The Incubus System Chapter 1036. You Knew The Cost

The Incubus System Chapter 1036. You Knew The Cost

I turned to face her slowly, the playful smirk I’d worn earlier gone, replaced by a more serious expression. She was sitting on the bed now, wearing my oversized t-shirt, her legs drawn up to her chest as she hugged her knees. She looked fragile—far more fragile than the powerful angel I imagined. But even in her vulnerability, there was a strength in her eyes, a defiance that hadn’t faded.

"Anyway," I said, my voice lower, more resolute. "Based on our agreement, you have to break my angelic seal." I paused for a moment, locking eyes with her. "And let me fuck you."

There was no room for ambiguity, no more games. I couldn’t hesitate—not after everything I’d gone through, not after all the trouble I’d endured to free her. This was the price she had agreed to, and I had to collect. I couldn’t afford to let her go, not without taking what was owed to me.

Puriel’s face drained of color, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief. For a moment, it looked like she couldn’t breathe. Her hands gripped the edge of the blanket tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"You… you can’t be serious," she whispered, her voice trembling. “I-I mean you are my grand grand grand nephew.”

I didn’t flinch, didn’t look away. "I am," I said, my tone unwavering. "But you made the deal, Puriel. You knew the cost."

Puriel’s eyes widened further. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came. She was trembling, barely able to meet my gaze, and her grip on the blanket tightened even more. For a moment, she looked so small, so vulnerable, that a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. But I pushed it aside. I had to.

I took a deep breath, forcing the air into my lungs. "Unless," I said, my voice quieter but still firm, "you really intend to break your promise."

Puriel didn’t answer immediately, her eyes darting to the floor as if searching for an escape.

"I won’t," she whispered eventually, her voice barely audible. Her eyes flicked back up to meet mine, and though they were filled with fear and uncertainty, there was also a flicker of resolve. "I won’t lie to you."

"Good," I replied, nodding slightly. "I’m glad to hear that."

I let my gaze travel over her, from her pale face down to her thin, fragile form.

The Puriel I saw now was far removed from the image she had projected in the dream world. There, she had been confident, strong—her body healthy and full of vitality. But here, in reality, she looked thinner, weaker, like the years of imprisonment had drained her of everything she once was. I could see the toll her long confinement had taken on her.

She pulled the blanket tighter around herself, her expression guarded as if she thought I was about to do something unspeakable. The way she curled into the corner of the bed, trying to make herself small, only heightened the pitiful image before me. It was clear she wasn’t ready—not for what was to come, not for anything.

"What?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Can you eat?" I asked.

She frowned, confused by the sudden question. "Eat?" she repeated, blinking at me as if the concept was foreign to her.

"Yes, human food," I said, my voice softening slightly. "You know, food that you put in your mouth and chew?"

Puriel was silent for a long time, her brow furrowed as if she were truly considering the question. After what felt like an eternity, she shook her head slightly, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "I’m… not sure," she admitted finally, her voice hesitant. "I’ve never eaten before. I mean human food."

I had assumed that, despite her angelic nature, she had at least experienced something as basic as human food. But her words made me realize just how different her existence had been from anything I could comprehend. I guess Angels didn’t need to eat the way humans did.

"You’ve never eaten human food before?" I repeated, trying to wrap my head around the idea. "Not even once?"

She shook her head again, looking almost embarrassed. "No," she said softly.

I let out a slow breath, processing this new information. "Well," I said, trying to sound casual, "I think it’s about time you tried, don’t you?"

Puriel looked at me like I’d just suggested something ridiculous. "Eat? Now?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion. "Why would I need to eat?"

"Because you’ve been stuck in a crystal for centuries," I replied, my tone a bit more pointed than I intended. "You’re not exactly in good condition right now, and you need to regain your strength. Food might help."

She hesitated, her expression conflicted. I could see the reluctance in her eyes.

"I can try," she said softly, her voice still laced with uncertainty.

"Great," I replied, not giving her much time to overthink it. I took a step closer, intending to help her stand and guide her to the kitchen. But the moment I moved, she tensed, her body immediately going on the defensive. She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders and eyed me warily.

"What do you want to do?" she asked, her voice rising slightly with nervousness.

I stopped in my tracks and gave her a puzzled look. "Relax," I said, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible. "I’m just taking you to the kitchen. You can smell some food, and maybe something will suit your taste."

She stammered, clearly flustered. "I-I can walk by myself," she blurted out.

I raised an eyebrow and gave her a flat stare, my arms crossing over my chest. "Uh-huh," I said, not entirely convinced.

Her face flushed a deep shade of pink, and she quickly added, "I mean, I want to try it." The panic in her voice was unmistakable now, as if she were afraid I’d accuse her of being incapable.