Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

Melisa followed Aria through a set of ornate double doors into what was clearly the queen's private chambers.

It was nothing like the previous queen's bedchambers (which Melisa still recalled vividly thanks to that furious finger-fucking session from before). The room was a stark contrast to it, actually. Intimate, warm, and filled with plush furnishings in rich purples and blues.

"Wait outside," Aria instructed Isabella, who pouted dramatically.

"B-But Your Majesty, I'm her moral support!"

"You're her chaos enabler," Aria corrected with a knowing smile. "I don't even know you particularly well and I know that much. I'd prefer this conversation remain focused."

Isabella sighed theatrically.

"Fine. I'll just... imagine what's happening in here." She winked at Melisa before the doors closed, leaving Melisa alone with the nearly-naked queen.

[Great. Thanks for that, Isabella.]

Aria moved to a pile of plush cushions arranged near a low table and gracefully reclined, the sheer fabric of her ceremonial garment shifting to reveal even more skin. She gestured for Melisa to join her.

"So," Aria said, "you wish to discuss the terrorist's execution."

Melisa carefully lowered herself onto the cushions across from Aria, trying desperately to keep her eyes on the queen's face and not on the painted swirls that disappeared beneath the thin silk covering her breasts.

"Yes, Your Majesty. About Koros..." Melisa paused, still uncertain what position she wanted to take. "I've been approached by his sister, Vira."

"The sister." Aria nodded. "I'm familiar with her. She's not involved in his activities, from what our intelligence suggests."

"She's not," Melisa confirmed. "She came to me asking if I would speak to you about... possibly reconsidering his sentence."

Aria raised an eyebrow.

"And do you believe I should?"

Melisa took a deep breath, which was a mistake because it filled her lungs with the subtle floral scent of whatever oil had been used in the ritual. It made her head swim. It made her pheromones harder to contain.

"I'm... conflicted," she admitted. "He organized attacks that killed people. He tried to burn down Javir's house with my family inside. But..."

"But executing him might create a martyr for the nim extremists," Aria finished for her.

"Exactly." Melisa blinked in surprise. "That's what I thought."

Aria leaned forward, causing the silk to slip slightly off one shoulder.

"I've considered this as well. There's no denying the political ramifications are... complex."

A wave of relief washed over Melisa, along with a fresh surge of pheromones that she failed to keep close.

"So you're open to alternatives?"

Aria's pupils dilated visibly. She shifted on the cushions, her breathing suddenly quicker.

"I... yes. Life imprisonment might be more strategically sound. A public execution would only inflame tensions. Then again," she added, "what other punishment suits a terrorist serial killer, Melisa?"

She had a hard time arguing against that.

Melisa watched Aria's face, trying to read the queen's expression.

The tension in the room wasn't just from her pheromones anymore—it was the weight of the decision hanging between them. A man's life. The potential political fallout. The justice owed to those he'd killed.

"I understand your concern about creating a martyr," Aria said, her fingers still playing with the edge of her ceremonial garment. "But what message does it send if we spare the life of someone who has shown such disregard for the lives of others?"

Melisa shifted uncomfortably on the cushions.

"I'm not saying he shouldn't be punished. Just that... maybe there's a punishment that serves justice without giving his cause more fuel. I mean, the dungeons aren't exactly comfortable. And it's still taking away his freedom forever," Melisa pointed out. "And it gives us the option to... I don't know, learn from him? Understand why the nim are so angry?"

Aria's eyes narrowed.

"I know why they're angry, Melisa. You're not speaking to my parents. The question is whether that understanding justifies murder."

"It doesn't," Melisa replied quickly.

"And thus, the solution of just imprisoning him leaves a bad taste in my mouth. And it would for anyone else who heard he wasn't executed for his crimes as well, I suspect. Wouldn't you agree?"

Melisa felt her stomach twist. She didn't have a good answer for that.

"To be honest," she began, "I want him dead even more so than you do, Your Majesty. But, I also know that killing him isn't going to stop people who see eye-to-eye with him from committing more violence. If anything... It might embolden them to keep going."

Aria leaned back, considering. The movement caused more of the sheer fabric to slide, revealing the curve of her small, but perky breasts and more of the ritual markings that spiraled across her skin.

Melisa had to actively force her eyes to stay on Aria's face.

"I'm reluctantly inclined to agree," Aria admitted. "Though it pains me to show leniency to someone who has shown none."

A surge of hope rose in Melisa's chest.

"So you'll consider alternatives?"

Before Aria could answer, a sharp knock interrupted them. The queen frowned, adjusting her garment before calling:

"Enter."

A royal messenger hurried in, dropping to one knee. His eyes widened momentarily as he glanced at Melisa, and she felt a fresh wave of embarrassment, knowing her pheromones were affecting him too.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from the eastern border," the messenger said, voice tight with restraint. "The outpost at Goldstone Pass was raided by darian skirmishers. Captain Markhan reports twelve casualties and significant damage to our supply stores."

Aria's entire demeanor changed in an instant.

The almost-playful, relaxed, reasonable young woman vanished, replaced by a queen with the weight of a kingdom on her shoulders. She stood, the ceremonial garment suddenly looking absurdly inadequate for matters of war.

"How many darians?" she demanded.

"At least thirty, Your Majesty. They struck at dawn and retreated into the mountains."

"Damn it," Aria muttered. "This is the third raid this month. They're growing bolder." She turned to Melisa with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but I need to address this immediately."

Melisa stood quickly.

"Of course. I understand."

Aria sighed, running a hand through her white hair.

"About Koros... I appreciate your perspective, Melisa. Truly. But with this ongoing conflict with the darians, I can't give you a definitive answer right now."

"I understand," Melisa repeated, though disappointment settled in her chest. What was she supposed to tell Vira?

"The execution is still scheduled for three days from now," Aria continued. "I'll consider alternatives, but I make no promises. My priority must be the safety of my kingdom, and so long as he breathes, Koros is a threat."

The messenger shifted uncomfortably, clearly eager to continue their discussion of the darian attack. Melisa took the hint.

"Thank you for your time, Your Majesty. I should let you handle this."

Aria nodded, already turning her attention to the messenger.

"Tell Captain Markhan I want a full assessment of our defensive capabilities at all eastern outposts by nightfall."

Melisa backed toward the door, feeling suddenly invisible as war planning took precedence. As she reached for the handle, Aria called her name.

"Melisa."

She turned back.

"Yes?"

"I value your input on this matter. And I will think on it. But understand that my decision will be based on what's best for Syux, not on personal feelings—yours or mine."

Melisa nodded.

"That's all I can ask."

Outside, Isabella was leaning against the wall, chatting animatedly with one of the palace guards whose face had turned an impressive shade of crimson. When she spotted Melisa, she bounded over.

"So? How'd it go? Is she going to spare the terrorist? And why did that messenger look like he was about to piss himself when he ran in there?"

Melisa sighed.

"Darian raiders attacked an outpost. Aria has to deal with that now, so I didn't get a clear answer about Koros."

"Shit timing," Isabella said, falling into step beside her as they headed down the corridor. "So what are you going to tell Vira?"

"The truth, I guess. That I tried, but the queen's dealing with a war."