Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!

Wanda caught the way all of them leaned forward, eyes gleaming, hungry for the story. For a moment she just chuckled, shaking her head at the sight.

"Here I am, surrounded by some of the most powerful figures on the continent, yet all of you look like children waiting to hear gossip. Fine then, I'll tell you."

She folded her hands atop the table and began.

"When Nala first went back to the Lamia tribes, it was never with malice. She went there because she wanted to know her roots, to see if any family of hers still lived, to embrace her own identity. But the moment she arrived, the entire clan turned on her."

"They didn't even let her speak. The instant they saw her white tail, they declared her cursed. Stones were thrown at her, insults hurled, they screamed at her to leave before she could say a single word."

"Even the chief himself came out, furious, and banished her publicly from ever stepping foot in their clan again."

The table grew quieter at her words, the mood darkening. Aisha leaned in, her brow furrowed. "She...She really tried to explain herself? Told them she only wanted her family? And still they—"

Wanda nodded sharply. "Exactly so. She told them she came from this lake, that she wasn't a threat. But that only made them more suspicious. To them, the lake was cursed, a place they fled long ago. Hearing that, they treated her even worse."

For a moment the table was somber. But then Wanda's lips curved slyly, her eyes gleaming.

"Of course, my granddaughter isn't the sort to just bow her head and leave after being humiliated. No, no. She was furious. So what did she do? She decided to take revenge."

Skadi perked up immediately, slamming her jug down. "Revenge? What did she do? Tell me she burned their houses down!"

Wanda smirked. "No, nothing so brutish. First, she covered her white tail with dyes and creams, turning it crimson red so no one would recognize her. Then she snuck into the village in disguise. And from there...little whispers began to spread."

"Rumors. That the chief was taking bribes from nearby human nobles. That his wife was unfaithful, bedding a servant. That the clan's shaman had taken secret brides and was pocketing offerings."

Julie's eyes widened. "Rumors? You mean she—"

"They weren't just rumors." Wanda said with pride. "They were true. Once people began digging, they found proof. The whole village was thrown into chaos. Trust crumbled. Fights broke out in the streets. My sneaky little granddaughter exposed them all."

"That sounds exactly like something she'd do." Cassius couldn't help the grin tugging at his lips.

"But, how?" Aisha looked stunned. "She was alone. How did she even manage that?"

"Because she's always been cunning, mischievous, resourceful." Wanda's chest swelled with pride. "I used to scold her for it, but at that moment, I was proud. She turned their cruelty back on them."

"And then?" Julie pressed, her curiosity burning.

"Then came the festival." Wanda said, her tone shifting. "Every year the Lamia hold a great celebration in honor of their god, Jhutan. At its heart is a sacred dance competition, a belly dance performed by the young women of the tribe."

"They wear shimmering silks that leave their bellies bare, raise their arms high, and sway their bodies in a way that is...entrancing. With their serpentine forms, the movements become mesmerizing, like a living enchantment."

"The winner of this contest is awarded a crown, said to be the very same worn by the first victor centuries ago. It is considered sacred."

She leaned back, watching their faces.

"And that year, despite the turmoil, the festival went on. The crowd was eager to see the best dancer chosen, and they were not disappointed. The winner was said to be the most extraordinary in generations, her performance unmatched."

"Every man there had his eyes glued to her, convinced that this mysterious beauty was destined to become someone's bride. Winning the dance was one of the highest honors in the tribe, whoever won was practically worshipped."

She leaned forward, lowering her voice, her tone dripping with amusement.

"So imagine their shock when the winner stepped forward for her speech. All those young men were leaning in, waiting to hear her voice, dreaming of marrying her. But instead of words, she splashed water over her tail to reveal her white tail, peeled off the wig she wore, and revealed herself."

Julie gasped, her eyes widening. "Wait—?! You're telling that girl was actually—"

"She was." Wanda's grin turned proud. "The winner they were all worshipping was none other than my Nala—the very 'cursed' one they had stoned and banished."

You should've seen it. The entire village froze in disbelief. Some men even fainted, the fools. Centuries of tradition overturned in a single night. Their sacred dance, their holy competition, won by the girl they called an outcast."

Julie covered her mouth, torn between horror and delight. "That's...that's outrageous...but honestly kind of brilliant."

"Well, the tribe didn't think so." Wanda tapped her cane on the floor, her eyes glittering. "The moment she was revealed, the guards were already moving to apprehend her. The crowd was screaming, the elders furious."

"But my granddaughter is no fool, she had planned for this, as at the same time fires began sparking up across the festival grounds, that she set up somehow. In the panic, everyone scattered."

"And in that confusion, she slithered straight to the village chief, who had been the first to banish her. Before he could even bark an order—BAM!"

Wanda swung her cane through the air with surprising force.

"She punched him square in the face...To this day, they say he still bears the mark."

"That's amazing! She actually did that?!" Skadi slammed her hand on the table, eyes shining.

"Oh, she did more." Wanda continued proudly. "She also didn't just humiliate them by winning their sacred crown—she stole it. In all the chaos, she vanished from their sight and made her way back home with the crown itself."

She turned and pointed toward the wall behind the bar, where a silver crown hung.

"See for yourself. That's the very crown she took from them. Even now, they're still searching for the culprit, never realizing it's been sitting here in my little tavern all along."

The three stared at it, wide-eyed.

"Unbelievable…" Julie whispered.

Aisha shook her head in disbelief. Even Skadi, though grinning ear to ear, looked awed. Despite being women of law and order, none of them could bring themselves to condemn Nala. Instead, they felt only admiration.

"So, Young Master, what do you think now?" Wanda's gaze then slid to Cassius, sharp and probing. "Do you still find my granddaughter appealing, or are you put off by the fact that she's a thief as well as a troublemaker?"

Cassius didn't hesitate. His lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming.

"A thief, huh? Well, I knew that from the moment I met her."

That earned him a raised brow from Wanda. "Oh? And how's that?"

Cassius leaned back, utterly confident as he shamelessly said,

"Because the very first time I laid eyes on her...she stole my heart."

Julie flushed scarlet, nearly choking on her drink.

"Ugh, Cassius! Don't say such disgusting, cheesy things in front of everyone!" She shoved at his shoulder, flustered.

Aisha joined in, her ears flicking as her cheeks warmed. "Honestly, have you no shame?!"

Wanda, however, laughed heartily, her eyes glimmering with mischief. "Hah! And here I thought my granddaughter was shameless, but it seems I was wrong. You might just be the most shameless one of all. Perhaps...Perhaps the two of you truly are made for each other."

Cassius only grinned wider, raising his cup in silent toast. But just as he opened his mouth to fire back another shameless line when the tavern's atmosphere suddenly shifted.

A ripple of voices rose up from the far side of the room, old men and women, drunk and rosy-cheeked, clapping their hands and raising their mugs as if they'd been waiting for this very moment.

"Ohhh, Nala!" One of the old fishermen bellowed, grinning from ear to ear. "You've gone and worn that outfit again, the one everyone in the village loves so much! You look utterly beautiful in it, lass!"

Another leaned on his walking stick, eyes glinting despite his age. "Hah! Today really is a good day! I get to see my darling Nala dance again! Blessed be the lake, I couldn't be happier I came tonight!"

A wrinkled old woman, hair tied up in a kerchief, nodded eagerly.

"Can you believe it? Just a few years ago, she was the tiniest little snake, wriggling about underfoot. Now look at her! Grown up so fast and blooming into such a beauty. Oh, my heart could burst!"

Someone else piped up, voice wheezing through laughter.

"I heard a suitor's come for her! Eh, Nala? Is that why you're dressed so fine tonight? You're gonna dance for him, aren't you? Well then, give it your all, lass! Steal his heart clean away and make him yours!"

The trio turned at once toward the commotion, as did Cassius.

And then they saw her.

Nala slipped out from behind the tavern curtains, her movements hesitant, almost shy. But she was no longer in her usual travel-worn garb—but in a dancer's attire, a shimmering ensemble of deep sapphire silks and golden thread.

The cloth wrapped snugly around her chest, leaving her midriff bare, her scales glinting under the lantern light. Around her hips flowed a skirt of sheer, layered fabric that revealed the curve of her tail with every sway.

Delicate golden chains jingled softly with each motion, tiny bells at their ends catching the air. And over her face was a thin silk veil, translucent enough to reveal her flushed cheeks and trembling lips.

It gave her an aura of profound mystery, making her seem less like a tavern keeper's granddaughter and more like an enchanting spirit from an ancient tale.

Hearing the comments, Nala's shoulders hunched, and a deep blush crept up her neck.

"Be quiet, everyone, be quiet!" She exclaimed, her voice muffled and flustered behind the veil. "Grandma's the one who forced me into this! She's making me dance all of a sudden! I didn't even want to do it!"

She looked like a shy, embarrassed little girl being pushed onto a stage to perform for guests, her entire demeanor a stark contrast to the alluring outfit she wore.

Julie, who sat beside Cassius, couldn't help but lean forward, her own eyes wide with admiration.

"Grandma Wanda...is that...is that the dress she wore when she won the dance competition?"

Wanda's grin was pure, undiluted pride.

"The very same." She nodded her head slowly. "Since today is a special day, with the Holy Guard and the Young Master from the Holyfield Household gracing us with their presence, I somehow managed to convince my granddaughter to perform for you all."

She glanced around the table.

"I trust you would all like that?"

"Of course, of course!" Skadi roared, her enthusiasm uncontainable. "Just looking at her makes me want to dance too!"

"Most definitely." Aisha nodded, her expression one of deep fascination. "I'd love to see the culture of the Lamia race and the dance they perform. If she won the competition, she must be extremely skilled."

When Wanda's gaze fell on Cassius, however, she received no reply. He was simply staring, his mouth slightly agape, his eyes locked on Nala with an intensity that seemed to burn. He looked utterly dazed, as if the rest of the world had melted away.

Julie sighed dramatically and nudged him, before looking at Wanda.

"Don't worry about him, Grandma Wanda. He's probably just lost in a daze from seeing how pretty she is. He's quite the womanizer, you see."

"Sometimes a beautiful woman can just...short-circuit his brain. I'm sure he'd love to see her dance as well."

That was all the confirmation Wanda needed. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she looked back at her granddaughter and shouted.

"Nala, it seems Young Master Cassius is eager to see you dance! Make sure you put on a good performance for him!"

"Shut up, Grandma!" Nala shot back, her entire body radiating frustration. "I'm not dancing for him! I'm not dancing for him at all! I'm only doing this because the Holy Guard came, most definitely not for him!"

But even as she spoke, her eyes flickered towards Cassius. She saw the way he was staring at her, completely captivated, and a strange, unfamiliar impulse bloomed in her chest.

A sudden, fierce desire to show off. To show him just what she could do...