Sins of the heart

Chapter three: sin of greed Eliza

Riku thought he'd be used to the bizarre by now. After all, he had already survived a week with Iris, the embodiment of Wrath, who treated him more like a punching bag than a date. If he could get through *that*, he could get through anything, right?

He was about to find out.

The second week of his "trial" began in a drastically different setting. Instead of the desolate wasteland he had grown accustomed to with Iris, Riku now found himself standing at the entrance of what looked like an opulent palace. The marble steps leading up to the massive golden doors were so polished he could see his reflection in them. Towering statues of mythical creatures lined the path, each one embedded with glistening jewels that sparkled in the sunlight.

Riku stared, mouth agape. *This can't be real.*

"Welcome to my domain," a smooth voice interrupted his thoughts.

Riku turned to see her: Eliza, the embodiment of Greed. Unlike Iris, who exuded raw power and fury, Eliza's presence was subtle but commanding. She was beautiful in an unnerving way, with long, wavy hair that shimmered like gold in the light. Her eyes, a deep shade of emerald, sparkled with intelligence and ambition. She wore a flowing, emerald-green dress that clung to her in all the right places, and every inch of her seemed to be adorned with expensive jewelry—necklaces, rings, bracelets, all encrusted with gems.

"Uh, hi," Riku stammered, feeling out of place in his worn hoodie and jeans. "You must be Gre—I mean, Eliza."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're the new suitor? You don't look like much." She eyed him up and down, as if appraising his value.

Riku shifted uncomfortably. "I get that a lot," he muttered.

Eliza waved a hand dismissively. "Well, I suppose we'll have to make the best of it. Come inside, darling. There's much to discuss."

Riku followed her through the grand golden doors, and what he saw inside was even more overwhelming than the exterior. The palace was a monument to excess. Gold, jewels, and fine fabrics covered every inch of space. Chandeliers dripped with diamonds, and the floors were made of polished crystal. It was as if someone had taken every symbol of wealth and luxury and crammed it into one place.

"This is... a lot," Riku said, trying not to gawk at the grandeur around him.

Eliza raised an eyebrow. "A lot? This is only a fraction of what I have." She gestured toward a room filled with treasure—piles of gold coins, rare artifacts, and priceless paintings stacked haphazardly. "I've acquired everything you could possibly imagine. Power, wealth, influence... and now, I have *you*."

Riku blinked. "Wait, me?"

She smiled again, this time with a hint of amusement. "Of course. The contract binds us together for the week. You may not be much now, but who knows? You could become quite valuable with the right... adjustments."

"Adjustments?" Riku asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

Eliza didn't answer. Instead, she beckoned him to follow her deeper into the palace. They entered a lavish dining hall where a long table stretched before them, covered with the most extravagant foods Riku had ever seen—exotic fruits, roast meats, and desserts that looked like they had been crafted by gods.

"Eat," Eliza commanded, taking a seat at the head of the table. "You're going to need your strength."

"For what?" Riku asked as he sat down cautiously, staring at the feast.

Eliza leaned back in her chair, swirling a glass of wine in her hand. "For the games, of course."

"The games?" Riku's brow furrowed. This was starting to sound suspiciously like another form of torture.