Fresh from the shower and wrapped in his sleepwear, Tenra stepped into the hallway, running a towel through his hair.
"Akeno, is Rias not with you?" he asked, spotting her by the window.
Akeno shot him a look, half amused, half exasperated. "Thanks to you, Rias locked herself in her room. She's sulking."
First the infamous harem proclamation, now accepting Sona's invitation—Tenra hadn't said much, but it was obvious the girls were bothered. Even the strongest hearts have their soft spots.
Tenra sighed, shoulders slumping. "Alright, I get it. It's all my fault."
Akeno's expression softened. She reached out, brushing his cheek with gentle fingers. "Go comfort her. Our princess isn't quite as strong as we pretend."
Tenra grinned, catching her hand. "Of course I'll check on Rias. But what about you, Akeno? Don't you need a little comfort too?"
He tilted her chin up, teasing smile curling at his lips.
Akeno's eyes darted away. "I-I don't need anything," she mumbled, voice barely above a whisper.
Tenra couldn't help but laugh. "Sure you don't…"
Before she could protest, he leaned in and kissed her—soft at first, then deepening as her resistance melted away. A silver thread lingered between them when they finally parted.
"Greedy Tenra… You weren't like this when we were kids," Akeno murmured, resting against his chest, a touch of longing in her voice.
Tenra stroked her hair, voice low and honest. "Just noticing now, silly Akeno? I've always wanted everything I love. Back then, I was weak—just protecting you took everything I had. But now… now I'm strong enough to protect so many more."
Akeno looked up, cheeks puffed in a pout. "So that's why you want to be Harem King? Even with us, you're still not satisfied?"
Tenra's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Regretting falling for me? Too late. You're on my ship now, and there's no escape."
He whispered the words in her ear, voice like velvet and sin. Akeno's gaze grew hazy, his hands tracing her curves, slipping beneath her clothes—just as he was about to claim her, she snapped back to reality.
"Always up to something perverted! Go comfort Rias already!"
Clutching her nearly fallen robe, Akeno fled down the hall, cheeks aflame.
Tenra watched her go, a hint of regret in his smile. But the best things in life are savored slowly. Sooner or later, Akeno would be his—completely.
He made his way to Rias's door and knocked gently.
"Rias, you in there?"
A muffled voice answered, petulant: "I'm not here!"
Tenra grinned. Sulking, just as he'd guessed—his proud princess, wounded.
With a flick of spiritual energy, the lock clicked open. Tenra slipped inside, closing the door behind him. Rias lay sprawled across her bed, face buried in a pillow, refusing to look at him.
He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Are you angry, Rias?" he asked softly.
"Hmph! I'm not angry!" she snapped, finally lifting her head. But her red-rimmed eyes betrayed her.
Tenra couldn't help but laugh, brushing her hair back. "Still pretending, even now?"
He hadn't expected Rias's reaction to be so strong. Just like Akeno said, their princess wasn't invincible—beneath the Gremory name, she was just a girl, vulnerable and real.
Words wouldn't help, not now. So Tenra did the only thing that made sense—he tore off her clothes.
Rias shrieked in surprise, but soon her cries melted into breathless moans. Their passion was raw, primal, and the room filled with the scent of sweat and something sweeter.
When it finally ended, they lay tangled together, chest to chest, lungs burning.
"Still angry, my princess?" Tenra asked, stroking her crimson hair.
Rias glared at him, too exhausted to speak. Tenra—the scoundrel—always conquered her with tricks like this. How could she stay mad?
Tenra rolled over, pinning her beneath him, eyes locked on hers.
"Rias, no matter how greedy or domineering I get, you—and all of you—will always be my greatest treasures. Never forget that."
His voice was fierce, but honest. Rias felt her heart tremble; every trace of resentment vanished.
Yes, Tenra was greedy, stubborn, maybe even selfish. But as long as he loved her, cherished her, what more could she ask for?
Besides, she'd accepted long ago that more girls would join their circle. Why was she hesitating now?
"Tenra… love me," she whispered, arms circling his neck.
"As you command, my princess."
Tenra's smile was wolfish as he leaned in again, and a new round of passion began.
The next morning—
"Tenra-sama, the train to Sitri territory is ready. Sona-sama sent me to escort you," Tsubaki announced, bowing politely.
Tenra nodded, turning to Rias and the others.
"Rias, I'll go visit Sona with Yubelluna and the rest. What about you?"
"We're heading back to Gremory territory," Rias replied. "There's still time before my match with Sona, so I want to put everyone through some special training."
"Alright. Once I'm done at Sona's, I'll join you there."
"Ravel, want to come with us?" Rias asked.
Ravel hesitated, then nodded shyly. "O-okay. If sister-in-law invites me…"
With plans settled, Rias, Akeno, and Ravel headed to Gremory territory, while Tenra and Yubelluna boarded the train bound for Sitri.
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