Building a Harem in a Noble House Chapter 41: I Need You

I imdiately let go of her hands, mortified. "Oh my goodness. Ma’am, I am so sorry. I didn’t–"

"Co now, Lloyd. et outside. I don’t need you harassing any more of the won in here."

"Y-yeah. I’ll et you there."

With that, Isobel left the library, leaving alone with the woman I’d unfortunately just... ugh.

"She’s angry at , ma’am. She uses illusion magic. I swear I thought she was her."

The woman blessedly laughed. "Oh, don’t mind , dear. I’ve been young once, too. Raking n through the coals is sothing all fiery young won get a kick out of! Don’t take it to heart. She still loves you."

"I hope so," I mused absently. I rose from my seat. "Thanks for that. And again, I am so sorry."

"Water under the bridge." She smiled, a glint of sothing fiery in her eyes. "Though, if she ever does push things too far, be sure to find , okay? I’m always here in the library. I’d love to listen to you vent about your troubles over at my house." She bit her lip. "We could talk for as long as you need to."

"I... uh..." I stamred, forcing a smile to my face. "Duly noted. See you around...!"

***

I saw Isobel standing by the Paladin statue the mont I left the library. The mont we made eye contact, she burst out into laughter. Perhaps under any other circumstances, I would’ve joined her. Not this ti, though. Sure, her laugh was cute, but... not this ti.

"You didn’t have to take things that far, Isobel," I said as I approached her.

"Considering you and Lyra were conspiring to kill , I’d say so light embarrassnt is comparably quite ta."

"Isobel, I don’t want to kill you. Please understand that."

Isobel’s laughter subsided. She continued to smile, but her voice betrayed her face’s calm. "What is there to understand then, Lloyd? I’m quite sure of what I heard. Lyra said that she’d kill , as she apparently has done in the past. I’ll have you know I am very much alive, Lloyd May. What could she possibly be talking about?"

I looked around, unwilling to talk about this in a place where we could be overheard. "Can we go sowhere else and talk about this...?"

"Go sowhere secluded with the man conspiring to kill ? Perhaps I pulled off the ignorant act a bit too well if you think I’m foolish enough to do that."

"I told you I don’t want to–..." I buried my head in my hands. "I’ll explain everything to you, Isobel, but I’m going to sound like I’m insane. I understand if you think I am, but understand that everything I’m about to tell you is the complete, unfiltered truth."

Isobel stiffened. "That’s what I’ve been waiting for. No more of this ’trust ’ nonsense. Besides, you’d be surprised what I’m willing to believe."

And so, I explained everything. About my past, the Demon Lord, ti travel, and Isobel’s fate as the Demon Queen. I left no stone unturned, allowing her to ask any question she had. This went on for hours. So long that we’d ended up stopping by the Rogue and Ranger cafe to eat, only to return to the bench outside of the library and continue the conversation. By the ti I’d finished, the sun was starting to set, and, just like the day we’d t, I’d begun to walk Isobel to her House, arm-in-arm.

"You ntioned early on that your goal was to use House Greaves to build an army. That army was ant to take down the Demon Lord? The Demon Lord of Rushela?" She paused. "The very one I pledge allegiance to...?"

I nodded grimly. "The very sa."

"And what was the na of my House?"

"That’s the part you’re concerned about?"

"It’s very important, Lloyd. Please tell , and do not lie."

"House of the Unblinking Eye. After the Demon Lord turns you into the Demon Queen, he allows you to build the ruins of House Greaves into it. It becos the strongest House in Aspia, and you use it to take the Alian Continent over within your first year as its leader."

Isobel and I were on that farm path leading to House Greaves. During my entire story, she’d been attentive, allowing to speak with only minimal interruption for questions. Now, though, was different. She looked visibly pained, squeezing my arm and shaking like she’d seen a ghost. I instinctively stopped to hug her, which she surprisingly let do. Isobel leaned into , still shaking, even as I held her tight.

"I’m sorry, Isobel. I shouldn’t have told you–"

"No, Lloyd. Don’t say that. I’m glad you were honest with . That’s all I wanted. I know that’s hypocritical coming from , and I will explain myself, but please... don’t feel guilt for being honest with ."

She didn’t speak for a long ti, and I didn’t pressure her too. When she spoke again, her voice was shaky and desperate.

"I don’t know what the Isobel of your ti was thinking, so I cannot speak on her behalf. The one in your arms, however, would never stoop to such... depths..." She held tighter. "You have to believe when I tell you my intentions for you two weren’t malicious. In truth, my intentions were to buy House Greaves from you two, then hire you both as my Paladin and Instructor. I figured you were strong enough to take the Paladin role, and Lyra is a decent enough teacher with enough of an attitude to be a disciplinarian. When we went on a Quest together, though, I knew that wasn’t an option. I may be strong, but I’m no Adventurer. I... I wouldn’t have been able to make the money in ti to go through with my plan. So, I wanted to delay things as much as possible to figure sothing out, but... I just... couldn’t think of anything. And that was when it hit : there was nothing I could do. If I voided the Contract, I’d inconvenience my family, and I’d lose you two as friends. I... I had to be rid of House Greaves. It was over."

"I didn’t know you were still trying to keep the House," I said, tone soft.

The dam broke. "It’s mine! It’s where I grew up! It’s been passed down for generations! I don’t want to lose it! I can’t just give up on it! I can’t fail House Greaves. I’m all it has left!"

I held Isobel as she wept into my chest, gently caressing her back for comfort. "You’re not alone, though, Isobel. You don’t have to leave the House behind." I pulled her away a bit, looking her in the eyes. "I don’t want to live there if you aren’t there with , Isobel. House Greaves isn’t just yours now. It’s ours. At least, I want it to be."

"I’d love that, Lloyd May. I... I can’t do this alone anymore. I need you."

I leaned forward, resting my hands on her waist as I pulled her into a kiss. Isobel leaned into it, resting her arms on my shoulders as our lips pressed together. She pulled away slightly, still close enough for our foreheads to touch, filling my nose with the lavender patchouli that I craved.

"I love you, Lloyd."

I kissed Isobel once again, losing myself in her lips. Her arms. Her scent. Her everything.

"I love you too, Isobel. I love you so very much. I can’t stand the thought of not being there to comfort you. Please forgive for yesterday."

"I– mmph!" Isobel started, interrupted by a kiss. She laughed softly. "I do, Lloyd. I do. You don’t have to look so– mmph!"

I kissed her once again, pulling her in close, drinking in her essence. It wasn’t enough to kiss her. To feel the sensation of her lips on mine. I wanted so much more of Isobel. I needed more. Craved more. My lips traveled from hers to her cheek, then down to her neck.

"L-Lloyd~..." Isobel moaned softly, grabbing a scruff of my hair as she pulled my head closer to it.

"I need you, Isobel," I panted, lust and love combining into sothing bordering on feral. "I need you right now."

Isobel leaned forward, whispering into my ear. "Then have , Lloyd May."