Arven awoke to the soft sound of breathing close to his ear.
His body ached pleasantly from the night before. The rough texture of the thin blanket barely covered the poor excuse for a mattress beneath him. Every shift made the battered frame creak beneath his weight.
It took him a moment to register the warmth straddling his thigh.
He blinked and looked down.
Daisy lay draped across him, one pale thigh thrown over his leg, her short maid skirt riding high on her hips. The top of her uniform was still undone, leaving her breasts pressed against his side, soft and warm. Her white hair fanned out across the pillow and his chest.
Most notably, the slight movement of her hips was impossible to ignore. She was grinding softly against his thigh, small breathy whimpers escaping her parted lips.
Arven swallowed hard, blood rushing south again.
As if sensing the shift in tension, Daisy stirred. Her crimson eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first. She let out a soft moan, her hips giving another lazy roll.
Then awareness returned.
Her eyes widened. A sharp gasp escaped her throat as she bolted upright, cheeks blazing.
"I-" She clutched at her half-open uniform, yanking it closed with trembling hands. Her legs scrambled to slide off him, though in doing so she pressed firmly against his already hardening member.
Another gasp.
"You- I was not-!" she stammered, ears twitching violently.
Arven smirked slightly, propping himself on one elbow.
"Good morning," he said, voice low.
"I-this is not-do not look at me!" Daisy spun away, arms wrapped tightly around herself, still bright red.
The System shimmered faintly in his vision, unbothered by the display.
Target state stabilized.
Bond established: Daisy.
Last recorded state: fulfilled.
System capacity increased.
New adaptive traits integrated.
Residual effects absorbed:
Minor increase to charm presence.
Physical resilience improved.
Adaptive trait unlocked: "Words of Silk" (latent, triggers during intimate interactions).
Arven absorbed the information calmly. The System felt less like a game and more like a living presence, adapting to each interaction. No clean menus or level bars, just a growing sense of power and influence.
Daisy straightened her clothes with stiff movements, taking slow, deep breaths. When she finally turned back, her eyes were sharper, the desperate haze of the previous night entirely gone.
"I will say this once," she said coldly. "You will not speak of what happened."
Arven tilted his head slightly. "Not even about this morning?"
Her flush deepened. "Especially not about this morning!"
She crossed her arms, glaring. The proud, self-possessed side of Daisy had fully returned.
"I was... not myself," she continued, voice steadier now. "Some unnatural craving overcame me. It is gone. I am in control again."
Arven smiled. "Glad to hear it. Though I must say, you make a very affectionate sleeper."
Daisy stiffened. "You-!"
Before she could unleash whatever sharp retort was building, a knock sounded at the door.
A young male servant entered without looking up.
"New orders. You are not scheduled for duties today. Rest here. You will be called tomorrow."
Without waiting for a reply, he left.
Daisy exhaled sharply, regaining her composure.
"It seems you are spared for now," she said coolly. "I suggest you use the time to adjust. This house will not treat you kindly."
She moved toward the door, pausing only once.
"And do not think this changes anything," she added, voice softer. "I am no one's plaything."
With that, she swept out of the room, leaving Arven alone once more.
He let out a long breath, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.
"So not all hearts and flowers. Good."
With no assigned duties, Arven took the chance to explore the System in more depth.
Closing his eyes, he focused inward.
The familiar hum responded instantly.
Local environment expanded.
Potential bonds: scanning...
Two sources of interest detected.
Engagement conditions unknown.
Curious.
A new flow of subtle text followed.
Current bonds:
Daisy. Status: stabilized. Emotional resonance: suppressed.
New potential sources detected:
Source 1: Emotional barriers detected.
Source 2: Engagement path gated. Additional conditions required.
Arven opened his eyes, thoughtful.
The System was evolving. Each target seemed to deepen its awareness and unlock further possibilities.
And it was not presenting a simple, linear path. Opportunities would have to be sought, conditions met, barriers broken.
He liked that. A real challenge.
The next morning, another knock came.
The same young servant entered, this time with a small pouch of coins.
"Orders from Lord Pracius. You are to collect supplies from the market today. A list will be provided."
Arven accepted the pouch, expression unreadable.
Shopping. A test, perhaps. Or simply another way to keep him under control.
No matter.
The capital's market was already bustling when he arrived.
Vendors shouted beneath colorful banners. The air smelled of spice, sweat, and roasted meat.
Arven moved through the crowds, gathering the requested items. Along the way, he noticed something curious.
More than a few women's eyes lingered on him. Brief smiles, subtle glances, slight blushes.
The System's charm buff was subtle, but effective.
He filed the observation away for future use.
Near one of the larger stalls, a cold prickle ran down his spine.
Turning, he spotted a tall woman in a high-collared dress, pale eyes sharp beneath neatly bound dark hair.
Mariel.
The head maid was as striking as the rumors suggested. Regal posture, icy beauty. She issued curt instructions to her aides without so much as glancing his way.
Yet the System pulsed faintly.
Potential source identified.
Engagement path unknown.
Emotional barriers: high.
Arven inclined his head slightly and moved on.
A bit too soon to test those waters.
As he finished his purchases, stray gossip caught his ear.
"...Lady Celyne... another broken servant... poor soul..."
"...Pracius lets her do whatever she wants... dangerous girl..."
"...impossible to please..."
The System responded.
Potential source identified.
Engagement path gated.
Prerequisite conditions required.
Arven smiled to himself.
The game was deepening.
And he had every intention of playing to win.