Summon the Modern Lady!

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In a silent dark hall, broken only by the steady hum of low, rhythmic chanting.

Robed figures stand in a perfect circle, their faces hidden, each emanating a dark otherworldly aura.

Worthy—! They chanted.

This ancient setting was created for a single purpose: to summon a worthy bride for their prince— a woman who is able to satisfy their prince's direct demands.

Bride—!

Suddenly, the ground shudders, sending dust and pebbles skittering across the floor.

The tremors ripple through the village beyond the hall, sparking a wave of fear among the townsfolk. Cries fill the air as people rush outside, fearing the earth might split open beneath them.

Inside the hall, however, even when the earthquake peaks, the robed men continued chanting even louder.

Worthy Bride!

Worthy Woman!

It was the first time the summoning reacted like this. After half a year of researching different summoning formations and gathering mana, now they felt all their efforts could be satiated.

The summoners clenched their fists, both wary and excited at what kind of woman would appear.

And then, with a flash of light and a burst of energy, the ritual reaches its crescendo. A portal opens in the center of the circle, swirling with unknown energies of light and dark.

The robed figures watch, breath held, expecting to see a regal woman of grace and power step forth. Someone good, someone beautiful. A worthy bride!

But as the light fades, what stands before them is… unexpected.

"...?"

They all wore confused expressions, but under the hood they looked fierce.

Not only was it not a regal woman of grace and power, but there were two confused and haggard young women who came through it.

The summoned ones looked different though human as a person can be. Both had bewildered faces, and very much alive.

Cheska and Amaranthe were hunched over the floor after falling through the magic circle.

The editor heard the faint echoes of chanting just before reaching here and feeling the floor underneath her. Cheska was scared, it was obvious why.

Everything felt eerie and she couldn't help but lower her line of sight in case something terrifying would pop up.

Maybe we can bargain for our lives?

But as her eyes adjust to the eerie light, she falters, noticing only the ominous ring of robed figures, each watching them with intense, unreadable expressions.

Her resolve fades from her face, replaced by a look of unease. "Uh… actually, this is a little creepy…"

Amaranthe narrows her eyes, her posture tense and defensive as she takes in the robed assembly. Her gaze sweeps over the room, sharp and wary, before settling into a glare directed at the summoners.

"Come here..."

She tugs Cheska closer, positioning herself slightly in front of her newfound friend.

One of the Elders stepped forward, his voice thick with authority and reverence. "Welcome, summoned ones. You have been brought here by the Order of the Great Summoners to fulfill a great destiny."

Cheska's eyes widen. "Great destiny? Is this some hero fantasy plot?"

Her relative excitement to plots moved ahead without consulting her fears, tempered by caution as she edges closer to Amaranthe. "But… why are you all so creepy about it?"

Amaranthe's glare deepens. "Forget that. Why don't you explain why exactly are we here for? You've stolen us away from our world, it wouldn't really suffice but it's a good start, no?"

The Elders murmur among themselves, unsettled by Amaranthe's directness.

Another Elder speaks up, trying to regain control of the situation. "You have been chosen. One of you will be judged and wed to the prince. Your destiny awaits as his wife, whoever of you, and will grant you great power and honor."

"What honor." Amaranthe doesn't look convinced.

She keeps her sharp gaze trained on the robed figures, protective and wary, while Cheska stands beside her, half-thrilled and half-creeped out.

Cheska gives Amaranthe a nervous smile, whispering, "I mean… it could be kind of cool, right?"

The hall, still charged with magic and mystery, now feels like a trap, and both women sense the hidden dangers in this unexpected world.

Suddenly, the hall's doors opened.

In an instant, the space was bathed in light, revealing every intricate detail.

What had first seemed ominous was now nothing short of breathtaking— a grand hall that looked straight out of a fantasy world castle. Large arched windows lined the walls, draped in silver curtains embroidered with complex, elegant designs that shimmered in the soft glow.

The room itself was adorned with gold and silver accents, the ceilings high and vaulted, making the entire space feel airy and majestic.

The robed figures, no longer mere shadows, revealed their faces, which were surprisingly ordinary—more tired than terrifying, each with dark circles under their eyes, as if they hadn't slept in days.

Cheska's wide-eyed gaze darted around the room in amazement, taking in every glimmering detail.

Amaranthe, however, looked less convinced. She shifted nervously, stepping back to put Cheska between herself and the robed figures. Just as the tension built, a voice boomed through the hall.

"What the hell are you all doing?! Don't tell me you've summoned a demon king instead of a wife!" 

The words echoed off the walls, jolting everyone to attention.

As the hall's doors flung open, a handsome man entered, his expression frantic as he took in the scene.

He looked to be around Cheska's age, with scholarly attire that was both elegant and practical. A monocle glinted on his left eye, and his long, chestnut-brown hair framed a face marked by intensity and intelligence.

His green eyes which should have given a warm impression was anything but kind as it swept over the robed summoners.

"Do you have any idea what you've done? The earthquake outside, you nearly caused the whole city to panic!" he chided, his voice sharp with exasperation.

The summoners lowered their head, the elder who spoke earlier was quiet, only glancing at the summoning circle.

Following their gazes, the handsome man's gaze drifted past the summoners and landed on Cheska and Amaranthe. For a moment he looked casual, the next he froze, his mouth slightly agape.

His eyes widened as he took in the two unfamiliar figures, clearly caught off guard.

"Two of them… You actually summoned someone from another world?" he stammered, astonishment replacing his previous anger.

His gaze shifted curiously to their modern clothes, clearly fascinated. But after a second, his expression softened, a genuine smile appearing as he took a polite bow. "Forgive my outburst. I am the prince's aide. You can call me Emette, pleas—"

But before he could finish, another figure entered, flanked by guards.

This man's presence made the hall feel even grander.

He was striking, with an aura that seemed almost unreal.

Golden blond hair framed his face, and piercing purple eyes seemed to catch every detail with a cold, calculating precision. He was dressed in the finest attire, as if adorned with jewels, and his mere appearance demanded attention.

The summoners went tense as the prince stepped forward, bowing down to the floor in unison to pay respects to their employer, with good intentions that they've succeeded in his demand.

However the prince didn't look happy, his face a mask of disapproval as he glanced from them to the two girls. "You summoned someone?" he asked, his tone low and dissatisfied, as though the very idea disappointed him.

Yet his gaze lingered on Cheska and Amaranthe, assessing them with a cool intensity.

"I already told you not to do this." He sighed.

Emette, his aide, was frustrated with the summoners before but now he defended them, "Your highness, it was your words that mentioned summoning another woman to find a rightful wife."

The prince frown deepened, and he returned his steely gaze to the robed figures, as if questioning the wisdom of their actions in summoning these two from another world. "I will not marry anyone."

"But your highness, these summoners didn't gather for no—"

"I was demanded an answer to why I will not wed anyone. It was not an answer that must be followed."

"But they've done this so you'd be happy—"

"Happy? You think I'd be happy with just any woman?!" The prince stepped closer to his aide, his piercing purple eyes seemed to swallow the assistant and tear him apart. "Tell them all to get out of the palace."

For a moment, the prince and Cheska's eyes met.

Ah. Why is he—

"Wow. So responsible."

Cheska's thoughts drifted, followed by the words that came out from behind her.

The sudden disobedience were met with silence and dread. The words spoken were obnoxious as if the speaker wanted to annoy the other person.

Cheska was surprised too. Amaranthe was still behind her but she was openly glaring at the prince.

"Did you just speak to me?" The prince raised a frustrated gaze at the woman. 

If it weren't for the circumstances, Kayer de Ruschuster, would have been calm and collected, someone who minded their words and did not hurt another.

But his situation was complicated.

Amaranthe clicked her tongue and walked towards him, passing Cheska.

Her green contacts reached his purple orbs defiantly, shrugging, "Well based on the evidences spoken by the aide, I'd say you're the only one irresponsible here."

Kayer's brow twitched.

He didn't want to deal with a woman who does not know him, who does not know what he's going through.

Sighing, he turned away. "Deal with her."

But before the guards could move against Amaranthe, she spoke again. "What? Can't deal with a little criticism? Now that they've summoned a woman for you, you'd clean your hands off of your responsibility to thank the summoners and just wipe the women off your kingdom if they weren't to your liking?" Amaranthe scoffed.

Cheska was surprised with how great her taunting powers were, she didn't even know the author could be this confrontal.

"Oh my, were we taken away from our world just to die meaninglessly?" Amaranthe laid the words slowly for everyone to hear.

"A-author..." Cheska walked closer and tugged the author's arm to disengage, but the soft-looking woman was more ferocious than she thought.

The author smirked, passing the guards and pointing her long pink nails at the prince.

No one knew where she got the courage and audacity from, but everyone in the hall listened to her well as if enchanted by a paralyzing spell.

"Take care of it."

"What are you trying to say?" Kayer gritted his teeth, taking in the judgement of a stranger.

Amaranthe pointed and poked at his chest, "I'm saying take responsibility for your people and for us."

The prince scoffed unconsciously, "Are you trying to say you want to marry me then?"

Amaranthe's frown deepened.

Her green contacts trembling a bit, "...I'd rather marry a dog."

Everyone held their breaths at her answer, they wore complicated faces, watching each others' horror from their silenced gazes.

Kayer de Ruchuster scoffed unconsciously, "So be it. I'll take responsibility by marrying her then." he gestured his hand to the side.

The audience gasped.

Even Cheska, the woman under the gazes of everyone and the one being gestured, gasped.

"Y-You'll marry me?"