Chapter 12 Preview, Part 10: X Romance

X's romance is such a spicy one this chapter, and people on the low romance route are in luck because they get the same scene as the people on the high romance route!!

Well... with some very subtle, very minor differences... but I'm sure those will be nothing to worry about 😇

Here's some snippets:

You narrow your eyes at them. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Shifting their weight around from one foot to the other, Ziryan’s cheeks turn slightly redder beneath their helmet, coughing into their fist—poorly concealing the laugh that spreads their mouth. “$cxthey did pass on a message.”

Judging by Ziryan’s increasingly sheepish yet amused expression, you can already imagine what it might be.

Clearing their throat, Ziryan recites: “Come and catch me, if you can.”

IF THE CROWN IS RESERVED

Your own face heats, left floundering for a response as Ziryan politely looks away again and pretends not to notice. Eventually, the words you land on come out disjointed, broken apart by your flustered countenance: “$cxthey did not- oh, $xname, you’re such a—”

A shameless tease, an absolute menace, a ridiculous flirt, and a hazard to your health. Yet, the effectiveness of it cannot be denied: your heart pounds not with embarrassment, but with anticipation and excitement.

IF THE CROWN IS FLIRTATIOUS

You cannot help it: you throw your head back and laugh, charmed by the utter audacity. No one else would be so bold to dare you to go after them, let alone manage to rope one of your guards into it to play a willing messenger.

And it’s working, which is the most ridiculous part of it all. Your heart pounds with anticipation and excitement, more than eager to take $xname up on $xtheir challenge and see where it leads you. Of all the things you expected, and with how guarded $xname has been with you before, the Pale Sword wishing to be chased is a pleasant surprise.

IF THE CROWN IS ASSERTIVE

You exhale a sigh, and a smile lifts to your mouth before you address Ziryan again. “Thank you for passing on the message. I will take it from here.”

A tactful way of telling them to keep their distance for whatever you and $xname may get up to. Your guards might be oath-bound to remain near for your protection, but the last thing you want is an audience while you take $xname up on this daring little game of $xtheirs.

IF THE CROWN IS PASSIVE

You exhale a sigh, hiding the smile that lifts to your mouth behind your fingers as you try to calm yourself.

It is impossible for you to even look Ziryan in the eyes as you speak. “Thank you, for… well.”

You dare not even say it, suppressing the impulse to hide your face from your personal guard who $xname roped into this little dance—chasing others, in the romantic sense, is not in your nature, which flusters you all the more.

Skies above, one of these days $xname is going to cause your heart to give out.

[...]

“You’re really having fun with this, aren’t you?” you call down the maze of corridors, thinking you ought to feel betrayed that your own palace is aiding $xname in this game. Perhaps you would be, if it wasn’t so thrilling.

$xname’s voice echoes against the walls, and you try to listen for a direction. “Now where’s the fun in me just telling you?”

It’s coming from the hallway on your left.

You try and keep your footsteps quiet, for all the good that it will do you. $xname should easily be able to sense you coming, but you still feel an urge to try your best. You were issued a challenge, after all, and it wouldn’t be becoming of you to give up so easily.

As you head down the hallway, you hear $xname chuckle.

“Closer…”

The taunting words spur you onwards, walking faster.

“Almost there…”

You reach the end of the corridor into another intersection of hallways, but you’re certain you know where $xname is now. You turn the corner to your right, your pulse pounding hot in your neck, and…

[[…X catches you.]]
[[…You catch X.]]

CHOOSING X CATCHING THE CROWN

Arms wrap around your waist as you collide into $xthem, a low laugh against your ear that sends shivers down your spine as you grab onto $xtheir shoulders for balance.

“Look who ended up caught,” $xname murmurs, lips brushing against your cheek in a soft kiss before $xthey draws $xtheir head back to look at you, grinning with delight. “Lucky me.”

X's route is definitely moving the fastest physically speaking, but emotionally... well, it might take a while to get there. But at least you're getting fun little make-out sessions in the meantime!

The Crown really needs it to de-stress with everything that happens in this chapter lol