I Will Teach You the Art of Shibaku

Huvel lead Laurent Armon to his bed chamber. Although it was more appropriate to receive guests in the living room downstairs, Huvel did not want the servants to hear their conversation so he brought the guest to his room. The guest stood at the door to his room and observed the interior. He seemed to be reluctant to enter the room.

Huvel pretended to not notice that and waved his hand to a chair opposite to the one he just sat on. Laurent sat at the chair he waved at and scanned the room again while holding his arms. Huvel's room was originally a room preserved for high-ranking noble guests so it looked extravagant even to Laurent who had visited several mansions of nobles.

"Laurent Armon, was it? For what reason did you want to meet me?"

"Yes, Sir Huvel, just call me Laurent. I heard some rumours yesterday. Forgive me for my bluntness. I heard sir offered 45 silver coins to a male courtesan for a week. I don't know if… if sir want to hire me?"

"Ah, he's desperate, and quite brave!" Huvel thought. "He isn't even confident that I would take a liking to him and yet he still came to me by himself to inquire."

"My servants did go out to hire some courtesans but he was refused harshly. Why do you want to receive my offer? And why do you think I might hire you?" Huvel said flatly like an interviewer for a job of a big company.

"Of course, I looked very different from the people Sir Huvel offered. But I'm not lacking in my skills in art and… and... Anyway, with the war going on for a long time, it is hard for someone who doesn't have any land like me." Laurent blurted out.

"The war is taking too long indeed. It seems your old patrons do not hire you anymore." Huvel bluntly stated the truth which hurt Laurent.

"As sir said." Laurent could only smile bitterly.

"I offered 45 silver coins to some people but you are too late. My servant got beaten by some people that day and I had to spend a large sum of money for his medical treatments. Now I only have 5 silver coins on me. But if you are willing to stay for another week, I'll get my allowance by the end of the week and can pay you 50 silver coins for your two weeks of time."

"How can a treatment for some bruises and cuts cost 40 silver coins?!" Laurent wanted to shout out loud but he succeeded in saying things only in his mind. "If I spend carefully, I can live two whole months with that much money! Is your servant made of gold and diamonds?!!

He lowered the price to half but I can't bargain with him since he did not even offer to hire me from the beginning. I showed my weakness too early and now he is bullying me. And I still don't know what this young sir will do after hiring me." Laurent thought for a while.

He felt as if he was cheated and his pride was hurt. He decided not to give in to young sir and to refuse the offer.

"Thank you, Sir, for your offer. But I…"

"Since this is our first-time meeting, I can't give you much. But I can promise that I'll give you some benefits in the future and if I'm pleased, I might even hire you again in the future. What do you think of my offer, Laurent?"

Laurent was swayed. It was indeed better for him to get some money a few more times than having a large sum for a single time. But that was only if he was pleased. Laurent had no idea how to 'please' him.

"What are these benefits that sir talked about?" He inquired.

"You will know in the future. Adventurers get more valuable treasures in the unexplored regions, don't they?" Huvel said with a mysterious smile.

Laurent did not understand the meaning of those words well and went silent. After a while, he finally decided to submit to his fate, unaware of the dangers ahead!

"Then, I will take Sir's offer. I am just saying this, but my body could not be harmed during my stay here. Sir must be well aware of that, I believe."

"Good! I'm pleased to have you here, Laurent. And don't worry about your body, fufu. You may stay in the room next door. You can move in whenever you are ready. Well, you don't need to bring anything, actually."

"I… I will go bring my clothes and some other things from my house first."

"This house is warm. You will not get ill even if you stay naked all day. Other things… well, just some vitality potions are all you need."

"Vi… Vitality potions?! I'm a healthy, young man. I don't need vitality potion."

"Fufu. I wonder about that."

Laurent left the house with unease. He regretted a little after hearing the perverted talk of the young sir and seeing his grin. He could not shake off the feeling that he had been tricked.

-----

Huvel sipped the tea from the lovely cup. It was just another afternoon tea time but this time, he was accompanied by the handsome Laurent Armon.

"I heard you, courtesans, are proficient in arts. In which art are you good at?" Huvel broke the silence and asked Laurent as he put down his cup.

"I'm best at painting. But if sir wants to hear a song, I can play my harp. In which art are you interested in, Sir Huvel?" Laurent replied with a smile. He was glad that their conversation up till then was pretty normal, without any perverted words like the day before.

"Hmm, I'm interested in shibaku art for now."

"Shibu… What is that? I've never heard of it. Is that a new form of art?"

"Oh, so you don't know about it yet, huh?" Huvel replied; his eyebrows went up a little. There was no way a Japanese word from his previous life would be known in this world! But he feinted ignorance.

"Actually, it is hard to explain. I can teach you slowly if you want to learn though." He continued.

"Eh? You will teach me this new art? I want to learn it if it is convenient for you to do so! Is this the benefits you were talking before?" Laurent's eyes were sparkling with excitement.

"Of course, it is my pleasure to teach you. But you will have to be the model." Huvel's eyes also sparkled.

"So, is it like modelling for painting or sculpting? Commend me as you need Sir."

"Very well. Then, please undress and stand near that window."