Raegar and Yuki found themself in a room alongside the nervous girls. He looked at each one as the cat woman started speaking. ’’So you five have been by his side since Drakenwood started the current school year?’’
They all nodded, apart from Drusilla, who revealed. ’’He saved , and we bonded a few months ago. I hope you don’t mind.’’
Yuki’s eyes sparkled at his explanation, her tension lting away. She stepped back, her tail swaying as she turned to the five girls, a playful smile spreading across her face. ’’I don’t mind at all,’’ she revealed to everyone’s shock. ’’I’m thrilled to have you girls here! I want Raegar surrounded by love, and what’s better than five lovely ladies to join in making sure he’s cherished?’’
Her words eased the atmosphere as the girls exchanged glances, so blushing, others grinning. Griffin let out a hearty laugh, slapping his knee, while Alaric shook his head with a fond smirk. The group moved forward, the grand doors of the mansion looming ahead.
Everyone looked surprised as Zahara spoke up as they entered the Vaelthorne ho. ’’Are you sure you’re not bothered about Rae having six wives? Won’t you be jealous?’’
’’Nope,’’ Yuki cheerfully replied. ’’Why would I be? I’ve always had a place in his heart, ain’t that right, young master?’’
The girls turned to Raegar with a curious expression, causing him to nod in agreent. ’’You always have and you know this, it’s why you always used to tease when I was younger.’’
The pink-haired beauty giggled at him, flustered alongside the other girls. Griffin suddenly spoke up, grinning. ’’It looks like you guys need so ti alone. I’ll take your father here to find your mother; they’ve gotten lost in this giant mansion.’’
After reaching an agreent, the group exchanged a few final words and farewells. With a nod, Raegar took the lead, guiding them through the hallway toward a nearby lounge. The atmosphere shifted to one of peace as they entered the richly decorated room, its soft lighting offering a welco sense of calm.
Monts later, a Vaelthorne maid stepped into view. She was an older woman, dignified in posture and appearance, her uniform immaculate. With practice, she offered a deep bow, speaking in a gentle tone. ’’Young master, may I bring you and your ladies guests sothing to drink or perhaps a light refreshnt?"
’’Yes, please, so tea and food,’’ he replied.
The woman nodded, then quickly left the room just as Selene comnted, glancing around in wonder. ’’I didn’t know the Vaelthornes are this wealthy. Even the spare lounge is finely decorated with paintings that are the sa price as my family’s shop.’’
Raegar chuckled. ’’Yes, we are, I suppose, but I don’t care about such things. I have enough gold to buy sothing like this, the headmistress kept giving pouches of coins for helping the school,’’ he revealed.
When the group heard this, they were fascinated, prompting Dominique to speak up. ’’That makes sense, Drakenwood brings in a lot of gold, especially with all the monsters you’ve killed since being there.’’
’’Yeah, I don’t take most bodies unless it’s sothing rare,’’ he revealed.
’’I heard you fought dozens of powerful Devils during your first term,’’ Yuki curiously questioned.
’’When didn’t he fight them!’’ Drusilla was the first to answer. ’’They’re attracted to him like flies around shit.’’
The girls started laughing at the Dark Fairy’s crude remark, Raegar shook his head, and responded to the cat maid. ’’There were many tis I fought and killed them, but Dru is right, I seem to attract them more so than a regular person.’’
Yuki giggled softly and leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to Raegar’s unscarred cheek. The unexpected gesture sent a flush of crimson racing across his face, leaving him montarily speechless. This deepened as smiles spread across everyone’s faces. Drusilla, ever the playful nace, grinned and jabbed her elbow into his ribs.
’’Looks like she loves you just as much as I do,’’ she said in a mock-threatening tone. ’’So don’t even think about hurting her, or I’ll burn you myself.’’
Raegar let out a laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing, just in ti for the cat woman to chi in. She bounced forward, flashing him a teasing wink. ’’Oh, he’ll treat her right. We know each other inside and out.’’
That remark sent a ripple of laughter through the group, the kind of joy only shared by those bound by battles and trust. Still chuckling, Raegar shook his head, reaching out to poke the Dark Fairy in the side, making her let out a startled yelp and a glare that was more amused than angry.
Not long after, the maid returned pushing a polished silver cart full of an assortnt of neatly arranged snacks and a fancy-looking teapot, its spout releasing tendrils of fragrant steam. The comforting sll of brewed herbs filled the room, adding a soothing touch to the already warm atmosphere.
’’Here you go, young master,’’ the maid said, placing seven cups on the table, filling each one with a sweet-slling tea as she continued. ’’This is the Southern Leaf that the master has beco addicted to, he instructed to let you and the mistresses try it when the chance arose.’’
Raegar nodded. ’’Thanks, Mary, the food slls delicious, by the way,’’ he complinted.
The older woman bead before fussing over the girls, putting a smile on his face as Yuki leaned over, whispering. ’’So you do rember her? She used to spoil you whenever we visited your grandparents.’’
’’I do.’’
’’Oh, I thought you’d forgotten.’’
Raegar shook his head. ’’I didn’t at first, but when ntioning the Southern Leaf tea, it brought back that mory from the party when I was nine,’’ he revealed.
’’I rember that day!’’ She exclaid happily.
Following that, the group started eating and drinking while Mary was nearby, waiting to help if she was needed. While Zahara ate one of the cakes, Dominique curiously questioned as she chewed on so sweet bread. ’’What’s the plan for the sumr break?’’
’’We’ll hang out here for a couple of days before heading back to Blackwood County in the south,’’ Raegar answered. ’’Then I’ll take you on a tour, it’s not that big but well built up thanks to my father governing it properly.’’
The girls agreed, prompting Yuki to smile just as the door knocked and his mother, Victoria, stepped in alongside Lyra whose red eyes landed on him just as a grin stretched across her face. ’’Little brother! You finally arrived!’’
Monts later, the young woman rushed toward him and embraced him. She started pampering him just like an older sister would. Raegar couldn’t help but smile as he enjoyed her company. The group of girls watched on with fascinated expressions crossing their faces.
’’I’ve heard everything you’ve been up to!’’ Lyra exclaid. ’’All my year has been gushing over you, but once they know you’re fully healed, it will be crazy.’’
Raegar chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes as he motioned toward the group of girls gathered behind him. ’’I’ve got these,’’ he said confidently. ’’To scare off anyone who might be lurking around. After all, most will be eager to make a connection with the empire’s newest hero.’’
His tone carried a mix of pride and amusent, his reputation still fresh but already formidable. As the laughter settled, the group turned their attention back to the stuff Mary had carefully brought in. Plates were passed around, fingers reaching for pastries and bites, the soft clinking of cups and gentle murmurs filling the room.
The warmth wrapped around them, a mont of peace amidst the storm of their lives. anwhile, Raegar closed his eyes briefly and extended a hand. A shimring wave of Aether rippled outward, flowing like a gentle breeze over the landscape visible through the windows.
Yet, no Devils skulked in the shadows; only the usual monsters prowled outside the mansion’s walls, their movents a stark contrast to the chaos he often faced. A quiet satisfaction settled over him, curling the corners of his lips into a smile. He lifted the steaming cup of tea to his lips, the warm liquid cascading down his throat.
Raegar felt reenergized thanks to the drink before he started eating so sweet pastry that quickly filled him up. While doing that, the girls were gossiping among themselves as they questioned Yuki, his mother, and sister about his childhood. He felt his cheeks going red when she spoke about changing him when he was a baby.
’’It’s not my fault that you’re ten years older than ,’’ he protested while holding back a laugh. ’’I rember when that ti I pissed on Saki, she was angry with for days.’’
Victoria and Lyra giggled at his words before his mother teased. ’’You two have always been close, it’s one of the reasons I made her your maid.’’
Raegar was about to reply, but Zahara questioned her. ’’Countess Victoria, didn’t the Count marry Yuki’s mother?’’
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