"This... is the warden's quarters?"
Rhys thought that the warden of the most secure prison in Amerka would be living in luxury. After all, they would be here for several years before being allowed to leave — but no. The only thing that made the room look like an actual living quarter was the bed, but other than that, it was more like a surveillance room.
There was a long and large desk on the wall, which had probably more than a dozen monitors that showed different parts of the prison. There was no table, no kitchen, and not even a refrigerator — the warden probably had to go to the staff cafeteria just like the other employees of the prison.
Is it to ensure that the warden would not relax? There wasn't even a single window or a TV that emulates the view outside. It was no wonder the warden was grumpy. It was just too bad Rhys was not really able to get to know the guy before he got killed by Talia.
"Does that mind of yours never stop thinking?" Talia let out a small scoff before standing in front of all the monitors, "You would think Mcconnell was paranoid for having dozens of monitors in his room, but it was completely justified — he was a shark surrounded by circus dolphins and orcas...
...and all that stands between him and them is this."
Talia nonchalantly placed the remote that had access to everyone's neck on the desk even though Rhys was just a meter behind her.
"...And you're not paranoid?" Rhys said as he suddenly stood beside Talia. Talia, however, did not even flinch; her hand, completely staying still and not grabbing the remote at all.
"You defeated me once and now you're underestimating me, boy..." Talia let out a small scoff as she just turned around and started walking to the bed; casually sitting on it before crossing her legs and arms while looking at Rhys from head to toe, "...Even with my age and the poison still lingering in my body, I am still the strongest in this place."
"...Sure," Rhys only glanced at Talia before focusing on the monitors, "I'm assuming that's all the nostalgia talking — you're once again in a position where you're in control of people. Instead this time, you have Commoners and a few Nobles under you."
"And don't forget the dregger that just landed," Talia pointed at Rhys.
"Okay..." Rhys then finally turned around to look at Talia and sighed, "...I think you, and I know that I am stronger than you."
"Fighting isn't all about strength," Talia lowered her eyebrows.
"Okay," Rhys started walking toward Talia, "I am faster than you, I have more abilities than you, I am more agile than you — I've been trained by the physically strongest woman in the world, I've been trained by assassins, and I've been trained by a very good Explorer...
...back when you were considered the strongest, you were ruling over Lowborns, Talia."
"And what does history have to say about me, exactly?" Talia smirked, "Capable of cutting down entire mountains? Splitting the sea? Now you're hearing it from the myth herself...
...I was capable of all of that."
"Was," Rhys smiled as he stood right in front of Talia, literally looking down on her. Talia did not budge at all, however, as she just returned Rhys's stare with a glare of her own.
"Pft," Talia then let out a small scoff as she looked at Rhys from head to toe again. And from the distance between them; her face was actually almost only a foot away from Rhys's crotch, which made her slightly focus on it before just turning to look at his face,
"At least I know I am no longer in my prime — you are young, and still completely delusional that you could actually topple the Amerkan government, least of all conquer the world? Hmph, what an imbecile."
"That was not a lie at all," Rhys smiled as he looked Talia in the eyes.
"Look at us, dregger," Talia opened her palms as she gestured around the room, "We are in prison — we have failed our goals."
"Stop it!" And almost as if something inside her snapped, she suddenly grabbed Rhys's face and stared deep into his eyes, "If you wanted to lie, you should choose a less grander one, dregger."
"I'm not lying at all," Rhys returned Talia's gaze; his silver eyes, drowning her completely, "I could have easily pleaded my case and not get thrown into prison at all, but I requested to be here...
...because of you."
"Say more," Talia's breaths stuttered as they escaped her shivering lips.
"The Commander of the Underworld Corps taught me how to lead people," Rhys whispered, "But she didn't tell me how to rule them. You see, everything I do, I do for a reason...
...I am here for you. Teach me how to rule my people, Talia."
"Are... they really following you?" Talia took in a small gulp.
"The other inmates have only known me for a week, and they are already following me," Rhys then forcefully grabbed Talia's chin, slightly causing her to gasp as their lips almost touched,
"Sooner or later, everyone becomes my pawns."
"...Are you telling me to be your Queen?" Talia smirked.
"No. Someone already has that spot."
The smile on Talia's face instantly disappeared as soon as she heard Rhys's words.
"Then what are—"
"Ayesha, Lina, Katarina, and Maria — those are my four queens," Rhys did not let Talia finish her words as his lips just grew closer and closer to hers, "Vicky and Agatha will be in the ranks soon, I believe one already is...
...you can be one of them unless you're willing to share."
"I knew someone like you would have a harem, even Nobler had one..." Talia pulled her head away, "...So, you're just using them, and you will be using me too?"
"Actually..."
"!!!" Talia then almost yelped as Rhys just suddenly pushed down the bed. Rhys then got on top of Talia and whispered to her neck before very slowly moving down to her breasts, and then down to her belly as he lifted up her shirt.
"...It's more like they're using me."
"You..." Talia could really only take in a deep breath as Rhys started kissing her belly. She was about to say something else, but as soon as she saw Rhys kissing her foot, her entire mind just went blank.
"You don't even have to do anything, Talia..." Rhys whispered,
"...Just let me handle this."