Rias—Leon’s initial wife, his daughter, and the one who had won his heart before anyone else.
For an instant, even Aria and the others’ brilliance took a backseat as they stood in the shadow of her authoritative presence. She approached them with serene confidence, her smile regal and yet warm.
"Good morning, sisters," she said softly.
They all greeted in equal warmth, "Good morning, Sister Rias."
Rias glided over to the vacant chair on the right of the head chair, reclining down beside Syra with a gentle sigh.
Syra leaned in closer, her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Sister Rias, you’re looking more radiant than usual this morning. I suppose our sweetie spent the entire night spilling his affection... or in all ways into you last night."
The meaning hung in the air, unmistakable. The other women giggled, and even Kyra quickly covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Rias met it all with a confident smile.
She shot back teasingly, "Oh, definitely. Daddy poured every last drop of his love into me... I’m not sure if there was anything left for the rest of you."
Syra grabbed her chest theatrically, half-laughing, half-dramatizing, "You meanie! You sucked him dry and left nothing at all for the rest of us!
Their room erupted in carefree laughter, their voices blending together like trusted friends passing on an old joke. Since yesterday, they had only just met, yet Rias belonged perfectly among them — bantering with equal ease and affection as if the three had been friends for a lifetime. The easy jibes and roguish grins attested to a rapport that quickly developed, as if time itself warped to accommodate their sisterhood.
Rias laughed too, her eyes shining with real mirth. The easy gentleness of their banter between them spun an unseen strand binding them tight — a sisterly bond formed not by years but by shared moments and trust.
When the laughter began to fade at last, warm smiles still on their faces, there was a stillness over the group.
Kyra’s smile faded into a softer, curious expression. She tilted her head slightly, her voice gentle but probing. "Sister Rias... you’re here, but where is our husband? He’s not with any of us."
The question hung quietly in the air, shifting the mood from playful to thoughtful.
Her words also made the others pause. Aria, Cynthia, and Syra exchanged glances before raising their brows in realization.
Rias’s smile wavered. "Wait... Darling isn’t with you?"
Aria shook her head slowly. "No... we haven’t heard from him since last night."
A silence uncertainty dropped over the room, like a warm gust of wind suddenly chilling.
Rias blinked. "He wasn’t also with me either when I woke up..."
The mood shifted—laughs falling silent.
Syra leaned forward, furrowing her brows. "Wait... you mean he wasn’t in bed with you?"
No," Rias whispered softly, her eyes narrowing. "When I awoke... he wasn’t there. The room was already vacant."
Cynthia’s face grew thoughtful. "If he wasn’t with you... and he wasn’t with us... then where might he have gone?"
Before the silence grew worse, a soothing, melodic voice drifted in from the hallway.
"My ladies... The Lord departed early this morning. He went to the royal training grounds for his morning Training."
They caught sight of Fey and the other maids arriving with dishes covered. Fey held a silver tray, her voice respectful and clear.
Rias furrowed her eyebrows a little. "Daddy’s already gone to the training hall?"
Fey nodded as she set the plates down in front of them. "Yes, Lady Rias. He departed early and had us tell you all as soon as you awakened."
Rias’s brow furrowed slightly, then she breathed a soft sigh. "Thank you, Fey."
Fey made a deep bow. "It is my responsibility, Lady Rias. There is no need to thank me."
Then Rias pouted, lips curving into a small sulk. "He departed without waking me..."
Aria grinned, pushing back her hair. "It’s just like him."
Syra pretended to groan in mock annoyance, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Next time it’s my turn to sleep over with him... after I bleed him dry, I’m tying him to the bed. So, I saw his face beside mine when I woke up."
Her brazen, sultry remark struck like a spark—igniting the table in laughter.
Aria snorted over her tea, almost spilling it. Kyra had her mouth covered, blushing but laughing. Rias smiled knowingly, shaking her head. Even Cynthia, normally so poised, was unable to keep a soft laugh from escaping her lips.
"Oh gods, Syra," Cynthia said with a smile, raising an eyebrow. "You say things like that with so much pride. But if anyone’s chaining him, it’s going to be all of us.
Cynthia chuckled. "We’re chaining him together. Don’t be greedy."
Kyra nodded softly. "He’ll come back soon... just after a little training."
Their smiles returned. As always, they trusted him. The wives exchanged warm glances, and finally.
Aria spoke. "This isn’t new. He always sneaks off to train without telling us in the mornings, right?"
Everyone nodded, knowing him well and used to his quiet nature—they had grown familiar to his habits over time.
Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "So, what’s for breakfast? Do we have it now, or wait for him?"
Rias smiled gently. "Let’s not wait. Daddy has a habit of losing time when he trains, and he may not be back soon." She added contemplatively, "Well, after breakfast, I have to meet my friend—the princess. The event is tomorrow, and she needs assistance in the last minute preparations."
The others nodded softly, beginning to set out their plates. A considerate smile flashed across Rias’s face as inspiration gripped her. She looked up at them with a warm, playful smile.
"So, what do you girls have planned for today?"
Aria shook her head softly. "Nothing in particular, just here." The others nodded in agreement.
Rias’s smile grew, her eyes warm and full of mischief. "Well, if you’re available, why not join me? I could use a little help—and some company."
Aria’s eyes narrowed, spotting the grin on Rias’s face. "What do you have in mind?" she asked with a sly smile.
Rias laughed. "Oh, something that’ll make our husband extremely happy.
Cynthia arched an eyebrow. "But if we all go, who is going to keep darling company? He may be lonely without us."
Aria shrugged. "Not really. He’s having an audience with the King today, remember? He’s going to be busy all day."
"Then we can go guilt-free!" Rias smiled widely.
Kyra faltered for a moment. "Are you certain the princess won’t mind us accompanying her without an invitation?"
Rias smiled confidently. "She loves each one of you—there’s no way she’ll mind."
Aria returned the smile. "Well, then, let’s go."
Syra grinned, giving a playful wink. "I’ve never met a princess before—this should be interesting!"
Cynthia nodded. "Better than sitting around bored."
Kyra’s smile grew a little. "Alright, count me in too."
The maids, already so stepped back, stood quietly a little apart—not wishing to intrude but prepared for any orders. They stood mute in the shadows, admiration glinting in their eyes.
"But let’s eat first," Aria proposed with a soft smile. "Before breakfast cools off."
They nodded in assent, hands reaching for the lid of the dishes.
But just as they were going to pick them up, a sharp knock rang out from the main gate, echoing in the mansion.
Their hands paused in the air.
Their gazes automatically shifted to the entrance.
From outside the imposing doors came the deliberate sound of armored boots—measured and disciplined.
Two men soon stood at the entrance.
One wore mirrored silver armor—the captain of the Moonwalker estate guard, Captain Black. The other wore black imperial armor, his presence authoritative.
Captain Arin, the head of the capital’s security and commander of the imperial guard. His very presence gave them pause.
The two men stopped short several feet in front of the women and bowed low.
"Welcome, my Ladies," they said in one voice.