Leona still clung to him as morning light crept through the window. She pressed her body close, her hair a tangled ss, scent still lingering on his skin. But as Nikolai reached for his pants, she slipped from his arms, scooping up discarded clothes and straightening her uniform with trained, elegant motions.
"My Lord, what do you desire for breakfast?"
Nikolai enjoyed the sight of her struggling to move well, especially when her legs trembled and she almost collapsed.
"Are you on the nu?"
The warmth in her eyes faded behind a mask of discipline, back to being the perfect maid, quick to smooth sheets and pick up last night's chaos.
However, there were limits to that... "I believe you've eaten everything I have on the nu, and we'll have to wait for a new delivery of stock." Although she rejected him, the bright smile and way she only lightly patted away the hand on her ass as enough.
"If you keep making a ss, I'll have to punish you."
Leona huffed a slow breath before stepping closer with a seductive gaze.
The door slamd open, stopping Nikolai's response as Amphitrite strode inside with a bright smile, her sensual aura growing with each sway of her hips.
Her heels clicked against the polished floor until she reached his side.
"My dear husband, have you finally fucked the maid?"
Then she turned to the maid, and her smile beca deeper.
"Hard at work, Leona?" Amphitrite teased, eyes sliding over the wrinkled sheets and the flush still clinging to Leona's cheeks. "Or is that just your morning glow?"
"The room is yours, madam. I'll see to breakfast."
"Congratulations."
Nikolai leaned back, arms crossed, as Amphitrite turned her full attention to him. She leaned in, voice dropping, breath brushing his ear. "Don't forget who keeps your nights warm while you're gone, husband. I expect a proper goodbye."
Leona shot Amphitrite a glare as she left, tail flicking, but there was nothing she could do. No matter how jealous she felt, a maid could never argue with a wife.
"Do you have to tease her?"
He didn't mind when the won competed or argued with each other, and only stepped in when needed. Nikolai patted his thigh as Amphitrite climbed onto his lap, hugging him tightly.
'She slls really good...'
The delicious scent of flowers and citrus flowed from Amphitrite's cleavage.
"Of course~ a new sister has appeared."
"Hmm... but don't go too far, you are all my lovely won."
"Heh~ then treat us all well. Patriarch!"
Amphitrite's cool body slipped deeper into his embrace as her hands slipped inside his shirt. "I think we should have a little fun..." and with those words, Nikolai found himself ensnared by a sultry little rmaid.
***
Nikolai called his wives and companions to the main hall later that day, his mood calm but unreadable. Amphitrite lounged at his side, lips curved in amusent; Nikita and Selene arrived together, their bickering voices echoing ahead of them; Lunaria lingered at the back, trying to hide her excitent.
The biggest surprise was that Kumiko arrived late and looked strange.
'She looks exhausted...'
Kumiko's face looked pale, with dark rings under her eyes, and she seed visibly weak.
"I'm leaving in two days," Nikolai announced, gaze sweeping over each of them. "I won't be gone long, but I'm not taking the entire household. Alexei and a handful of guards will join ."
Nikita pouted. "Only a handful? You know the council will talk if you don't parade half the estate."
Selene folded her arms, brow furrowed. "And you're leaving us behind again?"
Nikolai raised a brow. "Alexei is enough. We need to look strong, not desperate. Besides, you three are the best defence this house has."
A heavy silence lingered in the hall, broken only by Amphitrite's teasing sigh as she draped herself across the velvet sofa. Nikita paced near the window, heels tapping, already ready to argue. Risa stood tall at Nikolai's side, presence calm and cool, green eyes watchful.
He let them settle before he spoke. "We leave in two days. It's not a campaign, just a small party. Alexei is coming with a few of his n. We'll be eting Drago's people at the border, and together, we're going to get my grandfather out."
Selene clicked her tongue, folding her arms. "That's what worries . You trust Drago, even though he betrayed your grandfather.... but you're still walking into the jaws of the wolf."
Nikita scoffed. "Oh, co on. With Alexei, you'll be fine. The real problem is leaving us bored at ho."
Risa's hand slid to Nikolai's back, grounding him. "Just send word as soon as you et Drago I worry about you."
Lunaria, standing in the back, finally spoke up. "I want to co too. You always leave behind, but I'm strong enough now."
Nikolai turned, his voice gentle but firm. "Lunaria, I said you could co. But if you do, you're not to leave my side. Alexei and I will handle the negotiations. You only act if I say."
Her smile was pure relief, ears twitching with excitent. Nikita groaned, but even she softened when Lunaria bead at her.
Amphitrite squeezed Nikolai's thigh beneath the table. "Just rember, husband—bring us ho a victory and not a scandal."
"And if you get yourself killed, I'll never let you forget it—even in the next life."
He glanced over the faces of his wives—so worried, so defiant, all fiercely loyal. There was pride in his chest as he nodded. "We'll bring him back. I promise."
There was a little upset that he wouldn't be taking them all, but Selene and Nikita didn't really mind, especially Nikita, who found it difficult to move well.
The outco relieved Nikolai.
***
As the eting broke up, laughter and argunts spilling into the halls, Nikolai's gaze lingered on Kumiko. She stayed seated, silent, hands folded tightly in her lap, the usual spark in her eyes dulled to ash yellow. When Nikita tugged Selene away for another spat and Amphitrite distracted Risa with so biting remark about "sisterly duty," Nikolai made his way over to Kumiko.
'I'm worried about her...'
He crouched down beside her, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "You look like you haven't slept in days. What's wrong?"
Kumiko tried to smile, but it barely reached her eyes. "I'm fine, dear. Just a little tired."
He shook his head, not letting her off that easily. "You're many things, Kumi, but a good liar isn't one of them." He placed a warm hand over hers, feeling the slight tremble in her fingers. "Talk to ."
She looked away, staring at the ornate rug beneath their feet. For a long mont, the only sound was the distant echo of the others in the hall.
"It's nothing I can't handle," she finally murmured, but her voice caught.
From the look of things, she'd been using her clones far too much.
But...
"It's sothing when you are affected, co here."
He hugged her tight, stroking her back while letting her rest on his shoulder. "You can take a break, recall all your clones."
Kumiko's shoulders tensed beneath his touch, pride fighting with the simple relief of being seen. "The house is safe, everything is under control. I just… needed more eyes on the city, that's all."
He held her tighter, voice low but unwavering. "There's a difference between vigilance and burning yourself out, Kumi. I need you sharp, not shattered. The estate can stand a few days with less perfection."
She buried her face into his chest while grabbing his shirt and sniffed his neck, enjoying the musky scent of her husband.
"I didn't want anyone to worry... especially with you leaving. If I rest, sothing could slip."
Nikolai cupped her cheek, tilting her head until she t his gaze—firm, gentle, impossible to avoid. "That's not how this family works. You don't have to carry everything alone. Even I know when to ask for help."
Her lips twitched, almost a real smile. "So says the man who never sleeps unless he's tangled in soone."
He smirked, thumb brushing her cheek. "If you needed an excuse to take my bed for a day, all you had to do was ask."
Kumiko laughed softly, so colour returning to her face. "If I recall my clones now, I'll probably pass out at the table."
He nodded, a rare tenderness in his eyes. "Then I'll carry you to bed myself. Or do you want Leona to see you drooling on my shoulder?"
She huffed, but the tension finally slipped from her posture. "You win. I'll rest."
"Good girl. Take care of yourself, for ."
As she stood, she gave him one last lingering look—loyalty, exhaustion, and trust all tangled together.
Nikolai watched her leave, already making a ntal note to check on her before he departed. For now, he had a house of won—strong, stubborn, and all his—to keep safe.
And Kumiko, at least for today, would finally let herself be vulnerable.
But Nikolai still couldn't rest... he looked at his beautiful wives, and prepared to reassure them all before eting Alexei.
They would be going for a drink together.
Because Brian called for the first ti in a long ti...
"Let's see what he has to say."
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