"For a beautiful woman like you, you're terrible at seducing men. That's why you married without love. You really suck, you know? Want me to teach you how to seduce someone?" He smiled as he approached her, "Or are you scared?"
"Kyaa!!" Diana let out a small scream as her whole body tingled, jumping back quickly to distance herself from Strax.
"Fufufu, how cute," he said, playfully biting his lips, before looking at her again; her body was breathless, and she was completely flushed.
'So Charm works on her... how funny,' Strax thought as he saw the notification that the skill [Charm affected Diana Vorah].
'This is going to be quite interesting...' he concluded before turning to her.
"Spit it out. The old man wants to see me, right?" Strax asked, and Diana was surprised but nodded slightly... "He's waiting for you in his office..."
Strax smirked at Diana's reaction. She, usually so controlled and calculating, had been completely caught off guard. He knew the [Charm] skill had a powerful effect, but seeing her react that way was unexpected and, for him, quite amusing.
"Well, it seems the 'inspiring stepmother' wasn't ready for this, huh?" he joked, walking towards the door while Diana composed herself, her face still slightly flushed.
She ran a hand through her hair, taking a deep breath to regain her composure. "You're more dangerous than you seem, Strax. I need to keep an eye on you."
He let out a short laugh. "I warned you that playing with fire was risky, but you insisted on testing it. Anyway, the old man is waiting for me, so I better not keep him too long." He paused at the door, looking over his shoulder at her with a mischievous smile. "Who knows, maybe another day you'll learn to use that charm properly?"
Diana was still trying to process what had just happened, but she simply nodded, at a loss for words in that moment. Strax opened the door and walked out, confidently making his way toward his father's office. His smile grew as he thought about the provocation he had just made and the future possibilities of exploring this game of power and seduction that seemed to have begun between him and Diana.
When he reached the office, Strax knocked twice before entering. The room was shrouded in a quiet gloom, and his father, Albert Vorah, was seated at the desk, reviewing papers. Upon raising his eyes and seeing Strax enter, he gestured for his son to come closer.
"Finally, you show up. I imagine you've completed the mission successfully, as Diana wouldn't be so satisfied otherwise." He began, his deep voice filling the silence of the room. "But I have something more important to discuss."
Strax remained relaxed in the chair, pretending to be disinterested. "Yes, of course, the spy is dead, and the information was recovered. Everything is under control. That should be reason enough for a bit of recognition, don't you think?"
Albert ignored him. "That's not the issue. I want to know one thing, Strax. How did you face Kryssia... so quickly? You've gotten so strong in such a short time." He stared directly into Strax's eyes, as if piercing through every layer of his lies and omissions.
Strax flashed a slow, ironic smile, as if the question was almost ridiculous. He was already prepared for this moment. He knew that his recent growth in power wouldn't go unnoticed, especially by his father. "Well, you know how it is... rigorous training, dedication, focus. I've worked really hard these past few months, and I think the results are finally showing."
Strax closed the book, maintaining his ironic tone, but with a hint of tension creeping into his voice. "So, basically, you want me to go there, face this legendary monster and... what? Bring back its head as a trophy?"
"Well, if you want Xenovia back," Albert said, and Strax froze immediately, turning to him with an expression of unprecedented fury.
"Repeat what you just said." Strax's voice came out low, but laced with a contained rage that made the air around them vibrate.
Albert remained calm, merely smiling at the boy.
"Your dear sister is now with the Prince, and, well, I can't do anything for her until I have something substantial to present to the King. After all, now that he has more than three emperors at his side, it would be reckless for me to act in any way." Albert shrugged nonchalantly, only fueling Strax's rage further.
"Make the most of these six months. Train and kill it... And maybe, you'll manage to reverse Xenovia's arranged marriage."
Strax's fury intensified like a flame fed by oil. His eyes burned with rage, and his body seemed ready to explode at any moment. Xenovia, his sister, now with the Prince? Albert's words struck him like sharp knives, each one sinking deeper.
Strax clenched his fists, the sound of his bones cracking echoing through the silent room. He wanted to charge at Albert right then and there, to rip away any trace of disdain or sarcasm, but he knew it would be futile. Albert was too calculating to be provoked by such obvious emotions.
"You set this up for me, didn't you?" Strax growled, stepping forward, the threat evident in every movement. "You knew she was being used as a bargaining chip, and yet you just sat there, playing your damn political game."
Albert merely shrugged again, his disdainful smile remaining unchanged. "Politics, Strax. It's all about the power play. You should know that better than anyone. I'm just buying time for her, and for you."
"So you sold her?!" Strax pressed on, stopping just inches away from Albert, his overwhelming presence filling the space.
"Well, just buy her back then," Albert replied, amplifying his aura, which began to crush Strax's.
"So that's how it is? Fine." Strax said, turning away. "When I come back, after killing that damn spider, I want a reward before I take out the prince and pin everything on you." He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
"He's fallen," a voice emerged from one of the corners. "Well, did you expect him to ignore you?" Albert questioned the woman.
"I didn't know he would..." Xenovia began to murmur. "Don't worry too much, just stick to the plan. He'll grow stronger while he does this; at least put some cards in his hands. I can't interfere yet, but when the moment comes, he will be able to use the conquest of the Spider to free you, and then... we'll incriminate the first prince." Albert commented.
"It better be that way," she concluded before disappearing in black flames.