Melisa emerged from the secluded alcove, a satisfied smirk on her lips.

The scent of perfumed pussy clung to Melisa's skin. She licked her lips and wiped the lady's fluids off her chin.

[Fuck, that was intense,] Melisa thought, her body still thrumming with the aftershocks of pleasure. [You know, if this was what networking was like back on Earth, maybe people wouldn't want to throw themselves off bridges after 1 year of office work.]

As she sauntered back into the main ballroom, Melisa couldn't help but notice the eyes that followed her every move.

Noblemen and women alike gazed at her with an open mix of desire, curiosity, and even a hint of fear. It was as if they could sense the power emanating from her, the raw, primal Essence that she'd just absorbed.

She loved it.

[That's right, bitches,] Melisa grinned inwardly, her tail swaying hypnotically behind her. [Take a good, long look.]

Not just that, but she could also feel her pheromones permeating the air, a heady, intoxicating aura emanating off her that seemed to draw people in like moths to a flame.

[It's stronger than ever,] Melisa realized, a thrill of excitement coursing through her veins. [Still not too sure what caused these little "upgrades", since according to Margaret no one else's pheromones are this strong, but still. Nice.]

Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the looping music.

"Lords and ladies, esteemed guests! The Second Swing will commence shortly."

[Oh!]

Melisa turned and spotted Isabella among the dancers, emerging back onto the stage.

The kitsune caught her eye and winked, blowing a kiss in her direction.

[THAT'S MY HOT FOX GIRLFRIEND, GO ISABELLA! GO!] Melisa thought proudly.

But before the music could start, another announcement rang out, this one tinged with an air of reverence.

"Presenting their Royal Majesties, King Aldric and Queen Melara of Syux!"

Melisa blinked.

[What?]

The room fell silent as the royal couple entered, their presence commanding instant attention and respect.

King Aldric was a towering figure, his broad shoulders and chiseled features speaking to a lifetime of battle and hard-won victories. Queen Melara, in contrast, was like the very image of elegant beauty, with porcelain skin and delicate, but mature features.

Melisa felt her confidence falter, a sudden wave of nerves washing over her.

[Oh fuck, I almost forgot they'd be here. Shit, shit, shit.]

She quickly made her way to a nearby table, sinking into a chair and trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

[It's fine, it's fine,] she told herself, taking a deep, steadying breath. [They invited me, sure, but it was probably just a formality. They're not actually going to-]

"Lady Melisa Blackflame?"

Melisa's head snapped up, her eyes widening as she saw a knight standing before her, his armor gleaming in the candlelight.

"Y-yes, that's me," she stammered, cursing the way her voice shook.

The knight bowed, his expression stern but not unkind.

"His Majesty King Aldric and Her Majesty Queen Melara request your presence at their table for dinner, following the conclusion of the Third Swing."

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Melisa felt her heart skip a beat, her mind racing with a thousand questions and possibilities.

[Dinner? With the king and queen? What the fuck? What do they want with me? Oh god, what if I fuck up somehow? Are they going to arrest me?

Execute me? Fuck, fuck, fuck-]

"I... I would be honored," she managed to say, her voice sounding distant and strained to her own ears.

The knight nodded, stepping back.

"Very good, my lady. A servant will escort you to their table at the dining hall when the time comes."

As he walked away, Melisa slumped back in her chair, her mind reeling.

"Dinner," she muttered to herself, taking a deep, shaky breath. "That's when things really begin, huh?"

She glanced around the room, taking in the swirling dancers, the chattering nobles, the air thick with intrigue and hidden agendas.

[Well, fuck it. If I'm going down, I might as well go down swinging.]

With a determined set to her jaw, Melisa stood up, smoothing down her gown and squaring her shoulders.

[Bring it on, Your Majesties. Let's see what you've got in store for this little nim.]

---

{Javir}

Javir leaned against a marble pillar, her sharp green eyes surveying the ballroom with a mix of detachment and grudging familiarity. The Second Swing was about to begin, and the dancers were taking their positions, their bodies poised and ready to move in time with the music.

[God, I can't believe I'm actually feeling nostalgic for this shit,] Javir thought, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. [All the posturing, the scheming, the endless fucking small talk... I thought I was done with this crap for good.]

But even as she mentally berated herself, Javir couldn't deny the small, traitorous part of her that felt a tingle of excitement at being back in the thick of things.

[Once a player, always a player, I guess,] she mused, taking a sip of her wine and letting the rich, velvety liquid roll over her tongue. [Fuck me, this is good.]

Just as she was about to lose herself in a particularly delightful mouthful, a familiar voice chirped in her ear.

"Javir! There you are!"

Javir nearly choked on her wine as Melisa appeared at her side, the young nim's eyes sparkling with mischief and something else that Javir couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Melisa," Javir coughed, hastily setting down her glass and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off charming the pants off some hapless noble or something?"

Melisa grinned, her black tail subtly swinging side to side behind her.

"Nah, I needed a break. A girl can only take so much pretentious bullshit before she starts to lose her mind, you know?"

Javir snorted, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

"Oh, believe me, I know."

Melisa's eyes widened, a glint of curiosity and something else, something hungrier, flashing in their crimson depths.

"Oh? You used to come to these often?"

"That was very close to being an awful pick-up line, Mel."

"I'm just asking!"

Javir rolled her eyes playfully.

"Well, yes... I'm rather familiar with all of this."

"Ohhh, I bet you've got some stories to tell, huh?"

Javir shrugged, trying to ignore the way Melisa's tail was slowly sliding up her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

[Dangerous. But, well, you need to be dangerous to survive in a place like this, so good on her.]

"A few. But most of them aren't fit for polite company, if you catch my drift."

Melisa's grin turned positively wicked.

"Who said anything about polite company? I want to hear all the juicy details. Like, did you ever fuck any of the nobles?"

Javir nearly choked again, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and unexpected arousal.

"Melisa!"

Melisa pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a way that made Javir's stomach do a funny little flip.

"Just asking, just asking!"

Javir rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny the little thrill of pleasure that ran through her at Melisa's words.

[Fuck, when did this girl get so bold? And why the hell...?]

"Yeah, well, that was a long time ago," Javir said, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory. "Anyway, how's your little introduction to the nobility lifestyle going? Made any useful connections yet?"

Melisa's grin turned sly, and she leaned in closer, her breath hot against Javir's ear.

"Oh, I've made a few connections... Been putting my talents to good use tonight."@@novelbin@@

Javir's eyes widened.

Her mind was suddenly flooded with images of Melisa tangled up with faceless nobles, her purple skin glistening with sweat and her mouth open in a silent moan.

[Fuck, fuck, fuck, stop thinking about that, you pervert! Get a grip!]

"I... I see," Javir managed to say, her voice coming out embarrassingly hoarse. "Well, good for you. Just be careful, okay? These people can be ruthless when they want something."

Melisa pulled back, her expression softening into something more genuine.

"I know. But I've got you watching my back, don't I?"

Javir felt a sudden lump in her throat, an unfamiliar warmth blooming in her chest.

"Yeah, kid. You do."

Just then, the first notes of the Second Swing began to play, the music swelling and pulsing like a living thing.

Melisa's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Javir's hand, tugging her towards the other dozens of people dancing together.

"Come on, dance with me! I know you want to!"

Javir hesitated, her mind torn between propriety and the growing desire that was coursing through her veins like liquid fire.

[Fuck it. When was the last time I actually let myself have some fun?]

"Why not?" Javir grinned, letting Melisa pull her into the throng of swaying bodies. "But I'm warning you, I'm a little out of practice."

Melisa laughed, her eyes sparkling with unrestrained joy as she wrapped her arms around Javir's neck.

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."