Chapter 7

"I've never even been in a relationship before! Now I'm acting like some seductress straight out of a romance novel?!" she shouted.

[This was your wish before your death: to experience love at first sight. A love straight out of a fantasy novel,] the system's screen appeared, its message taunting her.

Was she really that hopeless? She remembered the bookshelves in her apartment, filled to the brim with comics and romantic novels about love and happy endings.

"Then why didn't I get any rewards when Rick kissed me in the carriage?" she muttered, rolling her eyes as she waited for the system's response.

[Rewards for the current task will be given upon completion. Additional rewards can be earned by completing magical system tasks,] it replied.

How absurd. She was stuck with two systems—one for survival and one for magic—and both revolved around physical contact.

... 

"Rick the IV, is this how you keep your word?"

A rough, deep voice shattered the silence as the room's walls crumbled, revealing a tall man standing amidst the destruction. He had invaded the king's chamber, and no guards had yet appeared. The danger this man posed was palpable.

"No, I can't let him get hurt. I can't watch him in danger," Roulan thought, her heart pounding as she tried to step forward. To her shock, a magical barrier held her back. She struck it desperately, but it wouldn't budge.

Rick's eyes caught Roulan's frightened gaze, and his lips curled into a slight smirk. "And you say you don't care about me? Then why that look on your face?" he mused, brushing his brow with deliberate slowness. He took a deep breath, a flicker of annoyance surfacing. He had forgotten how unreasonable the man before him could be.

"Let's talk this out like civilized men," Rick offered, his tone steady.

The other man sneered and gestured sharply. The remaining walls collapsed, leaving the room in ruins. "You told me you were forced onto this throne. That all you cared about was fighting demonic beasts and growing stronger. So why haven't you abdicated yet? Tell me, brother."

Roulan froze, her mind racing. "Brother? What? I really need to understand more about myself—about Roulan—and the world around me," she thought, bewildered.

Before she could process further, a strikingly elegant woman appeared in the room. Her luxurious attire and commanding presence suggested she'd used a teleportation spell.

"I changed my mind. Simple as that," Rick replied coldly, his gaze drifting back to Roulan. The astonishment on her face was unmistakable. "If I weren't the richest man in the kingdom, Roulan wouldn't have even looked at me," he thought bitterly, closing his eyes. Yet, the memory of their shared kiss haunted him. For the first time, Rick the Eleventh—the strongest and wealthiest man in the realm—found himself ignoring everything else for the sake of a single girl.

"Rick, we need to talk later."

The woman's sharp tone was loaded with reproach as she turned to the raging man. "Raymond, stop this. You can't speak to Rick like that. He's still the king."

Raymond brushed her hand away with an angry snarl. "You've disappointed me, brother. Or should I say, Your Majesty."

Rick remained silent, his focus fixed on Roulan. Her discomfort was evident, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow at the center of this conflict.

After Raymond stormed out, the woman's fiery gaze landed on Roulan. Her clenched fists betrayed her anger.

"Don't touch her, Aunt," Rick's voice cut through the tension. "She's under my protection now. Roulan is one of my guards."

The magical barrier around Roulan dissipated as Rick spoke. She could feel the sheer intensity of his aunt's power, the bloodlust in her glare.

"Rick, you know this isn't right," his aunt said, her voice tight with barely contained fury. She struggled to maintain her composure. This wasn't just about Roulan—it was about the fractures forming within the royal family because of her. A hybrid girl, powerless and unable to wield magic, was threatening the delicate balance.

Roulan watched the woman vanish as suddenly as she had appeared. She stood frozen, unsure of what to do as Rick approached. With every step he took, the destruction around them seemed to reverse itself. The room restored to its original state, as if the storm had never struck.

"What's this? Still here, Roulan? Don't you have work to do?"

Rick's low voice sent shivers down her spine as he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. The barrier between them gone, Roulan felt his overwhelming presence up close.

"Sorry," she muttered, trying to retreat, but Rick pulled her into his arms. His grip was firm, almost desperate, as if he hadn't seen her in ages. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the sensation of his breath against her neck.

"You said you'd make up for that kiss," he murmured, his voice like a caress. His words made her entire body tremble as he held her, his strength both intimidating and comforting. Before she could reply, he added, "I'll do everything the right way, I promise."

Why couldn't she respond? Where was her usual defiance? His commanding presence left her speechless.

…

"Where were you? I've searched the entire palace for you! Do you think I'm your babysitter?" Darian's voice thundered as Roulan sat in silence, still recovering from Rick's touch. The fluttering in her stomach wouldn't stop.

"I'm not a noblewoman, Darian. Being a guard means staying alert at all times. I don't know why the king even bothers with someone like you," Darian continued, his voice rising with frustration. He had nearly lost his mind when he realized she was missing.

"Don't yell at me, you hypocrite," Roulan snapped, standing abruptly. "All you ever do is make me stand in the sun. This isn't training—it's punishment! I'm Roulan, understand? I don't need your so-called training."

Her tone was sharp, her frustration boiling over. "And where were you when Raymond stormed into the king's chamber?"