[Matthew's POV]
Interrupting our little adventure in the barn to continue in the bedroom allowed me to add Leona to the harem and even level her up yesterday.
I still had 450 XP left to spend. But since I didn't know when I'd get more, I saved some for future harem candidates.
I only spent 100 XP on her, so she only ranked up once. She was now Silver Rank 3.
With Leona, I also got a performance bonus. So I had a Skillbook available for her, too. But I decided not to touch the Skillbook just yet.
I gave her the same elixir explanation I gave Lilian, but I could tell she didn't quite believe it.
Suddenly pulling out a Skillbook, something extremely rare, would raise too many questions.
"How was your day yesterday?" I asked the girls.
We were all gathered for breakfast already.
"It was quite productive. Lilian got really strong after using that elixir you gave her. You'll have to share the secret with us later."
Felicia replied, oddly more cheerful toward me than usual.
Unlike Luna, who, like Rose, was quiet with her head down.
"What's up with her?" I asked, pointing at Luna.
"Hangover. She made the mistake of trying to outdrink me," Lilian said.
Amateur move. Rule number one in fantasy worlds: never get into any sort of lewd competition with a succubus. You will lose.
"Good morning!" Leona was glowing.
If she wanted to keep yesterday's 'adventure' a secret, she should've done a better job hiding that smile.
"You look different, Commander," Felicia said, teasing Leona.
"There's nothing different. I'm the same as always,"
Leona tried to defend herself, but the difference was evident. Her body language had changed.
She was much more relaxed, as if a weight she had carried for years had been lifted from her shoulders. That was obvious, even to me, and I didn't even spend every day with her.
"Your day was pretty productive too, wasn't it, Matthy?"
Now it was Lilian teasing me.
"Of course. I bought a new carriage. You'll love it. It has a queen-size bed suite, just for the two of us."
I said it with the straightest face, pretending not to get her insinuation.
Lilian wanted to keep teasing, but Leona quickly changed the subject.
"Speaking of the carriage, I may have found you a coachman," she said.
When the hell did she have time to find a coachman between yesterday and today?
"The guy who lives in the barn offered himself for the job," she added.
In the barn? Don't tell me that bastard was watching our performance last night?
"Can you take care of it, Lilian? We'll definitely need a coachman. If the guy's any good, you can hire him," I said.
Obviously, I'd leave all the boring work to Lilian.
"Sure, leave it to me. I need to talk to Leona anyway."
I wasn't so sure anymore that this was a good idea.
"Did you already equip the carriage with everything we'll need?" Lilian asked.
"I think so?" I answered without much confidence. What could I have forgotten?
"Did you buy kitchen utensils, bedding, decorations..."
The list went on and on. I hadn't thought of any of that.
"All that's going to cost at least another 500 gold coins," I said, more lament than complaint.
I handed Lilian a good stash of coins and let her handle everything.
Just hearing that endless list already made me tired.
I think I'll take a nap until lunch.
***
[Tomas's POV]
I was going through my peaceful morning routine when the two goddesses walked up to talk to this humble servant.
"Tomas, this is Lilian, my contractor's assistant. She's going to interview you for the coachman job," the lioness said.
"Of course, miss... Wait, what was your name again?"
Yesterday was such a blur, I had forgotten to ask her name.
"Leona," she said curtly.
Of course. Beastfolk never have any creativity when picking names in the human tongue. Imagine if I walked around introducing myself as "Short Guy"?
"We don't need an interview. We're going straight to a test. I need to go shopping. You'll drive the carriage for me today. If you do well, you're hired."
The goddess spoke to this humble mortal. Damn, that succubus was stunning.
"Of course, madam. I won't let you down." I tried to keep the most professional tone possible.
"You're coming with me, Leona. We need to talk," the succubus said.
I know staff shouldn't meddle in the private lives of their employers, but damn, I was curious about that conversation.
I got everything ready for our departure.
The carriage was a luxury model. That guy really was loaded. So, it was easy to prep everything. We set off quickly. Destination: the commercial district.
Discreetly, I left the window between the driver's seat and the passenger cabin slightly open. No way I'd miss the chance to eavesdrop on that conversation.
"So, you tried Matthy's Elixir last night?" the succubus asked.
What the hell is Matthy's Elixir?
"Yes. Mr. Matthew's elixir is very potent," the lioness replied.
They were talking about that guy. Wait, he's the one who might pay my salary. I should start treating him with more respect.
They were talking about the boss?
"Right? When he... I go wild."
Damn, just when she was about to say something juicy, we hit a bump, and I missed it.
"He also did... with me."
Damn this potholed city!
They were openly talking about their naughty escapades with that lucky bastard, I mean, the boss. Man, life really isn't fair.
"I love when he..."
Ugh, pothole again.
"He didn't do that with me. So unfair."
I agree with the lioness. This world is cruel. Some get so much, while others get so little.
We spent the whole morning running errands and shopping.
The boss really was swimming in cash. Looks like I scored big with this job. I mean, if I get the job.
From what little I heard, the boss wasn't just rich, he had skills. If you know what I mean.
"Tomas, you'll need proper clothes. Let's stop by a second-hand shop to get you something," the succubus said.
"So, I'm hired?" Please say yes, please say yes...
"Yes, but if you keep listening in on my conversations, we might reconsider."
"Yes, ma'am. Won't happen again."
What a weird bunch. If she knew I was eavesdropping, why did she keep talking about that stuff?
***
[Matthew's POV]
Lilian and Leona only got back in the late afternoon. From the look of it, Lilian had worked hard to spend every coin I gave her.
I'm not complaining.
With them came a tiny person. Seriously? The coachman they hired was a kid? Isn't child labor illegal?
"Matthy, this is Tomas, our new coachman," Lilian introduced the kid.
"Isn't he a bit too young for a job like this?"
I didn't feel comfortable making a kid do heavy labor.
"He's probably older than you," Lilian said.
How's that possible?
"You noticed?" Leona asked, impressed.
"A succubus' eyes can't be fooled. He's a half-dwarf. That's why he looks so young. Right?" Lilian asked.
"Exactly, Miss Lilian. But I don't like sharing my real age around," the short guy replied.
Well, I get it. Being a legal loli in this city is probably dangerous as hell.
"Welcome to S&B Company, Tomas," I said.
Our preparations were finally complete. We'd be leaving in two days, joining the next caravan.
I couldn't wait to start this new adventure.
I really needed to find another sugar mommy soon. My resources were being drained way too fast.