{Alex}

  That night I was too tired and sore to do anything. “Master, I have a weird request.” Lily asked as we walked through the door. Gen was sleeping in her arms, and I was more than a little envious of the boy.

  “Go ahead.” I said as I rubbed my wrist. Everything still hurt, but at least I didn’t pass out this time.

  “Can we all sleep in the same bed? Tonight was a little scarry.” She said holding Gen a little tighter. Uta was nodding and I could see a shadow of fear in her eyes.

  “I don’t see why we can’t. I’m a little sore to do anything tonight.” I said rubbing my chest. After locking up, I went to bed. Lily was changing Gen and Uta was already in her brown nightgown. On entering, Uta ran to me and tackled me, planting her face in my chest. I held her close. Maybe I had scared everyone, including myself. I needed to be more careful in the future. “Uta. I’m still here.” I said petting the top of her head. Her grip tightened as she started crying.

  “Don’t leave me.” She cried. I gave a light laugh that was slightly cut off when a second impact hit me from the side. Lily was now holding me too. I held them both close and felt loved. Gen was still sleeping on the bed. I kissed the top of each woman’s head and felt the day fully set in. Far too much had happened, and I was tired as all hell.

  “Come on, Let’s get to bed.” I said as I tried to pull free. They pulled away and I felt how truly heavy my eyes were as I changed. Normally I would love watching Lily get changed, but today was just too much. Uta picked up Gen and Lily pushed me to the far-right side of the bed before laying down next to me. Uta put Gen in her arms.

  “Darlin, on your side.” She said, pushing me to wrap around Lily. She took the other side of Lily, both women wrapped around Gen, and I was able to hold my family. “Darlin, please don’t do that again, and we need a bigger bed.” Uta said with a strained smile.

  “And a softer one. I think you can afford it, My Love.” Lily added as she yawned. The house was dark and quiet aside from Gen’s soft snoring. I shook slightly, but I didn’t feel cold. Uta started stroking my arm and Lily stroked my hip. The shaking slowed and I closed my eyes. I was just so tired and so done with today. With their help, I slipped away to a deep sleep, holding my family.

  This new core is fucking amazing. I was able to get both Knights done in just a few days. It solved the automatic drawing issue. The only weird part was it felt like I had two mana pools.

  Woodcutter took one and I customized it to his needs. I even made twin axes that had wands near the head. We made a sled for the extra Knight and a carriage for us. It was a far cry from the RV I had panned, but that would come with time. Something I had planned would take a pack of Dire Knights to pull or a larger Knight. I was even able to put in a climate control system into all the Knights and the carriage I was working on. It would be a simple matter with just two benches and a large storage area for everything we would need. Boss seemed to be getting antsy about everything. “So, Runt, you are going to have Lobo pull that sled?” He asked as he looked everything over.

  “I said I wanted to keep Lobo.” I replied with a smile. “We can make money on the new Knight and use it to build our empire.” He gave me a weird look but nodded.

  “I want Meathead to go with us with Ven as a backup. He isn’t as good but can do in a pinch.” I nodded not knowing or caring who that was. “That leaves us two looking over the town and two going with us.”

  “That should work. If he is pulling us and has to fight, I might need to make something that allows us to detach it easily.” I started muttering under my breath as I walked away, clawing at my notebook. If I make an arm for the harness allowing someone else to lock the Knight in place. Mana accumulators on the roof to allow the Knight to move quicker for longer. The hunters could ride on the sled during the day. Might want to expand the full RV design to be two stories. I moved to my office and started making models out of metal. Lily was at my side, but I didn’t even notice her, my mind was solely focused on the task. At some point she left, and I failed to notice.

  {Lily Cottontail}

  She walked into Boss’s office one her love was distracted. He was painting one of those silly Dolls and nodded at her without looking. “Have you considered how we are going to keep him safe?” She asked, taking the seat across from him. With a sigh, he put down the paints and looked up at her. “If we go there with all these crazy things people will be after him.” She said holding herself. Even though it was almost spring, and she was bundled up, she felt a slight chill. She had almost lost him a few days ago and didn’t want to ever lose him.

  “What do you have planned?” He asked, looking over at her.

  “How about a disguise?” She asked, thinking of how handsome he would look as a lord. “Maybe a lord?” She asked with a shy blush. Boss tilted his head looking over at us. It was clear to him why she wanted to see Master as a lord.

  “That won’t work.” He growled. “He is still,” He waved his hand, “Him.” He closed his eyes and pitched the bridge of his nose. “What if we force him to act like a lord?” Lily’s heart skipped a beat. Would he turn evil like her last master, somehow, she doubted he would ever hurt her. She knew he loved her as much as he loved Uta, and she loved them both. “How would we do it though?” Boss asked, bringing Lily back to the moment.

  “How about a magic contract outfit?” Lily asked, thinking of her master in a tight vest and well-trimmed slacks. It didn’t seem to fit him.

  “The issue with that is being able to take it off and put it on quickly. If you and he are...” He trailed off and started blushing. Lily wondered if she could help the poor man find a wife. “You know, and someone wants to talk to Runt.” He went back to painting, but Lily knew he was just distracting himself. “Also, his face is an issue.” Boss said as he lay a line green paint along the arm of the Doll.

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  “What’s wrong with his face?” Lily asked in outrage. She liked his face. It was cold, but she had come to love it.

  “No one else has a face like his. If they know what he looks like, they might be able to track him down.” Boss said as he bit his lip, focusing on a small part of the arm. “I love how much detail he was able to put into this one.” He said absentmindedly.

  “How about a mask?” Lily said pulling at one of her ears. The thought of him in a mask and acting like a lord was making her stomach twinge in a fun way. It was almost too much for her and her heart started beating a little faster. Boss stopped painting and looked over at her.

  “What type of mask? It needs to match his demeanor and appearance. A bunny mask wouldn’t work.” Boss said with a wave of his hand.

  “A wolf.” Lily said a blush creeping up her face.

  “He is one.” Boss added with a laugh. “I’ll make it happen. You take a moment to calm down.” She looked at him blankly after he said that. “If you walk out of my office blushing like that, Runt will kill me.” He said going back to painting. Lily gave him an evil smile and laughed in her seat. When had she become so bold? What happened to the scared bunny who would cry at the slightest altercation? What would her mother think of her now? Her mind drifted to Clover and the blush quickly faded. She missed everyone and hoped they were all safe. If only she could bring them all here. She knew Master would take care of them the way he took care of Gen.

  {Alex}

  It was early spring, and we were ready to go to the convention. Boss had demanded Lily come with us to keep me in line. I didn’t argue as having her along would be nice. Uta demanded she be allowed to join us until I pointed out that she should stay home and take care of Orthonai and Gen. The poor orc woman had put on some weight, and I was getting worried about her.

  Today was finally the day. We packed everything up and loaded the Knight on its sled. I had just altered it enough to get us some extra coins. Meathead was jumping around like a small child, and I hoped his energy would last the trip. It would take us a month to get there, and we would only be there for a week. All and all it should be a nice relaxing trip. God, I hoped I hadn’t sent up a red flag on that thought. A group of hunters would be going with us, but they rode on the sled making us slightly faster than the trip I took to Happy Valley. I was allowed to pack a supply of metal and mana wire, but most of it had to be stored overhead in a compartment I was able to make. The sky was clear as I kissed Uta goodbye, gave Gen a hug and went to go get settled in my seat.

  “Gen, take care of everything while I’m gone.” I said looking back at the boy who gave me a brave nod. He was a good kid.

  “Take care of him.” Uta said as she hugged Lily. My Honey Bunny bounced up to my side with a small bag of clothes. Gorloth was coming with us and kissed Orthonai goodbye, his hand lingering on her stomach. Was she putting on more weight? Best not to point that out. Some women can be very touchy about that.

  Once everyone had said their goodbyes we started off. The weather was nice and pleasant, and I looked around for all of five minutes before pulling Lily’s head to my lap and petting her hair as she read a book. Despite making Boss uncomfortable, he didn’t say anything. I knew he didn’t care about Lily and I so why was he uncomfortable? Snow clung to the shadows and the night would be cold, but I would have Lily to keep me warm. At long last the first step of my plan to make this world mine was finally starting.

  At midday Boss coughed getting our attention. “What are you going to do?” He asked. Lily looked away trying not to get involved, or so I thought.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked.

  “How are you going to talk about that Dire Knight?” I froze and just looked at him blankly.

  “What?” You expect me to talk to more people. Fuck that.

  “You have to tell people about it. How it works, how the weapons work, how the cockpit gets hot and cold. I don’t know enough. Only you know how it works. How do you plan to do that?” He asked with a smile. Fucking hell, I didn’t think any of this through. He started laughing and Lily joined in. “Figured you didn’t think about that. Luckily me and this little one did.” He pulled a mask out of his pack and handed it to me as Lily hid behind her ears. It looked like the upper jaw and head of a wolf. The fur was soft and a deep black. Inside was padded and wouldn't be uncomfortable to wear. How the hell was this going to let me talk to people. I’m not fucking Batman. “This may help, but I know how to make it work for all of us.” Lily was watching me closely. “Contract Magic. Any time you are wearing that mask, your voice and all outward expressions will be that of a noble. In exchange I will keep your real identity a secret. Do you agree?” This could work. Maybe I am Batman.

  “I agree.” I didn’t feel the feeling settle on my shoulders. “I still feel normal.” Boss was leaning forward, and Lily’s eyes were locked on me.

  “Put the mask on.” He said with a strange grin. With a shrug, I put it on and felt my body sit up, my right leg crossed the left. It felt weird.

  “Fascinating.” I had meant to say interesting but said fascinating. My voice was deeper and with a natural growl to it. It seemed to fit the mask and I couldn’t fail to notice that Lily was biting her lip as she looked out from behind her ears. “This is a bit strange.”

  “I wasn’t sure that would work.” Boss said, looking at me in wonder. “Lily, you teach him everything he needs to know about being a noble. Now we need a name.” Lily poked my arm, and I gave her a heartfelt smile.

  “You seem to have an idea of what to call me, my lovely Lily.” I said as I held my own chin. She backed off as though looking at a new person. Her eyes were wide, and she was looking at me like I was a wolf.

  “Savage.” She said meekly. Boss leaned back and laughed hard. I was grateful I had thought to put windows in as his laugh could carry.

  “I love it. Pleased to meet you, Lord Savage.” I smiled calmly at him “Gods, even that smile is different.” He said sitting back.

  “The pleasure is mine, master Yavlten Gon Hervot.” He blinked at me, and I was surprised as well. I wasn’t sure when I had learned his name.

  “Call me Boss, it isn’t right that you start calling me by my name now.” He replied crossing his huge arms.

  “As you wish, Boss.” Even that came out differently. I wasn’t sure I liked it, but it would be easier than fighting off a slave collar. I looked over at Lily and smiled. “My Lady, you seem troubled.” I said, opening my arms to her.

  “Not sure I like this. Nobles tend to be cruel to people like me.” I reached out and she pulled back. With a frown, I cupped her cheek and pulled her close to kiss her forehead softly.

  “Lily, I could never look at you unfavorably.” Fucking hell, this version of me is brash as all hell. This could work. She just blinked and blushed before covering her eyes with her ears again. I wanted to call her Honey Bunny, but this new side of myself wouldn’t let me. I still felt like me, but a filtered and focused version.

  It took two days before Lily would come close to me when I was wearing the mask. I would fight her on learning this garbage when I wasn’t wearing it, so it was needed. Once she realized I was the same person, she treated me normally and I was able to relax a little. Nights were cold, but Lily and I shared a sleeping bag, and she helped keep me warm.