As soon as Zane asked the question, Helen answered without a moment's hesitation.
"You will gain a powerful ally! I can promise you this—if you truly agree to work with me, the Kingdom of Lionheart will stand behind you for all time. We will send annual tributes of supplies—whatever you might need."
Annual tributes, hmm? It sounded tempting, Zane admitted that much.
But in truth, it wasn't enough. What he wanted went far beyond mere resources.
"That's it?" Zane scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Come now, Princess Helen. Even without your precious tributes, I lack for nothing. Anything I desire, I can have brought here to this castle—from any corner of the Southern Ens Continent. Including you."
Helen opened her mouth, then closed it again. She had no rebuttal.
Seeing the usually composed and commanding princess come up short gave Zane a quiet thrill of satisfaction.
He clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing slowly in front of her, shaking his head with mock disappointment.
"No, no… this is a poor deal. You ask me to spare your life and eliminate your political rival—and in return, you offer me... supplies? Princess Helen, if you truly wish to strike a deal with me, you'll have to offer something far more compelling."
Helen stared at him for a long moment, then sighed softly—resigned.
But her smile soon returned.
Only this time, it came with a trace of coyness—and unmistakable allure.
She pushed her chest forward ever so slightly, the curve of her figure becoming almost indecently prominent, the neckline of her dress straining under the sudden tension.
Slowly, she leaned closer, brushing up beside his arm. Her breath was warm and fragrant as it danced against his skin.
"Of course you can ask for more, my Lord Duke," she purred.
Zane couldn't help but feel a flicker of pleasure at the soft fullness pressing against his arm, the intoxicating scent that clung to her skin.
But now was not the time to lose his head. He wasn't that easily swayed.
Instead, he shot her a sidelong glance and teased,
"Are you trying to seduce a vampire, Princess Helen?"
A glimmer of something unreadable flickered in her eyes. Then, with that same teasing softness, she whispered,
"Are you truly a vampire, Lord Duke?"
Zane's body tensed. The look he gave her turned cold and sharp.
How did she know? How much did she know? Was this the secret she hinted at earlier?
Helen, however, showed no fear.
Or perhaps... she had expected exactly this kind of reaction.
She smiled demurely, her gaze dropping for a moment before leaning even closer, her voice low and sweet against his ear.
"Lord Duke, I don't care whether you truly are a vampire. Even if you're not—if the world believes you are, then the label is yours to bear. And that means you don't need to worry about me spreading the truth."
"As for how I know your secret... heh, that remains my secret." Helen's lips nearly brushed Zane's cheek as she whispered the word "discover."
Fortunately, Zane had recently relieved his tensions with Lila, else he might have taken the dangerous woman right there. Maintaining composure around this mysteriously cunning creature proved crucial - one misstep could leave him betrayed without warning.
Steeling himself, Zane extracted his arm from Helen's grasp and stepped back, regarding her with imperious detachment. "You've got nerve, Miss Helen. Your audacity earns reward... Very well. I'll collaborate."
Helen's face lit up, poised to express gratitude.
Zane's wolfish grin halted her. "Don't thank me yet. While I agree to partnership, your sincerity requires... verification." His finger gestured downward. "A small demonstration of commitment."
The persistent bulge in his trousers testified to Helen's earlier provocations. Curiously, Zane noted enhanced vigor - perhaps Vampire's Touch vitality absorption conferred unexpected benefits?
Following his gesture, Helen's porcelain complexion flushed crimson. Despite her bold façade, the untouched virgin faltered momentarily. Then, true to her nature, she knelt before him, delicate fingers slipping beneath his waistband.
"How... impressive," she murmured, hands working skillfully. "Truly magnificent in all aspects, Lord Duke."
Zane reveled in the conquest, yet cursed inwardly - though physically sated, his Negative Emotion Points remained stagnant. Damned cooperative women!
"Not hands," he growled, fisting her hair to pull her closer. "Use your mouth. I prefer tongues."
Helen froze mid-motion.
"Move!" Zane snarled, shaking her roughly. "Or our deal dissolves with your last breath!"
The Lionheart princess trembled - whether from fury or fear remained unclear. But survival instinct prevailed. With gritted teeth, she yanked his trousers down.
Thwack!
The freed member slapped against her cheek with obscene audacity.
Helen suddenly felt an overwhelming masculine aura envelop her senses. An inexplicable flutter stirred in her chest before being swiftly drowned by rising humiliation.
[System Alert: Negative Emotion Points +5. Accumulated total now reaches 56 points. Available Negative Emotion Points: 6]
"Now we're talking!"
Collaboration could wait - what truly mattered was stacking those Negative Emotion Points. Yet mere +5 increments failed to satisfy Zane's appetite.
"Open up! Take it in!" Zane commanded, fingers tightening in Helen's hair.
Resigned to her fate, Helen closed her eyes and reluctantly parted her lips, gradually enveloping his member.
"Tsk... Eyes open!" he barked.
"Mmph... mmph..."
"Watch those teeth!"
"Mmph... mmph..."
"Faster! Useless - I'll take charge."
Zane gripped her skull like a handle, thrusting violently without regard for her gag reflex. The dungeon's damp shadows bore witness to this perverse tableau - crimson-haired beauty forced to her knees before black-clad tormentor, her face brutally used for his gratification...
Finally, release came.
"Satisfactory," Zane purred, petting Helen's heaving form like a prized hound. Though crude, the 20-point emotional harvest justified his methods.
"Excellent, my dear. Our collaboration appears... feasible." He wiped milky residue from her chin with mock tenderness. "Let's adjourn to my chambers to... refine the details."
Helen coughed violently before slapping his hand away, fiery gaze blazing upward. "You dare suggest that now?"
"Meaning?" Zane's expression darkened. "Do you wish to terminate our agreement?"
"Hardly." Smoothing her hair with regal composure, Helen rose - transformed from violated woman to calculating princess. "You've sampled my commitment, Lord Duke. Now demonstrate yours."
"And why should I trust you to eliminate my brother?"