Lewd System: Every Scream and Moan is EXP

Chapter 219: Chapter 219: The Hand That Writes the Outcome

The dance continued smoothly, a few other couples swirling around them in practiced elegance. Jax was enjoying every single moment of this.

He acted as if nothing had happened, maintaining that pleasant smile while dropping revelations that shattered Elira’s carefully constructed mask.

She was panicking now. Hissing under her breath. Her character completely broken.

His words still revolved around her head like a haunting melody. ”So tell me, Princess. Should I reveal it myself? Or will you do the honors?”

She couldn’t form words. Her lips parted but nothing came out.

Jax tilted his head with mock disappointment. ”Looks like you won’t tell. So why don’t I try, and you can correct me if I’m wrong?”

No reply came. Just those wide crimson eyes staring at him with growing dread.

Jax pulled her closer. Close enough that the mere centimetre gap between their chests became invisible to anyone watching.

To the crowd, they looked like lovers sharing intimate whispers. He guided her movements into a proper royal dance, mimicking the patterns he had analyzed from the surrounding couples.

”Let me guess from the very start,” he began, his voice low and confident. ”You oppose this marriage. You’re being forced into some political arrangement, and from my observations, it looks like your future husband has quite the background. Perhaps his father is a big deal. Or perhaps he’s a prodigy, an ace that your father admires.”

His hand pressed gently against her lower back, guiding her through a turn.

”Therefore, a princess like you isn’t able to break this arrangement despite desperately wanting to. You simply don’t have the power to do so. How tragic.”

Her jaw tightened but she remained silent.

”But you didn’t lose hope. Your mind kept calculating until you found an alternative. A way to break free from it all.”

His smile turned sharp. ”You found a method to sabotage the arrangement without directly opposing your family. Without being brave enough to fight for yourself, you chose someone else to make you break free.”

Her eyes widened with horror as she stared into his gaze. There was something almost maniacal in those eyes now. Something that made her realize she had severely underestimated this man.

”Then you heard about me,” Jax continued smoothly. ”The crazy professor who doesn’t care about consequences. The one person in this entire academy stupid enough to clash with nobility over a bruised ego.”

He chuckled softly. ”You planned to use me against him slowly with your scheming. Just like what you’re doing right now.”

Both of them turned their gazes toward the vampire boy standing at the edge of the crowd. His face was contorted with fury, practically radiating murderous intent toward Jax.

Then Jax’s hand gently cupped her cheek, turning her face back toward him.

”You joined my team just because of this scheme. Just so you could ignite a fight between us and make us dance between your palms like puppets.”

His thumb traced along her cheekbone almost tenderly.

”You might have thought of me as a fool who would either kill him or humiliate him so thoroughly that it would be impossible for his family to regain their honour. Either outcome would have served your purpose.”

He leaned closer until their foreheads nearly touched.

”But guess what, Princess? You laid your trap for a piece to discard, completely unaware that you were using the hand that writes the outcome.”

Both of them stopped their movements entirely. The music continued around them, but they stood frozen in the middle of the dance floor.

”Am I wrong?”

Several seconds passed in heavy silence. Then anger exploded across her features.

”What did I do wrong?” Her voice trembled with frustration. ”Why was it my fault in this stupid arrangement? I stood up for myself! And still...” Her composure cracked further. ”Where did I go wrong?”

Jax’s expression remained unmoved. ”Where? The moment you thought of me as a piece on your board, you had already created the worst possible scenario for yourself. Because the board only exists because I allow it to exist.”

He tilted his head. ”And another correction is needed here. You said you stood up for yourself? If you truly believe that, then you’re a complete fool.”

His voice hardened with genuine disgust. ”I don’t know everything about you and this arrangement, but one thing I can say for certain. You’re a coward. Too much of a coward to take a real stand for yourself. Instead, you hid behind others, pulling strings, manipulating people from the shadows. And that is the type of scum I hate the most.”

”You know nothing, Professor.” Her voice came out defensive now. ”Are you saying I should revolt against my own family?”

She sighed heavily, as if preparing to explain something to a child.

”Leon is the son of the Duchess of Velmount. His mother is the most powerful figure in our kingdom, both in terms of influence and raw strength.”

Her eyes grew distant as she continued. ”Our kingdom’s politics depends on a very specific fabric. The person most favoured by council votes and citizen approval is the one who decides who rules. That’s how our monarchy functions.”

She met his gaze again. ”The Duchess was on a path to absolute power. She would have taken over the kingdom within the next ten years if left unchecked. So my father took this absurd step. By connecting our two households through marriage, he guaranteed the queen’s throne for me while securing our family’s hold on power.”

Jax laughed. The sound was genuine, almost delighted.

People nearby admired them, assuming the couple was discussing some wonderful news, sharing their happiness and problems like young lovers do.

”So you were even more of a coward than I initially thought.” Jax shook his head in mock disappointment. ”Elira, do you still not understand how stupid you’ve been? You’re literally hiding instead of facing your own problems. You—”

He stopped mid-sentence. Something crossed his mind, and a smile spread across his face.

”Actually, forget the lesson for now. It will be delivered soon enough.”

His eyes gleamed with mischief. ”But first, tell me this. What if I reveal your entire plan right now? What would happen then?”

She stiffened in his arms.

”Wouldn’t the problem be solved much faster? The poor boy would feel utterly betrayed. He would surely tell his mother to break off the arrangement immediately.” Jax spread his hands dramatically. ”And boom. You’re free.”

Elira understood his threat perfectly. She also recognized the playfulness behind it. A smile crept onto her lips despite her situation.

”You wouldn’t.”

”What makes you think so?”

”Tell me, Professor.” Her voice steadied with newfound resolve. ”What do you want? I can give you anything in exchange for your silence.”

Jax raised an eyebrow. ”You’re quite bold suddenly. But poor you, you’re too late for being bold. I wish you had shown this confidence from the very beginning—”

”Then my body it is.” The words cut through the air like a blade.

Jax’s smile widened. ”My, my. Now that’s some real boldness.”

Elira’s expression remained perfectly neutral. ”Professor, just cut the chase. I’ve studied everything about you. I’m simply bringing forward the only deal that actually works for someone like you.”

Jax considered her offer for a moment. ”One hour from now.”

Confusion flickered across her face.

”In the next hour, I will be leaving for my mansion,” he explained. ”I want you to follow my carriage and accompany me for the night.”

Elira was cursing him viciously under her breath. Her face showed no expression, no fear, but inside she was terrified.

She cursed herself for everything that had led to this moment. For underestimating him so completely and of course for the absurdity she was about to get into.

The music reached its final crescendo. Jax leaned her backward in a dramatic dip.

”But remember one thing,” he whispered as their faces hovered close together. ”When you show up in front of me next, make sure you are different. Make sure I see the new you. Not the same coward. Not the same senseless fool.”

His voice softened unexpectedly. ”I know this sounds strange, but be prepared. Think carefully about your situation. Consider what made it lead to this point. Who was truly responsible? The boy? The Duchess? Or your own father?”

He pulled her back upright gently. ”Until then, take your time figuring things out.”

With those parting words, Jax released her and walked away.

Elira stood frozen on the dance floor for several seconds, processing everything he had said.

’New me? He was surely just trolling me. Maybe that’s how he hunts women. Maybe this is some kind of roleplay he enjoys.’

But something about his final words refused to leave her mind.

Jax’s wandering gaze found a familiar figure sitting alone at the refreshment area.

Seris.

She looked lonely. Her hand absently swirled a straw in her glass, and her eyes stared at nothing in particular. Lost in thought. Lost in sadness.

Jax understood immediately. Her mother wasn’t here tonight. Neither was her father. And judging by the love that clearly existed within that family, this isolation must be weighing heavily on her heart.

He walked over and sat down beside her.

”I suppose you aren’t drinking alcohol.”

Seris glanced at him, then back at her glass. ”No, it isn’t. And why do you concern yourself with that?”

”Because I’m nice.”

An irritating voice interrupted from behind them.

”You’re literally never nice.” Astrid appeared with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed suspiciously. ”What did you do to him, Seris? Cast a spell?”