Annan had never met Kilian or Grand Lord Raymond, but judging by the way they operated, whoever called the shots had to be capricious, domineering, and unwilling to take no for an answer.
The fact that they had dared to put a bounty on Joan said it all.
But however overbearing they were, they would not dare threaten a visiting grand lord.
What worried Annan more was the possibility that someone on his own side had designs on him...
"Why are you spacing out? Thinking about me?" Black Widow's voice sounded beside him.
"Yeah..."
Annan answered without thinking. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late.
Black Widow rose from her own horse and landed behind Annan.
The warhorse showed no reaction to carrying a woman and a chi—man. Given Annan's size, he fit in Black Widow's lap without looking out of place.
The considerate Hunter led the riderless horse away, and the nearby knights gave them some space. Even so, Annan flushed. "Black Widow, please behave yourself. There are so many people here..."
"Doesn't that make it more exciting?"
Black Widow's hand slid down from Annan's waist like a snake. He caught it and put it back, saying sternly, "When we're away from home, we represent Free City. Don't make outsiders think it's some disreputable place."
"Isn't it?" Holding Annan close, Black Widow thought the fortune she had drawn that morning—"Your decision will bring good luck"—had been astonishingly accurate. "What respectable lord keeps Succubi?"
The knights, who had not gone far, could not help looking over.
"Ahem... Don't talk nonsense. Succubi are my Subjects too. I treat everyone equally."
"Then why don't you treat them equally?"
"How don't I?"
"You issued a decree forbidding women from selling their bodies, but you allow Succubi to do it.