The carriage rumbled through the city. Stone. Hooves. Voices. Warm air drifting through the window.
Inside, Aurelian lounged with one leg crossed. Elegant. Relaxed. Arrogant.
Sunlight glinted off his earrings as the carriage swayed.
Fuji sat across from him—straight-backed, composed, the fabric of his ceremonial outfit shifting with every bump.
"I wonder why Ronóva canceled the marriage," Fuji said.
His tone stayed calm, but tension threaded through it.
Aurelian turned his head. Slowly. Predator-like.
"It doesn't matter," he murmured.
"If I can't marry her… I'll turn her into my toy."
Fuji froze. A small breath slipped from him—sharp, unsettled.
"Toy…? What do you mean?"
His voice trembled despite the discipline in his posture.
Aurelian's smile deepened.
Dark. Lazy. Cruel.
"Ah. If you need it spelled out…"
He leaned back, eyes gleaming.
"I'll make her my sex slave."
Fuji's throat tightened. His jaw set. A flicker of disgust flashed through his amber eyes.
"H-how? She's a princess…" he whispered.
Aurelian tapped a finger on the seat. Calm. Unhurried.
"You'll see. If she won't be my bride, I'll just choose someone else."
Fuji lowered his gaze.
(Truly vile…)
The thought pressed heavily against his ribs.
Aurelian looked out the window. His lips curled upward.
Wait for me, Ronóva.
I'll enjoy every inch of you.
---
A few minutes later
Footsteps echoed through a grand hallway.
Lantern-light shimmered over gold-trimmed columns.
Cool wind drifted through tall, arched windows.
Aurelian slowed. His gaze sharpened. Then he stopped.
Fuji halted behind him, confusion tightening his brow.
"…Is something wrong?" he asked softly.
Aurelian didn't answer.
His eyes narrowed with quiet interest.
"Tell me," he murmured.
"Who is that?"
Fuji stepped beside him and followed his gaze.
Outside—on the training grounds—Tsukasa moved with clean, silent precision.
Sweat glimmered down her neck.
Her white shirt clung to her form, the fabric slightly transparent in the sunlight.
Her legs—long, pale, toned—shifted with each controlled swing.
Fuji exhaled lightly.
"That is Tsukasa. Skilled in swordsmanship… and in hand-to-hand combat. Her father is Tsukikage."
Aurelian watched her like a starving wolf. His tongue brushed across his lower lip. Slow. Savoring.
"A waste of womanhood," he whispered.
"I'll have to teach her how to pleasure a man."
Fuji's jaw tightened, faint disgust flickering again.
"I assume you intend to force the marriage," Fuji said quietly.
Aurelian chuckled. Soft. Cruel.
"Is that really worth asking?"
His eyes followed the curve of her swing. Claiming her in his mind before ever touching her.
"I'll use her until she breaks," he said.
"And when she's useless to me… I'll sell her into slavery."
Fuji said nothing. The silence turned cold.
Aurelian tilted his chin.
"Go propose the marriage to her parents.
And if they refuse…"
His smile sharpened.
"You know what to do."
Fuji bowed his head.
"Of course."
He walked away. Shadows clinging to his steps.
(…He's beyond saving.)
Aurelian remained at the window. Finger tapping softly against the glass.
Counting the seconds before he took what he wanted.
Tsukasa stopped mid-swing.
Her blade stilled.
A breeze slid across her damp skin, cooling the sweat on her collarbone.
She glanced toward the massive mansion.
The window where Aurelian had just been standing was now empty.
…I swear someone was staring at me.
The thought brushed her mind like a cold fingertip.
"There you are!"
A voice snapped her out of it.
Tsukasa turned.
Tsubaki stood behind her, breath a little uneven from rushing over.
"Oh… it's you, Tsubaki," she said with a soft smile.
"How else could—"
His words stalled.
His eyes froze on her chest. The white T-shirt clung to her skin, sweat turning it thin enough to reveal the outline of her C-cup breasts.
Tsukasa crossed her arms over her chest with a teasing sigh.
"It's rude to stare at someone's breasts… especially your sister's."
Tsubaki's cheeks flushed red instantly.
"H-Hey! It's not my fault!" he blurted.
"Your shirt is soaked. It's… visible!"
Tsukasa lowered her gaze to her damp clothes.
Sweat glimmered on her skin. The shirt was sticking.
"I see. I should probably change," she muttered.
"How can you act so calm…?" Tsubaki whispered under his breath.
"It's just you here, so it's fine," Tsukasa said, walking past him with casual steps.
Tsubaki blinked.
A heartbeat skipped in his chest.
Tsukasa paused and turned back, her eyes soft.
"You coming, brother?" she asked with a quiet smile.
Tsubaki froze—speechless.
Her smile felt warm enough to melt steel.
(I love my sister… I'll do anything to protect that smile.)
"I'm coming," he said, finally moving.
---
Later that night
The room felt cold.
Candlelight flickered softly across the office walls.
Tsukasa stood before the desk.
Her hands trembled against her thighs.
Her father, Tsukikage, sat in the chair behind it.
His light blond hair fell in deliberate, elegant strands.
His pale blue eyes lifted slowly to meet hers—calm, heavy, and sharp as a blade.
"Why… did you call for me, Father?" Tsukasa asked, voice nervous.
Tsukikage inhaled once.
The sound was slow.
Controlled.
"Tsukasa," he began—each word thick with weight.
"Your mother and I have reached a decision."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"You will marry Aurelian Ventrel of the Valecyne Empire."
Tsukasa's heart lurched.
Her eyes widened, pupils trembling.
"N… no…"
Her voice broke, shaking.
Her breath hitched as horror crawled up her spine.
Under the desk, Tsukikage clenched his fists so tight his knuckles split.
Blood trickled down his palm.
"…We cannot refuse," he said.
His tone remained formal, but pain cracked beneath it.
"If we decline, our family… will collapse."
Tears welled.
Tsukasa bit her quivering lip, shoulders shaking.
A single tear fell, landing softly on the wooden floor.
Tsukikage exhaled slowly—regal, restrained, unbearably heavy.
"Go to the dressing room," he said.
"Your mother will explain the next steps."
His voice carried authority… and helpless grief.
Tsukasa bowed her head.
Her breath trembled.
Her tears kept falling.
And she obeyed.
Tsukasa left the office.
The door closed softly behind her, a quiet click echoing in the empty hall.
Tsukikage rose from his chair.
He moved to the window, hands resting lightly on the sill, gazing over the city that shimmered like a thousand jewels in the night.
The reflection in the glass betrayed him.
Anger burned behind his calm, pale eyes.
Elsewhere, Tsukasa stood before a long mirror.
The full length of her body reflected back at her.
She wore a sheer black babydoll, lace trimming the edges, a small red ribbon resting delicately under her bust.
A simple black choker circled her neck.
"You know what to do," said a soft, commanding voice.
Shiko. Her hair was glossy, black, cut into a messy bob, stray strands curling with a wild edge.
A single lock arched above the rest, mischievous.
Long bangs partially veiled one eye, the visible iris a sharp, vivid red, angled upward with a dangerous, seductive gleam.
Tsukasa forced a small smile, voice soft.
"Yes… mother."
"You are strong, Tsukasa… just like your father," Shiko said, her tone gentle yet firm.
Tsukasa's gaze fell to the floor.
She felt the weight of her mother's arms wrapping around her, constraining, protective, almost suffocating.
"Your father and I love you, Tsukasa. Never think we've abandoned you… okay?" Shiko's voice trembled slightly.
Tsukasa's head rested against her mother's shoulder.
Her eyes narrowed as tears pressed against the lids.
"Y… yeah… I know," she whispered.
Shiko gently pushed her away, breaking the embrace.
Turning to face her fully, she used her hands to wipe away the stray tears clinging to her cheeks.
"You should get going… sweetie," she said.
The door closed behind Tsukasa with a soft click.
Shiko remained alone, quiet sobs shaking her body.
---
Somewhere else.
Aurelian sat at the edge of a grand bed.
His gaze rested on the massive doors before him.
They opened silently, and a faint, knowing smile curved his lips.
Tsukasa entered.
The doors closed automatically behind her, sealing the room in tense silence.
She stopped a few feet from the door.
Arms folded across her chest, posture stiff, careful.
Aurelian rose.
He walked toward her slowly, each step deliberate, eyes glinting.
"Oh my…" His voice was smooth, sharp, deliberate.
"You look as beautiful as ever, I see."
He halted before her, hands rising to her cheeks.
His touch was firm, possessive.
"I thought you might run away," he said, voice low.
"Nonetheless… I am Aurelian Valecyne. From this moment, I shall be your husband."
Tsukasa's eyes narrowed slightly.
She parted her lips, perhaps to protest, perhaps to plead—but he claimed them first.
His lips pressed against hers, crushing, insistent.
Tongues tangled, a sharp, intimate dominance taking root.
"You're mine—do not even think of resisting," he whispered, voice commanding yet intimate.
Her fingers curled uselessly at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
The kiss broke abruptly.
Aurelian's eyes darkened.
He lifted her, the motion fluid, brutal in its inevitability, and placed her on the bed.
(Am I… just going to let this happen?) Tsukasa thought, heart hammering.
He climbed onto the bed, hovering above her.
"Good… you are not resisting," he said, pressing himself close.
His lips returned to hers, hands moving with precision, deliberate, mapping her body.
(She's not wet…) Aurelian noted silently, voice and thought intertwined.
Tsukasa closed her eyes.
Cheeks burned red, a quiet, shy tremor passing through her.
His hands found her chest.
His touch was deliberate, confident, leaving no room for escape.
Aurelian's breath grew shallow as he worked at his belt.
The soft rasp of leather sliding free cut through the quiet room like a blade.
His hand left Tsukasa's breast.
He hooked his fingers beneath her black panties and pulled them down, slow and deliberate, exposing her.
Tsukasa's eyes widened.
Her voice trembled.
"No…"
Aurelian ignored her.
He forced her legs apart, placing himself between them with calm entitlement.
"Do not move," he murmured, voice sharp, predatory.
"We're only reaching the exciting part."
He lowered himself.
His hips pressed forward.
Tsukasa pushed both hands against his chest.
Her arms shook with effort.
He did not budge.
She shut her eyes—cheeks red, breath thin—her body tense as she felt the heat of him press against her entrance.
A moment stretched.
Long.
Wrong.
Nothing happened.
Confused, Tsukasa opened her eyes.
Aurelian's face had gone pale.
His expression frozen in shock.
Then his body slumped to the side—collapsing beside her with a heavy thud.
Blood trickled from the back of his head.
Tsukasa froze.
Her breath caught.
"What…?" she whispered.
"Sister!"
Tsubaki's voice cracked the air—panicked, fierce.
He stood on the bed, sword drawn.
The blade's hilt stained with Aurelian's blood.
"Tsubaki…?" Tsukasa's voice trembled, shaken and confused.
"What are you doing here…?"
"There's no time."
Tsubaki grabbed Aurelian by the collar and threw him aside—effortless, dismissive.
The prince hit the wall like discarded trash.
Tsukasa scrambled off the bed.
Tsubaki landed beside her.
He offered her the sword.
His expression was grim, resolute.
"You have to get out of here."
Tsukasa's breath hitched.
"What!? I can't leave you—leave everyone—"
Tsubaki forced a smile.
It was soft.
And painfully fake.
"We'll be safe. Don't worry."
Aurelian twitched on the floor.
Both of them turned sharply.
"Sister. Please…"
Tsubaki's voice deepened, begging, urgent.
"You have to go. Now."
Sadness hit Tsukasa like a wave—heavy, choking.
Her grip tightened around the sword.
"O…kay. Be safe," she whispered.
She took a step—
But Tsubaki's hand closed around her arm.
He tore off his black jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
It swallowed her frame, hanging just below her knees.
"You can't walk out looking like that," he said, zipping it up for her.
His tone gentle, protective despite the fear burning behind it.
Tsukasa's eyes softened.
"Thank you… I'll come back for all of you. I promise."
This time, Tsubaki's smile was real.
Tsukasa turned—ran straight toward the wall—
And passed through it as if it were water.
Gone.
The room fell silent.
Aurelian rose slowly, trembling.
Blood dripped from his nose.
"H…how dare you…" he snarled.
"You filthy insect. I am the prince of the Valecyne Empire."
Tsubaki's expression darkened.
"You're just an arrogant coward."
He stepped forward and punched Aurelian across the face with such force the prince slammed into the wall.
Aurelian staggered back up—eyes wild.
He lunged.
His punch sliced through the air.
Tsubaki tilted his head a fraction—just enough for it to miss.
(He's fast…) Tsubaki thought, breath controlled.
He twisted his torso, swinging into a spinning kick—
Aurelian blocked it with ease.
"You're too easy to read," Aurelian hissed.
Tsubaki's eyes narrowed.
He steadied—
Aurelian struck first, a right hook, then a left.
Tsubaki slid past both, slipping just out of reach.
He retaliated with a sharp cross to Aurelian's jaw—
Snapping the prince's head aside.
Aurelian growled and swung again.
Tsubaki stepped back—calm, precise.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
It infuriated Aurelian.
The prince lunged with another series of rapid blows—
Tsubaki weaved through them effortlessly.
Then—
Tsubaki sank low, closing the distance in an instant—
And drove a clean strike into Aurelian's ribs.
Aurelian staggered, choking in pain.
(H…how…?) the prince thought, fear breaking through his arrogance.
Tsubaki leaned forward, tapping his cheek lightly with his fist—mocking.
"Come on, prince. Fight like a man."
Aurelian's aggression faltered.
Fear crept in.
He stepped back—
Tsubaki planted his foot on Aurelian's to trap him.
Before Aurelian could react, Tsubaki hammered him with a flurry of blows.
Fist after fist after fist—
Driving him backward, step by brutal step, toward the wall.
The prince tried to block.
Hopeless.
His face showed it—swollen, bleeding, breaking.
The final punch crashed into Aurelian's face—
Launching him into the wall with enough force to crater it.
He collapsed inside the dented stone, limbs spread, hair falling over his face.
(I'm…going to kill him.)
Tsubaki's thoughts grew cold.
Deadly.
Resolute.
He advanced slowly.
A dark shadow over a broken man.
"Mana Sword," he whispered.
Red light surged.
A blade formed in his hand—pure mana forged into a weapon sharper than steel.
Tsubaki swung to take Aurelian's head—
CLINK.
The blade stopped.
Blocked mid-strike.
By a single finger.
Not Aurelian's.
Fuji stood there—calm, breath even—one finger pressed against the mana blade as if it were nothing.
Tsubaki staggered back, shocked.
(Where the hell did this grass-head come from? And how did he stop a mana sword—? Mana blades cut through anything physical!)
Fuji turned slightly, glancing at Aurelian trembling in the crater.
Then he looked back at Tsubaki.
"You did quite a number on the young master," Fuji said, voice steady.
Tsubaki's eyes hardened.
"Serves him right."
(Totally.) Fuji thought silently.
Aurelian weakly lifted his head.
"Fu…ji… go… find Tsukasa…"
His voice cracked, trembling.
"Bring her back…"
His head dropped.
Unconscious.
Fuji's eyes sharpened.
His entire presence shifted—cold, serious, lethal.
"As you command."