Year 1534, Third Age of Mi;
Imperial City, Queendom of Elyria;
In the bustling commercial zone of the imperial city of Elyria, a young man in his twenties was seen wearing a hood and lowering his head, walking in a lowkey manner.
Without bringing any attention to himself, Kael reached the doorstep of the biggest commercial building in the city.
"Stop right there…" Two female guards at the entrance blocked his path just as he was about to step inside; each of them was around 7 feet tall, their biceps were almost twice as thick as your average man's, and had strange tattoos on their faces, which looked quite intimidating for anyone who takes a glimpse at them.
However, just as he slightly raised his head, these 7-tier warriors involuntarily took one step back and went down to one of their knees. "Greetings, guildmaster." They greeted him in unison.
Kael gave a slight nod and swiftly entered the building, starting to move at a hurried pace toward the staircase.
"Hey, it's guildmaster."
"It is indeed Lord Moonstone." "You mean, the King consort, that infamous peacock husband?" "Shh… be mindful of your tongue."
"Hey, why was he moving in disguise? I mean It's his guild." "He is a bit shy."
"I heard that he is extremely handsome. I wonder how he looks beneath that hood." "Hey, speak low. You do know that he is extremely adored by the princesses. The Queen waged a war against the Duchess of Kyerin for writing a love letter a couple of years ago. You would be executed if this news reached the palace."
"I heard the rumor that he isn't as naive as he looks. He is the main force behind the Queen's ascendancy." "C'mon, that's just a rumor crafted by the imperial palace. Look at him. He is just a Tier 1, the weakest realm of mankind. Do you think he is capable of it? He is just a pretty boy. He is not even the true guildmaster. Princess Melissa has the real power." "Don't go by his exterior appearance. Some rumors about him are quite nasty. Believe me. Those who were tied to the imperial palace were never simple."
Amidst the whispers and murmurs, Kael stepped into his office on the thirty-sixth floor, breathing steadily even after the climb. A silver-haired woman in traditional attire sat there, legs crossed, the faint rustle of a page-turning was the only sound. It was a simple action but the way she held the book screamed elegance.
She subtly turned his head to look at him, a slight smile appeared on her face, and she closed the book, "Dear, you are here at last. I finished almost three chapters." She said calmly.
Melissa Flamehart
Race: Human
Age: 24
Rank: Tier-6/Upper Elite
Element: Wind
Bloodline: None
Description: Fourth princess of Elyria and Kael's third wife. Currently working as the assistant of guildmaster (Kael).
*
"Sorry for letting you wait, Hon. The meeting with Aunt lasted a bit longer than I expected," replied Kael as he lowered the hood and brushed a stray strand of his dark hair out of his face. His skin was impossibly smooth, with a youthful glow that seemed almost otherworldy, with sharp cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass. Dressed in a fitted black tunic with platinum embroidery along the collar and cuffs, he looked like what people in this world call a 'peacock', which some could find derogatory.
But then again, this is a world not only ruled by matriarchy for centuries but also where women are 2.63:1 population in number. Hence, many would find it a compliment instead.
As Kael took his seat, Melissa started pulling out files, and her demeanor suddenly changed, "Now, let's get started. Shall we," Her eyes narrowed as she traced a column of numbers with a sharp fingernail.
"The accounts from the mining department don't match the deposit records here. And don't even get me started on herbalist quests. The discrepancies are staggering."
Kael leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly again as her words grew sharper. She no longer looked as calm as a moment earlier.
"And this," she said, pulling out another sheet and slapping it onto the desk between them. "This initial deposit scheme you launched three weeks ago? C'mon, Dear, what were you thinking? It's bleeding us dry. Adventurers take the deposit, accept the quest, and then vanish into thin air. Some of them are outright frauds. They are even selling the quests and clients to our rival guilds and joining them. We should capture them and give them to the Queen's Guard."
Kael's lips twitched, and a faint smirk appeared on his face. "It's not ideal," He replied in a casual tone before adding, "But, it won't be a problem much longer."
Melissa glanced up sharply, furrowing her brows, "And why's that?"
Kael then pushed himself up from his seat to stand behind her, his hands resting slightly on her shoulders. "Because," he leaned until his lips were close to her ear and said, "your dear sister, the Queen, is about to pass a law that will change everything."
Slowly, she turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with curiosity, "What kind of law? How come I haven't heard of it before?" Her tone was more hushed now.
Kael's smirk deepened. "The end of privatized guilds. Every last one of them will come under a single banner, simply a Guild. As the largest guild in the queendom, based in Imperial City, we'll naturally become the headquarters. And you—" His hand slid down her arm as he circled to face her, "—will be the guildmaster. From there, everything will be under our control."
A slow smile spread across Melissa's face, her earlier frustration was all gone. "That's… incredible." She couldn't help but pause for a moment as something clicked in her head, and she asked, "But what about the guild leaders? They'll fight back. Some of them are practically warlords, Dear. And they have connections with duchesses. Would my sister be able to pass that law? And wait a second. Why would I become the guildmaster? Shouldn't you be the one?"
Kael chuckled at her revelation and replied, "Your sister ascended the throne by stepping on a mountain of corpses. She is a monarch who loves wars and rules the Queendom with an iron fist. If they think of rebelling, they are the ones in trouble." Before she could respond, Kael's arms pulled her into his embrace seamlessly as he raised her chin up to meet his gaze. "It's time for you to become the leader of an organization that you always dreamt of."
Melissa blinked, her eyes fluttered as a soft pink blush appeared on her cheeks. "You… remember that?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"That's the first promise I made to you, Hon," He replied, leaning forward and giving a peck on her lips. "I always remember."
"Oh, Dear…" Melissa murmured, her hand instinctively reaching up to rest against his chest. Her smile widened as she gazed at him.
*
As the sun set down, a horse-drawn carriage entered the grand gates of the Moonstone House Mansion. The crest of a golden dragon on the side panels reflected the glow of lanterns lining up on either side of the path.
Inside the carriage, Kael leaned back against the cushioned seat, his head tilted slightly as he looked out through the gap of the curtain, giving him a glimpse of the majestic and ancient mansion standing for the past five centuries.
As soon as they stepped down from the carriage, a massive wolf, almost the same size as him, emerged from the shadows. Its eyes, bright as molten gold locked onto them.
"Back already?" The beast's voice rumbled, its tone deep and calm. "How was the day?" It asked.
"Hectic as always, Nyx," Kael sighed as he waved a dismissive hand. His voice contained a hint of fatigue. "New recruits to test, more quests pouring in than we can handle, underhanded staff, and paperwork enough to drown an army. You are lucky to be born as a magical beast. Nothing else to worry about, other than eating and sleeping."
"Hmpf, whatever…" The wolf huffed, a sound somewhere between sympathy and annoyance. "Anyway, since you are back, I'm leaving for my hunt. I'll return by midnight as usual," The Tier-9 magical beast said, eventually turning around and leaving to god knows where.
Inside the mansion, warm light spilled across the marble floors of the entrance hall. A stewardess in a neat black uniform stepped forward, bowing gracefully. "Welcome home, Lord Kael, Lady Melissa."
"Good work today," Melissa said with a polite nod, brushing past her toward the grand staircase.
Kael offered a tied but kind smile, murmuring his thanks before following Melissa. Halfway up, they met a women descending the staircase on the first floor. Her long dark hair shimmered in the light, having similar features to Melissa's, but she looked more elegant and mature rather than young and charming like Melissa.
"Melissa," the woman said in a voice smooth and rich with confidence. She nodded a polite greeting to her younger sister before her gaze shifted to Kael. Her lips curved into a smile as she stepped closer, slipping an arm around his waist and pulling him into her tight embrace. "Kael," she murmured, her head titled a bit before capturing his lips in a slow and deliberate kiss. Kael couldn't help but close his eyes, feeling as if his fatigue from work was slowly fading away.
Amanda Flamehart
Race: Human/Dragon
Age: 31
Rank: Tier-7/Exalt
Element: Fire
Bloodline: Dragon
Description: Eldest princess of Elyria and Kael's first wife. Born of the former queen and a dragonlord before her marriage. Currently serving as the Prime Minister of Elyria.
*
Melissa's eyes narrowed and her body stiffened for a moment but she stayed silent, merely returning the older woman's greeting with a nod but maintaining an even tone, "Eldest Sister."
Amanda released Kael with a satisfied smile and turned to her sister. "It's always lovely to see you, sister," She said before turning to her husband, "Dear, we have something important to talk about." She took his arm and started dragging him with her. "Wai…"
Melissa glared at them with clenched fists for a moment before shaking her head and resuming her climb up the staircase to the mansion's second floor.
Meanwhile, Amanda and Kael made their way to her chambers. "The ball at Aquareld House is set for next week. And I accepted the invitation. You don't mind it right?"
"Of course, we are going to go," Kael replied with a firm nod.
"And about the Duchy of Siglrid," she continued, glancing at him with sharp eyes. "The ministers seem to favor me to be the replacement for those traitorous fools. What do you think?"
Kael furrowed his brows for a moment, analyzing the positive and negative outcomes of this decision. "It's not a bad offer," He said in the end. "Silgrid has potential, though it will take atleast a decade to rebuild it to its former glory."
Amanda's fingers tightened slightly on his arm. "Which is why I need your advice and support," she said, her voice turned softer, more intimate tone. "After all, we're partners in so many ways, aren't we?" Her eyes also changed, her round pupils turned vertical slits.
Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always know how to make things sound so… inevitable," he said as they reached the door of her chambers.
The doors were shut very soon and loud moans filled the chamber for the next half an hour.
Kael returned to his room with slow and deliberate steps. His mental fatigue might have gone because of an intimate session with his eldest wife but the physical fatigue that followed made him crave a warm shower.
Shedding his clothes, he stepped into the tiled sanctuary, letting the heat wash over him. Steam curled around him as he leaned against a cool marble wall, enjoying the soothing spray.
*Creaaak*
The sound of the door creaking open startled him. "Hmm?" He turned his head, water dripping from his hair, as a familiar figure stepped into the room. "Laura." He muttered under his breath. Her flowing black hair and her piercing gray eyes sparkled with mischief, making him close his eyes in resignation.
"Laura, what are you doing?" He asked, inwardly sighing, knowing the answer to it very well.
"Blame Eldest sister," She smirked, leaning casually against the doorway, resting one of her hands on her hip. "Her moans were loud enough to wake the spirits, let alone me. It's a miracle the entire mansion doesn't know by now."
Kael sighed, "You and Amanda need to stop competing all the time. It's exhausting."
Laura Flamehart
Race: Human/Dragon
Age: 22
Rank: Tier-7/Exalt
Element: Ink
Bloodline: Dragon
Unique power: Word Magic
Description: Fifth princess of Elyria and Kael's fourth wife. Born of the former queen and a dragonlord out of an extramarital relationship. Biological sister of Amanda. Currently serving as the Chancellor of the Great State Library.
*
Laura closed the distance between them, her expression softened into something almost playful as she stepped into the shower with him. "It's not like you can manage. I mean, you're the man who once handled five of us at once without breaking a sweat." Her tone contained a hint of tease, making Kael flush.
Reflexively rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered in embarrassment, "You didn't need to remind me of that."
Laura laughed as she slid her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest as the water streamed over both of them. "You're cute when you're flustered, Sweetie," she murmured.
They stood there for a while, wrapped in each other's warmth before their conversation shifted to another topic.
"How's the library," Kael asked.
Laura's eyes lit up all of a sudden, pulling back her body enough to meet his gaze. "Busy but exciting. We're planning a grand symposium next month. Great scholars are coming from faraway lands, including Ylthar Umbraforge, the master of ancient runic languages and forbidden magics." Her pupils started changing from vertical slit to round every other second.
Kael smiled faintly at her enthusiasm, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "I'm sure you'll make it spectacular."
"I hope so." Laura's smile changed to that of mischief once again as her hand lowered down. "Ugh…" Kael let out a groan as he closed his eyes. "Easy there, tigress. I'm not recovered yet."
"We'll see that…" Laura gave a kiss on his lips and slowly crouched down to her knees.