Duke Cassian tried to ignore the bounce of her full breasts against his arm and her soft underside rubbing against his manhood.
They needed to get back fast; he'll keep her bound and investigate the Corvus family publicly.
"Hyah!" He yanked the reins again as midnight cleared another fallen log, speeding towards his cabin.
Even over the pounding of Midnight Hooves out of the forest of witches, Jia felt awkward.
Did he not like the House of Corvus?
Oh God, only the female leads had an advantage.
"...and I'm just a minor character..." She mumbled.
What if she came from a family of debtors?
It didn't help that every few moments, aided by gravity shoved against his hard chest, with one hand wrapped around her waist to prevent her from falling.
[+1 Seduction Point.]
She clenched a hiss through her teeth. She didn't notice it before, but every time the system added another seduction point, her lust spiked. How did those things work anyway?
Was she seducing the Duke, too?
His hard chest bumped against her back again. She heard him take a deep breath.
As far as she was aware, she irritated him.
His rough hands were hugging her so close she could catch his earthy, masculine scent. Every time the Duke squeezed the reins, the veins in his arm bulged.
[+1 Seduction Point.]
"Hmmmph…" Jia muffled a moan.
"We're almost there..." He informed her, tone casual in his rumbling baritone, his breath hot against her ear.
A tremor ran up her spine, trying hard to clench her thighs together.
"Fuck ...."
[+1 Seduction Point.]
"We're here."
Unceremoniously, the Duke dismounted from his horse, stretching out a hand to help her down.
" …Thank you, Duke Cassian…" she chirped shyly.
"Hmm." He grunted.
She took his gloved hand. Jia didn't notice this before, but with the rising sun, the sun caught the golden flecks in his red eyes.
He helped her dismount by the waist onto the ground.
She watched him pat his horse on the head, and the Horse snorted, trotting off to the edge of the cabin, absentmindedly picking at grass.
" And you..."
He regarded her sternly.
"Daughter of House Corvus. I suppose sending a query and some church inquisitors to your house won't be an overreaction to your invading my territory?"
"What? But I was kidnapped and escaped-"
Duke seized her by the arm. "Save your words for the church that will verify your words."
Jia struggled to pull her arm out of his iron grip as he pulled her towards his cabin.
"Where are you taking me? What are you going to do with me??"
"Enough!" He grunted, tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"I will not have a lady dressed kicking up a fuss in my home half-naked."
He kicked open his door and tossed her onto his bed.
Jia landed ungracefully with a thump.
"You're such a dick!"
"Be quiet."
Duke Cassian kicked off his boots and began to unbuckle his belt.
" W-what are you doing?"
He threw his belt to the floor with a thunk, and instinctively, Jia pulled up the sheets to her chest.
"What do you think?" He stopped and glared at her with a raised brow.
"You think I want to sleep with you?"
Even with his deadpan voice, his emphasis on 'you' was spat out.
A shudder ran through her. She did remember reading something about the Duke's temper in the VR game.
And she was supposed to seduce this man? Well, from his perspective, it was understandable. She was apparently a minor character, but she knew some modern tricks.
[Uh, you're a virgin] The system chimed in.
Just you wait and see, jerk! She thought to herself.
"Take this," The Duke interrupted her thoughts, tossing a dress onto the bed.
Jia picked it up, examining it. A Simple, soft, ash coloured gown.
Jia raised an eyebrow. Why does he have a woman's gown? He was supposed to be a bachelor.
" It was my mother's." He said as if reading her thoughts.
"Thank you…."
She clutched the gown to her chest as he regarded her, silent.
"Now what?"
"I will be sending you home, Jia of House Corvus."
"Wait, really? Okay, let me change out of the fur coat you borrowed me."
She beamed, her cautious demeanor suddenly switching to relieved, which felt a bit insulting.
"It's called a– never mind."
Duke Cassian said with a sigh. He was about done with this strange woman. On his table to the left was his teleporting ring.
"I brand you, and you go home."
He picked up his opal ring and put it on; it dinged with a dull glow.
" What? Brand? Like a slave?"
His jaw ticked–slightly.
"I'm not sure you've properly recovered your memories. Slavery is not a topic we mention lightly in Elyria."
"Oh…okay. I apologize."
"Stretch out the back of your right hand."
Confused, Jia obeyed. He grabbed her wrist, his palms gently caressing hers.
This man was surprisingly gentle. Then he whispered some words, closing his eyes.
The back of her hand began to glow a dull red. Deep green circle with the symbol of a drawing.
" What is that–AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The pain burned deep and hot, as if her hand was chopped up and caught on fire.
The Duke grabbed her hand. "Dimomte Complex!"
The pain vanished immediately, and the heat cooled.
"Whoa…incredible. What was that?"
" I should have warned you before that it is used on thieves and petty criminals."
If Jia Corvus was still playing a bit, she was really committed to it. Hence, he needed his brand on her body as assurance.
"So something to track me with then?"
Her golden eyes drooped to the floor, and he felt a bit of awkwardness.
"For fourteen days, my brand will let me track wherever you are so you cannot run. I would like you to issue a petition to your house."
Jia didn't even know what her family looked like. How many siblings? She was not looking forward to seeing them and maybe uncovering why the owner of this body, Adeline Corvus, was killed and buried.
"I understand, Duke Cassian…. Please send me home."
His face contained no Expression, and he gestured for her to get up as he turned, crouching to mutter another spell.
Jia slipped on the gown quickly.
"Is that how I'm getting home?"
"Quiet. I need to focus."
Jia rolled her eyes. He was handsome and cold, all very attractive qualities, but…he was a jerk.
A dark red circle appeared on the floor, and Jia held her breath.
Seeing magic in person was an out-of-body experience, but she was getting used to it.
"Step in."
The red circle hummed, and she tiptoed, standing over it. It buzzed and tickled her feet.
"This will send you into your land."
Duke Cassian activated the magic in his ring, pointing it towards her, and in a wink, she vanished.
And the circle closed. He probably should have explained that it would be a place without a family protection circle. He'd rather not waste more magic dismantling that.
He picked up his robe, ready to head for his own territory, when he remembered a crucial piece of information about the Royal hunting event taking place on Corvus's cursed land.
"I'm certain she will be fine…" Cassian muttered to himself.
****************
"Blerghh!" Jia's insides roiled as she emptied its contents into the grass.
Teleportation was like tumbling down a waterslide in complete darkness.
She heaved and wiped her lips with her sleeve, looking around.
" Didn't Duke Cassian say he'd teleport me home?" Did he lie? Around her was a beautiful forest, and in the distance she could hear shouting–celebratory shouts this time.
A few places ahead was a well-worn path towards an unfamiliar-looking castle.
House Corvus?
Jia squinted and let out a low whistle… There it stood, an imposing castle surrounded by wild gardens
Were they supposed to be a rich Noble house in debt?
"Ducking 17th century Nobles…" Jia muttered.
A building like this back in her world would easily go for eight hundred million dollars.
She'd hardly gathered her thoughts when an arrow whizzed past her face.
"Whoa!"
Instinctively ducking behind a shrub, the sound of a cannon went off and then loud cheers.
"Is this a hunting ceremony thing?"
Jia pulled out the arrow stuck firmly into the ground with a grunt. It was polished wood with red ribbons tied to the end. The tip–sharp, pointed metal.
" I should probably get inside and–"
Another arrow whizzed past, this time landing very close to her foot.
She jolted backwards. Was someone mistaking her for prey?
"Hey! I'm here! Don't shoot!" She waved her arms around frantically.
From a distance was the sound of running feet and cheery shouts. Good. The more noise people made, the less likely she was to be shot.
She spotted the silhouette of a man dressed in a white uniform, bow in hand, walking towards her.
Jia rushed to her feet to stand in the middle of the path, waving.
"I am Adeline, Daughter of House Corvus, please cease your shooting–"
This time, she didn't see the arrow in time until red liquid spurted out of her chest, slamming her backwards into the ground.
Not again…. Jia thought as she faded in and out of consciousness.
Her assailant was standing over her now, expressionless and watching her die.
She struggled to say something, but the arrow was deeply embedded in her lungs.
Jia's words came out in a gurgle of blood as she coughed, feeling the familiar embrace of death.
[Lives lost. 2/99]