The grand hall gleamed under hundreds of crystal chandeliers, their light bouncing off gold-trimmed walls and polished marble floors. The air smelled faintly of perfume and wax, but beneath that sweetness was something sharper, a tension, ambition, and a faint trace of fear. Every noble present wore masks of civility, their smiles sharp and practiced, their postures taut like bowstrings ready to snap.
Valric stood at the far end of the hall, watching with that same catlike grin he always had. His eyes flicked toward me every few moments, measuring, calculating. A true king, or someone who wanted to be one, would recognize that a room like this was a battlefield. And I did.
The System pulsed faintly:
[Main Quest: Select Consorts at Reception.][Failure: Decrease in Legitimacy — 25%. Increase in Coup Success Probability — +10%.]
I let my eyes sweep the room, observing every posture, every gesture, every nuance of expression. Nobles fawned over the Queen's appearance, whispered in corners, and occasionally shot me sharp glances. And through it all, I searched for the candidates, women who could serve both as partners and as instruments of influence, pliable enough to obey yet intelligent enough not to betray me immediately.
The Queen approached first, her skirts whispering against the marble, her smile courteous but not warm. In her hand was a wine glass, a young woman on her tail, barely twenty, dressed in pale lavender silks embroidered with silver.Breathtaking. Her posture was correct, but nervous; her eyes darted around the room as if calculating escape routes.
"This is Lady Marie," the Queen said, her voice smooth and cold. "A gift from me. I trust you'll treat her appropriately."
Marielle bowed quickly, eyes on the floor, and I gave a small nod in return. Observing her now, I could tell she was intelligent but cautious, and a beauty. A gifted consort from the Queen might be politically motivated, but Marie's fear meant she would be cautious, pliable, and aware of the stakes.
[Consort Added: Lady Marielle.][Status: Alert — High Intelligence, Moderate Influence.]
I allowed her to mingle for a few moments under my scrutiny, watching her gestures, noting how she responded to whispers and glances. Nothing overt, nothing threatening. She would be useful.
Next, it was my turn to choose. After all, I'm the king expected to have a harem. I moved slowly through the room, letting my eyes scan discreetly, my military instincts kicking in. In this setting, choice wasn't about beauty alone; it was about demeanor, observation skills, and potential leverage.
The first woman who caught my attention was Lady Elara, daughter of a northern merchant lord. Her hair was dark, tied back in a simple braid, her hands never still, always adjusting her posture or subtly taking stock of her surroundings. She noticed me noticing her—and instead of flinching, she met my gaze with steady calm. That audacity, that awareness, it fascinated me
I stepped toward her, bowing slightly. "Lady Elara," I said, voice low. "Your presence here is… appreciated."
She smiled faintly, lips tight, eyes calculating. "I am honored, Your Majesty."
"We could have a moment alone someday, You know, To get to know each other better" though i smiled at her, i couldn't take my mind of lady marie, such beauty, i had never seen in my whole pathetic life, and to think she will be at my command, in my bedchembers
[Consort Added: Lady Elara.][Status: Alert — High Awareness, Potential Influence.]
Satisfied, I let my attention drift to the final consort. She was smaller, and obviously younger, less obvious, moving among the guests almost invisibly, given her status of a mere maid. Her eyes were keen, darting and recording, lips twitching at the faintest amusement. Not a noble by birth, but clever. She noticed me, and the slightest smile curved her lips as if she had read my mind before I even approached.
I approached her deliberately. "Who are you accompanying, young girl?" I said, testing.
Her eyes lifted, sharp and fearless. "The high queen." she replied.
That earned a nod from me. She would be the final consort I select tonight. Subtle, observant, capable of moving unseen, a spy in her own right. Perfect.
[Consort Added: Mistress Sylvine.][Status: Alert — High Stealth, High Intelligence.]
With three consorts chosen, I stepped back, letting the hall's noise fill the space as the System updated:
[Consorts Selected: Lady Marie (Gifted), Lady Elara, Mistress Sylvine.][Legitimacy +15%][Coup Probability Neutralized: +0%]
I could feel Valric's eyes on me, his grin fading slightly as he realized the choices were not his to dictate. His puppet strings could only stretch so far; I had already cut the threads that would have let him control me.
The Queen lingered a moment longer, her expression neutral but sharp. I could feel her calculating the implications of my choices. wondering if she had underestimated me. That, too, was useful.
The rest of the evening blurred into conversation, politicking, and careful observation. Every glance, every smile, every misstep was noted, cataloged, and stored in my mind for later analysis. By the time the chandeliers dimmed, I knew: the first moves in this round of court intrigue had been made, and I had set the pieces in positions only I could exploit.
And though Leyla was absent, the thought of her steadied me. She would know I had not faltered, that I had secured both the political and personal advantage in a room designed to strip me of control.
The night ended with a quiet reminder from the System:
[Main Quest Updated: Consorts Secured.][Optional: Strengthen Bonds — +10% Influence per Consort.][Warning: Remaining Vigilance Required — Possible Assassination Attempt Detected.]
As I returned to my chambers, Marie, Elara, and Sylvine following at a respectful distance, I knew the real work had only begun. Each consort was a tool, but also a potential weakness. How I handled them, trained them, and maintained control would determine the stability of my reign, the survival of my life, and the fate of the kingdom.
And in the shadows of the palace, threats waited, some subtle, some lethal. But I had chosen carefully, calculated, and acted with precision. That was the difference between a king who survived and a king who fell.
Tonight, I had survived. And tomorrow, the game would continue.