Kusanagi Household —
"Erica-nee, Liliana-nee, who is this woman?"
"A detestable woman!"
"Oh my, little demon brother, are we going to have a new sister so soon?"
"Hehehe, as expected of Lord Sora! Lady Liliana, your rival count just increased!"
…
Inside the Kusanagi family's main hall, Shizuka-chan, Erica, and Liliana all wore cautious expressions as they looked at Seishuuin Ena sitting closely beside Sora. The great witch Zola smoothed her hair with a carefree yet charming smile. The mischievous and scheming little maid Karen's eyes sparkled with a strange light as she teased her mistress Liliana.
And then there was the maid Arianna standing behind everyone, her cheeks faintly flushed as she shyly looked at Sora and Ena not far away, a faint sense of grievance rising in her heart…
"Hehehe… So, Sora, aren't you surprised to suddenly see Ena? Since you and Yuri left, Ena has often missed you all!"
Ena smiled brightly, hugging Sora's shoulder with one hand, speaking as if they were old close friends reunited after many years.
"Yeah, you came back and immediately started fighting with my two knights without even greeting me first. You really gave me a big 'surprise'!"
Sora pushed away the girl's mischievous hand with a speechless expression.
"Because we had an agreement back then, Ena is Sora's knight! Now that Sora has become the king, Ena came back specifically to fulfill that promise!"
Ena nodded seriously, seemingly unaware of the situation.
Hearing this detestable woman claim she was the king's knight again, Erica and Liliana pricked up their ears to listen carefully. Someone was trying to take their place, so they couldn't afford to be careless.
"The agreement only said you would become my knight, not the only knight. What does that have to do with you fighting with Erica and Liliana?"
Sora's forehead creased with black lines as he tore off a piece of chocolate and stuffed it into the restless little Athena's mouth, who was sitting in his lap, then asked Ena with a tired expression.
"Oh, what about that? Although Ena came back to fulfill the promise with Sora, Grandpa and Grandma also gave her a mission she must complete!"
Ena nodded honestly, recalling something as she replied to Sora.
"A mission… what mission?"
Frowning, Sora instinctively felt the problem lay there.
"Grandpa's mission for Ena is to become Sora's concubine, to serve him well, and ideally bear him a child. Grandma's mission is to get rid of the other women around Sora, leaving only Ena!"
"Hmm, Yuri can be an exception since she's Ena's good friend. As long as the other women around Sora are driven away, Grandma and the others probably won't complain."
Like a well-behaved child, Ena answered whatever Sora asked.
And to say so calmly that she would become Sora's concubine and bear his children—probably only this girl could do that!
Even Sora, who was usually quite composed, twitched the corner of his mouth hard. Erica and the others were even more shocked, their mouths slightly open in disbelief.
After a while, when everyone regained their senses, the great witch Zola covered her stomach and laughed loudly without any dignity. Erica and Liliana's faces darkened, clearly furious.
Shizuka-chan and maid Arianna blushed deeply, feeling extremely shy. Words like "concubine" and "bearing children" were too overwhelming for their pure hearts. The little maid Karen showed a rare look of admiration, her eyes sparkling with a strange light, and a sly fox-like smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
As for Athena, the goddess in her loli form, she looked up at Ena indifferently, then went back to eating her chocolate…
"Phew…"
Sora took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions.
"Ena, are you really okay with openly revealing your mission? Didn't your grandparents tell you this is an absolute secret mission that you must not tell anyone?"
Sora was too exhausted to even complain. He felt like knocking open this carefree girl's head to see what was inside!
"Huh? Grandpa didn't say anything, but Grandma and the others did say not to let others know, but Ena forgot…"
Ena slapped her hands together as if she suddenly remembered something, mumbling to herself.
"Well, whatever, Sora, just pretend you didn't hear it. And you all too!"
With a carefree attitude, Ena suddenly added, glaring fiercely at Erica and the others, as if warning them that if they leaked her secret mission, she would make them pay!
The great witch and Shizuka-chan were speechless, and even Erica and Liliana felt faint. They regretted having argued with her earlier—it was totally not worth it!
"Sora, according to the original agreement, do you still want Ena to be your knight? Ena has trained for so long and even got a super powerful weapon from Grandpa. She's very strong now!"
Ena's expression turned serious, her clear bright eyes fixed on Sora, shining with hope.
Erica and the others also listened intently, knowing this important moment might decide their fate…
"Yes, since it was agreed before, I naturally won't go back on it. Although she's not very ladylike and a bit eccentric, Ena is still an excellent girl and warrior, and can be a good knight."
Sora nodded earnestly.
Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Ena's face, but Liliana and Erica grew tense.
"Then what about letting Ena become Sora's concubine? Although Ena isn't very good at bearing children, with Yuri around, there's nothing to worry about. That kind of thing can be left to her."
With a hint of expectation, Ena continued.
This time, her words were even more shocking. The great witch Zola crossed her arms, a faint smile playing on her lips, clearly enjoying the show. Shizuka-chan and maid Arianna blushed deeply, wanting to cover their faces and run away, but something inside urged them to keep listening.
Little maid Karen remained silent for now, but Erica and Liliana's faces turned blue with anger. They hadn't even thought about the king having children, and now this girl was acting like she owned the place!
"Heh… That's not impossible. Although we're good friends, Ena, do you really like me?"
Sora's eyes flashed with a strange light, a mischievous smile on his lips as he asked Ena.
"I… I don't know, but Ena doesn't dislike Sora. If it's Sora, Ena thinks she can accept it…"
Ena was stunned by the sudden question. Even her usually bold personality made her blush slightly as she thought for a moment and answered softly.
Seeing this, Sora's smile grew even wider.
With most of his memories restored, Sora was clearly no longer the simple and honest young man he used to be. Ena was originally one of the girls he had chosen; whether in appearance, temperament, or combat ability, she was an excellent choice. Now that she had come to him willingly, would Sora refuse her?
Obviously, that was impossible!
Not to mention refusing, even if she hadn't come to him voluntarily, he would have gone to bring her over himself!
"Then that's settled. If Ena can accept me, then I can accept Ena!"
Hearing Sora's answer, Ena felt shy but also happy and somewhat relieved. She was a young girl after all; it was impossible not to feel shy or nervous in such a situation.
However, hearing Sora's response, Liliana and Erica, standing nearby, felt a sudden pang in their hearts and their moods sank to the lowest point…
This woman clearly intended to drive them away. Their king actually accepted her, which meant…
"Then…"
Just as Erica and Liliana were feeling down and uncertain, and Ena was excitedly about to say more, Sora spoke again—
"Ena, you don't need to say the last one, because that's simply impossible! Erica and Liliana are my knights, my women. I will never give them up. In fact, any woman who belongs to me, I will never give up on!"
Knowing what the girl wanted to say, Sora cut her off with a resolute voice.
Hearing Sora's words, the previously downcast Erica and Liliana were both shocked, a bright light flashing in their eyes. Ena, on the other hand, was stunned, seemingly not understanding why Sora accepted the first two but rejected the last one without hesitation…
Was this a joke? Who was Sora? He only ever took what he wanted and never spit it out.
The nonsense about "drinking only one sip from the three thousand rivers" didn't apply to him. He not only wanted a sip, he wanted to drink it all!!!
…
In the end, Ena left with a complicated expression. It was already late, and she had many things to handle back at her family.
She was very happy to see Sora again and fulfill their original agreement. Following her grandfather's orders to become Sora's concubine, and being accepted by him, made her feel shy but also excited and hopeful.
Though the grandmothers' tasks were unfinished, she felt a slight regret but also a secret relief. If Sora really gave up his other women for her, should she be happy or disappointed…
Watching Ena leave, Sora hugged his teddy bear Athena and returned inside, only to be met by Shizuka's scrutinizing gaze—
"Onii-chan, tell me, what exactly is going on between you and that woman?!"
With a fierce expression, Shizuka questioned Sora.
"You brat, why do you care so much? Hurry up and cook, I'm starving!"
"What are Karen, Arianna, and the Great Witch doing just standing around?"
Sora tapped Shizuka's little head with a speechless look.
"You…"
Though annoyed, Shizuka glanced at Erica and Liliana and said nothing. She angrily tied on her apron and went to the kitchen with the two maids.
The Great Witch Zola gave Sora a sly smile, glanced at him, then swayed her snake-like waist and followed. But she was just tagging along; cooking was not her thing.
"Erica, Liliana, don't you have anything to say to me?"
With a mischievous smile, Sora looked at the two girls standing before him, both looking confused.
Though he had been talking with Ena earlier, Sora had noticed their expressions and knew exactly what was on their minds.
"King, we… we…"
Their heads hung low, shy and embarrassed. They had even worried that the king might give them up for that woman. How shameful…
They had always trusted Sora absolutely—not just belief, but they had given him their hearts and everything. They cared about him deeply, which was why they worried and couldn't help but think about such things. What if…
They didn't dare imagine. If that really happened, they would collapse!
"Erica, Liliana, you will always, always be my knights and my women. I will never give you up, no matter what the reason…"
Throwing Athena onto the sofa, Sora stepped forward and tightly embraced the two girls, whispering in their ears.
Though no vows were spoken, his words were filled with endless sincerity and an undeniable tone.
"King…"
Moved to tears, the two girls hugged Sora tightly and stood on tiptoe to offer their warm kisses to their king…
"Hehehe… Erica, Liliana, how dare you doubt your king? How should I punish you?"
After the embrace, Sora whispered mischievously in their ears.
Startled, the two girls instinctively wanted to run away, but Sora gave them no chance, grabbing one by each hand and heading to his room.
The maids still had some time before the meal was ready, so they could "exercise" first…
"Shameless!!!"
Soon, the room echoed with sounds that were both painful and joyful. Remembering something, Athena on the sofa blushed faintly and spat out a word.
Using her divine power to block out those naughty sounds, Athena calmed herself, took out a treasured piece of delicious chocolate, squinted her eyes, and quietly enjoyed it alone…