Luvania sat there, her eyes locked onto Arfrotian, the words from his chilling response echoing in her mind. She had been both taken aback and intrigued by his answer. To most, her body and beauty were a weapon—a tool she wielded with deliberate precision to gain control over others. Her allure was something she had always been able to rely on, to twist and bend men to her will. Yet, here sat a man who appeared to be entirely unaffected by her charm, her seductive body, or the mesmerizing aura that radiated from her black ice. He had dismissed her attempts to draw him in as if they were nothing more than an afterthought, an irrelevance in the grand scheme of things. For him, the power of her beauty meant nothing. He had come to this omniverse for one thing and one thing alone: to hone his power.
For the first time in her long existence, Luvania felt a strange mix of betrayal and relief. Betrayal because, in a way, Arfrotian had rejected everything she had always believed to be important—her beauty, her allure, her body. But there was a strange relief as well, a feeling she hadn't anticipated. For once, someone could see beyond her outward appearance. For once, someone could look past the shell she had spent centuries crafting and recognize the strength and value within. It was a rare experience, and despite the sting of his rejection, it felt oddly freeing.
Luvania let the silence hang between them as she mulled over her emotions. It was confusing. She had expected Arfrotian to fall into the same patterns as all the others, to try to seduce her or at least acknowledge her allure. But he had done neither, and it had left her unsure of what to make of him. As the queen of the shadow elves, she was used to being desired, to being admired for her beauty and the power that came with it. But Arfrotian was different. That much was clear.
Just as her thoughts began to settle into the strange peace of his indifference, Arfrotian spoke again, his voice cutting through her reverie like a blade.
"You've been quiet," he remarked casually, his eyes never leaving hers. "I trespassed into your megaverse without your consent. So, are you going to punish me?"
Luvania blinked in surprise, the question catching her off guard. Punish him? She hadn't even considered that. What kind of man would ask for punishment so casually? Who in their right mind would welcome the idea of suffering? And more importantly, why did he seem so completely unbothered by the very idea of it? Most would cower in fear, apologize profusely, or beg for mercy, but here Arfrotian was, offering himself up for punishment with an almost nonchalant attitude.
"Punish you?" Luvania repeated, a subtle smile playing at the corners of her lips. It was clear that she wasn't going to let the opportunity slip by. She had to find out just how far his indifference ran. She needed to test him. "Well, if you're eager for a punishment…" She let the words trail off, her tone teasing, her body shifting ever so slightly as she leaned in closer. The seduction was deliberate—playful and light, yet purposeful. "Why not become my…"
But before she could finish, Arfrotian interrupted her, his voice cold and unyielding.
"I'm not accepting that type of punishment."
Luvania froze, her words dying on her lips. Her body went rigid as the reality of his rejection set in. She had expected him to at least entertain the idea. Even if it was a playful proposition, something to test his limits, she had assumed that he might show some interest, however small. But no. He had rejected it outright.
This frustration bubbled up within her. The cool-headed patience with which he had dismissed her offer was more than she had bargained for. It wasn't just a rejection—it was a cold, calculating dismissal that made her feel as though her very suggestion had been beneath him. And yet, deep within, a part of her was intrigued. Why was he so unaffected? What kind of man rejected such an offer so firmly, without even a second thought? The more she thought about it, the more fascinated she became.
"Do you always turn down such offers?" Luvania asked, a touch of playfulness returning to her voice, though there was still an undercurrent of genuine curiosity. She wasn't sure if she was testing him anymore or if she genuinely wanted to know what made this man tick. She had never encountered anyone like him before, and that alone made him all the more captivating.
Arfrotian didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let the silence linger for a moment, his expression still unreadable. But then, as if something had occurred to him, he spoke again, his words completely catching Luvania off guard.
"For the highest crime," he said, his voice calm and thoughtful, "do you use some kind of 'Black Ice Curse' or something similar to that?"
Luvania's eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening at the mention of the curse. How did he know about it? More importantly, why did he know about it? The Black Ice Curse was the highest form of punishment in her megaverse—a punishment so severe, so destructive, that only those who had committed the most heinous of crimes could ever face it. It was a punishment she had only ever threatened, but had never once had to carry out. The mere mention of it was enough to send a chill through the air, and yet here Arfrotian was, speaking of it as if it were a common thing.
Luvania's mind raced, trying to understand how Arfrotian could possibly know about the curse. Had he encountered someone who had been subjected to it? Or had he simply heard rumors? But the question that haunted her the most was how he had known it was the highest level of punishment. Only a few beings in her megaverse were privy to such knowledge, and Arfrotian was not one of them—until now, apparently.
Her heart skipped a beat as she caught a glimpse of the knowing glint in his eyes. He had hit a nerve. He knew exactly what he was doing, and his smirk, subtle but ever present, told her that he was fully aware of the effect his words had on her.
"Guess I hit the bullseye," Arfrotian remarked, his tone casual but carrying an undercurrent of amusement. There was no anger in his voice, no irritation at the mention of the curse—only a calm, almost clinical observation of her reaction.
Then, almost as if making a request, he added, "Could you use that highest punishment on me?"
Luvania was taken aback once more. Her breath caught in her throat as she processed his words. He wasn't begging, nor was he pleading. Instead, he was asking—no, requesting—her to use the very thing that had always been a tool of ultimate retribution. She had always considered the Black Ice Curse to be a last resort, something to be used only in the most extreme of circumstances, but here Arfrotian was, asking for it as if it were a mere curiosity.
The absurdity of the situation hit her hard. Here she was, the queen of the shadow elves, ruler of the black mystic megaverse, and yet the man who could destroy it with the slightest flick of his wrist was asking her to unleash her most devastating punishment upon him. Why? What could he possibly gain from such an action?
But there, in the cool, composed gaze of Arfrotian, she saw something more—a challenge, a dare, perhaps even an invitation. He wasn't afraid of her power. He wasn't afraid of what she could do. In fact, he seemed almost eager to experience it.
Luvania's mind raced as she considered his words. Should she grant his request? Would it be a mistake, or would it reveal something deeper about this man? Something she could not yet comprehend? The possibilities swirled in her mind, but for now, one thing was certain: Arfrotian had just put her in a position she never thought she'd be in.
And as she stared into his eyes, she realized that the game had only just begun.