The Scum Emperor's Redemption System

Chapter 21 A Lady With A Lady (Part 2)

BEEP!

— [MAJOR TASK ALERT!]

— [Task Description: Develop Relationship With Faeralys By Learning How to Dance With Her Under Madam Phirya's Imperial Decorum Subject]

— [Rewards: ?]

Argider stood before her latest challenge: a dance lesson with Faeralys. It wasn't the task she'd expected, and normally, she'd have balked. But something had shifted.

The thought of touching Faeralys's waist, of twirling her around and catching those fleeting, flustered expressions on her face? Oh, yes, she thought with a small grin. It was a form of torture, certainly—but an oddly pleasurable one.

For once, Argider was grateful she was currently in a woman's body. If she were still a man, there might be something poking out between her legs.

"You lecherous simpleton," Alvator's spat. "I can practically feel your depravity from here."

'Oops,' she thought back, cheeks flaming as she forced her mind to focus on the lesson at hand.

Finally, Argider walked up to Madam Phirya, who looked more exhausted than a woman should after a mere etiquette lesson.

She almost felt a pang of pity—almost. She still remembered those "corrections" Phirya had dealt her, each "tap" that felt like an unholy mixture of sledgehammer and lightning bolt.

Still, she cleared her throat politely to get Phirya's attention.

"Madam Phirya, I wanted to apologize for my recent... shortcomings," she began, offering her most sincere smile. "But I do intend to improve. I'd like to complete your lessons, really immerse myself in them, and to show my earnestness... I'll be learning with Faeralys."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"What? Me?" Faeralys sputtered, wide-eyed and pointing to herself as if Argider had just nominated her for a public execution.

Faeralys tried to respond, but the words got tangled somewhere around her throat, resulting in a squeaky, "Uh, yeah, I suppose..." that only encouraged Cole's amusement.

"Oh, this is going to be delightful," he chuckled, clapping his hands together. "Now, first things first—who will take the lead as the lady, and who shall be the gentleman? I do insist you each have a turn in being a lady."

"I'll take the gentleman's role, as I'm the taller one... and the former husband..." Argider volunteered, attempting to sound confident.

She barely looked at Faeralys, but she could feel the heat of her glare. No doubt Faeralys was fuming—and Argider, predictably, found this amusing.

"Excellent!" Cole said, his face a picture of delight. "Let's begin!"

Sir Cole took their arms and began adjusting their stances with surgical precision. Argider's hand settled at Faeralys's waist, and she tensed up, barely stifling a yelp as Cole nudged them closer—too close for comfort. In fact, they were close enough that Argider could feel Faeralys's breath catch in her throat.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Cole murmured with patience, "I must insist you stand a tad nearer."

"No problem, Sir Cole," Argider replied smoothly, sliding Faeralys a bit closer—so close that their noses nearly brushed. Faeralys's cheeks flushed, her gaze flicking downward as if looking at Argider might set her on fire.

"Look at me," Argider said in a voice low enough that only Faeralys could hear.

Faeralys flinched, barely daring to meet her gaze. Something about the way Argider held her hand felt... passionate. And maybe a little too intense.

Argider felt herself teetering on the edge of impulse. What if she just kissed her? She could feel the urge bubbling up—and it took everything in her to remind herself, Celibacy! Celibacy!

But the distraction left her open to Faeralys's revenge: a solid stomp on her foot.

"Oops, my bad," Faeralys said with a too-sweet smile. "You did say you were willing to make sacrifices for this dance, didn't you? So... don't mind a few bruised toes."

Argider winced, realizing Faeralys had absolutely done it on purpose. She glared at her, but Faeralys just smirked back, defiant. Just because Argider was now a woman didn't mean Faeralys was going to let her have her way that easily.

This was a battle she wasn't going to lose. She wasn't going to fall in love with this degenerate.