My SSS-Rank Kingdom-Building System

Elys's breath hitched as Leon's warmth surrounded her. His hand, steady yet unthreatening, remained at her waist, holding her in place. The room seemed smaller now, the air thicker, heavy with unspoken tension.

She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her, a stark contrast to her own frantic pulse.

Her face burned brighter, the crimson blush spreading down her neck. She bit her lip, willing herself to stay composed, but the closeness was overwhelming.

His chest pressed firmly against hers, the faint rise and fall of his breathing brushing heat across her collarbone.

"Elys," Leon murmured, his voice low and husky, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "You're trembling." His hand slid slightly, just enough to steady her without pressing too hard. "You're not used to anyone being this close, are you?"

Elys's fingers clenched the edge of the cloth she wore, her knuckles white. Her voice, when it came, was barely audible. "N-no… I'm not."

Leon's breath lingered near her ear, his tone softening further. "You'll get used to it," he said. "You'll see that I'm not here to hurt you."

Her silver eyes darted upward briefly, meeting his gaze before quickly flickering away. That brief contact was enough to send her heart racing even faster. "I'll… try," she whispered, the words shaky but genuine.

"That's all I ask," Leon said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He shifted slightly, his embrace loosening just enough to let her take a step back if she wanted to. "You don't have to force anything. Just take it one step at a time."

 ...

The morning sunlight filtered through the small window of the room, casting soft golden rays on the wooden floor.

Leon stirred first, the familiar sounds of the bustling street below stirring him from sleep. He stretched, the stiffness from the night's rest fading as he rubbed his neck.

Elys was still sitting up on the bed, curled at the edge with the blanket loosely draped over her shoulders.

Her damp silver hair had dried into soft waves that caught the morning light, but her posture was still guarded, her back straight and her hands folded neatly in her lap.

Leon glanced at her, his tone casual but laced with intent. "You didn't sleep?"

Elys flinched slightly at the sound of his voice but shook her head. "I… didn't want to trouble you, master." Her voice was soft, barely audible over the distant clamor of the city outside.

Leon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I told you to stop calling me that," he said, his tone firm but not harsh. "Leon is fine."

Elys nodded, but her gaze stayed fixed downward. Leon frowned, deciding not to press the issue. Instead, he walked over to the small dresser against the wall, pulling it open to reveal a neatly folded set of clothes.

"Here," he said, tossing a bundle toward her. "These should fit. They're not fancy, but they'll do for now."

Elys caught the clothes clumsily, her eyes widening in surprise. She held them in her hands, running her fingers over the simple fabric. A plain tunic and trousers, nothing extravagant, but the gesture seemed to catch her off guard.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Get dressed," Leon said, turning his back to her and heading toward the door. "I've got business to attend to this morning. You're coming with me, so be quick."

Elys hesitated for a moment, then nodded, clutching the clothes to her chest as she stood. She slipped into the washroom, closing the door softly behind her.

Leon leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he waited. His mind was already racing with the plans he needed to set in motion today.

The merchants were the first step—if he could gain their support, the rest would start falling into place. Promises of profit, a bit of manipulation here and there; it wasn't anything he hadn't done before.

The door creaked open, pulling him from his thoughts. Elys stepped out, dressed in the clothes he'd given her. They hung slightly loose on her thin frame, but they suited her. 

Her silver hair cascading like liquid moonlight down her back, catching every glimmer of the morning light. Her pale, porcelain skin seemed to glow softly, untouched and flawless, while her silver eyelashes framed eyes that shimmered like starlit pools, deep and captivating. Even in the loose, simple tunic, she carried an ethereal grace, her beauty so striking it felt almost unreal, effortlessly drawing the eyes of everyone around her.

Leon nodded in approval. "Good enough. Let's go."

They made their way out of the inn and into the bustling streets of the city. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly baked bread and the faint tang of salt from the nearby harbor. Merchants were already setting up their stalls, their voices ringing out as they advertised their goods.

Leon walked with purpose, his strides long and confident. Elys trailed a step behind, her movements quiet and unobtrusive. She kept her gaze low, avoiding the curious stares of passersby.

They reached the central market square, where the wealthier merchants had their shops. Leon scanned the rows of neatly arranged stalls until he spotted his target—a tall man with a thick mustache and a sharp suit, overseeing a team of workers unloading crates of fine silk.

Leon smirked and adjusted his jacket. "Stay close," he said over his shoulder to Elys before striding toward the merchant.

The merchant—a tall man with a thick mustache and a vest embroidered with fine gold threads—was standing near his stall, directing workers who were arranging an array of goods. His hands were clasped behind his back, but the sharpness of his gaze betrayed his calculating nature.

When Leon approached, the merchant's face lit up—not with fear, but with the eager grin of someone who knew a good deal when he saw one. His mustache twitched with excitement as he recognized Leon from yesterday.

"Ah! You again!" the merchant exclaimed, stepping forward with open arms. His eyes briefly flicked to the rifle slung across Leon's back, but rather than fear, there was a calculating gleam in his gaze. "That salt you sold me? Incredible! My customers couldn't get enough. Do you have more? Because if you do, I want it all!"

Leon smirked, resting his hand casually on the strap of his rifle. "Glad to hear business is booming," he replied, his tone smooth and confident. "I might have more… but quality like that doesn't come cheap. You're looking at the exclusive supplier now."

The merchant chuckled, clapping his hands together. "Exclusive, huh? Fine by me! It's worth every coin. You bring me product like that, and I'll make sure everyone in the market knows where to go for the best."

Leon raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Smart man. Keep that enthusiasm, and we'll both come out on top. Let's talk terms."

Leon leaned casually against the merchant's stall, his smirk sharpening as he glanced around the bustling market square. His eyes returned to the merchant, whose enthusiasm radiated like a man seeing his fortunes already doubled.

Elys, meanwhile, lingered behind Leon, her silver hair catching the sunlight like strands of moonlight. She clutched the edge of his coat, keeping herself mostly hidden from view, her silver eyes peeking out nervously at the bustling scene.

"Terms are simple," Leon began, his voice steady and deliberate. "You buy from me. Exclusively. No dealing with anyone else—not for salt, not for spices, not for anything I bring to you. You make my goods the cornerstone of your business."

The merchant's mustache twitched with interest, but there was a flicker of wariness in his eyes. "And in return?"

"In return," Leon said, leaning slightly closer, "I'll make you the most powerful merchant in this city. You'll dominate the trade, and every other stall in this square will answer to you. Your competition? Gone. You'll have a monopoly, and with product like mine, nobody will dare challenge you."

The merchant's grin widened, his fingers twitching as if already counting imaginary profits. "I like the sound of that," he admitted. "But what stops the others from undercutting me or going rogue?"

Leon tapped the rifle strapped across his back. "Let's just say I've got a way of convincing people to stay in line. Nobody crosses my deals. Ever."

Elys flinched slightly at the tone in his voice, shrinking further behind him. Leon noticed but didn't address it, his focus locked on the merchant. "And before you ask—yes, I can supply enough to keep you on top. But I'll need your cooperation to grease the wheels. Contacts, storage, and people you trust to distribute quietly. Can you handle that?"

The merchant's sharp eyes flicked to Elys for a moment, curious about her presence. "And what about the girl?" he asked, tilting his head.

Leon straightened, his hand resting on Elys's shoulder protectively. "She's not part of the deal," he said flatly, his tone brooking no argument. "Focus on the business."

The merchant raised his hands in a placating gesture, chuckling. "Fair enough, fair enough. You've got yourself a partner. Let's make this city ours."

Leon extended a hand, and the merchant clasped it firmly. The deal was sealed, and Elys watched quietly, her silver lashes lowering. As Leon turned to leave, gesturing for her to follow, the merchant called out, "Don't disappoint me, my friend. I expect big things."

Leon glanced back, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, you'll get them. Trust me." He motioned for Elys, who stayed close at his side.