Chapter 12: ① The Imperial Consorts’ Gathering Begins: The Healing Trio Shines!!

Alexius’s unreasonable demand—no, it was Celine who brought it up in the first place—

To fulfill his duties as Lord Karou, Yuuri was heading to the Imperial Consorts’ Gathering.

Girls I can actually talk to… honestly, that’s kind of nice.
But… meeting people in real life that I only know from a game… there’s no way I wouldn’t be nervous.

The “Imperial Consorts’ Gathering”—a tea party held with Lord Karou, the highest-ranked formal event in the entire harem.

It took place in a corner of the Reika Garden, a space only the upper consorts—the Six Flower Consorts and the Twelve Star Consorts—were permitted to enter.

The silent corridor echoed with every footstep.

With each step, his sweaty soles seemed to stick to the floor, and Yuuri’s tension climbed higher.

Calm down. Deep breath. Breathe in through the nose—

…It was impossible.

Why am I this nervous?
They’re not just NPCs. Even if they look the same as in the game, what’s “inside” is a different person.
But—

…I’m still scared as heeeell!!!

The scream echoed five times over in his head.

The ones welcoming him weren’t just any girls.

They were the chosen elite, top-rankers of the harem. The flawless “final boss squadron of beauty and grace.”

Haa… is this how villainess heroines feel when they’re about to be condemned?

A harem? Hell yeah? He wanted to pummel his past cocky self.

Every time cold sweat ran down his spine, his steps grew heavier.

Um, which seat am I supposed to take again?
Who should I talk to first? What kind of tea is it? I have zero confidence I can drink without making noise!

“…M-Master? Um… your face looks a bit pale… Are you feeling all right?”

He turned to see Lily, Fiona, and Chloe watching him with worried expressions.

Ah, somehow.

Just seeing these three faces made his shoulders relax a little.

Come to think of it… I’m not really scared of them.

Probably because he’d been seeing them as “maids” rather than “girls.”

When there’s a “role” involved, he could breathe easier and face them properly.

In the end… I can’t really face people without some kind of mask, can I?
…That’s kind of pathetic.

“Shall I… hold your hand?”

Lily timidly extended her hand.

White, slender, with fingertips trembling just slightly.

She should be the scared one here…

In this world, “surviving” comes first.

Fawning over the powerful is a means of survival.

He’d been the same way. Bowing to bosses, reading the room, gritting his teeth—

In the end, he couldn’t change anything.

“L-Lily-chan!? What are you saying out of nowhere…!?”
“Wait, huh, when did you two get that close…?”

From the side, Fiona’s voice jumped out.

Her cheeks were flushed red, but only her gaze was serious—

As if she couldn’t hide her shock and confusion that Lily had “moved ahead” of her.

“B-Because… Master looks so tired…”

Lily’s voice was thin, but straight.

That kindness seemed to ease the taut atmosphere.

“I-I can do that too… n-no, even more than that!!”

Fiona puffed out her cheeks in protest.

It was her usual confident tone, yet her voice wavered slightly.

Chloe gave a small shrug at the two of them, then quietly stepped forward.

“Good grief… But it’s true, Master does need some ‘healing’ right now.”

And then—

Without hesitation, her hand reached for Yuuri’s.

Her fingers gently, softly wrapped around his.

“Please relax, Master. For someone as distinguished as Lord Karou to feel intimidated—”
“Well, that would be quite a waste, wouldn’t it?”

Those words were like spring sunlight touching ice.

Quiet, yet certain, they reached Yuuri’s chest.

Chloe’s hand was supple and soft,

Yet somehow dignified—its warmth spreading slowly through his skin.

Huh… Chloe’s hands… were this gentle all along…

“H-Hey, it’s not fair if only Chloe-chan gets to…! Me too…!!”

Fiona shouted that, face bright red, and grabbed his other hand firmly.

“M-Master…! M-Mine are… warmer!!”

Contrary to her defiant words, her palm trembled just a little.

That tremor felt somehow incredibly precious.

“Ah, I-I also… want to warm Master up too…”

Lily slipped timidly between the two, gently wrapping both hands around Yuuri’s arm.

He could see her downcast lashes trembling faintly.

—Before he knew it, a beautiful girl on each hand.

A modest maiden on his arm.

A composition he’d seen somewhere, like something from a dream.

But right now, it would take a little more time before he could process this as “reality.”

What is this… a dream? An illusion? No, wait. This is…

Each of their hands transmitted different warmth, different heartbeats.

Gentle, warm, ticklish, and almost painfully—comfortable.

Without the mask of “work,” I can’t properly face people…
But these girls are trying to embrace me… mask and all.
If I weren’t Lord Karou… this probably never would have happened…

The cold something stuck deep in his chest slowly began to melt.

To think there could be warmth like this.

He was a little scared of himself—for wanting to believe in it.

No… overthinking it is just tacky.

The sensation almost made him want to close his eyes.

—Just then.

Something shifted in the shadow of a corridor pillar—not wind, not a presence, but “someone.”

Chapter 12: ② The Imperial Consorts’ Gathering Begins: The Healing Trio Shines!!

“…You seem to be enjoying yourselves quite thoroughly.”

Appearing soundlessly was a man clad in jet-black robes.

With a cold gaze and a sardonic smile—it was Rufus, the Chief Surveillance Eunuch.

“To be ‘holding hands’ with three young ladies right before the Imperial Consorts’ Gathering…”
“Lord Karou-dono, you are quite bold indeed.”

His tone was light, but his eyes weren’t smiling.

“…However, if you leave behind such a sweet scent, what comes after—”

A beat, then his lips twisted.

“Fufufu, just imagining it sends chills down my spine.”
“I do hope your dignity as a man remains intact.”

…That phrasing is terrifying!!

“N-No, wait… that’s not—! I was struggling, so they were helping me out…!”

As Yuuri frantically tried to explain, Lily looked down even further but gently tugged his sleeve.

“I-I… well, Master looked like you were suffering so…”

Fiona’s eyes reddened, but she squared her shoulders defiantly.

“I-It’s not like we did anything wrong!? I just wanted you to feel better—”

Chloe let out a soft sigh but kept a smile on her lips as she added,

“Well, we were ‘spoiling’ him, true… but we’re simply attending to Master with our whole being.”
“Is there a problem with that? Chief Surveillance Eunuch-dono?”

At those words, Rufus’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“No… it was simply a most intriguing phenomenon.”

“That’s scary…!”

What’s with that “observing a human experiment” vibe!?

“Fufufu, in any case, if you don’t head to the main event soon, you’ll keep the ladies of the gathering waiting, won’t you?”

“Ah, r-right…! Okay, I’m going!!”

Just as he spun around—

“Have a safe trip, Master!”

The three voices overlapped perfectly.

Lily blushed faintly and clasped her hands gently at her chest,

Fiona straightened her back, a bit embarrassed but proud,

Chloe wore a soft smile, her voice calm and steady—

All three offering him the same words.

…Ah, I see.

A single phrase lit a small flame in his chest.

Just a moment ago, my hands were trembling so much…

He took a small breath, then one deep inhale.

His scattered awareness returned smoothly to his center.

—It’s okay.

That’s right. I’m not alone anymore.

Even if the imperial consorts hate him—

Celine is there. Lieselotte is there.

Lily, Chloe, Fiona too…

All these people who see me, who support me like this—there are so many now.

Beyond the heavy doors.

There lay a space as gorgeously vibrant as blooming flowers, yet concealing a cold, tense atmosphere.

That single chamber woven from lavish furnishings and delicate design—

Five consorts rose as one.

With flawless coordination, gracefully and solemnly, they offered their greetings.

Lightly pinching the hems of their skirts, pulling back one foot, bending their knees.

That overwhelming pressure and beauty stopped Yuuri in his tracks.

…This is the pinnacle of the harem hierarchy.
I can feel it… the pressure is on a whole different level.

His stomach clenched tight with nerves, and his throat made a sound.

But strangely, he no longer wanted to run away.

Because the small flame in his chest gave him a little courage.