"Ethan Kael’Dri Smith," Harley began, her tone dangerously calm, the kind that could make even the strongest man in the empire reconsider his life choices. Her golden serpentine eyes shimmered with a radiant, iridescent glow that spoke of both power and wrath. "Would you please care to explain to all of us your reason for going out there like that?" Her expression alone screamed Don’t you dare lie to me. The rest of Ethan’s wives sat around him in the living room, a serene place that, at this very moment, felt more like an interrogation room. Each woman radiated her own unique aura: Clara’s shadowed calm, Carmen’s sharp intelligence, Lisa’s quiet menace, Andriel’s cold elegance. Together, they made the air heavy, suffocatingly heavy. And although Ethan was, by far, one of the strongest beings alive, rivaled only by Barki and Asteria, he still felt a chill crawl up his spine. ’Damn... I love them,’ he thought helplessly, his inner amusement at odds with the very real fear settling in his gut. "Err... I went to play?" Ethan said finally, scratching the back of his neck like a guilty schoolboy. Harley’s expression didn’t change. "Play?" she repeated slowly, her tone now edged with disbelief. Her scales were beginning to form along her cheekbones, a beautiful but deadly warning. Ethan knew that sign all too well. "I just wanted to have fun," he rushed on. "I’ve never visited the amusement park before, and I wanted to spend some time out with my lovelies." "And you couldn’t inform any of us?" Carmen asked in that soft, disappointed tone that hurt more than anger ever could. Latest content publıshed on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩 Ethan lifted a brow. "As if you would’ve allowed me." "Exactly," Clara interjected, her voice tightening with restrained irritation. "Because it’s dangerous!" "I’m the strongest man in the empire," Ethan replied flatly, folding his arms with mock seriousness. "And that’s why it’s dangerous!" Carmen shot back instantly, pointing a finger at him. Ethan blinked, feigning confusion. "I don’t seem to understand this ’dangerous’ concept you speak of," he said. "Besides, I was with my people, our people, and I was enjoying myself. What more could I ask for?" Lisa sighed, exchanging a glance with Andriel. "It seems you don’t get us," she muttered, shaking her head. Andriel’s silvery hair glimmered faintly as she crossed her legs gracefully. "True," she said, her tone as calm as a winter breeze, but her eyes, those violet, otherworldly eyes, were sharp enough to pierce steel. Harley exhaled slowly, her serpentine glow fading, though her irritation lingered in the air. "Ethan... sometimes, you really make it hard to stay mad at you," she murmured, half in resignation, half in affection. Ethan smiled, that infuriating, charming, dangerous smile that had melted hearts and started wars. "That’s the idea, my Empress." For a heartbeat, silence hung between them until Clara threw a cushion at his face. He caught it effortlessly, laughing. "See? That’s love right there." The room erupted into exasperated groans and muffled laughter, the tension slowly giving way to fondness. Even Harley’s lips quirked, though she tried her best to suppress it. Still... deep down, they all knew one thing: if Ethan pulled another stunt like that again, Emperor or not, he wouldn’t escape this easily next time. Ethan’s laughter was short-lived. Because as soon as he lowered the cushion, the sound of two small gulps echoed beside him. He glanced around, and there they were. Regnare and Delphina. Kneeling right next to him. Heads bowed. Hands on their laps like two adorable convicts awaiting sentencing. Ethan blinked. "Wait... why are you two kneeling?" "Because we went with you," Regnare muttered, his tone a mix of guilt and defiance. The young man had Ethan’s sharp eyes but Barki’s sharp, draconic pupils, a dangerous combination when he was annoyed. Delphina, on the other hand, had her arms crossed tightly, her pout doing little to save her from the storm brewing across the room. "We just wanted to have fun with Papa," she said softly. That single line, that sweet little voice, almost made the wives falter. Almost. "Don’t you dare fall for that, Harley," Carmen whispered from beside her, narrowing her eyes. "That’s the same pout she used when she nearly flooded the garden fountain last week." "I heard that!" Delphina snapped, then quickly pressed her lips shut when Harley’s gaze fell on her. The Empress sat there, radiant, graceful, terrifying. Her serpentine aura shimmered faintly as she folded her arms, looking between Ethan and the two children. "So..." she began slowly. "You three, my emperor and our precious heirs, decided it would be a wonderful idea to leave the mansion, without even bothering to disguise yourselves, and wander into the most crowded place in Anbord... without protection?" Ethan opened his mouth. "Technically..." "Don’t," Harley warned, one finger raised. Ethan shut his mouth. Regnare, however, couldn’t help but add, "We did have protection. Dad’s really strong." Harley’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Oh, I see. So strength is an excuse for recklessness now?" Regnare froze. "Uh... yes? I mean, no! No, ma’am!" Clara pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. "Ethan, they’re learning from you." "Learning excellence, you mean," Ethan quipped, earning a chorus of sharp glares. Delphina tugged at his sleeve, whispering, "Papa, stop talking." He gave her a subtle thumbs-up, but that only made the wives lean closer, their auras glowing faintly in shades of gold, blue, and crimson. The children, sensing imminent doom, slowly tried to shuffle backward. "And where do you think you’re going?" Lisa’s voice was calm, but it froze both of them mid-step. "Uh... nowhere," Delphina said quickly. Regnare sighed dramatically. "Mama Lisa, we just wanted to try the cotton candy." That earned him a small snort from Carmen. "You could’ve asked us. We would’ve taken you." "But it’s different with Papa," Delphina mumbled. "He doesn’t make us walk like royal statues." For a moment, the wives went silent, and Ethan, sensing the opportunity, gave his daughter a proud grin. "See? Family bonding. Completely innocent..." "And completely reckless," Andriel interrupted, her tone smooth but cutting. "Do you realize how many people recorded you? There are hundreds of pictures of you three all over the Net-Sphere. The emperor of Anbord seen buying sweets like a street merchant." Ethan blinked. "Well... at least we’re trending for something wholesome this time?" Harley closed her eyes, exhaling through her nose. "Ethan Kael’Dri Smith," she muttered slowly, "you and our children are grounded." "Grounded?" Ethan repeated incredulously. "I’m the emperor!" "Exactly," Harley replied, smiling sweetly. "You should set an example." Regnare slumped beside him. "How long?" "Until you learn not to sneak out," Clara said. Delphina gasped, eyes wide. "But Mama Clara...!" "No buts," Lisa cut in. "You three are lucky we love you too much to actually punish you." Ethan chuckled quietly. "So, just to clarify, this is a warning?" "Consider it divine mercy," Andriel said dryly. Ethan raised his hands in surrender. "Fair enough." Regnare and Delphina, meanwhile, exchanged a glance, then both turned to Harley with wide, pleading eyes. "Please, Mama?" they said in perfect unison, voices soft and trembling. Harley froze. Her lips twitched. The other wives sighed; they knew that look. Five seconds later, Harley groaned and covered her face. "You two are impossible. Especially you, Reg. When did you learn to be cute?" Ethan smiled, leaning closer. "That’s my bloodline." She shot him a glare but couldn’t suppress the faint smile curling at her lips. "Next time you want to ’play,’ Emperor," she said, flicking his forehead lightly, "take us with you." Ethan grinned. "Deal." The tension finally broke, laughter rippling through the room as Regnare and Delphina jumped up to hug their mothers, even as Ethan dusted off his knees, smiling to himself. For all their power, titles, and duties... moments reminded him why he fought so hard to protect what he had.