A/N: Warning. This chapter goes hard. Hail to the queen, baby~!
Had someone rant at me saying I'm doing nothing but Elden Ring these last few months...?
Untrue, but alright. I'll play. This wasn't quite ready, but I have a point to make. I'll update Shed No Grace On Me tomorrow, hopefully...
As ever, the Embers rule remains:
If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Now for your questions comment and concerns:
Q: Mirelia best girl?
A: In this story, the Queen just might be. As we've seen, though she loves the King, she's sick to death of his antics. If he keeps pushing...well. We all know her limits. If he pisses her off he's like to end in a block of ice or worse, much worse...
Q: Have you seen Skeleton Knight in Another World? If so, I've got a proposition for you...
A: SHhhhh! No ideas! Resist I must!
Q: Are you keeping up with the new season?
A: I've fallen behind the last two episodes, but that's my own fault. I'm terrified to see what becomes of Ost Horai...
Got plans for Rishia, though. She'll be better off without the Bow Hero.
Q: Please don't bog us down with menus and skills.
A: It'll be tasteful and succinct, don't you worry.
Q: Give us the Wave already! We demand blood and violence!
A: Oi, oi, oi...you want people to die that badly?
Alright, then. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
Hope you're ready; because this chapter's got a bit of everything in it!
As ever, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
"You call me a beast, yet you're the one acting like a monster. Its almost sad...
~?
Wild Side
The next day brought its fair share of surprises.
Thankfully, most proved pleasant.
Most of them.
First and foremost, Naruto discovered that his pet had something of a teething problem. Amber liked to bite. She liked to bite a lot. He couldn't even blame her for it; lacking arms and legs, it was the only way for the little balloon monster to interact with the world. Biting was the way she conveyed affection, anger, even sorrow.
"She's gnawing on you again."
Naruto hide a rueful smile behind one hand. "I noticed...
Judging by the angry noises she was making as she tried -and failed!- to eat his hair, he could only assume she was hungry. Again, not unexpected. He'd gone up two levels overnight. Amber had leaped through three. All that from gnawing on the bedroom furniture! Greedy little glutton. Small wonder she was starving.
...and was it just his imagination, or was she a bit bigger than before?
"Here." Shrugging offered her a bit of bacon from his plate. "Eat this. Its gotta be better than-ouch!"
His words piqued into a laugh as she chomped down on his finger and slurped up the greasy goodness. Still holding onto his hand with her teeth, she made him lever her down onto the table. A quick hop brought her to his plate. Golden eyes sought the pancakes and eggs there. Flicked up to his. Back to the food again. Was she waiting for his permission?
'Huh. That's actually kinda adorable...
He conceded the battle as lost. "Dig in. I can always order more."
Amber didn't need any further encouragement. She descended upon the food. There were no survivors.
"Hungry, aren't you?" Naruto considered the little orange balloon he'd tamed. "So you can level up, too? Wonder if there's a limit." he poked her with one finger, earning a pleasant hum from his ally. "You gonna stay this way forever? Think you'll evolve?"
Amber caught a finger between her teeth and gnawed happily.
...is that a yes?"
She made a noise that sounded vaguely like an assent. He couldn't be sure. He didn't even try to decipher the noises she made.
Blue eyes sought a baffled servant with greying hair near the door. "Yeah, we're gonna need seconds. And thirds."
"But my lord, that's a monster." the man protested, of course. "Why feed it?"
"Because she's mine."
Amber made a pleased noise at that. Almost like she understood.
"But...but its a wild animal!
A blond brow rose. "And your point is?"
The man stiffened, looking like he wanted to protest. A flat stare put paid to that and sent him scampering. Good. That gave him time to focus on others things. He was gradually getting the hang of all these menus and screens, but that voice from before had proven itself quite silent thus far. He'd take that as a blessing, since most of this hardly made sense.
Kurama wouldn't stop grumbling about that last bit.
"According to this, our stats are off the charts, but...why?! Why am I at level one?! I should be at least a hundred times that!"
Naruto slapped his forehead, then apologized when Amber whined. "That's what's bothering you?!" his eyes flicked toward another skill on screen. "What's this, some kinda passive?" he squinted it further, then frowned at what he found there. "Attracts enemy monsters in battle...?! I'm gonna get swarmed!"
"Eh, the monsters like you. They probably won't kill ya. Reputation might take a hit, though...
"Oi!"
(.0.0.0.)
He was greeted with more somber news after breakfast.
"Somebody tried to poison the King?"
"They did not try." Mirelia didn't look back at him as her servants held her out her armor. She remained the very picture of poise in the mirror; unflinching, uncaring as countless hands grappled with cumbersome leather and steel plate. "They succeeded. He is currently abed."
"Oh...
Amber made a pleased noise atop Naruto's head.
Kurama offered the vulpine equivalent of a shrug. "Good...?"
Naruto was half-tempted to agree with his partner on that front Should he feel bad? He hadn't gotten along with the King. But to wish death upon him just because of a disagreement? He wasn't that petty. Not yet. This world was starting to change him, and he wasn't sure if it was for the better.
...did he die?"
The Queen looked back over her shoulder at him. "He yet lives...for the time being. The Church of the Three heroes is most displeased."
Her violet gaze held his, and Naruto wasn't sure he liked what he found there.
Heedless of the tension, Amber hopped off his head and plonked down on a nearby cushion. Within moments she'd made a nice little nest for herself and fallen fast asleep.
"Don't look at me." glowering at the queen, Naruto held up his hands. "I didn't do anything! If I wanted the old bastard dead, he would be just that," he snapped his fingers, producing an audible pop. "Dead. He ain't, so it wasn't me. If you think I did it...
"I do not." Mirelia clicked her tongue in mild admonishment. Her eyes sought out her shadows. "Leave us."
The masked women obeyed quickly, leaving them alone. Was it his imagine, or had he seen a few smiles there? No, surely that was just his imagination.
"Help me with this too, won't you?" Mirelia lifted her arms, offering him her corset. "I'm afraid I can't get out of this and really, they're no help at all."
Naruto's throat ran dry. "You're having me on, aren't you?"
She looked at him over her shoulder
Long lashes blinked.
"Am I...?"
He sighed and stepped to her warily, not sure what to make of the look in her eyes as he approached. Even a blind man could see what she was up to. A wise man would have made his excuses and bowed out, heedless of the scornful looks or the words that followed.
He'd never claimed to be a wise man.
With wary fingers he set to work on the strings binding her corset. Had to be careful. She wasn't wearing anything else up top there. "You know, you really don't have to wear armor all the time.
"I would sacrifice everything for this kingdom." she tossed her head and pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. "My comfort included. But not all sacrifices need be painful...or unpleasant."
"Ain't saying you're unpleasant." he muttered, fiddling with the string. "Hold still, will ya?"
"Hmm." she was silent for a moment. And then. "Are you a virgin?"
The question absolutely floored Naruto.
Only a short time ago he would've jerked back with a sputter. Face burning, eyes wide, he would've spat and swore and fled like a coward. Now? He wasn't numb to this, but the endless dickering and politicking in this odd world had given him thicker skin. His eyes widened a little, nothing more.
"Where's that coming from?"
"You are then." she looked over her shoulder, reading him like a book, the clever girl. "I confess myself surprise. With your...skillset, I thought you'd have maidens beating down your door. You had suitors, did you not?"
She was probing him, but there really wasn't much to reveal on that front. He had nothing to hide after all.
"Nope." He willed himself not to look away as he undid another string on her corset. "There really wasn't anyone back home. Even if there were, I never really had time for...you know." Rather than finish, he chose to trail off instead nad let her make her own assumptions. "Probably for the best."
"A pity." Her tone dipped a little. "You were a hero in your world, no doubt."
Now there was a leading question if ever he'd heard one. Still, he could hardly deny it.
"I guess?" In truth he'd never given it much thought. "I fought for my friends. My family. Did what I felt was right." his brow furrowed as he tugged out another knot, "Really, I got lucky and I had a lot of help. We still lost people, good people-
She gasped a little as he pulled a bit too hard. "Careful. I felt that."
"Sorry." he pursed his lips and teased another knot free. "Like I said, never really gave much thought to other stuff. Wasn't time for it."
"There's time now."
Mirelia turned abruptly and he lost his grip on her corset. It slipped form his grasp to pool at the floor, bearing her upper torso him.
.
..
...damn.
Don't panic. That's what she wants. Resist! Heat rose in his cheeks. "Oi! Cover up!"
"Whatever for?" she planted a hand on her hip. "I've nothing to hide."
"You really are blunt, aren't you?"
"I believe in speaking my mind." she crossed both arms before her bosom. It did lovely things to her chest. "Does that irk you so?"
Did it? He liked people who spoke their minds, just as he loathed those who lied to themselves. The Queen -Mirelia!- had been nothing if not honest with him so far. He appreciated that more than he could possibly put into words; it put her head and shoulders above the nobles here. She'd been nothing if not accommodating, but for the life of him, he couldn't see why she was to damnably interested in him. He wasn't anyone special; at least he din't think of himself as such.
"No, it doesn't bother me." he admitted at last, keeping his eyes on hers and nowhere else. "You're honest. I like that."
A soft smile touched her face, lighting her eyes. "I'm glad to hear it. Tell me what you want."
Yet another question he wasn't prepared for. "Queen say what now?"
"To send you home empty-handed after you save our world is a poor reward indeed." She stepped to him with a sway in her hips and it took everything he had not to give ground. "So tell me." a pale hand touched his left arm, tracing his bicep. "What is you desire?" her words were warm on his face, and he thought he caught a hint of wine on her breath. It would explain today's particular brand of boldness. "Wealth? Fame? Power?"
His brain took one look at her and committed swift, bloody mutiny. "You."
Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. "Now who's the honest one?"
Double damn.
Naruto bit his tongue hard enough to see stars, but it was too late to take back what he'd said. He'd never really wanted anyone before. Never had an interest. Still he wasn't a slave to his emotions. Mirelia wouldn't lead him easily, and if she tried, he'd make her work for it.
"Right now, I wanna fix this world." He chose the words that followed with infinite care, "That's all. As to what comes after, I don't know."
Oddly enough, that seemed to please her. "A hero through and through. Truly, we were blessed to summon you. And here I thought you might give in."
He bridled a little. Did she really think he was that weak-willed. "I ain't a homewrecker, lady."
Laughter bubbled out her, a short, sharp bark of bitter amusement.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, my hero," and here Mirelia favored him with a small sad smile, "I'm afraid there's nothing left of my family for you to wreck."
How did one respond to that?
"Aultcray wasn't always like this," she traced his arm again, face gone pensive, lost in some distant memory he couldn't decipher. "The last war was hard on him. It poisoned his mind and he lost family to it. He wasn't quite the same afterward, certainly not so petty."
"And this guy's the father of your children?"
"Contrary to popular belief, fatherhood has not made him a better man." Mirelia swatted his arm when he made to protest. "He's fallen far from his former greatness. Malty...has not helped in that regard." her ring finger -lacking said ring!- whirled a circle just over his palm for a moment before she comported herself enough to speak again. "If you say you didn't poison him, I believe you."
"Just like that?!"
"Indeed." her smile returned, but this time it held a worrying edge. "Alas, it seems he won't be able to carry out his duties in his present state. Such a shame.
An ugly thought occurred to him then. He gave voice to it a moment later. "You had him poisoned, didn't you?"
Another laugh, this one lighter than the last.
"No, no, no. I was tempted to have him removed from the equation of course, but not in such a fashion." her words rang true to his sixth sense; she wasn't telling a lie, or at least she believed such. "I suspect he dosed himself in an attempt to cast blame at your feet, perhaps to frame you for a crime you didn't commit and drive you from the capital. Doubtlessly he has an antidote prepared for such a ruse, one he must have taken soon thereafter to ensure he didn't suffer overmuch from any...side effects...
His hackles rose in the same instant. "Sounds like something he'd do...
"Unfortunately," and here Mirelia's fiery smile belied her true nature, for it was an utter contrast to the element she called her own. "Aultcray, for all his vaunted "intelligence" made one fatal mistake." she touched a palm to her cheek and tilted her head just so, eyes flashing in the gloom. "Would you like to know what it was, Hero?"
Naruto risked a nod; although he had the distinct feeling she would tell him regardless. "Tell me."
She did so happily. "Its simple, really. He tried to take away what was mine."
Kurama offered a low whistle. Naruto nearly choked himself.
Hers? He disagreed, but she was on a roll.
"Which is why I spiked his antidote with something else." Mirelia continued unabated. "I suspect he's suffering rather painfully at this very moment."
For the third time today, Naruto found himself brought him up short.
...you what?"
"Now hold on," her eyes met his, half-lidded with intent. "You might have misheard me." Mirelia's smile proved prime and proper, the very picture of a queen, but the intend behind her words was so much black ice. "I did give him half the dose, not some arbitrary percentage. I gave him," she stepped in, pressing herself against him, breasts crushing against his chest as she looked up at him. "The hardest drug my shadows could possibly procure. It won't kill him of course, not unless he has a particularly weak constitution, but he'll be a raving madman wishing for death these next few weeks.
"Ain't that a bit cruel?"
"Is it?" her slim shoulders rolled in a shrug. "If he survives, he might emerge a wiser man. If not...well." her at last she looked away. "I gave him no shortage of chances to improve long before your were summoned to this world. I warned him, time and again, to mend his ways. Yet he overstepped his bounds in spite of those warnings."
He clung to the last bastion of reason. "He's still your husband."
"Is he?" a dark host of emotions flashed across her face. "What were his words? This kingdom is nothing without him? Pah! Melromarc is a matriarchy under the rule of she who holds the highest authority. In other words, the Queen. Me." A finger jabbed his chest, tracing his ribs. "No other. If he thinks himself the only power in these lands, he is sorely mistake. He gave me the perfect opportunity to take him off the board, if only for a time. How could I let such an opportunity pass me by?"
He had to take control of this conversation before it went somewhere he wasn't prepared to go. "So...what now?"
"Now?" Mirelia warmed to the change. That was his first realization that he'd fallen into her trap. "Now I rule without his meddling...though I wouldn't say no to a suitable replacement while he convalesces."
Left unsaid was the chance he might not. Her gaze pinned him. Naruto bristled and flailed his hands. "I ain't no king!"
"King?" the queen's brow climbed into her hair. "Truth be told, I was content to settle for Prince Consort. Aren't you an ambitious one? Very well. I'll allow it. I'm sure my daughters will adore you." a pause. "Well, Melty won't mind, but Malty best, if she knows what's good for her.
Kurama all but howled with laughter. "Would you look at that? All that work and she still played you like a fiddle. Wanna dance a jig while you're at it?
What the Queen wants, the Queen gets apparently.
Still! He couldn't give up that easily! "I...you...!"
"We'll have to put off the public crowning, of course." Mirelia took him by the hand before his protest could build steam. "The Wave takes precedence. A small, private ceremony perhaps. Speaking of small, I understand you wish to tour some of the outlying provinces beforehand and make sure they're defensible?"
He did, and she was trying to keep him off balance. It was working. Brilliantly so. "Well, yeah, but can we circle back to what you just said?!"
"Certainly. You can have as many consorts as you wish of course." her smile was warm as magma, "But I will be your unforgettable first. Worry not. I can be patient." she reached up to stroke his cheek, delighting in the way he unconsciously leaned into her touch. "This can be perfectly pleasant for the both of us." her other hand came up, cupping his face completely. "Do you not find me attractive?
Naruto stilled his tongue...for good reason. Danger, danger, danger!
Minefield ahead! All brain cells on deck! Avoid! Dodge! Evade!
...do you really want me to answer that question?"
She purred. "I would hear it said, yes."
"Fine. You are. You're also married!"
"Not for much longer if I have any say in it." Much to his chagrin -and anticipation!- Mirelia pressed in, touching her forehead to his, bringing with her the faint scent of melting frost. "We could all die in less than a week." her eyes sought his, even as one leg moved to entangle with his own, while her arms looped behind his neck. "I'll take my chances."
Naruto nearly scoffed outright. They weren't going to die in the Wave. None one would if he had anything to say about it. He'd make sure of that. Of course, Mirelia didn't know what he was truly capable of. No one in the kingdom. Everyone assumed he was just one man, and he was; a man who could field an army of hundreds in an instant and be in countless places at once. If he worked with Mirelia he could bolster those ranks with yet more soldiers from the kingdom andblastshefeltsogoodagainsthim...
Mirelia could only poke and prod him so much.
"Like I said, the King tries to take our life, we take his wife."
Fair. And really what loyalty did he owe Aultcray anyway? Screw that bastard.
"Be with me." Her full lips brushed his, words a naked whisper. "Be mine. I promise you shan't regret it."
Just like that Naruto's hands betrayed him, settling against her hips to hold her fast. He could feel her curves, even through the loose tunic she wore. Mirelia hissed out a breath and shivered a little...then leaned the rest of the way to close the last bit of distance between them. He didn't stop her. He could have. He knew that. He chose not to.
They didn't do anything overt. They just...held one another, at first.
It felt...nice, all things considered. Her lips against his, the fullness of her body pressed against him. His blood sang in her embrace, warmingto her presence and he found himself returning the kiss with gusto; judging by the pleased sound she made, he knew he'd succeeded. Her hands reached up, curling in his hair as she pushed against a nearby wall.
With that, the last bastion of restrained crumbled in him.
"You certainly don't...ah!" Mirelia gasped as he lifted her leg, "Lack for vigor, do uou?"
"I still say we are not doing this King crap." he grumbled between kisses. "Her or not, I can't possibly be a...
(.0.0.0.)
...king."
Naruto's brow gave a spasmodic twitch as the carriage trundled down the road.
"Don't sulk." Mirelia cooed, leaning against him." You'll get wrinkles."
...I still haven't agreed to anything, you know."
"Hmm." she hid a smile behind her fan.
He frowned. "I'm serious."
She nodded. "Hmm."
"Don't you "hmm" me, missy!"
Today saw the two of them ranging further from the castle than before, though not with some...unfortunate side effects. Naruto's gut groaned with each bump they hit. No doubt the guards outside were getting all manner of ill ideas. He didn't care. Carriages were evil. Whoever invented was a demon lord. Had to be.
"Urgh...
He tried to turn his thoughts elsewhere, to focus on the goal ehad. Their destination, one Lurolona village was a supposedly a tidy little seaside hamlet near the cliffs, filled with demi-humans. If word was to be believed, the lord and his daughter were facing troubles of his own, both through lack of manpower and other, darker issues.
As in said issues being slavers lurking near the borders.
It didn't help that his stomach was roiling in this stupid wooden box...!
"This place has few defenses." The queen, bless her, tried to help and distract him further. "If the wave hits here, they'll be wiped out. I'm sure they'll be glad of what soldiers we can spare."
...but it won't be enough, will it."
She winced in silent sympathy. "We'll know soon enough, I suppose."
His nausea abated for a moment as he raised his gaze. "No, I'll protect this place with my best. I won't allow any casualties."
"You're just one man." she favored him with a pitying look. "You can't be everyone at once."
His eyes sparked. "About that...
He tried to continue, to offer some stinging comment, but his body finally failed him at the last. His face turned green. Oh gods, here it came. "Bleurgh!"
"Hmm." Mirelia leaned back with a grimace, lifting her feet from the floor. "I didn't think you were the sort to get carriage-sick...
Naruto groaned anew, choking it down. "Neither did I! I've run way faster than this, so whyyyy?!"
Mirelia didn't shy away from the mess he'd made any further. She simply patted his back.
"There, there, my Hero...
A/N: Ship is a go~!
Poor Naruto. No carriages for him.
And what the Queen wants, the Queen gets.
She even went about it in a nonlethal way at that; get the King out her path so she can better run the kingdom.
Time will tell if Trash learns his lesson.
Hope you enjoyed~!
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews!
POTENTIAL ones!
Mind you, many are in the far flung future, but still.
Why not have a taste?
(Previews)
Long live the king!"
"Do not!" Naruto slapped his forehead. "You'll jinx it!"
"He will be king. At least until your father recovers...if he recovers.
Her tone said it all. Melty managed a dignified blink. Oh, dear.
Not so Malty. She choked on her soup. "Mama?!"
Malty gazed at a beast.
And the beast gazed back. It saw her.
Kurama smiled. "Go on. Give me an excuse."
A terrified whimper fled from her trembling lips. It would kill her. Devour her. Swallow her whole. If she stood against him in any way, shape or form, she would die. Maybe...maybe she shouldn't mess with this one after all. For all his laughter and smiles there was something inside him, something that would happily eat her alive if she dared raise a hand against it.
"Oops! Guess you fell down." Naruto smiled at her as he hoisted her back to her feet. In her eyes, it had far, far too many teeth. "Lets be friends, eh?"
She nodded rapidly.
He walked right by. "Good girl."
She glowered at his back. "Crazy demi-human...
"What was that?"
Malty flung up her hands. "No, no, no! I didn't say anything! I'm a good girl!"
"You'd better be." he warned. "Bad girls get spankings."
Her face drained of color. "You wouldn't!
A blond brow rose.
Never challenge a prank master.
"Here, let me help you relax...
She sat down in his lap, resting fully against him.
Her rear ground against him and his world went white. He kept control, but only just.
...until she turned and pushed him down; kissed him, her hands roaming across his chest even as he reciprocated, delighting in the feel of her...
He shoved her. She fell back with a scream-turned-laugh as she landed on the cushions of her bed. He followed, pinning her down...
"Master, I'm hungry...
Naruto's brow leaped into his hair. "You can talk?!"
Rishia Ivyred was not a brave girl.
But the man before her undoubtedly was.
"You're right." he pivoted in place to address the noble before him, blue eyes flashing like fire. "A good man would take you in, question you. Prove your guilt. Unfortunately for you, I have all the proof I need. Right here." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, uncaring as she clung to his coat -to him!- in a vain attempt to preserve her decency. "You locked this girl away. And for what? Your own selfish desires. You would've had your way with her if I hadn't come along. No, don't respond. Your silence is all the answer I need here...
His body glowed gold.
...if you acknowledge any gods...start praying. NOW."
"I want to be strong! Like you!"
"Alright." his assent surprised her. "We'll start with your footwork."
"Hweh? Just like that?"
"Dragon!"
"Ha! Always wanted to wrestle one of those!"
"Fight?! Not kill?!"
"I mean hey, he's not harming anyone. C'mon, a dragon! That's so metal!"
"Hmm." Naruto considered the screen before him. "That's useful. Wonder what happens if I...
Rishia squeaked. "What did you just do?!"
"Oops! Sorry about that."
R&R~!