Henry's breath hitched.
Seraphina's lips were so close—too close.
Her warm breath fanned against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum, and his mind screamed at him to say something, anything.
But he couldn't.
Not when her fingers were still gently cradling his cheek, her violet eyes watching him with a knowing glint.
"Then someone else will take you."
Those words echoed in his head, twisting in his gut like a knot he couldn't untangle.
She was right.
If what she said was true if he was the only male in existence—then he wasn't just some random guy who got transported to a fantasy world.
He was a prize.
And that terrified him.
But also…
The way she was looking at him right now.
The way she spoke, her voice like silk wrapping around his senses.
It made his stomach twist in a different way.
He swallowed hard. "Seraphina, I-"
She pressed a single finger to his lips.
"Shh," she whispered. "I can hear your heart racing."
Henry felt his face burn. "That's because you're—"
Her smirk widened. "Because I'm what, Henry?"
He shut his mouth.
Anything he said right now would just dig him deeper into this mess.
Seraphina chuckled softly, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze fully.
"Do you understand now?" she murmured.
Henry hesitated. "Understand what?"
Seraphina exhaled, her fingers tracing lightly down his jawline before withdrawing completely.
"You are special. Mine."
Henry flinched at that last word. "Wait, hold on. 'Yours'?"
Seraphina tilted her head. "Would you rather belong to someone else?"
The way she said it—so casual, yet so sharp—sent another chill through his body.
This wasn't just flirting.
This was something else.
Something dangerous.
"I… I don't even know what I want," he admitted.
Seraphina studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Then let me make it easier for you," she said.
Before Henry could react, she leaned in again, closer than before—
Closer than should be allowed.
His pulse skyrocketed.
But just when he thought she was about to—
She stopped.
Mere millimeters from his lips.
So close he could feel the warmth of her breath.
Then, in a cruel, teasing whisper, she said,
"Good night, Henry."
And just like that, she pulled away, rising gracefully from the bed.
Henry felt cold the second her warmth disappeared.
Seraphina walked toward the door, the sheer fabric of her nightgown flowing behind her. But right before she stepped out, she glanced back at him, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Sleep well. You'll need your strength for tomorrow."
Then she was gone.
Henry collapsed against the pillows, staring at the ceiling in stunned silence.
What… just happened?
His face burned, his body felt way too warm, and his brain was still refusing to function properly.
That woman was going to kill him.
Literally or emotionally, he wasn't sure.
All he knew was—
Tomorrow… something was coming.
And he wasn't ready.
---
Morning – A New Reality
The next thing Henry knew, he was waking up to the sound of birds chirping outside the large window.
The morning light streamed in through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the luxurious room.
For a moment, he forgot everything.
For a moment, it felt like any other morning.
But then—
The events of last night came crashing down.
Henry bolted upright.
Seraphina. The bath. The way she—
He groaned, rubbing his face. "What the hell is my life now…?"
But before he could even begin processing things properly—
The door swung open.
Henry tensed.
For one horrifying second, he thought Seraphina was back for round two.
But instead—
It was someone else.
A girl.
A new girl.
She had long, wavy brown hair, a soft, innocent face, and bright green eyes that sparkled with excitement. She wore a traditional maid outfit, though hers looked a bit tighter than expected, as if the uniform barely fit her curvy figure.
She clutched a small tray in her hands, her cheeks slightly pink.
"U-Um… Good morning, Master Henry!" she said, bowing slightly.
Henry blinked.
Master?
His soul nearly left his body.
"I-I brought you breakfast!" she continued, stepping forward nervously.
Henry swallowed hard. "Oh! Uh, thanks."
She carefully placed the tray on the bedside table, avoiding eye contact. Henry glanced at the food—fresh fruit, warm bread, and a glass of something that looked like milk.
"Um…" He cleared his throat. "Who are you?"
The girl looked up, her eyes wide.
"Oh! I-I'm sorry!" She bowed again. "My name is Lillian! Lady Seraphina assigned me as your personal maid!"
Henry choked.
Personal what now?
"I-It's an honor to serve you!" Lillian continued, fidgeting slightly. "I've never taken care of a m-man before, so I hope I don't mess up!"
Henry's brain completely short-circuited.
He was not prepared for this.
At all.
But before he could respond, Lillian suddenly gasped.
"Oh no!" she panicked. "I forgot to help you get dressed!"
Henry nearly choked on his own spit.
"D-Dressed?! I can dress myself!" he blurted out.
Lillian's face turned bright red. "O-Oh! Of course! I didn't mean to— I just— It's just that Seraphina said I should—"
Henry groaned, running a hand through his hair. "She told you to do this, didn't she?"
Lillian nodded frantically.
Henry sighed.
Seraphina was definitely messing with him.
But before he could say anything else, Lillian suddenly tensed, her eyes widening.
"Master Henry!" she gasped. "Your clothes—!"
Henry frowned. "What about them?"
Lillian bit her lip. "Y-You… don't have any!"
Henry blinked.
Then looked down.
His soul left his body.
At some point in the night, the blanket had slipped down, leaving his bare chest completely exposed.
And since he had only been given a robe to sleep in—
It had come undone.
Which meant—
Lillian was currently staring directly at—
"OH MY GOD."
Henry yanked the blanket over himself so fast he nearly dislocated something.
"I-I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING!" Lillian squeaked, slapping her hands over her eyes.
Henry's face burned. "DON'T JUST STAND THERE! GET OUT!"
Lillian yelped and bolted from the room, nearly tripping over her own feet.
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
Henry groaned, falling back against the bed.
This world was going to kill him.
But deep down—
Somewhere beneath the embarrassment—
A small, traitorous part of him was starting to think…
Maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
---
To Be Continued…