A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Erik entered the store, hands in his pockets, easy smile on his face. The building's insides were not much different from what he expected. The walls were made from dark stone, and the decor was a mixture between modern Earth and a style he recognised from Söl.

Rows of various beauty products lined the walls and filled a few tables set up in the relatively open area of this lower floor. He could see salves, shampoos, cremes, various lip products, and more. It was obvious they didn't deal solely in makeup. Near the back wall, there was a counter with a pair of stairs leading up just behind it.

He started moving through the store, inspecting what was on offer. Meanwhile, Leila entered behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest with a giggle, still happy he praised her. Erik smirked and wrapped his arm around her as they moved together. Yet, a hint of something darker flashed through his eyes at that moment.

"Welcome to… what I suppose is my establishment now," Asha chuckled as she moved behind the counter with a happy grin. Leaning her elbows on the slab of stone, she leaned forward and watched him curiously move through the store's interior.

As she watched him quietly check out the goods, her grin faltered a little. "For the record," she mumbled. "I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I don't really believe you'd try to force yourself on me. I've just learned an abundance of caution over the past eight years."

Erik glanced at her with a calm smile. "It's fine. I understand." He chuckled lightly. "And honestly, I'd be the first to admit I've had sex through dubious consent in the past. Never a lack of it, but definitely dubious."

Asha nodded, watching him with continued curiosity. Now that she had a moment to think, she came to realise how absurd this situation was. In front of her was the recently crowned emperor. A man without whose intervention in the war she'd probably be dead or enslaved by now. Probably the strongest person in their kingdom, husband to the princess Asha, admired no less than most other Enkarians, and supposedly was on friendly terms with their king.

Not to mention the current king's sister, who was following this man around like a puppy and shamelessly calling him daddy… The more she thought about it, the more absurd this situation became.

"Can I ask, exactly what is your relationship with the princess?" she asked, no longer able to contain her curiosity.

Erik's lips curled up a little. He understood she was talking about Leila—who was technically a princess as well—and now Naeku. Since he was done checking out the store, he moved over to the counter, Leila still clinging to him.

Once he got there, he looked Asha in the eyes with a light smirk. "I'm providing something Leila was missing in her life, and she serves me in return." Noticing Leila's pout, he shrugged and chuckled. "I also like her, and Naeku wants her to be happy."

The pout was lifted a little, but Erik's next words caught her off-guard.

As they stood in front of the counter, Erik glanced at her on his side with a stern, even cold look. "That said, you've clung to me at this level long enough. Typically, only my wives are allowed to hold me this way. Either let go, or lower yourself."

Despite his words, his arm was still wrapped around her waist, showing his clear preference. Leila blinked… but wasted no time. Unwilling to displease him, she immediately slid down his body and sank to her knees. Her arms were still wrapped around him, but now at the level of his hips and crotch.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," she whispered pleadingly, looking up at him from below with large eyes. "Is this better?"

Not yet willing to give her a smile, he nodded sternly. The hand he'd previously gripped her waist now caressed the top of her head. "Much better."

The tone of his voice had slipped into the domineering one he'd used on their very first night. This was the tone that had driven her into her current state and turned her into an obedient slut. A shiver travelled through her spine as the submissive instincts he'd instilled in her awakened. She stared up at his face, unable to think of anything but him and his orders right now.

Erik looked back over at Asha and grinned a little when he noticed her expression. She was staring intently at Leila, desire burning in her gaze. But it wasn't a desire to be in Leila's place. No, it was a desire to be in Erik's…

"Looks like I was right about you," he chuckled.

His voice immediately ripped Asha from her stupor. "W-What do you mean, my lord?" she chuckled sheepishly. "I was just admiring the obvious love and devotion she feels towards you. How-uhm-how did you accomplish it, if you don't mind my asking? She was known as a real rebel for as long as I can remember."

"Heh, why pretend?" Erik asked, caressing Leila's head and not immediately answering Asha's second question. "Over the last several years, I've developed a sense about a person's sexual inclination in the realm of dominance and submission. Most are somewhere in the middle, but some… some are outliers towards one end or the other, either by virtue of birth or circumstance."

He pressed his other hand against the counter and leaned a little closer. "You, Asha, are like me," he grinned, his voice deep, his gaze intense. "You have a purely dominant heart. You crave the feeling of having someone at your feet, someone who submits themselves to you completely. I'd be severely disappointed if you didn't have a plaything or two out there in the city. Tell me I'm wrong."

Asha was a little taken aback by his intensity at first… but, slowly, her lips curled into a creepy grin matching Erik's. She leaned forward to match him. "Maybe I do…" she giggled softly. "Maybe the person actually making all this product spends their nights toiling away in a very different way…"

Yet, a sliver of disappointment appeared in her gaze as she looked back down at Leila. "Although… I don't think I managed to reach the level you have with the princess." At this point, she couldn't help lick her lips a little, obviously turned on by the look of total surrender on Leila's face. "How… How far will she go for you…?"

Chuckling, Erik looked down at Leila. As she was still looking up at him, he immediately met her gaze. "Show her how far you'll go for me, Leila," he ordered, his voice thick with dominant demand. "Perhaps I'll take this opportunity to teach Asha a little something."