CHAPTER 139: THE WINTER TRIALS 14*

The banquet hall was massive.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm light across tables piled high with food Aegis couldn’t even name. Nobles in silk and velvet filled the space, their laughter and conversation creating a constant hum of noise.

Aegis sat at a table near the center, wearing a dress Lady Roseheart had sent over that morning—deep purple with gold trim, fitted enough to show off her tits but formal enough to pass muster with the stuck-up crowd.

[I look hot. I feel hot. Damn, life is good.]

Lady Cassandra Vermillion sat to her right. To Aegis’s left sat Lord Damascus Hale—some minor noble who wouldn’t stop asking questions about her "combat techniques" and "training regimen."

[Dude’s either genuinely interested or trying to figure out how to beat me. Probably both.]

Across from her, Lady Seraphine Frost—a relative of Serilla’s apparently—picked at her food and observed everything with calculating grey eyes.

[Great. Another Frost. Just what I needed.]

"So, Lady Starcaller," Lord Damascus said, leaning forward. "How does it feel to be Rosevale’s champion?"

Aegis took a sip of wine to buy herself time.

[Lady Starcaller. Gonna take some time to get used to that.]

"Honestly? Surreal. A few months ago, I was just a commoner trying not to get expelled."

Lady Cassandra smiled, the expression warm but sharp.

"And now you’re a minor noble with a title and a future. Quite the turnaround."

"Thanks to good fortune and a lot of bruises."

The table laughed politely.

Lord Damascus leaned back, swirling his wine.

"I heard you trained with Scarlett Lionheart. Is that true?"

"Yeah. She’s a hell of a fighter. Also terrifying when she’s in the zone."

"And you defeated Kanna Greaves. That alone is impressive."

"Kanna’s a monster. I got lucky."

"Luck," Lady Cassandra interjected, her tone firm, "only gets you so far. The rest is skill and determination."

Aegis met her eyes.

"I appreciate that, Lady Vermillion."

Cassandra set down her glass, her expression turning serious.

"Which is why I’ve decided to officially sponsor you, Lady Starcaller."

The table went quiet.

"House Vermillion will be funding your continued studies at Rosevale Academy. Tuition, lodging, equipment—all covered. Additionally, you’ll have access to our family’s combat instructors and resources."

Aegis smiled.

[All, of course, in exchange for me... not forgetting them if/when I get to some position of power in the future. Those are decent terms, I’d say.]

"That’s... incredibly generous."

"It’s an investment." Cassandra’s smile was sharp. "You’ve proven yourself capable. House Vermillion backs winners, Lady Starcaller. And you’re a winner."

Lord Damascus raised his glass.

"Congratulations, Lady Starcaller. You’ve secured a powerful ally."

Lady Seraphine’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Indeed. House Vermillion’s backing is no small thing. You should be proud."

Aegis raised her own glass, trying to keep her hands steady.

"Thank you. All of you. I won’t waste this opportunity."

Cassandra nodded.

"See that you don’t."

They drank.

Aegis’s gaze drifted across the hall. She spotted Talia sitting at the head table with her mother, Duchess Evangeline. Talia looked bored out of her mind, her yellow eyes scanning the room with barely concealed irritation.

Their eyes met.

Aegis grinned and, when no one at her table was looking, blew Talia a kiss.

Talia’s eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed pink.

Aegis watched, delighted, as Talia quickly looked away and took a very long drink of wine.

[Got her.]

Movement near the entrance caught her attention. The Summerfang twins—Kai’Lin and Mei’Lin—stood talking to a tall, scarred man in leather armor. He looked like he’d been through multiple wars and won them all through sheer spite.

[That has to be their boss from the Crimson Blade.]

Aegis excused herself from the table and made her way over, weaving through the crowd.

The man glanced at her as she approached, his expression neutral.

"Lady Starcaller," he said, his voice rough like gravel. "Congratulations on your victory."

"Thanks. You are...?"

"A man whose name is irrelevant." He gestured to the twins. "These two have spoken highly of you."

Kai’Lin’s ears flattened against her head.

"We didn’t, nya."

The man snorted.

"Anytime you mention failing an assassination attempt, you are speaking high of your would-be victim. Good job," he said to Aegis. "I hear you settled their contract. Paid it off in full."

Aegis nodded.

"Seemed like the right thing to do. No point in them trying to kill me when I could just... not have that problem."

He smirked.

"Smart. I respect that." He clapped both twins on the shoulder hard enough to make them stumble slightly. "They’ll be heading back with me in the morning. Contract’s fulfilled, and we’ve got work elsewhere."

Aegis’s stomach dropped.

[Wait. They’re leaving? Tomorrow? I haven’t befriended them yet!]

The System had allowed her to go past the deadline because she’d made some progress, but she wasn’t sure how long she actually had. If they left, chances were they could become the big antagonists the System had warned about.

[Nope. Hell no. Not happening.]

The man nodded to her once, then walked away, disappearing into the crowd of nobles.

Aegis turned to the twins, her mind racing.

"You’re leaving? Just like that?"

Mei’Lin shrugged, her tail flicking lazily.

"Yeah, nya. No reason to stay now. You paid off the contract, so we don’t have to kill you anymore."

Kai’Lin crossed her arms, her ears twitching.

"Besides, we’re mercenaries, nya. Not students. This place is boring."

Aegis stared at them.

[No. Hell no. I didn’t work this hard just for them to leave immediately.]

Her HUD flickered, and dialogue options appeared.

DIALOGUE OPTIONS

1. "You should stay. The academy has a lot to offer." [PERSUADE]

2. "I could teach you better combat techniques. You’re good, but you could be great." [APPEAL TO PRIDE]

3. "Don’t you want to enjoy being young for once? Have fun instead of just fighting for money?" [APPEAL TO EMOTION]

4. "Stay, and I’ll make it worth your while." [FLIRT]

Aegis grinned.

[Time to put that 100 Charisma to work.]

She stepped closer, lowering her voice slightly.

"You know, I could teach you better combat techniques. You’re both good, but you could be great."

Kai’Lin’s ears perked up despite herself.

"What do you mean, nya?"

"I mean you fight like brawlers. All instinct, no strategy. I could help you refine that. Make you unstoppable."

Mei’Lin tilted her head, her tail swaying.

"You think you’re better than us, nya?"

"I beat you, didn’t I?"

Kai’Lin bristled, her fur practically standing on end.

"That was a fluke, nya!"

Mei’Lin just laughed, though it sounded forced.

"Fair point, nya."

Aegis pressed on, her voice softening.

"And honestly? Don’t you want to enjoy being young for once? Have fun instead of just fighting for money all the time?"

The twins exchanged a glance.

"Fun?" Kai’Lin asked, her voice uncertain and suspicious.

"Yeah. Fun. Parties, friends, stupid academy drama. You’re what, seventeen? Eighteen? You should be living, not just surviving."

Mei’Lin’s expression shifted, but she looked away quickly.

"That... we don’t need that, nya."

"We’re fine as dangerous assassins, nya," Kai’Lin added, but her voice wavered.

Aegis moved even closer, her voice dropping to a sultry purr.

"Stay. And I’ll make it worth your while."

Both twins’ ears twitched. Their cheeks flushed pink.

"W-What do you mean, nya?" Kai’Lin stammered.

Aegis smirked, letting her gaze drag over them slowly.

"I think you know exactly what I mean."

Mei’Lin swallowed hard, her tail going stiff.

"W-We don’t care about that, nya!"

"You’re just trying to mess with us, nya!" Kai’Lin hissed, but her voice cracked.

More dialogue choices popped up.

DIALOGUE OPTIONS

1. "I’m completely serious. Stay, and I’ll show you." [FLIRT]

2. "Come on, have some wine. Think about it." [PERSUADE]

3. "You’re both beautiful. I’d be honored if you stayed." [FLIRT]

4. "What’s the worst that could happen? You stay, have fun, and if you hate it, you leave." [APPEAL TO LOGIC]

Aegis selected option two with a mental flick.

"Come on, how about you enjoy some of Rosevale’s finest spirits and think about it for a little, okay?" She gestured to a nearby table laden with wine bottles and glasses. "No pressure. Just... consider it."

The twins exchanged another glance, some silent communication passing between them.

Finally, Mei’Lin sighed.

"Fine. One drink, nya. But we’re still leaving in the morning."

"Yeah, nya. Don’t get your hopes up," Kai’Lin added, her tail flicking irritably.

Aegis grinned.

[Got them. Step one complete.]

She handed them each a glass of wine—some expensive-looking red that was probably worth more than her old commoner life—and watched as they took tentative sips.

"This is... actually good, nya," Mei’Lin admitted reluctantly.

"Better than the swill we usually get, nya," Kai’Lin muttered.

"Told you. Nobility has its perks."

The twins drank, their ears twitching as they grew more comfortable.

After a few minutes of awkward small talk, Aegis excused herself.

"I’m gonna go find my friends. You two enjoy yourselves, okay?"

The twins nodded, already pouring themselves second glasses.

[Mission accomplished. Now I just wait.]

Aegis found Scarlett, Sophie, and Lune near the far end of the hall, sitting at a table piled with desserts.

"There she is!" Scarlett said, waving enthusiastically. "The champion herself!"

Sophie jumped up and hugged Aegis.

"Big sis! How does it feel to be fancy now?"

"Weird. Very weird. How does it feel for you?" Aegis asked back. "Starcaller is a House now. You’re a minor noble now, too."

"I am!?"

[At least, I think that’s how it works.]

Lune glanced up from her sketchbook.

"You look uncomfortable in that dress."

"I am uncomfortable in this dress."

"Then why wear it?"

"Because Lady Roseheart sent it, and I didn’t want to be rude."

Scarlett snorted.

"You? Worried about being rude? That’s new."

"I’m evolving."

"Into what? A boring noble?"

"Hopefully a rich boring noble."

They laughed.

Aegis sat down, grabbing a pastry from the table and biting into it. It was some kind of cream-filled thing that tasted like heaven.

Sophie leaned against her shoulder.

"So, what’s next? You’re a noble now. What are you gonna do?"

"Honestly? I have no idea. Figure out how to not embarrass myself at these events, probably."

"You’re doing fine," Lune said, not looking up from her sketch. "Only three people have stared at you like you don’t belong."

"Only three? I’m improving."

Scarlett grinned.

"You kicked Darius’s ass. You’ve earned your place here."

Aegis smiled, warmth spreading through her chest.

[I really did it. I’m here. I belong.]

She glanced across the hall, her eyes landing on the twins.

Kai’Lin and Mei’Lin were standing near the wine table, giggling about something. Kai’Lin’s ears kept twitching. They leaned close to each other, whispering, their cheeks flushed.

Then Mei’Lin kissed Kai’Lin.

Just straight-up kissed her sister on the mouth.

Aegis’s eyebrows shot up.

[Okay. Uh. That’s happening.]

Kai’Lin pulled back, looking flustered, but then she kissed Mei’Lin back.

Sophie followed her gaze.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. Just... nothing."

But then the twins turned, their eyes locking onto Aegis across the hall.

They exchanged a glance, nodded to each other, and started walking toward her.

Fast.

Aegis blinked.

[Uh oh.]

Before she could react, both twins grabbed her by the arms and hauled her to her feet.

"H-Hey, what—"

"Come with us, nya," Mei’Lin said, her voice breathless.

"The wine is making us feel weird, nya," Kai’Lin added, her ears flat against her head. "You need to fix it."

"Fix it? How am I supposed to—"

"Just come, nya!"

They dragged her toward the exit, ignoring her protests.

Scarlett called after her.

"Aegis? Where are you going?"

"I have no idea!" Aegis yelled back.

Sophie giggled.

"Have fun, big sis!"

Lune didn’t even look up.

"Don’t die."

---

The twins practically shoved Aegis into her dorm room, slamming the door behind them.

All three of them were tipsy—not drunk, but definitely past the point of good decision-making.

Kai’Lin’s face was bright red, her ears twitching erratically.

"This is your fault, nya!"

"My fault? How is this my fault?"

"You gave us wine, nya!"

"You drank it on your own!"

"We didn’t ask for... for... THIS, nya!" Kai’Lin gestured wildly at herself, at Mei’Lin, at everything.

Mei’Lin crossed her arms, her tail lashing.

"We don’t even like you, nya. You’re annoying."

"Super annoying, nya," Kai’Lin agreed.

"Okay, so... why’d you bring me to your room?"

The twins exchanged a glance.

"Because the wine!"

"The wine made us feel weird, nya," Mei’Lin said.

"And you’re the only one who can fix it, nya," Kai’Lin added.

"Fix it how?"

Mei’Lin stepped closer, her voice dropping.

"You know how, nya."

Aegis’s brain caught up.

[Oh. OH. Oh fuck. They want—]

"Wait, are you two—"

"Just for tonight, nya!" Kai’Lin interrupted, her face somehow getting even redder. "We still hate you! This doesn’t mean anything!"

"It’s just because of the wine, nya," Mei’Lin added, but she was already pulling off her jacket.

Aegis stared at them.

[This is happening. This is actually happening.]

"So... you want to—"

"Yes, nya!" both twins said in unison, their voices exasperated.

"Just shut up and get on the bed, nya," Kai’Lin said, shoving Aegis backward.

Aegis flopped onto the bed, grinning.

[Well... I’m certainly not against this outcome.]

Kai’Lin grabbed Aegis by the collar and shoved her down onto the bed.

"Stop grinning like that, nya!"

"Can’t help it."

"Yes you can, nya!"

Mei’Lin was already unbuttoning her shirt, her movements hurried and clumsy.

"This is just because of the wine, nya," she muttered, her cheeks bright red. "Don’t think we actually want you."

"Right, right. Totally the wine."

"It IS, nya!"

Kai’Lin reached for Aegis’s pants, fumbling with the button.

"These stupid noble clothes, nya. Too many buttons!"

"Need help?"

"No, nya! We don’t need anything from you!"

She finally got them undone and yanked them down.

Aegis’s cock sprang free and smacked Kai’Lin right in the eye.

"OW, NYA!"

Kai’Lin stumbled backward, one hand over her face, her tail puffed up like a bottle brush.

Mei’Lin burst out laughing, doubling over.

"You got hit in the face by her cock, nya!"

"Shut up, nya! It’s not funny!"

Aegis was biting her lip so hard she tasted blood, trying not to laugh.

"Are you okay?"

"I’m FINE, nya!" Kai’Lin’s face was somehow even redder now, her ears flat against her head. "Your stupid, annoyingly huge cock just—it just—"

"Attacked you?"

"YES, NYA!"

Mei’Lin was still giggling, tears forming in her eyes.

"This is the best thing I’ve ever seen, nya. My sister was defeated by a penis!"

"I HATE YOU BOTH, NYA!"

But despite her protests, Kai’Lin was already moving back between Aegis’s legs, her yellow eyes fixed on Aegis’s cock with a mix of irritation and begrudging interest.

"Fine, nya. Let’s just get this over with."

"So romantic."

"We’re not trying to be romantic, nya!"

Mei’Lin joined her sister, kneeling beside her. She glanced at Kai’Lin, then leaned in and kissed her—a real kiss, tongue and everything.

Kai’Lin melted into it immediately, her ears perking up.

When they broke apart, both twins were breathing hard.

"Ready, nya?" Mei’Lin asked her sister.

"Ready, nya," Kai’Lin replied.

They both leaned in, but instead of focusing on Aegis, they kept kissing each other, their tongues meeting over the head of Aegis’s cock. Occasionally one of their tongues would drag along the shaft, almost like an afterthought.

Aegis groaned.

[I’m basically a sexy toy to them. And honestly? I’m okay with that.]

Mei’Lin pulled back from the kiss, a string of saliva connecting her lips to Kai’Lin’s.

"You’re so pretty, nya," she murmured to her sister.

"You too, nya," Kai’Lin replied, her cheeks flushed.

Then Kai’Lin took Aegis into her mouth, but her eyes stayed locked on Mei’Lin’s face. She bobbed her head a few times, then pulled off and immediately kissed her sister again.

"Mmm, nya," Mei’Lin hummed into the kiss.

Aegis’s cock twitched, forgotten for the moment as the twins made out above it.

"You two know I’m still here, right?"

"Unfortunately, nya," Kai’Lin muttered, breaking the kiss.

"Yeah, nya. But your cock is useful, so we’re tolerating you," Mei’Lin added before taking her turn, swallowing Aegis down while maintaining eye contact with her sister.

Kai’Lin leaned in and kissed Mei’Lin’s neck while she worked, her hands running through her sister’s white hair.

[I’m definitely just a prop in their lesbian incest fantasy. This is fine. This is more than fine.]

They switched positions smoothly. Mei’Lin pulled off and Kai’Lin took over, but they never stopped touching each other. Hands roaming, lips meeting, tails intertwining.

"You’re so good at this, nya," Mei’Lin whispered to Kai’Lin.

"Not as good as you, nya," Kai’Lin replied breathlessly.

"Both of you are pretty fucking good," Aegis added.

"We weren’t asking you, nya!" both twins said in unison, glaring at her.

Then they went back to kissing each other while their tongues worked along Aegis’s shaft. Every few seconds one of them would take Aegis into their mouth, but it was clear their real focus was on each other.

Mei’Lin’s hand slid down to grip Kai’Lin’s ass, squeezing.

Kai’Lin moaned into her sister’s mouth, the vibration traveling down to where her lips were wrapped around Aegis’s cock.

Aegis’s hips jerked involuntarily.

"Fuck. That’s—"

"Shut up, nya," Kai’Lin said, pulling off. "This isn’t for you."

"Yeah, nya. We’re just using you to get off," Mei’Lin added, her tail flicking. "Don’t get the wrong idea."

"Wouldn’t dream of it."

They went back to their work, alternating between sucking Aegis off and making out with each other. Sometimes they’d both lick along the shaft at the same time, their tongues meeting in the middle, and then they’d just start kissing while Aegis’s cock sat between their faces.

[I’m the luckiest person alive and also completely irrelevant to what’s happening. It’s a weird feeling.]

Aegis’s breathing grew ragged, her control slipping as the twins’ attention briefly focused back on her cock.

"Fuck. I’m gonna—"

"Finally, nya," Mei’Lin said, pulling back. "Took you long enough."

"Yeah, nya. We’ve been working so hard," Kai’Lin added, though she’d spent at least half the time making out with her sister.

"My bad."

They both pressed their mouths to either side of Aegis’s cock, but even now they were more focused on each other, their eyes locked, their tongues occasionally meeting and tangling together over the tip.

Aegis came with a gasp, her hips jerking off the bed. The twins kept licking, but they were also kissing each other, sharing the taste.

When Aegis finally stopped twitching, the twins pulled back, still kissing.

Aegis lay there, breathing hard, watching them.

[Yeah. Tonight’s not over. Not even close.]

Mei’Lin broke the kiss, looking at Kai’Lin with half-lidded eyes.

"That was good, nya."

"Really good, nya," Kai’Lin agreed, her tail swishing. "But we’re not done yet."

"Definitely not, nya."

They both glanced at Aegis, their expressions identical mixes of annoyance and lust.

"You," Mei’Lin said, pointing at Aegis. "Just lie there and be useful, nya."

"We’re going to need you for a while longer, nya," Kai’Lin added, already pulling off her shirt.

Aegis grinned.

And, just then:

Event: Hearts and Minds Updated!

Summerfang Twins: Befriended!

Reward: Cat’s View

Passive: Can see through illusions

All transfer students: Befriended!

Aegis breathed a sigh of relief.

[Finally, that’s done.]