Bound sovereign: Reincarnated with the lust system

The chamber had grown quiet again, the mana hum a slow, steady pulse. Eran's smirk was still there, a quiet victory he didn't bother to hide. Miyu stayed rigid in her circle, breathing slow and sharp through her nose, fighting the heat that refused to leave her face.

Then...

Click. Click.

The soft sound of heels against the stone floor cut through the quiet.

The door slid open.

Selene stepped in.

Her presence filled the chamber like a cold wind, sharp yet somehow warm at the same time. The faint frost of her mana curled at the edges of the room, clashing with the chamber's verdant glow until the air itself seemed to tighten.

Eran's gaze lifted to her instantly.

For a moment — just a moment, their eyes locked.

Her emerald gaze caught his, cool and unblinking, but there was heat in it, the kind that burned slow beneath the ice.

Selene's steps were measured, quiet, each one carrying the weight of someone who had no need to announce herself. She stopped just far enough for the chill to brush against his skin, standing with that same untouchable poise that made even other nobles go silent.

"You're awake," she said finally, voice soft, almost relieved, though her tone carried the usual distance of her pride.

Eran didn't look away.

"I am," he said, his voice low, calm, that lazy smile never leaving. "You seem worried."

Her eyes narrowed, just slightly.. the faintest crack in her perfect composure. "Not worried," she replied coolly. "Just making sure you're still awake."

He chuckled softly under his breath, tilting his head. "And you have a habit of showing up right when it gets interesting."

For a second, the air between them felt charged, not cold, not warm, but alive.

Miyu shifted where she stood, her lips pressing into a thin line as she watched the exchange in silence.

Eran eyes never wavered and this time, he didn't bother hiding the smirk.

She held her composure perfectly, at least, that's what Miyu and Nyssa would see. That same distant poise, the kind that demanded respect and said nothing of what she truly felt.

But Eran knew better.

He could feel it in the way her gaze lingered just a second too long, in the faint quiver of her mana as it met his. Selene wasn't just here to "check on him." No, she was here because she couldn't stay away.

His smile curled deeper, slow, deliberate.

She was pretending. Keeping her mask, just as everyone expected her to. But deep down, he knew.

He knew she'd go farther than pride allowed, that she'd cross every line just to have a moment alone with him, to say the words she buried in front of everyone else.

And in that silence, as their gazes locked, he almost heard it —

Beloved.

The word hovered unspoken on her tongue, so close to slipping into the air that even the chamber seemed to wait for it.

But Selene caught herself.

Her breath hitched, so subtle no one else would notice, and she broke eye contact first, turning her head slightly, not in shame, but in control, tightening her grip over herself before Miyu or Nyssa could see the crack.

Eran only smiled wider, letting the moment linger like a secret between them.

Nyssa glanced between them with that faintly knowing look, but said nothing. Miyu's fingers twitched at her side, face still flushed as if she couldn't decide who irritated her more.

Selene finally spoke, her voice calm, distant again. "You should be ready for the summons tomorrow."

"Of course," Eran said easily, the smirk still tugging at his lips. "Wouldn't miss it."

He watched her carefully as she turned, her composure flawless again, and this time her steps carried her toward Miyu.

Miyu was still seated within her faintly glowing healing circle, the soft runes pulsing as they finished repairing the worst of her injuries. Selene's movement was unhurried, graceful, her mana brushing against the circle without disturbing it, a quiet reminder of just how refined her control was.

Her voice was calm when she spoke.

"I saw what you did earlier," she said, her tone level but carrying weight. "That final violet circuit you unleashed… efficient, though reckless. It tore the bone apart in one push... it raised quite a surprise for your peers. They'll be talking about it for a while." A faint curve touched her lips. "I'm proud of you. I hope you aren't hurt too badly."

Miyu's head jerked slightly at the words, her crimson-flushed face snapping toward Selene. There was pride there, but also a shadow of defensiveness.

"Yes," Miyu said, her voice clipped. "It was necessary."

Selene's expression didn't change, but her head tilted just faintly, and for a heartbeat, Miyu felt as though she'd been measured and weighed.

And eran, watching from his spot, let that slow, knowing smirk creep back to his face. His gaze flicked from Selene to Miyu, and he could almost taste the tension hanging between them.

Miyu's eyes darted toward him, catching the look.. and in that moment, she knew he'd been watching her the entire time.

Her stomach twisted, though she kept her face composed, snapping her head back toward the front

And then... Nyssa's faint smile cut through the tension. "Enough posturing, you two. There's no shame in being seen," she said softly, though her gaze lingered knowingly on Eran.

Selene's gaze lingered on Miyu for a moment longer, then she spoke, her voice soft but commanding.

"I'll be taking you two to the chamber," she said, eyes shifting between Eran and Miyu. "You both need to rest for a while."

Her attention slid to Nyssa. "Our presence is required for the parchment. Dire's announcement. We won't be long."

Nyssa gave a short nod. Together, the two women turned and left, the sound of their steps fading down the hall.

Click.

The door shut behind them, leaving the chamber filled only with the faint hum of mana and the quiet tension between Eran and Miyu.