Fated to Die to the Player, I’ll Live Freely with My SSS-Class Ship!

Cassandra, who entered through a secret passage. Eva, who came through the front door—and locked it just now.

Two women appeared in my room, making the air grow heavy with tension.

A strange electricity crackled in the silence as the two locked eyes, starting a quiet war with just their gazes.

"As expected... Casey, you lied to me," Eva said, voice filled with restrained disappointment. "You haven't given up on Arthur at all."

Cassandra crossed her arms over her half-unbuttoned pajama shirt, squishing her chest and forming a deep, noticeable valley.

"Well, to be precise, it was Arthur who didn't let me give up," she replied coolly, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Once I realized our feelings were mutual, I decided I wouldn't hold back anymore."

"You think you understand him that deeply? I've been with him far longer than you," Eva snapped, raising a sharp brow.

"Oh, really?" Cassandra shot back, amused, not the least bit rattled. "And yet, despite all that time, I still managed to overtake you? What were you even doing—sitting on your hands and playing pretend?"

"That..." Eva faltered, caught off guard.

It was as though Casey's blunt remark knocked the breath from her lungs, leaving her without a defense.

"..."

Seriously, what the hell is going on here?

Two women, arguing in my bedroom.

And their topic... was me. I mean, I'm not "that" dense—obviously, I get what they're talking about. But I still can't wrap my head around how this even happened.

Cassandra's actions sort of made sense. She had always treated me like some sort of husband figure in the past. There were hints—plenty of them—even if that attitude faded over time. And now, here she was again, boldly coming to "claim" me.

But Eva? I honestly had no clue.

I always thought she despised me. I mean, come on. I thought she was biding her time, waiting for the perfect moment to kill me. The number of close calls I had from her outbursts couldn't be counted on one hand anymore.

"See?" Cassandra said, her voice laced with contempt. "You came all the way here, but you're still hesitating. Clearly, Arthur doesn't mean that much to you after all—"

"That's not true!" Eva shouted, cutting her off with sheer emotion.

She turned to face me directly, her eyes shimmering with conflicted feelings. Slowly, word by word, she spoke.

"I... was saved by him more times than I can remember. Not just from danger, but from myself."

Her hands clenched tightly in front of her chest, fingers trembling as if she were praying.

"Still, I always knew I couldn't fall for him. I'm just a nobody, while he's the heir to the largest conglomerate in the universe. We were never meant to be."

She bit her lip, her voice beginning to quiver as the emotion built up behind it.

"BUT!" she yelled, refusing to stop.

"In the end, I still fell for this bastard! I kept acting cold, yelling at him, cursing and pushing him away, but he stayed the same! His kindness—so ridiculous it was almost foolish—became the only light I could depend on!"

"Eva..."

I had only chosen to pick her up because she was the "player."

I hadn't been kind to her out of some moral high ground—it was strategy. I didn't want her to leave my side. How else was I supposed to complete a story when the main character veered off-script?

I buried my irritation and masked it with a smile. Hell, I even convinced myself to let go of the resentment. The only saving grace was that she needed money—something I could provide without blinking. That became the foundation of our current "relationship."

And now she was confessing. Owning up to emotions she had clearly tried to bury.

But me... Do I even deserve that kind of affection?

While I was lost in thought, something warm pressed against both sides of my face. A tender touch. Cassandra had pulled me into her embrace, her hands resting gently behind my head, her soft chest pressing against my cheeks.

"What now? You think just saying your feelings is enough to win him over?"

She provoked Eva again, her voice as calm as ever.

"I did more than talk. I gave him a noble title, made him a duke—someone worthy of being my equal, my partner. I made sure no one could object. And remember—he proposed to me. Twice. In front of everyone. What about you? What have you done for him?"

"I...!"

Eva froze, biting down on her lower lip.

She couldn't think of a single meaningful thing she had done for me. Not one. If anything, I was the one always helping her.

If we flipped it and talked about how many times she caused trouble, well—she'd have a full list ready.

Tears welled up again in her eyes, this time falling freely as her hands gripped her arms so tightly her nails dug into her skin. She looked like a broken machine stuck in a loop, desperately trying to move forward but finding no path.

"Alright, that's enough, both of you."

The tension in the room had grown unbearable, and I couldn't let it continue. I moved my hands and gently eased Cassandra off of me—though, I won't lie, separating from those comforting pillows was a little painful.

"Cassandra," I started, turning to face her first since she was right beside me. "I've already told you before—I can't be your partner. It's true that I'm attracted to you, but not enough to want marriage."

"...Arthur?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and she seemed dazed, like someone waking from a dream. I felt guilty watching her like that. But I couldn't lie—not to her, not to myself. I wouldn't let myself be swept away by momentum and end up someone's husband—or worse, the new King—just because she wished it.

"Eva, you too." I looked toward her, watching her expression twist in hesitation and pain. "It's not easy to say this, but... I can't see you that way either."

Just like that, I turned down two beautiful women who had all but offered themselves to me, body and soul. The room fell into heavy silence as I exhaled and waited, watching as they struggled to regain their composure.

The first to regain her senses was the tougher of the two. Eva.

She wiped the tears from her eyes, her expression firm as she asked a single, cutting question. "If forced to choose between love or hate, which one describes your feelings for me?"

I hesitated, not answering right away. I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts, and finally responded. "...Definitely not hate." Though, honestly, I don't think "love" fits either.

"I see..." A smile—an honest, rare smile—touched her lips as she nodded slowly. "Then, that means I still have a chance."

Without warning, she took a step forward. Her hand moved smoothly toward her neck, pressing a hidden button. The next instant, her entire suit expanded with a puff of air before gracefully dropping to the ground.

That red, flowing, wavy hair. Her sharp, golden eyes and slim red lips. My gaze drifted lower, to her completely exposed breasts—full, round, and unapologetically bold. Her narrow waist and wide, womanly hips. Then, the barely concealed triangle of crimson between her thighs.

"...Huh?" My brain stuttered. Logic disconnected.

Eva stood there, a single meter from me—completely naked!

Cassandra, still frozen from shock, said nothing as Eva stepped closer. Her left knee lifted and nestled between my legs, while her right hand rested gently on my shoulder for support.

And before me—no, inches from my face—was her bare breast. The pink tips, matching her lips in shade, trembled ever so slightly, commanding all of my attention.

"W-Wait...! Didn't I just say I couldn't see you in that way?!" I blurted, raising a hand reflexively to block her advance.

But Eva just smiled slyly, her left hand cupping her left breast and lifting it up. Her fingers sank into the pillowy softness, dimpling the flesh with a teasing bounce. She could barely hold them in one hand, they were that generous.

"You know, women can feel eyes on them. Especially from lecherous bastards like you," she said, her smile deepening as her eyes narrowed. "You were always sneaking glances, weren't you? You like them? Wanna touch?"

*GULP!*

I... am being tempted.

And with my embarrassingly weak willpower, how could I resist? No—who am I kidding? Why should I resist? I already made my stance clear. If she's still determined to go through with this, then I'll play along.

Almost unconsciously, my hand reached for her right breast.

The texture—smooth, supple, just slightly slick with sweat—welcomed my touch. My fingers easily sank in, though the sheer size of it made my hand feel small in comparison.

"So soft... and bouncy, like pudding." I said the words without thinking, mesmerized as I fondled her curves.

Eva's expression twisted into something close to bliss, her lips parting slightly as she struggled to suppress a moan. She didn't resist—in fact, she subtly adjusted her posture, ensuring I could explore her fully.

With my free right hand, I pulled her body closer, guiding her until she leaned into me. My eyes locked on the stiffened peak of her left breast, and an urge surged from deep inside.

"Ahm..."

I leaned forward, nibbling gently. A lick, then a soft bite.

"Hnn~!"

Eva finally let out a sweet moan, her body quivering each time my tongue moved. Her reactions were honest. Vulnerable.

After a few moments, she lifted my face with both hands, her golden eyes gazing down into mine.

"Let's forget everything for now..." she whispered, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. "Right now, I'm just a lonely woman, seeking comfort in a man who's dear to me..."

"..."

I... disagree with her.

In one swift move, I pulled Eva down and pinned her beneath me. I loomed over her, locking my gaze onto her golden eyes. She looked flustered, embarrassed even—but she didn't push me away.

This was it...

"I'm a petty man, Eva," I muttered, my hand gliding up the outer side of her thigh, lifting it with practiced ease. "So, after everything you did to me, don't you think a little punishment is in order?"

*SLAP!*

My open palm landed firmly on her thigh, the sharp sound echoing in the room. Eva winced, her lips tightening as the sting bloomed on her skin.

"A-Arthur, you...!"

"What?"

I grinned and delivered another slap to the same spot.

*SLAP!*

"Kugh...!"

Eva bit back another reaction.

Her pride refused to let her give in, but she still didn't resist.

They say the first to fall in love is the one who loses. And I suppose... this moment proves that old saying right.

A warmth bloomed in my chest—fueled by power, vindication, desire.

And, unsurprisingly, a certain part of me responded with full enthusiasm.

But before things escalated further, a trembling voice called out from the side.

"A-Arthur... What about me?"

"Hm?" I turned to Cassandra and thought.

If this were a game, I already knew what the system prompt would say.

[Player Three has entered the match.]