The room was dimly lit by the flickering glow of the lantern, casting long shadows along the aged wooden walls. A thick tension hung in the air, palpable and intoxicating. Yuuto stood near the bed, his crimson gaze locked onto Selene as she sat at the edge, her violet eyes filled with something between nervousness and anticipation.
The events of the past few days had pushed them together—battle, survival, and now, an undeniable attraction that neither could ignore. The bond between them wasn't just a system-driven connection; it was something deeper, something primal.
Selene swallowed hard. "I… I know what binding truly means now," she whispered. "I made my choice, Yuuto."
He stepped forward, tilting her chin up with two fingers. "There's no turning back," he murmured, his voice low and commanding.
"I don't want to turn back."
Her words ignited something inside him. The restraint he had kept in check since their first meeting began to unravel. Slowly, he leaned down, capturing her lips with his own. She gasped softly, the sound swallowed by the kiss as he deepened it, claiming her mouth with a hunger that left no room for hesitation.
Selene melted into him, her hands gripping his tunic as if afraid he might pull away. But he didn't. He wouldn't. His fingers trailed down her back, igniting shivers that coursed through her.
The layers of clothing between them felt suffocating. With deliberate movements, Yuuto loosened the laces of her dress, letting it slip from her shoulders. The fabric pooled at her waist, revealing smooth, pale skin that glowed in the lantern light.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, his hands tracing the curve of her waist before sliding up to cup her cheek.
Selene's breath hitched. "You're just saying that…"
Yuuto's smirk was dark, predatory. "I don't say things I don't mean."
His lips found her neck, pressing heated kisses against the sensitive skin. She shuddered beneath his touch, fingers digging into his arms as he explored her, savoring every reaction.
With a fluid motion, he pushed her down onto the bed, his weight settling over her. Selene arched against him, her body instinctively seeking his warmth. He took his time, hands tracing every inch of her, committing every soft sigh and whimper to memory.
She was his. And after this night, there would be no doubt.
[Binding Process Completed.]
[Yuuto has gained Creation Points.]
[New Passive Unlocked: Shared Vitality.]
As the system notifications faded from his mind, Yuuto held Selene close, his hand running through her silver hair. She rested against his chest, her breathing still uneven.
"You belong to me now," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
She smiled, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion and satisfaction. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
---
The soft glow of dawn filtered through the worn curtains of the room, casting long shadows over the tangled sheets. Yuuto lay back against the mattress, his body still warm from the night's passion. Selene rested beside him, her silver hair fanned across his chest, her bare skin glistening with the aftermath of their union.
She had finally fallen asleep after hours of indulgence, her breathing slow and even.
Yuuto smirked to himself, running a hand down her back. Last night hadn't just been about pleasure—it was a declaration, a binding that ensured Selene was now his. The system had confirmed it.
[Bound Partner: Selene Valeria]
[CP Generation Increased]
The numbers had surged overnight, reflecting the depth of their connection. It wasn't just the physical act—it was the submission, the willingness to accept his claim.
Yuuto exhaled, his mind already shifting from pleasure to strategy. His next move was crucial. Redbrook was still in disarray after the fall of Iron Fang, and though he had eliminated the mercenaries, the town itself lacked leadership. The current ruler, Baron Cedric Reinhardt, had holed himself up in his estate ever since the invasion, unwilling or unable to assert authority.
A weak ruler was an opportunity.
Selene stirred beside him, violet eyes fluttering open. She stretched slightly before gazing up at him with a satisfied smirk. "Already plotting?"
Yuuto chuckled. "Always."
She propped herself up on one elbow, tracing a finger along his chest. "What's the next step?"
He sat up, running a hand through his dark hair. "We take Redbrook. Not just in name—legitimately. The people have already accepted me as the one who freed them from Iron Fang. But there's still a baron sitting in that mansion. If I want full control, I need to remove him… or absorb his authority."
Selene's expression turned thoughtful. "You mean through marriage."
Yuuto smirked. "Exactly."
She hummed, tilting her head. "Then that means Sophia Reinhardt."
The name carried weight. Sophia, the baron's only daughter, was well-known—not just in Redbrook but beyond. She had studied at the Royal Academy in the capital, where only the children of nobles and the exceptionally talented were admitted. She was intelligent, refined, and, from what Yuuto had gathered, fiercely independent.
Convincing her wouldn't be as easy as intimidating the town into submission.
Selene slid out of bed, retrieving her robe. "If you plan to take her, you'll need to move carefully. A noblewoman won't simply accept a barbarian who overthrew the town's security."
Yuuto grinned. "Then I'll show her I'm not just a barbarian—I'm the future."
---
The Baron's Mansion
Yuuto arrived at the gates of the Reinhardt estate just before noon. The mansion, though grand in structure, bore signs of neglect. The once pristine gardens were overgrown, and the guards—few in number—stood at their posts with little conviction.
The fall of Iron Fang had left the baron exposed.
As Yuuto approached, the guards hesitated, hands resting uneasily on their weapons. One of them, an older man with a nervous expression, stepped forward.
"Halt! State your business."
Yuuto didn't slow his stride. "I'm here to speak with Baron Cedric."
The guard swallowed, glancing at the others. "The baron is—"
"Expecting me," Yuuto cut in. "Unless he wants to be dragged out of his estate by the people."
The guards exchanged uneasy looks before finally stepping aside. Yuuto smirked.
Pathetic.
The doors opened to reveal the grand hall, its lavish décor failing to mask the underlying tension. Servants moved hastily, avoiding eye contact as they disappeared down corridors.
At the far end of the hall, Baron Cedric Reinhardt sat in his chair, his once-imposing frame now thin and weary. The stress of losing control over the town had taken its toll.
Beside him stood Sophia Reinhardt.
She was as striking as the rumors suggested—long golden hair cascading down her back, sharp blue eyes that held intelligence and calculation. She wore a modest yet elegant dress, her posture poised despite the uncertainty in the room.
Yuuto took his time observing her before shifting his gaze to the baron.
"Lord Reinhardt," he greeted smoothly. "I assume you know why I'm here."
Cedric swallowed hard. "You… you're the man who took down Iron Fang."
Yuuto nodded. "And now I've come for what's next." He gestured to the room. "Redbrook has no leadership. The people are looking to me. You can either surrender what little power you have left… or be removed."
The baron visibly paled, glancing at his daughter.
Sophia, however, met Yuuto's gaze evenly. "You seek legitimacy," she stated.
Yuuto smirked. "Smart girl."
She folded her arms. "And you believe taking me as your wife will grant you that legitimacy?"
"I know it will," Yuuto corrected. "Your family name still carries weight. The people trust it, even if your father has failed them. A political marriage would solidify my rule."
Cedric shifted uncomfortably. "I-I won't allow—"
Sophia raised a hand, silencing him. "And if I refuse?"
Yuuto's smirk widened. "Then I take Redbrook by force. But I'd rather not waste the effort." He stepped closer, voice lowering. "You studied at the Royal Academy. You know how politics work. Power doesn't belong to those who are born into it—it belongs to those strong enough to claim it."
Sophia studied him, her sharp gaze searching for weakness. When she found none, she exhaled. "You want a wife to legitimize your rule. But what do I get in return?"
Yuuto leaned in slightly. "Freedom from a crumbling noble house. A place by the side of the man who will reshape this world. Power."
Sophia's lips curved into a slight smirk. "Ambitious."
Yuuto met her gaze without hesitation. "Always."
Silence hung between them before Sophia finally turned to her father. "Father. The people already follow him. If we refuse, it will only delay the inevitable."
Cedric looked between them, defeated. He sank back into his chair.
"I… I leave it to you, Sophia."
She turned back to Yuuto. "Then I have conditions."
Yuuto raised a brow. "I'm listening."
She stepped closer, meeting him at eye level. "I will marry you, but I am not some trophy to be paraded around. If I am to be your wife, I expect respect."
Yuuto smirked. "Fair enough."
Sophia extended her hand. "Then it's settled."
Yuuto grasped her hand firmly.
[Political Marriage Confirmed.]
[Legitimacy Over Redbrook Acquired.]
A surge of energy filled him as the system acknowledged his newfound authority.
Redbrook was now his.
And this was only the beginning.
---