While Lin was deep in thought, the queen opened the door without him noticing. She interrupted his thoughts with a voice that made him jump in fright, then signaled to the two maids to dress him in the garments of the legendary snake Zarveth.

Damn, they got here too fast,” Lin muttered. “I’ll play along for now — resisting would only get me killed. I’ll figure out an escape later.

While Lin was still in shock, the two maids began removing his clothes until he was standing naked in front of the queen, his tattoo and muscles exposed. Then, they dressed him in the special robe of the heir — a golden-black garment woven from silk and reinforced with serpent scales. Two snake emblems were marked at the tops of his shoulders, their faces gazing outward. The robe gleamed brilliantly, wrapping him in the aura of a ruler.

She leaned in with a sly smile and whispered, “Now look at you… absolutely stunning. Almost too beautiful to resist.

When Lin looked at the queen, she was wearing a flowing red robe. Her long white hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes glowed an eerie crimson.

The queen approached him, slipping her hand into his, her touch cold yet strangely inviting. Without a word, she led him forward.

They moved through the palace’s shadowed alleys. Lin soon noticed many women gathered, their voices rising in haunting chants that echoed like ancient rituals etched into stone.

As they ascended the grand staircase, Lin’s eyes never stopped moving. Every corner, every flicker of torchlight, every crack in the marble — he recorded them with the cold precision of someone who had nothing left but his mind.
He traced the curve of each pillar like a map, counted the steps between the guards, memorized the rhythm of their breathing. Even the way the shadows shifted felt like clues — silent whispers pointing toward possible exits.

Though his body throbbed with venom and dread, his mind burned with a quiet, relentless fire.
Escape.
The word carved itself deeper with every step he took.
Every crack in the stone, every flaw in the queen’s perfect prison—he memorized them like sacred runes.
He was waiting. Watching.
And when the moment came—when her guard faltered—those hidden keys might just open the path to his freedom.

Then he caught sight of them.

The snake princesses.

The one with black hair stood at the center. She waved at him, her smile dripping with mockery and secrets. Lin’s eyes narrowed, his glare sharpened into a blade — pure killing intent radiated from him.

She only smiled wider.

And before he could act — before he could even blink — they had reached the top of the stairs.

The queen seated herself upon her grand throne, lifting one hand gracefully to silence the chanting crowd.

Then, in a commanding voice that echoed through the hall, she proclaimed,
“Let the ceremony begin for the new Serpent King — the one who will lead our clan beside me, and father the heir of our future.”
She rose and gestured for an old priestess to begin the rites.

Lin, overwhelmed by the sheer number of clan members and the power radiating from the princesses, watched in stunned silence.

The old woman raised her voice,
“We, the great Serpent Clan, declare the sacred union of our one-thousandth queen, the illustrious Queen Oralina.”
The wedding ceremony commenced.

The queen stood before Lin, meeting his gaze with a seductive smile. At the priestess’s signal, the queen leaned in and sank her fangs into Lin’s neck. Pain shot through him, and in instinctive response, Lin’s own fangs emerged, piercing her neck. His serpent tattoo flared blue as both of them injected their venom into one another.

Lin’s vision blurred; the world began to spin around the queen’s figure. His body no longer obeyed him.

With solemn grace, the old woman presented two cups of crimson wine, her hand rising in silent command — it was time for the queen to enact the next rite.

Queen Oralina took both cups. After drinking from the first, she placed the second cup between her lips and pressed her mouth to Lin’s, forcing the wine into him. Lin tried to resist, but his body betrayed him — he had no strength to fight back.

The old priestess signaled to two maids, who brought forth an ornate box. Inside lay a ceremonial dagger, coiled about by two golden serpents.

Channeling her mana, the queen cut Lin’s palm with the dagger, letting his blood drip onto the twin serpents. The snakes absorbed the blood and shrank, transforming into a pair of earrings.

The queen took the earrings and forced them through Lin’s ears. The pain was sharp and searing. Then she tucked the dagger into his garments.

Across the hall, the snake princesses looked on with burning hatred, jealousy simmering in their eyes. The black-haired princess gestured to her sisters to remain calm — their plan was still in motion.

Meanwhile, the queen lifted Lin, who had now slipped into unconsciousness, his body wracked with pain. The crowd chanted around them.

Carrying him with ease, Queen Oralina returned to her private chambers. There, with a sudden force, she threw Lin onto the bed and shut the door behind her with a resounding click.