Strax sat on the edge of the bed in the massive bedroom Scarlet had assigned him. Despite all the luxury andfort, he felt more like a diator preparing for the Colosseum than a husband getting ready for dinner. With his wives in the same room, the atmosphere was... intense.


    Cassandra sat in front of a full-length mirror, meticulously adjusting the details of her dark blue dress. She nced at Strax, frowning. "Are you seriously going to wear that?"


    Strax looked down at his casual attire and shrugged. "What''s wrong with it? It''sfortable."


    Btrix, standing in the corner adjusting her tight, elegantly embroidered red dress,ughed. "Comfortable? We''re going to Elizabeth Tepes'' dinner, and you thinkfort is enough?!"


    Scarlet joined the conversation as she strode through the room with authority. Her high-cored ck dress adorned with ruby ents highlighted her dominant aura. "I suggest you change into something else. Knowing your personality, you''ll get annoyed at the stares and try to kill anyone who looks too long. And we both know you can''t. Plus, you can''t handle provocations." Scarlet smirked.


    Strax raised an eyebrow, challenging her. "What''s wrong with provoking back? I thought that was one of my talents."


    Dani, lounging on a nearby sofa with a ss of blood in hand, interrupted. "Oh, Strax, darling, you''re talented at many things, but when ites to etiquette... let''s just say you need lessons." She took a sip, clearly savoring the moment.


    Scarlet sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. "The point is, this isn''t just a simple gathering. That witch wants to humiliate us—me. I won''t allow my family to appear inferior. And you, Strax, are part of our image."


    Strax smirked. "So, you want me to impress?"


    Cassandra, ever practical, responded, "We want you not to cause a disaster."


    As Scarlet instructed the maid to fetch more suitable attire for Strax, the rivalries between the daughters began to surface.


    "I don''t see why all this is such a big deal," Btrix said, crossing her arms. "Elizabeth is all talk. When ites to action, she''s no match for Mom."


    Cassandra rolled her eyes. "And that''s precisely why she uses social tactics. If Mom doesn''t dominatepletely, Elizabeth will exploit any mistake to try to take our position."


    "It seems you like strategizing a lot," Dani said casually, examining her nails. "Maybe you should worry less about what Elizabeth thinks and more about standing out as an individual."


    Cassandra narrowed her eyes at her. "And maybe you should stop acting like you''re the favorite."


    Dani gave a provocative smile. "Oh, sweetie, I don''t need to act. I am."


    Before the tension could escte, Scarlet intervened with a sharp re. "Enough, all of you. We are a family, and we will present ourselves as one. Or I''ll kill all three of you."


    At that moment, Aria arrived with a set of clothes for Strax. It was an elegant ensemble: a ck coat embroidered with gold ents, tailored trousers, and a high-cored shirt.


    Strax eyed the outfit and frowned. "Seriously? This looks like something a spoiled noble would wear."


    Aria replied tly, "Perhaps because that''s exactly what you need to appear to be tonight."


    The wives chuckled softly as Strax reluctantly took the clothes, clearly displeased. "Aren''t any of you going to help me?" he asked, ncing at them.


    Btrix was the first to respond. "Oh no, darling. You''re on your own for this one."


    Cassandra smirked maliciously. "Consider it training for socialbat."


    Dani, however, rose gracefully and walked over to him, carefully adjusting his tie. "Let me help you. After all, you need to at least look presentable standing next to me."


    Strax rolled his eyes but couldn''t help smiling. "You just want to stake your im, don''t you?"


    Dani shrugged, a yful glint in her eyes. "Always."


    Once Strax was properly dressed, he looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his cor. "Well, I don''t look too bad."


    "Too bad?" Scarlet said, stepping toward him and brushing her fingers over his coat to smooth out any creases. "You look magnificent. Now, all that''s left is for you to act like someone worthy of the title of my husband."


    Strax raised his hands in mock surrender. "I''ll behave… up to a point."


    Cassandra and Btrix, now ready, joined the others in the grand hall where the carriage awaited.


    Before stepping out, Scarlet turned to Strax. "Remember, trust nothing Elizabeth says. Every word is a veiled attack."


    Strax gave her a carefree smile. "Ah, Scarlet, don''t worry. I know her game well enough. After all, you trained me expertly."


    As they entered the carriage, the tension between the wives eased slightly, reced by a quiet anticipation. The dinner at Tepes Castle would be more than a mere gathering—it was the prelude to something far greater, and everyone knew it.


    Find adventures at empire


    Still, Strax couldn''t help a wry thought as he nced at his wives. At least if the dinner is a disaster, I''ll have a fantastic show waiting at home.


    [On the Human Continent]


    The biting wind howled through the snow-covered mountains of the northern continent. The ice beneath Kryssia''s feet glimmered like a mirror, reflecting the dark mes that danced around Xenovia. The two women faced each other at the edge of a cliff, their imposing presences dominating the destendscape.


    Kryssia stood tall, her slender frame d in crystalline armor forged from pure ice. Her snow-white hair billowed in the wind, and her piercing blue eyes glowed with resolve. In contrast, Xenovia, her long, equally white hair seeming to embrace the light around her, radiated an aura of ck fire. Her tight battle dress shimmered with ancient runes that pulsed in rhythm with her power.


    "You seem distracted, Kryssia," Xenovia teased, a mischievous smile curving her lips. "What''s wrong? Worried about the news of Elizabeth Tepes?"


    Kryssia narrowed her eyes, raising a spear of ice that seemed forged from winter itself. "Elizabeth has reached the Emperor stage. That''s not something to be taken lightly."


    Xenoviaughed, a low, melodic sound that echoed through the air. "You''re overreacting. Elizabeth may have achieved that stage, but that doesn''t make her invincible. Remember, Kryssia, power without control is just chaos."


    Kryssia shook her head, clearly irritated. "You underestimate her. Elizabeth has always been ambitious, and now that she''s reached the Emperor stage, she won''t stop at anything to cement her position."


    Xenovia tilted her head, a dangerous glint in her violet eyes. "Are you talking about her… challenging that crazy vampire?"


    "She already challenged her. Our informants… said they''re going to fight in a few hours," Kryssia replied, hurling her ice spear directly at Xenovia.


    The spear cut through the air, but Xenovia raised her hand, and a burst of ck fire disintegrated it before it could strike. The ice melted into a steaming puddle at her feet. Xenovia smiled, advancing slowly toward Kryssia.


    "So, why are we here, fighting, Kryssia?" Xenovia asked, her voice soft butced with intent. "Do you want to test your strength against me, or are you just trying to distract yourself?"


    Kryssia clenched her fists, summoning dozens of ice spikes that floated around her like a deadly swarm. "You''re the only friend I have here."


    Xenovia blushed faintly at the admission, not expecting such words—especially from someone as unpredictable as Kryssia.


    "A friend, huh?" Xenovia murmured, trying to maintain her indifferent posture. Her sword, wrapped in ck fire, trembled slightly in her hands, betraying her reaction. "I never thought you were the sentimental type, Kryssia."


    Kryssia held her ground, though her expression revealed a hint of vulnerability. "I''m not sentimental. I''m just stating the truth. Everyone on this continent only cares about power, influence, or their ambitions. You''re the only one who… doesn''t try to manipte me or use me as a tool."


    Xenovia blinked, surprised. As much as she wanted to respond with her usual teasing, Kryssia''s words stirred something deep inside her. "You really are insane," Xenovia replied, hiding her difort behind a teasing smile. "But I suppose that''s part of your charm."


    Kryssia slowly lowered her arms, the ice spikes around her gradually melting. The silence between them grew, broken only by the howling wind over the mountains. Xenovia also rxed her stance, her ck me whip dissipating into a shadowy mist.


    "I only have you as a friend here," Kryssia repeated, as if trying to ensure Xenovia understood.@@novelbin@@


    Xenovia sighed, crossing her arms and looking away. "And you think telling me that in the middle of a fight is a good idea? Are you trying to disarm me emotionally?"


    "It''s not like you needed to be disarmed," Kryssia retorted, a small smile forming on her lips. "If I really wanted to beat you, I''d have done it already."


    "Arrogant," Xenovia replied, though her voicecked its usual venom. She stepped closer, stopping a few paces away from Kryssia, and extended her hand. "Fine, Kryssia. You''re my friend. And as your friend, you''re not nning to kill my brother, are you?" Xenovia smiled slyly.


    "You little—" Kryssia raised her spear, summoning a wall of ice spears as massive as a fortress wall.


    "Stop provoking me!" Kryssia shouted, hurling thousands of icences toward Xenovia.