Arthur walked through the corridor, his mind racing with strategies. The Trial of Arcane Mastery was just two days away, and he'd need every advantage against Gareth's superior traditional magic.
He entered the Royal Library, his chosen spot for Lysandra's seduction. As he thumbed through an ancient tome on the Covenant's history, he activated his powers.
[Emotional Sensing Active] [Energy Cost:-5]
[Scanning Area: 5m Radius] [Accuracy:60%]
[No Targets Detected]
While waiting, he read about the divine pact that had empowered the Lionheart dynasty, searching for weaknesses he could exploit in the Trial.
The text mentioned the Silvermoor family's role in establishing Lyranth's magical foundations—perfect bait for his target.
He heard the door open quietly. Lysandra stood there, her blonde hair shining in the moonlight. She still wore her fancy blue dress from dinner, looking uncertain in the doorway.
"You came," Arthur said, closing his book and activating his abilities.
[Target Detected: Lysandra Silvermoor]
[Emotional Reading: Curiosity 75%, Anxiety 65%, Confusion 60%, Disgust 40%]
"You know so much about my family's history," she said, stepping inside and closing the door. "Most people don't bother learning about that."
Arthur smiled slightly. "Most people miss what's important. They only see what's obvious."
She approached carefully. "Is that why you asked me here? To talk about history?"
"Partly," he said, pointing to his book. "But I also thought you'd like to see these old records that mention how your family helped establish magic in Lyranth."
Her eyes widened as she came closer. "May I?"
Arthur nodded, and when she reached for the book, he deliberately touched her hand, channeling his power.
[Desire Amplification Active] [Target: Lysandra] [Energy Cost: -10]
[Effect: +25% Attraction] [Success Rate: 50%]
He noticed her catch her breath at the contact, her pupils dilating slightly as his magic took effect.
"Your brother doesn't value knowledge," she said quietly, touching the ancient writing. "He thinks I'm only good for having children."
"Gareth only understands physical strength and politics," Arthur moved closer, lowering his voice.
"He doesn't get that real power comes from understanding people—what they want, what they fear, what makes them vulnerable."
Lysandra looked both doubtful and interested. "And you think that makes you stronger than him? Everyone expects him to win the Trial."
"Even strong determination can break if it hasn't been tested," he said, brushing against her arm while turning a page, his aura subtly pulsing. "Everyone has weaknesses. Even Gareth."
[Aura Manipulation Active] [Range: 2m] [Duration: 1 min] [Energy Cost: -15]
[Effect: Trust +30%, Desire +25%]
She blushed and looked away. "His anger issues and... bad behavior."
Arthur touched her hand gently, feeling her pulse quicken. "Yeah. He's not as perfect as he seems. I think you've seen that yourself."
Lysandra whispered, "I don't know what to think anymore. This marriage was arranged when I was sixteen. I barely know him, but soon we'll be married forever."
"Maybe," Arthur said softly, leaning closer, "you should trust your feelings instead of thinking so much. What does your heart tell you about Gareth? About your future?"
She caught her breath, and then kissed him, her resistance crumbling under his incubus influence. Arthur held her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened, feeling her desire spike as his power worked through her.
[Lysandra: Attraction 70% , Guilt 60% , Confusion 80% ]
But before things went further, a sharp voice interrupted: "Lady Lysandra! The Queen needs you right away!"
Lysandra pulled back quickly, flushed and wide-eyed. "I—I need to go," she said nervously, smoothing her dress. "This was a mistake. I shouldn't have—"
"It wasn't a mistake," Arthur said quietly.
She ran out without another word, leaving Arthur alone with the feeling of their kiss still on his lips.
Arthur touched his mouth, feeling the trace of divine magic that lingered on his lips from Lysandra's Silvermoor bloodline, but suddenly felt a sharp jealousy stab through his chest—not his own.
[Blood Bond Active: Valentina Blackrose]
[Emotions Detected: Jealousy 95% ↑, Rage 80% ↑, Possessiveness 90% ↑]
[Warning: Bond Fluctuation Detected]
[Vision Fragment: Valentina crushing a goblet, blood flowing between her fingers]
Arthur sighed, knowing he'd have to face Valentina soon. First, he needed to think about what just happened with Lysandra—his brother's fiancée.
The hallway to his room was strangely quiet, with no guards. Arthur touched his dagger as he opened his door and smelled blood magic.
Valentina stood by his window, outlined against the moonlight. Her red dress seemed to flow like liquid, and tiny blood droplets floated around her like little rubies.
His cup rattled on the desk, then lifted slightly before crashing down.
"You've been busy tonight," she said, sounding calm despite her anger. "You had a private meeting with the Silvermoor bitch."
Arthur closed the door, keeping his face neutral despite his racing heart.
"I don't need your permission for official business," he replied coldly.
"Official business?" She laughed harshly, making the floating blood drops shake. "My spy saw how you looked at her during dinner. And this bond let me feel your desire when she kissed you."
He moved toward her slowly. "Your spy? So you're having me watched now?"
"Of course I am." Her eyes glowed red in the dim light. "I've given you everything. And this is what you do? By going after Gareth's fiancée? I told you I don't share."
"You forget your place, Duchess." His voice dropped to a whisper as he moved closer. "Our bond doesn't mean you own me. It serves my purposes, not yours."
"Doesn't it work both ways?" Her laugh was empty. "I feel everything you feel. Do you know what it's like to feel you want another woman while I'm planning to help you take the throne?"
Arthur reached her in three quick steps, pushing her against the wall with a hand at her throat. The floating blood drops fell to the floor as her focus broke.
"Our bond," he whispered in her ear, feeling her pulse race beneath his fingers, "is for me to know your thoughts and secrets. Not for you to question what I do."
[Blood Sense Active] [Target: Valentina]
[Emotions Detected: Defiance 75%, Desire 85% ↑, Submission 40% ↑]
Her eyes flashed with defiance and desire. "And if I do question them?"
"Maybe," Arthur said, sliding his hand up her skirt and finding her already wet, "you need a reminder of who's really in charge here."
She gasped when his fingers touched her pussy, even as she snapped, "You think fucking me fixes anything?"
"Nope," he smirked, grabbing her throat and kissing her hard. "But it's a damn good start."
He spun her around and pushed her against the wall. She barely fought back, whimpering as he yanked up her dress, showing off her bare ass.
"Let's make this interesting," he said, pressing his hard cock against her. "Tell me what Gareth is up to."
"Why should I—" Her words turned into a loud moan as he thrust into her hard. "Oh, fuck!"
"Because," he growled, gripping her hips as he fucked her roughly, "you're mine, Valentina. I own you. Now talk."
Between gasps and moans, she started talking. "He's... fuck... training with Ironwood mages specifically to counter elemental weaknesses. Bribing... the judge Bainbridge... oh god... Lord Hemlock is changing the rules for elemental combat—"
With each revelation, Arthur fucked her harder, his fingers digging into her skin. The blood bond between them intensified every sensation, magnifying both their pleasure and the information flow.
He reached around to rub her clit. "That's it, scream for me. Let me hear how much you love this."
Valentina moaned loudly. "Yes... oh god, yes... don't stop!"
Their magical bond made everything feel more intense. Images flashed through their minds—Gareth practicing with fire, Judge Bainbridge accepting gold, Lord Hemlock modifying a trial document.
Valentina's moans grew louder as she got close. "Fuck, Arthur... I'm gonna come—"
"Come for me," he commanded. "Show me how much you love being my toy."
"Fuck!" she screamed as she came hard, her pussy clenching around his cock and making him come too. "Oh god, yes!"
[Energy Harvested: +65]
[Current Energy: 65/100]
[Blood Bond Strengthened]
[New Vision Fragments Acquired: Gareth's flame manipulation technique, Judge Bainbridge accepting gold, Lord Hemlock modifying a trial document]
After catching their breath, Arthur pulled out and turned her around. Her face was flushed, lips swollen, with cum dripping down her thighs.
"Don't forget who you belong to," he said, cupping her face. She leaned into his touch with a soft sigh. "Now clean the dick."
She dropped to her knees and took his cock in her mouth, sucking him clean while moaning. "Mmm... yes... mmm..." The sounds vibrated around him. He groaned, loving the sight of her serving him.
Later, as they lay in bed together, her anger had cooled down.
"Thorne's increasing his patrols," she said, tracing patterns on his chest. "He thinks there's unusual magic in the palace. Yesterday he was in the east wing checking for incubus signatures—a 5% risk of detection, but growing."
Arthur tensed. "How would he know what to look for? Incubi are just legends."
"Legends often come from truth," she replied. "The temple might have info we don't. Maybe your Silvermoor girl could help there, if you're going to chase her."
Arthur stroked her hair. "And what about Lysandra? Will you get mad every time I go after her?"
Valentina tensed, then relaxed. "I'll help you get what you want. But remember—I'm the only one who knows what you really are. Others might sleep with you, but only I understand the monster inside you."
He smiled and kissed her forehead. "And that's why you'll always be special to me."
She cuddled against him, seeming satisfied, but Arthur knew better. Their blood bond showed her true thoughts—she'd put up with his other women, but she'd never truly accept them. That jealousy could be both useful and dangerous.
As Valentina fell asleep, Arthur stayed awake, planning his next move. Lysandra's kiss had provided valuable insight into her compatibility.
[Compatibility Analysis: Lysandra Silvermoor]
[Potential Rating: 75% ↑, Divine Magic Affinity: High]
[Harem Capacity: 2/3 (Active: Lily, Valentina; Potential: Lysandra, Beatrice)]
With the Trial just two days away, Arthur needed every advantage. He focused on the energy he'd harvested, feeling his incubus powers strengthen.
Tomorrow's session with Beatrice would require careful handling of her magical sensitivity—a perfect opportunity to test his newly Innocence Manipulation.
As he finally drifted off to sleep, visions from the blood bond flickered through his mind: Beatrice blushing at the academy, Lysandra trembling at Gareth's anger, Judge Bainbridge accepting a bribe. Each secret, each conquest brought him one step closer to the throne, no matter the cost.