A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night Chapter 3: The Queen’s offer

Two years earlier;

Year 1532, Imperial City, Queendom of Elyria;

Kael stepped into the bustling guild hall of Everlasting Guild—a top 5 guild of the imperial city, pulling down his hood. His dark hair glinted under the lantern light, and his sharp features turned more than a few heads as usual. It was a daily occurrence.

"Hey, it's Lord Moonstone!" whispered one woman.

"He's even prettier up close," another murmured, cheeks flushed.

By contrast, the burly n in the corner scowled. One of them nudged his friend and sneered, "Mia's brother, huh? Born lucky, that one."

"Bet he's never had to work hard for a thing," grumbled another, arms crossed over his broad chest.

Kael's lips curved into a polite smile as if he hadn't heard them. He adjusted the strap of his satchel and walked calmly to the reception desk. Behind him, the whispers continued, especially from the male adventurers.

"Can you believe it? His sister's the Mia Moonstone. A Heavenly beauty, Adamantine rank, heiress to the family, and a legendary realm adventurer to top it off. Almost every Duchess out there with a son wants her as her daughter-in-law."

"I heard that even the Queen wants to marry off her son to Lady Mia."

"Yeah, and look at him," soone snickered. "Underprivileged. Lowest rank there is."

"Well, atleast, that peacock got the looks. Many would want to keep him as their boy toy."

Kael ignored the sting of their murmurs. He'd grown used to it. Instead, he approached the desk, his tone warm and professional. "Good morning. I'm here to process today's requests."

The clerk at the counter, a tall and lean man with tired eyes, gave him a knowing look. "Good luck with that," he muttered, nodding toward the rapidly forming line.

Kael turned to see a queue of female adventurers already forming. Most of them were ard to the teeth, their weapons gleaming, but their expressions softened as they giggled and vied for his attention.

"Kael, could you handle this for ?" a tall warrior asked, leaning over the counter with a smirk.

"Oh! And !" chid another, her mage robes swishing as she elbowed her way forward.

Kael's smile didn't falter. "Of course. One at a ti, please."

He worked quickly, sorting through requests and stamping approvals. But the won weren't making it easy.

"You've got such delicate hands," a rogue comnted, resting her chin in her palm as she watched him.

"Do you work out at all, Kael? You should let train you so ti," a spear-wielding adventurer offered with a wink.

Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm quite busy here."

The older clerks behind him exchanged exasperated looks. One leaned toward the other and muttered, "Every ti. It's like they don't even see the rest of us."

"It's the world we live in," his colleague replied, shrugging. "Males are rare, and pretty ones like him? Forget it."

"Well, the only consolation for us is that he is too weak to the point that even a wild chicken could kill him," another colleague added to his opinion.

"Nah, if anything, that is an advantage," the assistant of the guild manager, who was passing by with a list of docunts in his hands, said as he continued to walk away without giving a proper explanation.

Kael continued his work without missing a beat, ignoring his colleagues' murmurs too. Since young, he was always taught to carry himself with dignity, no matter what others said—or how they treated him.

"Excuse ," ca a soft voice from the back of the line. A petite archer, her cheeks as red as her hair, stepped forward shyly. "Um... Can you help with this quest form?"

Kael nodded kindly. "Of course."

The guild hall buzzed around him. Conversations overlapped, many of them circling back to the Moonstone siblings.

"It's because of mana," one woman explained to her friend. "We're born with more of it. n like Kael—they're weaker, but isn't it adorable? It makes you want to protect them."

"Adorable? He's a dream," the friend replied. "If I could marry him, I'd never let him out of my sight."

Kael's pen paused for half a second before he resud writing. The chatter was a constant reminder of the imbalance. Won were the dominant force in society—not just because they outnumbered n nearly three to one, but because of their high mana reserves and higher bone strength.

Of course, exceptional n were seen everywhere, but for an average man in society with no backing, life was indeed tough. Dostic violence is a common occurrence all over the world. But, due to their low numbers, n whose strengths are below Tier 3 (Upper privileged realm) had the state laws favoring them in many ways. A common man often marries more than once in order to reduce the possibility of dostic violence against himself.

"Thank you," the archer said, clutching her approved form.

Kael gave her a small bow. "Good luck on your quest."

As she left, another woman stepped forward, this one brash and loud. "Hey, Kael," she said, slamming her form down on the counter. "You ever think about quitting here and joining a team as an accountant? Mine could use a pretty face like yours."

Kael's smile stayed fixed, but there was a glimr of weariness in his eyes. "I'm happy where I am. Now, about your request..."

The woman laughed and leaned closer. "You're a tough one to crack, huh?"

"More like a polite one," muttered the clerk behind Kael, shaking his head.

By the ti the sun began to set, the line finally thinned. Kael stretched his shoulders, grateful for a mont's peace. But even as he tidied the counter, he felt the weight of the stares and the whispers following him.

Then again, this wasn't sothing special for him.

He adjusted his satchel again and prepared to leave, knowing that tomorrow would bring the sa routine. Still, he carried himself with quiet grace. After all, he was still the son of the ancient house of Moonstone, despite its current disgraced status due to its participation in a failed rebellion a couple of centuries ago.

However, just as he left his desk, a group of heavily ard warriors strode into the guild hall, their armor glinting and their expressions grim. Whatever chatter that was going around died instantly.

"Kael Moonstone!" barked the leader, a tall woman with a scar running down her cheek.

Kael stiffened but stayed composed. "Yes?"

"You're coming with us," she said, grabbing his arm without waiting for permission.

The clerks behind the counter stood in shock. "Hey, what's this about?" one of them protested, but the warriors ignored him.

"Wait—" Kael started, but the woman yanked him forward.

The adventurers in the hall exchanged whispers.

"Looks like trouble for him," one muttered.

"Poor guy," another said. "But what can he do? He's just a pretty face."

"I wonder where Mia was..." muttered the assistant manager, watching the scene from the first floor without any intention to intervene.

Kael didn't resist, though his heart pounded. He knew better than to cause a scene. The warriors dragged him outside, where a carriage waited. He was shoved inside without ceremony.

The ride was short, and when they arrived, Kael recognized the place imdiately—his family ho. The once-proud Moonstone estate had fallen into disrepair, with vines creeping up the walls and windows boarded shut.

Inside, a woman awaited him. She sat on a velvet chair in the parlor, her jewelry glinting even in the dim light. Her sharp eyes locked onto Kael as he was pushed to his knees before her.

"Kael Moonstone," she said, her voice as smooth as silk. "Do you know who I am?"

Kael t her gaze, refusing to show fear. "No, but I assu you're the one who ordered this."

She smiled faintly. "Smart. I'm Lyria White, president of the Royal Bank. And I'm here to collect."

"Collect?" Kael frowned. "I don't understand."

"Oh, I think you do," Lyria said, crossing her legs. "Your family has been borrowing money from the bank for generations. Your father, your grandfather, your great-grandfather—they all lived lavishly on loans they never intended to repay. And now, including interest, the total cos to 127 million gold coins."

Kael's blood ran cold. "That's... impossible. My sister would have told if that were the case and—"

"Mia? Yes, she took on the debt after your parents passed," Lyria interrupted. "But too bad for you that we received news that her party was wiped out by the Dragon Lord. She is most likely dead."

Kael's fists clenched. "That's impossible. You are lying."

Lyria's expression didn't change. "Do you think I joke around with soone like you when huge money is at stake here?" She crossed her legs as she rested one of her elbows on an armrest, letting out a smirk. "So, with that said, your sister is gone and you have to pay , but you don't have that capability. Even if you sell your ancestral mansion, it won't cover the interests. Which is why I've decided to sell you."

Kael stared at her, stunned. "Sell ?"

"Yes," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "As a slave. You're weak, but your looks? They'll fetch a high price at auction."

Kael furrowed his brows in displeasure. "You can't do that!"

"Oh, but I can," Lyria said, unfazed. "Even the Queen can't cancel a debt one owes to the Royal Bank."

Before Kael could respond, the doors burst open. Soldiers stord in, led by a young man with shoulder-length silver hair and a regal bearing. These weren't normal soldiers, they were royal knights, the weakest in the Tier-6 realm. And the young man himself is a Tier-7 warrior.

"Unhand him!" the man commanded, his voice firm.

"Adam!" Kael exclaid as if relief washed over him.

The warriors hesitated, glancing at Lyria for guidance.

Lyria sighed, leaning back in her chair. "The prince himself. What an honor. But this is a private matter, Your Highness. Even you can't interfere."

Adam glared at her. "Kael is under my protection. If you have grievances, take them to the Queen."

Lyria's smile turned icy. "Fine. Let's see what the royal family has to say about a public trial. You'll find I have the law on my side. And we'll see the Queen dares to use the power of monarchy against the Royal Bank."

Adam didn't reply. He simply gestured for Kael to follow him. "Co on. We're going to see my mother."

Kael hesitated but followed, his heart heavy with uncertainty.

An hour later, they reached the Imperial Palace, escorted by the royal knights.

The Queen's throne room was grand, with high ceilings and banners bearing the royal crest. The Queen sat upon a gilded throne, her presence commanding despite her calm deanor.

Adam stepped forward and bowed. "Mother, I bring urgent news regarding Kael Moonstone."

The Queen's gaze shifted to Kael. "The Moonstone heir," she said thoughtfully. "I've heard of your family's troubles."

Kael bowed low. "Your Majesty, I—"

She raised a hand, silencing him. "You need not explain. Your foremothers served the Queendom faithfully. If not for the sacrifice of their fa and igniting the fla of rebellion in the hearts of won, Flahart House wouldn't have sat on the throne. Their debt will not tarnish their legacy."

Kael looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "Then... you'll help ?"

The Queen smiled. "Yes. I offer you a solution. Marry all my daughters, except for my second eldest. Their dowries will cover your debt."

Kael's jaw dropped. "M-marry... all of them?"

"Yes," she said simply. "Consider it a reward for your family's service. And an opportunity to secure a future for yourself."

"Uhhh..." Kael stared at the Queen, caught between disbelief and the weight of the decision before him.