The Scum Emperor's Redemption System

WARNING!

BEEP!

BEEP!

BEEP!

Suddenly, Argider's body betrayed her. She couldn't move. Her limbs, which moments ago had been so bold, now felt like they were weighed down by invisible chains. She blinked, confused, as if trying to will herself forward. Why can't I move?! she screamed internally.

Across from her, Fialova had closed her eyes, her expression serene but expectant. Her lips, slightly parted, seemed to invite Argider closer.

The scene could've been plucked straight from the kind of courtly romance tales Argider secretly rolled her eyes at but secretly devoured. And yet, here she was, the Emperor herself, frozen like a statue.

Argider's mind raced. What's happening?! Or—by the gods—did someone cast some sort of binding spell on me?! Her panic only deepened as Fialova, blissfully unaware of her inner turmoil, remained perfectly still, waiting.

— [PUNISHMENT FLAG]

— [Whomever The User Attempts To Seduce & Touch Outside Marriage, They Must Take Responsibility And Be Cursed To Marry Them. Thus, They Must Become Committed And Must Commit]

— [No Mistresses Allowed. No Concubines. Only Wives.]

Argider's breath hitched as realization struck her like a slap to the face. Wait a moment... Was she actually seeing this? Her heart sank as an unmistakable glimmer appeared in the air, a faint shimmer she recognized all too well. The System. That meddling, overbearing, sanctimonious pile of cosmic coding!

Her very own weakness. Her Achilles' heel. Commitment. The one thing she had successfully dodged for most of her chaotic, emperor-turned-empress life. And now, of all moments, the blasted System was stepping in to shove her face-first into the one thing she feared most.

She just wanted temporary comfort for one night!

I can't stay still with one! she whined internally. What if I get bored? Or what if they get bored? Or worse—what if they stay and I ruin everything?!

— [If Wives Are Not Treated Equally And Loved, Severe Punishments Will Come.]

"Fuck..."

Fialova's eyes widened, her blush deepening as she shifted uncomfortably. "Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" she asked softly, a touch of nervousness creeping into her voice. "I... I thought you were going to kiss me."

The embarrassment in her tone was enough to make Argider want to crawl under the nearest rug and live there for the rest of her imperial life.

"I—uh—no! I mean, yes? Wait, no!" Argider stammered, her voice cracking in a way that would've been endearing if it weren't so mortifying.

Fialova tilted her head, confused, her hands still resting awkwardly in her lap. "Your Majesty, are you... feeling unwell?"

"Unwell?!" Argider squeaked, throwing her hands in the air as if that would explain away her predicament. "No, I'm perfectly fine! Just... having a small existential crisis is all! Happens all the time. Emperor stuff, you know?"

— [MAJOR TASK ALERT]

— [Propose To Fialova & Turn Them Into A Fiance]

— [Time Remaining: Five Days]

Argider's jaw practically hit the floor. "Five days?!" she blurted, her voice rising an octave. "Are you out of your damn, glitch-ridden mind?!"

Fialova blinked at her outburst, looking even more bewildered. "Your Majesty? Did I... do something wrong?"

"No, no, not you!" Argider snapped, waving her hands frantically as if trying to shoo away the hovering text. "It's—ugh! Never mind!" She shot the System's notification a withering glare, as though sheer indignation could make it disappear. Of course, it didn't.

Her thoughts spiraled into chaos. How in the world was she supposed to propose to Fialova, of all people? She barely knew her! Yes, the woman was stunning and loyal and had hands skilled enough to undo a lifetime of tension, but that wasn't the point.

She didn't want commitment. She wanted comfort. Nightly comfort. Fleeting, no-strings-attached, emotionally uncomplicated comfort.

Where was Alvator when she needed him?! Sure, they'd fought earlier, but that didn't mean he could just vanish during an imperial-level crisis like this! He was still her guide, wasn't he?

"You called?" came a smooth, faintly smug voice inside her head.

Argider nearly yelped, spinning around as the sleek, black form of Alvator materialized out of nowhere. The cat stretched lazily, his white eyes gleaming with amusement.

'Help me over here!' Argider practically screamed in her thoughts, her panic palpable.

"Hmph," Alvator sniffed, sitting primly and curling his tail around his paws. "Now you ask for my help."

'Look!' she pleaded, glancing nervously at Fialova, who was watching her with growing confusion. 'I'm sorry about before! I didn't mean to argue, okay? But I really, really need your help right now!'

The cat regarded her for a long moment, clearly savoring her desperation. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he relented. "Fine," he said, his voice echoing smoothly in her mind. "Here's what you do: Tell her you're interested in her. That you want her to be your fiancée. Be sincere, tell her you'll give her a few days to decide, and that you respect her space."

'What if she says no?' Argider asked, panic still bubbling beneath her composed exterior.

Alvator's whiskers twitched. "Then the System has to respect it. Even its meddling has limits."

Oh. So that was it! All she had to do was hope—pray—that Fialova would reject her. This wasn't just a plan; it was a lifeline.

Her resolve firmed, and she suddenly clasped Fialova's hands tightly in her own.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling just enough to sound authentic. "I didn't want to kiss you anymore because... because I don't want to do anything before marriage."

Fialova's confusion deepened, her lips parting in surprise.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"The truth is," Argider continued, her voice soft but sincere, "I fell in love with you the moment you saved me. You were so beautiful, so brave. Any man would be lucky to have you. But... I really want to commit this time. I want to do things the right way. And I don't want you to feel forced." She took a deep breath, her hands tightening around Fialova's.

"I'll wait three days for your response, okay?" She gazed deeply into Fialova's eyes, forcing every ounce of sincerity she could muster into her next words.

"Marry me!"

"E-Eh?!" Fialova's gasp was almost comical, her cheeks instantly turning a brilliant shade of red. "Your Majesty... you... you fell in love with me?!"

Argider nodded solemnly, though inside her head she was screaming, Please say no, please say no, PLEASE say no!