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faebled-stories · 1 month ago

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Beneath Her Empire

Soloist IU (Lee Jieun) x Male reader

17.8k words

AN: Today is a CEO Double Header. First, it was Kinkvember with Miyeon, and now… it’s IU! 🎉

As promised, here’s the surprise I teased earlier to celebrate hitting 1K on one of my stories. Thank you all so much for your support—it means the world to me! I hope you enjoy this special treat. 💖

Happy reading! 😊

Jieun was a powerhouse. Her name commanded respect across industries, her reputation a flawless blend of ruthlessness and precision. In the sprawling glass tower that bore the insignia of her empire, her presence was omnipresent—etched into every polished surface, woven into every hushed whisper that echoed through the hallways. Her heels clicked against the marble floors like the tick of a clock, each step a deliberate reminder of the relentless drive that had built her kingdom brick by uncompromising brick.

The building itself mirrored her persona: a towering, modern monolith of steel and glass that loomed over the city like a sentinel. Inside, the air was sharp with the faint scent of expensive coffee and ozone from constantly running air purifiers. Every detail had been meticulously curated to exude authority and power—chrome fixtures that gleamed under sterile, white lights; floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of a city that bent to her will; and sleek, minimalist décor that refused to accommodate frivolity.

Her office was the crown jewel. It was a shrine to control and dominance: walls lined with perfectly organized bookshelves, black leather seating that offered no comfort, and a custom mahogany desk that seemed more like a throne than a workspace. It was a space that demanded deference from anyone who entered. The city stretched endlessly beyond her glass walls, sprawling out like a kingdom laid bare before its queen. To stand inside her domain was to feel dwarfed, insignificant—a single note in the cacophony of her power.

Everyone under her command scrambled to meet her impossible standards. Emails, reports, presentations—each was a gauntlet of scrutiny. A single misplaced decimal or poorly chosen word could summon her icy disdain, her criticism cutting and precise enough to leave even the most seasoned executives reeling. Entire departments moved like clockwork, their precision fueled by the fear of falling short of her expectations.

But amidst this kingdom of submission, one anomaly existed: you. Her assistant. The enigma.

Where others flinched under her cutting words or broke under the weight of her relentless demands, you remained unshakable. Orders that would send lesser employees into a tailspin were met with swift execution, often completed before she could even voice them fully. “Rewrite this report by midnight” or “Fix this mess before the meeting in an hour” were challenges you dispatched with quiet efficiency.

Her sharpest critiques, the verbal scalpel she wielded so effortlessly, glanced off you as though they were mere observations. Your calm unnerved her. It was maddening.

“You didn’t even flinch,” she remarked one late evening, the office silent save for the hum of fluorescent lights and the faint murmur of the city beyond. Her voice was velvet wrapped around steel, her gaze sharp as a knife as she leaned against her desk. The air between you crackled with tension. “Do you enjoy being impenetrable, or is it just your nature?”

You didn’t pause, your fingers moving fluidly across the keyboard as you adjusted her schedule. “I enjoy doing my job well,” you replied evenly, your tone polite yet distant, as though her words were just another task to process and file away.

Her jaw tightened. That calm—that maddening, unflinching calm—gnawed at her. Others stumbled, fumbled, groveled, but you… you stood like a mirror, reflecting her intensity without wavering. And she hated it—or so she told herself.

Because in truth, you fascinated her.

Her empire was built on control. Control over her competitors, her boardrooms, her subordinates. Every variable in her world bent to her will—except you. She couldn’t manipulate you. Couldn’t predict you. And that made you dangerous in a way no hostile takeover or market disruption ever had.

As she watched you work, her gaze softened despite herself. The glow of your computer screen cast a subtle light across your face, and for the first time, she noticed the details she’d overlooked: the faint shadow of your lashes against your cheek, the subtle curve of your lips as you focused, the quiet strength in the way your fingers moved with precision over the keys.

Her chest tightened. The sharp edges of her thoughts dulled into something unfamiliar, unsettling. You weren’t just efficient; you were graceful. And that grace, that quiet defiance of her expectations, made her pulse quicken in a way no competitor or hostile boardroom ever had.

“Is there anything else?” you asked, breaking the silence as you looked up, meeting her gaze. Your voice was steady, even, but there was something in your eyes—an unreadable flicker that made her breath hitch.

She straightened, brushing the moment aside like a stray thread. “That report for tomorrow’s investor meeting—have you double-checked the figures?”

“Triple-checked,” you replied without missing a beat. “It’s already in your inbox.”

For a moment, she felt the faintest flicker of satisfaction. But it wasn’t just your competence that stirred something inside her—it was the unspoken challenge. The quiet question that seemed to linger between every interaction: What will it take to crack you?

She didn’t just want your skill. She wanted your vulnerability. Wanted to see what lay beneath that impenetrable calm. And it terrified her as much as it intrigued her.

The office settled into silence again, the tension lingering like an unanswered question. Beyond the glass, the city pulsed with life, a sprawling testament to her dominance. But inside these walls, her thoughts were consumed by the one thing she couldn’t conquer.

You.

-----

The next day began like any other. You delivered her morning coffee—black, two sugars—and placed a stack of meticulously organized reports on her desk. The room was pristine, her fortress of control reflected in every gleaming surface, the faint hum of the air conditioning blending with the rhythmic clicks of her pen. Each detail in her office was an extension of her, an embodiment of her ruthless precision: the stark black-and-white palette, the pens aligned perfectly parallel, the faint scent of jasmine and amber that lingered in the air. Yet, despite the perfection, the tension was undeniable—thick and unspoken, crackling faintly like a distant storm.

Jieun glanced at the clock, her expression neutral, though the subtle tightening of her jaw betrayed her simmering irritation. Her fingers wrapped around the porcelain mug with just a touch more force than necessary, her knuckles whitening against the delicate surface. “You’re late,” she said, her tone clipped and precise, her eyes darting toward you briefly before returning to the reports. But you knew better—she wasn’t irritated by the time; she was irritated by you.

“Three minutes early,” you corrected, your voice smooth and calm, as unruffled as still water. The slight inflection, the subtle edge, carried a quiet defiance that danced on the line between professionalism and provocation.

Her fingers tightened further around the mug, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface. She looked up at you, her gaze sharp as a blade. “Cheeky, aren’t you?” she said, her voice dropping lower, almost a growl. “Maybe I should assign you an extra project—something to keep that sharp mouth of yours busy.”

You didn’t flinch, didn’t waver. Instead, you met her gaze with the faintest flicker of a smirk—a silent challenge that made her pulse stutter, though she would never admit it. “I’m here to do whatever you need, ma’am.”

The words hung in the air, thick with an unspoken tension that neither of you acknowledged but both felt acutely. Her cheeks flushed faintly, a delicate bloom of color that she was quick to disguise by turning her attention back to the reports in front of her. She shuffled the papers with unnecessary force, the soft rustle filling the silence as though to drown out her own thoughts. But you saw through her; you always did. She wasn’t fooling anyone—least of all herself.

Her voice came sharper now, as though trying to reassert control. “Close the door.”

The soft click of the door shutting seemed louder in the stillness of the room, the final note of an unspoken symphony of tension. When you turned back, she was leaning against her desk, her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed. The faint gleam of the cityscape beyond her glass walls illuminated her features, casting a subtle glow that softened her otherwise hard expression. Yet there was something different about her—an almost imperceptible crack in her icy composure, a vulnerability she fought to keep buried.

“Do you enjoy being so… untouchable?” she asked, her tone sharp, her words biting, but beneath them was something else entirely. Curiosity? Longing? You couldn’t quite place it, but it was there, glinting faintly in her eyes.

“Untouchable?” you echoed, stepping closer, the faint scent of her perfume reaching you—a rich, heady blend of jasmine and amber that seemed to fill the space between you. “I wouldn’t say that.”

Her lips parted slightly, as though she wanted to respond, but the words faltered. Instead, she clenched her jaw, frustration mounting like a rising tide. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?” she snapped, her voice sharper now, laced with irritation and something else—something she couldn’t name. “Always so composed. So… perfect.”

You moved closer still, your steps deliberate, your presence filling the space between you. Her back straightened instinctively, her breath catching, though she didn’t move away. Her chest rose and fell in uneven rhythms, the subtle crack in her control widening.

“You’re the one always testing me,” you said softly, your tone steady, as calm as the eye of a storm. “Are you upset that I pass every time?”

Her hand twitched at her side, her knuckles brushing the edge of the desk as though seeking stability. For a moment, she looked ready to retort, her lips parting as sharp words formed on her tongue. But when you leaned in, the heat of your body brushing against hers without touching, she froze. The air between you grew heavy, charged with an electricity that seemed to hum in the silence.

“You think you can—” she began, her voice strained, caught somewhere between anger and uncertainty.

“I know I can,” you interrupted smoothly, your tone firm but calm, your words like a scalpel cutting through her defenses. Her eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching as you continued. “But let’s not pretend you’re helpless here. If you really want me gone, fire me.”

The suggestion landed like a challenge, and her breath faltered. For a split second, her composure cracked, her expression flickering between control and something raw, something vulnerable. “You think I won’t?” she shot back, her voice sharp but unsteady, her tone betraying her hesitation.

You tilted your head, studying her intently, your gaze unyielding. “Go ahead,” you said softly, your voice even but weighted. “But we both know that’s not what you want.”

Her back hit the edge of the desk as you stepped forward, your proximity dissolving the last remnants of her icy veneer. Her breaths came quicker now, the faintest quiver in her chest betraying her. “You’re insufferable,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, the words lacking their usual bite.

“And yet,” you countered, a faint smile tugging at your lips, your voice carrying quiet amusement, “you’re still here.”

Her fingers gripped the edge of the desk tightly, her knuckles whitening as though bracing against the weight of her own emotions. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she muttered, but even as she spoke, the quiver in her voice betrayed her, her gaze locked on yours as the tension between you reached a breaking point.

“You’re enjoying this,” you observed, your voice low and deliberate, like the steady tide lapping against her crumbling walls.

“I’m not,” she shot back quickly, her tone defensive, but the hitch in her breath and the faint flush creeping down her neck betrayed her.

You stepped closer, your presence overwhelming in the otherwise silent office. The warm scent of her jasmine and amber perfume mingled with the tension in the air as you leaned in, your lips stopping just a breath away from her ear. “Prove it,” you murmured, the words carrying the weight of both a command and a dare. “Lift your skirt.”

Her entire body went rigid, her sharp eyes narrowing as they locked onto yours. “Excuse me?” she demanded, her voice sharp and biting, though the faint waver beneath her words spoke of the battle raging within her.

“You heard me,” you replied, your voice calm but unyielding, the suggestion hanging in the air like a challenge she couldn’t ignore. “Unless, of course, you’re too scared.”

Her cheeks flamed, indignation and something deeper flashing across her expression. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared you down, her grip tightening on the edge of the desk behind her. For a moment, you thought she might unleash her infamous temper, driving you back with the full force of her authority. But then, after a tense pause, her breathing grew uneven. Slowly, reluctantly, her hands moved to the hem of her skirt. Her fingers trembled as she lifted it just enough to reveal the delicate lace of her panties.

A soft, almost inaudible chuckle escaped your lips, and her head snapped up, her glare fierce, though tinged with embarrassment. “What’s so funny?” she demanded, her voice shaking but still defiant.

“How easy that was,” you said, your tone a blend of mockery and quiet satisfaction. “For all your resistance, look where we are.”

Her glare burned brighter, her defiance a flickering flame against the onslaught of her own body’s betrayal. She tried to steel herself, but her knees quivered, and her breaths came faster, shallower. The flush creeping down her neck deepened, and her lips parted as if to retort, but the words never came.

You leaned in closer then, your face mere inches from hers, so close that she could feel the warmth of your breath against her skin. Her eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, her lips parted slightly, tilting toward yours in unconscious surrender, her body leaning forward as if seeking what she swore she didn’t want.

But you didn’t give her what she was hoping for. Instead, your hand moved deliberately, brushing over the damp fabric of her panties, the heat radiating through them impossible to miss. Her body jolted slightly at the touch, her breath catching audibly, a strangled gasp escaping her lips.

You withdrew your fingers, holding them between you both as you met her gaze. “Here,” you murmured, pressing your fingers lightly to her lips. “Taste what you’re feeling right now.”

Her eyes widened in shock, her lips parting instinctively as she stared at you, her expression a tumultuous mix of humiliation, arousal, and disbelief. Her body didn’t pull away, though. If anything, she froze, caught in the intensity of the moment.

“You’re losing control, Jieun,” you whispered, your tone steady, a quiet dominance threading through every word. “But don’t worry. I won’t take it all from you… not yet.”

Her response was immediate and raw—a sharp, trembling inhale as your words sent another wave of tension through her. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, the edges of her nails pressing into her palms as she fought to hold on to the frayed edges of her composure.

“Don’t act like you don’t want this,” you said, your voice calm, almost soothing, but heavy with authority as your hand returned to her waist, your grip firm but unhurried.

Her eyes flashed with defiance, even as her body betrayed her again—her breathing was shallow now, her chest rising and falling in uneven rhythms. “You’re insufferable,” she spat, though the tremor in her voice softened the bite of her words. “This—whatever you think this is—ends now.”

You tilted your head, studying her, your gaze steady and unyielding. “Then stop me,” you said softly, the calm power in your tone making her breath hitch again. “Push me away. Tell me to leave.”

Her lips parted, sharp words poised to cut, but they never left her tongue. Instead, silence filled the space between you, heavy and charged. The flush deepened in her cheeks, and her fingers twitched as though to shove you, but her hands hovered with uncertainty, suspended near your chest.

“Exactly,” you said, a faint smirk tugging at your lips. “You don’t want me to stop.”

Her body tensed, her jaw tightening as though she were bracing herself for a fight she wasn’t sure she could win. “You’re so full of yourself,” she muttered, but the quiver in her voice betrayed her growing surrender.

“And you’re trembling again,” you replied smoothly, leaning closer, letting your breath tickle her ear. “Admit it.”

“I’m not—” Her protest dissolved into a strangled moan as your other hand moved lower, tracing the line of her hips before stopping just short of where she wanted you most. The shift in her stance, the faint quiver in her knees—every reaction spoke louder than words.

“You’re so tense,” you murmured, your tone teasing, as your fingers ghosted over her inner thigh. “Always in control. Always the one calling the shots. How does it feel to let someone else take over for once?”

Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, she looked as though she might fight back. But when your hand pressed closer, her body melted into something softer, more pliant. “This isn’t…” she started, her voice cracking slightly before trailing off into a strangled moan as your fingers finally brushed against the damp lace again, teasing with deliberate slowness.

You chuckled softly, the sound low and deliberate. “That’s all it took?” you teased, each word cutting through the haze between you both. “For all your fire, all your resistance…”

Her glare flickered weakly, but it was drowned out by the way her body leaned instinctively into your touch. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, and her hands gripped the desk behind her as though it were the only thing keeping her grounded.

“Look at you,” you said, your voice laced with quiet amusement, your fingers moving deliberately slow, drawing shivers from her with every teasing motion. “All that power, all that fire… and yet here you are.”

Her lips parted again, a sharp retort dying on her tongue as a soft, desperate sound escaped her instead. She was trembling now, her knees threatening to buckle as your touch brought her closer to the edge.

And then, in one fluid motion, you slid her panties to the side and plunged a single finger inside her. The sharp gasp she released was almost a cry, her walls immediately clenching around you as if they had been waiting, anticipating. The heat and wetness that greeted you were overwhelming, her body responding to your touch as though it had been longing for this exact moment.

Your movements were deliberate, unhurried as you curled your finger against the perfect spot inside her, pressing firmly with an accuracy that made her entire body jolt. Her legs trembled, her back arching slightly, and the sound she made—a raw, guttural moan—was one you knew she hadn’t planned to release.

Her climax hit her like a wave, crashing over her with an intensity that seemed to ripple from her very core. Her cries were unrestrained, unguarded, each one tumbling from her lips in a way that seemed to shock even her. Her knees buckled beneath her, her grip on the desk the only thing keeping her from collapsing entirely.

You didn’t move your finger. Instead holding it there, pressed against her most sensitive spot, letting her ride the full force of her release. Her body pulsed around you, clenching and releasing in rhythm, and you stayed perfectly still, letting her shudders tell you just how devastatingly effective you had been.

“Perfect,” you murmured softly, your voice calm and deliberate, cutting through the haze of her climax. You felt every ripple, every quiver as though her body were speaking to you directly. “It’s like I’ve known you all along.”

Her head slumped forward, her forehead brushing against your shoulder, her entire frame leaning heavily against you as if her strength had been completely drained. Her breaths came in short, frantic bursts, her chest heaving as she tried to recover. Even now, her body trembled uncontrollably, the aftershocks of her release rippling through her with a relentless rhythm.

You stayed where you were, your finger still pressing lightly against her, not withdrawing, not relenting. Each faint motion, each slight tremor from you sent another shiver coursing through her body. Her hands clung to the desk, knuckles white as if it were the only thing tethering her to reality.

Her breathing began to even out, though the tremble in her frame remained. Slowly, shakily, she straightened, her hands still gripping the desk as she attempted to reclaim some semblance of control. Her legs felt weak beneath her, and her gaze stayed fixed downward for a moment, as if gathering herself.

When she finally spoke, her voice was shaky but carried a thread of defiance, that sharpness she clung to like armor. “This doesn’t mean anything,” she whispered, the words almost bitten off, as if saying them would rebuild the walls that had so clearly shattered.

You chuckled softly, the sound low and intimate, letting the air between you grow heavy with unspoken understanding. Leaning in close, your lips brushed against her ear without touching, the heat of your breath making her shiver again. “You’re body’s seaking me out,” you murmured, your tone steady and deliberate, like a truth she couldn’t escape. “And we both know that doesn’t lie.”

Her fingers tightened on the edge of the desk as though it were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality. Her jaw set stubbornly, her breaths shallow and uneven. “You’re wrong,” she said, her voice strained, defiance dripping from every syllable, though the faint shivers running through her body betrayed her.

You tilted your head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of your lips. “Really?” you asked, your voice softening into something darker, more deliberate. Without warning, your finger moved, a quick series of three pumps, nothing more nothing less, curling expertly each time to press against the perfect spot inside her.

Her reaction was instant. A loud, raw moan tore from her lips, her head falling back as her knees buckled slightly. Her body clenched tightly around your finger, gripping you as though she couldn’t bear for you to stop. Her hands scrambled against the desk, her nails pressing into the smooth surface as if anchoring her against the force of her own response.

You stilled, watching her carefully, your gaze steady as her body continued to tremble. She didn’t try to pull away. If anything, her hips shifted slightly toward you, her walls fluttering against your finger with an unmistakable need she didn’t dare voice. The sight of her—weak, exposed, yet still trying to hold onto her pride—made your smirk deepen.

Slowly, deliberately, you withdrew your finger, letting her feel every inch as you pulled it free. The wetness clung to you, glistening in the dim light of the room. Holding your hand up, you let her see it, the evidence of her arousal undeniable as her chest rose and fell with ragged breaths.

“You’re not even trying to stop me,” you murmured, your voice low and steady, each word measured. “Do you know what that tells me?”

Her eyes followed your movement, wide and unblinking, as you brought your finger to your lips. With deliberate slowness, you licked it clean, your tongue dragging over your skin as her taste lingered—intoxicating, unmistakable. She inhaled sharply, her breath hitching audibly as she watched, her cheeks flushed with both humiliation and something far deeper.

“Delicious,” you said softly, your tone dripping with quiet dominance. The word lingered in the air, heavy and intimate, wrapping around her like a tether.

Your gaze flicked downward, drawn to the way her lower folds quivered, visibly pulsating with need. The sight made a soft chuckle escape your lips as you straightened, the sound low and intimate, meant only for her.

“You love the idea of me taking control, Jieun,” you said, your voice firm yet calm, the quiet authority in your tone slicing through the charged air between you. Leaning in, your breath brushed against her ear, the heat sending a visible shiver down her spine. “Keep telling yourself otherwise if it makes you feel better. But the way you’re holding onto that desk like it’s the only thing keeping you upright? The way you’re clenching and pulsing, even now?” You let the words hang, heavy with meaning, the unspoken truth settling between you.

Reaching out, you tilted her chin up with a gentle but unyielding grip, forcing her to meet your gaze. Her eyes burned with defiance, sharp and fiery, but it was the kind of fire that flickered, the kind that threatened to extinguish under the weight of her trembling body. Her lips parted slightly, her breathing uneven as though she wanted to speak, to fight back—but no words came. The tension in her body betrayed her, speaking louder than anything she could say.

“It’s all the proof I need,” you murmured, your voice like velvet over steel, unrelenting and sure.

Her gaze locked onto yours, and for a fleeting moment, the defiance cracked. Her body swayed slightly toward you, drawn in despite herself. Her lips moved, as if to form a retort, but silence claimed her, leaving only the faint tremble of her knees and the shallow rise and fall of her chest. She was exposed in every sense of the word, her usual armor shattered in the wake of your calm dominance.

Without breaking eye contact, you reached toward the hem of her skirt, lifting it slightly higher to see her soaked panties clinging to her. The evidence of her arousal was undeniable, a mark of surrender she couldn’t deny. You raised a brow, a faint smirk curving your lips as your fingers brushed lightly over the lace. She jolted slightly at the contact, her breath catching audibly.

“Take them off,” you said, your tone calm but commanding, the words hanging in the air like an inescapable truth.

Her eyes widened slightly, her breath quickening. “You can’t be serious,” she muttered, the faintest quiver in her voice betraying her.

“I don’t like to repeat myself, Jieun,” you replied smoothly, stepping back just enough to let your gaze sweep over her trembling form.

Her fingers tightened against the desk, knuckles whitening as she fought the impulse to push back. But after a moment of hesitation, her hands moved toward her waist. Slowly, shakily, she hooked her fingers into the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs. The lace slipped away, damp and glistening, and she stepped out of them with a soft, almost inaudible whimper.

Without breaking eye contact, you extended your hand toward her, the weight of your command leaving no room for argument. “Hand them to me.”

Her fingers hesitated, trembling slightly as she held the damp lace in her hand. Her gaze flicked to yours, her eyes wide with a mix of embarrassment and resistance, but she didn’t dare refuse. Slowly, she extended the panties toward you, her lips pressing into a thin line as though holding back a protest.

You took them from her, your touch deliberate as your fingers brushed hers. The lace was damp and warm, and as you inspected it, the glistening evidence of her surrender was undeniable. The corner of your mouth tugged upward in a faint, knowing smirk.

“Open your mouth,” you said, your tone calm but firm, each word an unspoken challenge.

Her eyes widened slightly, her hesitation evident in the way her lips pressed together momentarily. “What?” she stammered, her voice cracking just slightly, a rare break in her usual composure.

“You heard me,” you replied, your voice unyielding as you stepped closer, towering over her as the weight of your presence filled the space between you. “Tilt your head back. Open your mouth.”

She froze for a moment, her pride warring with the command. But slowly, reluctantly, she obeyed. Her lips parted, and she tilted her head back slightly, her breath uneven as her chest rose and fell in shallow waves.

You held the soaked lace above her, the tension in the room thick enough to steal the air. Her lips parted slightly, her tongue peeking out in hesitant obedience, though her wide, uncertain eyes flicked between you and the fabric. Every movement, every unspoken word, heightened the weight of the moment.

With deliberate slowness, you brought the lace closer, the damp material glistening in the dim light. A single drop of her arousal clung to the edge, threatening to fall. Her breath hitched audibly, and though her body remained rigid, you could see the faintest tremble in her shoulders, her vulnerability laid bare.

“Keep your mouth open,” you murmured, your voice low but commanding.

She obeyed, tilting her head back slightly, her jaw tightening with the effort to maintain her composure. Her tongue twitched faintly, her breaths uneven as her chest rose and fell in shallow waves.

Your fingers pressed into the lace, a deliberate, controlled motion as you wrung it ever so slightly. The drop fell, cutting through the charged silence like a stone into still water, landing with precision on her tongue. The faint sound of her sharp inhale followed, her lips trembling as the unmistakable taste of herself spread across her senses.

“Good girl,” you murmured, your voice low and smooth as the corners of your mouth curled into a faint smirk. “Do you taste it? That’s all you. That’s what I bring out of you.”

Her cheeks burned a deep crimson, the flush spreading down her neck as her eyes darted away briefly before returning to yours, wide and uncertain. Her trembling lips remained parted as though she couldn’t decide whether to protest or remain silent.

You tucked the lace into your pocket as though it were the most natural thing in the world, the gesture deliberate and final. Reaching out, you brushed a finger under her chin, guiding her gaze back to yours. “Clean yourself up,” you instructed, your voice steady and authoritative. “I don’t want anyone else seeing you like this.”

She blinked, her breath uneven as the weight of your command settled over her. For a moment, she didn’t move, as though her mind was still catching up to her body’s overwhelming reactions. Then, with trembling hands, she reached for a tissue from her desk, her movements slow and shaky as she dabbed at her thighs, avoiding your gaze all the while.

Satisfied, you straightened your sleeves, your posture immaculate as though the entire exchange had been just another task in your day. As you turned toward the door, you paused, glancing back over your shoulder one last time.

“Next time,” you said, your voice carrying quiet authority, “don’t hesitate when I give you an order.”

And with that, you stepped out, leaving her standing there, trembling and exposed, the faint taste of herself lingering on her lips and the weight of your dominance etched into her very being.

-----

The next day, Jieun entered the office like a storm wrapped in silk. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, their rhythm precise and unyielding. Her tailored suit fit like armor, her every movement calculated to command attention. Colleagues instinctively straightened as she passed, their murmured greetings met with curt nods. To the outside world, she was the same Jieun—immaculate, untouchable, and utterly in control.

Yet beneath the surface, the cracks were there. Her gaze lingered longer than it should have, catching on the way your shoulders moved as you bent over a file, the curve of your neck, the efficiency with which your hands moved as you typed. There was an intimacy to the way you worked—practiced, composed, deliberate. It made her pulse quicken in ways she couldn’t ignore.

When you handed her the morning coffee—black, two sugars—your fingers brushed hers. The contact was fleeting, but the heat of it jolted her like a live wire. She froze for half a second, her grip tightening on the porcelain cup. You stepped back, the perfect picture of professionalism, your tone smooth and detached as you said, “Your schedule’s clear until eleven.”

“Fine,” she replied curtly, her voice clipped, though her throat felt tight, her chest heavier than she would ever admit. She turned toward her desk, her back rigid, but her focus was elsewhere entirely. The memory of your touch, the way your voice had commanded her, the way her body had betrayed her that night—all of it played on a loop in her mind. Her knuckles whitened around the cup as she gritted her teeth, trying to banish the heat rising in her chest.

The tension between you was tangible, like an invisible string stretched taut. Jieun threw herself into her work with ferocity, her words sharper than ever as she snapped at her team for minor errors. Reports that would have been accepted with a terse nod now earned icy critiques. But no amount of work could distract her. Every glance your way, every quiet moment, only brought the memory of your hands, your voice, the devastating control you had over her.

That night, alone in her starkly minimalist penthouse, the ache became unbearable. The lights of the city twinkled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but they offered no comfort as she lay in her immaculate bed, staring at the ceiling. Her fingers curled against the sheets, and her mind betrayed her again, replaying every word you had said, every touch, every look. She squeezed her thighs together, the tension unbearable.

Her hand drifted downward, her fingers brushing against her skin as she tried to mimic the way you had touched her. Her movements were hesitant at first, then desperate, but it wasn’t the same. Her breath hitched as she tried again, pressing harder, angling differently, searching for the precision you had wielded so effortlessly. But no matter how much she tried, the release she craved remained elusive. Her frustration bubbled over as she flung the covers off and stalked to the bathroom, glaring at her flushed, disheveled reflection in the mirror.

Pulling open a drawer, she retrieved a sleek, expensive toy. It gleamed under the bathroom light, a piece of technology she rarely used. She returned to the bed, her movements stiff with frustration. Pressing the toy against herself, she let out a shaky breath as the vibrations buzzed against her sensitive skin. She moved it in slow circles, mimicking the rhythm she remembered, trying to summon even a fraction of the sensation you had evoked.

It wasn’t enough.

Her jaw clenched as she pushed the toy deeper, angling it to mimic the way your fingers had curled inside her, pressing against her in ways that left her trembling. But this was hollow, mechanical, and the spark she craved was nowhere to be found. She threw the toy aside with a frustrated growl, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. The ache remained, gnawing at her resolve, a constant reminder of what she couldn’t replicate.

The next night was no different. She tried again, her fingers this time, her movements more frantic. Then the toy. Then both. Still, nothing. The emptiness mocked her, her body betraying her again and again. She pressed harder, her breaths ragged, but the hollow frustration only grew. With a strangled noise, she shoved the covers away and stalked to the window, glaring at the city below as though it could offer her some answer.

By day, she tried to maintain her façade. Her heels clicked against the office floors, her commands sharp and efficient. But the cracks began to show. Her sharp retorts to her team lacked their usual edge, her words often trailing off mid-sentence as her mind wandered to you. She found herself stealing glances, her gaze lingering too long in meetings. The tilt of your head, the calm authority in your tone, the way your hands moved with steady confidence—it maddened her how unaffected you seemed. As if nothing had changed. As if she were the only one consumed by what had happened.

She stayed late at the office, hoping you might linger as you had that night. But you didn’t. The emptiness of the space only amplified the ache, the silence pressing against her as she stared out the window, her hands clenched into fists. The lights of the city blurred as her vision wavered, her breath uneven.

Even as she left the office, the echo of your voice followed her, filling every quiet moment, every still space. And no matter how much she tried to deny it, no matter how much she tried to distract herself, the truth gnawed at her with relentless persistence.

Then, one morning, you didn’t show up to work.

At first, Jieun dismissed it. Perhaps you were late, caught in traffic, or dealing with some mundane emergency. But as the hours ticked by, a strange unease began to curl in her chest. You were never late, never absent without notice. You were the definition of reliability—steady, unshakable, always one step ahead.

By mid-morning, her irritation had grown into something sharper. The absence of your calm efficiency left her world slightly off-kilter, like a watch with a missing gear. Tasks piled up on her desk, unanswered emails blinked back at her, and she found herself snapping at her team for minor mistakes. She couldn't focus, the edge in her voice cutting deeper with each passing hour.

Where were you? Why hadn’t you called or emailed?

By the time the afternoon sun cast long shadows across her office, she couldn’t take it anymore. She sat at her desk, fingers drumming against the sleek surface as she stared at her computer screen. Your name was highlighted in your employee file, the information a mere click away. For a moment, her hand hovered over the mouse, hesitation creeping in. What was she doing? This was unprofessional. Reckless.

But the need gnawed at her—the unanswered questions, the silence that amplified her already simmering frustration. She clicked. Your address filled the screen, a piece of information she had no business using. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she grabbed her coat and left the office without a word, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

The drive was a blur, her thoughts spiraling as she gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary. The logic she prided herself on, the control she wielded like a weapon, seemed to dissolve with each mile. What was she doing? Why did it matter so much?

When she arrived at your address, the reality of her actions hit her like a cold wind. Standing in front of your door, her confidence faltered. Her hand hovered over the handle as her breaths came uneven and shallow. What was she expecting? An explanation? A confrontation? An answer to the ache that had plagued her since the last night she saw you?

Her teeth clenched as she pushed the doubts aside. She didn’t chase after people. She didn’t lose control. And yet, here she was.

The door was unlocked.

Her heart jumped in her chest as she turned the handle and stepped inside. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of coffee and something distinctly, undeniably you. The space was quiet, calm—a blend of simplicity and understated authority that mirrored your demeanor perfectly. Every detail, from the neatly arranged bookshelves to the small but deliberate decorations, felt like an extension of you. It was intimate in a way that made her feel like an intruder.

“Hello?” she called out, her voice steady despite the way her pulse raced.

There was no answer.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping further inside, her heels muffled against the soft floor. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the small but significant signs of your presence. A book left open on the coffee table, a jacket draped neatly over a chair. It was so distinctly you that it made her chest tighten.

And then she heard it.

Soft, muffled cries coming from a room down the hall.

Jieun froze, her breath catching in her throat. The sound was faint, almost drowned out by the silence, but unmistakable. It was laced with desperation and something else she couldn’t quite place. Her pulse quickened as she took a step forward, then another, each movement feeling heavier than the last.

Her hand hesitated on the door handle. For a moment, the remnants of logic screamed at her to stop, to turn around and leave. This was a line she shouldn’t cross. But the sound—those muffled cries—pulled her forward, her curiosity and something far more visceral overriding her better judgment.

She pushed the door open.

What she saw made her breath hitch audibly, her chest tightening in a way that was equal parts shock and something darker, something she couldn’t yet name.

The room was dimly lit, bathed in the warm, flickering glow of candles that cast dancing shadows across the walls. Racks of tools were arranged meticulously—a showcase of control and intent. Ropes coiled neatly, paddles hung like an artist's brushes, and cuffs gleamed under the faint light. The air was thick, carrying the intoxicating mix of leather and something deeper, more primal, that made IU’s chest tighten the moment she stepped inside.

Her breath hitched as her eyes landed on you. You stood in the center of the room, sleeves rolled up, the definition in your forearms catching the dim light as you gripped a paddle. Your posture was calm, exuding an effortless dominance that seemed to fill the space. Every movement you made was deliberate, a symphony of control that left no doubt as to who was in charge.

Bent over a padded bench was one of her coworkers—a junior team member, a woman Jieun recognized immediately. The coworker’s wrists were tied securely to the frame, her back arched, her body trembling. Her cries filled the room, raw and needy, echoing with every measured strike of the paddle. The resounding smack reverberated through the air, followed by a gasp that sent a jolt through Jieun’s chest.

“Please,” the coworker begged, her voice trembling with desperation. “More—please, Master.”

The word hit Jieun like a physical blow, her body tensing as an unfamiliar heat flooded her chest. She knew she should leave. This was private, intimate—a moment she had no right to witness. Her logical mind screamed at her to turn away, to back out of the room and forget she ever saw this.

But she didn’t.

Her feet stayed rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before her. She watched, her breaths shallow, as you paused, your eyes narrowing slightly as though gauging every flicker of emotion, every tremor in the body before you. The paddle struck again, and the coworker cried out, her voice laced with pain and pleasure. It was impossible to ignore the authority you commanded, the calculated precision in every motion.

Jieun hated how her body betrayed her. Her breath caught involuntarily, her cheeks flushed with heat she couldn’t suppress. Her chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths, the ache low in her abdomen building with every soft cry, every gasp that left your coworker’s lips. She clenched her fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms.

Why couldn’t she look away?

Her throat tightened as she stood there, watching the scene burning itself into her mind. The sound of the paddle striking flesh, the way your expression remained calm and deliberate as if nothing could rattle you, the way you exuded complete control—it all gnawed at her in ways she couldn’t name. The coworker’s cries of “Master” rang in her ears, and with each plea, a sharp, biting feeling twisted in her chest.

Jealousy.

The realization hit her hard, a visceral, raw sensation she didn’t want to acknowledge. Her fingers twitched as she clenched her fists tighter, her entire body stiffening as she fought to push down the wave of emotions. She couldn’t be jealous. She shouldn’t be jealous. Yet the feeling remained, simmering just beneath her skin.

Her gaze darted back to you. The way you leaned down slightly, whispering something inaudible to the coworker that made her body shudder with anticipation. The way you stepped back, your posture unshaken, as though every second was choreographed to perfection. It was maddening.

Why was she still here?

Her pulse quickened as her eyes flicked toward the coworker again, her body trembling, her cries growing louder as she strained against the bonds. Jieun’s hands shook faintly at her sides. She didn’t know why she stayed—why her feet refused to move, why she couldn’t tear her gaze away from you. But every second she lingered, the emotions grew stronger, more unbearable.

The coworker gasped again, her voice soft and breathless. “Thank you, Master,” she whispered, her tone dripping with surrender.

That was enough.

Forcing herself to take a step back, Jieun turned and slipped out of the room, her movements hurried and unsteady. Her heart pounded as she moved down the hall, her heels clicking softly against the floor. The sound felt deafening in the heavy silence. She didn’t stop until she reached the front door, her hand gripping the handle tightly as she drew in a shaky breath.

But even as she stepped outside, the scene played on a loop in her mind. The flickering candlelight, the raw cries, the way you had commanded every moment with such authority—it haunted her. Her hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel on her drive home, her breaths uneven.

That night, she couldn’t sleep.

The ache in her chest remained, gnawing at her resolve. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw you. Saw the way you had dominated the room, the way the coworker had surrendered so completely, calling you “Master” as though it was the only name that mattered. She hated the way it lingered, the way her body burned with unrelenting need.

Her fingers curled into the sheets as she lay in bed, the tension unbearable. She tried to mimic what she had seen, pressing her hand between her thighs, but the movements felt empty. Her breath hitched as frustration built, and she flung the covers off with a growl, glaring at the ceiling as the memory of your calm, deliberate control consumed her.

No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t shake the thought that kept echoing in her mind.

That should have been me.

Her fingers twitched at her side as she lay in bed, the ache in her body impossible to ignore. She tried to imagine herself in that room, her wrists bound, her voice trembling as she begged for more. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she hated how much it aroused her.

She reached for her bedside drawer, pulling out the same sleek toy she had discarded nights ago. This time, she didn’t bother with slow circles or precision. She pressed it against herself with a desperate urgency, trying to recapture the intensity she had felt while watching you.

But it wasn’t enough.

Her frustration mounted as she adjusted the angle, increased the speed, but no matter what she did, the sensation felt empty. She threw the toy aside with a muffled curse, her breaths ragged as she pressed a hand to her forehead.

It wasn’t just the touch she craved—it was you. The control, the way you had commanded every second of that scene. No toy, no amount of imagination could replace that.

The jealousy lingered, sharp and bitter, even as exhaustion finally overtook her. She fell into a restless sleep, her dreams filled with flickering candlelight, muffled cries, and the sound of your calm, deliberate voice.

-----

When you didn’t show up again the next day, Jieun’s frustration reached a breaking point. The unanswered questions gnawed at her, the simmering jealousy flared hotter, and the aching memories of your touch refused to leave her alone. Her sharp temper lashed out at anyone who dared cross her path, her clipped words leaving stunned silence in their wake. By midday, she couldn’t concentrate, her carefully maintained composure unraveling piece by piece.

Enough was enough.

Her decision was swift, driven by desperation she refused to fully acknowledge. She grabbed her coat, her movements sharp and decisive, and left the office without a word. The city blurred around her as she made her way to your place, the familiar unease in her chest tightening with every step. By the time she reached your door, her mind was a whirl of justifications she didn’t fully believe.

Storming inside, she went straight for the room she had seen before, the memory of its dim glow and charged air etched into her thoughts. But this time, the space was silent, empty of the intimate scene she had stumbled upon. The candles were gone, the tools hung neatly in their places, and the padded bench sat undisturbed at the room’s center, a ghost of the moment that haunted her.

Her breath came uneven as she stopped in the middle of the room. A strange mix of relief and disappointment churned within her. She clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms as she scanned the quiet space. What was she even looking for? Why had she come?

“You came back,” your voice broke the silence, calm and deliberate, cutting through her thoughts like a blade.

She froze. The air seemed to shift, growing heavier as her heart leapt into her throat. Slowly, she turned, her breaths shallow as her gaze locked onto you.

You stood in the doorway, sleeves rolled up, leaning casually against the frame. There was an unmistakable ease in your posture, a quiet authority that commanded the room as naturally as the flickering candles once had. Your expression was unreadable, but a flicker of amusement danced in your eyes, sharp and knowing.

Her cheeks flushed with heat, a mix of anger and humiliation rising to meet the calm challenge in your gaze. “I—” she started, but the words faltered.

“Don’t bother lying,” you interrupted smoothly, your tone firm but laced with faint amusement. “I know you were here yesterday. I have cameras.”

Her eyes widened briefly, the flash of shock betraying her before she masked it with a glare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she snapped, her arms crossing defensively.

You stepped into the room, closing the door behind you with deliberate finality. Each step brought you closer, the space between you shrinking as your steady gaze pinned her in place. “You’ve been thinking about the office,” you said, your voice low, deliberate, each word a calculated stroke. “About how I made you feel. And now you’ve seen more. You’ve seen what I’m capable of.”

Her breath hitched at the accusation, her jaw tightening as she fought to maintain control. “You’re so full of yourself,” she spat, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.

“Am I?” you replied, arching a brow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of your lips. You stopped just short of her, your presence filling the space between you. “Then tell me why you’re here, Jieun. If it’s not because of me, why didn’t you just stay away?”

Her mouth opened as if to fire back, but no words came. The heat in her cheeks deepened as she looked away briefly, only to find your gaze following hers. Memories of your voice, your touch, the way you had undone her so completely, crashed over her. Her breathing quickened, the tension in the room coiling tighter around her.

“You have two choices,” you said calmly, each word deliberate. “You can leave, and we’ll pretend this never happened.”

The pause stretched between you, the weight of your ultimatum sinking in. “Or…” you added, your voice dipping, charged with quiet authority, “you’ll strip. Kneel. And let me finish what I started.”

The room felt impossibly still, every second drawn out. IU’s breath hitched, her hands clenching at her sides as she wrestled with herself. Her pride screamed at her to walk away, to turn and reclaim the control she had prided herself on. But her body betrayed her, the ache of need overwhelming the thin veneer of resistance.

Her trembling hands moved to the buttons of her blouse, her motions slow and hesitant at first. Each button she slipped free seemed louder in the silence, the sound echoing in the charged air. Her gaze remained fixed on yours, sharp and fiery, her defiance flickering even as her resolve crumbled.

The blouse slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet as she stood exposed, her chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths.

“Good,” you murmured, the satisfaction in your voice unmistakable. “Now, kneel.”

For a moment, her pride flared again, holding her in place. But the pull of your authority was undeniable. Slowly, she sank to her knees, her hands resting uncertainly on her thighs. Her head tilted upward slightly, her gaze locked onto yours with a mix of defiance and surrender.

You stepped closer, your presence towering over her as you looked down. The faintest hint of a smile curved your lips, and she shivered under the weight of it, knowing that this was her final undoing.

“Stand up,” you commanded, your voice steady and firm.

For a moment, she didn’t move, her lips pressing into a tight line as though she was deciding whether to resist outright. Her fingers flexed, and her jaw tightened, but then, with deliberate slowness, she rose to her feet. Every movement was a calculated effort to hold onto her composure, but her hesitation was unmistakable—the slight falter in her breath, the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes as she stood before you.

Her skin was warm, the faintest sheen of perspiration catching the dim light, and despite the heat in the room, goosebumps spread along her arms. Her breaths came shallow and uneven, though her sharp gaze tried to mask the undercurrent of vulnerability.

You gestured toward the wooden sign near the door. “Read it,” you instructed, your voice calm but imbued with a quiet authority that left no room for refusal.

Her eyes lingered on the sign, her posture stiffening as though weighing whether to comply. Finally, she spoke, her tone low but laced with a faint edge of defiance. “Red means stop.”

“Good,” you said, taking a deliberate step closer, the tension between you thickening. “That’s all you need to say. If you do, everything stops. No questions, no hesitation.”

Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and her lips pressed together in a thin line. Her gaze remained locked on yours, but the flicker of resistance was tempered by the faint quiver in her shoulders, a telltale sign of her inner turmoil.

“Say it again,” you pressed, your tone quiet but insistent.

“Understood,” she bit out curtly, her voice sharp.

You tilted your head, studying her for a moment before your lips curved into a faint smirk. “Not like that,” you murmured, stepping closer until the heat of your body brushed against hers, forcing her to tilt her head slightly to meet your eyes. “From now on, you’ll call me ‘Master.’ Do you understand?”

Her lips parted as though to argue, and her eyes flashed with a defiance that burned bright, but no words came. Instead, she exhaled shakily, her voice quieter now, tinged with reluctance. “Understood… Master.”

A satisfied hum escaped your lips. “Good girl,” you said, the approval in your tone soft but unmistakable. “Let’s see how long you can keep that up.”

You gestured toward the restraint frame mounted on the wall. She hesitated for a beat too long, her eyes darting to the frame and then back to you.

“Something wrong?” you asked, your tone calm but edged with a faint challenge.

“No,” she muttered under her breath, her pride flickering again before she added, quieter, “No, Master.”

Your smirk deepened. “Better.”

You guided her to the frame, her movements stiff with resistance even as she complied. Raising her arms, you secured her wrists into the padded cuffs at the top, her arms stretched taut above her head. She shifted slightly, testing the restraints, but her motions only highlighted the vulnerability of her exposed position. You stepped down to secure her ankles to a spreader bar, forcing her legs wide apart. The position left her completely open, her back pressed against the cool wall as her breathing quickened.

“You look tense,” you remarked, running your hand lightly down the length of her arm. “Feeling nervous?”

“No,” she replied quickly, too quickly, her voice sharper than intended.

You paused, raising a brow. “No… what?”

She clenched her jaw for a moment before muttering, “No, Master.”

“Good,” you murmured, stepping back to admire her. “Let’s see if you’re as brave as you think.”

From the rack, you selected a suede flogger, letting the soft tails trail over your palm as you turned back to her. Her body tensed as you approached, her eyes flicking between the tool and your calm expression.

“Relax,” you said evenly, brushing the tails lightly over her shoulders and down her arms. “This is just the beginning.”

The first strike was a gentle flick across her stomach, more of a tease than anything else. She inhaled sharply, her body flinching at the contact, but her gaze remained locked on yours, defiant. The next strike landed with more force across her ribs, the soft tails snapping against her skin and leaving faint red streaks in their wake. A soft gasp escaped her lips, unbidden.

You alternated strokes, trailing the flogger over her thighs, her hips, and up to her shoulders again. Each strike grew in intensity, the rhythm deliberate and unrelenting. Her breathing quickened with every hit, her body reacting involuntarily despite her efforts to remain composed.

“Still holding on?” you asked, your tone edged with amusement. The next strike landed across the curve of her breast, drawing a sharp cry that she bit down immediately, her lips pressing together as though to suppress the sound.

You leaned in slightly, brushing the tails of the flogger against her inner thighs before snapping them lightly over the sensitive skin. She jolted, her thighs trembling as she let out a shaky breath.

“Still defiant,” you murmured, striking her hips next with more precision. “But your body’s already telling a different story.”

She didn’t respond, her jaw tightening as she gripped the cuffs above her head. But the faint sheen of sweat on her skin and the way her thighs quivered betrayed her.

When you finally set the flogger aside, her skin was flushed, streaked with faint red marks that stood in stark contrast against her pale complexion. Her chest heaved as she tried to steady her breathing, her body trembling slightly as the aftershocks lingered.

“You’re doing well,” you remarked, your voice calm but laced with challenge as you reached for the riding crop. The sleek leather gleamed faintly in the dim light as you tapped it lightly against your palm.

Her eyes flicked to the crop, her lips parting slightly as her breathing grew shallower.

“I can handle it,” she said quickly, the edge in her tone betraying her uncertainty.

“Yes, Master,” you corrected smoothly, trailing the crop lazily across her stomach.

She hesitated, her lips tightening before she repeated, “Yes, Master.”

“Good,” you said softly, the faintest smile tugging at your lips as you delivered the first strike. It landed sharply across her chest, just above her breast, drawing a loud gasp as her body jolted. You followed it with another, the sharp sound of leather meeting skin echoing in the room.

The rhythm was calculated, each strike building in intensity as you moved from her torso to her thighs, then back again. When you snapped the crop directly against her nipple, she let out a broken whimper, her back arching involuntarily. Her cries grew louder as you focused on her sensitive peaks, each strike deliberate, calculated to push her further.

“You’re a mess,” you said softly, trailing the crop down to the slickness glistening between her legs. Her hips strained against the restraints, her body trembling with need and frustration as the tip of the crop grazed her folds before delivering a sharp, precise smack.

Her cry was raw, her voice cracking as her body jolted. “Master,” she whimpered, her voice trembling with need, defiance, and surrender all at once.

You paused, watching her chest rise and fall, her breaths measured but strained, her body taut as if holding back the inevitable. Her lips pressed tightly together, and her fingers flexed faintly within the restraints, the only sign of the battle raging inside her. Even now, she clung to the veneer of control, refusing to let you see the cracks beneath her composed exterior.

You approached with a pair of metal clamps, the soft clink of the chain between them drawing her eyes. Her body stiffened, her breaths quickening ever so slightly as she tracked your movements.

“Breathe,” you murmured, your voice calm but edged with authority, a reminder more than an instruction.

Her lips parted, and she drew in a shaky breath, her hesitation clear. You attached the first clamp to her nipple with deliberate slowness, the sharp pinch drawing a high-pitched gasp that she couldn’t suppress. Her back arched reflexively, her body trembling against the restraints. The second clamp followed, the chain swaying lightly between them as she exhaled in shallow bursts.

“You’ll feel this with every move you make,” you murmured, tugging the chain gently to emphasize your point. Her body jolted at the sensation, another faint whimper escaping her lips despite her best efforts to stay silent.

Returning to the riding crop, you let its tip trail along the inside of her thigh, your movements unhurried, almost teasing. Her muscles quivered under the light contact, her breath catching as the crop hovered near her folds. Then, without warning, you delivered a sharp, precise strike.

The leather connected with her slick skin, the sound loud and sharp in the still room. She jolted, a choked sob breaking free as her body tensed violently. Her slickness made the crop gleam faintly in the dim light, a visceral reminder of how her body was betraying her.

Another strike landed, followed by another, each one deliberate and relentless. Her cries grew louder, raw and broken as she writhed against the restraints. You dragged the crop lightly over her folds, the touch featherlight before snapping it against her again.

“Please, Master,” she sobbed, her voice trembling, caught between desperation and defiance. “I—I can’t take it—”

“Yes, you can,” you replied evenly, delivering another sharp strike. Your tone was steady, unyielding, each word punctuated by the sting of the crop. “Admit it.”

Her head shook faintly, her lips trembling as she clung to the last shreds of resistance. “I—I cant’t—” she whispered, her voice breaking under the strain.

The next strike landed harder, the sting radiating through her as a broken cry tore from her lips. “Admit it,” you growled, your tone sharper now, the command cutting through her defenses.

The crop hovered just above her slick folds, the leather tip angled with surgical precision. Jieun’s breath hitched, her body trembling in the bindings as anticipation coiled inside her, every nerve on edge. Without warning, you brought the crop down in a sharp, deliberate strike.

The leather snapped against her folds with precision, the sting radiating through her most sensitive area. Her reaction was instant—a strangled cry tore from her lips, her hips jerking violently against the ropes. Her body tensed, every muscle coiling tightly as the pain and pleasure fused into something overwhelming. Her head fell forward, and for a moment, it seemed like she might endure.

But as you raised the crop again, angling it for a second, more deliberate strike, the tension in her broke.

“Master, you’re right!” she cried out, her voice raw and trembling. “You’re in control—I’m yours!”

You paused, tilting your head as you studied her, the faintest smile tugging at your lips. “Keep going,” you urged softly, delivering a lighter spank that still drew a gasp.

Her breaths came in ragged bursts as she continued, her voice quieter now, tinged with submission. “I’m yours. Completely. I… I surrender.”

You slowed the strikes, letting her words settle between you, her trembling form a picture of surrender. But there was still something in her tone—a flicker of hesitation, as though she were saying what she thought you wanted to hear rather than what she truly felt.

Setting the crop aside, you stepped forward, beginning to undo the restraints with deliberate slowness. Her arms dropped as her wrists came free, her chest heaving with each shaky breath. Her legs quivered as you released the spreader bar, leaving her momentarily unbound. She shifted slightly, testing her freedom, her gaze wary as though expecting judgment.

Without a word, you turned back to the rack, retrieving a length of soft crimson rope. Its vibrant color stood out against her flushed, glistening skin. Her eyes followed your movements, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face as you approached.

“Please—” she started, her voice soft but uneven.

“Shh,” you murmured, your hands already guiding her wrists behind her back. Her body tensed faintly, the smallest resistance lingering before dissolving as you looped the rope around her wrists. Your movements were precise, each knot deliberate, the soft fibers pulling snug against her skin without causing discomfort.

You worked methodically, weaving the rope around her arms and torso, framing her chest with intricate knots that pressed lightly against her skin. Each loop was calculated, the tension just enough to hold her securely without pain. The crimson bands highlighted every curve, every tremble, her breaths shallow as she adjusted to the restraint.

“You’re safe,” you reminded her, your voice steady and commanding.

The rope coiled around her torso, framing her body with deliberate precision. Intricate knots traced the curves of her shoulders and crossed her chest, cinching her breasts upward. Each tug of the rope pressed the soft flesh outward, accentuating her sensitivity. Her breathing quickened as you worked, her body responding to the careful tension of the bindings.

“Master…” she whispered, her tone soft but uncertain as she tested the bonds.

“Don’t move,” you instructed calmly.

Guiding her toward the suspension frame, you positioned her carefully beneath the ceiling anchor. The room was quiet save for her shallow breaths as you worked, securing the ropes to the anchor point. Her feet remained firmly on the ground at first, her body tense as she glanced upward, realizing what was coming.

You began to hoist her slowly, her toes lifting off the ground as the ropes bore her weight. Her back arched slightly as the bindings cradled her torso and thighs, supporting her in perfect balance. She hung suspended, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her exposed body swayed faintly in the air.

Kneeling, you reached for her left leg, guiding it outward and securing it with more rope to the left side of the frame. The crimson rope pulled taut, holding her leg firmly in place. Then, moving to her right, you repeated the process, spreading her wide as you tied her right leg to the opposite side of the frame.

Each knot was deliberate, leaving no room for resistance. Her thighs were stretched open, her body now completely exposed in midair, vulnerable and helpless. The tension in the ropes framed her like an intricate work of art, every line emphasizing her submission.

You stepped back, surveying your work as she hung suspended, her body trembling faintly against the bindings. Her breathing was shallow, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted as she adjusted to the complete loss of control. The crimson ropes, contrasted against her bare skin, highlighted every curve, every quiver.

“Perfect,” you murmured, your voice low and steady. You stepped closer, letting your fingers trail lightly along the curve of her thigh, sending a shiver through her. “You look stunning like this.”

Your gaze shifted hardening as you stepped closer, the intensity of your presence making her shrink slightly in her bonds. Her lips trembled, and her head dropped lower, but you weren’t going to let her retreat. Not now.

“How dare you,” you said, your voice low and sharp, laced with a restrained anger that sent a shiver through her body. “How dare you try to lie to me.”

Her head lifted slightly at your words, her wide eyes meeting yours for a fleeting second before dropping again, guilt flickering across her flushed face.

“You think I don’t know your body?” you pressed, stepping even closer, your hand grazing the ropes framing her thigh. The softness of your touch belied the steel in your tone. “Every twitch, every tremble—your body tells me everything, Jieun. And it’s telling me the truth, even when your mouth won’t.”

Her chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths, the weights on her nipple clamps swaying slightly with each movement. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade, and she bit her lip, struggling to maintain her composure.

“Master, I—” she started, her voice faltering.

“Stop,” you interrupted, your tone cutting. Your hand reached up, fingers brushing her cheek, forcing her to meet your gaze. “Don’t insult me with empty words just because you think they’re what I want to hear. I don’t need your lies.”

Her lips parted as if to respond, but she faltered, her body betraying her. The tension in her thighs, the slight quiver in her legs as she hung spread and bound, the slickness glistening between her folds—every detail betrayed her surrender.

“You’re mine,” you said firmly, your thumb brushing her cheek before trailing down her neck, over the ropes framing her chest. Your fingers tugged gently on the chain connecting the clamps, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips as the weights shifted. “Every inch of you belongs to me. Your body, your pleasure, your submission. All mine.”

She swallowed hard, her eyes glassy as the weight of your words settled over her. “Yes, Master,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

You didn’t let her off so easily. “Say it like you mean it,” you growled, stepping back slightly to retrieve the clitoral suction toy. Its faint hum filled the room, the sound alone making her thighs twitch against the ropes.

Her lips parted, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as you hovered the toy just above her aching clit. Her body strained instinctively toward the device, seeking relief, but you pulled back, the motion deliberate and taunting.

“Say it,” you commanded, your tone unrelenting.

“I… I’m yours,” she whimpered, her voice barely audible.

You narrowed your eyes, circling the toy teasingly close to her folds but never making contact. “Louder.”

“I’m yours, Master!” she cried, her voice cracking with desperation.

Satisfied for the moment, you leaned forward, pressing the toy lightly against her clit. Her reaction was immediate—her body jolted violently against the ropes, her hips straining as the suction sent waves of stimulation coursing through her. Her cries filled the room, raw and unrestrained.

But you weren’t done.

Your hand reached for the chain again, tugging firmly as the clamps bit deeper into her sensitive flesh. The added pressure sent her spiraling, her cries blending into soft, broken sobs. “You’ll take this for me,” you said softly, your voice calm but unyielding. “Because I said so.”

Her body trembled uncontrollably, the tension in the ropes accentuating every shiver, every desperate movement as she tried to hold on. The suction toy continued its relentless work, drawing her closer to the edge, her moans growing louder with every passing second.

“Master, please,” she sobbed, her voice breaking under the strain. “Please, I can’t—”

“You can,” you interrupted, increasing the intensity of the toy. “And you will.”

Her body convulsed against the bindings, her cries turning into incoherent pleas as you pushed her further, commanding every inch of her. This was no surrender forced by words—this was her body, her soul, bending completely to your will.

You pressed the toy harder against her clit, the suction drawing another strangled cry from her lips. Her body jolted violently in the ropes, the sensation relentless and devastating. The rhythmic tugging was precise, sending sharp waves of pleasure through her trembling frame.

Her moans grew louder, desperate and unrestrained, as you slid two fingers inside her. Her slick walls clenched immediately, gripping you tightly as though her body was trying to draw you deeper. The combination of the suction and your curling fingers was merciless, her back arching as she spiraled toward the edge once again.

“Master, please!” she sobbed, her voice trembling and raw. “I’m so close—please let me—”

Without hesitation, you withdrew your fingers and the suction toy at the same time, leaving her dangling in frustrated desperation. Her cry was loud, ragged, and broken, her head falling forward as her body trembled in the bindings.

“Not yet,” you said firmly, stepping closer. The calm authority in your voice was unshakable, cutting through the chaotic haze of her emotions. Leaning in, you brushed your lips close to her ear. “You don’t get to cum until I say. Not until you stop lying—to me, and to yourself.”

Her chest heaved, every breath labored, the weights on the clamps swaying with her trembling body. “Master… I can’t… I can’t take it anymore…” she whimpered, her voice barely audible, shaking with exhaustion and need.

“You can,” you countered, pressing the suction toy back against her clit. The rhythmic pulsing resumed instantly, and her body jolted as though shocked. Her cries were louder now, her head tossing weakly as her hips strained against the bindings, desperately seeking relief she knew you wouldn’t allow.

Sliding your fingers back inside her, you thrust slowly, curling deliberately to press against her most sensitive spot. Her walls fluttered, her arousal growing wetter with every motion. Each time her body tightened, every time she edged closer to the climax she craved, you stopped again.

Tears streaked her flushed cheeks, her sobs echoing through the room as she begged. “Master, please… I’ll do anything—please let me cum!”

You reached up, tugging sharply on the chain between her clamps. The sharp jolt drew a choked scream from her lips, her body jerking as the combination of pain and pleasure pushed her closer to breaking. Her thighs trembled violently, her slickness glistening under the low light.

“Admit it,” you said softly, your tone a low growl, increasing the intensity of the suction toy. “Stop pretending. Tell me who you really are.”

Her head shook weakly, a fresh sob escaping her lips as she stammered. “I… I can’t—”

You pulled your fingers away again, leaving the suction toy on its lowest setting. The gentle pulses teased her, enough to keep her simmering without granting release. Her body shuddered, her head hanging forward as her sobs grew louder.

“Admit it,” you growled, sharper now, your hand gripping her chin and tilting her head up to meet your gaze. “Stop lying, or this will never end.”

Her moans turned to frantic cries, her body writhing in the ropes as the suction toy teased her swollen clit, the clamps pulling with every movement. “Master, please—” she gasped, her voice breaking under the weight of her desperation. “You’re right—Master, you’re right!”

You didn’t relent, your fingers plunging back inside her with precision, curling against the spot that made her body seize. The suction toy pressed harder against her clit, the rhythmic pulsing relentless and exact. “Tell me everything,” you commanded, your voice firm and unwavering. “No lies this time.”

Her body jerked violently, the ropes tightening against her trembling limbs as she convulsed. Her sobs turned into raw, unrestrained cries, her head tilting back as her voice cracked. “I’m yours, Master!” she screamed, the words rushing out in a desperate, frantic confession. “You have all the control—I need you—I can’t… I can’t fight it anymore!”

Her walls clenched hard around your fingers, the first wave of her climax threatening to break, but you stilled your movements, holding her right on the edge. The suction toy pulsed mercilessly against her clit, her body trembling and writhing as she hung suspended in the intricate web of ropes.

“Do you want to cum?” you asked, your tone calm and deliberate, a stark contrast to her frenzied cries.

“Please, Master!” she sobbed, her voice breaking under the weight of her need. “Please—please let me!”

You paused, letting the silence hang between you, your fingers pressing just enough to keep her teetering. “Admit it,” you said, your voice low and steady. “Tell me who you belong to.”

“I’m yours!” she screamed, her voice hoarse and desperate. “Only yours, Master! I need you—I can’t take it anymore!”

“Good girl,” you murmured, a faint smirk tugging at your lips. You leaned closer, your breath warm against her ear. “Now… cum for me.”

The permission was all she needed. Her body tensed for a heartbeat, every muscle seizing as if holding its breath, before releasing in an explosive wave of pleasure. Her scream ripped through the air, raw and primal, as her climax tore through her. Her back arched against the restraints, the ropes digging into her flushed skin as she convulsed uncontrollably. Her walls tighten around your fingers with a force that leaves no doubt about the intensity of her release, each pulse sending a ripple of wet heat against your hand.

The slickness of her arousal coated your fingers, a testament to how deeply she had succumbed. Her thighs quaked violently, the trembling so pronounced that the bindings holding her legs apart strained slightly. Her toes curled, her entire body caught in the throes of the orgasm that consumed her completely.

The suction toy added to the onslaught, the pulsing rhythm over her clit extending her release far beyond its natural limit. She jerked violently in the ropes, her cries turning into broken, breathless whimpers as the pleasure became almost too much to bear. Her head fell forward, her hair clinging to her sweat-slicked face, her lips parted as she gasped for air.

Wave after wave continued to ripple through her, her body quivering uncontrollably even as the climax began to subside. Her thighs twitched reflexively, her hips bucking weakly as if chasing sensations she could no longer endure. Each breath she took was shallow and uneven, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the effort of catching her breath evident in every ragged exhale.

You withdrew your fingers slowly, the slick heat coating them glistening under the low light. She whimpered softly at the loss, her head lolling forward, too spent to protest. As you turned off the suction toy, the silence felt almost deafening, punctuated only by the faint sounds of her labored breathing.

But even now, her body betrayed her. As your fingers grazed her inner thigh, slick with the aftermath of her climax, a faint moan escaped her lips—soft, involuntary, and entirely revealing. Her thighs quivered again, a subtle tremor that spoke to the lingering echoes of her release.

“You’re still hungry for more, aren’t you?” you said softly, observing her closely. Her body jolted faintly at your words, and though her lips trembled as if to protest, no sound came. Instead, her head nodded weakly, her voice cracking as she whispered, “Yes… Master.”

You smirked, brushing a finger lightly over her still-sensitive clit, drawing a sharp gasp from her. “Even after all that,” you murmured, leaning closer, “you’re not done.”

Her body shuddered under your touch, her surrender absolute. “Good,” withdrawing your fingers again. Her cry of frustration was raw, her hips jerking futilely as she sought her next release. Instead of indulging her, you stepped back toward the rack, your movements deliberate as you selected the next tool.

Your gaze landed on the perfect choice: a sleek, polished butt plug adorned with a heart-shaped jewel at its base. Its elegance stood in sharp contrast to the raw, primal energy radiating from IU as she trembled in the suspension. Picking it up, you turned back to her, holding the plug up so the jewel caught the light.

Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parting as her breath quickened. Even now, a faint flush spread across her chest and cheeks, and her body betrayed her further—a faint twitch, a pulsing tension that radiated from her most intimate places.

“Oh? Is that excitement I see?” you teased, your voice low and intimate as you knelt in front of her. The cool metal of the plug brushed lightly against her inner thigh, earning a sharp gasp and a shudder from her body.

Without a word, you spread her cheeks gently, exposing her fully to your touch. Her breaths came unevenly, her body tensing at the intimacy of the moment. Slowly, you pressed a finger against her tight ring, teasing the rim with deliberate circles before sliding inside.

She gasped sharply, her muscles clenching reflexively before gradually relaxing. “Breathe,” you murmured, your voice steady yet soothing. “Let your body take it.”

She whimpered as you worked her carefully, preparing her inch by inch until her body began to yield. Once you were satisfied, you withdrew your finger, wiping it clean before adding lube and pressing the tip of the plug against her entrance. She jolted at the cool touch of the metal, her breaths growing faster as you began to push it in.

The cool, polished head of the plug pressed against her hole, her body instinctively tightening in resistance. The tension was palpable, her ring clenching stubbornly as if defying the inevitable. You paused, letting her adjust, your hand steady and patient. Slowly, with deliberate pressure, you pressed again, coaxing her body to yield.

The resistance lingered, taut and unrelenting, until a soft, trembling moan escaped her lips. Gradually, her muscles gave way, her ring stretching wider, surrendering inch by inch. Her breaths grew shallow, each one hitching as the sensation built, the sharp edge of discomfort melting into something deeper, more consuming.

When the widest part of the plug finally slipped past the threshold, her body seemed to shudder in relief, the resistance fading as her ring closed around the narrow neck, swallowing the plug entirely. A low, quivering gasp broke from her as the snug fullness settled deep within her, the weight and pressure sending a visible tremor through her frame. The cool jewel at the base nestled perfectly against her, its presence both a reminder of her surrender and a promise of the sensations to come.

Stepping back slightly, you admired the sight before you. The polished jewel nestled between her cheeks glinted faintly in the dim light, a beautiful contrast to her flushed, glistening skin. “Beautiful,” you murmured, letting your fingers trail lightly over her hips and down her thighs.

“How does it feel?” you asked, your voice calm but laced with intent. The answer was evident in the tautness of her trembling body, the slick arousal dripping down her inner thighs betraying her overwhelming need.

“It’s…” she stammered, her breath hitching between syllables, her voice shaky and thin. “It’s so full…”

“Good,” you murmured, your hand gliding over her side, a deliberate contrast to the intensity she was feeling. Your other hand moved to the base of the plug, gripping it firmly. “Let it amplify everything.”

Without warning, you gave the plug a gentle tug, testing its resistance. Her gasp was sharp, her body jolting against the ropes. The snugness of the plug resisted at first, the tension building until it relented slightly, the motion sending a deep, jarring sensation through her core. The muscles of her entrance quivered around the intrusion, the combination of pressure and movement drawing a sharp moan from her lips.

“AGGH!” she cried out, the word leaving her as both a plea and a surrender, her voice trembling with the strain of holding herself together.

You chuckled, a low, deliberate sound, twisting the plug slightly. Her reaction was immediate—her hips bucked reflexively, and a louder, more guttural moan spilled from her lips. The sensation was maddening, the plug pressing firmly against her sensitive inner walls with every shift, each movement pushing her closer to unraveling.

With another slow, deliberate tug, you teased her further, letting the plug stretch and stimulate her before it settled back into place. Her thighs trembled uncontrollably, her body writhing in the bindings as she whimpered. The snug fullness combined with the constant stimulation made every sensation feel sharper, deeper.

Your gaze shifted to the rack, landing on the wand vibrator. Its sleek design promised power, the hum of the motor filling the room as you turned it on. Even the sound made her tense, her head snapping up weakly as her eyes widened in alarm.

“Please, Master, no,” she whimpered, her voice raw and hoarse, the strain of her begging breaking through. Her thighs twitched as though trying to close, but the ropes kept her wide open, her vulnerability laid bare.

“Shh,” you said, stepping closer, your tone calm but unyielding. The wand hovered just above her swollen clit, the anticipation making her body quake. “You haven’t used the safe word, Jieun,” you reminded her, tilting her chin up gently with your hand. “You could stop this anytime. But you won’t. Will you?”

Her head dropped forward, a quiet, broken whimper escaping her lips as she shook her head faintly.

Without further hesitation, you pressed the wand firmly against her clit. The immediate pulse of vibrations ripped a strangled cry from her throat, her body arching violently against the ropes. The wand’s relentless rhythm sent sharp, focused waves of pleasure coursing through her, magnified by the plug nestled deep inside her. Every tremor of her hips caused the plug to shift slightly, the dual sensations amplifying each other until her sobs turned into breathless, incoherent gasps.

Her thighs trembled against the restraints, her body jerking as though trying to escape the overstimulation, but the bindings kept her perfectly in place. “Master… please!” she wailed, her voice trembling as fresh tears streamed down her flushed cheeks. “Please stop—I can’t—I can’t do this anymore!”

“Yes, you can,” you murmured softly, your tone steady as you pressed the wand harder. “You’ll take it for me. I know your body better than you do.”

Her stomach clenched visibly, her hips twitching violently as the wand assaulted her most sensitive spot. The vibrations, relentless and unyielding, dragged her closer to the edge. “Master!” she cried out, her voice cracking with desperation. “It’s yours—everything is yours! My body… my tits, my pussy, my ass—it’s all yours! Please, Master—I love being yours, but please, no more!”

Her words came in frantic sobs, each confession spilling from her lips in raw, unfiltered emotion. The plug, snug and unrelenting, seemed to vibrate in sync with the wand, the pressure inside her building to an unbearable crescendo. Her chest heaved as her hips jerked reflexively, her sobs dissolving into a broken chant of “Please, Master—please no more—I can’t cum again!”

Leaning in, you brushed her sweat-damp hair from her face, your voice soft but commanding. “One more,” you murmured against her ear, the words firm and deliberate. “Give me one more, Jieun, and then I’ll stop.”

She shook her head weakly, her sobs growing louder, but her body betrayed her. The relentless vibrations, the overwhelming fullness of the plug, and your fingers curling back inside her pushed her to the brink. Her cries turned desperate as the climax overtook her, the final release breaking her completely.

Her scream filled the room, raw and unrestrained, as her body convulsed violently in the suspension. Her thighs quivered uncontrollably, her walls clenching around the plug as wave after wave of overstimulation wracked her frame. Even as the climax faded, the wand continued to torment her, every shuddering aftershock heightened by the unrelenting vibrations.

Her head fell back, her cries tapering into soft, broken whimpers as her body sagged completely in the bindings. The silence that followed was heavy, punctuated only by the sound of her uneven breaths and the faint hum of the wand as you finally turned it off. You stepped back, watching as her trembling form hung limp in the ropes, every inch of her glistening with sweat and arousal.

The scene before you was one of complete surrender. Her flushed, tear-streaked face, her trembling thighs, and the faint quiver of her chest told you everything you needed to know. She was yours—utterly and completely.

You stepped closer, the slickness of her release coating her inner thighs as you gently removed the plug. A soft, almost inaudible whimper escaped her lips as her body shuddered one final time, her exhausted form limp in the bindings. She hung there, surrendered, her every breath a testament to the intensity she had endured.

“You did so well,” you murmured softly, brushing your fingers along her trembling thigh. “Every part of you is mine—and you love it.”

Carefully, you began undoing the ropes, each knot falling away as her exhausted body slumped further into your arms. When the bindings were completely removed, she collapsed against you, her legs too weak to support her.

Her head rested weakly on your chest, her breaths shallow and uneven. Her voice was too broken to speak, but the way she clung to you said everything—she was yours, completely and utterly.

By the time the final waves subsided, Jieun was utterly spent, her body sagging completely in the suspension ropes. Her head hung forward, her damp hair clinging to her flushed cheeks as shallow, uneven breaths escaped her parted lips. The delicate impressions of the ropes were etched into her skin, a testament to her surrender. Each faint line emphasized her vulnerability, the undeniable proof of how far she had let herself go for you.

Reaching over, you turned off the wand, the sudden silence almost deafening after the relentless hum. You set it aside, your gaze drifting to the jeweled plug nestled snugly within her. As you stepped closer, her head lifted weakly, her glassy eyes flickering with awareness as she saw your hand reaching toward her.

“No… please, Master,” she whimpered, her voice hoarse and trembling with exhaustion. “Don’t take it out. I… I want to keep it.”

A soft chuckle escaped your lips, the sound low and indulgent as you trailed your fingers along her hip in reassurance. “It’s covered in too much of you,” you murmured gently, your tone soothing. “We’ll clean you up, and I’ll give you something fresh.”

She whined softly, a faint, needy sound as her hips twitched in protest. But she didn’t resist as you began to ease the plug out, the snug fit providing resistance that heightened her sensitivity. A low gasp escaped her lips as it slid free, the polished jewel glistening with the evidence of her arousal. The emptiness left her trembling, her body shifting slightly as she tried to adjust.

“You did so well,” you said, your voice warm with approval as you brushed a hand over her thigh. “Let me take care of you now, my good girl.”

“Yes, Master,” she whispered faintly, the words spilling out with automatic sincerity, her voice barely above a breath.

You began undoing the intricate knots with deliberate care, ensuring that each release was smooth and unhurried. As the ropes fell away, her body slumped further, her limbs trembling from the strain and exertion. When her wrists were freed, her arms dropped uselessly to her sides, her strength completely drained. You moved to unstrap her legs next, supporting her weight as her knees buckled the moment the bindings were removed.

Guiding her toward a nearby chair, you eased her down into the plush cushions. She melted into them, her body folding into the soft embrace as a quiet sigh escaped her lips. Her head fell back, her eyes fluttering closed, and for a moment, she seemed completely at peace.

You stepped away briefly, cleaning the used plug meticulously before retrieving a fresh one from a nearby drawer. The sleek, polished design matched the previous one, adorned with a delicate jewel at its base that shimmered faintly in the low light.

Returning to her, you knelt before the chair, the new plug resting in your hand. Her eyes drifted open, her gaze falling to the plug. Her thighs twitched instinctively, a soft, shaky breath escaping her as anticipation flickered across her expression.

“Ready?” you asked, your voice calm and steady.

“Yes, Master,” she murmured, her voice faint but unwavering, her trust in you palpable.

Parting her legs gently, you brushed your hand along her inner thigh, your touch slow and reassuring. As your finger pressed inside her, you prepared her carefully, her walls clenching briefly before relaxing under your guidance. Her soft whimper filled the air, a quiet sound of surrender as you withdrew your finger and positioned the cool tip of the new plug against her entrance.

The jewel slid inside slowly, her body resisting momentarily before yielding, the snug fullness making her hips shift instinctively. A soft, trembling moan escaped her lips as the plug settled firmly into place, the weight of it amplifying her awareness of her submission.

“How does it feel?” you asked, your voice low and intimate as your hand brushed lightly over her thigh.

“Full, Master,” she whispered, her tone faint but sure, a lingering shiver running through her body.

“Good,” you replied, your hand trailing up to cup her cheek briefly, your touch warm and grounding. “Let it remind you who you belong to.”

After securing the new plug in place, you carefully guide her into your arms as she collapses against your chest. “You’ve done so well, Jieun,” you murmured softly, your voice warm and soothing. “It’s time to rest now.”

She nodded faintly, her cheek pressing against your shoulder, her breaths shallow and uneven as her body tried to recover from the intensity of what she had endured. You lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward a nearby couch. The soft cushions enveloped her as you lowered her gently onto them, her body curling instinctively as she sought the comfort of your presence.

Stepping away briefly, you returned with a glass of cool water and a small lozenge. Setting them on the table beside her, you knelt down with a warm, damp cloth from a basin nearby. Brushing the cloth tenderly over her flushed skin, you wiped away the remnants of sweat and arousal. Every motion was deliberate, your touch careful and steady. She flinched faintly at the initial contact, her hypersensitivity evident, but as your gentle ministrations continued, her body began to relax.

“Breathe,” you reminded her, your tone calm. “You’re safe.”

She exhaled shakily, her chest rising and falling in a more even rhythm. The cloth moved over her thighs, her arms, and finally her face, wiping away the streaks of tears that clung to her cheeks. Her body softened further under your care, surrendering fully to the nurturing calm you offered.

When you were finished, you set the cloth aside and wrapped a soft, plush blanket around her shoulders, cocooning her in warmth. Lifting the glass of water, you held it to her lips as she weakly reached for it. “Drink,” you instructed gently. “You need to rehydrate.”

Her trembling hands steadied as you helped guide the glass. The cool liquid slid down her throat, soothing the rawness left behind from her earlier cries. She let out a faint sigh of relief after a few sips, her lips parting to murmur, “Thank you, Master.”

You smiled softly, brushing her damp hair away from her face. “You’ve done more than enough for me,” you said quietly. “Now, let me take care of you.”

Picking up the lozenge, you pressed it into her palm. “This will help your throat,” you explained, your thumb brushing lightly over her fingers. She nodded, placing it in her mouth and leaning back against the cushions with a faint, contented sigh.

Her gaze met yours briefly, the vulnerability in her expression tempered by a quiet trust. You leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, your hand stroking her hair in slow, soothing motions. Her eyes fluttered closed, her breathing deepening as exhaustion began to claim her.

As she drifted off, you stayed at her side, your hand resting lightly over hers. The room, once filled with raw intensity, now carried a profound calm—a sanctuary for her, where she could surrender completely, knowing she was safe and cherished.

-----

The following morning, Jieun strode into the office with her usual commanding presence. The sharp staccato of her heels against the polished floors echoed her precision and confidence, her posture straight, her gaze cold and assessing. Every detail of her appearance was immaculate—the crisp lines of her tailored suit, the glint of her polished watch. In meetings, her voice sliced through the air with crisp directives and sharp analysis, brooking no argument. No one dared to question her authority.

But beneath the surface, something was different.

Her legs, still unsteady from the previous night’s intensity, wavered faintly with each step. The residual ache in her thighs and core lingered, a reminder of her surrender. She moved with the same poise and precision, but her steps carried an almost imperceptible hesitance. Every shift of her body demanded a conscious effort to conceal the jelly-like weakness threatening to disrupt her perfect composure.

She refused to let it show.

Her head was high, her strides measured, her mask of control firmly in place. To anyone else, she was as composed and formidable as ever. Only you would have noticed the way her fingers flexed faintly at her sides or the brief pause as she adjusted her weight onto one leg at her desk, seeking reprieve from the strain.

When her gaze landed on you, though, there was no hiding the shift. It lingered a beat too long, her sharpness softening in a way imperceptible to anyone else but unmistakable to you. The sharp edge in her tone dulled slightly when she addressed you, her words still commanding but carrying a subtle warmth, almost deference. Every glance, every interaction betrayed an unspoken acknowledgment of something shared—a dynamic only the two of you understood.

For the rest of the office, Jieun was untouchable, an unyielding force of nature. But for you, the faintest flicker in her eyes and the carefully hidden tremor in her movements told the truth: beneath her flawless façade, she carried the quiet aftermath of surrender.

The day moved seamlessly until Jieun walked past the open door of the conference room. She paused mid-stride, her gaze flicking inside. At the table sat one of her female coworkers, her laugh light and easy as she gestured animatedly. It was the same woman she had seen that night in the private room, her voice etched into her memory alongside her cries and pleas.

The sight sent a jolt through her chest—sharp and visceral. A possessive heat flared within her, unbidden and irrational, twisting her thoughts into a tangle she couldn’t unravel. The coworker’s laughter carried softly into the hallway, her oblivious ease grating against the turmoil building within.

She forced herself to turn on her heel, her steps measured and deliberate, her head held high. But the tension in her shoulders betrayed her composure. The weight of that moment stayed with her, gnawing at her as she returned to her office. The door clicked shut behind her with uncharacteristic sharpness, the sound echoing through the quiet space.

Minutes later, a timid knock interrupted her thoughts. The intern stepped inside, carrying a stack of reports. Their hands shook slightly as they approached, the air thick with Jieun’s unspoken mood.

Her eyes scanned the reports quickly, catching a minor formatting error—something she would usually note quietly and set aside. Today, though, the simmering frustration boiling under her skin found its outlet.

“Did you even look at this before bringing it to me?” Her voice was icy, her words cutting with surgical precision.

The intern stammered, their cheeks flushing as they tried to form an excuse.

“This is unacceptable,” Jieun continued, her tone unwavering, her gaze sharp enough to draw blood. “If you can’t even deliver the basics correctly, why are you here?”

The intern stammered an apology, their voice trembling, but she dismissed them with a curt wave. The door closed behind them with a faint slam, doing nothing to alleviate the frustration twisting in her chest. Jieun leaned back in her chair, exhaling sharply, her eyes falling to the stack of papers as though they were the source of all her irritation.

But no matter how she tried to push it aside, the image of that coworker lingered, feeding a jealousy she didn’t want to acknowledge, let alone understand.

Jieun stared at her phone, her finger hovering over the screen for a moment before she typed the message:

Come to my office. Now.

Moments later, you arrived, pushing the door open without hesitation. Jieun was seated behind her desk, her posture perfect, her expression unreadable. But the tension in the room was thick, hanging between you like an unspoken challenge.

She gestured for you to close the door. As the latch clicked, she stood, her gaze locking onto yours with an intensity that made the air seem heavier. Slowly, deliberately, she stepped out from behind her desk. Without a word, she turned to face you and lifted her skirt.

The heart shaped jewel of the plug gleamed faintly in the warm light, snug and perfectly in place.

“Still in place, Master,” she said softly, her voice steady but laced with a faint vulnerability. Her gaze remained on yours, unwavering.

You stepped closer, your fingers grazing the curve of her hip as you studied her. “Good girl,” you murmured, your voice low and warm. “Does it remind you who you belong to?”

“Yes, Master,” she replied, her tone quiet but resolute. “Every time I move, I feel it. It’s… grounding.”

“Grounding,” you repeated, tilting her chin upward to meet your gaze fully. “Then why are you distracted today, Jieun?”

Her composure faltered slightly, her lashes lowering as a flicker of hesitation crossed her features. “It’s nothing, Master,” she said quickly, though the faint quiver in her voice gave her away.

“Tell me,” you commanded, your tone calm but unyielding.

Her lips parted, and the truth spilled out in a rush. “It’s that coworker. The one from that day. Seeing her… I know it’s ridiculous, but it bothers me.”

You studied her for a moment, your thumb brushing lightly along her jawline. “You’re jealous,” you stated, your voice firm.

Her hesitation was brief before she nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Yes, Master. I know I shouldn’t be, but I can’t help it.”

You leaned closer, your breath brushing her ear as you spoke. “You have no reason to be. You’re mine, Jieun. Fully. And no one else will ever have what you do.”

Her shoulders relaxed, the tension visibly melting from her frame as your words sank in. “Yes, Master,” she whispered, her gaze steady and filled with quiet trust.

“Good,” you said, stepping back slightly. “Now lower your skirt and sit down. We’ll address this properly another time.”

Her fingers trembled faintly as she obeyed, smoothing her skirt before settling back into her chair. The fire in her gaze had returned, not in defiance but in renewed resolve.

-----

Later that day, Jieun sat in her office, her posture as precise and flawless as ever, a picture of control to anyone who might glance in. Yet beneath the composed exterior, tension simmered. Her gaze, fixed through the glass wall, betrayed the turmoil inside. The faint hum of the office—the murmur of voices, the rhythmic tapping of keyboards—blurred into the background. Her world had narrowed to you.

You stood among a small group of coworkers, the easy confidence in your demeanor commanding the space effortlessly. The faint smile on your lips as you responded to a comment drew their attention naturally, as it always did. Jieun’s eyes lingered on you, her focus unrelenting as she tracked your every movement.

And then, her gaze shifted to the woman standing closest to you. She laughed lightly at something you said, her voice lilting and cheerful. There was nothing overtly unusual about the sound, yet it grated against Jieun in a way she couldn’t explain. The tilt of the woman’s body, leaning toward you ever so slightly, struck Jieun as far too familiar.

Her fingers tightened subtly around the pen in her hand.

Another laugh followed, the woman’s body language relaxed and open as she turned toward you. Her hand, gesturing as she spoke, lingered briefly against your arm. The touch wasn’t blatant, yet the intimacy of the motion was unmistakable in Jieun’s eyes. Her breath hitched slightly, her chest tightening as jealousy surged despite her efforts to suppress it.

Her grip on the pen grew firmer, her knuckles whitening against the polished surface.

He told me not to be jealous, she thought bitterly, her jaw tightening as her eyes darted back to the scene. He said I had no reason to be. But reason had little bearing on the emotions that churned inside her. The logical part of her knew the interaction meant nothing. The woman’s laughter, the casual brush of her hand against your sleeve—it was all meaningless.

And yet, it wasn’t meaningless to Jieun.

Her gaze returned to you. The faint curve of your lips, the slight tilt of your head as you engaged with them, made her chest ache with something deeper than irritation. She clenched her jaw tighter, the control she prided herself on slipping further out of reach with every passing second.

The woman’s laugh rang out again, light and carefree, her body leaning just a fraction closer to you. It was casual. Innocuous. And infuriating.

The pen groaned faintly in her grasp, the sound lost in the din of her own thoughts.

When the woman’s fingers brushed your sleeve once more, lingering for just a moment too long, it shattered the last thread of Jieun’s composure. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her breathing shallow as her mind waged a losing battle against the heat rising in her chest.

Why am I like this? she thought, angered at herself as much as at the scene before her. Why can’t I just let it go?

With a sharp snap, the pen broke in her hand.

The sound, though soft, seemed deafening in the stillness of her office. She stared down at the two fractured pieces in her palm, her expression frozen, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady herself. The sharp contrast of ink against her pale skin mirrored the turbulence roiling inside her.

Outside the glass, the group continued their conversation, your calm presence unchanged, the woman’s laughter carrying faintly into the room. They remained oblivious to the storm behind Jieun’s closed door, unaware of the fire they’d unknowingly stoked.

#kpop fanfic #kpop fanfiction #kpop smut #reader insert #male reader #lee jieun #jieun #IU #lee jieun smut #jieun smut #iu smut #iu x reader #jieun x reader #lee jieun x reader

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irafuwas · 2 years ago

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Electric Dreams Summary: Malleus’s 1000th birthday is coming up, and the Queen decides it’s as good a time as any to abdicate the throne. Plans for the coronation soon get underway, and when Malleus sits down to write a list of people he’d like to invite to the ceremony, he realizes that almost all of them are already dead. Content Warnings: Major character death Pairings: None Length: 16k (Header artwork from here)

You can either read it after the cut or on AO3!

They bury Silver next to his father in the plot behind their dilapidated little cottage, just as he’d wanted. It’s a warm, sunny day, and the meadow around their home had lately exploded in yellow buttercups and golden cowslips and cool, hushed bluebells, as if the earth had flung its arms wide open in rejoice of the lone casket being lowered into its shadowy embrace. After they smooth over the last clump of dirt and the final eulogy has been read, the tiny procession splits up - some going to loiter in the garden, others heading inside the cottage to dab their damp faces and seek refuge from the heat.

Although Malleus and Sebek never did get to discuss the details of the funeral before Silver passed, they both feel confident in their choice of a modest ceremony – he never was one for frills and fanfare, after all. But even with the small crowd gathered, the cottage is livelier than it’d been in a long while. There’s a spread of traditional Briar Valley fare laid out on the tables – steaming dumplings heavy with ground veal and spices, piles and piles of roast pork and sausages, and fresh apple strudel topped with a blanket of powdered sugar - and Malleus and Sebek can hear the clink of tableware mixing with the murmurs of low voices all around them. But neither of them speak as they quietly sip on their tea.

After a while, Malleus gets up to refill his glass, and he realizes on his way to the kitchen that it’s Deuce Spade who’s been chatting with Kalim al-Asim outside in the garden for the past half hour. He glances at them through the kitchen window as he reaches for the kettle.

They’ve both aged considerably since the last time he saw them. The edges of Kalim’s eyes crinkle severely every time he smiles at something the other man says, but his laugh still rings out as loud and as true as ever. Deuce’s dark eyes crinkle in return, and his hair has frosted over to a dull white that rivals even Kalim’s near-translucent locks. He reaches out to pat a trembling hand on Kalim’s back once his laughter breaks down into a rattling cough.

Malleus turns away, frowning. He goes to rejoin Sebek in the living room, raising an eyebrow at the untouched plate of sausage still resting on his lap.

“Are you not hungry?”

Sebek doesn’t look up as he shakes his head. He sets the plate down on the table and rubs his arms as though he’s cold. It’s a nervous habit that has disturbed him since he was a child, and he scowls once he realizes he’s doing it again.

Sebek had lost his father a few decades prior. He remembers the funeral as though it were yesterday; it felt like he’d just finished washing all the dirt from his hands a few moments ago, and then he blinked, and it was already time to pick up his shovel again.

There are nights where he finds the black maw of the sky is somehow darker and infinitely vaster than usual. Its magnitude, its perfect darkness - blacker than obsidian, blacker than the purest coal, blacker than the gentle luster of a raven’s feathers – immobilize him. Only then, as he lies in bed, transfixed by the endless night, as whispered prayers begin to spill from his lips - at times haltingly slow, at times rushing faster than a waterfall - only then does he admit that he misses his father. The man’s death had ripped a hole in his heart that still hadn’t healed, and Silver’s passing had knocked him down right when he was finally ready to try and get back up again.

He never could comprehend how his mother had remained so stalwart and strong all this time, nor how she’s still retaining her composure at the funeral right now. He’s been watching as she flutters from one guest to another, thanking them for coming, and checking if they need their glasses or plates refilled. It’s striking how young she looks in comparison to his former schoolmates, and he wonders if everyone else felt just as shocked when they saw him and Malleus mingling with the guests earlier.

It takes a few moments for Sebek to put his thoughts together, and then he says, quietly, “I just… I just don’t understand why humans are put on this world for such a short time? What good does it do them - do anyone - to lead such short lives…?”

Malleus doesn’t know what to say, or if he should even say anything at all. He tries to think back on all the times Lilia had soothed his fears as a child, tries to cobble together an appropriate answer based on the bits and pieces of hazy memories that flit through the caverns of his mind. But he knows that nothing he comes up with would help.

Finally, Malleus replies, “Yes, that’s… That’s something I’ve long pondered, as well.”

Sebek balls his fists in his lap. “Damn humans!” he chokes out, his voice barely a whisper. “Damn them all!!”

Malleus places a hand on Sebek’s shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. If he cannot imitate Lilia’s soothing loquacity, then at least he can do this much for the boy, he decides.

The minutes turn into hours, and the small crowd begins to disperse as the sun dips low into the sky. The air is still warm when Malleus at last steps outside the cottage and begins to head home.

Sebek ends up staying behind the longest. Malleus can hear his sobs echoing through the forest all the way back to the castle.

The day he received news of Silver’s passing, a part of Malleus - a small part he never wished to think about or speak of - was surprised that he ended up living as long as he did. Malleus had always feared, in private, that the boy’s broken heart would claim him much sooner, and he never could decide if he felt saddened or relieved that Silver had waited so long before setting off to go join his father.

In the weeks leading up to the funeral, he’d often think of Silver. Sometimes, the Silver he remembered was just a tiny infant napping in his arms, and other times, he was a bright-eyed boy waving around a crude wooden sword in the air. Occasionally, he’d think back to their years at Night Raven College, and he could still clearly picture Silver’s entrance ceremony in his mind. Lilia was positively electrified that day - he trembled with excitement as he stood next to Malleus in the darkness of the mirror hall. The two of them exchanged proud smirks when the mirror announced the boy’s sorting into Diasomnia.

Malleus never liked to think of Silver in his final years.

As the decades passed, his once lustrous hair eventually faded to a lifeless gray, and wrinkles and worry lines tugged down at what used to be supple skin. And yet – even as he approached the twilight of his life, there was still that same glint in his auroral eyes, still that same air of nobility about him that hadn’t dulled in the slightest. And still that same stubborn streak he’d inherited from his father.

Even a weeklong shouting match with Sebek wasn’t enough to get the aging man to step down from the Imperial Guard. They’d both made great strides in their careers, and Silver was fiercely proud of his hard-earned title – the first ever human to attain the rank of Colonel in Briar Valley’s armed forces. But the aging man was struggling to keep up, some days failing to draw his heavy longsword without it crashing to the ground. And Sebek was quick to notice.

“You utter moron!” Sebek had snarled at him one evening. “You’re going to work yourself to death at this rate!”

Silver sighed. “You think I don’t know that? This is what I… This is what my father would’ve wanted, so…”

Any mention of Lilia always brought the conversation to a quiet end. And then night would fall, and then the night would turn into day, and their argument would begin anew together with the rising of the sun.

Malleus finally stepped in when he found out that Silver had cracked a rib while sparring with some of the new recruits during morning training. He signed the knight’s honorable discharge papers later that afternoon.

After Silver stepped down from the Guard, he and Malleus would often walk together through the young prince’s rose garden. They’d go early in the morning, before the sun had climbed too far overhead and her amber rays were only just starting to bleed into the hazy blue of the cloudless sky.

It was something they used to do from time to time when Silver was little. The rose seeds Malleus’s grandmother gifted him every year on his birthday were rarely ever the same - one year, he’d get a mix of floribunda and polyantha seeds; another, damask and tea – and he would hold the baby up to the rose bushes and point out all the different types of flowers. He’d tell him about how old garden roses differed from the modern varieties, and when and where to do your pruning and why it was so important. And the baby would listen and listen.

“Do you still remember how you’d try and help me prune the roses when you were little? I’d hold the shears for you, and you’d try to press down on the handles with all your weight, but they wouldn’t budge. Your entire body would shake all over with the effort and you had the most serious look on your face. It was always so hard for me not to laugh.”

Silver smiled but said he didn’t remember. He began saying that a lot as he grew older.

“Are any of the roses here the same ones from when I was a child?”

Malleus scanned his garden and pursed his lips before answering, “No, my oldest bush is only about 40 years old. Many of these flowers are the descendants of seeds I planted during your infancy, however.”

“Amazing,” Silver whispered. He reached out and traced a gnarled finger along the velvet petals of a young rose, still not yet unfurled.

“What is?” Malleus asked.

“Ah, I was just thinking about something I’d read in a book lately. It said there’s trees in Twisted Wonderland that are older than even the oldest living human. And I was thinking, long after I’m gone, those trees will probably still be standing there, right? And the planet will keep turning, and the sun will keep shining... It’ll be like I was never even here.”

Malleus furrowed his eyebrows in thought. “…And you find that amazing? You aren’t afraid to leave this world and miss all those things?”

“I’m trying not to be,” Silver replied, a tired smile tugging at his dry lips. “I guess I just...”

Silver searched for the right words. “…I just take comfort in knowing that your roses will keep blooming for you long after I’m gone, my Lord.”

Malleus had wanted to snap at him, wanted to whirl on him like a viper and spit, “But what will I take comfort in?”, but the words got caught in the lump forming in his throat. He turned away from Silver and cursed himself for acting so childishly.

At Silver’s funeral, Malleus’s eyes blurred as they lowered the casket into the ground. He tried to focus on something else, on anything other than the sound of dirt and rocks being heaved onto the wooden frame, and he clung desperately to the shard of a memory from what felt like a lifetime ago.

He’s standing in Lilia’s cottage, and Lilia offers Malleus to hold the baby for the first time. Malleus holds out his hands, but then draws them back in hesitation.

“And you’re certain I won’t injure him?”

“Oh, you’re such a worrywart. It’ll be fine…” Lilia thinks for a moment and then continues, “Ah, I know. Just think of him like he’s one of your roses! You’re always so gentle with them, aren’t you?”

Gentle. A word most would refrain from using to describe Malleus, what with all those rumors and stories of his awful powers. (The Halloween incident still hangs fresh in his mind.) But Lilia was correct – Malleus fawned over his roses like nothing else.

When he was little, he would cup their pleasant, pink faces in his hands with a featherlight touch and whisper to them the secrets of his child’s heart. And every year, when the juvenile buds slowly began to unfurl for him, stretching out their newborn petals in welcome of the boy’s fanged smile and glittering eyes, the joy that washed over him was gentler than any spring rain and warmer than any afternoon sun. They were more precious to him than all the jewels in the castle vaults combined - his own dragon’s hoard of living rubies, topaz, rose quartz, and garnet.

And so he nervously accepts the tiny infant that Lilia holds out to him and he shifts the child awkwardly in his arms. Be gentle. He’s like one of your roses. Be gentle, be gentle, be gentle.

The sound of Sebek loudly clearing his throat next to him ripped Malleus from his memories. He whispered a quiet “Thank you” and took the handkerchief from Sebek’s outstretched hand.

Malleus buried a piece of his heart together with Silver that day, and he buried yet another piece when Sebek passed away a couple of centuries later. And when a record-breaking snowstorm ripped through Briar Valley that winter and decimated his rose garden in its icy wrath, he found he simply did not have the energy to mourn any more.

II.

Malleus can tell that someone is standing outside his room. He figures it’s one of the young servants in training; he can hear her muttering the lines she must’ve been instructed to say as she paces back and forth for a few minutes.

Finally, a tiny voice squeaks out, “Umm, Lord Malleus...?”

Malleus looks up from the book he’d been reading and sees his door has been opened just a crack. A young girl dressed in a servant’s uniform peeks through, wide-eyed.

“Yes, what is it?”

Perhaps out of fear, or excitement – or a juvenile mixture of both – she hurriedly blurts out, “Her M-Majesty requests your audience at once!!” and then promptly shuts the door with a soft thud.

Malleus sighs and tells the closed door, “Thank you. I’ll go to her now.”

“You called for me, Grandmother?”

His grandmother, Queen Maleficia, smiles broadly at him as he steps into the throne room. She bids him to come sit, and he lowers himself hesitantly into the empty chair – the king’s throne - next to her. It’s seldom that he ever comes into this room, and rarer still he’s allowed to sit there. The hard armrests dig into his elbows, but he doesn’t complain.

“Malleus, I called you here to talk about something very important,” His grandmother says with sparkling eyes. “Your birthday is coming up!”

“Yes?”

“Your one thousandth birthday, my dear. A momentous occasion for us dragon fae, for you’ll finally become a full-fledged adult.”

“Ah.” The cobwebbed gears in the attic of Malleus’s mind begin to turn. He has an idea of where this conversation is headed.

“And as such, I’ve been thinking… I’ve ruled over Briar Valley far longer than I had ever intended. I meant to step down from the throne and let your parents rule after you were born. But of course, things didn’t quite turn out the way I had envisioned.”

His grandmother’s smile falters for a moment, and then she continues, “But now, I feel certain the time is right. My precious grandson, you have grown into such a wonderful young man. You are clever and resourceful, and you have a passionate interest in history and foreign affairs the likes of which I’ve never seen in any budding politician before.”

“I know you’ve faced so, so much loss in your young life already, and you’ve come through it with such grace and humility.” She reaches out to clasp his hand in hers, and Malleus shivers at the shock of her cold skin.

“There is no doubt in my heart that you are ready for this. And that Briar Valley is ready for you.”

Malleus isn’t sure what he’s supposed to say, so he just smiles and then whispers, “Alright.”

“Excellent!” His grandmother rises and claps her hands together loudly. “Someone, go fetch me the members of the royal planning board! We have a coronation to get ready for!” She turns to Malleus, and he rises, too.

“Do go ahead and start thinking about whom you’d like to invite, my dear. I’ll have the board reserve some seats up front for your friends.”

Malleus’s birthday comes and goes with much fanfare and hoorah, and once all the confetti is swept away and the banners and flags are taken down and he no longer has to dread passing a window and risk seeing an effigy of his awkward face staring back up at him from the town square, Malleus takes some time to think about whom he’d like to invite to his coronation. He sits at the desk in his room, pen and paper spread out on the table before him. He sits there for a while, as still as stone, until finally, like a petrified creature released from decades of slumber, he slowly, stiffly reaches out, takes his pen in hand, and starts to write.

He starts with whatever names come to mind first – his old classmates and instructors from Night Raven College, the people he met during his brief internship, the politicians and members of foreign royalty he’s had to endure countless boring dinners and stuffy balls with. His little list grows longer and longer, and he grabs another sheet of paper after filling up the first one. As he sets his pen down after a couple minutes of hurried writing, he’s surprised, but pleased, at how many names he ended up recalling.

And now the difficult part: He must choose the fortunate souls who shall be blessed to attend the coronation of King Malleus Draconia. He smirks and starts with the first sheet of paper, slowly reading aloud the name he’d written at the top. And then he frowns. No, you can’t invite Kingscholar; He passed away already. You attended his funeral, don’t you remember? He picks up his pen again and draws a black line through the name. And then he reads the next name and recalls Sebek once complaining about how the television programs wouldn’t stop replaying Vil Schoenheit’s movies for weeks on end after his death, and he strikes through it. And he does the same for the following name, and the one after that. His list turns into a jumble of scratchy lines, and then he moves to the second sheet, crossing out one name after the next. He realizes with a shaky sigh that most of these people are already dead.

But there is one name that he’s not so sure about, it’s the only one that stands unmarred in his clean handwriting amidst the mess of black ink: Ortho Shroud, younger brother of the late Idia Shroud. He can’t remember the last time he’d seen the tall, lanky figure of the elder brother, but he’s certain he wasn’t at Silver’s funeral. Only Ortho attended; he’d mentioned something about once treating some injury or other that Silver had incurred at the equestrian club. Malleus had smiled as he listened to the story back then, and he smiles again now as he recalls Ortho’s animated figure telling the tale.

He leans back in his chair and rests his chin on his hand as he thinks. Malleus never quite grasped just what the boy was, only that he wasn’t quite human, but not fully machine, either. If he truly was some form of inorganic creature, then perhaps there’s a chance that he’s still…

Malleus moves aside his stationery with a sweep of his arm and pulls out the laptop he keeps stored in the drawer underneath his desk. The construction of Briar Valley’s first nationwide power grid and internet network had recently been completed a couple of centuries ago, and electricity now thrummed throughout the land. It took some getting used to, especially for a folk so accustomed to their magic, but the citizens quickly grew to enjoy the novelties of television and the world wide web. Malleus had also recently learned of the wonders of online chess, and he proudly considered himself a bit of a gamer.

He opens up his email and begins his search. There is a faint memory that clings weakly to his brain of Lilia sending him a message not long after he’d departed for the Land of Red Dragons. There was a grainy picture attached showing Lilia’s pale, outstretched hand, his nails painted cherry red, pointing to some snowcapped mountains towering in the distance. If his memory serves right, Lilia had sent that email to a number of addresses, and one of them might’ve had Ortho’s name in it. He scrolls through his archived folders and clicks on the one he created just for Lilia’s old emails. It takes only a moment to find the message he was thinking of. He remembers now that it was the last time he’d ever heard from the man. He didn't see Lilia again until Silver dutifully retrieved his small body from those frozen peaks.

He doesn’t dare open the attached picture. He quickly scans through the list of names and addresses in the “to” field until he finds the one he was hoping to see, and with shaking hands, he begins a new email. He types a curt message asking the boy how he’s been and if he’d like to stop by for a few days so they can catch up.

He clicks “send”, and then folds his hands in his lap as he waits for a response.

III.

Ortho comes to Briar Valley later that week, and Malleus is surprised at the pure quietness of the boy’s arrival. He’d expected something more grandiose from a member of the Shroud clan, like dark clouds of smoke and exhaust and great explosions of light. But there is none of that – Ortho merely descends from the sky with all the whispered elegance of an owl gliding through a nighttime forest, and he alights a few meters away from where Malleus had been waiting for him in the courtyard.

They shake hands and say their hellos, and Ortho adds that the current director of Styx sends her greetings. Malleus raises a thin, black eyebrow at this.

His curiosity piqued, he asks, “Is she, ah, descended from your brother, then?”

Ortho laughs, high and bright like the aluminum wind chines that hang from some of the trees in the courtyard. “Oh, no! My big brother never got married or had children. After he passed away, another branch family in the Shroud clan took over Styx, and their descendants have been running things at the Island of Woe ever since.”

As they walk towards the castle gates, Ortho explains that the new management agreed to let him stay with them after his brother died, and he’s been spending most of his time the past few centuries overseeing the island’s security system. (Apparently, he can operate it remotely via “satellite”, but for Malleus the word only conjures up visions of the moon, and he tilts his head in perplexment.)

Malleus asks, “And you’re absolutely sure it’s alright for you to be here? I don’t want any problems with Styx, especially not so soon before the coronation.” His grandmother had scowled deeply when he told her whom he’d been planning to invite, and he was eager to assuage her concerns.

“Yeah, Styx is still as secretive as ever, but they’re pretty lax when it comes to me leaving the island. As long as I don’t divulge any top-secret info, of course.” Ortho finishes with a wink.

“I see. Good, then let me show you to where you’ll be staying.”

They walk together to Ortho’s guest room, and the castle servants scatter before them like a parted sea. Malleus knows they’re staring; he can see the white faces of the chambermaids peeking out from behind half-shut doors, but he doesn’t mind. He remembers how intrigued he’d been when he first met Idia Shroud and the little robot that always seemed to be hovering in his shadow. And how shocked he was when the device opened its mouth and began to speak.

Malleus, too, finds himself glancing now and then at the boy walking beside him. He doesn’t look much different from how Malleus remembers. He’s not grown any taller, and his fiery hair isn’t any longer than before. He still has that soft, round face, and those striking yellow eyes and that small mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.

Later, while Ortho unpacks his charging apparatus and surveys the room for the closest outlet, Malleus asks the question that’d been pestering him since his guest’s arrival.

“Ah, it made my big brother uncomfortable whenever he saw my face, so that’s why I always wore either a visor or a mask while he was alive. Since he’s gone now, I don’t bother with covering up my face anymore.”

“What? Why would your face make him uncomfortable?”

Ortho looks over his shoulder from where he’s kneeling before the outlet he selected. He states plainly, “Because it reminded him too much of his little brother, Ortho Shroud.”

Malleus blinks. And then he frowns. “Wait…. Seeing your face – you, his little brother, Ortho Shroud – reminded him too much of his little brother…. Ortho Shroud. And that made him… uncomfortable?”

“Correct!” Ortho grins like an absolute imp, and Malleus wonders if he’d been studying up on fae humor before coming here.

“….I must say, the more I learn about your family, the more bizarre you all sound.”

Ortho laughs again. “You have no idea.”

Once Ortho is done packing, Malleus asks if he’d like to go tour the valley with him. He answers with an excited “Absolutely!”, and they make their way back out to the courtyard. The day is still young, and a sky as blue as freshly picked morning glories greets them once they step outside.

At the castle gates, Malleus asks Ortho to wait a moment. He squats before the boy and takes his smaller hands into his own. Lilia had once told him that children listen better when adults get down to their level, and Malleus wants to make absolutely sure that Ortho understands the gravity of what he’s about to say.

“Listen to me well, Little Shroud. Most of the fae here are kind and virtuous people, and I trust the castle staff not to lay a hand on you. But I cannot say the same about our townspeople and countrymen. I fear a young child of man like you… Yes, even one made of cool metal and not the warmth of living flesh and blood, will attract those who wish you harm. If, when we are away from the castle, I take your hand and draw you close to me, you must not let go, for it means they are near. You must not listen to their whispered temptations; you must not believe their siren lies. Do you understand? If they gaze at you with eyes of black fire, if they promise you Heaven’s greatest rewards, if you turn to them and see your brother’s face and hear his voice calling out your name, you must look away. Can you promise me you will do that?”

Ortho nods his head slowly, and they set off.

They begin with a cursory flight over the valley; Ortho using his machinery, and Malleus his magic. Malleus restricts his speed at first, concerned he might accidentally leave the boy behind. He’s pleasantly surprised to find Ortho easily keeping pace with him, and when he cries out into cold winds asking if they might go a bit faster, Ortho responds with a thumbs up and a sharp-toothed smile.

And so they race over the castle town, past the church, whose twin spires watch over the land like a pair of dark sentinels, past the cobbled streets and the timber houses of the residential districts, past the bustling marketplace and the quiet town square. Malleus explains how all the buildings radiate around the castle like the petals of a flower surrounding its pistil, and he points down to the linden trees - dull and naked in their meager spring attire - that line nearly every street. He tells Ortho that come summer, the whole town will be bathed in their flowers’ intoxicating perfume, warm and soft and sweet like honeysuckle. The cool breeze feels delicious on Ortho’s skin, and the low buzz of Malleus’s voice beside him is as tender as the overhead sun.

As they circle overhead once more, Ortho is surprised that no one seems to pay them any mind. Not the merchants behind their stalls, and not the townspeople passing by; not the swarm of children playing tag in the maze of shadowy back alleys; not the red-faced shepherd barking at his sheep to move, and not his perfectly unhurried sheep. None of them so much as glance their way as they fly by. Ortho glides next to Malleus and asks him why that is, and Malleus laughs. “My people are deeply intertwined with magic; it courses through our veins from the moment we enter this world. Seeing two people soaring through the sky is no more riveting to us than a toad that hops or a cow that lows. Many of us begin flying at a few months old, after all.” Malleus laughs again as Ortho’s mouth drops open in astonishment.

They leave the castle town behind them, flying faster and faster, beyond the evergreen forests and the rolling hillsides and the miles of grassy fields glimmering with white snowdrops and yellow daffodils. Malleus describes with a smile how beautiful the valley looks in the summer, when the wheat is heavy and ripe for harvest and the modest green farmland transforms into an ocean of gold. He loves windy summer days especially, loves how the acres and acres of wheat undulate and dance in time to the rhythm of the breeze, the entire countryside sighing and rolling like gilded waves as far as the eye can see.

They press on, and Malleus leads Ortho towards the mountain range that rises in the distance like the spikes on a dragon’s back. The farmland below transforms once more into lush grasslands and forests, and a massive river cuts across the valley plateau.

The sight reminds Ortho of a passage he’d read in one of his travel guides:

“Briar Valley is a relatively small nation, flanked on all sides by jagged mountains and bisected by a massive, winding river that many of the locals continue to worship as an ancient Lindwurm. The winters are bitter cold, and the summers are pleasantly warm; it is a fertile land, and the majority of the county’s foodstuffs is produced within Briar Valley’s borders.”

Ortho’s eyes follow the twisting body of the river, and he can easily imagine why the fae revere it as a deity - the mouth of the great waterway stretches infinitely wide like the jaws of a python as it spills into the freezing ocean. But it’s the mountains that truly take his breath away. They are a thousand times bigger and a hundred times darker than what he’d been envisioning based on the photos he’d seen, and their obsidian bulk nearly consumes the skyline.

Malleus points a pale, clawed finger at the angry mass of black rock and stone that rises up taller than all the others. “That is the Forbidden Mountain,” he shouts above the roar of the wind. “Legend says the Thorn Witch once ruled over the valley from atop its peak.”

“It’s amazing!” Ortho shouts back.

They stay there for a while, quietly admiring the black obelisks towering before them. Ortho almost wonders if the Thorn Fairy might still be lurking up there somewhere on that dark peak, the shadow of her terrible specter still searching in vain for the lost princess after all these millennia. He dispels the thought with a shiver.

Finally, Malleus turns to Ortho and says, “Come, let us return to the castle town. There’s a place I want to show you.”

Even from high above, the church had looked magnificent; and now, standing before it on the ground, it’s absolutely breathtaking. The fae’s connection with Nature - a glorious mixture of reverence and intimacy – is evident all throughout the building’s architecture. The façade is richly decorated with a host of stone creatures: rearing bucks locked eternally in battle, golden eagles and barn owls and songbirds frozen in flight, and foxes and hares circling each other in an endless hunt. From up close, Ortho now sees that the bulging lines he’d noticed winding around the twin spires are delicately sculpted rose vines, replete with thorns and all. Jagged spikes erupt down the spines of the flying buttresses, reminiscent of a beast Ortho doesn’t quite want to think about, and they stretch and yawn as they support the heavy weight of the towering walls. As they circle the building, Malleus happily points out all the different gargoyles that snarl at them from their guard posts up high; Ortho had nearly overlooked them in the forest of masonry and metalwork, and he stumbles as he tilts his head further and further back just trying to take it all in. All the travel guides that he’d downloaded had lavishly praised the church as the “Pinnacle of the Briar Valley Gothic style”, and now he understands why.

Malleus ushers Ortho towards the heavy bronze doors at the entrance of the church, and they head inside. A few members of the laity sit hunched over in the wooden pews within, murmuring prayers in a language that Ortho cannot understand. His eyes flick up to Malleus’s face, and then down to his hands, which lay unmoving against his side. After a moment’s hesitation, Ortho takes a step forward, and then another, and he quietly walks down to the end of the aisle, walking just the slightest bit faster whenever he has to pass one of the fae mulling about. Finally, he reaches the apse and the alter. He doesn’t notice Malleus joining him a moment later; he is far too entranced by the stained-glass windows that tower before him. The afternoon sun spills through the windows and pools onto the floor below, bathing him and Malleus in a shower of multicolored light.

In his mind’s eye, Ortho can see the master architect urging his laborers to keep building higher, to push the spires taller, up into the sky, closer and closer to the seat of Heaven’s mighty throne. He can see the sculptors playing with light as though it were clay, molding it in their calloused hands and transforming it into the countless stained-glass windows that crown the head of the altar. He thinks about the townspeople emerging from their dull and darkened homes and blinking into the bright light of the completed church for the first time. What must they have felt? Had their hearts ached for something they couldn’t find the name for, like his heart aches now? Had their eyes burned hot with the threat of strange and unfamiliar tears, like his eyes are burning now? Had they felt as overwhelmed and insignificant and small and suffocated as he is feeling now? Oh, and to think! To consider - how many weary pilgrims, how many desperate worshipers and weathered souls have stood in this very same spot before him, gazing up at these same venerated panes of kaleidoscopic glass and feeling what he feels; how many millennia upon millennia has this architectural wonder united the peoples of its creator in whispered awe and indescribable rapture!

Ortho takes a shuddering breath, and he steps back to admire the windows once more. He’s seen tracery like this elsewhere, in the churches of the Queendom of Roses and the cathedrals of the City of Flowers. The square sections of glass come together to create a series of fantastic images, and they remind Ortho of the illustrated fairytale books he used to read with his brother when they were little.

Ortho tilts his head back and focuses on the pictures up at the very top.

He sees:

The golden fields of corn and wheat that dot the valley’s farmlands.

Lush forests, twisting rivers, towering mountains, and azure lakes.

Smiling children - with horns and antlers sprouting from their foreheads and wings fluttering on their backs - dancing in a circle, arms linked together.

A fae mother sitting before her cottage and nursing her child, the baby’s tiny horns but white specks on its head.

Ortho’s eyes travel further down. The glass panes gradually transition from cool greys and blues and bright yellows to duller oranges and reds. Further and further down, the redder the panes become, like tongues of fire spilling over the window.

He sees an image of a human man and a fae woman holding hands, with shy smiles on their faces. Both the woman’s wings and the human are gone in the next image, and her smile has warped into a scream. He can’t quite tell what happens after that.

“What is that grey substance the humans are forging in that pane there?”

“Iron.” Malleus hisses the word, as though it burns him just to say it.

Ortho doesn’t say anything as he turns back to look at the windows.

He sees:

Human and fae armies marching towards each other with swords drawn and war flags raised.

Villages engulfed in flames.

A smokey battlefield littered with armored bodies.

Flashes of lightning splitting a crimson sky.

And finally, the last image: A black dragon, its wings spread wider than a hurricane. The glass surrounding it blazes as red as blood.

“Malleus Draconia… What… is this?”

“My people’s history. Our triumph.”

Malleus swallows thickly, and then he whispers, “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

All Ortho can do is nod. He dare not defile this place any further with his words.

It’s late afternoon by the time they return to the castle. They head to the dining room to get some lunch, and Ortho watches wide-eyed as a horde of servants materialize as soon as Malleus takes his seat.

Malleus lifts his hand, and a servant steps forward to slide the day’s menu into his waiting fingers. He contemplates for a moment, and then announces he will have the slow roasted pork shoulder served with shredded sauerkraut, potato dumplings, and gravy. A young chambermaid asks if Ortho would like any refreshments, as well, and he declines her kind offer with a smile. His oral intake unit isn’t equipped, and he doesn’t feel bothered enough to go fetch it from his room. He looks around the dining room while they wait for the food to be served. It resembles a grand hall more than anything else, with a massive glass chandelier hanging overhead and several huge windows lining the walls, and he figures the long table they’re sitting at could easily seat over thirty guests.

Presently, the head chef and sous chefs and other kitchen assistants march out in a line. The assistants all carry a silver cloche server in hand, and they remove the domed covers with a flourish as they set the trays down before Malleus. The pork shoulder has been roasted to a brown perfection, and a thick, crispy layer of fat sits atop each slice of meat. The gravy is dense and richly seasoned, and the sauerkraut is the most beautiful shade of lavender that Ortho has ever seen. A stack of steaming potato dumplings completes the ensemble. The head chef nervously searches the prince’s face for the slightest sign of approval or dissatisfaction, and his shoulders sag in relief when Malleus dismisses the troupe with the wave of a hand. The head chef bows deeply, followed in turn by the sous chefs and other kitchen assistants, and they file back to the kitchen as efficiently as they came.

The entire spectacle delights Ortho, and he kicks his feet in excitement while he waits for Malleus to finish eating. He imagines how the dining room must look like when the castle is hosting a party, when the heavy window curtains are pulled back and the rays pouring in from the evening sun dance across the rows of silver plates and golden goblets and the entire room erupts into light. And he thinks of gaudy princes and princesses discussing the silliest of things in their ridiculous costumes, and tireless knights prowling the castle grounds in search of hidden marauders and ne'er-do-wells, and he thinks of royal balls that last until the first light of dawn pierces the sky when it’s still not quite morning but no longer night, and other such things that tickle a child’s heart.

After lunch, Malleus resumes showing Ortho around the castle. They start with a tour of the Imperial Guard’s training grounds out back, and they stay and watch for a while as the young recruits spar with some of the captains. Ortho almost thinks he should cheer on the recruits, since they might like the encouragement, but he also considers taking the side of the captains, since they are so spectacular with their flashy jabs and stunning parries. The captains ultimately prove victorious, and as they turn to greet the prince, the sight of the small, fiery-haired boy clapping enthusiastically next to him perplexes them more than anything else they’ve seen the past few months.

Then Malleus takes Ortho to the highest of the watchtowers, where they can see the church’s spires jutting up not too far in the distance. And then he takes him to the castle archives and the library and Malleus’s private study. Ortho is especially fascinated by the library, and they spend hours going through ancient spell books and history books and collections of Briar Valley fiction and poetry. So many of these texts have never made it outside the small nation, and Ortho uncovers books about species of fae he’s never even heard of, and books written in languages he’s never even seen. He drinks it all in with sparkling eyes and toothy smiles. In his eagerness, he accidentally tips over a heavy bookshelf while attempting to extract one of its paper treasures, and Malleus laughs so hard that his eyes water when the boy ends up buried under a mountain of leatherbound tomes.

The heavy wooden doors of the library close behind them with a loud bang as they leave. They only make it a few steps before Ortho reaches out and tugs on Malleus’s arm.

“May we go see your rose garden now?”

Malleus blinks. “My… what?”

“Your rose garden! All the travel guides I downloaded mentioned it. They say it’s one of the greatest wonders of the valley, and that you can see it all the way from the forests that border the castle town.”

Ortho notices the frown forming on Malleus’s face and asks, “Don’t tell me something happened to it?”

Malleus sighs. “Indeed. Sadly, the whole garden was destroyed when we had that bad snowstorm not too long ago.”

“Bad snowstorm…” Ortho closes his eyes for a moment as he thinks. “Wait, I remember that! You mean that monster blizzard that struck Briar Valley over a hundred years ago? People were calling it the storm of the century!”

With a solemn nod, Malleus replies, “I do believe that was the one. …Has it really been a hundred years already? I suppose I just haven’t gotten around to fixing it up yet.”

In truth, he’d considered rebuilding his garden more than once, but he never could bring himself to do it. All the seed packets his grandmother’s been giving him for his birthday the past century have yet to be opened, and they lie buried deep within one of the chests in his room.

A week after that awful blizzard tore through their small nation, he and his grandmother gathered together around the dining table for the first time that winter. They both shivered as they ate, and at one point she looked out the window and murmured something about his “poor roses, the dear things”. Malleus was shocked. He hadn’t even remembered to go check if his flowers had made it through the storm. He’d stopped tending to them sometime after Sebek’s death. It was a gradual thing. He’d water them less often - once a week instead of twice, and then once a month, and then not at all. And then he forgot to tell the servants to purchase more fertilizer when his supplies were getting low. And then he didn’t bother deadheading the bushes in the fall. And then he just stopped going to the garden altogether.

There are times when he’ll wonder, where had that gentleness that Lilia had once spoken of, that love in his heart gone? Had that vengeful snowstorm ripped it from his chest and scattered it to the winds together with his roses? Or had it withered and died and returned to the earth alongside Silver and Sebek’s worn and ashen bodies? Or had it been stolen from his heart long ago, had Lilia taken it with him as he climbed those great mountains, up higher and higher, beyond the radiant clouds and into a world he wasn’t yet ready to journey to?

And there are other times where he’ll go look at the skeletal remains of his garden and he’ll wonder if those rumors about him being detached and apathetic and cold were true. He knew many in Briar Valley believed so. He knew they’d hesitate to even speak of him, as though his name were an ill omen. And he did not blame them. His love was never anything flashy or obvious, was never as bright and as brilliant as the shy half-smiles that Silver would reserve for his father.

No, Malleus’s love was soft and quiet, the glass of his heart opaque, not clear. It was often timid, often awkward, but his love was always there. Even now, even if he could no longer detect its gentle thrum coursing through his veins, his was still the love of that lonely little boy who’d hold his ear against the warm mass of his rose bushes and listen as the flowers revealed to him their perfect wisdom.

And the people he cherished in his heart of hearts were his roses, too. All of them – Lilia, Silver, and Sebek, his parents and his grandmother, and his dear friends from school. To try and rebuild his garden - to press those expectant seeds into the wet earth and wait for the tiny buds to emerge into the light of a January day, to look with bated breath for the sepals to fold open and reveal the sacred pink gems held tightly within their green grasps, to awaken to the sound of the cardinals heralding Spring’s arrival and race to the garden while the sky is still yawning off the night’s indigo embrace and to rejoice at last at the first newborn blooms - it felt blasphemous, like summoning the dead back to life. And his heart was simply too dark and too heavy still for such a thing.

Malleus watches silently as the light of excitement rapidly fades from Ortho’s eyes, and he snuffs out the last dim sparks with a shake of his head.

Ortho sighs. “Well, it’s too bad I couldn’t see your garden, Malleus Draconia. It always looked so beautiful in those pictures I saw. But I’m glad at least the castle and the town and everything made it through the storm okay.”

They resume walking, and Ortho decides privately not to mention the garden again.

Later, after the lilac night had blanketed the valley once more and a calm hush had fallen over the castle, Malleus stalks through the dark halls trying to shake off his restlessness. He passes by Ortho’s room and can hear him murmuring through the closed door. It sounds like he’s talking to someone, but Malleus can’t imagine whom. He hovers at the door for a moment, and then he continues on, not wanting to disturb the boy.

IV.

The next morning, Ortho and Malleus are to have breakfast with the Queen. Ortho wakes up early so he can hook up his oral intake unit in time, and he opens the windows before setting to work. The sun has just barely risen, and the sky is a pleasant gradient of pinks and oranges and yellows and blues. The chilly air is abuzz with thrushes and chiffchaffs singing their daily praises, and the loud cries of haughty wrens undercut the performance. March was in full swing in the valley, and before long the chorus would be joined by the excited twitter of the goldfinches and the sugar sweet call of the willow warblers as spring rolled on.

Just as Ortho finishes equipping his unit, Malleus knocks on his door and softly asks, “Little Shroud, are you ready?”

Ortho answers, “Yes!” and he goes to join Malleus in the hallway. They walk to the dining room together in comfortable silence. Ortho stayed up late last night, gripped with an innocent mixture of nervousness and excitement, but he’s still bright-eyed and brimming with energy. He knows very well that few outsiders are lucky enough to get invited to Briar Valley’s royal castle, and that even fewer still get to receive an audience with the Queen.

Two servants standing before the dining room pull the heavy doors open for them, and they go to where the Queen is waiting for them at the head of the table. She rises from her seat as they approach.

Ortho bows deeply, just as he’d practiced the night before, and says, “It’s an honor to meet you, your Majesty. Thank you so much for permitting me to come here.”

The Queen smiles. “And I thank you for accepting my dear grandson’s invitation. I hope you’ve been enjoying your stay.”

Ortho confirms that he has, and then he looks up and studies her face. The Draconia family’s resemblance is plain to see. She and Malleus have the same bright green eyes, long, black hair, and those sharp fangs that peek out when they smile. Only the thin crow’s feet around her eyes and the slight gauntness of her high cheek bones betray the difference in their ages. She’s a good head shorter than Malleus, but her presence is so much more intimidating. Malleus’s great aura feels like an April shower in comparison to the tempest of energy emanating from her body, and it takes every ounce of Ortho’s willpower not to crumple to the floor when she goes to shake his small hand.

The Queen bids them to sit, and they all take their seats, with her at the head of the table and Ortho and Malleus flanking her on either side. Bowls filled with wax-white sausages floating in steaming water sit before them. A gorgeous, herbal scent - a dazzling mixture of cardamom, mace, parsley, lemon, and other more deeply buried smells - wafts from the bowls. Their plates are decorated with large dollops of dark brown mustard, along with a number of soft, golden pretzels. A crimson-colored juice of some sort swims placidly in their goblets.

Malleus takes his fork and deposits some of the sausages onto his plate. “They’re filled with very finely ground veal and bacon - made from pork loin, rather than pork belly. Poached just long enough for the meat to turn this greyish-white color. They’re one of Briar Valley’s specialties,” he explains.

He waits for Ortho to fill up his own plate, and then continues, “The skin is edible, but we typically don’t eat it. Just take your fork and knife and cut the sausage open lengthwise, and then peel back the skin and eat the meat. And do be sure to try the mustard.”

The explanation finished, Malleus and the Queen take their cutlery in hand and begin to eat. Ortho watches how they expertly incise the sausage casings and extract the white meat as though they were performing surgery. He picks up his own fork and knife and tries to copy their nimble movements as he slices open the fibrous skin. He is pleased to find the meat tastes just as delicious as it smells, and his mouth pulls up into a smile from the rich blend of spices.

Ortho next dips a piece of sausage in the grainy mustard and gingerly takes a bite. He gasps at how sweet it is - he’d been expecting something spicy. It’s nearly too sweet, but only just nearly, and in a strange way he can’t explain, the sugary flavor perfectly complements the savory meat. He eagerly dips another piece of sausage in the mustard and brings it to his mouth, and then another, and another.

The Queen laughs at the boy’s exuberance. “Please take your time, my dear. There’s plenty more where that came from, and if you’d like another serving, just let one of the waitstaff know.”

Ortho begins to reply, but quickly remembers his mouth is full of food, and he shoots his hand over his mouth in embarrassment as he nods. He takes a sip of the juice and considers the flavor for a moment – it’s a pure, bright blend of various kinds of wild berries and other fruit, and the cool liquid somehow invigorates his appetite even more.

As Ortho sets to work on the pretzels, the Queen finally begins her questioning.

“Malleus tells me you went to school together at Night Raven College. I’d been envisioning someone a tad older when he told me that, so I was quite surprised to see just how young you are. I take it your species must age slowly, like ours does?”

Ortho chews contemplatively on his pretzel. “It’s not that I age slowly, it’s just that my appearance doesn’t really change as time goes on. I guess you could say?”

“Oh, really? My, how very interesting.” She takes a sip from her goblet, and her pointed tongue darts out to capture the stray drops trying to escape down her lips. “He also told me you hale from the Isle of Grief, from the Shroud clan. Is your family doing well these days? I haven’t heard from Zephyr in quite a while.”

“Ah,” Ortho says, but then closes his mouth. He’s not sure if it would be impolite to tell the Queen that Zephyr Shroud had passed away four decades ago, and that someone new is leading the family now. He pushes around the last piece of sausage on his plate as he searches for the safest answer. “The Shroud family is doing well. We…. recently got a new clan head, and she sends her greetings.”

The Queen continues, “I see. Please do send her my thanks and well wishes in return. And I hate to pry….” (Ortho privately thinks she does not) “…but are you involved at all with Styx’s operations, by any chance?

“They make my equipment for me, and I help run security at their headquarters, but I’m not involved in their research, no.”

“I see, I see. Good, yes, that’s good.” She nods, but Ortho can’t tell if the gesture is directed at him or herself. She pushes her empty plate away and folds her hands on her lap. Ortho sees a glimmer of hope, and he thinks this strange and awkward conversation might soon come to an end. But all his hopes are dashed when the Queen turns and asks one of the servants for two more bowls of sausage and another plate of pretzels. “Now, what do you mean by “equipment” exactly? And I noticed you hardly seem to have any traces of magic about you. How were you able to attend Night Raven College, may I ask? And is your hair actually on fire? I’ve always wanted to ask your family’s clan leaders, but it slips my mind whenever I see them, and I don’t remember until they’ve already passed. It’s as though each time I blink, you’ve got someone new in charge!” She finishes with a curt laugh, and her bright green eyes bore into Ortho expectantly.

Ortho glances across the table and gives Malleus a plaintive look, but he is seemingly far too engrossed in his pretzels to offer any help.

After breakfast, the Queen excuses herself to go attend to some royal matter or other, and Ortho and Malleus quickly retreat to the library. They wander up and down the rows of shelves for a while, only half paying attention to the books they pull out and flip through. When they happen to meander towards the same shelf and meet in the middle of the aisle, at last they talk, having recuperated enough for conversation.

Ortho starts first, and he exhales like a pierced tire. “That was…. Intense.”

Malleus sighs, as well. “Yes, my grandmother can be quite… severe in her inquisitiveness. I do apologize if she made you uncomfortable at all.”

“Oh, it’s alright. I remember my mom used to drill me and my big brother like that whenever we came home for the holidays, so it was kind of fun, in a way.” Ortho smiles to himself reservedly, as though recalling some precious secret.

“Anyways,” he continues, “I wish my big brother could’ve been here. I’m sure he would’ve loved to meet the Queen.”

Malleus raises an eyebrow. “You really think so? I always had the impression he wasn’t a very sociable fellow.”

Ortho laughs. “You’re right, he wasn’t. But her Majesty resembles a character from an anime he really liked, and I bet he would’ve gotten a kick out of meeting her.”

Malleus isn’t sure whether his grandmother has just been gravely insulted or highly praised, and so he resigns to simply hum in agreement. He tries to imagine how a meeting between the two would even look, but the image refuses to form, his brain balking at him like a stubborn horse. He gropes through a haze of hundreds and hundreds of years of memories and tries to conjure the elder Shroud’s face in his mind, but all he sees is a blur of white skin and blue hair and sharp teeth.

Finally, he looks over to Ortho and slowly admits, “You know, I can’t quite… seem to recall how he looked…”

Ortho flashes him a reassuring smile in return. “That’s okay, I will assist you.”

Some part of Ortho’s body emits a beep, and then his chest plates slide back to reveal a black lens at their center. Before Malleus can ask what he’s doing, the lens turns from black to bright white, and now Idia Shroud himself is standing before them. He’s dressed in the navy-blue coat with the white triangles down the sleeves that he’d always wear at Night Raven College, and his long, fiery hair undulates like waves around him.

For a moment, Malleus is stunned. And then his stupefaction quickly melts into hot anger. Necromancy is strictly forbidden amongst his people, and by no means will he permit this black magic in his own home.

“Wretched spirit!” he snarls. Dark emerald green energy swirls around him, and he raises a glowing hand towards Idia. The books piled around them fly open and the bookshelves begin to shake as a whirlwind of paper dances around the room.

Ortho runs between Malleus and his brother and waves his hands frantically as he shouts, “No, no, no wait! It’s just a hologram, Malleus Draconia! It’s not a ghost, it’s okay!”

Malleus’s slit pupils dart between the two brothers. He tries to focus on Idia for as long as his rage allows, and at last he notices the miniscule dust particles passing through the beams of light that make up the specter’s body. Malleus lowers his hand and dispels his built-up magic with a shake of his arm, and Ortho sighs in relief as he watches the green sparks dissipate into the air. The airborne books crash to the floor a moment later.

Malleus says quietly, more so to himself than to Ortho, “My apologies, I thought you’d…” He doesn’t trust himself to finish the sentence. He knows just speaking the words would stoke his wrath again.

Ortho quickly scans Malleus’s vitals and blot accumulation levels, and he can feel the tension seep from his own body once he confirms the storm of danger has passed. He looks over and sees Malleus staring at the floor, working his jaw in contemplation. Ortho waits for him to speak again.

Finally, Malleus plucks one of the thoughts swirling around in his mind, and he asks, “Can you… Can you project the other students, as well?”

Ortho nods, and the lens in his chest whirs for a moment before the room suddenly fills with a crowd of figures. Malleus scans the familiar faces. There’s Deuce Spade and Ace Trappola and the Child of Man together by one of the windows. There’s Leona Kingscholar, frozen in the middle of a yawn, surrounded by his pack members. And there’s Vil Schoenheit, a compact mirror in one hand, his other paused midair as he fusses with some miniscule imperfection in his mascara that even Malleus’s fae eyesight couldn’t ever hope to uncover. And then he sees them. They’re standing together in the corner of the room.

Malleus takes a step forward, and then stops.

“Do they… Can you make them move?”

“Yes, by taking the footage I recorded while at school and running it through one of my AI programs, I can configure the holograms to perform pretty much any action you can imagine. I can also simulate their voices, if you’d like.”

Malleus opens his mouth as if to speak, and then he closes it again. He shakes his head and says, “Ah, no. No, that’s fine. I’m not even sure why I asked, please don’t mind me.” His gaze lingers on the three of them while he talks. He continues staring at that spot long after Ortho shuts his lens off.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. Malleus has a fitting to attend to, and then yet another rehearsal for the coronation. The servants hurry and fuss around him like honeybees on a wildflower as they double-check and then triple-check their measurements. He slowly disappears underneath the long bands of white measuring tape, and Ortho tries his best to stifle his laughter while he watches, looking away guiltily whenever a surreptitious giggle escapes his lips. But Malleus doesn’t pay him any bother; his mind is too focused on other things.

The holograms have been haunting him all morning. He sees them when he looks into the mirror, he feels their presence when he’s alone. They’re always at the corner of his eye, always just out of arm’s reach. As though taunting him. He wonders if they plague him so because of how real they looked. He had seen movies projected onto screens before, and he still remembers the ghastly window projections Lilia would dig out every Halloween. But that footage was always so grainy, so dull and lifeless. The holograms that Ortho had conjured earlier were deceptively vibrant, they had breathed. They were alive. If Malleus had reached out and touched them, he scarcely doubts he’d have felt warm flesh under his hands.

The murmurs of the servants around him pull him from his thoughts, and he is gradually befreed from the prison of safety pins and sewing needles and measuring tape and color swatches. He turns slowly as he hears someone approaching, half dreading it might be another radiant phantom coming to vex him.

“Malleus Draconia, I’ve been detecting a delay in your response speed since this morning, as well as periods of increased heart rate. Is something on your mind?”

Malleus’s shoulders sag in relief. With a sigh, he answers, “Ah, it’s just you, Little Shroud. No, I’m fine. I’ve just been preoccupied with the preparations is all.”

Ortho smiles with all the innocence of a lamb. His barracuda teeth glint portentously. “…Did anyone ever tell you I can detect lies?”

“I am not-“

A chambermaid interrupts to ask if Malleus is ready to start the rehearsal, and he gratefully follows her to the throne room. He hears Ortho walking behind him. He tries to ignore the second set of footsteps he knows isn’t really there.

The cool reprieve of night is accompanied by a sudden rainstorm, and Ortho excuses himself to his room at the first crack of thunder. The blinding marks left behind by the lightning raking its great claws across the sky still terrify him after all these years, and he closes the windows and draws the curtains shut, not wanting to look at those awful flashes of light.

Later, Malleus passes by his room during his usual nighttime stroll, and he again hears Ortho’s excited voice floating through the wooden door. He stands there listening for a few minutes, and then finally knocks on the door. He asks loudly, over the pouring rain, if he might come in, and Ortho shouts back, “Of course!”

When Malleus opens the door, he sees Ortho reclining on his bed, and Idia Shroud sitting in a chair nearby. Malleus groans and closes his eyes, shaking his head. But Idia is still there when he opens his eyes, and he takes a hesitant step back.

“What’s wrong, Malleus Draconia?” Ortho asks wide-eyed, looking between his brother and Malleus. “Is my hologram bothering you again? Here, I’ll turn it off.” The apparition disappears without a sound, and Malleus takes a shuddering breath.

“My apologies, I just wasn’t sure if he was really…” Malleus shakes his head again. “No, it’s fine. What were you doing just now? I thought I heard you talking with someone.”

Ortho sits up and hangs his legs over the bed. “Oh, I was just talking with my big brother.” He watches as Malleus’s usually stern face scrunches up in confusion, and stifles back a laugh.

In his stupefaction, Malleus blurts, “And what were you talking to him about?”

“All sorts of stuff! I was telling him about our breakfast with the queen, and all the cool books we found in the library. Oh! And I’ve been showing him all the pictures and videos I’ve been taking so far.”

Malleus thinks for a moment. “Ah, so when I heard you speaking with someone in your room the other night…”

Ortho nods. “I was just talking to my big brother, yeah.”

“I see,” Malleus breathes out. And then, quietly, he murmurs, “I see… That’s quite surprising.”

“What do you mean?” Ortho asks.

“I suppose I hadn’t expected a robot to be able to be so sentimental, missing your brother and talking to his photo like that.”

“I mean, of course I miss him! But there’s nothing in my programming that makes me feel this way. It comes from my heart, the same as you.”

Malleus blanches. “You have… a heart? The literal organ, you mean?”

“Erm, no.” Ortho winces. “You see I’ve got this magical circuitry onboard and-”

“And there it is again,” Malleus sighs.

“What?”

Malleus crosses his arms. “To me, you have always been a very confusing amalgamation of machinery and human. And I fear I shan’t ever understand exactly what you are.”

During his time at Night Raven College, Malleus had only ever heard fragmentary rumors about the Shroud brothers. The other students would whisper that something terrible had befallen their family in the past, and that Idia had created the little robot in his grief. But neither of the brothers had ever offered to divulge their past to Malleus, and he never asked them to. He kept many things close to his heart, and he respected others who wished to do the same.

“Well,” Ortho says as he folds his hands in his lap. He stares at them for a moment, and after looking back up at Malleus, he continues, “I can try and explain it to you, if you’d like.”

“Only if you don’t mind, I don’t wish to pry.”

Ortho shuffles further down the bed and pats the empty space next to him, and Malleus sits down.

Ortho takes a deep breath, and then begins, “Well, this story starts a really long time ago. There were these two brothers named Idia Shroud and Ortho Shroud, and they always dreamed of going on adventures together…”

Malleus leans over, trying to grasp onto the shaky whispers that spill from his mouth like a confession. He had always thought of Ortho’s voice as bright and animated, like the titter of a goldfinch on a summer morning. But now, for the first time, as he listens to the boy talk, he finds his voice is very small. It’s as though his words have been crushed and shattered, the fine bits and pieces sent adrift like dust in the wind. He notices for the first time, too, just how small Ortho is, he notices the smallness of his hands. Is this not but a child’s body shivering hesitantly beside his? Is this not but a child’s tiny hand gripping nervously onto his own? For him to be carrying such an endless ocean of sorrow inside of him, how has he not drowned from its tremendous weight already? How has the earth not opened up and swallowed him whole, trapping him inside the same deep, dark pit that Malleus has been staring up from for centuries now?

The story comes together slowly, dripping like water, steadily taking shape like some great crystalline structure in a cavern long forgotten by time. And at long last, the pure light of revelation dawns before Malleus’s eyes. With a gasp, he tells the boy he understands now. Yes, that secret truth that has stood unnoticed before him for half a millennium, that has always slipped by him unheard, like a distant cry swallowed by the winds - now he sees it, now he hears it. Now he finally understands.

Exhausted, Ortho closes his eyes and sinks into the bed.

Malleus reaches out and cups Ortho’s cheek in his hand. A dim warmth emanates from the synthetic skin. As he sits there in the cold darkness, he wonders and wonders just what haunts the boy in his electric dreams.

The rainstorm fades away into the black night as quickly as it had appeared. The next morning, the sun rises sluggishly, as though weighed down by the lingering dampness that hangs heavy in the air. The dawn chorus, as well, lacks its usual fervor, and only the intermittent cries of a distant blackbird accompany the horizon’s slow transition from black to red to blue.

If Ortho had been at all bothered by their conversation last night, he does not show it. He greets Malleus cheerfully when they sit down for breakfast, and they discuss only the drab weather and what plans they have for the day. When Ortho asks if he might accompany Malleus on his morning rounds, he readily agrees.

First on Malleus’s agenda is a violin recital. Sometimes he will perform for his grandmother, and he used to enjoy showing off a piece or two for Lilia, but as of late he’s been playing for only himself. The usual forlornness of the music room is somewhat stifled now that he has Ortho with him, and he searches for a chair the boy can use. Ortho watches him, shifting speculatively from one foot to another.

After Malleus locates a second chair and goes to take his seat before the music stand, Ortho timidly asks, “Remember when we were talking yesterday after your fitting, and that maid came and interrupted us?”

“…Yes?” Malleus replies, pausing as he picks up his violin case.

“Well, I still want to know if you’re doing okay. I keep detecting irregularities in your adrenaline and cortisol levels.”

“I assure you, I’m quite fine.” Malleus puts on his best smile as he unlocks the case and takes out his instrument. The smooth blend of maple and spruce feels reassuring in his hands, and he sets his jaw as he begins his tuning. “Now hush for a moment, please. I need to focus.” Ortho acquiesces, and he dutifully goes to sit in the corner of the room. The violin’s mournful voice somehow dissolves the tension that had been sitting uncomfortably in Ortho’s body since that morning, and as Malleus decisively strikes his bow across the pearl white strings for the final, piercing note, a firm resolve solidifies in its place.

Next is a morning meeting with the royal council, and Ortho resumes his endeavors while they walk to the council chamber. He breaks into a trot to keep up with Malleus’s long strides.

“Talking things out can help you feel better, you know!” Ortho implores.

“And that would be lovely,” Malleus huffs through gritted teeth, “- if only I needed to feel better!”

The servants passing by wonder to themselves if the boy is purely brazen, or if he’s just ignorant. They watch as the black column of their prince stalks faster and faster down the hallway, unable to shake off the white and blue speck following him.

The council meeting provides a short reprieve from Ortho’s questioning, and Malleus listens eagerly as the advisors, merchants, secretaries, and other council members take turns giving their rambling reports. The meetings were one of Malleus’s greatest delights; he was always eager to hear how things were going outside the castle, and the merchants would often bring back fascinating stories of what they’d seen during their travels. Most of the members pay no heed to the small boy sitting quietly next to the prince, but Ortho catches some of them glancing his way. Their blue and green and yellow eyes remind him of cat’s eyes marbles, and he admires how they catch the light. He ducks his head whenever they notice him staring.

Malleus’s excitement quickly disperses together with the conclusion of the meeting, and Ortho, in turn, swells up again with curiosity. The other council members file out of the room first, some of them still quibbling and grumbling over the issues they’d been discussing, and Malleus and Ortho bring up the rear. Ortho tugs on Malleus’s sleeve after they pour into the hallway.

“Are you-”

“I’m fine!”

For the rest of the morning, Ortho clings to him like a shadow, his perturbations hanging over Malleus’s head like circling buzzards. No matter how many times Malleus shoos him away, no matter how fiercely he glares, no matter how much venom he tries to inject into his refutations, the boy simply flutters back to his side moments later, as unbothered as a dandelion on the wind. Even teleporting to another part of the castle proves fruitless – Ortho’s location systems keep tracking him down within a matter of minutes.

Finally, around noon, Ortho corners him in Malleus’s study. He asks once more, “Are you sure there isn’t anything bothering you?”

Malleus sets down the book he’d been hiding behind and sighs. “You really aren’t going to let up until I talk to you, I suppose?”

“Nope!” Ortho grins.

“You’re truly vexing, you know that?” Malleus replies, a tired smile pulling at his lips. He gestures to a nearby chair, and Ortho sits down.

“Very well then. If you must know, it’s because of those…” He waves a hand in the air as he searches for the word. “Those holograms you showed me yesterday. I can’t stop thinking about them, for whatever reason. I don’t know if it’s just because I haven’t seen photos of them for so long or…”

“Them?”

It takes Malleus a moment to coax the names out of his mouth. “…Lilia, Silver, and Sebek.”

Ortho nods his head. “Oh, yeah. I remember you were really close to them.”

“Yes, they were like family to me…” Malleus murmurs, trailing off in thought. He licks his lips and asks, “…Does it not… Does it not make you sad, seeing your brother’s picture? And talking to him as you do?”

Ortho shakes his head. “It’s perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable when looking at pictures of your deceased loved ones. I just happen to be one of those people who doesn’t. And when I talk to my big brother, it helps me feel close to him. Everyone processes grief in different ways, after all.”

“Grief?” Malleus scoffs. “It’s been ages since they passed. Why would I still be grieving? It’s not like I hole myself in my room all the time, sulking about.”

“That’s not…” Ortho frowns. “Grief isn’t always loud and in your face. Sometimes… Sometimes it can be really quiet.”

“Mm,” Malleus sighs. He was familiar with that sort of quiet grief, the kind that would strike him faster than a cottonmouth, usually on still mornings or hushed nights, when his loneliness was at its most palpable. It always felt like an ambush, the way it would suddenly materialize in his heart like a rainstorm on a clear day. It was not like the burning, bone deep sorrow that had gripped his body after Lilia left, and neither was it suffocating, like how he’d felt at Silver and Sebek’s funerals. But it hurt him just the same.

“And how exactly does talking with his pict- his hologram make you feel better?” Malleus asks, genuinely curious.

“So my big brother and I had always wanted to travel the world together- Well, more like I wanted to get him out of his room, for once.” Ortho laughs, and Malleus smirks.

“But anyways, we never ended up being able to travel much since he was stuck dealing with Styx stuff most of the time. That’s why I like to talk to him and tell him about the places I go to, and the things I see. I know it doesn’t make up for the memories we never got to make together, but that hologram kind of helps me process all the stuff I regret not being able to do with him.”

“I see.”

Ortho takes his lower lip into his mouth and nibbles it pensively. “Is there anything you regret not being able to do with Lilia Vanrouge and the others?”

Malleus nods gravely. “Of course, for I never got to… Lilia was already gone by the time Silver and I arrived at his farewell party, and that has always weighed heavily on my mind. I know there’s nothing I can do about that now, but… I still would’ve liked to have at least spent one last night together with everyone.”

Malleus opens his mouth to continue speaking, and then closes it again. Ortho waits patiently, watching as Malleus furrows his brows in thought.

Finally, Malleus continues, “…I wished desperately, perhaps more so than anyone else at Night Raven College, to have the kinds of school experiences I’d always read about. I wished to have study sessions with my classmates, to go visit my friends and stay up late talking with them, to go to parties and other social gatherings… And yet, when I finally received the party invitation I’d always longed for, I didn’t even go. I still marvel at my foolishness to this day.” He finishes with a shake of his head.

Ortho crosses his arms and closes his eyes. “Hmm… I might be able to assist you with that. Could we reserve the castle’s ballroom tonight?”

Malleus blinks. “That shouldn’t be a problem… But why?”

“You’ll see!”

Later that night, after Ortho explains his plan, he instructs Malleus to go put on his old house warden uniform. It’s been ages since he last wore it, and the fabric feels alien to him. He tugs at his collar and fiddles with his gloves and fingers the lining of his coat, as restless as a snake eager to shed its skin. Even standing before the mirror, it feels like he’s looking at someone else, like the pale, awkward face staring back at him belongs to some unfortunate stranger. He clicks his tongue and turns to make his way to the ballroom. Ortho greets him when he passes through the towering doors.

“Now, it consumes a lot of battery power for me to run so much footage through this specific AI program all at once. I’ll probably be able to display the holograms for about two hours before I’ll need to stop. Okay?”

“Yes, that’s alright. I don’t imagine this will go on for very long, anyways.”

Ortho glides up to the gallery on the second floor, and he turns to face the dance floor. The plates in his chest once again unfurl to reveal the lens of his built-in projector, and in the blink of an eye, the ballroom is filled with the glimmering holograms of their old Night Raven College classmates.

“Is everything okay? May I start the music?” Ortho shouts from the gallery.

Malleus stills his nerves with a deep breath. “Go ahead!” he calls out, and the ballroom’s speakers start thrumming a moment later. At once, all the holograms turn and look up at him expectantly. Even from where he’s standing atop the stairs, he can easily pick out Silver, Sebek, and Lilia’s white faces peering at him from the crowd. Silver steps forward and offers his hand. Malleus rushes down the stairs and takes it.

The first few steps are awkward and offbeat. Again and again, Malleus moves his hands or feet too close to the hologram’s body, and his limbs pierce through the projected light like a clumsy blade. He winces, both at his inability to perform a simple waltz, and at the sight of his fingers halfway embedded in Silver’s waist. Eventually, Malleus figures out that if he counts the steps, it’s easier for him to move while hovering his hands just above Silver’s body. One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three. Their steps finally line up with the beat, and they glide across the dance floor with confidence and surety.

For the first time that night, Malleus smiles, and Silver smiles back. How he ached to pluck that smile off the boy’s face and safekeep it in his pocket forever! Alas, all he can do is drop one arm and raise the other, signaling Silver to turn. He watches silently as Silver twirls beneath him, and their hands rejoin at the next step. After a few minutes, the music swells – it’s time for the swap.

Silver swings away and takes his father’s outstretched hand, while Sebek separates from Epel to come join Malleus. Malleus almost wants to turn around, to just stop right there and simply watch Silver and Lilia dance, but Sebek’s brilliant smile captivates him like nothing else. They move quickly, with Malleus leading the way, and Sebek forceful and heavy in his movements. Where Silver was reserved, Sebek is thunderous, and Malleus laughs as they whirl and race across the dance floor. When the music finally swells again, Sebek hands off Malleus to Lilia with a bow.

Malleus again fumbles for a few moments, having to adjust to Lilia’s much shorter height. He curses as his one hand shoots right through Lilia’s face and the other cuts through his shoulder. After a couple of hesitant steps, he at last finds his rhythm once more, and they move leisurely to the steady thrum of the music.

Like a pair of jubilant cranes declaring their great love, like the push and pull of the moon and the ocean’s tides, they take turns leading and following one another. The throng of students parts before them, clearing a path for the two to drift down. As the song races on, more and more couples stop to watch them, and soon it’s just Malleus and Lilia floating across the dance floor. Malleus can feel their eyes boring into him, but he doesn’t care. He has been bewitched. He grows more and more drunk on every turn, every dip, every carefully placed step and dizzying revolution. The floor disappears underneath him; the ballroom fades away. There is only him and Lilia and the music. Rapture’s final trumpet could’ve sounded in that moment and he wouldn’t have noticed.

As the last, winsome notes of the song gradually fade away, Lilia reaches up and ruffles Malleus’s head, and Malleus closes his eyes. For nearly five hundred long years he has lived trapped underneath the immovable weight of his sorrow. He has beaten his fists against it and kicked it and raked his claws down its sides, he has wailed and screamed and roared until his voice grew hoarse, he has cursed Heaven and Hell and begged for salvation from both, but he was never able to get it to even budge. The past few days, he finally felt it starting to shift. And just now, when that small hand he so desperately yearned to feel the touch of had reached out to him, it nearly disintegrated on the spot.

Finally, the song ends, the air stills, the spell is broken. Malleus opens his eyes, and the world reforms before him. He raises his hand and rubs his head where Lilia had touched him. He had almost felt it, almost felt those familiar, thin fingers running through his hair. Maybe if they just start the song over and go through the dance again, he’ll feel it next time.

“Little Shroud!” Malleus cries. “Please! Do it once more!”

“Okay!” Ortho yells from above, and the song begins again. The holograms disappear for a moment, and then reappear in their starting positions a second later. Malleus retreats to the top of the staircase. Then he turns around and takes Silver’s hand.

This time, there is no awkwardness, no clumsy missteps or fumbling movements. Malleus and Silver spin with all the grace of a courting swan, he and Sebek whirl as determined as a maelstrom. When Sebek releases him into Lilia’s arms, he handles the transition with ease, his hands finding their correct positions all on their own.

Yes, this time, when Lilia goes to pat his head, there is the slightest hint of the cool fabric of Lilia’s gloves ghosting over his skin. And as Lilia pulls his hand away, a scent not unlike one Malleus has smelled a thousand times before washes over him – it’s sharp like iron, and musky and sweet like jessamine. He’d always thought it fitting that Lilia smelled that way. The canary yellow bells that adorn jessamine vines were often mistaken for honeysuckle, and many a thirsty child had fallen paralyzed to the forest floor after drinking its sugary nectar. Its sweet smell was both a warning and a temptation, and Malleus found it purely intoxicating. He breathes in the air greedily.

Oh, if they could just try again! Surely, he’ll feel that hand’s tender caress next time!

“Little Shroud!”

Ortho restarts the music and resets the holograms again. And again and again, for hours on end. As the night marches on and the firefly lights of the stars begin to dot the sky, Ortho ignores the high-pitched beeping of his low battery alert.

It takes a few minutes for Malleus to realize the holograms have vanished. He’d been keeping his eyes squeezed tightly shut as he twirled Silver around the dance floor. When he finally opens his eyes, ready to take Sebek’s hand next, he sees only the dark, empty ballroom.

“Little Shroud!” he calls out, and then louder, when he doesn’t get a response, “Ortho!”

He teleports up to the gallery and finds the boy sprawled out on the floor, his eyes closed. He goes to check for a pulse, chiding himself once he realizes his simpleminded error. He flips Ortho onto his stomach and searches for the battery indicator light the boy had mentioned before, and he sees it blinking an angry red.

Malleus lets out the breath he’d been holding with a hiss, and he gathers Ortho into his arms. He staggers as he rises from the ground, the boy’s small frame proving much heavier than it belies.

He takes Ortho back to the guest room and deposits him on the bed. He fumbles as he hooks up the charging cable to the port on the boy’s back. Nothing happens at first, and Malleus worries that he’s done something wrong, but then a voice sounds out, “Time Until Full Charge: 3 hours and 42 minutes”, and a faint, green light begins to glow near the battery port. Ortho’s eyes open a moment later.

Malleus peers over him as he asks, “Little Shroud, are you alright? Can you hear my voice?”

“Malleus… Draconia…?” Ortho blinks a few times, and then sits up. “…Yes, all my systems are operational. According to my memory dump files, it appears I crashed due to a critically low battery. I’ll be good to go as long as I fully charge my battery tonight.”

“Ah, thank goodness…” Malleus exhales, relieved. “I do apologize, I was so absorbed in my own whims I lost track of time. I shouldn’t have put you in danger like that.”

Ortho looks away. “It’s okay... and I’m sorry, too.”

“For what?” Malleus asks, confused.

“I was trying to give you one last night together with everyone, but I went and ruined the whole thing…”

“You didn’t ruin anything!” Malleus exclaims, and then he clears his throat. Quietly, he continues, “You didn’t ruin anything. You gave me something I wasn’t aware my heart desperately needed. And I thank you sincerely for it.”

“Mm,” Ortho mumbles, only half listening. He blinks rapidly and looks around the room - at the door, at the bookcase, at the bedside table. Everywhere except at Malleus.

Malleus frowns. “Is something the matter?”

“I guess I just… I don’t know.” Ortho lets out a shaky sigh. “When I saw you dancing with those holograms, you looked so happy. And that made me really happy, too. But then I started thinking, you’re my last friend from NRC, right? One day, you’re going to be just another hologram to me, same as everybody else...” He brings his knees to his chest and wraps his arms around his legs. It reminds Malleus of how Silver and Sebek would look when they got upset as children, and a feeling he can’t find the name for begins prickling in his chest.

Perhaps encouraged, perhaps despaired, Ortho’s words pour out faster and faster. “I never asked my big brother to make me, but he did. And then he just up and left me behind. Everybody does. And there’s nothing I can do about it…”

His voice shrinks to a whisper. “…I guess I just don’t like that I never got any say in the matter.”

Ortho clears his throat, and then a heavy sob wracks his small body. The tears he’d been fighting so hard to hold back finally burst free and rush down his scrunched-up face. Malleus desperately wants to look away, but the moonlight reflecting off the boy’s tears paralyzes him.

He thinks back on all the times in his life when he had failed to comfort someone. He still remembers the night of Lilia’s departure with perfect clarity, he remembers the pure white of the snowflakes that fell on Silver’s face, how they mixed with the iridescent tears that spilled from his eyes, and how they melted from the warmth of his quiet sorrow. And he remembers the hard line of Sebek’s shoulder trembling under his hand at Silver’s funeral, he remembers how small the huge man had looked, crumpled over, folded in on himself, crushed under the immense weight of his endless grief.

And now he stands before this child who has wrenched back the heavy curtains of his heart and led him into the blinding light of the world for the first time in nearly half a millennium. At times, he viciously fought back against the small hand that guided him, refusing the open pastures before him like some forgotten creature long left to rot within the darkness of its cage. And at times, he was only eager to follow its gentle coaxing, desperate for even the slightest bit of reassurance that he really could escape the pit of his sorrows and the ground wouldn’t swallow him whole again.

Is there truly nothing he can do, nothing he can say to soothe the poor boy’s heart? Must he once again be rendered dumbfounded and dazed by those silent tears?

He decides this time will be different - it must be.

He sits down on the bed next to Ortho and takes some time to gather his words. After a couple seconds, he utters, “I see. Yes, I can certainly understand how you feel.”

“While I cannot say I agree with what your older brother did, I will say this...”

“When Lilia announced he was going to be raising a human child, I thought he had finally, truly lost his mind. I eventually figured out why he must’ve seen no problem with it, since he would far outlive the boy - he’d have his hands full for a couple of decades at most, and then be free to continue living his life as he pleased. I’m sure you can imagine what a shock it was when he ended up passing so much earlier than Silver did.”

“It wasn’t until I got older that I realized I had it all wrong. He must’ve known very well that he was going to die before Silver, and that’s precisely why he decided to take him in. For he knew that he couldn’t… He knew that he wasn’t strong enough to live in a world that had taken his heart away from him.”

“But he must’ve felt that I was strong enough, and that I can do what he could not. I suppose older generations always have such hopes for those who come after them.”

Ortho finally looks at him. He wipes the wet mess from his face and takes a deep breath. “Maybe my big brother felt the same way, that I’m strong enough…”

“Perhaps he did. I certainly think you are, at least.”

“…Thank you.”

Malleus stays with Ortho until his battery finishes charging. Ortho is due to return home the next morning, and they talk about all the things they saw and did together on his much too short visit. And then they talk about everything and nothing, about their memories from their time at school, about all the different people and things they missed, about all their budding hopes for the future. And finally, enveloped in the twilight darkness of that small room, they promise to always keep in touch.

They fall asleep to the sound of the cardinals heralding the dawn.

VI.

Malleus squints as walks with Ortho into the soft light of the courtyard. They stand still for a while, just listening to the gentle hum of the windchimes. The foul weather from the day prior has vanished, and the sun’s golden rays stretch triumphantly overhead. Ortho remarks that it somehow feels like it was both forever ago and only just a couple seconds ago since they last stood there, and Malleus quietly agrees.

He turns to Ortho and places his hand on the boy’s shoulder. It’s time for him to go home.

“And I will see you at the coronation?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

“And you will let me know when you’ve made it back safely?”

“Yup, I’ll email you soon as I get back to the island. And then we can schedule a time to play some online chess together!”

Malleus smiles, and Ortho beams up at him in return. “Good. Take care, Little Shroud.”

“You, too, Malleus Draconia.”

As he watches the lights from Ortho’s propulsion system dissolve into the amber sea of the early morning sky, Malleus strokes his thumb across the packet of rose seeds in his pocket.

#malleus draconia #ortho shroud #twst silver #lilia vanrouge #sebek zigvolt #twisted wonderland #twst #txt

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