A world without men

*A morning too Dangerous*

Henry lay flat on the luxurious bed, his face still burning from the sheer embarrassment of what had just happened. His mind was still processing the fact that Lillian, his supposed personal maid, had just walked in on him in… well, a compromising state.

His blanket was pulled up to his chest, his grip iron-tight, as if the soft fabric was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.

"This world is insane…" he muttered, rubbing his temples.

The moment replayed in his mind. Lillian's wide, innocent green eyes. The way she had gasped. The sheer panic in her voice.

And then—the absolute horror when he realized he was practically naked in front of her.

Henry groaned, rolling onto his side. "I should've never gotten out of bed…"

But as much as he wanted to stay wrapped in blankets forever, he knew he had to face reality.

This wasn't a dream. This wasn't some weird fever hallucination.

He was here.

In a world where men didn't exist.

A world where he was, apparently, the most valuable person alive.

And based on Seraphina's warning last night…

Some people wouldn't just want him.

They would try to take him.

Henry exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Focus."

First things first: He needed to figure out more about this world.

Because right now?

He was wildly unprepared.

---

A World Without Men

After finally dragging himself out of bed (fully dressed this time), Henry stepped out into the grand hallways of the palace.

The marble floors gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the tall stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the walls. Golden chandeliers hung high above, and every inch of the palace screamed wealth and power.

It still didn't feel real.

But then again, nothing about this situation felt real.

He wandered through the corridors, aimlessly at first, until he stumbled across a massive library.

Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with thick tomes and delicate scrolls.

Henry hesitated at the entrance.

A library meant answers.

And answers were exactly what he needed.

Stepping inside, he ran his fingers along the spines of the books, scanning the titles. Most were in an unfamiliar language, but thankfully, some were written in something he could understand.

The Lost Era: A History of the Great Disappearance

His fingers froze over the spine of the book.

That… sounded important.

Pulling it from the shelf, he flipped it open and started reading.

---

The Great Disappearance

Henry's eyes scanned the page, his heartbeat picking up as he absorbed the words.

"Long ago, the world was not as it is now. Men and women lived together, side by side. But then came the Great Disappearance—an event that remains shrouded in mystery."

"Overnight, every man vanished. Every brother, every father, every king—gone, as if they had never existed. No bodies were found. No traces remained. It was as if the world itself had rewritten history, leaving only women behind."

Henry swallowed hard.

"For centuries, the world has adapted. The strongest and most powerful women rose to rule. Empires were built, new systems of magic developed, and society flourished despite the loss. But even now, the true cause of the Great Disappearance remains unknown."

Henry's hands tightened around the pages.

An entire gender erased from existence?

Just gone?

No wonder Seraphina had been so intense last night.

If men truly hadn't existed for centuries, then his presence here wasn't just shocking.

It was impossible.

And worse…

It meant someone was going to want to find out why he was here.

Henry exhaled, closing the book.

"Well, that's terrifying," he muttered.

But before he could process things further—

The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed behind him.

His body tensed.

He didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

That scent—soft, floral, intoxicating—was unmistakable.

"Henry," a familiar voice purred.

He turned slowly.

And there she was.

Lady Seraphina.

---

Seraphina's Game

She leaned against a nearby bookshelf, arms crossed, watching him with that same dangerous smirk.

Her violet eyes gleamed, filled with something Henry still couldn't quite place—amusement? Possessiveness? Something far more dangerous?

"You've been busy," she mused, glancing at the book in his hands.

Henry swallowed. "Just… trying to learn more."

Seraphina stepped closer, her heels clicking softly. "And? What do you think?"

Henry hesitated. "It's… insane. A whole world without men? And then suddenly, I appear?"

Seraphina hummed, tapping a finger against her lips. "Yes. Quite the mystery, isn't it?"

Henry exhaled. "And you… You really don't know why I'm here?"

Seraphina's smirk didn't falter. "Would it make you feel better if I lied and said I did?"

Henry frowned. "No. That would be worse."

Seraphina chuckled, stepping even closer.

Close enough that Henry could feel the warmth radiating off her skin.

Her presence was overwhelming.

"You're nervous," she murmured.

Henry tensed. "Can you blame me?"

Seraphina's lips curled upward. "No. Not at all."

She reached out, trailing a single finger along his chest.

Henry's breath caught in his throat.

"You're adjusting quickly, though," she mused, her touch lingering just a little too long. "I expected you to be more… resistant."

Henry's throat felt dry. "I… I'm just trying to survive."

Seraphina's eyes darkened slightly. "Good. Then you'll listen to me when I tell you something important."

Henry swallowed. "What?"

Seraphina leaned in, her lips barely grazing the shell of his ear.

"Be careful who you trust."

Henry's pulse skyrocketed. "W-what?"

Seraphina pulled back slightly, her violet eyes locking onto his.

"There are women in this world who will kill to claim you," she said, voice low. "And not all of them will be as gentle as me."

Henry shuddered. "You call this gentle?"

Seraphina smirked. "Oh, Henry… If I wasn't being gentle, you'd know."

Henry felt a full-body chill at the way she said that.

He wasn't sure if it was a warning or a promise.

Maybe both.

Seraphina straightened, giving him one last lingering glance.

"Remember," she murmured. "I can protect you. But only if you stay with me."

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Henry exhaled, finally able to breathe again.

His hands were shaking.

This world was dangerous.

And Seraphina…

She was the most dangerous of them all.

But despite that—despite everything—

A small, traitorous part of him was starting to think…

Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

---

To Be Continued…