Chapter 1: The Beginning of Everything
"Are you awake? It's rare for a mere human to survive after being hit by the evil of the world," the black-haired girl remarked.
She had a pretty face, cold demeanor, aristocratic dress, and petite stature. What made her eye-catching were her enchanting crimson eyes. Despite her petite stature, her presence alone was enough to tower over the two knights who escorted her, as she playfully stared at the red-haired boy that she whimsically saved when she realized his potential despite his weakness.
Just as she had mentioned, she became aware of the boy's potential when she noticed that he was still alive despite being surrounded by the great fire surrounding him. If he were a magician or a powerful bodybuilder, or any other creature that could resist nature itself, she wouldn't have paid as much attention. But no, this boy was just a weak human, yet he was alive despite being hit by the black mud of the Holy Grail. This intrigued her enough to save him.
Realizing that this was not his room or a place he was familiar with, the boy asked the pretty girl before him, "Where am I?"
"Silence, kid. You are in the presence of the Eclipse Princess," one of the knights who escorted the Eclipse Princess replied, glaring menacingly at the teenage boy for being so casual in front of the princess. He should address her with respect, not ask casual questions like that.
"Don't be harsh on him, Strout. You should treat the pretty boy better," the other knight beside the princess chuckled, trying to lighten up the otherwise tense atmosphere and flirted.
"He is the princess's prey, not yours, Svelten. Remember your position," Strout reminded.
"Boring..." Svelten yawned.
"I will take my leave first then. Farewell."
Thus, with that, Svelten left the chamber as Strout looked at the Eclipse Princess and asked her regarding this. However, she just shook her head, indicating she was fine with it, and blinked at Strout, signaling him to leave along with Svelten as she wanted to talk with the boy eye-to-eye.
Strout bowed his head in acknowledgment and left, leaving the red-haired boy and the Eclipse Princess alone in the chamber.
"So, boy, do you remember the last thing that you did that made you end up in my place?" Eclipse Princess didn't answer the boy's question; instead, she asked him back, letting him think for himself why he ended up in this position.
"The fire... They..." He couldn't help but have a great headache and looked at the girl blankly. He didn't remember much of his past; he only remembered his hometown being consumed by fire and only him being alive. As for his parents, family, or neighbors, he didn't remember much and clutched his head in pain.
Aware that the boy really didn't remember anything, she didn't urge him to speak further and sighed.
"How about you live here temporarily first?" she asked sweetly.
Unaware of the girl's ruthless and merciless reputation in the outside world, the boy nodded.
"Good boy," the girl smirked as she stroked his red hair. "How about I adopt you as my son?"
Her eyes were full of anticipation as she stared at the boy. Even the boy himself would find it difficult to refuse because of the expectations the princess had given him. Before he could answer, a blue screen suddenly appeared in front of him.
[Congratulations, player, you have unlocked Eclipse Princess's route in the game.]
[1. Accept her offer (Eclipse Princess's route)]
· Altrouge Brunestud +20 trust
· Altrouge Brunestud +20 affection
· Gained training and knowledge from Eclipse Princess herself.
[2. Refuse, and you will see the consequences of refusing the Eclipse Princess's offer (Rita Rozay-en's route)]
· Altrouge Brunestud -50 affection.
· Ended up as Rita Rozay-en's experiment and lab rat, but gained mystic eyes in process.
[3. Refuse, but don't state explicitly, allowing you to think first (Alaya's route)]
· Altrouge Brunestud -20 affection.
· Gaia -50 affection.
· Alaya +20 affection.
· Gained Counter Guardian status.
Looking at the second and third choices, the boy didn't show any expression for fear that his expression would be caught by the girl in front of him.
It seems the adoption isn't as simple, and the princess in front of him is not as sweet as she looks.
The blatant warning in the second choice regarding refusal already showed that the consequences were not pretty.
And now he got to choose between cozying up to Eclipse Princess, becoming a guinea pig for some other chick, or becoming a cosmic janitor.
Tough choices, huh?
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