Importantly, why did she have to make that announcement if Archibald said he'd set it up? What was that about? To see if she would follow through on her word, or what?
Either way, she felt pleased with herself. She really did it! She survived her coronation!
To celebrate, she spent the rest of the night sampling all the delicious treats brought forth for the celebration, and doing her very best to avoid interacting with people. It worked splendidly for her.
It turned out when the Empress didn't want to talk to people, people avoided talking to her.
If only it had been so easy in her past life.
She finished her celebratory party-diet meal of grapes, crackers, cheeses, and decadent baked goods that her past self wouldn't dare eat.
The type of things that are only sold during holidays, or at bakery shops during the week before and after a holiday because everyone wants some, but only eats a tiny piece because they feel like they have to, while thinking guiltily about the calories and weight they'll gain while doing it.
She, however, devoured every bite without hesitation.
In fact, she even started having a craving for more sweets in the middle of it all.
So she promptly walked over to the servant bringing another tray of desserts around and requested three more slices of that wonderful, soft chocolate cake and two scoops of ice cream to go along with it.
No one dared to deny her.
Unfortunately....probably fortunately, this body's stomach was small. The reckless urge to eat like it was someone else's body quickly enough curbed itself when she just couldn't fit anymore.
New note to self: never again
She struggled not to groan as she sat in her throne, hid her face, and endured the consequences of slamming so much sugar into her body at once.
That's when the ceremony finally concluded, and the servants began to disperse and clear the hall of all the decor.
While she watched, a beautiful man in a pristine, well tailored, and form fitting outfit began to approach the dais of the throne.
At first she thought he was coming to talk to her, but instead he stood in the space at the base of the stairs where people were permitted to come before the royal throne to speak to her, and he began to sing.
His voice was beautiful. Like an angel from the heavens. The melody of the song was breathtaking. Awe inspiring. She couldn't take her eyes off him.
Finally, his voice trailed off and he bowed politely, a pleasant smile on his lips.
Quickly, and surreptitiously, as if anyone could tell what she was looking at, she squinted at him to peep his stat sheet.
The man stood with his hands folded neatly before him, head lowered politely, like the gentleman he clearly was.
[~~STATS~~
Pauli Oberstein – Imperial Songster
Class: Siren
Sex: Male
Age: 19 Years
Height: 5'9" ft
Weight: 149 lb
Hair Color: Orange
Eye Color: Golden Brown
Skill: Heavenly Voice
Mood: Respectful
Affection Points: 0
Kinks: Orgasm Delay
Master/Slave Roleplay]
He was....something, all right.
Did she dare to press the red button and see his personal challenge?
She did ever live in hope, after all.
....It was another seduction challenge. Same as always. She sighed and declined.
What horny developer(??) only made a single challenge and then bothered to hide it behind a red button?
Like it was lying to the player about there being some randomness or customization, but the only difference were the numbers.
Why even have a red button, then, if it always comes with the same thing?
She shook her head.
"That was quite enjoyable," she murmured. "Thank you for such an exceptional performance."
Pauli's eyes twinkled at her, a soft and delicate smile upon his lips. "I'm so honored Her Majesty enjoyed it so much. Truly. I'm at a loss for words. Thank you, Your majesty."
The man stood up straighter then, offering a bright smile that distracted her with its sheer brilliance.
"Actually, I am looking forward to tomorrow." He admitted, catching her off guard. "It's been such a long time since I had an audience of people who can really appreciate the craft of music. Not that there's anything wrong with our servants, but.."
He made a 'you know what I mean' sort of gesture, which she definitely didn't. But she smiled anyway. What was tomorrow? She didn't have a pop up calendar to consult.
"Yes." She agreed, regardless. She had no clue what she was agreeing to, but it sounded like he was expressing excitement for something she probably had something to do with.
Or maybe her mother had??
Pauli perked up and smiled brightly at her. "Really! Your majesty, you've truly made my day. I can't wait to work with you more! Until next time!"
He waved politely and trotted off.
Such a pretty man with a pretty voice... was about the extent of her thoughts.
She hummed pleasantly, and then got to her feet. "I'm tired..." She murmured aloud to no one, "I want to sleep."
So she wandered out into the hallways once more, seeking the familiar location of her bedroom. However, she quickly realized that she wasn't paying attention at all to how she's walked, earlier.
She'd thought she remembered the way at least vaguely, but nothing looked familiar now. Probably she took an immediate wrong turn, and now was hopelessly lost.
Hm.
Should she call for help?
Maybe?
Probably?
Who could she possibly call, though? What maid should she shout for? Whomsoever is available to listen for a fussy lost Empress?!
She didn't see anyone just lurking around, waiting to help a hapless empress, so she instead opted for continuing to wander around like she knew what she was doing, trying to find something recognizable.
She felt like a rat in a maze. She wished there were at least little treats to pick up if she were going the right way.
Why doesn't this stupid palace have maps...?!
The more she wandered, the more the corridors changed, until the grand and luxurious decoration started fading away and she found herself wandering through more...private...areas.
She shivered and quickly darted away when she passed a hallway with a conspicuously ajar door. She heard the sounds of rough grunting and wet sounds followed by feminine gasps from inside that room.
"There you are."
A warm hand suddenly settled on her shoulder, startling her. She glanced back with wide, deer-in-headlights eyes to find...
The man with the pretty blonde hair and green eyes. That one impressive knight from the training field.
"Majesty," He said, tilting his head, "Why are you wandering the Knight's Quarters?"
She swallowed. Caught.
"...I'm. Not?"
He looked amused. "This is definitely the Knight's Quarters, Majesty."
She...belatedly pulled up his stat screen.
[~~STATS~~
Lyov Perlmann – Imperial Royal Guard
Class: Knight
Sex: Male
Age: 25 Years
Height: 5'11" ft
Weight: 163lb
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Green
Skill: Instant Seduction
Mood: Puzzled
Affection Points: 33
Kinks: Pegging
Voyeurism
Submission]
Her cheeks warmed at his kink list.
His skill was the same as Phoenix's, too. What was that about?
"Your majesty?" The handsome knight called out, squeezing her shoulder slightly, distracting her before she could be disappointed by yet another repeat challenge.
She jolted and then cleared her throat. "I uh..."
He tilted his head to the other side in confusion.
She smiled brightly. "I-I was looking for you, Lyov." Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
His eyes widened.
"Y-Your majesty...!" He quickly clasped a hand to his chest and bowed. "I didn't know you knew a humble knight's name...!"
oh come on...!
"Ah..." She struggled to come up with an excuse, because her brilliant idea of pretending to be looking for him actually....didn't extend beyond just saying that she'd been looking for him.
help-
"I. Want you." She blurted. "As part of my harem!"
Okay.
So.
He didn't need to look so shocked by that.
She, personally, thought it was a perfectly reasonable, understandable cover story that explained why the empress had gotten herself so damn lost wandering aimlessly right after her coronation celebration.
I'm supposed to be picking out a king consort immediately, right? So picking harem members immediately isn't suspicious either!
Yes.
She was very clever.
And he could stop theatrically gaping at her like a drowning fish any minute now.
He was starting to make her feel bad.
"...Ah...are you alright?" She asked, hesitatingly, reaching a hand out towards him.
She just meant to comfort him, but she stopped just short when the young man fell to his knees, clasping his hands together in front of him and pressing them against his forehead.
"Your majesty! The honor you bestow upon me is absolute...please! Take this lowly man! He is yours, if you so desire!"
"...Ah...um..."
He continued to tremble there on his knees before her, looking positively thrilled.
What. In the world.
She had no words.
"I...er...great. Thanks...?"
"...I will not let you down, your Majesty! I swear to devote myself to you and serve you completely! Please use me in whatever manner you desire!!!"
He had stars in his eyes as he looked up at her, absolutely beaming.
I...have no idea what's going on anymore.
"I..." She hesitated. "Please...continue...doing...a good job, soldier?"
"...Always! For your majesty!"
"...Cool..."
She reached out and stiffly patted him on the shoulder, where he knelt. "Good job. First Harem Member Lyov."
....After a moment of suspicion, she re-opened his stat screen.
[~~STATS~~
Lyov Perlmann – Imperial Harem Member 1 (Lover)
Class: Knight
Sex: Male
Age: 25 Years]
Before she could read further, a musical tone played in her ears and another screen popped up uncomfortably close to her face, "Bwah?!"
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR HAREM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED!
Every new harem member you add will grant you 1 reward point. You may spend these reward points at the rewards shop. All harem members offer various unlockable benefits such as new skills or information, increased affinity, and special gifts. Check their profile in the menu for details~! Happy harem building! ♪(^▽^*)]
...Lyov was staring at her in confusion and concern, apparently.
She hurriedly closed the screens before him. Which was, fortunately, still as easy as blinking hard.
"It's late, you know. You should be asleep by now." She coughed, quickly turning and fleeing down the hall away from him. "We'll discuss your role in the morning. Goodnight!!"
"...Wait...what? But-!"
"GOODNIGHT!!!!" She shouted as she ran off as fast as she could.
...Which was a problem, she realized, only after hightailing it out of that awkward situation.
Because she still didn't know how to get back to her room.
"Noooooo....."