Castle Nocturne had always whispered with secrets, but tonight, the walls screamed them.
It was a night of stillness, where even the wind outside dared not howl. And in that suffocating silence, something stirred — not a person, not a ghost, but a consequence waiting to be born.
And I, Leora, supposed "manager" of this villain's cursed harem, was about to learn the cost of taming monsters.
---
A Night of Blood and Petals
The moonlight cast an eerie glow over the castle gardens, silvering the roses and outlining the twisted trees in ghostly light. I had stolen away from the main hall for a breath of calm — not that I ever truly got any here.
The system flickered with mild alerts:
> [Stress Level: Elevated. Recommend: Calm Environment.]
"Thanks, system," I muttered, brushing my fingers against a blooming violet. "Maybe install a spa."
But before I could mock it further, a rustle from the hedge snapped my attention forward.
Too fast. Too quiet.
The blade came without warning.
---
The Attempt
I ducked just in time. A dagger hissed through the air, embedding itself into the tree behind me. I twisted, heart hammering, just as a masked figure lunged.
This wasn't just a thief. This was an assassin — trained, fast, and meant to kill.
We struggled. I grabbed the nearest object — a gardening spade — and swung wildly. It collided with the attacker's side. They grunted and staggered back.
But before I could scream or run, the air cracked.
A surge of dark violet lightning struck the ground beside us.
The assassin collapsed, twitching, before disappearing in a swirl of shadows.
Eryndor stepped from behind a pillar, expression unreadable, his hands still glowing faintly. "You were almost murdered. Again."
I wheezed, dropping to my knees. "And this castle still refuses to install security cameras."
---
The Aftermath
Back in my chambers, I tried to calm my breathing. My clothes smelled of ozone and sweat, and the weight of almost dying—again—sat heavy on my chest.
Rael entered without knocking. His eyes burned gold, and not in the charming way.
"I should have let him kill you," he said. "You're a weakness."
But he didn't mean it.
Because his hand trembled slightly as he brushed my hair behind my ear. Because his voice broke just enough at the end for me to know.
"I'm not going anywhere," I said, voice firmer than I felt.
He didn't reply. Just turned and vanished into the shadows.
---
The Accusation
By morning, the castle buzzed like a hive kicked open.
Guards doubled at every gate. Servants avoided my gaze. And in the council room, the storm finally broke.
"It was Eryndor," Kael said, fists clenched. "Only a mage could've arranged an escape like that."
Eryndor didn't deny it.
He just stared at Kael with that infuriating calm and said, "If I wanted her dead, she would be ashes."
Jarek laughed. "Gods, I love this drama."
Rael said nothing — which was worse. His silence was an execution waiting for the blade to fall.
I stepped forward. "We don't know who did it. But accusing each other helps no one."
The system chimed:
> [Diplomatic Skill +2.]
[Harem Stability: Holding.]
Barely.
---
Secrets Beneath the Stone
That night, I returned to the gardens, this time with Jarek.
He twirled a knife in one hand. "So, still planning to survive all this?"
"I might surprise you," I said, brushing my hands together to keep warm.
Jarek's grin faded slightly. "I heard Rael executed the last girl who got too close."
I stared at him. "And yet here I am."
He shrugged. "Maybe that's why he's afraid."
Then, softly: "Don't trust anyone here. Especially not him."
---
Rael's Game
The next evening, Rael summoned me.
The throne room was nearly empty except for him — and one chair opposite his.
"Sit," he said.
I did, heart pounding.
"There are spies in the castle," he began. "One of them reports to the enemy king."
I swallowed. "Do you suspect me?"
He tilted his head. "I suspect you're the only one who hasn't lied to me. Yet."
A pause.
"I want you to root them out. All of them."
My mouth went dry. "I'm not a spycatcher, Rael."
"You're more than you think. And if you fail, I'll kill everyone in this castle until the truth bleeds out."
He didn't blink when he said it. He never did.
---
Unexpected Allies
Afterward, I found Eryndor in the library.
"Was it you?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "What answer would bring you peace?"
"None," I admitted. "But I still had to ask."
He sighed. "You should not have been targeted. That alone tells me the threat lies deeper."
"And you'll help me?" I asked.
His answer came in the form of a glowing rune pressed into my palm — a sigil of protection.
"Only fools enter war alone."
---
The Fracture
Kael confronted me the next day.
"You trust the sorcerer?" he demanded.
"I trust my instincts."
He looked away, pained. "Then may the gods protect you. Because I can't anymore."
---
The System Evolves
As night fell, I received a new system notification:
> [Harem Manager Protocol: Evolution Stage Unlocked.]
[New Function Available: Loyalty Manipulation (Limited Use)]
[Caution: Abuse may lead to corruption.]
My breath hitched.
Power was shifting. And I was no longer just managing Rael's harem.
I was managing the balance of a kingdom.