Chapter 405 – Sleep is Optional
Lux was already humming in the marble bathroom, steam curling around his sharp silhouette as he adjusted his cufflinks—yes, after the bath. Man had to look presentable, after all. Even if his hair was still damp and his body freshly scrubbed from last night’s sins. Habits were habits. Discipline was image.
And image?
Was everything.
The sound of rain-like dripping echoed in the spacious shower chamber as he let the last rivulets roll down his back. He toweled off with black-gold silk cloth and stepped into the tailored robe he’d left on standby. Mira’s lipstick stain was still faintly visible near the collar.
He smirked.
[Aura Level - Suppressed. Seduction Rate: 47%. Style Modifier: 10%. Hair Gloss: Divine.]
"Good," Lux murmured, brushing his hand through his hair. "Let’s give them a morning worth rembering."
Downstairs, breakfast was already underway.
The dining room was a muted chaos of voices, scents, and unspoken tension wrapped in expensive perfu and cinnamon.
Naomi sipped her black coffee like it was a contract she was about to reject.
Rava was already finishing her butter croissant and occasionally typed on her silver-rimd datapad.
Mira had arrived early. Too early.
She was seated like a queen, already dressed in a soft silk robe that did nothing to hide the faint, territorial flush still clinging to her skin.
And yeah, she still slled like him.
She didn’t care.
No—worse.
She licked her lips.
Every ti Lux walked past her.
Like so goddess of logic had just discovered how much fun sin could be.
Naomi clocked it imdiately. Her eyebrow did that soft, arching twitch.
Sira? Oh, Sira was glowing.
Not out of jealousy.
But because for once—finally—soone else joined the Harem Headquarters with pride intact.
She whispered loud enough for Mira to hear, "Must’ve been a very eventful evening."
Mira didn’t flinch. "Sleep is optional," she replied flatly. "And overrated."
"You weren’t sleeping," Naomi muttered into her coffee.
"Still counts."
Rava didn’t even look up. "I heard the headboard dented."
"You’re exaggerating," Lux said smoothly, entering the room with a smirk as if he hadn’t just walked in looking like a devil in a CEO cosplay. "That bed is reinforced with abyssal alloy."
Mira sipped her tea. "So am I."
Lux just gave her a look.
She was dangerous.
But so was he.
Before the teasing could escalate, Ariel entered. Quiet. Polite. Hair slightly damp from her pool dip. She wore a soft sea-green robe one of the servants had left for her, and though it hung slightly awkwardly on her form, she looked more... present. Less ghost. More girl.
Rava noticed instantly. "Ah, good. You’re here." She tapped her tablet. "My assistant already sent word to the Avariels. But I know the right channels."
Lux raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because they’ve ghosted like a bad date."
Rava shrugged. "They probably didn’t take your ssage seriously. No offense. You are new."
"None taken," Lux said, spreading jam over toast with casual grace. "Offense would’ve required effort."
Before Ariel could respond—
Lullaby entered.
No shoes. Sleep shirt oversized. Pillow hair. Eye bags like they were luxury designer. She padded in like a half-awake cat and mumbled, "Morning."
Everyone stared.
Sira broke the silence. "Lullaby. You’re up."
"Hmm." She blinked. "Yeah. Was getting cold without Lux."
Lux chuckled. "Noted."
Ariel tilted her head. "She’s...?"
"She’s a Sloth," Sira muttered. "It explains a lot."
Lullaby yawned, flopping onto the chair beside Ariel and resting her head on the table. "Haven’t slept with Lux yet~," she mumbled into her sleeve. "But I’ll fix that. Eventually."
Ariel choked on her juice. Mira blinked. Naomi massaged her temple.
Lux just chuckled.
"I figured today was a presentation day," he said casually, changing the subject. "Which ans it’s makeover ti."
He snapped his fingers once—and the air shimred.
Two summoning formation opened.
And out walked two of the most absurdly stylish demons this side of Vanity’s palace.
Velza—tall, lean, with scissors floating around her like weapons.
Her hair shimred like black fire, and her smirk could slice through steel.
Vierra—voluptuous, devious eyes, and skin glittering with charm powder.
She held a brush in one hand and a compact mirror that showed your best lie in the other.
"Ladies," Lux said grandly, "your glam squad is here."
Velza cracked her fingers. "I see knots. I see cris against volu. I see—oh sweet hell—split ends."
Vierra leaned close to Naomi. "Darling. That contour? Needs vengeance."
Mira smirked. "They’re fun."
Sira raised her hand. "Question."
"Go ahead," Lux said.
"Can Lullaby co with us to pick clothes? Ariel could use the backup."
Lullaby froze. "Go... outside?"
Sira nodded. "Yes."
Lullaby frowned. "Like. Outside outside? With sun?"
"Yes."
"No mattress?"
"No mattress."
Lullaby stared at her like she’d asked her to commit a federal cri. "Pretend I never heard you," she mumbled, pulling her oversized sleeve over her face.
Sira sighed. "Why did I even try..."
"Well, then," he spoke softly. Just to Ariel. "Don’t forget. After breakfast, we’ll go shopping. Sira and I. You’ll need clothes. The good ones. High fashion, battle-ready diplomacy dresses. We’re making an appearance soon—and you’re not just so discarded daughter anymore."
Ariel looked down, fingers brushing the edge of her robe. "But... what if I embarrass you?"
"You won’t," Sira glared. "And you better don’t."
That got a small squeak from Ariel.
Naomi let out a soft groan, pinching the bridge of her nose like she’d just watched a stock crash in slow motion. "Sira, tone. We’re not scaring the poor girl. She’s traumatized, not auditioning for a military academy."
Sira blinked. "I was just being motivational."
"You’re terrifying," Mira said flatly, sipping her jasmine tea. Her lips still looked kiss-swollen, and she still hadn’t stopped stealing glances at Lux across the table, which was—let’s be honest—getting excessive.
Ariel peeked up, wide-eyed, cheeks flushing. "It’s okay. I, um... I think she ans well."
"See?" Sira smirked, flicking her silver hair. "She gets it. I’m inspiring."
"I inspired a soundproofing spell," Naomi muttered, setting down her coffee cup. "You’ll thank later."
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