Chapter 325: Escalation
"Mmn...very impressive..." affirmed Vahn, unabashedly eyeing Medaka’s round, full, and impeccable breasts before raising his gaze to meet hers as he added, "But I’m afraid I’ll have to refuse your grace. Not that I don’t find the prospect appealing. But I don’t think Zenkichi-kun would approve of or appreciate us being intimate."
"A fair point," conceded Medaka, posing with her hands on her hips and deliberately bouncing her breasts as she asserted, "But I need access to the palace’s upper floors and facilities to understand how I am to improve upon them in the future. Unless you’re prepared to make an exception and grant me access freely, I will use the established method—by enlisting as a First-Class Maid."
"It’s possible," affirmed Vahn, nodding. "But we’re currently in the process of restricting who can become a First-Class Maid and why. And, assuming I were to allow you to become one, you would be bound by the provisions of your contract. Here, take a look."
Producing one of the First-Class Maid contracts and setting it on the bar, Vahn expected Medaka to zip herself and approach. Instead, she allowed her breasts to bounce freely as she walked over, produced a wooden seal known as a jitsuin hanko from her Inventory, and boldly stamped it with a red stamp depicting the kanji for Kurokami.
"There. It is done," said Medaka, returning her seal to her Inventory and meeting Vahn’s slightly bewildered expression with a broad smile as she extended her right hand and noted, "Now, I believe Goshujin-sama owes me a key. Or would you prefer to have your way with my body first? It will be my first time, but I’m familiar with the process and confident I’ll be the best you’ve ever had."
Shaking his head, Vahn contended, "There is such a thing as being too aggressive and forward. More to the point, simply placing your stamp on the contract doesn’t put it into effect. There is an interview process, and your reason for becoming a First-Class Maid needs to be approved, both by me and the Pavilion’s Executive Committee."
"I did not take you for a pitiful fool slave to the whims of bureaucracy..." sighed Medaka, crossing her arms under her breasts and exhaling from her nose disapprovingly. She didn’t believe for a moment that Vahn was impervious to her charms, so she found his hiding behind procedure sad and a tad pathetic.
"I’m trying to be considerate of you and Zenkichi-kun..." stated Vahn, his expression and tone flattening. Medaka was undeniably beautiful, but she was coming across as much too overbearing.
"Then you can permit our relationship while I’m in service to the Pavilion as a First-Class Maid," stated Medaka, pointing to the passage within the contract detailing the restrictions on romance and physical intimacy with other men while in the Pavilion’s employ. Her actions gave the impression that she hadn’t read a single line, but the reality was that she had taken in its contents and memorized them at a glance.
Shaking his head, Vahn’s expression hardened as he decided, "We can discuss your joining the Maid Battalion once my retinue has returned to the palace. For now, you should tidy your appearance and return to your group. And for the next time we meet, you should know that while I can appreciate boldness in a woman, I’m not fond of being pressed to serve the ends and ambitions of others..."
Raising her brows, Medaka noted, "You’re unexpectedly sensitive. I will be sure to keep that in mind for our next meeting."
Punctuating her words, Medaka—maintaining her smile—zipped up her bodysuit, offered a slight nod, and promptly departed the lounge with long, confident strides. She was accustomed to people being intimidated by her, so while she had expected more from Vahn, she didn’t fault him for feeling pressured by her innate superiority. He would inevitably feel regret moments after she had departed, but such was the price of placing one’s pride over their desires.