The throne hall was designed to kill someone's confidence.
The moment I stepped through its crystalline archway, I felt like a bug crawling across a god's dining table. Everything gleamed,walls of translucent crystals that pulsed with neon glyphs,floors polished so bright I could see my own reflection…sweaty, nervous, already regretting my existence.
Guards stood in rigid lines down the hall,amor plated in polished steel that shimmered with circuit-like engravings. The whole room hummed faintly,like every stone had been wired to a heartbeat I couldn't hear.
And at the very far end,on a throne that looked carved from obsidian and forged out of badige choices, sat the Emperor.
He wasn't the kind of king you see in movies or children's books, all fluffy robes and soft smiles. No, this man looked like he'd gutted his way to the top. His robes were black shot through with threads of molten gold,prunes shimmering every time he shifted. His beard was sharp enough to slice bread and his eyes… those were eyes, they were judgements. Cold, merciless, and resting right on me.
"Candidate Eiji Kagemaru," the herald's voice boomed. "Alias Eight. System type: irregular."
The word echoed like a death sentence
Murmurs rippled across the court. Nobles in silk-and-steel finery leaned towards each other, whispering. I caught snatches of each one or some:
"Virgin system, did you hear?"
"Alive? Impossible."
"Dangerous."
"Embarrassing."
Alma floated lazily beside me, hands behind her head, inside down like she was sunbathing. "Relax,Master. You only look like a condemned criminal. Well…you are.. But that's on brand for you."
"Not helping," I muttered.
The Emperor's voice cut through the noise like a blade. "So.. You are the one who manifested a weaponized system."
Every gaze in the hall pinned on me.
I swallowed. "Uh…yes? Accidentally."
The nobles laughed.. quietly,cruelly.
Alma blew a kiss into my ear. "Accidentally made me cum, accidentally got a glowing gauntlet, accidentally humiliated yourself. You're very consistent, Master."
I twitched. "It's not..it wasn't like that."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Your system… speaks?"
I hesitated. "...Yes."
Gasps erupted,courtiers slapping fans over their mouths.
"This is a threat to order."
"An autonomous system?!"
"if it seduces him, it could destabilize.."
"Silence," the Emperor barked, and silence fell. His gaze speared me. "Your existence is irregular. That means dangerous. But danger can be useful… if it is controlled."
My stomach dropped. Controlled…that sounded like chains and collars.
Before I could babble myself into another humiliation, the side doors slammed open.
"Faaather!"
The voice cracked across the hall, sultry, unashamed, dripping with trouble
Every noble stiffened… Guards froze. Even the Emperor sighed,deep and weary, like a man bracing for a migraine.
And then she entered.
Princess Charlotte.
She didn't walk…she was prowling. Each step of her heeled boots struck the crystal floor like some war drum. Scarlet hair cascaded down her back, wild and untamed. Golden eyes blazed with hunger and mischief. And her clothes.. if you could call them that… were little more than silken straps of crimson and gold chains that jingled with every move, leaving way too much skin on display.
The entire hall gasped like a collective lung collapsing. Whispers spread quickly thought the crowd.
"She's here again…"
"Cover your eyes.."
"Poor boy,he's doomed."
Charlotte ignored them all. Her gaze locked onto me instantly, and a grin spread across her lips like fire licking oil.
Alma whistled in my head. "Ohhh, look at her. Royalty with a body count. And she's staring at you, Master.. Dead man walking."
Charlotte strode down the steps, hips swaying like she was auditioning for sin itself.
"Who is he?" She demanded,her voice a bit husky.
The Emperor rubbed his temples with a sigh. "Charlotte,not now."
"Now," she snapped,golden eyes never leaving me. "He's mine."
Gasps tire through the court like a small storm.
"M-Mine?!" I squeaked.
Charlotte circled me once, chains jingling,silk whispering, her eyes devouring me head to toe. She leaned close, so close I could smell roses laced with danger.
"So this is the boy with a lewd little system," she purred.
I tried to speak, but my tongue staged a mutiny.
Alma cackled. "Yes, Master. Tell her you're pure. Tell her you've never even touched a boob. See what happens."
Charlotte licked her lips. "Perfect. I've already broken the guards,The courtiers bore me now. But you.." she traced a finger down my chest "you'll keep me entertained."
The Emperor's voice thundered.
"Charlotte!"
She didn't even look at him. "Don't be boring,father. If you don't want him, I'll take him."
The hall exploded in Whispers again.
"Tell me, Eight," Charlotte crooned. "Have you ever been with a woman?"
The words echoed,so obscene and shameless in their casualness.
My brain shut down. My face combusted. "I…I…uh.."
The nobles laughed,some crackling outright. I wanted to dig a hole in the floor and crawl into it forever
Alma sighed happily. "Mmm, public humiliation.. My favourite kink."
Charlotte smirked,golden eyes blazing intensely. "No? Then I'll make you a man. Right here,right now."
The Emperor slammed a hand on his throne arm. "Charlotte!"
But she was already grabbing my wrist,her grip like iron, nails digging into my skin.
"Come with me, pet."
"P-Pet?!" I squeaked.
Her grin widened. "Yes. You'll get used to it."
I stared at the Emperor, silently begging for him to do something, anything. He only closed his eyes,too tired to fight his daughter's chaos. Nobles whispered furiously,scandal mixing with glee.
Alma purred in my head. "Dragged away by a horny princess. You've gone from Virgin pervert to scandalous plaything. Bravo, Master. Bravo!"
I dug my heels into the crystal floor as Charlotte yanked me towards the doors.
"Wait..where are you going?!"
Charlotte's grin was pure fire. Somewhere private. Don't worry…you'll enjoy it."
The doors slammed shut behind us, leaving the court in uproar.
A glowing panel blinked above my head.
[Quest Updated: Survive Princess Charlotte's "Attention."]
[Failure Condition: Death by Exhaustion.]
"ALMA?!" I Screamed inwardly.
She only giggled with a wave. "Good luck, Master.."