The two men stopped a few feet in front of the women and bowed low.
"Salutations, my Ladies," they chanted together.
Rias and the others scanned the two men briefly. Then, with authoritative ease, Rias said, "You may stand up, Captains."
Her stance was queenly, her presence authoritative. In Leon’s stead, she was the acting voice of House Moonwalker—and she bore the responsibility with ease.
The two captains did stand, acknowledging with disciplined nods.
With measured tone, Rias inquired, "Captain Arin, if not rude, might I inquire as to why you have come?"
Captain Arin bowed again, his voice respectful. "Not at all rude, Lady Rias. I am here by His Majesty’s direct command—to tell and bring Lord Duke Leon Moonwalker to the palace. The King desires to have him for an audience.
Rias glanced at the other women. None of them appeared surprised. Naturally, they had expected this. Leon As a kingdom Duke and a nobleman with a commitment to the Moonstone Crown, it was inevitable that Leon, who was currently in the capital, would be called upon to pay his respects and meet the King
Captain Arin’s eyes drifted faintly around the large hall, seeking. Failing to see Leon, a momentary hesitancy passed across his face.
He returned his attention to Rias and said with guarded courtesy, "My lady, if I may... would you be so kind as to tell Lord Leon that we have arrived?"
The ladies did not immediately react. They shared muted glances and faint, hesitant smiles—silent cues of mutual uncertainty. Their faces were not amused but guarded... unsure how to best rationalize Leon’s absence.
Arin’s brows furrowed lightly, obviously confused by the mutual glance between them.
He was going to ask again when Captain Black, who stood beside him with measured calm, answered first in his deep voice, "Lord is not present in the mansion."
He was just about to open his mouth and say something else when Captain Black, who stood quietly to the side of him, remarked in his characteristic calm voice,
"Lord Leon is not present in the mansion."
Captain Arin blinked in surprise.
"Not in the mansion? Then... where is he?"
His eyes moved fractionally, uneasy. It wasn’t confusion—rather a muted comprehension that something had gotten past him.
Black didn’t flinch. But the thing was—he had known all along.
Earlier that day, when Leon departed for the training hall, he’d encountered Black at the gates. There’d been a brief, pointed exchange, as there always was. Black’d watched him pass through, had even doubled security at Leon’s order.
Why didn’t he bring it up before?
Because Arin hadn’t asked.
The command had been explicit: to go inside the mansion. Black had no reason to provide anything more than that. He obeyed as given—never less, never more.
Now, the silence between them growing, Arin shifted slightly toward him.
"You knew?" His voice was a low murmur, confused and not accusatory.
Black nodded minutely.
"You didn’t ask to see the Lord, Captain. You asked to go in."
No irony. No emotion. Just a simple truth.
Across from them, the women looked in the direction of the exchange. Rias’s face still looked peaceful, her eyes however taking a fraction longer than normal to slide away from Black. Aria’s eyes softened in a mixture of amusement, but she remained silent.
Both of them knew Black for years. They were accustomed to his discipline, his control. But even they didn’t anticipate him letting Arin Walk in blindly. Slight as it was, it was noticeable.
Arin exhaled through his nose, reading the moment. A faint glance toward Black, part questioning, part resigned.
He furrowed his brow, glancing between the women as if hoping for an answer as he asked, "Where is Lord Leon now?"
A moment of silence passed—sharp and hanging for a second.
Then, a calm, velvety yet undeniably strong and authoritative voice broke through the air behind them. "I’m here, Captain Arin."
Everybody in the sitting room turned their heads when they heard a voice from the corridor of the main gate.
Leon stepped in slowly but confidently. His black training suit hugged him well, accentuating all his muscles. There was still some dust from sparring on his cheek, and his black hair was slightly disheveled, resting over his forehead. Nevertheless, he looked strong and charming—like someone who just got out of a fight but only seemed stronger and more rough charming for it.
All the women—his maids and wives—released an unconscious breath. The way he stood here made their hearts pound. They let out a shared gentle breath, revealing how much, they envied him.
Men such as Black and Arin weren’t touched, naturally, but even they sensed the shift within the room. The atmosphere became respectful and tranquil due to Leon’s presence.
Leon hesitated a bit aside from Rias and the rest, catching the gazes of his wives and blushing maids. A smile twitched upon his lips. "Good morning, my beauties. And good morning again to you as well, my lovely maids."
"Good morning, darling~" was a reply from his wives, their smiles unfurling like flowers beneath the sun.
The poor maidens, however, literally blushed, caught off guard by his easy charm. "G-Good morning, L-Lord..." they stuttered back.
Leon smiled, relishing the flustered atmosphere. Even the captains appeared to be somewhat taken aback—not by charm, but by the understated ease that was Leon’s natural presence.
Leon smiled, enjoying the flustered atmosphere. Even the captains appeared taken aback—not by charm, but by the unassuming confidence that arose with Leon’s presence.
He faced the two men and gave a respectful bow and said in a calm smile but authoritative voice, "Morning, Captains."
The two men bowed curtly.
"Good morrow, Lord," Captain Black recited.
"Good morning, Lord Duke," Captain Arin inserted.
Leon nodded, his tranquil smile unbroken. "Erect your heads, Captains."
When they stood up straight, Leon’s eyes turned reflectively to Captain Arin. "So, your presence indicates the King has summoned me."
Arin nodded, voice unshaken and deferential. "Yes, my lord. His Majesty has asked for you."
Leon looked down at his frayed training suit, the material still bearing sweat and dust stains. He massaged the back of his neck with a soft sigh. "I haven’t eaten breakfast yet. How much is left before the meeting?"
"We don’t have much time before the meeting, my lord," Arin answered in an even tone. "Because His Majesty is presently meeting with Duke Edric Starlight, and then Duchess Nova. Afterward, your audience is in order."
Leon let out a soft breath and nodded. "I see. Give me a moment—I’ll wash up and be with you after breakfast."
"As you command, Lord Duke. I’ll wait for you outside," Arin said with a bow.
Captain Black echoed the movement.
Leon observed them exit. He glanced at his wives and spoke with a grin, "I’ll see you all at the breakfast table shortly."
They smiled and nodded in unison, observing him as he turned and went up the stairs.
And Leon heads up the stairs.
The women made their way to the dining table, but they didn’t open the lids on their food this time.
They’d already made a decision—they’d have breakfast with Leon.
Minutes passed, and the gentle tap of footsteps caught everyone’s attention once more.
They turn together and then, their eyes opened wide.