After Kaela’s introduction, Alaric and the others took ti to visit the remaining girls, eting each one in turn.
There was nervousness—so were fearful, others deeply quiet—but most had already accepted their fate. Submission hung in the air, not as a chain, but as a silent agreent. A surrender to sothing larger than themselves.
When the final introduction was done, Alaric and the girls returned to the mansion. Virellen excused herself to inform her father of the arrangent.
It was still early morning. Breakfast was prepared and waiting—courtesy of the mansion servants. Alaric dined with Aurevia, Cellione, Serineth, Virellen and Auralyne in the grand dining hall, beneath the glow of enchanted chandeliers that mimicked soft sunlight.
By the ti the plates had been cleared and tea was being poured, Virellen returned. She entered the room briskly, her usual mischief replaced with rare solemnity.
"My father is ready,"
She said.
"He and Mother... they’ve already drunk my blood."
Alaric looked at her and gave a single, knowing nod.
"I know."
He stood from his chair.
"Where is he now?"
"In his study,"
She replied.
"He’s waiting for us."
"Good,"
Alaric said.
"Then let’s go et him."
But before taking a single step, he turned toward the hallway and flicked his wrist.
A faint pulse of light shimred across the space. The enchanted gate embedded within the wall opened with a soft hum. From it, one by one, girls began to erge.
Each stepped through hesitantly, blinking at the luxurious living room beyond.
And then another ca.
And another.
Until all twenty-four of the new mbers stood assembled, uncertain and silent, within the hall.
Alaric turned to the original four girls, smiling faintly.
"I want you to help them adjust. Show them the rules of this family."
He gave them a wink.
Cellione and Virellen both groaned aloud.
"You’re taking advantage of our kindness, Master," Virellen grumbled.
Alaric raised a brow, utterly unfazed.
"This isn’t taking advantage. I’m simply doing what you said to do."
Virellen clenched her fists, her patience finally snapping.
She punched him square in the stomach.
Alaric coughed slightly but only laughed—loud and unapologetic.
Then, still chuckling, he turned toward the door.
"Co, Virellen. You’re not just going to stand there, are you?"
Virellen crossed her arms and let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Yeah, yeah. I made the decision. Dug my own grave. Now all I can do is follow you into it..."
With that, the two of them exited the mansion and made their way to the main estate of the Crydias family.
The servants they passed greeted them with bows. Each one was bound by contract—enslaved not just by duty, but by blood-sealed oaths. No matter what they saw, no matter what secrets passed their ears, nothing could be spoken beyond these walls.
Alaric and Virellen reached the study. Virellen knocked gently.
"Father. Master is here with ."
A deep voice replied,
"Co in."
They entered.
Inside, Lord Crydias sat in a high-backed chair behind his polished oak desk. Lady Crydias was seated to his left, her posture elegant, her gaze unreadable.
Her eyes lingered on her daughter first, then shifted toward Alaric.
Alaric stepped forward, hands folded behind his back.
"Good morning, Lord Crydias,"
He said.
"Before we begin, I want to be clear—I don’t know if you resent or not. But what happened was necessary. There are secrets I carry that can’t be shared lightly."
He glanced briefly at Virellen.
"Virellen, you may go now. The others will need your help."
"But Master—"
She began.
"Virellen,"
Alaric said again, more gently this ti.
Lord Crydias turned toward his daughter.
"Go, child. This is between n now."
Virellen hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod and stepped out, closing the door softly behind her.
Lord Crydias leaned back in his chair, his expression composed.
"Lord Alaric,"
He said at last,
"I do not resent you."
He folded his hands.
"This is how the world works. In the business of power, one must do what is necessary. I wish to do business with you... and to do so, I must prove my loyalty by any ans necessary."
*****
✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢
✶ I Reincarnated as an Extra ✶
✧ in a Reverse Harem World ✧
⊱ Eternal_Void_ ⊰
✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢
*****
Alaric nodded with a calm smile.
"Thank you for your understanding."
Lord Crydias waved his hand lightly.
"It’s nothing."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes earnest.
"And for your information, ever since your arrival... our fate has changed completely. Because of one foolish decision, I nearly ruined my family. We were on the verge of collapse. But you ca—like a cot streaking through the sky—and saved us all."
He glanced briefly at his wife, then back at Alaric.
"Not only that, but our na now echoes beyond the borders of this kingdom. In every noble circle, our insignia is once again spoken with reverence."
He paused before adding, almost as an afterthought,
"And regarding the auction... the total confird sales so far amount to just over one billion gold coins."
Alaric raised a brow, only slightly, but remained composed.
Crydias continued,
"The five districts in the capital has been fullytransferred to us... We can shape the market however we wish. It is under our rcy."
Alaric rely nodded again.
He looked at Lord Crydias, his tone even.
"May I sit? We have a long discussion ahead."
"Of course, Lord Alaric,"
Crydias said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Alaric took his seat with deliberate calm.
He turned toward Lady Crydias and offered a soft smile.
"I think you should sit as well, Lady Crydias."
But the woman gently shook her head.
"I prefer to stand by my husband’s side."
"As you wish."
Alaric folded his hands atop the desk.
"Now—on to the main topic."
He t Lord Crydias’s gaze, sharp and unwavering.
"Have you been keeping tabs on the growth of the restaurant?"
Lord Crydias nodded at once.
"Yes. It’s been explosive. Beyond even my expectations."
"It has imnse growth potential,"
Alaric said.
"Not just here in the capital—but in every major city throughout the kingdom."
Lord Crydias leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, expression
"What you’re suggesting... is that what I think it is?"
Alaric’s tone remained composed, precise.
"I want the entire auction profit invested into expanding the Pavilion network across the kingdom."
Lord Crydias narrowed his eyes.
"The entire sum?"
"All of it,"
Alaric confird.
"The Pavilion in the capital will serve as the headquarters. Every new branch will match its quality—sa materials, sa standard of excellence. No compromise."
Lady Crydias folded her arms thoughtfully.
"And the goal behind this expansion?"
Alaric leaned forward slightly, voice lowering.
"Publicly, it’s a restaurant chain—Emberdrop. Refined. Desirable. Elegant. But beneath the surface..."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"It will serve as our private network. A silent ear in every city. Every table, every whispered conversation, every shifting rumor—fed back to us. Information, influence, opportunity."
Lord Crydias blinked once. Slowly. His understanding sharpened.
"And what will you call it... behind the curtain?"
Alaric’s smile returned, faint but certain.
"Veloria."
The na hung in the air like a whispered incantation.
Lady Crydias’s eyes glead.
"Veloria... for those who serve its true purpose. Emberdrop... for the world that feeds from it."
"Exactly,"
Alaric said.
"Let the people fall in love with Emberdrop. Let them make it a part of their daily lives. In doing so, they invite us into their cities, their hos, their conversations."
Lord Crydias exhaled, leaning back in his chair, impressed.
"And through that... you build more than wealth. You build presence."
Alaric nodded.
"And presence, Lord Crydias... is the first form of power."
-To Be Continued
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