CHAPTER 72: HOW TO PIMP OUT YOUR BOYFRIEND (FOR THE GOOD OF THE KINGDOM)

Natalia checked her appearance one final time in the mirror. Her outfit was perfect—casual enough for coffee with Emi but stylish enough to project confidence. A loose-fitting cream sweater hung artfully off one shoulder, paired with high-waisted jeans that accentuated her figure without being overtly sexual. She wanted to look approachable today, not intimidating.

The reflection showed more than just her outfit. In the background, sprawled across her meticulously made bed, lay Satori. He lounged there like a cat in a sunbeam, one arm tucked behind his head, scrolling through his phone with casual disinterest. The door to her bedroom stood open—a necessary precaution with her father and Kimiko just down the hall.

Natalia turned from the mirror, crossing her arms as she leaned against her vanity. "Satori. We need to talk."

He glanced up from his phone. "I’m all yours, what’s on your mind?"

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "No more sex. Not until we’re at the academy."

For a moment, she expected shock, maybe even anger. Instead, his smirk only widened as he sat up, genuinely amused. "Is that so?" He set his phone aside. "And why the sudden vow of celibacy?"

"Because my father is not an idiot, and your mother is practically a mind reader." Natalia kept her voice firm despite the warmth creeping up her neck. "Kimiko already suspects something." Her fingers unconsciously traced a spot on her neck. "We keep this up, we will get caught. I’m not risking my father’s trust for a quick fuck in your bedroom."

Satori chuckled. "But that’s what makes it exciting, Princess."

"It’s not a game, Satori." Natalia shook her head. "This is our future."

He rose from the bed in one fluid motion, moving toward her slowly. Natalia’s heart rate accelerated, but she held her ground as he approached.

He didn’t stop until he was close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Satori placed one hand on the wall beside her head, effectively caging her against the closet door.

"You’re telling me..." his voice dropped to a growl that vibrated through her chest, "you can go weeks without this?" He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Without me tasting you? Without feeling you come apart on my fingers?" His breath was hot against her skin. "You’re a terrible liar, Natalia."

A traitorous shiver ran down her spine. Her breath caught in her throat as her body immediately responded to his proximity. He was right—the thought of going weeks without his touch was physical agony. Her legs threatened to buckle beneath her, and for a moment, she almost surrendered.

Instead, she placed a hand on his chest. Not pushing him away, but holding him at bay. She could feel his heartbeat under her palm, strong and steady.

"This isn’t about what I want," she said, her voice shaky but determined. "It’s about what we need

. We need to be smart. We need to be strategic." She looked up at him, meeting his gaze without flinching. "A queen doesn’t let her desires jeopardize the kingdom."

Satori studied her face for a long moment before slowly pulling back. "Fine. No sex. For now." His gaze traveled over her body, from her flushed face down to her slightly trembling legs, a silent promise that this truce was temporary. "But don’t blame me if you come crawling to my room in the middle of the night, begging."

Natalia released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. "I won’t."

"Good." He retreated to the edge of her bed but remained standing. "Now, about Emi."

Natalia seized the new topic like a lifeline. "Yes. What’s the plan? I’m meeting her for coffee in an hour."

"What were you thinking?" Satori asked, crossing his arms. "Talk me up? Set up some kind of group date?"

Natalia nodded. "Something like that. She already thinks you’re hot." The words tasted odd on her tongue. "It wouldn’t take much to nudge her in your direction."

Satori shook his head. "No. Don’t push. Just be her friend. Talk about me if she brings it up. Listen."

"That’s it?" Natalia frowned. "You’re not going to... do your thing?"

"The first rule of hunting, Princess: if you can, let the prey come to you." There was something cold in his voice that made Natalia shiver for an entirely different reason. "She already has a crush. All we need to do is give her an opening. The rest is on her." His smile returned, softer this time. "She needs to feel like it’s her choice."

Natalia considered this approach. "So if she mentions you..."

"Just say something like ’You should text him sometime’ and give her my number. Simple. Natural. No pressure."

"That’s... surprisingly restrained." Natalia reached for her purse on the vanity.

"I can be patient when the situation calls for it." His eyes glinted with amusement. "The sweetest fruit ripens in its own time."

"I should go," she said, checking her phone. "I don’t want to be late."

Satori nodded, then stretched out on her bed again, making himself comfortable. "Have fun on your little outing," he said, his eyes full of mischief. "I’ll be in the gym, working out. Thinking about all the things we’re not going to be doing later."

Heat rushed to Natalia’s cheeks. "Get out of my room, you pervert!" she snapped.

As she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. Despite her frustration, she looked more alive than she had in years.

For the first time since this twisted relationship began, she felt like she had some control. She had set a boundary, and he had respected it. It was a small victory, but it was hers.

The thought carried her down the hallway and to the front door with a lightness in her step. As she slipped on her shoes, she heard Kimiko call from the kitchen.

"Heading out, sweetie?"

"Just meeting Emi for coffee," Natalia replied, keeping her voice casual.

Kimiko appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her shrewd eyes took in Natalia’s outfit with a knowing smile. "That’s a cute top. You look lovely."

"Thanks." Natalia fidgeted with her purse strap. "I won’t be long."

"Take your time." Kimiko’s smile was warm, but there was something assessing in her gaze that made Natalia nervous. "It’s good to see you getting out of the house. You’ve been... preoccupied lately."

Natalia swallowed. "Just focused on training."

"Of course." Kimiko nodded, her expression revealing nothing. "Say hello to Emi for me."

"I will."

As Natalia closed the door behind her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Kimiko saw right through her. Another reason why the boundary with Satori was necessary. If they weren’t careful, everything would come crashing down around them.

The cool autumn air brushed her face as she walked toward the transit station. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A text from Satori:

Remember, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Let her come to us.

Natalia smiled despite herself. I know how to talk to my own best friend.

His reply came seconds later: That’s my queen. Go get her.

The message filled her with a strange mix of pride and discomfort. She was his queen, yes. But now she was also his accomplice, his recruiter. Bringing Emi into their web would change everything—their friendship, the dynamics of their future team, perhaps even Emi herself.

For Satori. For us. For the kingdom.