NTR School: S Rank Student

"Thank you for freeing me from my husband's captivity."

After Queen Eva placed the crown on Raphael's head, she was surprised when the man quickly removed it.

Raphael bowed only slightly, lest he make himself look like a groveller. "I won't be needing that." He said with a smile.

Queen Eva was confused and wondered whether the man did not truly wish to be King of the North.

But then, he clicked his fingers towards the crowd.

A woman suddenly came forward, holding something in her hands, though it was covered by a towel.

She was a pretty woman with a modest air to her. Based on her clothes, it was obvious that she was an innkeeper.

But what importance did she have to the Dragon King?

As she approached, she flashed the man a smile, which contained a hint of admiration.

"My King. I guess I made the right decision bringing this?"

Raphael removed the towel from her hands, and a smile spread across his face. "You did."

Beneath was a crown. Golden like King Helix's, but different in design.

The Dragon King did not need to wear another man's crown.

After placing it on his head, the innkeeper hurried back into the crowd, leaving Raphael and Eva alone once again.

"We have a lot to talk about." The woman announced, the idea of a new king exciting her.

Raphael nodded his head in agreement. "You're right. Should we head back to the palace and speak there."

Just as Eva was about to respond, she noticed that the man's hand was held out towards her. She was confused at first, but after a few seconds, she realised what he was doing.

He wants to hold hands...

The thought filled her with shock. Her husband had never allowed her to even talk to other men unless he was in her vicinity.

She was prepared to decline, but then a thought ran through her mind.

This man is king, and I am the queen. This is only natural.

And after all the things King Helix had done to her, the prospect of holding hands with this man interested her. She saw it as an innocent deed with not much to it.

And so, she took his hand in his.

Raphael enjoyed the feeling of the queen's soft skin. And of course, the simple act earned a loud reaction from the crowd.

Then, without further ado, the two made their way towards the palace.

---

Raphael and Eva were unable to engage in conversation during their journey, as they were followed by Snowdon civilians the entire time.

Those who were not able to get a look at the battle wanted to make sure that they confirmed with their own eyes that it was true. That Raphael had left the battle unscathed and claimed himself as King.

The two spoke their first words to each other once nearing the palace.

"Is anyone inside going to try and kill me if they see us like this?" Raphael asked Eva, wondering if he should prepare his flames.

But the queen let out a faint laugh.

"The news would have spread already. After all, Helix would have been carried through here to be brought to the prison cells under the palace. Everyone knows what's going on now."

Raphael nodded his head, but the words lingered in his mind.

Everyone knows...

He wondered if the Six Schools had already heard of what he did. If so, what would the five queens think of it?

Raphael and Eva stepped through the large double doors leading to the palace. It was an incredible structure, even larger than the palace owned by Empress Juniper in the East.

Inside was supposed to be bustling with activity. Maids should have been running around attending to business, and guards should have been posted at their stations defensively.

Instead, they all stood around, waiting for Raphael's arrival.

Once they saw him with the queen's hand in his, their eyes went wide. It confirmed everything to them.

"Carry on with your duties," Raphael ordered loudly so that all could hear. His voice was sharp and caused the maidservants to jump before swiftly hurrying along.

There will be time to further acquaint myself with them, but for now, I need to talk to the queen.

Eva led Raphael to a large meeting room. At its centre was a roundtable. Everything inside had a royal air to it. The gold and red carpet design, the paintings murals spread across the wall, and the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Everything was unlike what Raphael was used to. His room in the sixth school was modest at best, compared to the palace.

Eva finally let go of his hands and glided towards a seat at the roundtable. Raphael sat opposite so that he could get a clear look at her face.

The woman was even more beautiful under the lights of the chandelier. Her green eyes were large and vibrant. The skin of her face was smooth and white. If she was anywhere over the age of 25, then she certainly didn't look it.

Her red hair was tied into long braids, which reached well past her shoulders, and even over her white queen clothing, Raphael could tell that her breasts and behind were generously large.

Noticing the man gazing at her, Eva grew nervous but didn't show it.

"So," she started. "Did you speak the truth out there? Do you really wish to become king of the north?"

As she spoke, she rested her face in her palms. Raphael leaned back in his seat comfortably.

"Not just the North." He announced, earning him a raised eyebrow. "King of Vailstone."

Queen Eva's heart lurched in her chest.

King of Vailstone. My husband was an ambitious man, and even he didn't have such goals!

She swallowed a lump in her throat as she stared at the man before her. A question plagued her mind.

I've heard of what he did to Emperor Joshua, and now he's done the same to my husband, King Helix.

...

Is it possible... Could he truly conquer the world?

Queen Eva shook her head free of the thoughts.

"But first, there's still business I must handle at the six schools. With my role as King now, it should be much easier." Raphael announced, thinking about his original goal.

To conquer the five queens and make them his. It would be important to have them as allies. All of them.

Persephone and Rosalind had yet to be conquered.

Queen Eva nodded her head in acknowledgement. "So you will be returning straight away?" She asked, and Raphael felt like he sensed a hint of disappointment in her voice.

The words filled him with a sudden desire.

"It does not have to be straight away. If you have something else that you would like me to do first, then it can be done?"

The woman knew what the man was suggesting, and she couldn't help but cave in.

After all, she wanted to know what it would feel like to truly be loved.

To truly receive affection.

And this man could give it to her.

Her cheeks suddenly went red and she struggled to meet the gaze of the Dragon King.

"There is something I'd like to do, but it would be embarrassing for a queen to say it out loud."

Raphael gave her a knowing look, as he slowly rose from his seat and made his way towards her.

"Don't worry," he said, "you won't have to say it."