Symphony of Manipulation

"Um, so what are we going to do now?" William asked, still in the same pose.

"We wait. We can't always be the main character. This time, the main character is over there, looking at us with deep hatred. See how those brown eyes are twitching? Surely, we don't want to be in her bad zone, right?" I replied, then chuckled softly.

The Rangers had their rifles aimed at us, fingers ready to pull the trigger. It only takes one command before they start showering us with bullets.

"Sheila, do you realize that what you're doing now is betraying the kingdom? The place where you were born and spent 28 years of your life. I never thought you were the type of person who would kill her own mother."

Behind me, I could feel Sheila's body tensing, ready to leap forward. "Don't talk about my parents like that, Wendy!"

I couldn't hold back my laughter.

Every pair of eyes now turned to me, wondering what was so funny that it made me cough.

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to offend," I said after calming myself down.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself emotionally. "You're a tyrant ruler, and your name is Wendy?" I quickly restrained my mouth from smiling, or I would lose control again.

"Her name is Wendryssa. I call her Wendy because her real name is too long," Sheila replied, smiling as she held back her laughter.

Hey, she understands my joke!

"Did I ask you to speak?" The Queen asked, with a gaze ready to tear me apart.

"Do I need your permission?"

Sheila couldn't hold back her laughter.

She rushed to cover her mouth, hiding her face behind me from the Queen, who was now glaring at us.

Suddenly, the glass shattered.

From there, Sarah walked over, dragging a hapless Ranger who was screaming for help. She crushed his head, then threw him out of the window as if he were trash and not a living being.

The Rangers gritted their teeth, impatient to shower us mercilessly with bullets.

"Why is she with you?" Sarah asked, glancing at Sheila, who was waving her hand and grinning in triumph.

"Because she jumped out of the ship. Besides, she's safer with me, so I brought her along," I calmly replied.

"So, if I jump out of the ship, will you do the same?"

"You can fly in the air, Sarah. In fact, you're much stronger than me, so I believe you can handle it on your own."

"I can handle it on my own!" Sheila retorted, feeling offended.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore Z's laughter, which sounded so gleeful.

"DO YOU THINK THIS IS A JOKE?!"

The shout made the room fall silent. Only the sound of the fire devouring the left side of the ship could be heard, leaving me wondering.

Aren't they panicking?

"SHEILA! I FINALLY TRUSTED YOU AGAIN, AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO?! BETRAY ME? YOU'RE LUCKY I DIDN'T KILL YOU WHEN I LOST MY CHILD!!"

Oh no, this is going to start.

"BECAUSE OF YOU! I LOST MY ONLY WORLD! BECAUSE OF YOU! I LOST MY PURPOSE IN LIFE! AND NOW YOU BETRAY ME?"

I got off the motorcycle, turned my shoulders to ease the stiffness there, and looked at the Queen. "So, you think that just because your world is gone, your purpose in life is gone, you want others to feel the same?

I don't know whether to call you crazy or foolish, or maybe both.

But, who do you think you are?

You have no right to determine other people's lives like that. Just because your life is filled with suffering, you think you have the right to make others feel what you feel?"

I spread my arms, indicating the chaos I had created.

"Do you see what's happening, right? You will only bring destruction upon yourself. Whether it's now or later. It just so happens that I'm the medium this time. You make all your subordinates suffer, making your people smile in falsehood.

Isn't that enough?

Must you go as far as taking away the happiness of those who live in peace? Must you do all this just to fill the void in your heart that will only keep growing?

Until when? Until your life is taken by someone's hands? Until regret comes knocking and drives you to take your own life?

Is that the end you desire for Wendryssa?

Is that the end your child wants?"

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT PETRA!" The Queen snapped.

"That's what they will feel once you attack," I walked closer to the window, observing the speakers, spotlights, and lasers that were currently silent. "It hurts, doesn't it? It cuts deep into the heart."

A sad song started playing.

I turned back to face them, feeling how the melody of the violin and cello touched my heart, giving me a sense of tranquility amidst the profound pain that I don't even know from where.

The bottom line is, I felt it.

"Have you ever imagined how they feel when they lose their loved ones, their homes, their place to lean on?

What you feel when you experience loss is what they will feel once you attack.

Have you ever thought about that for even a moment?"

The Rangers looked down, drawn into the music and heartfelt speech. Only the Queen persisted, although deep sorrow was evident in her eyes.

The song was preparing to enter the chorus, and I stepped forward, preparing my heart to give them the best performance they would ever see.

"Think about how they feel! About their future!

They will be TRAUMATIZED!

THEY WON'T BE THE SAME AGAIN!

JUST LIKE WHAT U FEEL, WENDRYSSA! THEY WILL SUFFER THE SAME!

ISN'T THAT WHAT U DON'T WANT!?

What you need is understanding, love, someone who can give you a place to lean on. You don't need all of this.

You just need to be embraced by someone, given peace and comfort."

"Can you provide that?"

"Of course - Eh?"

The Queen stepped down from her position, where every pair of eyes continued to watch her, observing every step with expression that raised significant questions until their eyes widened.

Various questions arose in their minds.

Unreasonable questions like, did the Queen just fall for me?

And at the same time, just as she stood in front of me, the music changed to a slow, seductive melody, forcing my body to come closer, dancing in silence, letting my body and erratic breath speak.

Wendryssa's hand rose to touch my shoulder, her gaze becoming melancholic, just like the look Sheila had given me before.

A smile formed there, a wide smile revealing neatly aligned white teeth, slightly parted, inviting me to...

Ahhh! What am I thinking!?

"Be honest, Zent, you desire her right? The Queen is no less beautiful than your three lovers," Z replied with a wide grin. "Ahh... I'm really envious of you. If only I could experience it too."

Shut up, you perverted side.

I don't even have three lovers, just one. And even that remains uncertain, with no definite answer.

"Pfft. Do you want me to believe that you don't have feelings for all of them?" A small laugh escaped. "Stop lying. I know you desire her."

Are you an angel or a demon?

"I am your fairy godmother."

"Why won't you answer me? You aren't sure I can change?" The Queen asked softly as she brought her face closer, continuously glancing at my lips before returning to meet my gaze.

"So, do you want to change?" I asked to make sure.

"I will change for you, my dear. As long as you're by my side, giving me support, the peace and comfort I need. Until this moment, only you truly understand me, even in our brief encounter."

Her hand rose to encircle my neck.

"You have also shown that you are someone so brave, so strong, and never give up. Do I need any other man besides you?" She glanced back at Sheila and Sarah, who were trying to hold back from lunged at her. "I'm even willing to be the third for you."

"Fourth," I corrected.

"Oh? So, you're admitting me as your partner?"

What's actually happening? And why is my mouth opening on its own?

Honestly, I didn't say that. Someone else did. Most likely, it's the dark side that's trying to take over.

"Who's the second one?!" They both shouted at the same time.

I could only sigh upon hearing that, not knowing what was going on anymore and why I suddenly ended up here.

I had intended to kill her.

Why did she fall in love with me instead?

"That's your rizz, Zent. You should be grateful that many want it, but can't have it," Z replied cheerfully.

Shut up, you perverted mind.

I'm really confused now.

What should I do about her?

"Do you still need to ask? Of course, make her your concubine, you lucky bastard."