Abyssborn: The Rise of the Cursed Monarch

Kael, always with his mischievous gaze, watched Princess Lysandra Solstice, the 6th Princess of the Valta Empire, as she prepared to leave the Holy Kingdom. The knights were already ready to accompany her, and she, although beautiful, seemed slightly upset. Her furrowed brows betrayed an inner discomfort, as if she knew that this separation marked an important turning point in her life.

"You're leaving so soon?" Kael said, looking at her with a charming smile.

"You told me you'd stay to ensure the transition of power," Lysandra replied, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "You don't have to worry about me." Her evasive gaze betrayed a worry she was trying to hide, but Kael knew her too well not to notice.

"But it's my duty as your fiancé," Kael replied confidently, sliding his arm around her shoulders with an ease that spoke of his confidence. "I'll join you in five days. So, be good while I'm gone, my princess." She blushed slightly, her lips trembling in a forced smile, but Kael let her leave, a feeling of satisfaction overtaking him. He had played his cards well. The princess would return, and he had the Holy Kingdom at his feet. And he intended to take full advantage of it.

Once Lysandra was gone, Kael found himself alone… or almost. Alvina, with her wise and mysterious gaze, never truly left him. He turned toward her, and she seemed to be waiting, as always, with a palpable curiosity in her eyes. A faint smile formed on her lips.

"You should rest, Alvina. The power transition is… exhausting work." Kael knew his words wouldn't soften her. Alvina scrutinized him with a piercing gaze, analyzing every movement, every intention.

"Relax, Kael. We both know you didn't come here to manage political transitions." She approached him, her natural grace unsettling the air around them. "So, tell me… what really interests you here?"

Kael, with a carnivorous smile, extended his hand to her.

"The company of saints, of course. And a little entertainment." He paused, his gaze becoming more playful. "But above all, interesting moments to share."

The stay at the Holy Kingdom was… pleasant. Very pleasant, in fact. Kael spent his days wandering the gardens, discussing strategy with the knights, spending time with Alvina and other saints. He indulged in his charms, throwing compliments and mischievous smiles at every corner, playing the perfect gentleman. But at night… a whole different story unfolded.

That night, Kael settled comfortably into his bed. The dim lights, the scent of fresh roses in the air, created an atmosphere conducive to reflection… and temptation. Alvina came to sit next to him, her long golden hair cascading around her face, framing it like a divine halo.

"So, Alvina… why have you started following me everywhere?" Kael asked, stretching his arms behind his head, a mischievous smile on his lips. She looked at him, her eyes gleaming with mischief, but also curiosity, as if she were searching for something she couldn't yet define.

"You want to know?" she replied, her voice soft but tinged with an intriguing glow. "Because, dear Kael, you are more… interesting than I thought." She let her hand brush his cheek, and Kael shivered under the light contact, feeling electricity course through his skin.

"And I believe you're more than just a… demon."

"I told you I'm not a demon." Kael responded calmly, but with a teasing glint in his eyes. "But you're still here, so maybe you're not so sure."

Their gazes locked, and Kael felt a palpable tension in the air, a burning energy that belonged only to the two of them.

"And the information I asked for?" Kael resumed, momentarily pulling his attention away from the thickening atmosphere.

Alvina then changed the subject, determined to provide him with the crucial information he was seeking, the kind that could alter the course of his journey. She lay next to him, her presence both soothing and captivating. She began to explain some secrets of the world, her words heavy like a key he had to understand.

"The knights, Kael… They are ranked from 1 to 10 stars. Each knight, depending on their rank, possesses unique and powerful abilities." She paused for a moment, observing Kael, seeming to evaluate the impact of her words.

"But there are also mages, ranked from the first to the ninth circle."

"So, a ninth-circle mage… is a god?" Kael raised an eyebrow, intrigued by these new details.

"Not quite, but very close," Alvina replied. "They are the most powerful of all. And then there are also…" She lowered her voice, as if to share a secret, almost imperceptible. "The demonic territories."

"Demonic territories?" Kael repeated, pretending not to fully understand.

"Yes. The territory ruled by the 7 Demon Kings. Each king is a human who succumbed to demonic magic, but… they lost their human form and transformed into monsters."

Kael, suddenly serious, listened intently. He hadn't expected the world to be so complex, but he wasn't complaining. He enjoyed the way each piece of information seemed to pull him deeper into this web of mysteries.

"And this territory… is it a threat?" he asked, his gaze hardening.

"It depends." Alvina straightened, her gaze lost in the infinity. "The demon kings are powerful, but their influence doesn't reach here. There are also several Holy Kingdoms in this world, each with its own ruler. But they all fall under the authority of the Holy Empire."

Kael nodded, recalling the Varta Empire where he currently resided.

"So, this Holy Kingdom, the one we're in, is part of the Holy Empire?" he asked, finally understanding.

"Exactly." Alvina fixed her gaze on him, a faint smile on her lips. "You're starting to understand."

Kael smiled in return, amused by the exchange.

"You may be my concubine, but I must admit that I enjoy your company quite a lot."

"Maybe?" Alvina replied, a mocking smile in her eyes.

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"I say maybe, but I know you're much more than just a Saint to me."

And then, in that night's warmth, between laughter and shared glances, Kael felt that his game of seduction was far from over. He had found his playground, and he intended to explore it thoroughly.

The room was shrouded in darkness, with only a few moonbeams piercing through the light curtains, faintly illuminating Alvina's face. Kael watched her, his eyes gleaming with a secret light, and without a word, he drew closer to her, slowly lying down beside her. The air was soft, almost sensual, and the warmth radiating from their proximity only heightened the palpable tension between them.

Alvina, a little hesitant, turned toward him, her golden eyes locking with his. She could feel the vibration of the atmosphere, the intensity of the moment, and Kael knew exactly how to create that ambiance. He gazed at her with unexpected tenderness, a mysterious smile on his lips.

"You're stunning, Alvina..." Kael murmured softly, his words filled with sincerity. "I could spend eternity just watching you."

She blushed slightly but didn't look away, captivated by the depth in his eyes. She moved closer to him, her fingers lightly grazing his skin, a shiver running through her body. Kael, with a teasing smile, took her hand and gently placed it against his face.

"You're so much more than just a Saint to me..." Kael whispered, his words caressing the air. He leaned toward her, his breath brushing against her skin, and before she could respond, he placed a delicate kiss on her lips. The kiss was soft, exploratory, yet carried all the promise of a budding desire.

Their bodies drew closer, the embrace becoming more intimate, more intimate with each passing second. Alvina, immersed in the sweetness of his gestures, slowly responded to his kiss, her lips tracing against his, trembling under the weight of the emotion. Their breathing quickened as their bodies intertwined beneath the covers, the heat between them almost suffocating.

Kael held her tighter, letting her feel every beat of his heart. He was gentle, but the passion in his gaze betrayed his intentions. He gently caressed her hair, playing with the golden strands, before slowly lowering his hand down her back, feeling every shiver he caused. Alvina surrendered to it, a soft warmth spreading through her body with every touch, every kiss.

But just as Kael, instinctively, was about to draw her even closer, a sharp knock at the door shattered the magic of the moment. The firm voice of a holy knight rose from the other side, cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Saint Alvina! Apologies for the interruption, but the Third Prince has arrived and demands an audience immediately."

Alvina jolted upright, and Kael, still lying down, suddenly felt destabilized by the interruption. He looked at her, his face marked by a mix of frustration and amusement.

"The Third Prince? At this hour?" Kael muttered, a smirk playing on his lips. He hadn't expected a nighttime visit, especially in the midst of what seemed to be a much more intimate evening. "What timing..."

Alvina, though surprised by the interruption, gracefully rose, adjusting her attire, though her face still betrayed the warmth of the moment. She turned to Kael, a faint smile on her lips, a teasing tone in her voice.

"I suppose duty calls... but this is only postponed."

Kael fixed her with a look, a glimmer in his eyes. His tone had taken a more playful turn, despite his disappointment over the cut in their intimacy.

"The Prince can wait... You know, I would have preferred you stayed..."

Alvina paused at the door, casting one last lingering glance at Kael, a look heavy with unspoken meanings, before turning toward the knight. She took a deep breath, as though to calm her restless mind.

"I'll go right away," she said calmly, heading toward the door. She stopped for a moment, adding in a soft voice, but full of promise: "But I will return, Kael. And this is not the end."

Kael lay back down, a half-amused, half-frustrated smile on his lips. He knew he had planted a seed, and that this story, as interrupted as it was tonight, would continue where they had left off. But for now, he simply watched the door close, his mind turning to what this unexpected visit could mean.

He slowly got up and stretched, waiting for the next events with a newfound impatience, but a slight smile still lingering on his lips.

Kael closed his eyes, lost in thought, trying to push away the frustration of an interrupted evening. But suddenly, a loud voice, full of confidence, echoed through the neighboring courtroom:

"SAINT ALVINA, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

Kael abruptly opened his eyes, his irises turning red with the rising anger inside him. He growled, clenching his fists into the bed.

"What the hell is this?"