The two residents were descending the stairs, Aelion in front, showing the way. As soon as he reached the center of the space, he extended his hand toward Seraphina, who, reluctant at first, eventually took it. The two of them passed through the force field without any disturbance. They were now standing before the black diamond.
"So, you still won't tell me what this is?"
"Ladies first," he said, suggesting she touch the prism.
Aelion didn't know what was going to happen, nor the consequences of his action, which was why he had directed her to do it, based on her stats, since he had just used his new skill on her.
[Seraphina Duskbane]
RANK: B
LEVEL: 75
TITLES: Blood Empress
AFFINITIES:
[Element]: Blood
ABILITIES:
[Hemokinesis] SSS
[Vampiric Regeneration] S
[Royal Aura] A (evolvable)
…
ATTRIBUTES:
Strength: 60
Agility: 78
Intelligence: 80
Vitality: 85
Charisma: 95
Luck: 45
STATUS: [Resurrected]
Based on her Vitality, he assumed she could at least survive if something went wrong. Following her host's words, she indeed touched the object. Nothing happened; her face darkened, and her body trembled. Since there seemed to be no danger, he did the same.
[Analysis in progress…]
[Administrator: Aelion Draveth]
[Do you wish to leave the Manor of Ira? Y/N]
Yes
[Impossible! The administrator's level is too low for the outside world!]
[Please reach at least level 15!]
I see… Then why is Seraphina acting like that? She's already surpassed that level.
[Your host Seraphina Duskbane requests permission to leave the Manor of Ira.]
[Do you accept to let her out? Y/N]
Sorry, that will be a no…
[Administrator Aelion Draveth has refused to grant you authorization!]
[You cannot leave without the administrator's permission.]
Hearing the programmed voice deny her access to what she had always wanted left her with a bitter taste, knowing it was because of the man beside her. His innocent, angelic demeanor irritated her even more. That man was mocking her — the one who, just the day before, had refused to show her the way out, had let her explore the entire manor, find the access path, lead her to the exit, only to show that he had the power to let her leave or force her to stay.
"Why?"
"Humm?"
"Why are you doing this to me? I'm not asking you for anything, I just want to… get out of here, so why?" cried Seraphina in a trembling voice.
The mental shock she had suffered from her death, combined with her resurrection and the place she had come back to, had made her vulnerable. Knowing that the exit was right before her eyes yet still inaccessible because of a man she didn't know — one who didn't fear her, but toyed with her as he pleased — drove her to the breaking point.
"Why do you want to leave here so badly? I mean, is it really that horrible to be here with me?" added Aelion, avoiding the question by changing the subject.
If it were up to him, he would have gladly allowed her to leave. The problem was, he had a mission, and he couldn't lose sight of it, because if she left, who knew if he'd ever find her again? And the goddess hadn't told him what would happen if he failed with one of them. He had to help them — so if she had to go outside, it would be with him. For that, he needed to reach level 15.
"I couldn't care less about what you want or who you are… I just… you can't understand." Seraphina stopped. Her distress turned into hysterical laughter, her gaze lost in the void.
"I should have known. I almost forgot how you function. I know exactly what you want. You've been guiding me toward it all along — our encounter near the shower, the nightgown I found in my room, and even the fact I saw you masturbating."
"Wait, you saw me?!"
Seraphina stood up, her empty gaze fixed on Aelion without emotion. Her clothes slid down her body, revealing her nude form, while a pool of blood spread from her feet, forming a crimson sphere enclosing only the two of them. It was even better than what he had imagined in his dreams — her breasts, her hypnotic pink nipples, her slender elegant body, her pale skin reflecting a strange light that made it impossible for him to look away. Despite that, he felt reluctant to glance lower.
"If I give myself to you, will you let me go? I'm sure you will… Here I am, I offer myself to you. You can take me and do whatever you want. I won't complain, and I'll endure it — whatever your fantasies are…"
The more he watched, the harder it became to control himself. What ruined the experience was Seraphina's sad, resigned face. He no longer saw the strong woman unafraid of him, ready to cut him down — no, what he saw was a broken, desperate woman, willing to do anything to free herself from her jailer.
Aelion had a rather old-fashioned view of sexual relations — not in the sense of mutual consent, which to him was an unbreakable rule, but in that sex should never be used as payment or an exchange. It was something reserved for one's partner, or at least a mutual agreement between both sides. He would never take advantage of a tragic situation to satisfy his desires; that felt vile and wrong to him.
Seeing Seraphina like that angered him deeply. If she were to give herself to him — if it were ever to happen — it should not be like this. It should be her conscious choice, not something forced by desperation or circumstance. Aelion clenched his teeth and clicked his tongue in frustration. He hated what he was seeing, hated her way of acting, and the fact that it was partly his fault made it worse.
He sighed, closed his eyes, and spoke to Seraphina calmly, avoiding any misunderstanding.
"This isn't what I want, nor what I expect from you. So, could you please put your clothes back on?"
"If I do, will you let me go? If I obey you…"
"Stop. At least show some dignity."
With that, he understood how much the outside world meant to her. From what she had mentioned the day before, there seemed to be some unresolved issue with the hero's team. What had really happened to make her return such an obsession? He wanted to ask, but remained silent and turned his back to let her dress. This time, she seemed to regain a bit of composure.
He invited her to sit across from him, beside the diamond shape, where they could both see each other and talk calmly.
"I will let you go outside," he said bluntly.
"What do you want in return, then?" Seraphina replied immediately.
"Let me come with you."
"Huh? Why?" she asked, surprised.
"Because I want to, and because I want to help you," insisted Aelion.
"And why is that, when you don't even know me?"
"We can always change that. What matters is that I do it because I want to — and because I know you need it. I don't even know why myself; I'm just following what my heart tells me to do."
"No…"
"Let me help you."
"I'm not the kind of woman you think I am. I've done things that are morally unforgivable, and I'll keep walking that same path once I leave this place… So I can't accept your help or drag you into something that will be beyond you. You could very well lose your life. You're kind, gentle, and understanding — I don't want your death on my conscience," she said, eyes fixed on the ground, unable to meet Aelion's gaze to avoid any judgment.
It was unprecedented for her to say such words. She had never hesitated to disregard collateral damage or the innocents caught in her wake. Since sitting across from him, memories from yesterday to now flashed through her mind. Despite all the misunderstandings between them, Aelion had never feared her. Moreover, he was the first to look at her as a woman and not as a bloodthirsty monster or an object of desire.
Even though she had only known him for a day, beside him she felt like she had regained a little of her humanity — living a calm, normal life. It was pleasant and comforting.
"I think our actions come from a cause, and everyone reacts differently. I can't say you're right or wrong without knowing what you did, but that doesn't change what I said: I want to help you. If you're still not comfortable with the idea, just think of my help as having a price," said Aelion, smiling.
Seraphina didn't know why looking at him and hearing his words soothed and warmed her wounded heart. His face, his voice, and his smile illuminated her whole being. It was strange that she found herself smiling back without reason.
"And what is it that you want?"
"Oh, that's really nothing — teach me how to use magic!"
It was not only a reasonable request but also a cheap one, according to Seraphina.
"Surprising. I'll think about it. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Seraphina Duskbane, though people tend to call me the Blood Empress."
"I know. After all, you're in my manor."