Arch 12: Maid of Thorns

He came to her door without his armor.

That was the first sign.

The second?

He didn't speak when she opened it.

Just stood there, jaw tight, hands clenched, rain soaking through the collar of his uniform. He looked like someone who'd lost a war and didn't know which side he'd fought for.

Aris didn't ask why.

She just stepped aside.

The chamber was warm. Firelight kissed the stone. Aris wore only a sheer house robe—her skin like velvet in the glow, deep brown and golden at the edges, beautiful in the kind of way that made men confess things they shouldn't.

She poured him wine.

He didn't drink it.

"I thought you'd be proud," she said lightly. "Your enemy's now a member of the war council."

"You think this is a game," he said.

"No," she said. "But you do."

That silence between them? It cracked.

"I watched you twist a kingdom," he muttered. "I watched the Prince lose himself. I watched a holy woman break."

"And you still came."

He didn't answer.

She moved closer. Slow. Careful. No seduction in her step, only challenge.

"Why are you here, Knight?"

He looked at her like he hated her. Like he wanted to fall at her feet.

Like he wanted to hurt and worship her in the same breath.

"You make people feel small," he said. "You make them love it."

Aris didn't deny it.

She raised her hand. Touched his face—just barely.

And he broke.

They didn't speak for a long time after that.

She let him undo her robe.

Let him trace his guilt across her skin like a penance.

Let him pretend it wasn't worship.

But when it was over, and he sat against her bedframe, shirt half-buttoned and eyes distant, she whispered:

"You never had to hate me to want me."

"I still do," he said.

She smiled.

"I know."

The next morning, he was gone.

No note. No sound.

But at court, he stood behind her chair like a shadow.

Silent.

Loyal.

And very, very afraid.

> System: Well damn.

You didn't just seduce him. You reprogrammed him.

Knight: now running on Lust.exe and Guilt.dll.

> Aris: "He wanted to be used. I gave him purpose."

> System: Are you gonna break his heart later?

> Aris: "He'll break it for me."