The Extra is a Cult Leader
Chapter 37: Emotions

Chapter 37: Emotions

Ethan crossed the castle gates at dusk, when the sun painted the walls in a soft golden hue. The guards stepped aside without even looking directly at him. They weren’t under his direct control, but even without holding an official title, his presence had already become something everyone there recognized.

The princess awaited him at the top of the grand staircase in the main hall. Her hair was immaculate, her deep-toned dress accentuating her curves, and her gaze, for an instant, revealed real emotion. When she began to descend, her steps were slow, almost careful.

"You came back early," she said, her voice low, soft, almost inviting.

"Maybe I wanted to see someone," Ethan replied with a faint smile.

Her empty eyes wavered for a moment, just enough for Ethan to notice the slight warmth that tinged her cheeks. It surprised him, given her usual lack of emotion, but it was an opportunity. Soon she regained her composure, descending the last step and standing close enough for him to catch the subtle, sweet, intoxicating scent of her perfume.

They walked together down the corridors, the gentle sound of their footsteps echoing against the ancient stone walls. Neither spoke right away; there was something comfortable in the silence between them. Ethan noticed how her eyes flickered toward him only in glances, as if trying to see whether he was looking at her.

"So then," she began, her tone calm, "what do you intend to do with what you brought?"

"I’m going to place it in one of your secret rooms," Ethan said. "It’s an altar, but it’s more than just stone and symbols. It’s a bridge."

She stopped in front of a carved wooden door, resting her slender fingers on it. "And this bridge leads where, exactly?"

"To me," Ethan murmured, then added, "It’s a direct bridge to my kingdom."

Of course, he didn’t mention that only those with permission to cross the barrier would be able to use it.

She slowly turned to face him. The distance between them was small enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her body. Her gaze had softened, turning curious, and carrying something deeper.

"And what if I wanted... to see this altar?" she asked quietly, her words tinged with sweetness.

"Of course," Ethan replied, his voice just as soft, mirroring her tone. "But you’ll have to get closer."

His hand brushed lightly against hers, guiding her to open the door. The touch wasn’t forceful, but there was intention behind it: a silent invitation. She didn’t pull away. Together, they stepped into the wide, dimly lit room Ethan had prepared days earlier. Cold stone walls, ancient tapestries... and in the center, the space awaiting the altar.

She moved slowly through the room, like someone appraising a treasure. Her fingers traced delicate shapes in the air, almost unconsciously, as if she were sensing the room’s energy.

"Looks like you prepared everything," she said, not looking directly at him, her voice sounding softer than before.

"It was the only piece missing," Ethan replied. "What do you think?"

Her eyes met his, lingering a moment longer than they should have. A small sigh escaped her lips, heavy with something Ethan knew well: restrained desire.

He stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat of her body. "You know I can sense your emotions through magic, don’t you?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

She stayed silent, her eyes still locked on his. It seemed that time apart had made her rethink some of her feelings.

With a smooth motion, Ethan drew the altar out from within his ring.

It wasn’t large, but it had a presence that filled the entire space. Made of white stone polished to the point of reflecting the soft light of the torches, its ancient carvings seemed to pulse with divine energy.

Stepping away from her, he set the altar in the center of the circle engraved on the floor. As the altar settled into place, a faint vibration rippled across the stone floor, almost imperceptible, but enough for them both to feel it.

"It’s beautiful," she said, her voice softer than before. "I didn’t imagine it would look like this."

Ethan looked at her, a faint smile on his lips. "Not everything powerful needs to look threatening."

She took a step closer, her fingers almost brushing the cold stone but stopping just centimeters away. "I can feel something coming from it... like it’s alive."

"It is," Ethan replied without hesitation. "Everything in my kingdom is alive, in one way or another. It’s an ancient technique."

Her eyes met his, and this time there was no calculation or teasing, just genuine curiosity and a faint spark of excitement.

"And now?" she asked.

"Now, it’s part of this place," Ethan said, his voice low. "And so are you."

She raised an eyebrow, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "Me too?"

"You gave me the chance to place the altar here," he explained, stepping closer until there was almost no space between them. "Whether you had a choice or not, your new loyalty is now bound to something you don’t even understand."

For a moment, she didn’t answer. She just looked at him, her empty gaze locked onto his as if searching for something she couldn’t name. Then, with a soft sigh, she looked away, back at the altar.

"And what does that mean, Ethan?"

"You’re now part of something that goes beyond kings, castles, or intrigue," Ethan said, his voice so calm it almost sounded like a promise. "And I know I can trust you."

She let out a quiet laugh, as if he’d just said something absurd. "You trust me?"

"I trust that you’ll always follow what matters most to you," he replied, his eyes steady on hers. "So all I have to do... is make sure that’s me."

The princess said nothing. She simply stepped even closer, so close Ethan could catch the soft scent of her skin. Her gaze was intense, almost hungry, yet still controlled.

Ethan slowly raised his hand, brushing aside a lock of her hair. The touch was gentle, but enough to make her breath hitch for an instant.

She smiled then, a small, almost melancholy smile. "Let’s see how far this takes us."

Ethan didn’t answer; instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a kiss.

Even at its peak, his magic couldn’t create feelings that didn’t exist; it could only deepen those already there. So he would have to awaken her emotions strong enough to make any thought of betrayal much harder.