The Wish Shop, ???.
While setting up things in the new world, Adam got a summon request from the shop. Someone had used their card to summon the door, so leaving things aside he rushed back with Grayfia.
And the one he found upon his entrance was an expected guest who said she'd be back soon.
"Adam, it is time for round two!" Esdeath declared walking in.
"Round two of?" Adam asked.
"Our battle of course… Let me see if you can defeat me again." She stepped over the table again and stood in front of him again.
"Is that the contract you want to make?" He sighed.
"I have another thing for the contract. I know I can't defeat you yet, my skills haven't grown enough in the past few days." Esdeath was a bit bored after the long journey back to the capital and other tasks, so she proposed a fight for a little stretch.
Fighting Adam gave a different sense of rush than anything before. Since young Esdeath had always respected the strong, but they were also a target in her eyes. Targets to surpass and destroy. Yet, things were a bit different when it came to Adam.
"What's the contract about?" Curious about what she would ask for, he leaned back into the couch. After all, Esdeath didn't look like the type to ask for help. And he was correct in his assumption.
"I want you to stay with me for seven days in our house. Consider it a Date." She smirked. There were rules in place that let her outright take Adam, but loopholes also existed. If this didn't work she had another few ready.
"Well…" Adam felt a headache rising, the last time this happened there was quite a mess that followed.
"So, is it possible?" Esdeath leaned in to make sure he wouldn't lie.
"...Yes. It is possible." She grinned looking at his twitching brow.
"Don't look upset…" His eyes locked with hers, she traced his lips with her thumb. "It'll be a fun experience for both of us." The ferocious yet seductive smile on her lips surprised Adam.
The look in Esdeath's eyes had changed a lot from previous time. However, unlike him, someone else worried more about him.
'Does Master ever get normal clients?' The first client Grayfia met was Darkness, who despite having the looks of a chivalrous knight turned out to be the biggest pervert ever.
On the other hand, Esdeath looked like a high-ranking and strong general, yet she asked for a date with Adam. To an extent, she understood the sentiment of being near him, but that seemed like a reason too small for a contract. Not to mention the thought she had of this shop and its work had completely reversed.
Thinking about this, she saw Adam and Esdeath conclude the contract. The woman looked happy at the process and seemed eager to leave, however, there was one problem.
"Grayfia, let's go." Adam said making the maid freeze.
"That's alright Master, it would be much better if I stay in the shop." She said much to Adam's confusion.
"Good to see that you are an understanding woman." Esdeath smiled looking over his shoulder.
Since she had arrived Esdeath had acted like she didn't see her, yet her entire focus had been on probing Grayfia. Although she didn't take it as an offense, it wasn't the main reason she decided to slack on her duty.
"I wish to use this chance to learn and practice from the books of the library." Since Adam was going on something like a date, it was better to leave them alone to enjoy the time.
The time she gets during that duration could be used to level up her skills, this way she could use her breaks to become a better Maid.
"Please, Master." She bowed.
"Well, if that is what you want." Adam agreed.
Although he did tell her not to be too harsh on herself. That seemed to have fuelled her desire to get better so she wouldn't be too harsh on herself. It was a weird way, but it worked.
"Then I'll be back soon. Get plenty of rest." He said patting on Grayfia's shoulder.
"I'll be sure to." Grayfia bowed her head as he left with Esdeath.
As the door shut she looked up, her face covered in a rosy hue. The lingering touch on her shoulder matched the one she felt on her back and thighs when she appeared in the shop.
Yet, she had no recollection of him touching her. Then why did it feel so familiar?
'Could it be that Master touched me in a state of stationery time?' He did that before too, but the touches on her body coincided with a position she never knew she'd be in one day.
A princess carry… and Adam did it.
"Why don't I remember it….?" Defeated at the loss, Grayfia folded on the floor.
The seven day wait would turn out to be the longest time for her.
***
Capital, The Empire.
The door closed behind Adam as he stepped on the lush carpet. He was in the middle of a spacious living room with Victorian-style couches and a table in the middle. Through the arched windows, he could see the busy city surrounded by walls.
"This will be our home for the next 7 days, everything here is brand new, even the beds." Esdeath said standing behind him.
"I don't think I need to know that." He said, unsure of what to make of that information.
"I think that is the most important detail." She smiled when he scratched his cheek. Of course, he'd understand if Esdeath was that direct.
Since the moment she came back, every moment from then on was spent making arrangements before she got Adam here. Of course, everything had to be perfect.
Since becoming a General, Esdeath had amassed tons of wealth and land due to her conquests for the Empire. But, this was the only moment she ever cared for that money. It allowed her to get everything needed to make her plan a success.
"So, do you have anything in mind for the date?" Adam asked. He took a seat on the couch and had some tea like usual. After agreeing to the contract there wasn't any other thing he could do, if she didn't have a plan he'd come up with one.
'Aren't I getting too used to this type of thing?' He questioned, but it wasn't like there was any loss for him. The two women who had asked him out for dates under the guise of contract were beautiful enough to stop the world in its tracks.
The fact that they had a couple of screws loose was another thing. He wasn't normal by any means either. In the end, he did enter a full-blown relationship with one of them even regarding how disturbing their starting point was. And it looked like things were moving in the same direction with Esdeath too.
"I've got a plan. You will enjoy it too." Esdeath made herself comfortable on his thighs, her hand wrapped around his neck. "Are you ready for it, Dear~?"
'I should've guessed it would be like this.' Feeling her breath on his lips, he looked into her crystal-clear blue eyes. This was about to be a long and arduous date.
"I am ready." His agreement brought a big smile to Esdeath's face.
But, that smile was nothing compared to her smile during the Date.
"Hah* Isn't this fun, Dear?"