Back in time

Ark had just gotten out of the training academy. As the hero, it was easy for him to ace all of the classes, but he still needed formal training to become a knight. His graduation was a big deal, too. The academy would be having a party to celebrate the success of the hero that would save the kingdom.

He was a bit nervous, to be honest. A party all about him? He didn't deserve anything like that. Especially not for just passing the courses at the academy. He was sitting on a bench in the academy courtyard when someone approached him. She was both familiar and unfamiliar. He wasn't entirely sure why. More than that, she felt out of place here, though he couldn't determine why.

"Hello, Ark the Hero," the woman curtseyed. Despite her state of dress, she was quite gorgeous. "I have heard a lot about you. It seems like you're a pretty special guy."

"Yea..." He felt distracted. Like something here wasn't right. Wasn't someone else supposed to be here? But who? Why would he be waiting for anyone anyways? Ark chalked it up to anxiety for the party. "And you are?"

"I am Meloise. And I am your biggest fan!" She squealed with a smile. "I saw you in all of those exhibition matches and you were totally amazing! You're also incredibly hot." She winked and sat down next to him.

"Oh, uh. Thanks. Biggest fan, huh? Don't know if I've done anything to deserve having fans yet." Ark tried his best to smile, but it still felt hollow. All of this pomp and circumstance for a basic accomplishment? And why just him? Others were graduating too.

"Of course not! Not yet, anyways. But I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you that you would be amazing. Call it... love at first sight," she rested a hand on his leg and slowly rubbed up and down. "It's such a shame you've gotten caught up in all of the politics of this place, though."

"What do you mean?" He let her hand stay where it was. It felt nice, actually. Comforting.

"Well, that's why they're throwing the party tonight, right? A show of power to the other kingdoms that the hero is in our kingdom. Really, it seems very limiting if your abilities. You could rule your own kingdom if you wanted to." Her other hand began to trace circles on his chest. Her finger was slow and methodical— almost teasing him.

"I don't think I'm cut out to rule or anything. I don't even know if I'm worthy of being a hero," he sighed and let his own words wash over him. He'd been having these self-doubts ever since he started at the academy. This feels familiar. Like I've had this conversation before, but with someone else.

Meloise climbed onto his lap and put her arms around his neck. "Nonsense," she started as her fingers began to tangled in his hair. "You would make an excellent king. No one would ever challenge you. You could even take over this kingdom with ease. All of this poverty and inequality... all of these nobles... surely you get it, right? Things won't change even if you beat back the so-called evil forces. The people of this kingdom will still struggle because of their inept rulers. But with you at the helm to right the ship..." She pressed her body against him, her lips hovering over his ear. "You can make this kingdom perfect. You deserve it. The people deserve it."

Her honeyed words were colored by selfishness, but... he couldn't deny that what she was saying was correct. At least, part of it. The kingdom would never change with the current monarchy. Could he really fix that?

Meloise slowly began to grind herself in his lap, "you will make an excellent king, Ark. And, should you need a queen—" Meloise pulled back, taking in his features before pressing her lips against his. She smiled wickedly; this was all too easy for her. She would have him soon. Meloise broke the kiss and hopped off of him, "—you'll know where to find me. Of course... You won't need to find me if you come with me."

Ark raised an eyebrow. He couldn't deny this woman's allure. He had only really thought of Kylie in this way before, but the way this woman held herself... her confidence and encouragement were magnetic. He'd never been so taken with someone so fast before.

That's right! He was supposed to meet someone here! His childhood best friend Kylie. They were going to go to the party together tonight! But... had she ditched him? Maybe she was running late. She said she had something big to tell him tonight, too. Maybe he would just have to meet her at the party.

No, he made a promise. He would wait. "As tempting an offer as that is, I'm waiting for someone. But, if you're at the party tonight, perhaps we will run into each other." Ark secretly hoped that they would. He wanted to find out more about this woman. He was a little worried that she'd be upset with his rejection, but that didn't seem to be the case.

"Sounds like a date," she winked. "I'll see you at the party tonight then." She turned around and walked off, her hips swaying obviously even through the fabric.

Eventually, Kylie showed up. She talked about her dress for the party and how excited she was for him. Ark wanted to know what exactly she needed to tell him, but she insisted it was a surprise. Throughout their conversation, though, his mind would float off towards the mysterious temptress he'd just met. He wasn't sure where she came from; she wasn't an academy student, that's for sure.

The party came sooner than he would have liked. He was excited to see Kylie, sure. But another part of him was morbidly curious about Meloise. He and Kylie showed up together, just as everyone was expecting them to. Ark and Kylie looked like a perfect pair, both of them dressed well and walking arm-in-arm. Kylie had chosen a rather modest dress for herself, though it wasn't as if Ark was expecting anything different. She did look great, but his eyes were on one person as she entered the ballroom.

She was stunning. He'd half expected her to be dressed in a revealing lingerie or something based on how she spoke earlier. This was a welcome surprise. More than that, she commanded the attention of everyone in the room, including his. She crossed the floor to reach him, curtseying yet again in front of him. "Hello, Ark the Hero."

"H-hello, Meloise," he dropped Kylie's arm and kissed Mel's hand in greeting. "Ah, uh, Kylie. This is Meloise. I met her earlier today in the courtyard." When he'd kissed her hand, the scent of her perfume invaded his mind. It was a sweet lavender that danced along his nerves, infecting him with lust for her.

"It is nice to meet you," Meloise said to Kylie. "As he said, I am Meloise. Ark is quite the man, isn't he? I hope you won't mind me borrowing him for a dance," she subtly licked her lips at the prospect of stealing him from her. This silly country bumpkin had no idea what kind of man she really had. There was no way he would be truly happy with her.

Kylie, for her part, was incredibly intimidated. Something about the aura of this woman shot fear through her heart, making her want to shrink back. "G-go ahead." She nodded, stepping back.

Meloise extended her hand and Ark took it with little hesitation as the pair left for the dancefloor. She rested her hands on his shoulders and gazed into his eyes. He would be perfect once she was done moulding him. With the hero at her side, all of her dreams would finally come true! She had put his hands on the small of her back, right above her shapely ass. As awkward as it felt, he wasn't going to fight it.

"So, Mr. Hero, were you thinking about me at all today?" She purred and tussled the hair on the back of his head.

"I must confess that I was. I have never met someone like you before. Most women of the kingdom either fall over themselves in front of me or become demure sheep. You have the confidence of a monarch." He saw her as an impressive enigma. She had come out of nowhere and slid into his life in a matter of moments, yet he couldn't shake the thought of her from his mind. She would make a fine queen. Could he really make a good king?

"Aw," she leaned forward and made a show of kissing his cheek. "You're so sweet. Usually, men can't help themselves around me. You're a nice change of pace."

"You know, I was just thinking the same thing about you." They fit together so well. He was kind of impressed. Maybe the goddess had put her in his life just at the right time. He would leave the academy and go out to make a name for himself with Meloise before establishing a kingdom for himself.

"I had a bit of a naughty thought," Meloise said, leaning forward once more to whisper into his ear. "Why don't I give you a proper reward for all of your hard work at your academy. After all, I'm aiming to be your queen and wife. I should show you just how good I am at taking care of my man." She gently nibbled on his earlobe before standing back upright.