“Ugh.”

“...”

The impact of being thrown lightly onto the bed brought a sharp sting to my shoulder. To make matters worse, the bed was too small for my body, causing the wooden frame to dig into my wrist every time I stretched out.

But I barely had time to feel that discomfort before the shadows of two women loomed over me. Naturally, it was the princess who acted first.

“...Alpheus .”

“Your Highness.”

“You’re... mine.”

Through her blurred gaze, my face was reflected. Her warm breath grazed the tip of my nose, making my own vision grow slightly hazy.

Was it because of the alcohol? The scent alone made my head feel like it was melting, to the point where I wondered if I was being enchanted by something.

Yet before I could fully think about it, the princess pressed her lips against mine.

“Mmph...”

“Hmph...”

At the same time, her hand grabbed me below. The sudden sensation shocked me into clarity, and I instinctively pushed her away.

“Your Highness.”

“Why? After all this time...”

Of course, my resistance was weak, so it hardly had any effect. Adding to that, my body wasn’t moving properly for some reason, making it hard to respond effectively. If the princess truly desired it, she could reach the deepest parts of me.

But Mirian wasn’t the type to let that happen so easily.

“Step aside, Princess.”

“...”

“Alpheus said no, didn’t he?”

With a serene voice, she pulled the princess away and gently turned my face toward hers by holding my chin. Locking eyes with me for a moment, she leaned in to steal another kiss.

Unlike before, this kiss was exceedingly gentle. The soft pressure of her lips carried a sweet fragrance, and her tongue naturally intertwined with mine. As I savored the sensation, my body relaxed, and the kiss lingered longer than I anticipated.

But soon, a jealous hand slipped inside my pants. When I opened my eyes, I saw the princess leaning against one of my arms, exploring intimate areas with a daring grin.

“You don’t seem to like kissing. Then, how about this?”

“...Ugh.”

“Haha. You’re honest down here.”

Her soft laughter tickled my ears. Simultaneously, her fingers trailed gently, sending blood rushing to the area she touched. With Mirian’s damp kisses adding to the mix, I felt like I might spill over with pent-up desire at any moment.

The princess seemed to notice this, her laughter turning into a sly smile. Then, she grabbed my hand and guided it under her undergarments.

“It’s a bit unfair if only I get to touch, don’t you think?”

“...”

“So... I’ll let you.

”

Her tone wavered slightly, as if she were hesitant, yet her movements were anything but. Soon, her full, tender chest filled my palm, and an electrifying sensation coursed through me.

It was hot. Damp, even. When I tried to pull my hand away, the vivid sensation of her chest only became clearer. Being a man, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming urge to explore freely.

And Mirian’s kiss did nothing to suppress that desire. Instead, she deepened it, her tongue probing further as if to encourage me.

“Haa... Haa...”

“Mmph...”

“Haa... Yes...”

As she moaned softly, she guided my other hand toward her leg. When my fingers twitched hesitantly, she pressed them between her thighs

Her boldness surprised me. Perhaps noticing my thoughts, Mirian broke the kiss and whispered,

“Are you surprised?”

“Just a little.”

“I thought you deserved a little reward.”

Her intense gaze drew me in, and before I knew it, she stole my breath again. The sensual torment clouded my mind, and against my will, my fingers moved deeper.

Eventually, they reached her most intimate and secret place. When I brushed against it, Mirian shuddered, her thighs tightening around my hand.

The reaction carried a mix of excitement and shyness, like that of a young bride on her wedding night, nervous yet eager. Her flushed cheeks told the story, a deep red that hinted at her feelings.

When I brushed her sweat-dampened hair aside, her gaze sparkled with affection.

“Haa... Alpheus...”

“...Mmph.”

“Alpheus... Haa...”

“Haa... Mm...”

Their hands roamed my body endlessly, and soft moans escaped despite their attempts to stifle them. Between two women who looked so similar, I tasted a forbidden fruit I should never have touched—the princess of a kingdom and its queen, simultaneously.

Left and right, no matter where I turned, the scene before me was devastatingly alluring. It felt like I had returned to the labyrinth where I had fought dozens of succubi.

But no matter how overwhelming the situation, my attention naturally gravitated toward one side. That imbalance reflected in my actions, as I began leaning toward Mirian.

“Haa... Haa...”

“...Mmm.”

“Aah... Alpheus...”

The princess tried to pull me back toward her, tugging weakly. But her strength faded with each moment, her grip loosening until she finally released me, collapsing onto the bed.

With that motion, I toppled over Mirian, leaning down above her.

“Ah.”

“...Ah.”

As our eyes met, the tension in our ragged breaths collided in the air. In the depth of this heated night, our gazes lingered on each other, heavy and unyielding.

“Will you take me?”

“Who knows.”

“Hmm...”

When I gave an ambiguous answer to her straightforward question, Mirian curled her lips into a relaxed smile, as always. She then spoke in a low, steady voice.

“Whatever you decide to do, you should hurry.”

“...”

“The night is shorter than you think.”

It was practically an invitation. As if to prove it, her disheveled dress revealed her pale chest, partially exposed. Yet, contrasting with that bold display, her legs were drawn up slightly, as though she were nervous.

Just as my body betrayed my true intentions, in a way, so did hers.

“...Is that so.”

“...”

“If you say so, then...”

I gently gripped her shoulder and hooked a finger around the strap of her dress. The sharp intake of my breath spread tension through the air, and Mirian momentarily held hers. Then she closed her eyes, her trembling eyelids subtly mirroring the quivering of her legs.

“Haa...”

“...Ugh.”

When I leaned down toward her, Mirian shut her eyes tightly. Her reaction, so much like that of an innocent girl, only fanned the flames of my desire.

But instead of kissing her lips, I pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Then, I carefully pulled her fallen strap back up, straightening her attire.

“...Ah?”

“Mirian.”

Her surprised response was understandable. As her lips parted in shock, I brushed my fingers against them gently and spoke sincerely.

“I want our first night together to be just the two of us.”

“...”

“If I am to have you, it will be that way.”

For a moment, Mirian stared at me, her expression startled—an emotion I never expected to see on her face. Her surprise left me briefly at a loss for words.

But it lasted only a moment. She quickly regained her composure, her usual cool demeanor returning as she smirked faintly.

“You’re unexpectedly a romantic, Alpheus .”

“I simply want all of you, truly.”

“That’s disappointing. I didn’t intend to stop here, you know.”

“Is that so.”

“Still, I’ve bought enough time. That’s enough.”

Her cryptic remark made me frown slightly, but she remained calm as she continued speaking.

“I’m sorry.”

“...”

“But brace yourself.”

At her words, a sense of foreboding crept over me. As I turned my head, heavy footsteps echoed beyond the door, drawing closer.

Before I could react, the door swung open without a knock. There was only one person in this kingdom who could barge into the princess’s chambers so brazenly.

The light from the corridor revealed the figure of the king.

Caught in the middle of a compromising situation, I offered a small greeting.

“Your Majesty.”

“...”

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his eyes scanned the disarrayed room before he called out each of our names in turn.

“Alpheus.”

“...”

“Princess.”

“...”

“...Mirian.”

After resting his gaze on the last person, the king’s lips curled into a subtle smirk. For a scene so shocking, his reaction betrayed little more than mild amusement.

“I went to your room, Alpheus, intending to discuss today’s matters, but you weren’t there. While searching for you, a maid informed me you might be here.”

“...”

“I hesitated at the door, thinking I might interrupt, but then I heard voices. Not just two, but three voices, which was more concerning.”

“...”

“And so, I entered without knocking. I apologize for the intrusion, my dear.”

Following his words, I glanced at the princess, who had regained consciousness. She looked utterly flustered and embarrassed, yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away from us, still huddled close together.

“Haha... this is quite the situation.”

“...”

“Would you care to explain?”

His weary words echoed through the room. Even in this predicament, his tone carried a hint of sympathy, as though he still hoped for an explanation.

But my gaze remained fixed on Mirian. Her earlier words resurfaced in my mind.

If you want me, then dance.

Though her meaning was clear, her words weren’t wrong. In some way, I had been far too hesitant until now.

If I truly wanted to claim the queen of a kingdom, I needed to act boldly, even if it meant throwing the entire kingdom into chaos.

Hesitation was a poison I could no longer afford.

“Alpheus...”

“Your Majesty.”

Realizing this, I stepped forward before the king could speak further. Locking eyes with him, I spoke without faltering.

“I formally challenge you to a duel.”

“...”

“If I win, I will claim everything that is yours. And...”

At the last moment, I let my words hang. Yet there was no altering their meaning.

“...Mirian will be mine.”

“Hah...”

The king let out a deep sigh. For a fleeting moment, I thought he might explode in anger.

But instead, he burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahahaha...”

“...”

“Hahahahahahaha!”

For a long while, he laughed uncontrollably, while I maintained a firm expression, meeting his gaze unwaveringly.

“Hahahahaha...”

“...”

“Hah... Phew... Very well, hero.”

“...”

“In truth, this is what I was hoping for.”

His demeanor shifted as he regarded me with a serious expression. His lingering smile carried a hint of gravity as he spoke in a commanding voice.

“Tomorrow, we shall settle this.”