Aric gazed up at the silver-haired noblewoman shackled before him. Selene Vaelis.
Her violet eyes blazed with defiance despite her restrained position. She was highborn noble though, and even in this hovel, she held herself high. Tattered and torn, the fragments of her fine dress clung to her lovely figure, exposing just enough to be tempting.
Yet, she didn't cower.
By now, most captives would have begged, screamed or pleaded. She, however, stared him down, as if challenging him to do anything.
Aric smirked.
"Interesting."
[System Message: Target Status – Immune]
[Influence: 0%]
[You can persuade, intimidate, or seduce]
He could sense it — the system's power coursing through him, encouraging him to take command. He was not merely reborn stronger. He held sway over desire itself.
But brute force wouldn't be enough. Selene was no ordinary woman. If he sought to put her pride to the test, he needed to play the game right.
Dominance Begins
Aric slowly stepped forward into the open space. The air shifted. Selene tensed as her breathing became even, controlled. She excelled at concealing her feelings. That just made the game more entertaining.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her tone sharp. "And why am I here?"
He cocked his head to study her.
"I could say the same thing to you," he responded smoothly. "All I know is that I was in this chamber and you were my lovely little captive."
There was a flicker in Selene's eyes—uncertainty. Good.
"You … you're not with the bandits?" she asked, her voice gentle but wary.
Aric stepped closer.
"I see they had you locked up, didn't they?" He leaned a little closer, his crimson eyes trained on hers. "If I was one of them, I'd not be unchaining you right now, would I?"
Selene's mouth opened a little. That pause was all he needed to know.
She wanted to believe him.
The system pulsed.
[Influence Increased: 10%]
Aric smirked. So that's how it works. It wasn't merely about brute strength — it was about gradually drawing her into his web, making her want to surrender to him.
He reached out, fingers grazing the cold steel of her bindings. "Let me guess," he said, his voice low and smooth as silk. "You're a noble. Some pampered daughter of a high lord, probably, kidnapped for ransom?"
Selene's jaw tightened. "You know nothing about me."
"Then enlighten me."
She hesitated. That was all the confirmation he required.
"Selene Vaelis," she finally replied, her tone muted. "Daughter of Duke Vaelis."
A duke's daughter? That meant that she was high-ranking nobility, a person who likely had guards, wealth and power at her -- disposal.
And yet… here she was.
Completely under his control.
The First Command
Aric felt along the chain and checked the lock. He could release her. But what fun would that be?
"Tell me, Selene," he mused. If I let you go, what would you do?"
Her eyes sharpened. "I would leave."
"And if I stopped you?"
Her lips pressed together.
He chuckled. "Finna be thinking 'bout it right?"
Selene glared at him. "You're insufferable."
Aric inched his hand toward her, his fingers trailing along her chin and nudging her face. She tensed at the contact, but she didn't pull away. Her pride wouldn't let her show any weakness.
"You've got two options," he said softly. "You can keep resisting, waiting for a rescue that will never come…" His thumb skated across her lower lip, only briefly. "Or, you can have faith in me. And in exchange… I'll keep you safe."
Her breath caught just a bit.
[Influence Increased: 25%]
Aric smiled. She's starting to waver.
Selene swallowed hard. "And what do you get in return?"
He leaned in, his breath hot in her ear.
"Everything."
[System Triggered] : Submission Chain Initiated
Selene's whole body tightened as the air around them thickened with an unseen force. The system was responsive, recognizing when her willpower faltered.
Aric could sense it — the second she ceased contemplating escape and began thinking about compliance.
[First Submission Available from New System Pathway]
His grin widened.
This was only the beginning.