sounds like you actually want me to fail," said Alexander, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Wouldn’t that be getting a rather pitiful prize?"
"I have my tastes," said Lyssandra, leaning back slightly without breaking eye contact. "And what do you want if you win?"
Alexander leaned in even closer, closing the distance until their breaths intertwined. His eyes gleamed with a deep, mysterious hue as he activated his skill.
"I want something simpler... I want you," said Alexander, activating [Charm].