As Aric pushed open the heavy oak doors to his office, the sound of the latch clicking echoed unnaturally loud in the tense atmosphere. Before he could fully step inside, an overwhelming force slammed him down onto the marble floor with bone-crushing intensity.
His breath left him in a sharp gasp, and panic surged through his veins as he struggled against the invisible weight pressing him into submission.
Evelyn knelt on one knee, her usual composure shattered as she fought desperately to stay upright. Her hands trembled visibly against the polished surface of the desk, her knuckles white from exertion.
Penelope lay crumpled nearby, whimpering softly under the oppressive pressure that threatened to crush her entirely. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with sweat as she clawed weakly at the ground, unable to rise.
And there, at the center of it all, stood Seraphina and Callista—two forces of nature locked in a deadly stalemate. Seraphina shadow tendrils intertwined mid-air like writhing serpents and Callista intense magic had hues of red around her.
Each woman pouring every ounce of their immense power into maintaining dominance over the other. The air between them crackled with energy, distorting the light around them as if reality itself bent to their will.
Ivy! Aric shouted internally,
What the hell is going on?! Why isn't physics applying here?!
[Because magic, you smooth-brain!] Ivy snapped back,
[That bitch nympho has gravity manipulation—it's literally warping the space around you. And before you ask why Seraphina isn't affected…]
She paused, [Let me remind you: your wife's power and mana are insane. I mean INSANE. Imagine Earth before, with its 8 billion people. She's the 0.00000001%. Literally top of the food chain, my guy. She literally forcing herself upright purely with magic.]
Aric gritted his teeth, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
I don't care if it's magic or what! This shouldn't be possible!
[Oh, stop being so human about it.] Ivy retorted sharply.
[Magic doesn't play by your rules. Now focus—because unless you do something soon, they're going to tear this room apart.]
Callista smirked wickedly, "Tell me, darling!"
"How does it feel knowing how your husband's dick was inside me? If only you know how hard he was."
Seraphina's shadow tendrils flared violently, lashing out with renewed ferocity.
"Enough! You think taunting me will get your far!? You disgusting bitch—I'll rip your flesh apart!"
"Oh, please!" Callista shot back,
"You've been dying to do that for years, haven't you? But let's be honest—you're just mad because he chose me over you! Admit it, Sera! He found someone who could satisfy him better than you ever could."
The temperature in the room plummeted as Seraphina's rage reached a breaking point. Her shadow tendrils coiled tightly around Callista's own, the combined force creating a vortex of darkness that sucked in everything nearby.
Papers flew off the desk, chairs toppled over, and even the chandelier above swayed precariously as the two women prepared to unleash their full power.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Aric conjured a blade infused with amplified wind magic—a shimmering sword that allowed Aric to stand up right.
Thank God I experimented this earlier in my room!
Staggering to his feet, Aric moved with surprising speed, placing himself directly between the two combatants. Ignoring the searing pain coursing through his body, he reached out and grabbed both Seraphina and Callista by their shoulders, yanking them apart with brute force.
"STOP!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos like thunder.
Both women stared at him in shock, their powers faltering slightly as they processed his sudden intervention. But the effort came at a cost—Aric's hands trembled violently, the strain of resisting their combined might leaving deep burns across his palms.
FUCKING HELL! IT BURNS!
Blood trickled from the wounds, staining the pristine marble beneath his feet.
Breathing heavily, Aric released his grip, taking a cautious step back as the oppressive gravity dissipated completely. Evelyn slumped forward, catching herself on the desk before slowly rising to her feet. Penelope finally stood up while wiping her tears away.
Seraphina glared daggers at him, her chest heaving as she struggled to compose herself.
"What did you just do?" she demanded coldly,
"I stopped you from destroying the estate—and yourself." Aric replied firmly, meeting her gaze without flinching. Despite the pain radiating through his arms, he refused to show weakness.
"Is that what you want? To end everyone? Destroying everything?"
Callista chuckled softly, brushing imaginary dust off her dress as she straightened up.
"Oh, Vayne. Always so dramatic. Don't worry—we weren't planning to destroy anything… permanently."
"You're lucky Callista." Seraphina replied back while finally calming down.
Aric turned his attention inward, addressing Ivy once more.
Are you sure about this plan? Because right now, it feels like walking into a lion's den blindfolded. This two can't even sit with each other for an hour before fighting like they want to end this world. I don't think the plan is gonna be as straight forward as we hope.
[Trust me, Administrator.] Ivy replied dryly.
[We've already discussed this. You just need to get Lady Callista to agree to rewrite the debt using your inventions as payment. Focus on that—and try not to die in the process.]
Easier said than done. I bet Seraphina is thinking how I'm going to screw this up and Callista probably thinks she has me under her control. Aric thought bitterly, flexing his burned hands cautiously.
His entire body trembled faintly as he slumped into the nearest chair, exhaustion and pain etched across his features.
Ivy. Aric muttered internally, My hands… they're still burning.
[Alright, Aric. Focus. Try using your healing magic again. It won't patch you up instantly but it'll do the job. The more you use it, the better your healing will be.]
Closing his eyes, Aric concentrated on channeling Creation Magic into his wounds. Slowly but surely, the raw burns began to mend, the searing pain dulling to a manageable ache.
He exhaled sharply, readjusting himself in the chair before finally looking up at the two women.
"Well." he began stiffly,
"Let's get this over with."
Callista leaned in closer casually against the desk,
"So, darling." she purred sweetly,
"You want to pay off the debt? All five hundred thousand gold sovereigns—plus six months' worth of interest?"
"That's right and stop calling me that." Aric replied evenly, meeting her gaze without flinching.
"But more importantly, I want to override any documents giving you leverage over this estate. For every month late, you claim a percentage of House Arkwright. Right now, you're sitting pretty at thirty nine percent ownership. I want to settle this today and give back my wife her ownership.''
Callista tilted her head, feigning innocence,
Huh, don't call you pet names? Oh you little boy.
"And why should I agree to such terms, honey? What benefit do I get from letting you pay it all back in full? What if I refuse to let you pay and leverage power and control?"
I'm not letting you pay that easily pet. You're being disobedient now but just you wait when I get you on all fours.
Aric clenched his jaw tightly, refusing to rise to her bait,
"Well, I'm sure you're already enjoying the cool air from the air conditioning unit—and the warm floors beneath your feet, yes? I assume you'd like similar comforts installed in your own estate. Perhaps to flaunt them during your… intimate encounters. Show off to the nobles. A status that is simply unheard of in this world."
Callista laughed softly, "Oh, dear. It's nice, sure. But let's not pretend it's irreplaceable. I've lived over two decades without such luxuries—and survived quite well, thank you very much."
Aric's rising slowly to his feet, covering all the windows with curtains which made everyone confused as he turned toward the ceiling and flicked the switch.
Instantly, the room was bathed in the soft glow of fluorescent lighting, banishing the shadows completely.
"Not only is my light brighter, safer which makes lanterns obsolete." he explained coldly,
"The heated floors ensures you won't shiver in winter anymore without needing to rely on magic or wood. You also won't suffer through summers anymore. I'm sure using ice, drenching yourself in cold water is a hassle when you compare to this sweet cold air no? No more wasting candles or oil lamps either. It's safer, scalable and a business opportunity too. Not everyone has magic and with these inventions, you can make a profit too."
To his satisfaction, Callista's eyes widened ever so slightly—an unmistakable flicker of interest.
"But since you've made it clear you're uninterested…" Aric trailed off, pulling out a document from his jacket pocket. Sliding it across the desk, he revealed a copy of Prince Thorin's agreement of purchasing his blueprints.
"This technology has earned the approval of none other than Prince Thorin Stonefist. You know, the prince dwarf? Do you understand what that means Callista? Dwarves that haven't collaborated with humanity in three centuries now buying my technology? I wonder what that says politically."
Before anyone could respond, the door burst open, and Borin stumbled inside. That entrance had been planned by Aric. To show dwarves working with him. Instead, Borin had forgotten his lines.
"Oi! Lad, we need ye for-"
Borin stopped cold, eyes locking on Callista.
Silence.
"…Erk. Sorry," he muttered, and slammed the door shut again.
A long pause.
Everyone felt confused, weirded out and cringed.
Ivy cringing audibly in Aric's mind, [That was… painful.]
No kidding, I'm gonna make him do all the heated floors as payback.
Taking advantage of the stunned atmosphere, Aric pressed onward,
"Now then." he continued smoothly, addressing Callista directly.
"Imagine not having to access to technology that even dwarves love and work for. Not only am I offering it all for free—in exchange for tweaking the documents and burning some. But since you refuse''
He leaned in closer, face to face against her,
"I'll pay the debt and come for your estate instead, you bitch."
Did this fucking pet call me a bitch?
Callista's composure faltered. Her fingers twitched nervously, betraying the first hint of uncertainty.
What the hell is this? Vayne never talk to me like this. He was a submissive fool, easy to manipulate.
But those inventions...I thought I could get it for free but clearly not. Vayne being out of character is one thing but he has the prince backing him up and that dwarf coming inside.
That was intentional despite being cringe. Clearly showing he has the dwarves on his side too.
How did he even make these inventions? Vayne is stupid, obedient and arrogant! But the status of having this and expanding it to my regions...
It will benefit me. I can sell it as luxury to the nobles I own and milk them. I can charge my citizens too...I can sell these as upgrades to their housing too...
Fuck you Vayne! How dare you disobey me! Since when did you grow some balls?
But just as quickly, she regained her footing,
You poor little dog. You wanna play that way? I'll end this now. I'll crash everything.
I'll make Seraphina angry and break you. I will make you sign your life away as part of my agreement on this. I'll break you Vayne and then, I'll make you my dog again.
"I see." she drawled,
"Very well, pet. Let's burn the old documents, rewrite the terms, and consider the debt paid in full. But I have one small condition."
YES! I got her!
"Oh?" Aric raised an eyebrow,
"And what might that be?"
What? You want supplies from me? Some dwarves? I'm sure I can handle it.
Her eyes locked onto his, "I want you, darling. For all the debt and terms rewritten, I want you and your body."
''And don't worry—I'm not asking you to divorce your little queen. No no, I want you as you are.''
At those words, Seraphina's shadow tendrils erupted violently, her blue eyes blazed with fury,
"You BITCH!" she snarled,
"You dare claim what's mine after everything you've done? The inventions alone are enough for your payment you piece of shit. Thorin paid 4 banknotes and my husband is offering it for free! But you insist on wanting him?"
Callista merely chuckled, unfazed by Seraphina's outburst.
"Oh, relax, dear. It's just business. Besides, he owes me far more than loyalty."
Inside Aric's mind, sheer panic erupted.
SO IS IT PLAN Z TIME?! PLAN VIBRATOR!? he shouted frantically at Ivy.
I DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD BE THIS FUCKING FREAKY. WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW? SERAPHINA LOOKS LIKE SHE'S GONNA END HER PIECE BY PIECE.
WHY THE FUCK WOULD SHE BLOW UP THE DEAL!? I offered all my inventions and she still blew it up!
[Stay calm.] Ivy snapped back,
[We knew she'd try something like this. Stick to the plan—no toys, no flirting. Just negotiate cleanly. She wanted to blow this deal up to get your reaction and Seraphina's. Just fight clean Aric.]
Clean? She blew it up Ivy! That's it I'm gonna fucking make her go on her knees and grovel like a bitch.
[Calm down Aric! Just trust me, we can compromise with her. I will guide you.]
Despite her reassurance, Aric struggled to maintain his composure.
"And if I refuse?"
Callista shrugged nonchalantly,
"Then I take my chances with the original agreement—and destroy you both."