Reincarnated as a Background Character — Boss Fell in Love With Me
Chapter 10: Court Games, Crimson Lies, and One Very Unwanted Proposal
The morning after their dramatic and flamboyant entrance into the magnificently foreboding Ash Court, Raze was jolted awake to a bewildering reality: he found himself adorned in luxurious silk garments, standing amidst a sea of adversaries, and faced with an unexpected proposition—a marriage contract that felt more like a sinister initiation than a romantic proposal.
So, clearly, things were going exceptionally well.
As he stole a glance around the grand throne room, Raze noticed that the atmosphere had shifted dramatically now that sunlight filtered through opulent stained glass windows. The space was less intimidating, exuding a theatrical quality instead of pure menace. The myriad mirrors that lined the walls shone brightly, reflecting light in a way that seemed both enchanting and deceptive—a fitting metaphor for the very nature of the Ash Court itself. The velvet drapes that swayed gently in the morning breeze concealed not only the pure illumination of dawn but also the intricate secrets and unspoken plots swirling in the air. In this dramatic theater of power and intrigue, today's unexpected headliner was none other than Raze himself.
At the apex of this elaborate performance sat Velzeria, a figure of authority and ferocity, perched on the throne she had fought to reclaim—not entirely, not through any formal decree, but symbolically and with great flourish. In this world of shadows and power plays, that symbolism carried significant weight.
Raze stood just behind her, arrayed in formal attire that had been magically imbued to stave off the oppressive heat of the chamber, quell his nerves, and possibly even shield him from the ambient death magic that pervaded the space—at least, that was the hope. In a realm where danger lurked at every corner, the stakes felt exceptionally high.
Then, slicing through the palpable tension like a blade, a voice slithered forth, cool and calculated.
"Let us speak plainly, Empress," intoned the Gravedancer, lounging with a casual grace upon his own ornate throne. "Your… tether… is a liability. He is mortal. Fragile. He anchors you to sentiment."
Velzeria, with a cool yet fierce demeanor, replied, sipping from her teacup as though it contained the lifeblood of empires. "He anchors me to evolution."
"In this court, he is in grave danger," the Gravedancer pressed, his tone shifting slightly to one of mock concern.
"I am fully aware of his vulnerability," she shot back, her voice laced with the steel of determination.
"Then the solution is simple: marry him."
The room fell into an oppressive silence, the weight of his words echoing ominously in the chamber.
Raze found himself coughing awkwardly, a reflex born of shock.
Velzeria lowered her teacup with an agonizing slowness, her expression shifting from one of controlled calm to utter disbelief.
"…What?" she finally managed to utter, her voice barely a whisper.
The Gravedancer's mask flickered in the wavering firelight, where the ghost of a smile was etched in bone-white. "You have tethered your soul to him. The Court is beginning to wonder whether he represents your greatest weakness or your true equal. Let the contract serve as the resolution to this conundrum."
Raze blinked slowly, still trying to wrap his head around the surreal developments. "Contract…?"
"A political bond," Velzeria explained, her voice clipped and resolute. "A soul-pact enforced by both law and magic. Public. Permanent."
[New Prompt: Accept Trial Marriage Pact — Y/N?]
[Warning: Pact is Binding in Spirit and Law. Duration: Undefined.]
"She won't agree," Raze blurted, a desperate hope clinging to his disbelief.
Velzeria stood, the weight of her resolve evident in her every move. She walked toward him deliberately, her steps carrying a slow, purposeful intensity, much like a flame exploring its boundaries.
She halted mere inches away, her hand rising to his cheek—not as a gesture of aggression, but rather as an invitation to study him closely. Her thumb lingered at the edge of his jaw, tracing an intimate line that sent cascades of unobtrusive tension through his frame. The Court, now transformed into mere spectators, watched the moment unfold in absolute silence.
"You've stood by my side through the ruins of my past," she murmured, her voice a soft melody resonating in the heavy air. "You've shielded me, even when you lacked understanding of the monumental significance behind your actions."
A peculiar glow emanated from her eyes, a shimmering reflection of both vulnerability and fierce determination.
"Do you trust me?"
At that moment, Raze felt time stall, his breath halting as he wrestled with the gravity of her request.
"…Yes," he finally replied, his voice barely a whisper, yet imbued with sincerity.
Velzeria turned back to face the expectant Court, transforming her moment of intimacy into a proclamation of intent. "I accept the pact."
The ceremony that ensued was both swift and profoundly impactful, brutal in its efficiency yet undeniably beautiful in execution.
No ornate rings entwined their fingers. Instead, intricate runes were energetically burned into their wrists, creating two interwoven marks that pulsed in unison, alive with magical resonance. There were no vows exchanged, only the binding essence of a shared fate—an oath woven through soul and circumstance, witnessed by the Court and indeed the world itself.
[New Title Acquired: "Consort of Ash"]
[Soul Tether Upgraded ➝ Pact-Bound Link]
[Shared Traits: Emotion Sync, Harm Reduction, Echo Channel (Locked)]
Later that evening, back in the quiet confines of their chamber, Raze couldn't help but stare at the glowing sigil now etched on his wrist.
"This is utterly insane," he muttered, his thoughts racing as he attempted to process the enormity of their shared decision.
Across the room, Velzeria stood at the balcony, framed by the silvery glow of moonlight that danced around her, causing her hair to sway gracefully in the gentle breeze like the flickering flames of a bonfire.
"Yes," she echoed simply, as if she too was grappling with the ramifications of their pact.
"We staged a political marriage," he ventured cautiously, disbelief lacing his words.
"No," she countered firmly, her gaze unwavering as she stepped closer. "We accepted a genuine bond under the guise of political necessity. There is a crucial difference."
He let out a laugh, jagged and edged with anxiety. "You're absolutely terrifying."
She turned to face him fully, her expression serious yet imbued with an unexpected warmth.
Slowly, she approached him until they stood barely an inch apart, the air thick with both unease and electricity.
"I will respect your boundaries, I will not touch you without your consent," she stated firmly, her tone a blend of authority and caution. "This is not about affection, but strategy. The Court now fears you, Raze. That… was always the goal."
"And what if I find myself afraid of you?" he asked quietly, the vulnerability of his admission hanging heavily between them.
For the first time, Velzeria lowered her head, the weight of her authority temporarily slipping.
"Then I'll leave," she whispered, her voice cracking with uncharacteristic fragility.
Those words struck him with a force more potent than any battle he had ever endured, reverberating in his chest like a thunderclap.
Resolutely, he stepped forward, closing the diminutive distance between them, and took her hand in his.
"No. Stay," he pleaded, his heart racing with an unfamiliar mixture of fear and longing.
[Emotional Sync: 87%]
[Trait Evolved: Anomaly's Presence — Raze now projects anti-fate interference when near Velzeria.]
To be continued...