**Sai**: *(leaning back, his arms crossed, his curiosity piqued)*
"Okay, what exactly is my role in this kingdom?"
**King Henry**: *(speaking with a measured tone, his gaze steady)*
"Our kingdom is the largest on the continent. That's no accident. My father divided the land into six parts, entrusting four to specific people, calling them the Great Dukes. Each was granted control of their own territory. And of course, the largest part became the capital, the heart of the kingdom, where we rule over everything."
**Sai**: *(nodding slowly, his brow furrowed as he processes the information)*
"Four Dukes... so what about the fifth land?"
**King Henry**: *(his voice taking on a darker tone, his eyes narrowing slightly)*
"The fifth land... it was cursed—by dragons."
**Sai**: *(his body tensing, intrigued and unsettled)*
"Cursed by dragons?"
**King Henry**: *(leaning forward, his expression grim yet determined)*
"Yes, and that's precisely why I want you to take over that land. I'm making you the Duke of Zarador."
**Sai**: *(scoffing, waving his hand dismissively)*
"And what am I supposed to do with a land that's supposedly cursed? You expect me to rule an empty wasteland?"
**King Henry**: *(a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth)*
"No, Sai. You've got it wrong. The land is not empty."
**Sai**: *(his curiosity deepening, eyes narrowing)*
"Then what is it?"
**King Henry**: *(with a heavy sigh, his voice dropping low)*
"There are people who still live there—people without a leader, without a protector. They cling to survival, but they fear the curse, they fear the dragons. They need someone to take control, to give them hope."
**Narrator**: *Sai's thoughts spiraled, the mention of dragons and a curse stirring memories of the artifact fused to his wrist. He could feel a subtle warmth radiating from it, as if reacting to the conversation. The core inside pulsed faintly, reminding him of its power and mystery.*
**Sai**: *(his voice laced with suspicion, the weight of the artifact on his mind)*
"So, what exactly is the name of this cursed land?"
**King Henry**: *(with a grim sense of finality)*
"Zarador. The Realm of the Dragons."
**Sai**: *(his mind racing, dragons, curses, and the mysterious artifact all swirling in his thoughts, before finally nodding)*
"Fine. I accept your offer."
**King Henry**: *(his voice turning firm, almost commanding)*
"It's not an offer, Sai. It's an order."
**Sai**: *(rolling his eyes, smirking)*
"Yeah, yeah. Call it whatever you want."
**King Henry**: *(relaxing slightly, a satisfied look crossing his face)*
"Good. It's settled then. next week, I'll organize a grand event to announce you as the new Duke of Zarador."
**Sai**: *(suddenly intrigued, raising an eyebrow)*
"An event?"
**King Henry**: *(a knowing smile playing on his lips)*
"Yes. And along with it, I will announce your engagement to Princess Yumehime."
**Sai**: *(stiffening, his eyes widening in shock, taken aback)*
"Wait, what?"
**King Henry**: *(chuckling softly, watching Sai's reaction with amusement)*
"You heard me. Next week, at the event, you'll not only be recognized as the Duke of Zarador, but you'll also be engaged to Yumehime."
**Narrator**: *Sai's mind reeled. Becoming the Duke of a cursed land was one thing, but being tied to Princess Yumehime—he hadn't expected that twist. The weight of responsibility suddenly felt heavier as he grappled with the implications. The artifact on his wrist felt warmer, as if reacting to his turmoil.*
**Sai**: *(gritting his teeth, his voice low and controlled)*
"And what if I refuse the engagement?"
**King Henry**: *(smiling, his tone deceptively light)*
"It's not a question of choice. Yumehime is intrigued by you, and it's beneficial to the kingdom. You're already part of the royal family now."
**Sai**: *(with a sarcastic grin, hiding his growing discomfort)*
"Seems like I don't have much of a say in anything, huh?"
**King Henry**: *(laughing lightly)*
"Not when it comes to matters of the kingdom."
**Narrator**: *The conversation ended on an uneasy note. Sai wasn't just accepting a cursed land; he was stepping into the heart of the royal family's tangled web of power, duty, and expectations. The next week would be the beginning of something far bigger than he anticipated—dragons, curses, and now an unexpected engagement.*
*As Sai left the meeting room, the heavy wooden doors closing behind him, the dimly lit corridor seemed to stretch endlessly. His mind raced with the king's words still echoing—Duke of Zarador, engagement to Princess Yumehime. It all felt surreal, like the pieces of his life were being shuffled far too quickly.*
**Sai**: *(gritting his teeth, his thoughts spiraling)*
"One week ago, I was just a nameless wanderer in the forest..."
**Narrator**:
*Suddenly, from the shadows, a figure emerged silently, blending seamlessly with the dark. It was Hana, her presence as quiet as her movements, the faint light casting a glow on her sharp eyes.*
**Hana**: *(stepping forward, her voice soft yet curious)*
"My lord, what did the king ask of you?"
**Sai**: *(running a hand through his hair, letting out a short, dry laugh)*
"Well, apparently, I'm now the lord of Zarador. And as if that wasn't enough, I've also got myself a fiancée."
**Hana**: *(raising an eyebrow, a sly smirk tugging at her lips)*
"Ah, congratulations, my lord."
**Sai**: *(his voice dripping with sarcasm as he waves her off)*
"Congratulations? It's all happening too fast. A week ago, I was fighting for survival in a forest, and now I'm a duke and betrothed to a princess."
**Hana**: *(crossing her arms, her tone practical as always)*
"What's the problem, then? This seems to work in your favor, doesn't it?"
**Narrator**:
*Sai paused for a moment, her words sinking in. His eyes flickered with something darker, a spark of understanding that this sudden rise in power wasn't necessarily a curse but a hidden blessing. His lips curled into a grin—* **not just any grin, but the kind of smile you'd see on the face of a third-rate villain in the middle of his grand scheme.**
**Sai**: *(his voice lowering, the grin still etched on his face)*
"Yeah... it does favor me, doesn't it?"
**Narrator**:
*Hana observed him, her sharp gaze unwavering. She knew Sai well enough to recognize the shift in his demeanor—the calculating gleam in his eyes, the way he carried himself like someone ready to seize control of any situation. He wasn't just a man being swept along by fate anymore. He was beginning to steer the course.*
**Hana**: *(tilting her head slightly, her voice a quiet challenge)*
"So, what's the next step, my lord?"
**Sai**: *(glancing over his shoulder, his voice calm but filled with quiet determination)*
"We'll take things step by step. Zarador, Yumehime… they're just the beginning. The real game is yet to come."
**Narrator**
*As Sai walked down the corridor, Hana faded back into the shadows, her watchful eyes always a few steps behind him. In one week, Sai had gone from the forest to the heart of royal politics, from survival to schemes. And as the weight of his new titles sank in, so did the potential for what he could become.*
*The villainous smirk never left his face.*
**Narrator's Note**: *Sai's transformation is accelerating, driven by his newfound power and the unpredictable twists in his fate. As Duke of Zarador and soon-to-be fiancé of Princess Yumehime, his path is no longer just about survival but dominance. The next steps will reveal just how far Sai is willing to go to control his destiny—and everyone around him.*