Playing with fire

Henry stared at Seraphina, trying to process her words. You always have a choice.

It didn't feel like a choice.

More like a beautifully wrapped ultimatum.

Seraphina took another slow sip of wine, her violet eyes watching him like a cat watching a particularly interesting mouse.

"So?" she mused. "Have you thought about it?"

Henry exhaled sharply. "You literally just said I didn't have to answer now."

Seraphina smirked. "I changed my mind. Decisions should be made over good food and good company."

Henry glanced around. "You mean the company being… you?"

"Who else?" She leaned in, resting her chin on her hand. "I'm quite enjoyable, aren't I?"

Henry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Oh sure, Lady Seraphina, you're a delight. If 'delight' meant terrifying and mildly insane.

Instead, he forced a polite smile. "You do have a way of… keeping things interesting."

Seraphina's lips curled. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Henry."

Henry sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, I appreciate the whole 'stay with me, I'll protect you' offer, but let's be honest—you're not doing this out of the kindness of your heart."

Seraphina chuckled, swirling her wine. "Oh, my dear Henry, of course not." She set the glass down and leaned closer, her voice dropping into something smooth and velvety. "I don't do anything without purpose. And you, my sweet anomaly, are the most valuable thing in this world."

Henry shifted in his seat. "That makes me sound like an object."

Seraphina's smirk widened. "Would you prefer the word treasure?"

Henry groaned. "You're not helping."

Seraphina laughed, finally leaning back. "Fine, fine. I'll ease up… for now."

But the look in her eyes said temporary truce, not surrender.

Henry stabbed at his food, trying to focus on eating instead of the fact that Seraphina's dress seemed to be designed specifically to distract him.

"Alright," he said between bites, "let's say I agree. What exactly does 'staying with you' entail? Because if this is some fancy way of saying 'become my house pet,' I'm gonna have to pass."

Seraphina raised a brow. "Tempting, but no."

Henry choked on his food. "Excuse me?"

Seraphina smirked. "Relax, Henry. I have no interest in keeping you caged. I merely… want you close."

"That still sounds sketchy."

Seraphina sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Do you always assume the worst of me?"

"Yes."

Seraphina laughed. "Smart man."

Henry sighed. "So… what's the catch?"

Seraphina leaned forward, her fingers lightly trailing over the rim of her wine glass. "You'll have to play along."

Henry frowned. "Play along with what?"

Seraphina's smile turned positively devious. "With me, of course."

Henry stared at her. "…I don't like the way you said that."

Seraphina simply tilted her head, her violet eyes twinkling with amusement.

"You'll see."

---

A Morning Too Hot to Handle

The next morning, Henry regretted everything.

Not because he had agreed to Seraphina's proposal—he still hadn't—but because he had woken up in hell.

And by hell, he meant a bed that was entirely too warm.

His brain was still sluggish with sleep as he shifted, trying to escape the heat source pressed against him.

Then the heat moved.

And the heat sighed.

And the heat had violet eyes.

Henry's body went rigid.

Seraphina, in a very sheer silk nightgown, was sprawled beside him, one arm draped casually across his chest.

Henry's soul left his body.

"What the fu—"

Seraphina let out a sleepy hum and shifted closer, effectively cutting off his scream.

"Seraphina?!" Henry's voice cracked.

Seraphina finally blinked awake, her lips curving into a lazy smile. "Mmm… Good morning, Henry."

Henry felt his brain short-circuit. "Why… how… what are you doing in my bed?!"

Seraphina stretched, the silk slipping dangerously lower. "Well, it was late… and you looked comfortable…"

Henry's entire existence burned. "THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN JUST CLIMB INTO MY BED!"

Seraphina chuckled, propping herself up on one elbow. "Oh? Are you scandalized, Henry?"

Henry opened his mouth—only for his brain to crash because Seraphina's nightgown was doing absolutely nothing to hide anything.

The gods were testing him.

"SERAPHINA, COVER YOURSELF!"

Seraphina blinked. Then looked down at herself. Then back at Henry.

And then she smirked.

"Oh, Henry… if you wanted me to take it off, you could have just said so."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID—"

A knock sounded at the door.

"LORD HENRY!" Lillian's voice rang out. "It's urgent!"

Henry scrambled out of bed so fast he nearly tripped.

"JUST A SECOND!"

Seraphina chuckled. "Flustered so easily. How adorable."

"You are literally the devil."

She only smirked.

Henry yanked open the door, his face still burning. "What is it?"

Lillian, red-faced and not looking at him, shoved a letter into his hands. "It's… an invitation."

Henry exhaled, trying to not pass out. "An invitation to what?"

Lillian's face somehow went redder. "To a… marriage tournament."

Henry blinked. "A what now?"

Lillian swallowed. "A tournament. To determine your… um… future wife."

Henry's soul left his body for the second time that morning.

"Excuse me?!"

Seraphina, now lazily stretching in the background, chuckled. "Oh, Henry. It seems you're more popular than you thought."

Henry slammed the door shut.

"I'M GOING BACK TO BED."

---

A Tournament Too Insane

Henry stood at the palace balcony, staring down at the hundreds of women gathered in the courtyard below.

Swords. Spears. Magic users.

Some were already fighting.

Over him.

"I hate everything," Henry whispered.

Seraphina, beside him, was positively glowing. "This is rather exciting."

Henry turned to her, dead inside. "I blame you for this."

Seraphina smirked. "I accept full responsibility."

Henry groaned.

This world was insane.

And if this was just the beginning…

He was so, so doomed.

---

To Be Continued…