The Incubus System Chapter 1001. Unexpected Expectations

The Incubus System Chapter 1001. Unexpected Expectations

Zalira’s gaze remained distant, lost in thought as the gears in her mind turned once again. I could see she was carefully weighing her next move, balancing the risks and rewards of whatever decision she was about to make. Finally, her eyes flicked toward Elros, who had remained vigilant by her side throughout our conversation.

“Elros,” Zalira said, her voice breaking the silence with a tone that demanded attention.

Elros turned to her, his posture straightening as he awaited her command. But instead of giving him a specific task, Zalira simply waved her hand outward, a clear, silent order for him to leave the room.

A frown immediately appeared on Elros’ forehead, his eyes narrowing with concern. “Your Majesty,” he began, his tone filled with a mixture of disbelief and caution. It was clear that he didn’t agree with her decision, that he was worried about leaving her alone with me, a stranger who had already tested his patience and trust.

“It’s an order,” Zalira said, her voice simple and firm, leaving no room for argument.

Elros clenched his jaw, his displeasure evident. He knew better than to openly defy the queen, but the concern was clear in his eyes as he flicked his gaze toward me. It was a look that spoke volumes, one that communicated a silent warning ‘If anything happens to her, you’re dead.’ His expression was stern, the frown deepening as he stared at me down.

I met his gaze with an innocent expression, doing my best to appear non-threatening and compliant. I didn’t respond to his threat; there was no need to escalate the tension further. Instead, I simply held his gaze until he reluctantly bowed to Zalira, acknowledging her command, before turning on his heel and walking out of the door. The door closed behind him, leaving the three of us—Zalira, Mia, and me—alone.

“Now…” Zalira began, her voice softer but tinged with something deeper, something that hinted at the true nature of her thoughts. She straightened her posture, her regal demeanor never faltering, but there was a shift in her movements that put me on high alert. Her tail began to wiggle slightly, the motion almost playful but carrying a hint of something more.

I watched her carefully, expecting her to move closer, perhaps to sit beside me to signify that our conversation was about to become more serious, more intimate. But I was wrong.

Instead of simply sitting beside me, Zalira’s tail moved with a sudden, deliberate motion. It wrapped around my body. The sensation was immediate—warm, smooth, and slightly constricting, but not painful. It was a gesture that was both possessive and dominant. It was a clear indication that she was asserting control over the situation.

My instincts flared, warning me to be cautious. This wasn’t just a casual move. Maybe Zalira was testing me, pushing boundaries to see how I would react. The tail’s grip tightened slightly, enough to make me aware of the power she wielded but still allowing me to breathe and move.

“Sis,” Mia interjected, her voice soft but filled with concern, as if she was trying to remind Zalira.

Zalira didn’t respond to Mia. Her focus remained entirely on me, her eyes sharp and unyielding. I could feel the pressure of her gaze. It was a calculated intensity that made it clear she wasn’t to be underestimated.

“Why are you doing this, Your Majesty?” I asked, my voice calm but edged with curiosity. I kept my tone respectful.

“We are going to talk about something serious,” Zalira replied, her stare piercing through me as she spoke. “I want to make sure you don’t do anything stupid, Mr. Lucio.”

“I won’t,” I assured her, keeping my voice steady and composed. “You have my word,” I stated.

Zalira’s gaze didn’t waver. “That sword of yours,” she began, her voice firm and authoritative, “I want it.”

Her words were not a request—they were an order as if she fully expected me to comply without hesitation. There was a finality to her tone, an assumption that her will would be done simply because she had decreed it.

I didn’t flinch, though internally, I was already calculating my response.

“But… since this sword chooses its own master and it’s very troublesome for me,” she continued, her tone shifting to something more contemplative, “I simply need to go with the sword’s guardian.”

Her eyes bore into mine as she made her declaration. “You mean me?” I asked, keeping my expression neutral despite the implications of her words.

“Yes,” Zalira confirmed, her voice carrying the weight of a royal decree. “You.”

Zalira’s gaze flicked briefly to Mia, a subtle, almost playful glint in her eyes. “It’s not like I’m trying to steal him from you, Mia,” she said with a hint of intrigue. “We can share. But I definitely have to make sure he’s loyal to us.” There was a possessiveness in her tone, an assumption that my loyalty could be easily swayed or claimed.

“What made you so obsessed with that sword?” I asked, keeping my voice calm but edged with curiosity. There had to be more to her interest than just its power or its history. I put my bet on the threat the sword posed. Perhaps to the palace or the barrier that protected it. After all, the sword had once belonged to a demon lord. Or she intended to turn it into another source of power, something akin to the crystal where Puriel was trapped, siphoning its energy for her kingdom’s commodity.

But what she said next took me completely by surprise.

“The Great Demon,” Zalira announced, her voice lowering as if she were revealing a closely guarded secret. Then she corrected herself, her tone more precise. “No… the Demon Lord.”

I kept my expression neutral. Zalira didn’t know that I was the very demon lord she was speaking of. She had no idea that the figure she was so concerned about was right in front of her.