They locked Elvira Nox in the Silver Tower, a prison usually reserved for nobles too powerful — or too scandalous — to be executed.
Ethan didn't get a choice in that decision. The Queen made it herself.
"She's not just a criminal," Queen Lira had whispered earlier, lips pressed into a tight line. "She's a mirror. One that reflects something we don't understand. You will speak to her. Carefully."
Now, two hours later, Ethan stood in the tower's torchlit antechamber, his reflection pale in the polished steel walls. His system was twitching like it had guzzled a gallon of cursed coffee.
[DANGER ZONE DETECTED]
Subject LUX-A17 is restrained but unstable.
Caution: Exposure may result in memory bleed, involuntary arousal, or spontaneous flirting.
Recommended Tactic: Seduce. Interrogate. Possibly panic.
"This feels like a trap," he muttered.
Ayla leaned beside the door, arms crossed, scowling. "That's because it is."
"You're not supposed to be here."
"I'm not supposed to let you do anything alone anymore. Royal orders."
"You sure it's not just jealousy?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Would you like it to be?"
He raised his hands in surrender.
Ayla stepped forward. "You've got five minutes. No touching. No kissing. No... weird system syncing."
"I'm not into cyber-bondage."
"Yet," she muttered.
Ethan pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Elvira sat on a throne of chains.
Literally.
They'd restrained her with silver-threaded bindings and still she looked calm, predatory, amused. A single strand of hair curled against her cheek like a question mark.
"You're back," she said, smiling. "Wasn't sure if I broke you."
"You cracked my head open on a dolphin statue."
"That dolphin came onto you first."
He rolled his eyes and sat in the lone chair across from her.
"Who are you really?"
"I told you. Subject LUX-A17. Assassin class. Abandoned. Forgotten. Like so many others."
"Who created you?"
She tilted her head. "Same as you. The Project."
[SYSTEM INTERFERENCE DETECTED]
Shared memory request pending…
Memory Thread: [PROJECT EDEN – PHASE III]
Status: Corrupted.
Ethan flinched.
"Why did you attack me?"
"I didn't. I tested you. And you failed."
She leaned forward, eyes glowing faintly. "You're too emotional. Too soft. But you're also awake. That makes you a threat."
"I'm not like you."
"You will be."
[SYSTEM WARNING]
Emotional contamination rising.
Threat Level: Hot. Dangerous. Horny. Proceed with caution.
Ethan ignored it.
"What do you want from me?"
"I want you to survive," Elvira said. "Because the others won't. The moment you figure out what this kingdom really is — what you really are — you'll beg me to finish what I started."
Before he could respond, a loud crash echoed outside.
Followed by shouting.
And a very familiar voice screaming, "—GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME, HE'S MINE!"
The door slammed open.
Ayla charged in, sword drawn.
"What the hell are you doing to him?!"
"I'm talking," Elvira said dryly.
"Yeah? Looked like psychic groping from out there!"
Ethan sighed.
Elvira just grinned. "Jealous?"
"Protective," Ayla snapped. "Not that it's your business."
"Mm. It's all my business now."
Ethan stepped between them. "Okay! No dueling in the psycho prison tower, please!"
Ayla glared. "She's playing with your head."
"I know."
"She's dangerous."
"I know."
"She's hotter than me."
"I—wait, what? No, you—wait, this isn't a contest!"
Elvira chuckled darkly.
"Too late," she said. "It always becomes a contest."
[NEW HAREM STATUS UPDATE:]
"Jealousy.exe" has been triggered.
Probability of future slaps: 93%
Probability of makeout fight: 61%
Ayla grabbed Ethan's collar. "We're leaving. Now."
"But I—"
"Now."
Elvira smiled as they turned to go. "I'll be seeing you again, Ethan. When the Project wakes up... you'll come running."
As the door slammed shut behind them, Ethan exhaled shakily.
"That went well," he muttered.
Ayla didn't respond.
She was fuming.
All the way down the tower steps, she walked in cold silence — until they reached the moonlit balcony overlooking the palace gardens.
Then she punched him in the chest.
"Ow!"
"You smiled at her!"
"I smile at everyone!"
"She's a murderer!"
"She's also chained to a chair!"
"She was undressing you with her brain!"
"Maybe I wanted to feel pretty!"
[SYSTEM REPLY:]
Ayla has entered Emotional Volatility Mode. Recommend offering chocolate, compliments, or a cold bath. Possibly all three.
"I hate this system," Ethan groaned.
Ayla turned away, crossing her arms. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I don't like how she looks at you."
Ethan stepped closer.
"I only care how you look at me."
She didn't move. Didn't breathe.
Then: "That's cheating."
"It's the truth."
She turned — slowly — eyes meeting his.
For a long second, the palace, the secrets, the systems… they all vanished.
There was just Ayla.
And then, of course, a flowerpot fell from the balcony above and shattered beside them.
[SYSTEM NOTICE:]
Romantic Moment Ruined by Random Debris. Try again later.
"I swear this castle is cursed," Ethan muttered.
Ayla smirked — barely — then shoved him toward the hallway.
"Come on, playboy. The Queen wants a report."
"On what? That my ex from another timeline tried to brain-fondle me?"
"Basically."
Back in the throne room, Queen Lira paced like a lioness. She didn't wait for greetings.
"Did she say anything useful?"
Ethan relayed everything — the project name, the memory fragment, the warning.
The Queen frowned.
"Project Eden was a black archive," she said. "We thought it was destroyed."
"It wasn't."
"Clearly."
Ayla folded her arms. "She mentioned others. Plural."
Ethan nodded. "And a masked figure. Saved me. Probably another host."
The Queen's gaze sharpened. "You're saying there's a war happening between system users?"
"A silent one," Ethan said. "And I'm the idiot in the middle."
The Queen smiled. "You're our idiot."
[ROYAL REPUTATION +3]
Status: Palace Playboy-in-Training
New Title: "Crown's Chosen Chaosbringer"
Ethan groaned. "I want a title that doesn't involve chaos or kissing."
The Queen waved him off. "Rest. Regroup. The Midwinter Conclave is in three days. Every noble house will be watching. Including those loyal to our enemies."
Ayla stiffened. "You're sending Ethan into that mess?"
"He must learn the game," Lira said. "Besides — scandalous flirtations are our kingdom's oldest tradition."
"Glad I'm useful," Ethan muttered.
The Queen's smile widened.
"Don't worry. We've assigned you a dance partner."
"Please don't say—"
"Princess Salara. The Fireborn."
Ethan's jaw dropped. "The Pyromancer General who burned her last suitor's beard off?!"
"She's excited to meet you."
[NEW QUEST ADDED:]
"Blaze of Glory: Survive a dance with Princess Salara without immolation."
Bonus Objective: Impress her. Double Bonus: Escape unburned.
Ethan sighed. "I need a vacation."