Exiled Prince and His Succubus Army-Chapter 12: Negotiation with Rei

"We can call it that I guess," Renji drawled, leaning forward slightly in his seat. His dark eyes fixed on the petite priestess before him with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. He rested his elbows on his knees, fingers interlaced as he studied her reaction with the careful attention of someone who knew exactly what he was doing.

"I... I... I can’t," Rei stammered, and immediately leaned back as if putting physical distance between them would somehow make this easier. Her pale skin seemed even lighter in the dim temple lighting, and she swallowed nervously, her throat working visibly. The short hair that fell to her ears trembled slightly as she shook her head, though the motion lacked conviction.

Renji’s smirk widened, taking on that familiar cocky edge that had gotten him into, and occasionally out of, more trouble than he could count. "Why not, priestess?" He let the question hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "You clearly want to, and you would make a great addition to my team, you know?" His tone was casual, almost conversational, as if he were discussing the weather rather than asking a saintess to abandon everything she’d ever known.

Rei bit her lip hard, bringing sharp pain to herself, and this deliberate act of self-inflicted discomfort brought a measure of clarity to her clouded mind. The sting centered her, reminded her of her vows, of who she was supposed to be. She shook her head firmly now, with more conviction than before. "No," she said, her voice steadier despite the tremor that ran through her small frame. "It is against my faith." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Aya was watching the entire situation tensely from her position near the temple’s entrance, her dark hair falling over one shoulder as she observed. Her expression was carefully neutral, but her fingers twitched at her sides, a telltale sign that she was restraining herself from interfering.

She understood what Renji was doing, even if she didn’t entirely approve of the method. Her telekinetic powers hummed just beneath the surface, a barely contained energy that she kept locked down through sheer force of will.

Meanwhile, Kaede, who seemed utterly bored by the entire moral dilemma playing out before them, shifted her weight and pointed out with characteristic bluntness, "Look, priestess, you’re the only one left of your faith and your rivals are far greater in number."

The tall blonde’s tone was matter-of-fact, almost dismissive, as if she were explaining something painfully obvious to a child. She crossed her arms beneath her chest, her posture radiating confidence and impatience in equal measure. "If you stay here, you die. It’s that simple.

If you come with us, we can protect you and you would be safe." She paused, letting the weight of that truth settle over the room. "Your choice, but make it quick. We don’t have all day."

Rei nodded slowly in understanding, processing the harsh reality that Kaede had laid out so plainly, but there was a profound sadness etched across her delicate features. Her dark eyes glistened with unshed tears that she refused to let fall, and her jaw tightened with stubborn determination.

"I know it’s unsafe," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. The admission seemed to cost her something. "But I can’t leave my faith. I can’t just... abandon everything I am, everything I’ve devoted my life to." Her hands clenched in her lap, knuckles white with tension.

Renji finally stood up from his seat, the movement fluid and languid, and stretched his lean frame with exaggerated casualness. His joints popped softly in the quiet temple, and he rolled his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the conversation. "Fine, lady," he said, his tone shifting to something more reasonable, more practical.

He turned to face Rei fully, his messy black hair falling across his forehead as he regarded her with those sharp, restless eyes. "If you can house us here, we’d protect you in return, and you don’t have to join my harem." He said it simply, as if offering the most natural compromise in the world.

Both Aya and Kaede’s heads snapped toward him in perfect synchronization, their expressions mirroring shock at such an unexpected request. Aya’s mouth opened slightly in surprise, her usual composure cracking for just a moment.

Kaede’s eyebrows shot up, disappearing beneath her blonde bangs, and she looked at Renji as if he’d just grown a second head. Neither of them had seen this particular strategy coming.

But Renji had his reasons for this seemingly generous offer, and they had nothing to do with altruism.

He had decided, in that calculating part of his mind that was always three steps ahead, that it was better to keep the priestess around where he could work on her defenses slowly, methodically. This way, he could seduce her later when her guard was down, when she’d gotten comfortable with their presence, instead of letting her go and losing the opportunity entirely. It was the long game, and Renji had always been patient when it came to things he wanted.

Besides, and this was equally important in his practical assessment of the situation, it was a free place for them to stay. No rent, no suspicious innkeepers, no questions asked. The temple was remote, defensible, and already stocked with supplies. It was perfect.

"So what do you say?" Renji asked, spreading his hands in an open gesture that suggested he was being completely reasonable and not at all manipulative.

Rei ruminated on the offer for a long beat, her eyes distant as she weighed her extremely limited options. She could feel the walls of her previous life closing in around her, forcing her into corners she’d never imagined she’d occupy.

The silence stretched between them, heavy with implication and unspoken possibilities. Finally, after what felt like an eternity compressed into mere moments, she nodded slowly. "Okay," she said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of resignation and reluctant hope. "I agree."

Renji turned to face Aya and Kaede, and his characteristic smirk returned in full force, transforming his features into something triumphant and insufferably pleased with himself. "So it’s settled," he announced, clapping his hands together once for emphasis. "Here’s our new home for the time being."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​