Nova sat next to Cynthia, smoothing the creases of her dark leather pants as she leaned into the chair. Cynthia gave her a small, considerate smile—a rare affair from the generally stoic priestess. Nova smiled back at her with a gentle nod.
But something else soon drew her eye.
Across the table was a beautiful woman in a neat black-and-white maids’ dress, her black hair tied up in a tidy bun, dark and unobtrusive eyes that seemed to take everything in. She was the sort of beauty who arrested attention—poised, full-figured, and enviably stylish. Her presence was more elegant than most noblewomen Nova had encountered.
Nova blinked, her eyebrows rising in shocked silence. That maid. dressed in a noblewoman’s gown, she could almost be mistaken for a highborn daughter—and outshine half the court in the process.
Her emerald eyes turned to Leon.
This dashing bastard, she mulled, lips compressing ever so minutely. As if it isn’t enough to be surrounded by lovely women, even his servants appear to have come out of a royal painting?
A silent question unfolded in her mind:
Do pretty girls automatically go for him? Or... does he pick them up?
Before she had time to think about it, a honeyed, elongated voice boomed across the table and voice belonged to Rias saw the faraway glaze over Leon’s eyes. She softly cleared her throat, and then boomed out in a honeyed, elongated voice,
The voice boomed across the table like a ringing bell.
Leon blinked, refocusing. His golden eyes locked onto six sets of peering eyes—Rias, Aria, Syra, Kyra, Cynthia, and Nova—all waiting for him to speak.
"Umm... umm, yes, dear?" he answered sheepishly.
"You were lost in thought," Rias said with a cocked head and a teasing grin. "What were you staring at so intently?"
Leon leaned back a bit in his chair and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Just... wondering what you all were discussing upstairs," he admitted, eyes darting back and forth between them. "I was curious, that’s all."
"Oh-Ho?" Syra raised a brow and leaned forward with a sly smile. "And why does our sweetie pie want to know?"
Leon grinned lopsided. "Curiosity."
"Sweetie pie," Aria sang in a singsong voice, pushing a strand of violet hair behind her ear, "that was private. A harem affair, you know?"
It’s our business. No need to pull you in, love," she said with a gentle, teasing smile.
Cynthia’s voice came next, similarly soft but a little sterner. "Yes, actually—harem business."
Even Kyra, who usually did not join in unless required, gave a quiet assent. "Exactly. Don’t worry about it. Let it go."
Leon groaned theatrically and flung up his hands. "Fine, fine. My ladies get their way again.
From the side, Mira—the plump maid from before—came closer, her arms neatly folded in front of her. "Lord Leon, would you like breakfast brought up now?"
Leon looked her way and gave a genial smile. "Yes, Mira. Yes, please do."
She curtsied elegantly. "As you wish," she said, heading towards the kitchen.
Leon’s eyes, though, lingered a fraction of a second longer than they should have—especially on the motion of her hips as she departed.
She raised an eyebrow, leaned in, and whispered just loud enough for him to catch, "Eyes up, Daddy." She was teasing, but she made it clear.
"Don’t embarrass me like that."
Leon let out a sheepish laugh and turned away hastily.
Nova’s voice cut through the air just then, sharp and infused with her typical teasing tone:
"By the way, Leon... I didn’t know your daughter was your first wife—and the head of your harem."
The table fell silent.
Leon smiled, then reached to run his fingers lightly over the curve of Rias’s cheek. She laughed softly, inclining her head into his touch, his golden eyes warm and affectionate.
"Of course," Leon replied. "She was the first to Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform... before anyone else."
Rias smiled demurely and placed her hand upon his.
Leon looked across the table—each of the women greeting his golden eyes in turn.
"Love," he started softly, "to me is no rank. No boundaries. No species. No titles. Just... love."
His words hung in the silence, encircling them like velvet.
His eyes moved to Aria—his violet-haired seductress, whose eyes were always aglow with mischief and play. And then to Cynthia—the placid priestess whose soft peace had so frequently ground him. Syra, fierce and volatile, a spark of flame eternally dancing behind her amber-colored eyes. Kyra, calm and collected, but with warmth so deep it lightened even his darkest nights. And last, Nova—wild, untrammeled, with darkness in her eyes and power in each breath.
He drew a slow breath, his voice heavy with sincerity.
"I love all of you," he murmured. Then he looked at Nova. "And Nova... I love you too."
His words hung in the air like a gentle breeze—unsaid but certain.
Rias breathed out, her fingers tightening slightly over his. He’s implacably charming, she thought. Even after everything... he still leaves me unarmed.
Aria softly laughed beneath her breath. He always says the perfect thing. That devil... he gets me under my skin without even making an effort.
Cynthia’s chest constricted, her hand grazing the pendant around her neck. Each day, I question if I’m worthy of him... and somehow, each day, he makes me believe that I am.
Syra bit her lip, golden eyes alight with amusement. Just one more smile like that, and I’m gone. Completely, hopelessly gone.
Kyra turned her face slightly, pretending to sip her tea—yet the faintest smile betrayed her. Damn him, she thought. He always finds a way past my walls.
And Nova... Nova muttered under her breath, "This damn bastard..." But her voice lacked venom.
A soft, reluctant smile spread across her lips, fleeting and tender, as she dropped her eyes—guilty of being unable to suppress the flush spreading up her cheeks.
The warmth of the room stayed a moment, hovering as if a breath yet to escape.
Tip. Tap. Tip. Tap...