The dining hall was a cavernous room, all high vaulted ceilings, long dark wood tables, and flickering torchlight that cast dancing shadows on the stone walls. It was the kind of place that whispered of ancient power and bloody history.
A feast was laid out, a veritable mountain of food that made my stomach growl in anticipation. There were roasted boars dripping with fat, platters of gleaming, silver-scaled fish, mountains of exotic fruits I didn't recognize, and pitchers of dark, rich-smelling wine.
And sitting at the head of the main table, looking for all the world like a queen on her throne, was Beatrice.
She was wearing a stunning, tight-fitting black dress that clung to her curves like a second skin. A deep V-neck plunged down to her navel, showcasing the generous swell of her breasts. Her legs were crossed, the slit in her dress revealing a long expanse of flawless thigh. She looked composed, powerful, and utterly in control.
The feast was prepared by her, and it took place on her personal floor.
The inside of the brothel had space magic that expanded the area to a huge extent. From the outside, the brothel appeared as a simple three-story building, but on the inside, it was a labyrinth of rooms, corridors, and grand halls.
So far, I know that the brothel has five floors.
First floor: the reception, bar, and main hall where the 'clients' are entertained.
Second floor: a spa and other 'relaxation' rooms.
Third floor: employees' exclusive area.
Fourth floor: Beatrice's personal floor.
Fifth floor: unknown, but I heard that it was a storage for things that Beatrice brings.
Keep in mind the brothel is in Hell, the Unspoken Realm, as they call it. From a single glance, it's clear that the food on the table came from a different realm.
How? Only Beatrice knows.
"Ah, Aza," Beatrice purred as I approached, her red lips curving into a predatory smile. "Looking... well-rested."
"Someone needed to be," I shot back, sliding into the chair opposite her. Eva flounced down beside me, immediately reaching for a leg of roasted meat. "Some of us were too busy being turned into a living, breathing cum-tank to get any beauty sleep."
Beatrice chuckled, a low, throaty sound that vibrated through the floor.
"It was for a good cause. You needed to build up your lust reserves. And from the looks of it, you succeeded." Her gaze flicked to my chest. "And gained some... new assets in the process."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small surge of pride. My breasts were fantastic.
"You look great, dear sister." Akane was already there, sitting on Beatrice's right, looking as elegant as ever. She gave me a warm smile. "The glow of a satisfied woman is a good look on you."
"A-Azariel... you look beautiful." A shy, trembling voice came from my left. I turned to see a black-haired, twin-tailed succubus.
"Thank you, Rina," I said, giving her a reassuring smile, then reached out, patting her head. "Your hair is cute as always."
Rina blushed furiously, lowering her head shyly, and I felt a warm glow inside me. Rina was a kind soul in a den of horny predators, and I couldn't help but feel protective of her.
Liza was the only one who was silent. She just sat there, her arms crossed under her B-cup breasts, trying to make them look bigger than they were. She gave me a curt nod, her expression unreadable.
"Have a warm drink, everyone."
Nala, the cowgirl bartender, appeared out of nowhere, a tray balanced on one hand. She placed a steaming mug in front of me, the liquid smelling of cinnamon and something else... something warm and familiar.
Milk. Her milk, and her cum, probably.
"Thanks, Nala." I gave her a small, grateful smile.
"My pleasure," she said, her tail swishing behind her. She placed the other mugs in front of the others, then sat on the table next to Liza, her massive tits jiggling with the movement.
"Let's eat, I'm starving," I said, grabbing a plate and piling it high with food. I didn't bother with decorum; I was too hungry. I tore into a piece of roasted boar, the juices dripping down my chin. The meat was tender, flavorful, and impossibly satisfying.
"Slow down, Aza," Eva said, laughing. "You'll choke."
"I've had worse things in my throat," I muttered, taking a huge gulp of Nala's warm milk. The creamy, slightly salty liquid slid down my throat, soothing my hunger and sending a pleasant warmth spreading through my body.
"We know," except the shy Rina, everyone at the table said at once, and I almost spit out my drink.
"Bitches," I grumbled, but I was smiling.
"Indeed," Beatrice said, her smile widening.
The conversation flowed around me, a mix of gossip, plans, and teasing. I mostly listened, my mind still processing the events of the past week. The sex, the upgrades, the new skills, the summons. It was a lot to take in.
"So," Akane said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "Eva mentioned you have a summoning contract, Aza."
"I do." I nodded, swallowing a mouthful of food. I didn't explain where I got the contract, and they didn't ask, especially Bea, since last week she promised to craft one for me.
"Any advice? I have no idea what to expect," I added, my curiosity piqued.
"Advice?" Akane leaned forward, her expression serious. "The first summoning contract is an extremely important moment for any succubus, and even more so for a royal one. It's not just about getting summoned into another realm; it's about awakening the womb crest. It's a test from your own bloodline and talent."
"A test? What kind of test?" I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.
"It depends on the summoner," Liza spoke up, her voice raspy. "For me, the contract gave two wishes, and my summoner was a woman who sought revenge on her husband, who cheated on her. So I had to help her with that, by seducing him and driving him mad with lust."
Akane nodded in agreement.
"My summoner was a young prince from a long-lived race. He wanted to experience 'pleasure' before he became king. He was a virgin, and he was very shy, so I had to teach him." A faint blush colored Akane's cheeks. "It was... quite the educational experience for both of us."
"Giver or taker?" I asked.
"Both," Akane said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "The best contracts are the ones where both parties get what they want."
"Damn it."
"What about you, Beatrice?" I turned to the purple-haired succubus.
"..."
Silence.
The whole table went quiet. Eva stopped chewing, Rina panicked, Akane's smile vanished, and even Liza looked uncomfortable.
Beatrice's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of... sadness?
"Something wrong?" I asked, sensing the change in the air. "Did I ask something I shouldn't have?"
Beatrice stared at her wine glass for a long moment, her fingers tracing the rim. The flickering torchlight caught in her crimson eyes, turning them into pools of liquid fire.
"My... awakening was... not pleasant," she said finally, her voice low and devoid of its usual playful purr. "The contract I received was... unique. Cursed, some might say. The summoner... was my mother, and she used the Law of the contract to give me her womb crest."
The room was deathly quiet. You could hear a pin drop.
"I'm... sorry," I said.
Beatrice shook her head, a small, sad smile touching her lips.
"It was a long time ago," she said, her voice firming up, the old confidence returning. "It made me who I am today. And that is all that matters."
She locked eyes with me, a challenging glint in them.
"Unlike them," she gestured to the others, "you have a choice. A normal summoning contract is a bond, but a royal contract is different."
"What do you mean by 'different'?"
"You can choose what realm you will be summoned to," Beatrice said, her voice dropping back to that low, serious tone. "And you can 'refuse' a wish from the summoner if it goes against your will, but there's a catch."
"What catch?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Simple: just grant another wish instead." She leaned back in her chair, the confident, predatory look back in full force. "The royal contract gives three wishes, and all three must be granted for the contract to be complete."
"So... what if I didn't like the summoner to begin with? I can't just break the contract," I said, my mind racing with the possibilities.
"You can't," Beatrice confirmed. "At least for the first contract. It's a test every succubus must go through. After that, you can sign contracts as you please. The higher your charm, the better realm you can choose, and the more control you have over the contract."
"Fuck... that's a lot more complicated than I thought." I leaned back, my mind racing with possibilities. "Alright, I'll do it."
'I mean, I have to. If not, then my level will be stuck at 20.'
"Excellent," Beatrice purred. "Give me two days to prepare."
"Two days? What for?"
"To prepare the summoning circle and to make sure nothing goes wrong," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Alright, two days it is," I agreed. "In the meantime, I'm going to train my new skills."