Chap 2
"Ruberts is coming," Rega said as he walked briskly into the main hall.
"Oh good. Just one more day and he can get out of my sight for another year," Evelyn said. She had been waiting for the man the whole morning, bored out of her mind. Ruberts was the royal tax assessor, and today was the last day of his weeklong trip to Moran. His assessment would form the basis of the year's tax rate.
"Greetings, my lady," Ruberts said boisterously as he entered the hall. "Why, I must say, you're just as alluring as the last time I saw you."
"Oh, you and your humor. You last saw me merely a week ago." Evelyn forced herself to smile.
He laughed. "It's true, my lady. You know, my assessment of women's beauty is like my assessment of land—impeccable," he laughed again. Rega pretended to join him since he's been given strict orders to entertain the guest under any circumstances.
"Anyway, my lady," he said, opening his leather binder. He spoke while running his hand through rows of numbers. "Yes, everything's in order. I've surveyed your land and will let your chancellor know the amount of tax we expect from you next year. I must say, you are given prime estates here, lady Evelyn. Very fertile land, many great flocks of goats, and a sizable burgher population, you should not have any trouble paying your due."
"Yes, yes. It's all thanks to the great king Tirrus. I'm grateful that he has entrusted me to rule over this province of Moran."
"I trust you will do well. At any rate, you have already exceeded my expectation. When the king mentioned your province, I thought he was about to tell me to take over. Hahaha." He slapped his knee a few times.
"You are indeed the most entertaining man in the whole kingdom, Ruberts," Rega said wryly, keeping his fake grin on. Evelyn gritted her teeth but pretended to laugh too.
It's almost over. He'll be gone in an hour.
"That's like saying Moran is the cash cow of Terrava. Not true at all. And not just because there's no cow in Moran." There's another bout of laughter from him.
"Just when I thought you have finished with your jests, you keep them coming," said Evelyn. Her cheeks were getting tired.
"I aim to please. Speaking of, there're some wickedly fun jesters at the court," said Ruberts, patting Rega's shoulder. "You should see them when you come to the capital. There's this guy who can pull a fish out of his—"
"Yes, I heard of it. Most unhygienic act. It's such a pleasure to have you around. You should come more often."
"People always say that but I still have half the kingdom to survey, so I must leave now. Farewell, Lady Evelyn. May you be as fair and as well the next time I see you."
He bowed at her and left.
*-*
"That fat bastard! Always making fun of me," Evelyn grumbled. It was after lunchtime, and Evelyn was enjoying dessert with Amber. Evelyn had just told Amber of what happened in the morning.
"His visits would be the least of your problem if you don't pay the tax by the end of the year since you wiped out a quarter of our revenue," Amber said sombrely.
"That again? Please, Amber, there has to be a way to get out of this mess. Can you think of something?" Evelyn said. She picked up a piece of sweet plum and offered it to Amber.
Amber politely declined. She was in no mood for treats with the headache she was in. "I'll try, mistress."
"What is that Tirene tax Anyway? Why is a quarter of our money depending on a single tax?" Evelyn asked as she chewed the plum.
"It's a long, looooong story. Basically, back in the old regime—" Amber started, but she was interrupted when Rega opened the door.
"He's gone now."
"Oh, thank the goddess. Did he asked why I wasn't there to see him off?"
"He did. I told him you are attending to important
fiscal
matters. He just laughed. Too much, I might add."
"That fat...Whatever. At long as I don't have to see his face anymore," she waved her hand and returned to the bowl of sweet plums.
"And one more thing, mistress," Rega said. Then he motioned to someone outside the door to come in. A young Terravi man walked in.
"This is Miklas. The king has assigned him to be your attendant, mistress. A gift from the king, you might say. He'd accompanied Ruberts on his way here. Miklas, this is Lady Evelyn and her advisor, Amber," Rega said. He had to look up to speak to Miklas since the young man was tall. Really tall.
"My ladies." Miklas politely bowed to both Evelyn and Amber. "I am at your service, Lady Evelyn."
Both women appraised the man stood before them. The most notable feature about him was his size. He was big, a full foot taller than Evelyn, who was not short by any means. Miklas's face was that of a lively youth, and his energetic brown eyes shone brightly. And he looked extremely fit. He had broad shoulders, his chest looked like it was about to burst out of his shirt, and his sleeves struggled to contain the massive size of his arms.
"Damn, aren't you big? It's a pleasure to have you here," Evelyn said with a curious smug. "And what was your job at the capital?"
"I'm an athlete, my lady," he said eagerly. Evelyn stood up and walked closer to examine him, while Amber sat still. The elf girl couldn't tear her eyes away from his handsome face.
"I see. But why do I need an athlete here?" Evelyn asked.
"Well, it is Terravi tradition to have bright young men from elite families in the capital to travel the land and serve regional lords for a few years. The Provincial Assignment program, you might have heard," Rega said. "Besides, the king thought it would be best if you have one of our own to look after you. Your reliance on orcs is irksome to the king, as you know."
"I see. So, Miklas, what can you do?"
"I'm a wrestler, my lady. I'm also skilled in pentathlon and long-distance running."
"No need to be formal. You can call me mistress. Can you fight with swords?"
"Uhm, no mistress."
"So what can you do if, say, some deranged human come charging at me?"
"I can tackle him to the ground. If he runs away, I can chase him down or incapacitate him with some throwable object. I'm good at spear and discus throwing too."
Evelyn pondered what he'd said. He lacked martial training, but his enthusiasm pleased her.
"Good enough. I can have someone train you in conventional fighting later." Evelyn looked him up and down again. "Rega, you can leave. I have some private questions for Miklas."
"As you wish, mistress." Rega bowed, then he left.
Evelyn slowly circled the young man with a peculiar look in her eyes that reminded Amber of a vulture circling its prey. Miklas just stood still, his eyes followed Evelyn curiously.
"Yes, I like a big strong man like you. You'll make an excellent bodyguard," she said. Then she returned to stand in front of him, hand on her chin. "I, uh, need you to take off your clothes, Miklas. Personal inspection, you know. I want to make sure you are physically fit to serve me."
"Of course. I assure you I am in peak physical shape," he said eagerly. Amber stared as the young man quickly disrobed in front of both women without any hesitation. Such was his desire to serve.
His shirtless body was a sight to behold. His skin tone was that of slightly overbaked brick, typical for a Terravi man. Amber stared as soon as he lifted the shirt off his body. She couldn't help it. Amber had never seen a more musclebound man in her life. He was a wrestler, and he had the brawn to prove it. The muscles on Miklas's broad, round shoulders and big, beefy strong arms rolled with every movement of his arms as he took off his shirt. Amber's eyes drifted from his big, pronounced pecs down to his eye-watering, well-defined 6-pack of abdominal muscles, then further down to the V-shape muscle that adorned his lower abdomen. She hadn't even had time to imagine what he looked like where that V was pointing when Miklas unbuckled and dropped his pants and underwear. She almost gasped audibly when the young Terravi man got naked, but she covered her mouth just in time. She didn't cover her eyes though, so Amber got a perfect view of his flaccid manhood. It was longer than the length of her palm, and his twin testicles dangled gently underneath his hefty shaft. He was a perfect specimen of a male, healthy and extremely fit.
"Oh wow, aren't you a big boy? Do you have orc blood in you?" Evelyn said, looking at his flaccid shaft. It was impressive. His could rival that of an orc.
"No, mistress. My parents are Terravi."
"How long have you been an athlete, Miklas?" Evelyn asked, touching his abdominal muscles. Her fingers traced the depths and hills of his rock-hard muscles. You could grate cheese with those hard, firm abs, though Amber. Miklas didn't show any signs of being perturbed.
"I trained for 4 years before adulthood, so 6 years now."
"It definitely shows. You feel like a wall of brick. Stand still, will you?" She walked behind him. "My, my. Amber, come here, you have to see this."
Amber got up and walked to where Evelyn was standing. She smiled awkwardly at Miklas, who returned her smile innocently.
Why is he so cheerful?
"Isn't that the best-looking man-ass you've ever seen?" Evelyn whispered to Amber. The elf bit her lip when she saw his large, muscular rump. His glutes were large and defined, and each muscled cheek formed a dimple.
"Y-yes," Amber stuttered.
"Look as good as mine, and I don't say that lightly. And you see his thighs? Those things are as huge and sturdy as the marble pillars in the main hall. Don't you think?"
"Yes," Amber whispered. She's almost out of breath. She could saw his hanging cock and balls from here.
Evelyn stepped forward and grabbed a handful of his ass, then she squeezed.
"Ooooh. Amber, you have to feel this. I didn't know muscles can feel this good."
"Um, Miklas, do you mind?" Amber asked, whereas her mistress didn't show any signs of reluctance when she fondled Miklas's butt.
"No, please. Inspect me as thoroughly as you want," said the young man. His voice quivered a bit when Evelyn's hand went down to inspect his thick, meaty thighs.
