The Duel Begins

Henry did not sleep that night.

It wasn't because of anxiety over the duel. It wasn't because of the sheer ridiculousness of Seraphina's challenge. No, it was because Seraphina—ever the sadistic menace—had decided he would be staying in her quarters for the night.

Which would have been fine.

If she hadn't also decided that his bed would be her bed.

"This is unnecessary," Henry gritted out as he lay stiff as a board on the farthest edge of the bed, praying for divine intervention.

Seraphina, comfortably sprawled beside him in an elegant silk nightgown that covered exactly none of the things it should, smiled lazily. "You wound me, Henry. Sharing warmth is vital for survival."

"We are in a palace! With central heating!"

Seraphina rolled onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow, her face far too close to his. "Are you afraid you'll be unable to control yourself?"

Henry barked out a laugh, mostly to cover up the fact that his brain had completely short-circuited. "Oh no, I'm worried about you. I've seen the way you look at me."

Seraphina trailed a finger down his arm, amusement flickering in her violet eyes. "You say the most adorable things when you're panicking."

Henry clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut. He would get through this. He would survive.

Just.

One.

Night.

---

Henry did not survive.

When he woke up, it was to the warm, terrifying realization that he was tangled in Seraphina's embrace.

Her arms were wrapped firmly around his waist. Her leg was draped possessively over his own. Her breath tickled his neck in slow, even exhales.

Henry, to his absolute horror, had also somehow managed to tuck himself neatly against her.

There was only one reasonable response.

He screamed.

Seraphina made an irritated sound, shifting slightly but refusing to let go. "Mmm… five more minutes."

Henry thrashed violently, trying to extract himself. "Five more minutes?! Woman, we are not even—!"

Seraphina cracked open one eye, peering at him with lazy amusement. "Not even what, dear?"

"DON'T 'DEAR' ME—" Henry gave one final desperate heave, tumbling out of the bed and landing on the floor with an undignified thud.

Seraphina sighed dramatically. "You wound me. Am I that unappealing?"

Henry shot up, eyes wild. "THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE."

Seraphina giggled, stretching like a cat. "You're right. The real issue is that it's time for our duel."

Henry stiffened. Right. The duel. The duel that would determine his freedom… or his ultimate demise.

Seraphina slid out of bed gracefully, the sheer fabric of her nightgown clinging scandalously before she retrieved a robe, tying it loosely. "Get dressed, my love. The battlefield awaits."

Henry swallowed hard, running a hand down his face.

This woman was going to be the death of him.

---

The training grounds were already set up when Henry arrived. A large circular ring of white sand gleamed under the early morning sun. Around them, curious nobles and palace guards had gathered, whispering excitedly.

"Are they truly dueling?"

"The Lady Seraphina hasn't lost a match in years."

"Poor bastard doesn't stand a chance."

Henry adjusted his grip on the wooden practice sword he'd been handed, exhaling sharply. He wasn't a fighter. Not in the traditional sense. But if it meant getting out of here, he would give it everything he had.

Seraphina stood across from him, stretching languidly, a fox-like smirk playing at her lips. "Any last words, darling?"

Henry narrowed his eyes. "Yeah. Do you fight fair, or should I expect more of your usual nonsense?"

Seraphina gasped, pressing a hand to her chest in mock offense. "Henry! I would never cheat."

Henry stared at her blankly. "You're lying."

She winked. "Perhaps."

Before he could retort, the announcer stepped forward. "The duel shall be determined by a single round. First to disarm their opponent wins. Ready?"

Henry braced himself. Seraphina merely tilted her head, eyes gleaming.

"Begin!"

Henry lunged forward, sword raised, aiming for a calculated strike.

And immediately regretted everything.

Seraphina moved like liquid. She sidestepped effortlessly, letting his attack swing through empty air before pressing a single finger against his chest and shoving him backward.

Henry stumbled, barely keeping his balance. "Okay. Okay. That was a warm-up."

Seraphina grinned. "Of course, dear. Please, take your time."

Henry inhaled deeply and tried again, this time faking left before spinning to the right. He swung at her side, confident he had an opening—

—only for Seraphina to dodge at the last possible second, catching his wrist mid-motion and twisting his entire body around.

Henry yelped as he hit the ground, his sword flying from his grasp.

The crowd erupted into cheers. The duel was over.

Seraphina stood above him, positively glowing with victory. "It appears I win."

Henry groaned. "I hate everything."

Seraphina leaned down, her voice silk. "Don't be so dramatic. Now, about our deal…"

Henry paled. "We can renegotiate, right? Right?!"

Seraphina's smirk widened. "Not a chance, love. You lost."

Henry squeezed his eyes shut as she cupped his chin, tilting his face up toward hers. "Shall I tell the servants to prepare my chambers for two?"

Henry whimpered. "I hate you."

Seraphina beamed. "You adore me."

Before he could launch into a full-blown existential crisis, she pulled him up to his feet, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt.

"Cheer up, Henry. It's not so bad."

Henry dragged a hand down his face. "Oh, really? Because from my perspective, I just lost my one shot at freedom and am now contractually obligated to share a bed with the most evil woman in existence."

Seraphina laughed, threading her arm through his. "And yet, you still find me charming."

Henry exhaled through his nose, accepting his fate. "I despise how much you enjoy this."

Seraphina leaned in, voice nothing but a sultry whisper. "And I love how much you struggle."

The crowd erupted into even louder cheers as Seraphina led him away, grinning like the cat who had devoured the canary.

Henry groaned into his hands.

Tomorrow was going to be an even longer day.