NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Conquering Lysara - I
After a long day he finally took rest and reached for the glass of wine at his side, savoring the sharp flavor as it slid down his throat.
Finally, he allowed himself to relax, his body sinking into the chair.
For the first time in weeks, the tension in his shoulders eased.
It was not easy suddenly reincarnated into a barons body with territory out of control and system which suits his taste.
But the past week has thought him enough and now his mentality is not weak.
As he was thinking about all this.
Then it happened.
The familiar noise of the NTR system broke the silence, pulling Kael from the edge of sleep.
The translucent screen materialized before him, glowing faintly in the dim room.
---
System Notification:
New Quest Unlocked: Conquer Lysara
Objective: Gain Lysara's complete devotion by weakening her emotional barriers of loyalty and independence.
Reward: 60 SP
Bonus Objective: Use the conquest to secure additional intelligence on external threats to the barony.
Bonus Reward: 40 SP
---
Kael sat up straight, his fatigue forgotten.
He frowned at the screen, his mind racing. Lysara?
His trusted aide?
Of all the people the system could have chosen as his next target, she was one of the least expected.
"Lysara…" he muttered, the name rolling off his tongue.
She had been by the side of this baron for years, a sharp and capable presence who had earned his respect.
She was no mere servant her loyalty and competence had made her indispensable, especially during the recent purge.
Conquering her wasn't a task Kael had ever considered.
But the system didn't care about his personal reservations.
It only presented opportunities, challenges to be overcome.
Kael exhaled slowly, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. "Why her?" he asked aloud, his voice low.
The system's response was immediate, its tone calm and almost amused. "Lysara's strength and independence make her an influential figure in your court. Her devotion would not only strengthen your position but also grant you a valuable advantage against those who would oppose you."
Kael scowled.
It was logical, of course.
Lysara's intelligence and resourcefulness had already proven invaluable.
Bringing her closer, binding her to him emotionally and physically, would consolidate her loyalty in ways that went beyond duty.
Still, the idea left him uneasy.
Lysara wasn't a woman to be easily swayed, and the thought of manipulating her felt... complicated.
"How?" Kael asked, his voice quiet.
"Lysara is driven by loyalty and pride," the system explained. "To conquer her, you must undermine her independence while simultaneously offering her a sense of purpose and belonging. Exploit her vulnerabilities. Show her that her strength is nothing without your guidance."
The next morning, Kael found himself watching Lysara from the balcony of his study.
She stood in the courtyard below, overseeing the distribution of grain to the villages.
Her sharp commands carried through the air as she directed the guards and workers with a practiced authority.
Even from a distance, her presence was commanding, her movements efficient and calculated.
Kael smirked faintly. She was impressive no doubt about that.
But her confidence, her independence, was also the key to her downfall.
The system had made that much clear.
"Lysara," Kael called, his voice cutting through the bustle of the courtyard.
She turned, her sharp eyes immediately finding him.
Without hesitation, she made her way up to the balcony, her strides purposeful and unhurried.
When she arrived, she bowed her head slightly in deference.
"My lord," she said, her tone even. "What do you need?"
Kael gestured for her to step closer, his expression unreadable. "Join me for breakfast. I have something to discuss."
She hesitated, but only briefly, before nodding. "Of course."
As she sat, Kael leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You've done a remarkable job these past weeks, Lysara. Without you, the barony would still be in chaos."
"It's my duty," she replied simply, though there was a faint hint of pride in her tone.
Kael smiled faintly. "You always say that. Duty. Loyalty. But I wonder, Lysara, how much do you sacrifice for that duty?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly, the faintest flicker of suspicion crossing her face. "I'm not sure what you mean, my lord."
"I mean you give everything to this barony," Kael said, his tone softening. "Your time, your effort, your skills. You're indispensable to me, Lysara, but I can't help but wonder what do you get in return?"
She stiffened slightly, her hands resting on the table. "My satisfaction comes from seeing the barony thrive. That's enough."
Kael tilted his head, his gaze unwavering. "Is it? Or is that what you tell yourself because no one's ever offered you more?"
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.
For the first time, Kael saw hesitation in her.
The cracks in her armor, subtle but real.
He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower.
"You're not just another aide, Lysara. You're more than that. To me, to this barony. You deserve more than just duty and obligation."
Her eyes flicked to his, her guarded expression faltering for a moment. "And what are you suggesting, my lord?"
Kael reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers.
She didn't pull away, though her breath caught slightly.
"I'm saying that you've been by my side through everything," he said quietly. "And I can't imagine doing this without you. But I want more than just your service. I want your trust. Your loyalty. Your... companionship."
Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, the room was filled with silence.
Kael held her gaze, his hand still lightly resting on hers.
He could see the conflict in her eyes the careful calculations, the doubts warring with something deeper.
"My lord," she began, her voice quieter now, "I've served you for years. I've never questioned my loyalty to you, but this..."
Kael stood, walking around the table until he was standing beside her.
He reached down, gently tilting her chin so she looked up at him.
"This isn't just about loyalty, Lysara. It's about trust. Connection. Something neither of us can deny."
Her breath hitched, and for the first time, Kael saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes.
She didn't look away, didn't pull back.
Instead, she simply stared at him, her composure slipping.
"I don't know if this is wise," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael smiled faintly. "Wise? Probably not. But it feels right."
She exhaled shakily, her gaze flicking to his lips for the briefest moment before returning to his eyes. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
"I speak the truth," Kael replied. "You've done so much for me, Lysara. Let me give you something in return."
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words.
Lysara's hands rested on her lap, trembling slightly.
Finally, she nodded, a small but decisive motion.
"I trust you, my lord," she said softly. "I always have."
Kael leaned down, his lips hovering just above hers. "And you always will."
The moment was still, their breaths mingling, the distance between them disappearing.
Kael knew the system would be pleased, but this conquest wasn't just about fulfilling a quest.
It was about claiming what had always been his.
And for the first time, Lysara let her guard fall completely.