wendeee being saucy

Nonmc's fingers twitch against the metal of her tablet, the cold sweat at the nape of her neck becoming far more noticeable the longer she stood there under his unblinking gaze.

"Then... why? I don't understand what you gain from putting this condition."

A corner of Sylus's lip twitches further upward, his leg lifting up to rest over the other knee to get more comfortable. He was lax, knowing he had the upper hand of whatever game he was playing at.

"Tensions are brewing across the galaxy." He begins, "Though, of course, that's nothing new. Wars are waged, alliances are broken at a moment's notice... Trust is a fragile thing for that very reason."

His eyes start to narrow, a dangerous, calculating glint in them. Even while he was still seated and she was standing tall in front of him, his very presence invoked power she did not hold in that moment.

"But you, Your Royal Highness? Trusting you might be the easiest thing to do."

She scoffs, shaking her head and darting her gaze away before crossing her arms defiantly around her tablet.

"I won't pledge loyalty to Khaosi, Lord Sylus."

"I don't expect you to. In fact, keeping your loyalties to the Cosmic Empire and your Empress is exactly what I need."

A subtle twitch is felt under her eye, the irritation and anxiety rising within her.

Is this a ploy to make her a double agent? Or worse, a plan to steal the Cosmic Empire entirely by using her as an entryway so he could sneak through the cracks of their defenses?

What would become of her once her use for him was finished?

"How would I even know you wouldn't betray me?" She retorts, "Marriages are not assurances for that."

Sylus dares to bark a laugh at her, amusement embroiled in his tone. It made the anger burn through her cheeks even more.

"It is more likely that you would be the one to do it, Your Royal Highness."

Nonmc turns swiftly to face him, her arms loosening to be held furiously at her side.

"You..! Who do you take me for?"

"An independent woman who knows what she wants. You are not easily swayed. Stubborn. That's the kind of person I would want as my wife."

"Hah! You want me to trap myself in a gilded cage? As your Queen Consort?"

His head tilts, an eyebrow raised. Nonmc had learn to read what expressions mean very quickly from a young age, but to believe that there was a hint of offense in his did not make sense to her.

"Is the assumption that you'd have no power in Khaosi the sole issue you would have? Well, that isn't true and the title can easily be solved. Wife. Queen. Empress. Have your pick. I'll give you whichever one you want."

"It-- It is not the sole issue, Lord Sylus!"

"Your Royal Highness, if you have any grievances, please, do share them with me. I can surely solve your every problem."

"With interest to incur for each solution you give me, I'm sure." She bites back, but he isn't fazed in the slightest.

"If you want formal agreements after we're already married, I can easily issue them for you. It may pile up in the archives, but we can manage."

Nonmc huffs at his nonchalant answer, bringing her free hand over to her face to rub at the migraine forming around her temple.

"Ugh. Please stop speaking as if I've already agreed."

Oddly enough, he goes silent, almost taking pity at how his incessant switching between tease and honesty was getting to her.

After another moment, he goes to stand with a low sigh through his nose, giving her a courteous bow in her direction.

"Forgive me, Your Royal Highness. It seems I've agitated you enough already. I will let you get back to your duties."

She doesn't respond, keeping her eyes pinched close even as she hears his heavy steps start to recede toward the entryway of the meeting room. What she doesn't anticipate was for his boots to pause right before leaving, shifting as though he was looking in her direction.

"In any case, this contract you have handed me today is null since the marriage hasn't been included yet. I will send you a revised version for you to look over within a few days. Please, Your Royal Highness, take all the time you need to contemplate your decisions."

With his lingering last words and the soft hiss of the meeting room door closing her to the rest of the capital once more, all she could do was slump her shoulders as she rested her hip against the edge of the table.

Her body felt as though it went through rigorous training, her heart pounding and legs begging to buckle under the metaphorical pressure of his counter-offer to her contract.

This was supposed to be a routine meeting! A sales-pitch that she memorized to perfection and in turn, those efforts would be rewarded with his signature to finalize it all. Simple. Clean. Efficient.

But that wasn't the case.

It didn't help that Sylus was infuriatingly punctual. As he said he would, she gets a message a few days later through her business communications that had a linked and revised contract.

Marriage alliance included.

Even though she wished to discard the message without a second thought, she ended up spending one night during the downtime of yet another voyage across the galaxies to peruse said contract.

It was unfairly refined and precise. Not to mention that a lot of what was offered seemingly benefited her.

Protection. Constant communication. Approval before finalized decisions. Meetings for further discussions.

Those were the usual protocols in business relations. But that wasn't what caught her attention, it was the ones pertaining to marriage.

She would legally be his wife, and as Khaosi Sovereign, she would be a monarch beside him. Her power would hold as much weight at his own.

Such a thing seems ludicrous, dangerous even to offer. That's why he was doing it.

Sylus must know how it looks. Something too good to be true, bait in the purest form. And if she was careless enough, he could easily snuff her out as a betrayer.

A gamble. He wants to see if she would use such powers on offer or become too fearful to even dare use it.

Nonmc could see how that would be appealing, any other person would sign right away after seeing that. But she knew better than to believe that Khaosi would accept her so readily enough if she were to abuse such power.

No, even if it was in contract, she wouldn't be that bold unless she discussed it with Sylus.

With a short huff through her nose, she skims the rest of the articles of the contract, only to furrow her eyebrows in disbelief.

'The parties must attend social or political gatherings and events together. Titles and naming convention in accordance to the marriage alliance must be used in front of others.'

All right, fair enough.

'The parties must have their meals eaten together, unless one has duties of utmost urgency that they can not for any reason reschedule. This must be approved by both parties if that is the case.'

That's... well, separate meals could suggest dissonance between them. Khaosi could potentially thrive on rumors of planned poisonings or a rickety marital union. Fine. Whatever.

'The parties must share a bedroom and sitting room. This room arrangement applies to wherever the parties stay together for overnight stays.'

Now this, this is ridiculous.

Appropriately, royals and nobles don't share every room with their spouses. If any time at all, it was during the wedding night that they share one room to consummate a marriage, but after that, they're commonly allowed to have their own spaces.

Whether that's to ensure the two don't get sick of one another especially if arranged, or should they choose to have consorts and mistresses, that's what the ideal was.

Her eyes end up following the next line, making her scoff at it essentially being him answering that very line of thinking.

'The parties can not have consorts or mistresses. Intimacy may only be done between the parties, along with the pregnancies and bearing of offspring that may follow as a result.'

Nonmc pushes the tablet away from her at that, letting it slide across her work desk like it scalded her skin. Her arms crossed over her chest, a much louder scoff leaving her lips and into the empty office she occupied.

"Ridiculous... Do bloodlines truly matter in Khaosi? Not even the Cosmic Empire does that anymore." She mutters in annoyance.

It wasn't like the consummation of marriage is what was driving her to insanity, it was the fact that anything thereafter is for them only.

That's the point of consorts and mistresses! Surely, he'll get sick of her even as his legal wife. Right..?

"'Intimacy may only be done between the parties'..." She repeats to herself, before bringing her hands up to her face and groaning into them.

If such a thing exists in the contract, is he going to ask for that sort of thing after their wedding night? How often? How many times?

No, no, no! Why is she even pondering that!?

She shakes her head, tugging the tablet back and swiping the contract away in order to look at any other business related documents to distract herself. Or at least attempt to.

The contract and message he sent was left unanswered that following week. Her excuse being that she had business meetings and ventures across the galaxy that held her up on making a potentially life-changing decision.

It would have stayed that way, had her assistant not entered her office as she was finishing up some income reports. The last of her tasks for the day, mind you.

"Your Royal Highness." Her assistant greets from across the office with a curtsy, her hands folded in front of her.

Nonmc glances over with a courteous smile, tilting her head in question.

"Yes, Genevieve?"

"You have a direct call coming in, Your Royal Highness."

"Oh? I didn't see any meetings on the schedule for the next few hours."

"It... wasn't planned, Your Royal Highness. They wish to be patched through, even if it meant breaching our firewall if necessary."

She blinks in confusion, eyebrows stitching together.

"What..? Is someone is trying to hijack the ship?"

"I'm unsure, Your Royal Highness. The only other part in their message was that they wish to speak with the... 'Queen'?"

Queen..? Who could that be referring to-- Ah. Of course.

Nonmc sighs heavily, nodding in resignation. Her assistant didn't quite understand what suddenly made her boss's mood change in a mere second, but either way, it was clear it was beyond her own station.

"Genevieve, please make sure to keep my direct line closed until I'm finished. Take messages if you have to."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness."

She waits until her assistant had left the room, the blinking dot over her holographic screen taunting her, before finally pressing the approval button for it.

With a quiet electronic hum, the screen changes from business documents to a smirking Sylus sitting at a desk of his own. He was clearly in his own starship, the sleek black and silver metal panels behind him a dead giveaway. Where he was traveling to was a mystery in itself.

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness." He starts, the sound of his voice after some time making a shiver run up her neck.

"...Lord Sylus."

"You're not in the royal capital anymore." He concludes.

"How did you--" She clears her throat, fixing her face into a neutral expression. "No, I am not. I have my business to attend to."

"Right. Of course you do."

His carefree attitude makes a frown form on her lips, her patience wearing thin.

"Declaring that you'd hack into my network. You realize that this a secure channel meant for people with business inquiries, correct?"

"Oh? Do you think so little of me? This is for business."

Nonmc holds back a harrumph, her folded hands across her desk tightening the slightest.

"Proceed then, Lord Sylus."

"Hm. You've received the revised version of the contract, didn't you?"

"...I did."

"And? It works well in your favor, no?"

"Implying that it does seems subjective."

"You're still skeptical. Then again, it's as expected."

"If you knew that would be my answer, why are you still asking?"

"Because I want to prove something."

"...Prove what?"

Sylus lets out a long exhale, almost a subtle growl in his tone. It wasn't anger, perhaps... a restlessness for something.

"You have no idea what this marriage alliance entails and so in turn, you're wary of me. In that case, let me show you what signing the contract would really mean."

"And... how do you intend to prove that?"

"Well, you're attending the soiree in celebration of galactic peace, aren't you? The one in three weeks time?"

"I... am. As I've done so for years already, like everyone else."

"Good. Then let's attend as a unit and have everyone see us arrive together."

Her eyes widen, her calm façade cracking.

"W-What?! Are you insane?"

"Your Royal Highness, arriving separately would be silly. If people see us walking in together, arm-in-arm, they'll know exactly what that means."

"You... You're asking for a scandal!"

"No. I want to send a message."

"What? What message?"

"That we are betrothed to one another. That our alliance to one another is set in stone."

"That still doesn't explain how that'll show me the benefits of this marriage alliance, Lord Sylus."

"Oh, you don't think so? A relative of the Empress to the Cosmic Empire, whom the Majesty adores greatly, is now engaged to the Khaosi Sovereign? You don't believe that would turn heads, give... ideas to the strengths you would possess?"

Nonmc clicks her teeth at his audacity to find any of this worth its while when all she could about was the painted target it's going to put on their backs.

Any sense of decorum necessary for speaking to someone like him was dwindling. His title as Khaosi Sovereign be damned.

"You've been betrothed to the Empress since childhood, yet are suddenly going after her distant cousin? Wouldn't that cause rumors of a certain man who can't uphold the promise of a supposed alliance?"

"It doesn't matter to me. After all..." His smile turns dangerous, ruby red eyes piercing her through the screen, "The Empress has her own favorite now, doesn't she?"

Her mouth gapes, the retorts she had fading away like a fire going out with the wind.

Sylus knew..? The only other person who knew of Prince Xavier was her. How could that secret have been leaked out?

The reach of his knowledge, that was scary.

"You..! If you let this information out--"

"I would not. Not when I have you." He states, softening his expression, "The Empress knows of this potential alliance between us. I had informed her the day I left the royal capital. No ill will is felt, so long as I treat you well."

Well, at least MC is protecting her somehow. Still, she didn't want to be the reason that an all-out war starts between the Cosmic Empire and Khaosi.

Sylus wasn't exactly pinning her to a corner with this contract, if his wording of 'potential alliance' is anything to go by. It seems he was giving her a choice.

Continue to live as the owner of Atlas Emporium or become the ruler of Khaosi at his side as well.

She never had ambitions like that before. All she ever wanted was a name to herself. But could working with him give her the reach she needed across the galaxy to be practically untouchable?

"The soiree, your plan." She starts, her heart beginning to beat faster, "Speak more on it."

There's a crinkle of his eyes she hadn't anticipated. Was that the right choice she made..?

"Of course, Your Royal Highness. Your starship should arrive at the provided location half an hour before the soiree begins. My own will meet with yours there. You will then leave your docking port and enter mine, then we arrive at the soiree together."

"And... after that?"

"After that... we show everyone that we've united once we enter through those doors. Garner attention, speculation, perhaps even the allure of gossip. However we see fit to sway public opinion. The rest, well, that depends on how the night goes."

"Hmph. You're leaving it vague on purpose, Lord Sylus."

"I want you to have a choice on how we proceed. I won't do anything you don't like. Which is why I won't ask for your final answer to our contract until after it's over."

"You're... not?" She asks hesitantly, her surprise evident in her eyes.

"No. I will not. So, with that said, Your Royal Highness, do we have a deal?"

Nonmc never quite liked getting into business with anyone she couldn't see all the cards they could playing with at the start.

His end goal was still a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. It made her nervous to put herself in harm's way in any form.

And still, he was like a handsome devil she couldn't avoid temptation from.

"Fine. We can start this... trial of sorts for the soiree. I await your instructions, Lord Sylus."

"Of course. I'll need your measurements for your dress and shoes as soon as possible, then I can send the whole thing to you at your next stop. See you at the soiree, Your Royal Highness."

She lets out a held breath once the call was cut-off, her back slumping further into her chair.

"What have I gotten myself into..." She murmurs in the quiet.

In another week's time, she was sent a crate from a courier once she was docked at a merchant planet while awaiting reports from her clients.

She had offhandedly sent Sylus the details to her whereabouts for that current timeframe, since he had already sent word that her soiree outfit was completed. Yet she hadn't expected an answer so soon.

Now, with no choice but to accept she was going to the event as a pair with the Khaosi Soveriegn, she could only narrow her eyes down at the gift box laid before her on the chaise of her ship's personal quarters.

From the dress, to the heels, and even the jewelry, every aspect chosen by him was infuriatingly spot-on.

Nonmc dared to try it on before shedding the whole thing off and laying them back in its box, which made her huff even more knowing how perfectly fitted everything was to her in that short test.

Even though the outfit did not have her usual silver and white that showed her connections to the Cosmic Empire, the blacks and reds of Khaosi somehow didn't look out of place.

It was almost like she was always supposed to don on the crimson jewels and black regal leathers that he usually wore.

That mere thought was what made her tug it all off in the end. Her mind should have not easily found that appealing.

After staring daggers at the gift box for what seemed like an hour, she finally brought up a holographic screen to call up MC. It was about time she got around to questioning her about that personal meeting she conjured up with Sylus to begin with.

She awaits for the familiar sound of the call connecting, MC's face appearing before her in what would be innocent glee to anyone else. Too bad she really did know MC like a sister since they had grown close at the hip for years.

"Ah, nonmc, you've caught me on my break from all those court meetings!" MC exclaims happily from where she was seated on her lavish couch, "I didn't get a chance to see you off when you last left the capital. How have you been?"

Nonmc huffs a quiet, disbelieving laugh through her nose, her arms crossing together over her chest.

"You knew what would happen, didn't you?" She immediately responds back with, earning a playful smile from MC.

"Hm? Know what exactly?"

"Ugh, of course you did know. You set me up with him on purpose."

MC giggles into the steaming tea cup she lifted to her lips, shrugging her shoulders.

"Well, I had a sneaking suspicion he would find you interesting to work with. Though, I hadn't anticipated he would offer marriage so soon."

"So then you knew that marriage would come up?"

"Hmm, perhaps. He has so many business partners at this point. I figured he'd gotten bored asking such things this time around."

Nonmc sighs heavily, shaking her head at her as she goes to sit on her chaise. Right where the gift box was laying nearby.

"MC... You realize you could've gotten me killed that day?"

"Oh, please, he wouldn't dare. I could tell."

"Unbelievable." Nonmc throws her hands up in the air in exasperation, "I'll be the talk of the soiree because of this."

MC hums gently to placate her worries, setting down her tea cup onto the side table next to her.

"Relax. I'm bringing Prince Xavier for the event so there's no need to fret. At most, the attention will be on both of us. So, just enjoy yourself for the evening."

"Easy for you to say. I'm doubtful you fear Prince Xavier."

"Hm. No, I suppose you're right."

When MC sees the stress etching itself into nonmc's expression as she looked downward, she leans forward from her couch, trying to appear closer within the camera lens.

"Is Sylus really that bad to you? Sure, he's snarky and a wild card in terms of temperament, but since he hasn't spoke ill of you to me, it must mean something. Right?"

Nonmc scoffs quietly, fidgeting with one corner of the gift box.

"Oh, of course. It's because he doesn't find me a threat. Perhaps a simple play thing until he gets bored."

"A play thing? Is that what he told you? Is he forcing you into this marriage like a spoil of potential war? Because if he is, I will not hold back--"

"No!" She exclaims as she turns back to her, sighing a bit, "No, he... isn't treating me like that."

MC lets out a relieved sigh of her own, pressing a palm to her chest. Nonmc bites into her bottom lip in that time, finding the courage to say the other part she dreaded.

"...Actually, he specified that one of the stipulations to our contract is that neither of us could have relations with anyone else."

MC's eyebrows raised comically, leaning further on the edge of her couch.

"Wait, really? At all?"

"Yeah, and other things too, I guess. Stuff that are... I don't know, for actual couples, I suppose."

"Wow... Are you sure you're not interested in accepting his marriage contract?"

"I... I'm not sure yet. He did say he'd let me decide until after the soiree for an answer."

"He's willing to wait..? Huh, maybe he actually is serious about you."

"Huh? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Ohhh, nothing. Now show me how that dress looks! I want to see if he put in the effort to make you look dazzling for the soiree."

She snorts at MC's excitement, agreeing to her curious whims. It made for a good diversion to talk with her like the old days.

Eventually however, the stress-inducing day would come to center stage. No amount of paperwork and distractions in-between could ever be enough to avoid it.

With Sylus's given coordinates, she had the captain lead her starship to the location a bit earlier than what was expected. Even if she was already dressed in preparation for the event, she needed that moment of calm to prepare herself.

She stood silently by one the observatory halls, her eyes staring out from the thick glass panes and towards the galaxy housing a myriad of colors and bright stars.

There were many days she had spent looking out these views, as most did when they imagined where their life would lead in the vast galactic oceans.

Never would she have thought that it would include crossing paths with the Khaosi Sovereign. She had always believed if anyone would, Empress MC and the council of the Cosmic Empire were at the forefront. After all, the neutrality amongst the colonies and factions was fragile at best.

But alas, the luxury of simply hearing rumors or news of him and Khaosi solely through reports was not an option anymore. Sylus knew of her now. In fact, he was seeking her out no matter how much she wished to scuttle under some rocks like a bug that didn't want to be perceived by the light.

As much as he mentioned her having a choice, did she really have any?

Could she anger the Khaosi Sovereign for the sake of her dignity? Her pride?

Or would it be easier to accept his deal?

Business-wise, this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Anyone would latch their claws at the chance of gaining Khaosi's favor.

Their trade routes, their military... The literal approval stamp of their leader. It was an overflowing mine of wealth.

A dangerous gamble to have ties with, but a lucrative one in every sense of the word.

Despite that, she didn't like looking at it that way, at least not anymore.

Partnership is one thing, marriage was another.

Nonmc couldn't simply say her farewells after a business meeting. She'd have to live with this man, even breath the same air as he does every day!

That should have been reason enough to not accept the revised contract, and yet... why does she still see his face in her mind?

The all-knowing smirk of his was absolutely annoying. His stature and way of speaking made her incredibly nervous.

And his eyes... well, they're quite pretty despite how sharp and calculating they were. Perhaps they seemed softer-looking than expected at certain times.

No... no, she must be imagining things.

Her scenic view, along with her thoughts, would scatter like the starry void that were being slowly rippled with sparks and shocking currents in front of her. The sign of a starship creating a jumping point.

Her throat swallowed roughly as the tip of the Khaosi command ship finally pierced the glowing blue veil, emerging out as a mountain of dark steel and carbon. It's hulking mass emanated sounds akin to a rolling rainstorm, thundering loud rumbles announcing its arrival.

Nonmc would never get used to the size of the Khaosi command ship. It practically dwarfed her traveling vessel like a sun to a mere comet, ready to swallow it whole. The shadows of it covering her ship's windows was reason enough to see Khaosi's strength and her lack there of.

She took that as her cue to pull her gaze away, her heels clacking against metal flooring as she carried herself towards the commanding station with an inkling of dread trailing behind her.

Her assistant and core staff were already waiting for her to enter through the sliding doors, all of them offering a slight bow of their heads to her as she approached.

"Good evening, Your Royal Highness." They say in orderly unison, making nonmc nod back politely.

"I see that they're arriving. Is our docking bridge ready for their connectors?"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness." Her assistant informs her, "An expected five minutes until the air is sealed between the docking ports."

"Good. At the Khaosi Sovereign's request, our ship is to stay on path with theirs until our return for the evening. The comms for the main channel should be linked to theirs already, but I would avoid unnecessary contact unless explicitly necessary."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness." They state as one unit once more.

With that taken care of, she steps over to the main doorway that would lead out to the connecting bridge without another word.

Her gaze stayed locked on the silver metal doors, listening in on the muffled hisses and creaking from just beyond the ship's hull.

"...Will you be all right, Your Royal Highness?" Her assistant's voice registers next to her.

Nonmc clears her throat, glancing over with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

"Yes. Yes, I should be, Genevieve. I understand that having none of you with me in attendance will be... nerve-wracking, to say the least."

"Aptly put, Your Royal Highness."

A flicker of truth fell over her eyes for a moment, the apprehension within making itself known.

"We all know the protocol set in place should anything go wrong in my absence. Let us hope things go smoothly so such things won't happen."

"Of course, Your Royal Highness."

After a nerve-wracking few minutes, the intercom announces that the docking bridge has finally connected, causing the metal doors to slide open. With a long exhale, she steps through and heads down the brightened corridor.

The doors to his side of the connecting bridge immediately widen once she's within some feet from it, the low swoosh of air passing by her feet and the skirts of her gown.

What she doesn't expect is to see Sylus already standing there before her, causing her steps to falter and a small gasp to leave her.

He seemed to relish in her surprise, shifting his weight from each foot nonchalantly.

It didn't help that he was wearing a refined version of the outfit he had worn when they first met. Black leather, silver chains, red tassels, except now there was an air of sophistication. Evidently matching hers to an exaggerating degree.

Silver hair was slicked back, shiny as silk from the gel and unveiling those sharp features far more than before. He was unfairly handsome for a ruthless leader of Khaosi.

Nonmc stiffly gathers up her gown into her hands, curtseying with a deep bow to avoid having to stare at him. Her heart was already wanting to jump out of her chest as is.

"Good evening, Lord Sylus."

"Yes, it's a good evening now that I've seen you, Your Royal Highness."

Straight to a compliment. He's definitely not pulling his punches.

"...How are you this evening, Lord Sylus?" She responds as she straightens back up.

He raises a playful eyebrow at her disregard to his words, the game seemingly starting for him.

"So formal, your Royal Highness. Did my bride-to-be's pride fizzle out? Who knew she became so spineless."

Her eyes widened, blinking rapidly at his audacity.

"W-What? You..!"

"There she is. Keep looking to me as your equal. Cowering with politeness doesn't suit you."

"I..!" She wanted to rebuttal, but when her eyes darted around to the Khaosi attendants on standby behind him, she chose to grumble instead to avoid causing a scene, "Shall we head along, Lord Sylus?"

Sylus smiles at that, eyes crinkling, before nodding and offering his arm up to her. Refusal was clearly off the table, so she did the responsible thing by sliding his arm with his.

Once they were joined together, he leads her by that arm to the rest of the ship, the doorway sealing shut after she had crossed the threshold.

"Return back to your posts. Have the ship start its course to the royal capital." Sylus orders, garnering quick agreement from the attendants that scatter off.

Nonmc silently took in the ship's sleek interior as he led them over to an elevator further in, her eyebrows raising in subtle awe. The Khaosi staff were working diligently, uniformed and precise.

Many were scanning holographic screens lining the walls of the ship, typing into their keyboards when necessary for the maps, coding, and charts on display. A lot of it was beyond her comprehension, which would suggest that these are highly intelligent engineers and scientists aboard.

She hadn't realized they were stopped in front of the elevator until she felt his bicep tighten against the black leather of his coat, her eyes darting down to the bulging muscle without thinking before swiftly turning away. His knowing smile could be felt in her peripheral, a content sigh leaving his nose.

"How does the outfit feel, Your Royal Highness? Is it to your liking?"

"It's... comfortable. I'm not usually one to wear black and red."

"Of course not. You wouldn't want people to think you're defecting to Khaosi."

"Must you always speak as though you're starting a fight with me, Lord Sylus?"

"Oh? I thought you knew I was flirting." He notes, tugging her into the opening elevator door.

"Wha-- Ugh... You're incorrigible."

"And yet you still chose to meet with me."

Nonmc huffs, glaring at him as the door closed them off to the rest of the ship.

"Because this is a trial, Lord Sylus. I could very well reject your offers by the time this soiree is over. Perhaps even before it ends."

"So feisty."

"Yes, well, this is your punishment for choosing me."

"Is it a punishment? I'm quite enjoying myself."

"Oh, for the love of-- Wait, this elevator doesn't have cameras, does it?"

"They do. But I ordered them to cut the feed whenever we enter together. Our conversations our private to everyone."

She raises her eyebrows in surprise, humming quietly.

"Oh, that's diligent work. Our deal could get leaked so that makes sense."

Sylus holds back a laugh at her innocent, almost naïve answer.

"Well, that's part of the reason, Your Royal Highness. It was more so no one gets the pleasure of viewing us if we decide to get frisky."

"F-Frisky!?" She repeats, near yelling within the small confines of the space, "Who is getting frisky!?"

He sighs exaggeratively, tugging her along out of the elevator as it reached the balcony deck floor.

"You're far too loud, Your Royal Highness."

Nonmc sputters when she had no choice but to follow, her annoyed stare doing nothing to him as he brought her over to the railing that overlooked a large portion of the ship and the staff below.

"We'll arrive in fifteen minutes. You should enjoy the view until then."

"Hmph. I didn't realize Khaosi gives tours to their most important ship. You didn't seem to care that I could see every bit of information being relayed."

"If I was worried about any double-crossing or info-leaking, I wouldn't have brought you here in the first place."

"What, do you trust me already or something?"

"To a degree."

"Hm. I'm not sure I could agree." She bites back with, only to pout slightly in deflated annoyance, "But if it's any consolation, the ship is... quite marvelous."

Sylus looks to her with a glint of interest, eyes widening a fraction of the way.

"Are you a fan of it?"

"I-- I'm not a connoisseur of starships and the like. I've just never seen one that's caught my eye before like this."

He hums lowly, a smile curving his lips.

"It has many rooms and amenities. Both strength and comfort are maintained here, regardless of what you've heard of Khaosi and our military."

"That's... nice."

"It is. And if we marry, you could always enjoy such luxuries."

She groans, rolling her eyes at the obvious bait.

"That is still up for debate, Lord Sylus."

Their arrival to the royal capital was predictably not as covert as she had hoped it would be. The massive ship floating its way closer looked ridiculous next to the other nobles ships parking their way into the docking ports. Surely it was being talked about even before they're getting the chance to exit.

Sylus was not at all phased by it, in fact he seemed pleased with himself. Was he always like wherever he goes?

"The starship has been docked, Lord Sylus." The voice in the intercom floats through the private balcony.

He looks to nonmc, giving a confident grin as he turned them away from the railing and towards the elevator.

"It's showtime, Your Royal Highness."

The docking ports were buzzing with conversations as many crossed the bridges and stairways up to the royal capital's main ballroom where the soiree would take place.

Eyes were quickly on them as they passed, murmurs and whispers filled with perplexity and shock. The Khaosi Soveriegn being arranged in a marriage to the Empress for years only to be annulled recently had already caused quite the stir among nobility.

But with him now escorting the Duchess of the Cosmic Empire, it was adding more befuddlement to the mix.

It was no deep secret that nonmc was a woman doted on by the Empress, untouchable to the machinations of hierarchy despite her distant ties. To anyone, she was nothing special, and yet she held that right to be among higher class through MC's 'sisterhood' between them alone.

However, with the way Sylus helps her up onto the final step of the stairway, watching her faithfully to make sure she doesn't trip over her gathered skirts, it proved there was a bigger act at play here.

Sylus paid them no mind, taking her through the grand hall and over to the archway that opened up to the main ballroom.

The attendant that was tasked with announcing arrivals gaped at the two of them momentarily, before remembering to ready his voice towards the ballroom.

"Introducing Duchess nonmc of the Cosmic Empire and Lord Sylus, the Sovereign of Khaosi!"

The carefree mood amongst the nobles changed completely, heads turning as they entered. A pin could probably be heard if it dropped right now.

"That's-- The Khaosi Sovereign is here! Why would he join us in this soiree?" One whispered hurriedly to their friend, "And is that the Duchess nonmc with him?"

"What is the meaning of this?" A burly noble complains, huffing and drinking his champagne flute restlessly, "Is Khaosi finally starting their all-out war? Is that woman a captive to be shown off?"

A fraction of her evol could detect the envy and deep seated hatred circulating around them, darkening what should be a beautifully bright soiree celebrating peace and unity.

She happened to glance over to him silently, just to gauge his reaction, yet his unnerved expression kept steadily forward as he continued to walk through the crowd with her. Well, she had to commend him for not being frazzled by all the commotion they were stirring.

"...First the Empress bringing out the lost Prince, now this? What has the world gone to?" Another woman mentions to her husband, sighing heavily as she waved her feathered fan in front of her.

Nonmc hummed curiously to herself at the murmurs about MC, her eyes flitting across the ballroom in hopes to catch a glimpse of her. After squinting her eyes a bit, she eventually finds the elegantly dressed Empress up top on a balcony framed in marble columns.

Ah, there she was, smiling widely in that bright way nonmc was used to. And the fair haired man next to her was...

Oh. Prince Xavier.

My, he was quite the looker. An air of grace to pair with that dashingly soft face. And that regal suit of his did him a lot of justice. She could see why MC was enamored by him.

She watched as Xavier stood closer MC during their secluded banter, his gloved hand leaning against the marble railing in a way that was shielding her from the rest of people here.

Nonmc grins to herself at that move, already imaging the talks she'll have with MC when she gets the chance.

A mere few seconds pass of her secret gazing before she suddenly feels a large hand slide their way down to her hip, pulling her body into the broad chest of the other silver haired man who's got the rest of the room's attention.

She whips her head to Sylus, her lips setting into a bewildered frown. He was inches from her face, his form inclined downward to reach her height.

"Apologies, Your Royal Highness. You were about to bump into some people." He explains, but it was a flimsy excuse if his wandering thumb feeling her hip bone through the gown was anything to go by.

"Was grabbing me necessary?" She mentions in an irritated whisper, earning a quick raise of one eyebrow from him.

"And have your shoulder bruise from careless nobles? No, not going to happen."

"Ugh, don't be so dramatic--"

Sylus doesn't give her a chance to finish, guiding her by that hand on her hip towards a group of older nobleman who were in deep discussion across the way.

She was familiar with these men. They're well-known entrepreneurs and businessmen across the galaxy, but she never dared offer her services to them.

They were, to be mildly... crude and misogynistic individuals.

While their wealth and connections brought them to where they were, the gossips of their unsavory endeavors could not be easily covered up.

Mistresses, gambling, illegal trading, just about everything that they could get their hands on. To stoop low and offer contracts to them would be essentially a humiliation ritual for her. So, with ease, she steered far away from them as much as possible.

But then, surely Sylus has heard about them as well. His hub of knowledge and dossiers must be extensive in Khaosi, so what was his purpose for bringing them over to them?

Her stomach churned as they approached the haughty group laughing away, knowing this would be a tricky conversation to navigate for someone like her. It's not like she could use her evol now, they weren't particularly tipsy enough so early into this soiree for her to do so.

"Your Graces." Sylus starts, bringing him and nonmc to a stop by an emptier side of the group's circle.

One noble with well-kept mutton chops and a fuller belly, Viscount Rowland, stiffened at the sight of the Khaosi Sovereign, his drink held in his hand nearly spilling over.

"L-Lord Sylus! How gracious of you to welcome us with your presence."

Nonmc holds back a scoff, finding the viscount's warm sentiments an utter sham. All of the noblemen's reactions were one in the same to his, their smiles far too wide and shoulders too squared. They were invoking a sense of underlying fear without even realizing it.

It was amusing to see it first hand, at least.

"Likewise." Sylus answers in a gracious tone, playing the part of a cordial leader, "I'm sure you've already met the Royal Highness before?"

As if they were struck by some electrical current, suddenly all of their eyes were on her who was linked together with him by the arm. How convenient for them to have acknowledged her now when she was here this entire time.

Was she simply an afterthought to them? Of course, typical.

"Y-Yes, Duchess nonmc!" A baron nearest from the viscount exclaims, bowing his head in her direction excessively, "A pleasure to meet with you as well, Your Royal Highness."

She would have thought the baron to be kinder than the rest by his words alone, at least until she saw how his leering eyes were taking in her form even when fully covered up in her gown. Sure, her figure was accentuated, but this outfit was particularly modest, as was most outfits by other women in attendance.

True to rumor, there was no bounds to what men would do to fill in the gaps of their distasteful imagination.

Another viscount, Lord Hugo, huffs arrogantly through his sharp nose, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the Khaosi Sovereign and Duchess together. Clearly he didn't see them as an ideal pairing.

"Quite the surprise to see you make an appearance, Lord Sylus. And you've arrived... together with the Duchess?"

"We have." Sylus responds readily, "We are... working on some business dealings together, among other things."

"Oh..? Is that so?"

The noblemen's interest rose at his answer, seeing the sudden growing sense of appeal for nonmc. If she got the attention of the Khaosi Sovereign through diplomatic means rather than violence and submission, surely she had some value to her name.

That was what she surely saw was going through their narrow-minding thinking. They wouldn't know that the infamous Khaosi Sovereign is the one begging to give her everything, for some reason she didn't quite understand yet.

"We are in discussion of them." Nonmc speaks up, giving a momentary glance to Sylus.

The noblemen look to one another, humming quietly to themselves as they contemplated. Viscount Rowland perks up first, turning himself more to Sylus with revigorated excitement.

"Well, Lord Sylus, may we ask what led you to do business with Duchess nonmc? Was it because of the cheaper costs for the routes? Or perhaps it was the lighter expenses for shipping per each unit?"

Seriously? They're acting like she doesn't exist outside of Sylus. This was her business, not his.

Nonmc felt his arm shift further around her middle, making her look over as he tilted his head in gesture towards her.

"Your Royal Highness can speak for herself and her business, probably better than I can. These questions belong to her, so regard her with the respect as the owner that she is."

The sudden shift to his much colder inflection cut through the noblemen's confidence like a sharp knife.

This was the Khaosi Sovereign people knew him as. And he was using that version of himself for her..?

"A-Ah, yes..! Yes-- We-- Apologies, Your Royal Highness." Viscount Rowland answers for them, feeling a spooked chill go down his spine, "Please, do tell us of your business in great detail!"

She blinks in surprise at the eagerness bulging from their eyes, feeling something unlock within her.

Was this what true power was like? She wasn't exactly proud of the fear instilled within them, but it was at least better than their lack of respect for her previously.

The rehearsed monologue she's done time and time again seemed to become a blur as she spoke, yet she could still feel herself present with Sylus's firm hand becoming one with her.

It wasn't possessive or lecherous, but rather grounding her to the present.

The back-and-forth between the noblemen's questions and hovering crowd making their way around them over time didn't make her as uneasy as it should have, not with Sylus creating this figurative barrier around them.

Nonmc never had a person higher in rank protect her like this, not since MC. And even then, as they grew older, that sort of protection was waning with time.

It wasn't her call anyways to ask that of MC. As empress, she already had enough assassinations and struggles for the throne to deal with than whatever she herself had to worry about.

But... could she lean onto Sylus for that sort of thing instead? Why did it seem so easy to even ask herself that?

"Excuse us." Sylus announces suddenly, breaking whatever spiel she was on during her discussion with one of the barons who had come over to talk, "We have matters to attend to."

"O-Oh, well, I was just--" The baron could barely explain himself before Sylus is already leading her away from the growing group, taking her further into the middle of the ballroom.

"Lord Sylus, what are you doing?"

"The music's changed. We should take advantage of it and share a dance before the night ends."

She tilts her head slightly in confusion, only to huff a sudden laugh in realization.

"Ah... You were offering an exit from them all."

Sylus smirks triumphantly at her correct answer, bringing his free hand over to hers to clasp them together in preparation for the dance.

"You catch on quickly. But yes, the crowd was becoming far too large and stifling to my liking. Particularly how they surrounded you."

His voice, even with such a low, sultry register, was softest in that very moment. Enough so, that her heart couldn't help but stir in reaction.

Nonmc clears her throat, blinking bashfully away towards the other dancers surrounding the dance floor to avoid his stare.

"I... thank you for that, Lord Sylus."

"No need, Your Royal Highness. It's a given."

"Hm... I, um, didn't know you could dance." She mentions to divert the conversation elsewhere, which he mercifully accepts.

"I rarely do. It doesn't mean I haven't learned before."

"I suppose I wasn't expecting Khaosi to share such sentiments in such matters."

"Did you think we were all barbarians?"

"No. Well... perhaps a little at first." She admits, getting a short chuckle from him, "Besides, who's to say the nobles here aren't the same, just in fancy clothing?"

He spins her around as she spoke, bringing her back even closer into his embrace once she returned to him.

"Now you're starting to get it. Perhaps we're not that different, you and I."

Nonmc fought back a smile of her own, choosing to scrunch her nose at him definately.

"Who knows. Maybe I'm trying to see what would happen if I said the right things to you."

"In that case, everything you've done so far has made me believe you to be of high regard in my eyes."

They continued the dance to the gentle beat of orchestral music with ease, flowing together like a moon orbiting its planet.

His form that has seen battles probably far more than she has, led her along with no brutish guidance. If the steps fell in her favor, he easily followed to bring her back in. If her eyes dared him to change the tempo, he did so quickly.

Without knowing, the Duchess that thought she was in the palm of his hand actually had the Khaosi Sovereign wrapped around her little finger. If only she had paid more attention to these signs rather than the dance she was in awe that he was capable of.

Once the music came to a fading close, he steadied her back to a standstill, letting her gown swish beneath their feet.

"Tired?" He asks, raising a sly eyebrow.

"Yes. I think I've reached my quota of networking for one day."

"You can be honest and say you're sick of faking smiles for people who don't deserve it."

Nonmc rolls her eyes subtly, giving him a half-hearted glare while the rest of the dancing couples slowly dispersed away.

"Must you always speak so brash, Lord Sylus?"

"Of course. How else would you be comfortable around me?"

Sylus eventually removes his hands away from her, choosing to link their arms together again as they weaved their way through the crowd. He knew their timely exit was being watched by the time they reached the archway that led out of the ballroom, but that was exactly what he wanted.

Nonmc, herself, was practically floating in her thoughts while it happened. The feel of his body near her felt so pleasant by now, she didn't seem to care that he was directing their walk.

Instead, she opted to gaze at the canvas of stars that could be seen from the windowed halls, enjoying the comfortable peace they've created.

When the quieter sounds changed to louder rumbles of parked starships, that was how her mind refocused back to the docking ports they were currently at.

"Is... this where we part?" She asks softly, her guarded tone practically nonexistent.

He turns slightly away to hide his growing grin, shaking his head when he decidedly looks back at her.

"Not yet. Let's discuss the revised contract on my ship."

"You're not kidnapping me in plain sight, are you?"

"Hah, that won't be necessary. I'd rather you choose to be here with me out of your own free will."

"Hm. Very well. Just this once."

Sylus nods in agreement, taking her along to board the docking bridge back to his starship.

Nonmc pursed her lips while he ordered for their starships to start moving out from the royal capital, merely holding onto his arm without a fight. She didn't know what's gotten into her tonight for her to be so agreeable with him.

She had originally meant to use this soiree as a way to annoy him into throwing the contract away once and for all. Now though... she's not sure that's what she wanted anymore.

He eventually has them settle into a sitting room of sorts while the ship roared to life around them. She took a gander of the place as he walked to a cabinet filled with wine and spirits, her ears listening in closely as his hands perused the bottles.

The room was decorated in opulent ebony and deep maroon, professional yet comfortable with plush chairs and marble tables. It all looked like an extension of him. Oddly enough, it was that unpleasant of a color palette as she once thought.

"Would you like some wine? I have some vintages that could suit your taste." He offers, his eyes darting across the many labels.

"Hmph. Trying to make me drink truth serum, Lord Sylus? Or perhaps some other concoction to poison me somehow?"

"My, my. You have such strange delusions about me. I would never use underhanded tricks. Only a weak person would do such a thing."

A small smile made its way to her lips, her eyes following his back. Who knew the Khaosi Sovereign would privy himself to lighthearted banter.

"Here." He grabs out a dark violet bottle, walking over to present it to her, "Have a look at this one."

Her eyebrows raised at the familiar drink, a wave of nostalgia washing over her.

"'Nebula's Ambrosia'." She mutters the name with whispered reverence, her eyes obtaining a sparkle that had dulled over the course of the soiree.

He tilts his head at her expression, a curiosity overtaking him.

"You know of it?"

She flits her gaze towards his at the question, realizing she let her more honest side slip free.

"I, um... would say the taste is preferable than many others I've tried."

Sylus huffs a low laugh through his nose before bringing a hand up in front of them. Swirls of black and red mist circled around, turning the empty air into wine glasses while the wine's cork slipped free from the bottle.

With the help of his evol, he poured the shimmering liquid into the glasses and handed one to her.

"In that case, take a glass of finest wine that you're quite fond of."

"I didn't say that..." She mumbles, gently holding the stem of the glass.

"You didn't have to. It was written all over your face."

Nonmc frowns while he busied himself with putting the bottle away, using that opportunity to sip the liquid gingerly. As much as she wanted to appear disinterested, the rich flavor settling on her tongue immediately made her melt.

Of course she was liar, it was actually her favorite wine. Sharp yet sweet, and warms her heart in the best way.

It was the first expensive purchase she ever made after the first few months of starting her business. It wasn't egregiously overpriced, but it was definitely a luxury she didn't need at the time.

A worthy celebratory drink, which is why she never forgot the taste.

Though that recollection had her realizing that she's only ever told MC that story, making her give a subtle frown.

"Empress MC recommended this, didn't she?" She asks, earning that preening smirk from him while he took his own sip of his glass.

"She did mention it, among other things that are not easily found in your database. Can you blame me for wanting to learn about you from someone who's been there for most of your life?"

Nonmc harrumphs, rolling her eyes despite tilting her head back further for a more generous gulp of wine she was itching to have. He didn't seemed deterred by her hot and cold personality, choosing instead to place down his glass in favor of reaching inside one of the desk drawers to procure a tablet.

A few taps and swipes later, the tablet showcases a written document. Even from across the room, she could tell it was the revised contract that was ready to be signed. A seemingly reverse of their first meeting this time around.

"I'll let you finish your wine before we begin." He mentions as his backside leaned against the desk, his hand resting the tablet on his leg.

She shakes her head, placing her glass down onto a nearby table after taking another hearty swallow on order to give herself some liquid courage.

"No, it's all right. We can start our conversation now."

"Then please, begin as you wish, Your Royal Highness."

A huff of air leaves her nose, her arms folding over her chest so the nervous shakes would be less noticeable.

"Right, well... I will admit having your support tonight did make those nobles think twice about stepping over me. For once I didn't have to navigate conversations like a trap-filled maze so... it was unexpected to see your power actually being used in practice."

"Of course, that was the idea. I wouldn't have wanted you to be there otherwise." He explains easily, his tone steady.

"'Wanted'?" She lets out a disbelieving laugh, "What, was it so you could appear chilvarous to me?"

"I could say that, but doing so would make my actions look insincere, don't you think? As though I'm merely saying the right things to garner your favor?"

She scoffs quietly, turning slightly away to hide her surprise. He was too good at reading people.

"Figured out my mind, have you?"

Sylus hums in acknowledgement, a bit too smugly for her liking, as he lifted off from the desk and decidedly takes a step closer to her.

"I know courteous gestures are not enough for you. So, I'm willing to admit I act the way that I do solely because it was you."

"To make me sign the contract." She surmised.

"No. If you wanted to decline the contract after everything tonight, then so be it. In reality, I wanted you to understand the lengths I'm willing to go for you."

"Hah... People could take that for weakness, Lord Sylus."

"Well I don't. I call it incentive."

Nonmc glances back, raising an eyebrow in confusion when he walks by her to place the tablet onto a side table within reach. Instead of handing it to her in that moment, he was leaving it there as a choice.

"...Incentive for what?" She pushes herself to ask.

"To either choose peace or violence in your name. Depending on whether kindness or harm is done to you."

Again, his voice was steady. Too steady.

He meant every word.

"That's... ominous, Lord Sylus."

"It's my promise to you."

She purses her lips, watching as he turned his gaze to her. Not to threaten, but to invoke earnestness beneath those pools of ruby red.

There's a multitude of 'what-ifs' circling her mind, the dangers, the costs... It should be easy to reject his offer once and for all.

If it wasn't him.

"Lord Sylus... If tonight is to be standard practice, along with what was in offer in the contract, then... I suppose agreeing to marriage would actually benefit us both."

Sylus huffs a laugh, inching closer to the point that he had to crane his neck down.

"Your roundabout explanation is cute but I need a firm yes, Your Royal Highness."

Nonmc could practically smell the cologne and musk that permeated from him, more fragrant than any flower in the royal capital gardens. Could she get used to that enticing scent..?

"...If this isn't a front to get me to sign and you truly are the way that you are in this very moment, then... Yes. I accept the contract, Lord Sylus."

"Consider the deal done, Your Royal Highness."

It was then he finally picked up the tablet and offered it to her, giving her that moment to sign the digital contract, forever sealing her fate.

She clears her throat once she hands the tablet back to him, tilting her head in question.

"So... what happens now?"

"We'll need to make plans for our wedding and political ceremonies. I'm sure the Empress would prefer you to have one here before we depart to Khaosi."

"Hm, I don't doubt that."

"Until then, nothing changes. Business as usual."

"Right."

"Right. Well, it's been a long night, Your Royal Highness. Let me escort you back."

She nods stiffly, upturning her eyes to him.

"Yes, of course, Lord Sylus."

There was a moment of silence, words that were seemingly unsaid as they made their way to the docking bridge that had already been connected between their ships.

Whatever conversations they may have, well, there were seemingly left for another time. Perhaps that next time being when they would finally join themselves together in marriage.

"...This is far enough, Lord Sylus." She cordially states as they both pause at the middle of the connected docking bridge, "Thank you."

"Of course. Have a safe trip, my lady."

Nonmc blinks rapidly in surprise at the change of title, unsure if she had imagined it.

"Lady..? Did you say..."

Sylus uses her bewildered state to grasp her hand, bringing it up to his face to press his lips to her knuckles. She gasps quietly, eyes widening.

"L-Lord Sylus..! What was that for?"

He hums against her skin in response, opening his closed eyes to blink at her like it was the most normal gesture he could have done.

"It's a gift to commemorate our union. You'll have to get used to it from now on."

"That's... I..." She sputters, her hand drooping down awkwardly as he let go of it.

"Until next time, my lady."

He bows his head slightly in farewell, turning on his heel to head back towards his ship. Before he could enter through the doorway, he turns his head slightly from behind.

"And do feel free to use the title of fiancée when you have meetings with your business partners until we're officially married."

"Wha-- That won't be necessary!" She yells from across the way, making him chuckle deeply as he finally left through the sliding metal doors.

Nonmc grumbles towards the empty space he had just occupied, her kissed hand tingling from where it rested at her side.

Never before had she been blindsided by someone, especially one that she couldn't use her evol on. The idea that she couldn't know his emotions in particular had left her with a lingering thought.

'If only I could I understand what you are feeling right now...'

+Author's note:

Hellooo, it's been some time again! Life's just a bit busier nowadays compared to last year, but I couldn't help myself so I wrote a longer part to show that I'm still slowly chipping away at my stories. Plus splitting this part up didn't feel right so you get a bigger chunk this time around hahaha! >:D This will probably be a shorter story like my other Sylus ones but it's got at least three or so parts planned out so far in my head. I can't help myself whenever there's a new version of Sylus, I have to write about him lol. Well anyways, until you see me next time! ;DD

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