Episode 21 We Don't Want It

I can't help but burst into a grin, my eyes fixed on the general descending from his ship. Proxima guards flanking him on both sides, hands bound in those fancy lazer-cuffs.

Oh, victory is simply delicious. And the best part? I didn't even have to use GODSEND. It's almost as if I'm some kind of tactical genius. Though, the credit wholly goes to the captains and the crew. I really couldn't do it without them.

It was a great idea to have a little chat with Captain Sheridan after things went down in deciding Queen Regina's fate.

I couldn't resist sneaking a glance at the floating textbox in my game system, and what do you know? It gleefully informed me that my public image had soared. Odd, isn't it? I mean, I was the one who dragged my own people into a full-blown war. Yet, they still like me?

Do Proximans enjoy war?

"A mere skirmish, is it?" I quipped, sauntering over to General Jax Brynn. He shot me a glare, his ruby eyes brimming with defiance, although it was now abundantly clear that he was thoroughly peeved.

Like I said—kiss my ass, Jax Brynn!

Eyseck and Lagos watched my back as I badgered the defeated general. "I didn't know 'settling our differences' meant you'd be here in front of me. Cuffed. A loser. Totally defeated."

I couldn't care less about how I appeared to them at the moment. After all the stress and panic attacks this man had put me through, I felt like I deserved every bit of satisfaction in the world.

I had to begrudgingly admit, Jax was... alarmingly handsome. His blonde, wavy hair framed his sharp, chiseled features, making it utterly confusing that someone so good-looking could be the enemy. He was decked out in an ensemble that practically screamed "villain" – a black cape billowing behind him with an air of malevolence, and gloves that seemed to underscore his calculated and sinister aura. Damn. If evil, why hot?

My gaze lingered over the game system box displaying the list of love interests. There it was, his name, a puzzling addition to the roster. I couldn't help but feel conflicted about it, given how much I had hated him for so long.

Suddenly, a smirk crept across his face. "It's quite the honor to finally meet you in person, little Queen," he remarked, his gaze sweeping from my head down to my toes. "Although, I must say, I'd envisioned you to be... well, smaller." His tone was a mix of mockery and arrogance.

"Funny," I replied, my hand gently cupping his chin, "I'd imagined you to be taller." I couldn't help but soak in his features, and, well, damn.

This was a scenario straight out of those shows I'd watched a couple of times, and I couldn't resist trying it out for myself. I felt powerful.

"My, my," he drawled with dripping sarcasm, "I should say I didn't expect such a barbaric tactic from you. I wasn't aware the Queen preferred it rough." Even I didn't imagine Captain Sheridan to do such a thing. But in the end that ridiculous horn was able to touch their reactor and their systems went haywire.

I shot him a sharp look. "Don't get fresh with me, prisoner."

"'Fresh'?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking, and his sharp canines glistened like a dog's. "I can adapt, you know. I can get a little raw if that's what you fancy."

Stop looking at him, Reina. I reprimanded myself internally, my thoughts a jumbled mess. Handsome men, I reminded myself, could be the worst, they'd be convinced they could get away with anything just because of their looks. I shifted my attention to the handsome men standing by my side, both of whom had been nothing but gentle and kind to me. Jax, however, was an entirely different story.

Too bad Jax, I prefer good boys. Wait, why was his affection meter rising?

Two weeks later, I received an unexpected transmission from Planet Atuj'R. It appeared that the democratic party had successfully staged a coup, seeking to overthrow the very military government that had once held them in its iron grip. The irony of the situation was not lost on me.

"What's going to happen to Jax Brynn?" I inquired during a virtual conference call with the democratic leaders. They exchanged glances, clearly deliberating on the matter.

"Given that we lack any established legal jurisdiction over your planet, as someone who has trespassed on the boundaries, Jax Brynn is subject to the laws of your realm. With this said, we are open to a cooperative effort to reach a just decision on your convenience," one of them explained with a diplomatic tone.

Basically, they are telling me he is my problem now.

My gaze lingered on the love interest charts, and I couldn't help but notice that one of Jax's love milestones offered a 5% increase in military research and strategy. Proxima had never been a militaristic planet, but the uncertainty of when we might face another adversary loomed in the back of my mind.

I weighed my options carefully. I was reluctant to reveal our hidden weapon, GODSEND, too easily. Perhaps this was an opportunity to bolster our own preparedness, to ensure that Proxima remained safe without prematurely exposing our most potent asset.

I slammed my body on the desk, causing Eyseck to flinch. I hate war! I hate it so much! It makes me stressed out and once again, the risks taken aren't even worth the rewards.

But at the same time, it was a little bit enjoyable to watch. A little.

"Eyseck," I groaned.

He stepped over to my side, "Yes, my Queen?"

"Now that I have one consort, does that mean I need to expand my harem?"

He paused. It's true, a harem would make me powerful but at the same time it would be stressful to manage. In addition to the dating aspect and boosts, I really have to put effort into it. 

Eyseck finally spoke, "If that is what you see fit, my Queen."

"Cant it just be Lagos?" I sighed as I looked over the digital paperwork before me. Lagos had a 2% boost in resource gathering and tourism under the 2,000 point love milestone. Last time I checked, Lagos was a whopping 2344/10,000 and I couldn't believe it was that easy.

I glanced over to Eyseck with his love meter hovering by his side. People of this worlds can't see the game system from Risk & Reward even though the text boxes look exactly like a holographic monitor like those in this world. Currently, Jax is at a 923/10,000. Just a little bit more and I could get that sweet 5% bonus.

Eyseck had grown to 3452/10,000 in the past weeks. His administrative research boost of 3% really helps. I get more work done compared to the slow process before.

"Eyseck, do you want to be part of my harem?" I absentmindedly said.

He paused. Does he hate me? I couldn't help but sit back up in my seat. The silence was obvious. Gosh, does the idea disgust him that much?