The Extra's Rise-Chapter 282: Cecilia Slatemark (1)

'He's very arrogant,' Luna mused in my mind.

I agreed.

'Let him be, for now,' I responded. His arrogance, irritating as it was, wasn't entirely baseless.

After all, Jack Blazespout stood above even the Pope of the Order of the Fallen Flame. He wasn't just another noble-born contractor—he was considered the next Heavenly Demon.

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'Didn't you say there were two plans?' Luna pressed.

'Yes,' I confirmed. 'Jack inherited half of the Heavenly Demon's Soul aspect and his Mind aspect. The second... got the other half. And his Body aspect.'

A grim thought, but reality nonetheless.

Stepping out of the room, I spotted Rose. She was waiting, her auburn hair catching the soft glow of the chandeliers. The moment our eyes met, I smiled.

Jack wanted her.

Not for himself.

But because Evelyn, the Pope of the Order of the Fallen Flame, wanted her.

To use her as a weapon.

That alone was reason enough for me to keep her far, far away from their reach.

Evelyn hadn't come after me directly, which aligned with what Charlotte had told me. Instead, she sent Jack—hoping he'd break me. Make me give Rose over willingly.

But Jack knew.

That wasn't going to happen.

In his mind, I was already marked as the future Second Hero—the one destined to oppose him.

Luna's presence in my soul had only cemented his suspicions. Emperor of the World. Vanquisher of the Heavenly Demon. The one who had already defeated Lucifer in combat.

It made sense.

And yet—his logic had gaps.

Because he didn't know.

I was Fateless.

And that was why Luna chose me.

Jack asking for Rose outright? That wasn't a demand. It was a provocation.

A game. A taunt. A way to show me just how much power he had.

And for now? He was right.

I was still too weak to touch him.

He had an entire cult and a dukedom at his back.

For now.

"He's going to be an annoying opponent for you," Luna mused in my mind. "A dangerous one, in fact."

"Perhaps," I responded, pushing the thought aside as I approached Rose.

She glanced up at me, her brown eyes meeting mine. I extended my hand, offering a small smile.

"Do you want to dance again?" she asked.

I nodded.

Before she could take my hand, a third one grabbed mine.

"Hey, hey! Don't forget about me!"

Cecilia's voice rang out, playful and demanding all at once.

I turned to her, finding the blonde princess grinning up at me, crimson eyes practically glowing with mischief.

"Cecilia," I said flatly.

She huffed, flipping her golden hair over her shoulder. "Come on, Rose already got the first dance. Seems only fair I get one too."

Rose sighed but didn't argue. Cecilia was… persistent.

I exhaled through my nose before lifting her hand, pressing a light kiss to the back of it.

"Then, Princess Cecilia Slatemark, will you grant me this dance?"

Her lips curled into a bright smile. "No reason for me not to."

She pulled me onto the dance floor, the orchestra beginning a new piece—something a little faster, more suited to Cecilia's flair.

She moved effortlessly, leading as much as I did, matching my steps with ease.

"You're good at this," I commented.

"Well, I am a princess. It'd be embarrassing if I wasn't."

We twirled through the dance floor, the music weaving around us. But as we danced, I noticed something—her energy was different.

The teasing spark was still there, but beneath it, something… hesitant.

"Arthur," she said, her voice quieter now.

I met her gaze.

"Do you actually like me? Or do you just tolerate me because I'm… well, me?"

I blinked.

Of all things, I hadn't expected that.

Cecilia Slatemark was fearless. She carried herself with absolute confidence, throwing herself into everything without hesitation. And yet, here she was, unsure.

The dance slowed as I tightened my hold on her waist, leaning in just slightly.

"Cecilia," I said, my voice steady. "If I didn't like you, do you think I'd be here, dancing with you?"

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

"I don't tolerate you. I want you here. You—" I paused, watching as she searched my face. "You matter to me."

For a split second, she looked almost vulnerable.

Then, as if realizing it, she grinned, slipping back into her usual confidence.

"Well, of course I do," she said, though her voice was a little breathless.

But her fingers curled just a little tighter around mine.

And she didn't let go.

"And remember," Cecilia murmured, her crimson eyes locking onto mine, "I will do anything you want me to, in any way possible. Use my power as a princess, use me as a tool, wield me however you see fit—just keep me by your side, and be mine. If you do that, I'll give you everything."

There was no hesitation in her words. No doubt. Just pure, unwavering devotion.

I exhaled softly. "All I want from you is you," I whispered. "If you give me that, I'll be satisfied."

Her lips curled upward. "Along with three others," she quipped.

I didn't retort. Couldn't, really. There was nothing to argue against.

Instead, I shifted gears. "If I ask for a favor, will you grant it?"

"Yes," she said instantly, her voice quick, eager. "What do you want? A noble title? Money? An artifact? Or… me?"

I met her gaze. "I want you to monitor Jack Blazespout's movements—particularly toward the Springshaper family."

Cecilia tilted her head slightly. "Are you worried about Rose?"

I nodded.

She clicked her tongue. "But Jack... he seems like a normal high noble kid. A genius, sure, but nothing special like you."

My eyes narrowed slightly. Even Cecilia—sharp, perceptive Cecilia—was fooled by him.

Jack's ability to hide his true nature wasn't just effective. It was masterful.

"Just do this for me, okay?" I said.

Cecilia studied me for a moment before grinning. "Alright… but only if you do something for me in return."

I sighed. "What do you want?"

Her lips parted in a slow, teasing smile. "Kiss me. For an hour."

I opened my mouth to retort—but my gaze betrayed me, flickering just slightly to her lips.

Damn it.

Cecilia was stunning. Not just in a regal, refined way, but in a seductive, almost dangerous way.

Her red lips, curved in amusement, were a trap, and she knew it.

"I want to put my lipstick all over you," she whispered as the dance slowed.

I swallowed.

Then I grabbed her wrist.

Cecilia let out a thrilled giggle as I pulled her off the dance floor, her arm linking through mine as we moved.

"Oh? I never thought I'd see you like this~" she teased as I led her into a private room, locking the door behind us.

The moment it shut, I turned and pushed her onto the couch, standing over her.

She lay there, eyes alight with mischief, lips slightly parted.

I exhaled.

Some people thought being surrounded by beautiful women was a dream.

But when those women were insanely flirty, relentlessly persistent, and completely unafraid of getting what they wanted—

It was hell.

Because, at the end of the day—

Damn it, I was still a guy.

'Drowning in success, are we?' Luna quipped in my mind.

'Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you, you damn qilin?' I shot back, my patience thinning.

She just laughed.

But I didn't have time to argue.

Because right now—

I was too busy kissing Cecilia.

Her lips were warm, soft, and utterly relentless.

The moment we parted, she was already tugging at my collar, her fingers twisting in the fabric like she had no intention of letting go. Her crimson eyes, always sharp and teasing, were now hazy with something else.

Her cheeks were flushed, her breath slightly uneven.

And yet, she still smirked. "Giving in, Arthur?"

I smirked back. "What do you think? You really think you can handle an hour of me?"

Before she could respond, I pulled her in again.

And this time—

I didn't hold back.

Perhaps—just perhaps—it was okay to let loose once in a while.