Chapter 5: ③ Lord Karou Stands in the Harem

Yuuri advanced until he stood before the five women and raised his gaze—the moment he looked up, he trembled anew at the gathering of beauties before him.

Cecily von Sanctia. Leticia von Orpheus.

(Even just this lineup makes my stomach churn……)

But those two weren’t the only ones standing there. Lined up behind them were more formidable figures who were beyond just surprising. They were the very “faces” of their respective factions.

(What is this… a boss rush?)

Still in that confused state, the moment he approached close enough to face the harem consorts—

Celine and Lieselotte quietly stepped forward. They repositioned themselves to stand before the harem consorts, turned around with graceful movements, and looked straight at Yuuri.

(……No way, no way no way no way……)

Following the two, all the harem consorts, in perfectly synchronized movements—knelt on one knee. Precisely, all at the same angle, in the same silence, they bowed their heads.

(Wait, huh…!?)

Queen Celine, Princess Lieselotte, and the group of far-too-beautiful consorts—all of them were kneeling before him.

Words almost escaped him involuntarily. But his throat froze and nothing came out. The atmosphere felt heavy and—sacred.

Celine quietly raised her face. In her eyes dwelled will and dignity that transcended mere formality.

“Welcome to the harem. We, the harem consorts who reside here—”

Everyone’s consciousness was drawn to her words.

“Recognize Yuuri-sama as the master of the harem, Lord Karou, and wish to welcome you with devoted affection.”

The silence descended especially deep and solemn. And once again, everyone bowed their heads deeply.

(Eh… what is this, a coronation ceremony??)

His heart leaped. Goosebumps ran down his spine. He was completely overwhelmed by the solemnity of this moment.

At that moment, a faint voice from behind.

“……Respond.”

It was Alexius. The whisper was small, yet somehow reached deep into his ears.

(Respond… what am I supposed to say!? They didn’t teach this in school!?)

Panic rushed up his throat. But the scene before him—was neither a dream nor a joke.

The women bowing their heads deeply. That sight wasn’t just a ritual. It was the very “resolve” of those choosing, believing, and entrusting someone.

(……They’re doing all this for someone like me……)

(Can I bear this weight……?)

—But.

(……That’s exactly why I need to answer properly.)

He inhaled. Deeply, slowly. And with all his heart, just one phrase.

“……Could you raise your faces? I want to look you in the eyes when I say this.”

As if responding to his voice, the consorts slowly raised their faces. Trembling eyelashes. Faintly quivering lips. In their expressions were taut tension and deep respect, and—just a touch of kindness seeping through.

“Honestly, I still don’t understand what kind of place this harem is. But—”

He met their eyes. Each and every one. The feeling that this place might become where Yuuri belongs began sprouting deep in his chest.

“If you’ll welcome me, I want to get to know all of you too. I don’t know how life here will turn out, but… please take care of me from now on.”

Short, clumsy words that probably didn’t meet any standards of decorum. But even so, it was the utmost sincerity he could muster right now.

“Yes, Lord Karou. We shall all support you.”

Responding gently with those words, Celine slowly stood with graceful movements. Following her, Lieselotte and then the five harem consorts also quietly rose. The cascading sequence of refined movements was beautiful and sacred—like flowers blooming all at once.

“Master, those present here are the current Six Flower Consorts and Twelve Star Consorts.”

Celine’s words quietly partitioned the air, and immediately after—

Someone took one step forward with a swish. Wrapped in a pure white dress, the very embodiment of “perfection”—

It was Cecily von Sanctia.

“—Cecily von Sanctia. Representing the Queen’s faction, I have been granted a seat among the Six Flower Consorts.”

Her bow was beautiful, yet perfectly, excessively composed. But that gaze wavered slightly. In those eyes looking straight at Yuuri dwelled—not testing, not appraising, but a “wish seeking confirmation.”

“I have honored propriety, never abandoned my pride, and fulfilled the duties imposed upon me. However……”

A beat of silence.

“……Perhaps that alone is not enough to stand beside Lord Karou.”

Those words weren’t meant for anyone to hear. Her figure, lowering her eyes just slightly and smiling, made Yuuri’s chest tighten.

“—Please, watch over the me that is to come. I will strive to become a consort who does not shame Lord Karou. ……No, I ‘want to become’ such a person.”

With a gentle sway of her skirt, she bowed. Her expression immediately returned to its usual serenity—but at the edge of that smile, a “trace of feelings” faintly seeped through.

Immediately after, as if matching a rhythm, Leticia stepped forward.

“—Leticia von Orpheus. Representing the Noble faction, I am one of the Six Flower Consorts.”

Her voice resonated alluringly, and with just one bow, she commanded the atmosphere with such bold beauty. But to Yuuri’s eyes—he saw it for just an instant in the depths of those eyes.

A fragment of loneliness she’d never let anyone touch.

“……Lord Karou. I pray you are not a boring man.”

That smile seemed playful, capricious. But more than that, there was an air of genuinely expecting something.

“I have always thought I wanted to be a woman worthy of being loved. But… only that won’t bring happiness—I’ve finally realized that recently.”

She lowered her eyes softly. Her eyelashes trembled.

“That’s why… I want you to possess the strength to love someone and—the kindness to stand beside someone.”

It wasn’t provocation or seduction. It was a genuine wish spoken as one woman, without pretense.

“Lord Karou. Please ‘know’ me from now on. ……If you wish, you may ‘touch’ me after that.”

With the end of her words, Leticia bowed gracefully. In her back dwelled both the pride of a perfect woman and the strength to hide a loneliness no one noticed.

Yuuri thought:

(This person might not be teasing and testing me. She’s just asking—whether I’ll believe in her—)

Chapter 5: ④ Lord Karou Stands in the Harem

After Cecily and Leticia’s greetings ended, a silence fell upon the scene for a moment—one that made everyone forget to breathe.

Perfect, each radiating completely different brilliance. The lingering resonance of their words and gazes still remained in the air—in that atmosphere.

Celine took one step quietly forward. With gentle movements, she turned her gaze to Yuuri and smiled softly.

“Cecily-sama and Leticia-sama hold the highest positions within the harem, the Six Flower Consorts. Normally there are six seats. Whether the remaining four seats will be filled—depends on your achievements from now on, Master.”

Her tone remained gentle throughout. But mixed in was just a trace of testing kindness.

(……Achievements, huh.)

Yuuri straightened his spine quite naturally. He was aware. To stand in this place, he still hadn’t become anyone. But precisely because of that—if he fled here and now, nothing would begin.

(Four seats, huh……)

The phrase “not enough” lingered painfully in his chest. It wasn’t pressure but seemed like a framework of “possibilities” to be filled from now on.

Then, Celine stepped forward once more and spun her words lightly.

“Now then, next—the Twelve Star Consorts will greet you in order.”

As if responding to that invitation, the air shifted gently.

Light footsteps. A swaying mantle. And stepping forward with one step, with conviction—standing in his line of sight was a beauty with dignified azure eyes, dressed in a knight’s uniform-style gown. An aura of unwavering will, as if she existed for this very moment.

“—Eleanor von Schwarzwald. Representing the Knight faction, I hold a seat among the Twelve Star Consorts.”

Her voice was straight and clear like a sword’s blade. Not sharpness, but the radiance of “resolve” without a single cloud.

Yet those eyes held no coldness. Rather, they held straightforward—clumsy purity.

“I have lived with the resolve to dedicate this sword to the nation. But… from now on, I intend to wield it to become your shield.”

Not a single waver or hesitation. That oath transcended ceremony and pretense—it was the “will” of one human being.

(……Amazing, this person.)

Yuuri was simply overwhelmed. Every single one of her words was sharp like a blade, yet somehow warm. That someone could speak so beautifully of “serving” another.

“……Even so, may I ask for one thing?”

Suddenly, Eleanor averted her gaze. Just that alone made the air sway softly.

“I know only the sword. But if I remain by your side… someday, will I be able to know more than that?”

Her voice trembled faintly. An awkward, modest wish hoping to reach someone’s heart.

(……For someone who only knows the sword to say she “wants to be beside someone”……)

Yuuri couldn’t speak. Deep in his chest tightened painfully. It resembled a young love somewhere—yet was utterly serious.

(This person… isn’t just strong. She properly knows she’s weak too……)

Even so—even so, the “feelings” she offered felt unbearably precious.

As Eleanor bowed and withdrew, a sacred yet somehow soft air entered the space. As if the temperature had risen just a little there—such a mysterious warmth.

A fragrance-like presence wafted gently, and from its center, as if a flower quietly blooming—

One young woman took a quiet step forward.

(……Ah, this girl too.)

Yuuri’s gaze was naturally drawn to that figure. Her steps were like a dance, yet not flighty, just quiet—just beautiful.

A dress wrapped in white and purple prayer swayed in the wind, and her presence was the embodiment of blessing. The young woman, bearing a pure smile, quietly bowed her head.

“……Clarisse von Lumière. Recommended by the Church faction, I serve as the lowest seat among the Twelve Star Consorts.”

Her voice was as gentle as the sound of a bell. Just hearing it, the tension clinging deep in his heart seemed to unravel softly.

(……Being healed by just a voice… that actually happens, huh.)

Clarisse continued quietly with her gaze lowered.

“May there be blessings on the path you walk. And if there are days when you are hurt—each time, please let me heal you.”

It wasn’t flattery. It wasn’t a wish. It was simply words like a prayer—trying to embrace everyone present.

(……This girl really seems like she was born to “save people”……)

But he didn’t know if he should indulge in that kindness. Precisely because her smile was so soft, she was so transparent that he felt guilty just touching her.

“……I can only ‘believe in someone’s happiness.’ But… if you will believe in me—”

From beneath the shadow of her eyelashes, her gaze gently rose. At that moment, their eyes met.

(Ah—)

Just that, and deep in his chest fell completely silent as if sucked in.

“—I thought I’d like to try believing in you too.”

Her voice remained soft. Yet that one phrase alone was sharp like a blade, painfully straightforward.

(This person… is kind, but not weak at all.)

That strength—was the result of continuing to stand beside others’ sorrows, he understood without being told.

(……If you’ll believe in me, I’ll believe back. Just those words, yet……)

(Why does my chest hurt so much?)

When Clarisse’s greeting ended, a quiet lingering remained in the space. As if everyone had entrusted their hearts to her prayer-like words for a while.

The wind gently swept that air away.

With a light fragrance, the next to step forward was—a beautiful dancer with emerald hair translucent in the sunlight.

Her deep green dress swayed, and with just one step, the air already changed. That presence was truly “a pro at capturing attention.”

(Wow… the way she “creates” atmosphere is completely different……)

Yuuri involuntarily held his breath. She wasn’t putting on airs. But drawing eyes just by being there—was proof of genuine confidence.

The young woman advanced one dancing step and smiled softly at Yuuri with a grin.