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I died a prince.
Not a cool death either. No glorious battle. No epic last words. Just me, tied up, betrayed, pants half-down, and stabbed in the back by my fiancée—who was also my cousin.
Royal life is weird.
But I digress.
Because now, I'm alive again. Reborn. In my younger body. Same messy black hair, same royal mark on my neck… and—wait.
> [God-Seal System Activated.]
Objective: Bond with Five Brides of Fate.
Warning: Avoid Death. Again.
...That's vague and unhelpful, but thanks, glowing voice in my head.
I sat up, groaning, only to realize two things:
1. I was very, very naked.
2. I wasn't alone.
There, standing over me, in all her curvy, terrifying glory, was a girl wrapped in dark silk, face half-covered by a mask, and holding a dagger inches from my throat.
Her legs were long. Her eyes were lethal. Her cleavage? Illegal.
> "You saw me naked," she said, her voice low and deadly.
"Technically," I said, trying not to stare, "I was the one naked."
"So now you die."
Great. Reborn and about to be murdered again. By a half-naked woman with thighs that could snap a man's will to live.
But just as she raised her blade—
> [Bride of Fate Identified: Yurei no Hana – Cursed Assassin Princess.]
Compatibility: 98%
Warning: Physical contact may trigger extreme... arousal.
Hold up.
"Arousal?!"
Before I could finish that thought, she tripped.
Tripped—on her own dagger, no less—and fell right on top of me.
Our lips touched.
Time stopped. Or maybe it exploded.
A surge of raw heat punched through my chest like divine lightning. Her eyes widened. Mine rolled back. My hand accidentally landed somewhere very soft.
> [Bond Initiated.]
System Bonus: +10 Charm, +1 Accidental Grope, +Lust Aura Activated.
Yurei gasped, cheeks going pink under the mask. "W-What did you just do to me?!"
"I think I system-bonded you."
"…I'm going to kill you."
She didn't.
She tried.
But that's when the dragon girl crashed through the ceiling.
---
BOOM.
The roof exploded.
I don't mean figuratively. I mean a freaking human missile burst through the ceiling like the angry spirit of testosterone and dragon-fire. Debris flew everywhere.
Yurei rolled off me mid-murder attempt, blades drawn.
And there she stood.
Tall. Toned. Wearing cracked armor that looked two sizes too tight in strategic places. Her midriff was exposed. Her hair blazed like crimson wildfire, and her eyes glowed with draconic heat.
Also: Boobs. Jiggling. From the landing impact. Just saying.
> "You!" she roared, pointing at me like I just stole her panties.
"Prince Riku Asahiro. I've finally found you!"
Oh great. I'm famous now.
> [Bride of Fate Identified: Kaida Ryuhime – Dragonblood General's Daughter.]
Compatibility: 94%
Warning: Temper Flammable. Boobs: Also Flammable.
Yurei growled beside me. "Another one? Tch. Typical man."
"Hey, I didn't invite her to crash my rebirth party."
Kaida stepped forward, claws extending from her fingertips. Actual dragon claws.
> "You seduced my cousin, got her pregnant, and abandoned the empire. Now you're touching her?" she snapped, glaring at Yurei.
"I died, okay?" I raised my hands. "Little busy being executed at the time."
"Convenient excuse."
"And I didn't seduce your cousin! She seduced me! With alcohol and… enthusiasm."
> [System Alert: Lying detected. You totally enjoyed it.]
Shut up, system.
Suddenly, Kaida's aura flared—a blast of heat that nearly melted my hair off.
> "You will take responsibility."
"...For the heat damage?"
"No. For me."
And before I could blink, she grabbed me by the collar, yanked me up like I weighed nothing, and kissed me full on the mouth.
Yurei screamed.
I blacked out.
Heat surged through me like molten fire licking my spine. Something roared inside my chest—was that a dragon?! I think my tongue caught fire.
> [Bond Initiated.]
System Bonus: +15 Strength, +Dragon Affinity, +Fireproof Lips.]
You are now bonded to: 2/5 Brides of Fate. Warning: Harem Level Rising.
I dropped to my knees, gasping, lips smoking. Literally.
> "Okay… new rule," I wheezed. "No one else kisses me without warning, I think my soul is going to explode—"
CRASH!
Another window shattered.
A girl in ceremonial robes and glowing heels floated in.
Her voice was soft, divine, and terrifying.
> "Prince Riku… You were supposed to be dead."
I sighed, flat on my back between two overly gorgeous, overpowered, and very jealous women.
"Welcome back to life, me."
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