The South had many monsters. But only one smiled while burying her husbands. An Invitation Drenched in Roses It came at dawn—a black scroll wrapped in red lace, sealed with a lip-pressed wax kiss. Delivered by no servant, but a raven with eyes like mirrors. Ryon opened it carefully. > To the curseborn who survived fire and chained the unchainable— Come dine with me under the bloodmoon. If you refuse, I'll assume you're already mine. Lyria paled when she read it. "She doesn't ask. She hunts." Kaela growled, sharpening her blade. "She's killed six husbands. All noble. All willing. None walked out." Ryon pocketed the scroll. > System Alert: Crimson Widow Identified Name: Lady Virela Vey Status: Widow of Southern Nobility / Blood Pact Sorceress Soul Thread Class: Lustbound Bond Status: Dormant (Locked by Trauma and Power Games) Required: Win or withstand her game of dominance Reward: Rare Ability – Kiss of Crimson Flame That night, Ryon was led into a glass pavilion filled with petals, silk, and shadows. Virela awaited him in a sheer red gown threaded with tiny enchanted knives. Just smiled. "Finally. A man who doesn't grovel." "I don't bow for monsters." She laughed, delighted. "Then sit. Let's see what you do for them." The dinner was a battle of words. Every question she asked was a blade. Every smile, a trap. > "What did Kaela taste like when she broke?" "Did the priestess beg you to stop or beg you to never stop?" "How many hearts will you crack before one cracks you?" Ryon answered none directly—but met her gaze, never flinching. And when she leaned forward to press a slice of bleeding fruit to his lips, he bit it from her fingers without looking away. The Widow Breaks Pattern And something cracked. Not a sound—but a stillness in her posture. A sudden loss of control. "You're not afraid of me." "No," Ryon said. "You're afraid of you. I just see it." She turned away, eyes glittering. > "I was thirteen when I was first 'wed' to a man three times my age. I slit his throat on our wedding night." > "They married me again. And again. Every time, they thought I'd become tame." > "Every time, I buried them deeper." Her eyes locked onto his again. "Do you want to try me too?" "No," Ryon whispered. "I want to free you." > System Surge: Emotional Trigger Reached Crimson Widow Path: Stage 1 Cleared Soul Thread Activated: Lustbound Type – Controlled by trauma Bond Progress: 0% → 10% Emotional Shift: From Power Play → Vulnerability New Trait Gained: Widow's Insight – Detect emotional manipulation attempts New Side Quest: "Undo the Blood Vow" (Break her marriage curse) And without speaking, walked to him. Then slowly—deliberately—sat in his lap, draping herself across his chest like a rose made of knives. "You're not mine yet," she said, lips brushing his ear. "But you will be." Ryon touched her cheek—softly. "Then make me fight for it." That night, in the scarlet guest chamber, she slept. Not watched. Not threatened. Slept—for the first time in years. And Ryon stayed awake beside her. Knowing full well the next day might bring betrayal… or a deeper bond. He had claimed his seventh soul. And the Crimson Widow? She dreamed not of death—