Charlotte didn't let go of my wrist as she yanked me through the tall palace doors. The sound of them slamming behind us echoed down the immaculate corridors swallowing up the whispers and gasps of the nobles we'd left behind.
The palace stretched endlessly in both directions. Crystal walls etched with glowing murals of past emperors,tapestries that shimmered as though woven from liquid light, chandeliers strung with gems that pulsed faintly like stars caught in cages. The floor was so polished I could see my own reflection…sweaty,panicked,being dragged along like a sacrificial goat.
Charlotte didn't spare any of it a glance. She marched forward with the same hungry stride she'd entered the throne room with, hips rolling dangerously,chains on her silken dress jingling a rhythm that felt less like royalty and more like a strip club performance.
I tried to distract myself with the surroundings, staring at the murals,the runes,even the ornamental suits of armor that looked like they'd kill me if I blinked too loudly. Anything but her.
And then I made the mistake of looking down.
Her skirt or what little counted as one..swished as she moved, and for the first time I realized how short it really was. The way it rode up with every step gave me a very clear view of her bare backside and lower. Between the pale curves of her thighs glistened a faint sheen that I knew I wasn't supposed to see.
I snapped my head up so fast I nearly dislocated my neck.
But it was too late. The image was burned into my retinas. My body betrayed me instantly, a hot rush straining against my trousers.
"Goddammit," I hissed under my breath.
Alma's laughter shrieked inside my skull.
"Ohhh,look at you, Master. One glimpse and you're pitching a tent like a desperate freshman. You didn't even touch her! Pathetic and adorable
"Shut up," I hissed again, clenching my fist, trying to think of literally anything else. Math equations,cold showers,dead puppies and not one of them helped.
Alma purred, cruel and sweet. "You're so easy to break. A virgin hard from just walking behind a woman. What happens when she actually puts her hands on you hm?"
I gritted my teeth.."she's not going to."
"Oh, she will," Alma sang. "And I'll be here, recording every little whimper."
Charlotte suddenly stopped. I nearly rammed into her back. She turned her golden eyes on me, a knowing grin curling her lips. I had no idea if she could actually tell what was happening in my pants, but from her expression, I suspected she knew exactly what it was.
Before I could stammer out a denial, a voice rang from ahead
"Princess Charlotte."
A tall man stepped into the corridor blocking our path. His amor gleamed white with gold trims, a noble crest stitched across his cloak. His face as sharp, handsome in the way arrogant people often were, chin high, eyes filled with disdain the moment they landed on me.
"Again?" He said, glaring at her grip on my wrist. "Dragging stray through the palace corridors like pets?"
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Not now, Lucien."
He ignored her, pointing his chin at me.
"Who is he?"
"Mine," Charlotte said flatly,her voice dripping with stubborn finality
Lucien's jaw tightened. His gaze turned razor sharp on me. "You?" he scoffed. "This nobody?"
"Careful," Charlotte warned. "You're speaking about my chosen toy."
"I won't allow it." Lucien's hand went to his sword hilt. "If he wants to stand at your side, he'll have to prove himself."
"Oh God, here we go," I muttered.
Lucien's voice rose, carrying down the corridor. "I challenge you, foreigner. Whoever rides the white fire dragon first will earn princess Charlotte's hand. The loser.." his eyes narrowed at me "will crawl back into whatever hole he came from."
I blinked. "Excuse me? Ride what?"
Whispers echoed from the guards stationed nearby. Even they looked shocked.
"The white fire dragon?" One muttered.
"No one's tamed it in years." Another said.
"Last suitor lost both legs." a third whispered.
My soul left my body. "I am not interested in the first place!" I shouted, hands waving frantically. "Keep her! I don't want her hand, I don't want her…her anything!"
The guards gasped like I'd spat on the throne itself. Charlotte froze. Then her golden eyes narrowed, fire sparking inside them.
"You…don't want me?" She whispered.
I backpedaled instantly. "I mean…I..uh.."
Her grin turned predatory, but the heat in her voice chilled me to the bone. "You dare insult me? You dare to refuse me?"
I shoke my head violently. "No! I mean yes! I mean…"
Charlotte's chain-clad finger stabbed into my chest, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Then listen well, Eight. You will ride the white Fire Dragon. You will prove yourself Or…"
She leaned close, lips brushing my ear. "I'll destroy that little system of yours."
Alma's laughter cut like glass in my skull, abruptly sharp,not playful. "She's serious Master. If she severs me, you're done. No quests,no powers,no survival. Just a pathetic boy in the wrong world."
Cold dread slammed through my chest.
I needed Alma. Even if she was the lewdest, kinkiest,most humiliating system alive, she was the only thing keeping me from getting eaten by this world.
And now the Princess was threatening to rip her away from me.
I swallowed hard,hear pounding. "Fine.. I'll do it."
Charlotte's smiled bloomed, wicked and victorious. "Good boy."
Lucien sneered. "Then it's settled. At dawn tomorrow, the context begins. Whoever takes the White Fire Dragon win Charlotte's hand."
Charlotte licked her lips,eyes gleaming as she dragged me past him like I'd already been claimed.
Alma purred in my ear, "Ohhh, Master…a dragon ride for your virgin ride. " This world has such delicious humour."
And all I could think was, 'I'm dead.'