---
We were so not ready for this.
After the king’s intimate demand, Elira and I were marched back to her chambers. Everyone else was given individual rooms—lush, spacious, and pointedly not the Princess’s bed.
Akane looked like she wanted to vaporize . Rin pretended she didn’t care by stabbing a pillow repeatedly. i was sharpening sothing for no reason. And Aya? She just smiled... the kind of smile that said, I’ll definitely be peeking tonight.
But none of that compared to my panic.
Because the second we got back inside, Elira pulled down beside her and whispered:
"He’s watching."
"What—who?" I blinked.
She tilted her head slightly. "Top right corner. There’s a shadow in the lattice. Probably a court spy."
"Oh. Great. So we’re expected to—"
I didn’t finish that sentence.
Because she grabbed my face and kissed .
Passionately.
And look—I’ve been kissed before. Once. Maybe twice. And none of them involved a royal audience.
But Elira? She kissed like she ant it. Like she was daring to hold back.
So I didn’t.
I kissed her back—deep, slow, intentional.
Which is how I knew the exact mont the door creaked.
Akane’s foot was sticking out.
Then it vanished.
---
📣 SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
[Balance Breach Detected]
⚠️ Affection Equilibrium has been disrupted.
Your passionate interaction with [Elira] has offset the emotional stability within the harem.
⚖️ Balance Status: Compromised
💔 Emotional Sync: Broken
🔁 Affection Flow: One-sided
> mbers are now experiencing increased jealousy, possessiveness, and emotional volatility.
🛠 Recomndation: Redistribute affection.
Engage remaining mbers with equal or greater intimacy to restore harmony.
Failure to respond may result in:
Trust decay
Loyalty penalties
Spontaneous pillow attacks
> "Maintain the balance, or be devoured by it." – Harem Managent Protocol, 4.7
---
I blinked at the glowing ssage in my head.
"...You’ve got to be kidding ," I muttered under my breath. "I kiss one princess and now it’s emotional apocalypse?"
I glanced toward the door, already sensing the jealous aura radiating from the hallway.
"Great. Now I need to romance four ticking ti bombs before breakfast."
---
"...We just destabilized the whole house," I muttered when we finally pulled apart.
Elira was breathless, a flush on her cheeks. "Good. Let them sweat."
"I’m the one sweating."
She giggled. "We’re not done. At least three more spies will pass by tonight."
And that’s how I found myself lying on a royal bed, with Elira curled around like we were actually in love, whispering things like:
"Oh, Ren~ your hands are so—firm~"
And , whispering back, "Yours too... your... uh... royal elbow is just... wow."
We were so bad at this.
So we improvised.
Every ti a footstep passed, we moaned. Loudly. Passionately. Ridiculously.
"Ahhh—yesss—like that—right there—"
"...I’m just tucking in the blanket."
"Shh! He might be listening!"
"Okay, okay."
"Ahh—Elira—your Majesty, you’re so—regal—"
We did this five tis.
And every single ti, one of the girls was conveniently "walking to the kitchen" or "getting a midnight breeze" or "accidentally tripping near the door."
At so point, Akane hissed through the wall, "Fake it better or I’ll co help!"
Rin: "He never kissed like that."
Aya: "He never kissed at all."
i: "I’ll just kill him and keep the body."
: "I can hear you, you know!"
By morning, I was emotionally drained and had perford enough dramatic gasps to qualify as a theatre major.
Just as I started to doze off, a knock ca.
A guard.
"The King summons you two again. He wishes to know if... the bonding has been successfully confird."
Elira gave a look. "Round two?"
"Please tell he ans spiritually."
She just smiled.
I was dood.
---
The throne room was unusually quiet.
No jesters. No murmuring nobles. Just the king on his golden throne, fingers steepled, eyes sharp enough to peel skin.
I felt Elira’s hand slip into mine. Not for show this ti. For support. That scared more than the king.
He studied us for a long mont, then finally spoke. "So. Have you bonded? Truly?"
There it was again. That word. Bonded. As if it were sothing we could just check off a list.
Elira stepped forward, her voice calm and regal. "Father, we’ve taken the first steps. But there is sothing more pressing I must ask of you."
His eyes narrowed. "Go on."
She didn’t falter. "Ren is human. His body, while adapting, still suffers from the residual effects of his world-hopping. The longer he stays here without recalibration, the worse it will get. He hides it well, but I see it."
My brows rose slightly. I do? I didn’t, but I appreciated the concern... and the clever excuse.
She continued, "If you truly wish to test our bond and ensure his worthiness—then allow us to return to the human realm for a ti. Let him heal in his own world. With by his side."
There was a beat of silence.
Then the king leaned back slowly, nodding once. "You care for him."
"I do," she said simply.
"And you would risk your place here—your future—for his well-being?"
Elira didn’t hesitate. "Gladly."
He turned his gaze on , unreadable. "And you, human? Would you return with my daughter, knowing this realm may close its doors to you again?"
I t his gaze head-on. "If she’s walking through it, I’ll walk through fire behind her."
For a second, the king said nothing. Then...
"Very well."
Elira let out a breath beside .
"You are granted permission to return to the human realm," he said. "But you leave with my trust. Break it, and you will not return—even in pieces."
"Understood," Elira said with a bow.
I bowed too, only slightly delayed because holy crap did that just work?
Now we just had to survive Earth... again.
---
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