Aria didn’t like being summoned.

It reminded her too much of her previous life—where men in suits summoned her for betrayal, and women in heels summoned her to die.

So when Crown Prince Kael’s invitation arrived—delivered by a trembling steward who clearly thought she might bite—she smiled.

Then burned the envelope.

Royal Invitation Destroyed: +2 Disrespect, +1 Satisfaction

New Title: “She Who RSVP’d With Fire”

Of course, she still went.

Because curiosity was stronger than pride.

And because Kael had written three very important words at the bottom of the letter:

“We need to talk.”

The palace gardens were overdone—roses the size of fists, peacocks that looked too judgmental, and a fountain shaped like a weeping angel vomiting water.

Prince Kael was waiting beneath a marble gazebo, lounging like a man who'd never been punched. Yet.

He held a porcelain teacup like it offended him.

“Lady Aria,” he said as she approached. “You look...”

“Like someone you tried to bury last week?” Aria offered.

Kael’s lips quirked. “Exactly that.”

She sat across from him.

Neither of them touched the tea.

“Let me guess,” Aria said. “You’ve discovered I’m more trouble alive than dead?”

“I’ve discovered,” Kael said slowly, “that you’ve recently acquired a system.”

Aria’s fingers froze.

He took a sip from his cup. Smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. I have one too.”

System Alert: External System Signature Detected

Name: [Crown Protocol]

Type: Monarch-Class Strategic AI

Threat Level: High

Advice: Flirt, Distract, Then Destroy (Optional Order)

“So,” Aria said, eyes narrowing. “You’re a system user too.”

“Please. I prefer ‘cohabitating with aggressive software.’”

She leaned forward. “And what does yours do?”

Kael sipped again. “Tells me who’s a threat. Helps me neutralize them.”

“That’s cute,” Aria said sweetly. “Mine tells me how to ruin people creatively.”

Kael’s eyes sparkled. “That’s hot.”

They stared at each other for a long moment—both calculating, both amused.

Enemies.

Allies.

Undecided.

“You’re not here to arrest me,” Aria said. “So what do you want?”

Kael set down his cup. “A pact.”

“Between two unstable system users with matching trauma and excellent cheekbones?” she asked. “Sounds dangerous.”

“It is,” Kael said. “That’s why it might work.”

New Quest Offered: Pact of Shadows

Objective: Form temporary alliance with Prince Kael

Risk: Betrayal

Reward: Access to Royal Intel + Shared System Intel

Bonus: Increased sexual tension (irrelevant to strategy, but nice)

Aria considered it.

She could fake trust. She could fake loyalty.

But ambition? That wasn’t fake. And Kael reeked of it.

She extended her hand.

“Fine. Pact accepted. But if you try to kill me again—”

“I’ll do it better next time,” Kael said smoothly.

Aria grinned. “See? We’re already being honest.”

Just as they sealed the deal with a touch, Aria’s system pinged again.

Warning: Poison Detected in Tea

Source: The tray. Not Kael.

Estimated Time to Death: 11 minutes if consumed

Countermeasure: Dramatic Spitting or Casual Table Flip

She stood up, picked up Kael’s teacup, and calmly poured it onto the nearest peacock.

It screamed.

Kael blinked. “...Was that necessary?”

“No,” Aria said. “But it felt amazing.”

Chapter 7: The Witch, the Whispers, and the War Council