The sun cast a soft glow over the gazebo, illuminating the quiet moment as Minnie returned with trays of food. She placed them carefully on the small table between Adrian and Silvia, her expression unreadable. Without much exchange, Minnie excused herself, leaving the two alone.
Silvia stared at the plates in front of her, the aroma of the warm, hearty meal awakening her hunger. It had been days since she'd had anything proper to eat. She hesitated for a moment before digging in, the tension between her and Adrian melting away with each bite. As the meal progressed, the conversation shifted from the awkwardness of their initial encounter to something more natural, more comfortable.
They talked about little things—what kind of foods they liked, the places they'd visited, the subtle differences between their worlds. With each passing moment, Silvia felt more at ease, as if the strangeness of her new reality was slowly fading. She even found herself laughing at Adrian's dry humor, the kind of laughter that felt like a distant memory.
Adrian, too, seemed more relaxed, though there was a lingering intensity in his gaze that Silvia couldn't quite decipher. After they finished eating, he leaned back slightly, his eyes watching her carefully, almost as if he were searching for something in her expression.
"Silvia," he began, his voice soft but serious. "I asked you before if you would be my empress. I want to ask again, but this time... I need you to answer out of your own free will."
Silvia blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone. Her heart skipped a beat. "But... I already accepted, didn't I?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion. "Why are you asking again?"
Adrian shook his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Before, it felt like I forced you into that decision. This time, I need to know if 'you' truly want this—not out of obligation, not out of desperation. It has to be your choice."
The weight of his words settled heavily in the air, and Silvia felt her chest tighten. Adrian was giving her a way out, an escape if she wanted it. He was offering her the freedom to walk away from everything, no questions asked.
For a moment, Silvia's mind swirled with uncertainty. She had barely begun to understand this strange new world, let alone her place in it. But as she looked into Adrian's eyes, she realized that the thought of leaving, of abandoning the strange bond that had already begun to form between them, wasn't what she wanted. Not really.
Slowly, the tension in her shoulders eased, and she lowered her gaze, her face flushing slightly. "I... I do," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Adrian leaned forward, his gaze softening as his expression grew more intent. "I need to hear you say it, Silvia," he said gently, though his words carried a sense of finality.
Silvia swallowed, her heart racing as she met his eyes. "I... I accept," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "I'll be your empress."
The moment the words left her lips, a strange, unseen force began to stir between them. It started as a subtle warmth, but soon it grew, enveloping them both in an invisible energy. Silvia gasped, her breath catching as she felt something shift inside her, like a bond, deeper than anything she'd ever experienced, anchoring itself to her very soul.
"What... what is this?" she asked, wonder lacing her voice as the mysterious force swirled around them.
Adrian's faint smile returned. "It's the contract," he said simply. "You'll understand more of it as time goes on. But for now, just know that our fates are bound."
Silvia tried to process his words, but before she could say anything more, Adrian rose from his seat, extending his hand toward her. "Come," he said, "we should head to the training grounds."
Earlier, Minnie had mentioned a place they could use for training when she had brought the food, and Adrian had wasted no time in arranging it. He knew that if Silvia was to be by his side, she needed to learn how to defend herself. No one was going to protect her forever.
As they walked toward the training grounds, Silvia glanced up at Adrian, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "So," she began, trying to keep the mood light, "if I'm going to be your empress... where exactly is your empire?"
Adrian chuckled, the sound warm and easy. "I'll show you one day," he replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But for now, let's just say it's wherever I stand."
Silvia rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "That sounds suspiciously convenient," she teased.
"It has its perks," Adrian shot back with a grin.
Their playful banter continued until they arrived at the training hall, and Silvia's breath caught in her throat as she stepped inside. The hall was massive, its walls lined with an array of weapons. She had never seen anything like it, and for a moment, she felt overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all.
"This place is incredible," she murmured, turning in a slow circle, taking it all in.
Adrian smiled at her awe. "Go ahead," he said, gesturing to the weapons. "Choose one."
Silvia wandered over to the selection, her fingers grazing the handles of swords, spears, and other strange weapons she didn't recognize. After a moment, her hand paused on a long whip. She lifted it, testing its weight.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "A whip?" he asked, amusement clear in his voice. "Are you planning on becoming a tyrant?"
Silvia blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What? No!" she protested, bewildered by the accusation.
Adrian couldn't help but chuckle as he imagined her cracking the whip and looking down on everything acting tyrannical. The thought amused him, and he laughed softly to himself.
Silvia narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Adrian said, shaking his head, though the amusement was still in his eyes.
"You're thinking something perverted, aren't you?" Silvia accused, though her voice carried a teasing note.
Adrian smirked. "Far from it."
Before she could respond, Adrian silently sent a command, "Share my weapon mastery skill with her." A strange sensation passed between them, and Silvia's eyes widened as she felt something shift inside her mind. A new sensation, unfamiliar and powerful, settled in her consciousness.
She stumbled slightly, caught off guard. "What... just happened?"
"I've shared one of my skills through the contract," Adrian explained. "Weapon mastery. You should be able to use it now."
The main system was still in the process of awakening, but the contract more or less shared similar functions as the system, like they say a clever rabbit doesn't dig just one burrow for itself.
Silvia stared at him in disbelief. The bond between them was far more complex than she had imagined. But before she could dwell on it, Adrian gestured toward the whip. "Let's see what you can do."
With newfound confidence, Silvia began her training. Under Adrian's guidance, she quickly picked up the basics of using the whip, her movements becoming more precise as the hours went on. But it wasn't long before fatigue set in, her muscles burning from the effort. Her legs trembled, barely able to support her weight.
"You're pushing yourself too hard," Adrian said, catching her arm as she wobbled.
"I... I'm fine," she muttered, though her body screamed otherwise.
Adrian shook his head, and before Silvia could protest, he scooped her into his arms, cradling her effortlessly. "It's faster this way," he said with a smirk.
Silvia's face flushed, her heart racing as she buried her head in his chest. "Put me down!" she squeaked, though she made no serious effort to escape.
Adrian only chuckled, enjoying her embarrassment as he carried her back to the guest room, she looked really cute. Once inside, he made his way straight to the bathroom.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Silvia asked, her eyes widening as realization dawned on her. The thought of him undressing to shower sent her mind into a frenzy. In a panic, she teleported directly into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
Adrian chuckled from the other side. "Silvia, let me in."
"No way!" she shouted, her voice muffled through the door.
"I promise I'll only peek a little," he teased.
"You're a pervert!" Silvia's voice was indignant."I just realized you're completely shameless!"
Adrian just chuckled again, enjoying her flustered state. "Come on, I won't bite."
"Idiot!" she shouted through the door.
Suddenly, a burst of mana erupted from the bathroom, and Adrian found himself standing outside the guest room, completely stunned. He quickly reentered, just in time to see a silver-haired figure dashing back into the bathroom, towel in hand.
Adrian leaned against the doorframe, shaking his head with a smile. "What a clever little fox," he muttered, entertained by her flustered reaction.
•••
Someone asked if it's a harem in the previous chapters. Currently I don't plan to make Adrian have a harem however I do have a few ideas if you guys want him to have a harem.
What do you guys think? Should I make add a harem?
1.Yes.
2.No.
If you guys have any suggestions, do leave them in the comment section and I'll consider them.
As always thank you for reading my novel and your support. Greatly appreciate support with power stones.
Thanks and have a nice day.