The Incubus System Chapter 1010. The Queen's Dilemma

The Incubus System Chapter 1010. The Queen's Dilemma

Zalira’s eyes narrowed slightly, still caught between fear and the undeniable pull of curiosity. “This… contract,” she began cautiously, her voice still tinged with uncertainty. “What exactly is it about? What do you want from me, from my kingdom?”

I could see her calculating the possibilities, weighing the risks and rewards of what I was offering. She was a queen, after all, and she knew better than to enter into any agreement without fully understanding the terms. But I was ready for this. I had anticipated her questions, her doubts.

“It’s simple,” I said, my voice steady. “A partnership. I need something from your kingdom, but it’s not what you might think. I’m not interested in your people’s lives or plundering your wealth. I have no desire to destroy what you’ve built here.”

Zalira’s gaze flicked to Mia, who was standing off to the side, her expression tense, her eyes filled with concern. She knew more than she was letting on, and I could see the realization dawning on Zalira’s face. She was beginning to understand that Mia was not just a bystander in this, but a willing participant. That her own sister had already chosen to align herself with me.

Zalira returned her gaze to me, her lips pressing into a thin line. “And what is it that you want, then?” she asked, her tone sharp but edged with curiosity. “What could you possibly want from my kingdom that would require a contract?”

I paused for a moment, my eyes never leaving hers.

“This is related to the angelic crystal,” she guessed, her voice quieter, more tentative now. I could see the flicker of realization in her eyes, the pieces beginning to fall into place. “Isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I replied, my tone firm, unapologetic. “That angel inside the crystal… She is my aunt. And I want to release her.”

Zalira’s eyes widened slightly. A clear shock and disbelief flickered across her face. “Your aunt?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes,” I said again, more softly this time, leaning in closer to emphasize the seriousness. “For years, your kingdom has exploited her, sucked her angelic power dry, and turned her into a commodity. Her fate has been worse than any cash cow. You’ve drained her, used her power to create this so-called holy vaccine that makes your kingdom strong, and I won’t stand for it any longer.”

Zalira’s face paled slightly, and I could see the conflict in her eyes—the struggle between the pragmatic queen who knew the value of what the crystal provided, and the woman who now faced the reality of what that value had cost. “If I release her,” she began, her voice uncertain, “my kingdom will lose its greatest asset. The angelic power is what keeps the barrier strong, what keeps us safe from demon incursions.”

I nodded. “I understand that,” I said, my voice calm but firm, keeping my gaze locked on hers. “But I’m here, aren’t I?” I smirked, letting my words sink in. “It means the barrier isn’t as strong as you believe it to be. If I could get through, then what’s stopping others, more dangerous than me, from doing the same?”

Zalira’s expression tightened, her eyes narrowing as she processed what I was saying. She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t deny the truth. The barrier, strengthened by the stolen angelic power, wasn’t impenetrable, and that vulnerability was now staring her in the face.

“This decision isn’t just about keeping the status quo,” I continued, pressing my advantage. “It’s about finding a sustainable way forward. One where you’re not relying on a captive angel to keep your kingdom safe. One where you can forge alliances, strengthen your defenses, and secure a future that doesn’t hinge on exploiting someone else’s suffering.”

Zalira pressed her lips together. I could see her responsibilities bearing down on her, the duty to her people pulling her one way, while the realization of what had been done pulled her another.

“I know this will be a dilemma for you,” I added, my tone softening just a bit to show her I understood her position. “And this decision is risky. It’s not easy to change the course of a kingdom, to admit that something you relied on for so long might not be the best path forward.”

She remained silent, her eyes searching mine for something, perhaps a hint of deceit or a sign that I was just another demon playing a game. But I held her gaze steadily, letting her see the sincerity in my eyes. I needed her to understand that this was more than a game for me—it was a chance to forge something new, something that could change the fate of both our worlds.

Her expression softened slightly, the lines of tension around her mouth relaxing, though the skepticism didn’t leave her entirely. Trusting a demon, especially the son of the Demon King, went against everything she knew, everything she had been taught to believe.

Finally, she spoke, her voice a whisper of uncertainty. “I’ve heard many promises in my time, Damian. Words are easy. Deeds, less so.”

I nodded, acknowledging her point. “I understand that,” I replied, my tone steady and earnest. “And I don’t expect you to take my word alone. But I’m here, standing before you, not as an enemy, but as an ally. That’s not something I do lightly.”

Zalira’s gaze didn’t waver, her eyes boring into mine as if she could see right through me. She was a queen used to making difficult decisions, but I knew this one wasn’t easy for her.

"Give me time to think," she said finally, her voice steady but carrying a hint of hesitation. It wasn’t a refusal, but it wasn’t the acceptance I needed, either.

I shook my head slowly, my expression firm. “I can’t,” I replied, my tone resolute. “I need your decision now.”

She blinked, caught off guard by my insistence. “Why the rush, Damian? These matters are delicate. They require consideration, planning—”

“There’s no time for that,” I interrupted, my voice cutting through her objections. “Nor a second chance. So yes or no?”