My Mansion of Gorgeous Maids in Another World

Chapter 23: Dark Ink Steeds

After waking to find Mia nestled in his arms, Jett’s morning wood stood proudly. He decided not to fuss with it and waited for her to rouse. Mia’s sleeping face was so adorable that he often forgot she was centuries older than him—and royal elven nobility to boot. When she finally stirred, she dealt with his "issue," and the pair reunited with Noctlisa to start the day.

Once again, Jett ate breakfast alone at the long dining table while his maids stood at attention behind him.

I guess nothing’s perfect.

He wanted to eat with Mia and Noctlisa, but Mia was so deep into her head‑maid duties that she refused to let Noctlisa—who clearly wanted to honor his wish—sit beside him.

I’m not in the mood to argue yet.

"You said you were training, Noctlisa?" Jett asked around a cheekful of food.

"Aye, Master," she nodded. "Guess my bloody genes are weak. Trained since I could walk, yet I still can’t carve a damned six‑pack. Strength’s sky‑high, but I’m still soft—like the head maid."

"Well, Mia sure can’t stretch the way you do," Jett teased, earning a lifted brow before Mia’s eyes slid closed. "I don’t have visible muscles either, but that’s on me. I’ll join your morning sessions."

"I’m honored, Master, though you already train plenty." Noctlisa’s tone made it clear she meant their nightly exertions. "Still, I must stay in fighting shape."

Why is this suddenly awkward? Jett glanced over his shoulder. And stop smiling so brightly, Mia—you’re no help! There’s only one fix for this, but I’ll wait. A threesome might knock me out for days, and I need to learn more first. The Harbinger may already know about me.

"How much do you think the world has changed?" he asked after finishing his meal.

Mia stepped forward to clear the plates. "First, we must know how long we slept. Only then can we judge the world’s changes."

Noctlisa added, "Since Master has been chosen, the Harbinger must be prowling about, no?"

"Indeed," Mia said, gliding off to the kitchen.

Jett turned to Noctlisa. "Basics first. Let me see my new pets. I heard a stable appeared for them. You’re tending them, too?"

"Yes, Master," she confirmed. "Dark Ink Steeds need little. I keep them clean and well‑fed so none tarnish your grandeur."

"Perfect. Let’s go."

When Mia returned, Jett told her his plan. She’d already inspected the steeds and assured him all was well, so he gave her the morning.

"I shall tend the gardens, Master Jett," Mia said, respecting his wishes.

"Sweet. Don’t forget our ballroom lesson."

"I will be prompt, Master Jett." She bowed, then faced Noctlisa. "Look after Master in my absence. If anything happens, call my name with honorifics—I’ll hear it anywhere within the mansion’s borders."

Jett’s eyes widened. "Another head‑maid perk?"

"Yes!" Mia chirped.

"Oh, damn." He chuckled.

After Mia departed, Noctlisa took Jett’s offered right arm—a treat usually reserved for the head maid. She shivered when he squeezed her backside, then gasped softly as he slapped her cheeks.

"Ah...!" Her tongue peeked out.

"I enjoy it as much as you do," he murmured. "Tonight I’ll eat the Shadow Evolution Gem and need your assistance. Eating the World Tree’s seed with Mia was memorable. This time, I’m thinking the mansion roof under cloudy skies and the moon."

"That’s bloody grand—and dead‑sexy—Master," Noctlisa breathed.

"Good."

They headed for the new stable, an extension on the mansion’s grounds. Jett eyed the dark‑wood building.

"If this place can turn into a carriage, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised."

"What happens to the steeds and gardens when the mansion transforms?" Noctlisa asked.

"How should I know?" He shrugged. "I doubt we’d abandon them or let anything bad happen."

With those doubts shelved, he followed the marble path to the stable. Inside, it looked no different from a modern one—yet the horses were missing.

"Behind the stable," Noctlisa guessed.

She was right. Four massive steeds lounged in the shade of a huge tree. Muscles rippled beneath dark coats; their manes flowed like living shadows, and their eyes gleamed like polished obsidian. Bathed in the foreign shadow, they radiated contentment.

"They’re happy to be out of the Midnight Reins," Noctlisa explained. "This breed loves foreign shade and only enters shadows during battle. They’re royal and self‑aware, Master, so I spoke with them. They know who rules."

As Jett approached, all four lifted their front legs, pawed the air, then slammed their hooves down. They watched him with boundless anticipation.

Showing off, huh? I’ve got nothing but raw strength. Black lightning would impress them.

"Do you like this tree’s shade?" he asked.

The steeds whinnied.

"I’ll keep it here, then. But soon we’ll roam the world, and I want you pulling my carriage. Every shadow in our wake will be yours to bask in."

They whinnied louder.

Jett smiled at Noctlisa. "Got a comb? How do you groom them?"

"A‑aye, Master. You wish to comb them yourself?"

"They’re mine. I have time, and if I can’t spare even a little of it, I don’t deserve their help."

In that moment, the dullahan and all four steeds regarded Jett with newfound respect.

When he actually sat down beside them and began brushing, the Dark Ink Steeds swished their tails in a way that mirrored Noctlisa’s. He couldn’t help but glance at her seated next to him on a short wooden bench, her tail flicking in time with the living horses.

He chuckled. "You know dullahans are just folklore where I’m from, right?"

"Oh? That so, Master?" Noctlisa tilted her ears.

"Hm. In our myths they sure don’t have horse ears and tails. They do go headless, though." He grinned. "Haven’t seen you pull that trick yet, Noctlisa."

At his words, Noctlisa set the comb on her thigh, gripped her head, and casually lifted it free, offering it to him. Her white lashes didn’t even flutter as Jett accepted the detached head and gazed into her eyes.

Meanwhile her body continued brushing the stallion. The stump of her neck was a clean cut filled with swirling darkness. He raised her head above his own, noting the same abyss along the base—ready to rejoin.

"Kinda surreal," Jett admitted. "Probably ’cause you did it so casually."

"Just another bloody day for me, Master," Noctlisa replied, her voice as flat as ever.

"Yeah... I know. I can tell."