Entertaining Royalty in the Princes' Castle

“Since it’s just the two of us, I figure we’ll call this place the princes’ castle,” Ibuki said, leading us to an empty bedroom to unpack.

“That’s probably what everyone else will call it,” I sighed, placing a box of my belongings on the floor.

“Not a fan?” Ibuki asked.

“I’m not sure I want people to see me as a prince anymore,” I admitted. “It hasn’t always worked out well for me.”

“Ah, I get it,” Ibuki said. “I may be the only person on campus who does.”

Having no idea how to respond to that, I allowed an awkward silence to fall over us. I had few possessions, so it took us only a short time to unpack. When we finished, the maid handed me a large box. Where she had been hiding it until now, I had no idea.

“Yoshino wanted you to have this,” she explained. “It’s a tea set, but it’s not for everyday use. It’s for entertaining guests.”

“Guests?” I asked. Then it dawned on me. “She’s not planning on coming here, is she?”

“I understand how you feel,” the maid said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I’m well-paid, and I have a powerful union protecting me from her worst abuses, and even then, I can hardly stand being around her. It will be worse if you try to run, but if you put up with it for a semester, she’ll grow bored of you. Just don’t do anything to pique her interest.”

“Thank you. I’ll try,” I said.

The maid gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and bid us farewell.

“It might not be as easy as she says,” Ibuki said, once we were alone. “I heard the poor girl Yoshino latched onto last semester dropped out due to the stress.”

“That couldn’t be true,” I said. “With all the scrutiny the goshujin caste is under, it would have been a major scandal.”

“Maybe,” Ibuki allowed, “but the press gives more leeway to minors, unless they do something particularly inhumane.”

“But we’re adults now,” I pointed out.

“Maybe legally, but that’s not how society sees it. Lots of people are still clinging onto twenty as the age of adulthood, and there are some who argue that adolescence now lasts until twenty-four. As for the press, they largely ignore undergraduates. It probably feels petty, you know? Writing about college gossip as an adult. Everyone does things in college that they wouldn’t want broadcast to the whole world.”

“Not me,” I claimed. “I’m an adult now, and I plan on acting like it.”

“Does that include licking food off Yoshino’s hand?” Ibuki asked.

“Adults have to do unsavory things sometimes.”

“Suit yourself,” Ibuki smirked. “Personally, I’m going to hide behind my adolescence for as long as I can. I mean, you know how college girls are.” She leaned close to examine my face. “Or maybe… you don’t?”

“I decided to focus on my studies,” I said, turning away.

“When we’re surrounded by so many girls eager to ‘experiment?’” Ibuki asked. “We’ll never get a chance like this again.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve had enough of that kind of girl,” I sulked.

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Ibuki commiserated, “but that’s no reason to give up.”

“I’m not giving up,” I said. “I’m just taking a break until after college.”

“You’re going to lose your edge,” Ibuki warned. “I mean, look at you now. Long hair, long nails…”

“Haircuts cost money,” I said, “and I thought I could try being more… feminine.”

“I bet you’d look stunning as a femme,” Ibuki said. “Any interest in becoming a bottom?”

“I don’t like to think in those kinds of stereotypes,” I said. “I just want to be loved for who I am, not because I’m a substitute for a man.”

“OK, time out,” Ibuki said, making a T-sign with her hands. “I don’t know what your high school life was like, but there are plenty of out lesbians on campus. They won’t treat you that way.”

“I know. I just… I just don’t want to take any risks. People change in college. They change after they graduate. I want to wait until I’m in a more stable part of my life.”

“Someone must have hurt you real bad,” Ibuki said. “OK, I’ll back off. Shame though. I was hoping I could NTR Yoshino by stealing you away from her.”

“Huh?” I asked, confused. “But you were being so nice to her today…”

“Revenge is a dish best served cold,” she quoted. “I’m trying to get closer to her so it hurts all the more when I betray her.”

“Didn’t you just meet her today?”

“I’ve been planning this since I learned she’s a student here. You have no idea how much it took to bribe the admissions office into giving me just part of her class schedule this semester. Oh, but to your point, I don’t have anything against her personally. It’s the goshujin caste I despise.”

“I share that sentiment,” I said, “but isn’t it cruel to take it all out on a single person? Why her specifically?”

“She’s the only possible target,” Ibuki explained. “Even the goshujin can barely put up with her. If her father weren’t so important, she would have been ostracized long ago. Besides, she’s the only goshujin around our age that I know for sure I can seduce.”

“I don’t know about that,” I said with a nervous laugh. “She doesn’t seem to think much of us ‘commoners.’”

“No? But she was all over you earlier today.”

“That’s probably just because she doesn’t think much of physical contact outside her caste. You know, like her maids probably dress her in the morning.”

“Honey,” Ibuki laughed, “she’s gayer than a rainbow, and everyone knows it. She’s already caused three minor scandals in the goshujin world, and her father’s keeping a close eye on her to make sure she doesn’t cause a fourth. She’s got no choice but to come after commoners, and you’re just the latest.”

“So she’s keeping me like a… prostitute?” I gulped, suddenly more aware of the situation I had allowed myself to be put in.

“Fucked up, isn’t it?” Ibuki confirmed. “So how about joining forces with me to bring her down?”

“It doesn’t sit right with me that you’re targeting her just because she’s a lesbian, but I don’t like the position she’s put me in. What are you planning to do to her?”

“Get her involved in a scandal,” Ibuki answered. “A big one this time. It’ll be an embarrassment to the entire caste. They’ll have to disown her.”

“I’m not sure I can do something that cruel,” I admitted.

“Just think about it,” Ibuki urged me. “Maybe you’ll feel different after a few days with her. For now, let’s just get you settled in and then grab dinner. It won’t be as nice as dining in the goshujin dorm, but—”

She was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. I froze involuntarily. I’d been here for just over half an hour. Surely Yoshino wasn’t coming over to visit already.

“Yoshino-sama, welcome,” Ibuki called out, as much for my benefit as Yoshino’s. “What brings you here?”

“I brought a housewarming gift for the commoner,” Yoshino said, strolling into the apartment, brandishing a box of tea biscuits. “Commoner,” she said, turning to me, “I realize now that you are completely clueless when it comes to manners, so I will instruct you explicitly from now on. Make us some tea.”

“Please, allow me,” Ibuki insisted.

“No, let her do it,” Yoshino commanded. “I know you like to please, Ibuki-san, but it’s the least she can do after you so graciously allowed her to stay here.”

“Huh?” I blinked.

“Ibuki-san here had rented out the entire unit,” Yoshino explained. “The school made a special exception for her. Only the goshujin dorms have private rooms, but someone of her social stature can’t be expected to share an apartment with the riffraff.”

“It’s not like I didn’t want any dorm mates,” Ibuki clarified. “I just didn’t want to share an apartment with people who might feel awkward when I brought girls home. I don’t have to worry about that with you.”

“Of course,” I said, doing my best to force a smile. I walked over to the kitchen and started the water boiling. Meanwhile, Ibuki and Yoshino walked over to the dining table, and Yoshino placed her purse atop it before sitting down.

“These chairs are awfully uncomfortable,” Yoshino complained as I approached with the tea. “I’ll have some better chairs delivered tomorrow. For now,” she said standing up. “Commoner, sit.”

In retrospect, it should have been obvious to me what she intended, but clueless, I sat in the chair she had just vacated, and she sat down on top of me. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her abdomen so she wouldn’t fall. While she wasn’t heavy, I was conscious of her shapely thighs pressing down on me. They were warm and relaxing.

“Much better,” she announced, reaching out and grabbing a tea biscuit from the table. “Want one?” she asked, offering it to me. “Don’t worry, I won’t feed it to you. That was a one-time thing. I needed a good cover story so my peers wouldn’t question our relationship.”

“What exactly is our relationship?” I asked. “Do you intend to make me your prostitute?”

“No delicacy,” Yoshino shook her head, “and she’s full of herself. Commoner, do you really think I’d lust after an inferior? I’m not that desperate.”

Ibuki couldn’t suppress a laugh, causing Yoshino to fix a reproachful gaze upon her.

“Forgive me,” Ibuki recovered. “I merely found the notion that you’d stoop so low ridiculous, Yoshino-sama.”

“Indeed,” Yoshino hissed. She kept her attention on Ibuki for a few moments before turning her head to the side to look back at me. “I can’t bring servants to class, so I need someone next to me to carry out menial tasks. Rest assured, you’re not my servant, but you’re also not my friend—we’re not equals. You’re my… companion.”

“And outside of class?” I pressed. “Why visit me here?”

“Goshujin society is stifling,” Yoshino said, picking up a teacup and taking a sip. “This will be my sanctuary, where I can get away from it for a few hours a day.”

“Every day?” I gulped.

“Most days,” she said. “Which brings me to the other reason I’m here. We need to coordinate our schedules.”

“Oh, right,” I said, “we won’t always be in the same class.”

“No, we will,” Yoshino said, pulling a planner from her purse. “One of the reasons I chose you was because you picked a very sensible class schedule. It’s structuring time outside of class that I wanted to go over. Our meals will be separate, but I'll require your presence for other activities throughout the day. For starters, when do you exercise?”

“I’ve been hitting the gym for an hour each morning before class,” I answered.

“That’s a tad early,” Yoshino said, “but acceptable. “What about your salon schedule?”

“Ah, well, I haven’t been keeping a regular schedule.”

“I can see that,” Yoshino said. “I understand you couldn’t afford it, but I’ll be paying for all your necessities now.”

“Uh, how about we just adopt your salon schedule then?” I suggested.

“Great,” Yoshino replied, making notes in her planner. “If you have a part-time job, quit immediately. Aside from meals and sleep, you’ll have some scheduled free hours every week, but other than that, you’ll need to be on call from seven AM to eight PM. Weekends will be on a case-by-case basis. In general, you’ll be free on weekends, but I may need your services for school events. I’ll try to let you know by Thursday how my weekend is shaping up.”

When she had finished writing, she held the planner in front of my face for me to read.

“Could you hold it closer?” I asked.

Yoshino squirmed in my lap, attempting to turn herself towards me. I, in turn, had to change how I was holding her so she wouldn’t fall.

“Yoshino-sama,” Ibuki suggested, “perhaps you should get up so she can hold it herself? You can sit on my lap in the meantime.”

“I bet you’d like that,” Yoshino said, standing up and handing me the planner.

“I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise,” Ibuki smiled.

“Well, I suppose if it’s only once…” Yoshino said, plopping down hard on Ibuki.

The chair beneath them creaked loudly, and for a brief moment, I feared it would collapse.

“You certainly know how to hold a grudge, don’t you Yoshino-sama?” Ibuki said, snaking her left arm around Yoshino’s abdomen. “But I was being honest, you know? I’m on your side.”

“Hmph,” Yoshino pouted. “Unlike the commoner here, you’re acquainted with high society. I’m sure you know all the rumors about me.”

“And I can guess what they’re whispering about you right now,” Ibuki confirmed, cradling a lock of Yoshino’s hair in her right hand, “but you’re not doing those things, are you? Rumors are just rumors, and you… You smell wonderful,” she said, holding Yoshino’s hair up to her nose and inhaling deeply.

“I’m not as easily won over as that,” Yoshino said.

“Of course not,” Ibuki said, moving Yoshino’s hair to the side, lowering her face to the nape of Yoshino’s neck, and placing a soft kiss on it.

“You’re good at that,” Yoshino sighed as Ibuki’s hand slowly slid up towards Yoshino’s chest.

Yoshino closed her eyes and made no attempt to stop her.

“This schedule works for me,” I blurted out, causing Yoshino’s eyes to flutter back open.

Noticing that Ibuki’s hand was now hovering over her breast, Yoshino pinched the skin on the back of Ibuki’s hand, causing Ibuki to quickly pull away.

“Thank you, commoner,” Yoshino said, standing up. “I was right to pick you.” Turning to Ibuki, she added, “I’ve heard all the rumors about you too, Ibuki-san, and after that stunt, I’m inclined to believe them.”

“My apologies, Yoshino-sama,” Ibuki said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her right calf over her left thigh. “I was simply captivated by your beauty.”

“Naturally,” Yoshino laughed. “I’m not blind to my own charms. Even the commoner tried to cop a feel, but at least she was discreet about it.”

“I did not,” I shouted, jumping up from my seat.

“You absolutely did,” Yoshino said, “when I was trying to show you the planner, but I expect such behavior from uncouth commoners, so I was able to foil your attempt.”

“I was just trying to hold you so that you wouldn’t fall,” I protested.

“Yes, I imagine that is how you would try to justify it,” Yoshino said.

“You know, Alex,” Ibuki said, “If she’s going to find you guilty for it regardless, you might as well commit the crime.”

“She wouldn’t dare,” Yoshino smirked. “She’s not shameless, unlike you. See?”

Yoshino leaned close to me and shook her chest from side to side.

“Even I have my limits,” I said, my eyes locked onto her breasts. “I tried to warn you about that earlier today. If you tempt me too much…”

“Don’t get all serious on me,” Yoshino said. “We were joking. Oh, have a feel if you want. What do I care? You’re just a commoner. Doesn’t mean anything to me.”

“I won’t,” I said, forcing myself to look Yoshino in the eyes.

“Coward,” Yoshino and Ibuki said simultaneously, causing them to both break out in laughter.

“Oh commoner, your reactions are so amusing,” Yoshino finally managed to say. “I can tell this is going to be an entertaining semester. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”

“Good night, Yoshino-sama,” Ibuki said, standing from her seat and bowing to her.

She reached for Yoshino’s hand, but Yoshino pulled it away and held it out towards me.

“Good night, Yoshino,” I said, taking her hand and kissing it. Before releasing her, I extended my tongue for a small lick. She tasted just as delicious as she had at lunch.

“Very good,” Yoshino purred.

As I stood, I caught one last glimpse of her face before she turned away. The corners of her lips were pulled into that ever-so-slight smile.

After she left, I apologized to Ibuki. “Sorry. I probably got in your way, didn’t I?”

“Not at all,” Ibuki said. “You behaved exactly as I hoped you would.”