CHAPTER 353: REUNION IN THE BLACKTHORN MANSION

Reunion in the Blackthorn Mansion

Blackthorn City.

Within the vast Blackthorn mansion, there was silence weighing heavily against the walls of a spacious, ornate room. Velvet drapes fluttered gently with the wind creeping in through open windows. Incense smoke wafted through the air, soft and peaceful—but not enough to calm the troubled hearts that filled the interior.

A ring of beauties sat in tight proximity, their every gesture revealing tension. Red hair, silver tresses, golden eyes, jade stares—twelve women, each beautiful in her own right, stood with growing irritation. Rias, Aria, Cynthia, Kyra, Syra, Lira, Tsubaki, Fey, Rui, Lena, Mona, Mira, Chloe, and Lilyn—all of them present in one place, an uncommon occurrence that should have been a joyous occasion. But at present, the space between them had the cutting bite of tension.

They had heard Leon was arriving. Nova herself had gone to fetch him home. But hours crawled along, agonizingly slow, until patience gave way.

Rias was the first to crack. She jerked forward violently, her scarlet hair cascading over her shoulder like flames as she glared in the direction of the door.

Where is Sister Nova? And Daddy?" Her voice broke in frustration. "Why don’t they come? How long are we supposed to wait?"

Aria, who had been pacing back and forth and fidgeting with her sleeve, let out a sigh. Her voice was gentle but fatigued.

"I tried calling him telepathically. He... didn’t respond."

The words caused a wave of shock through the room. For Leon to be ignoring them—even unintentionally—hurt.

Then Syra, normally insolent and prone to ignite anger, spoke in a fleeting instant of quiet reflection. She sat back, folding arms beneath her chest, and grumbled,

"What if Sister Nova seduced darling? What if they’re... occupied? That would explain why they’re late."

The implication fell like a rock into tranquil water. Silence fell, dark and oppressive, each set of eyes flashing with silent images.

Cynthia, calm and level-headed, cut through the unease with a quiet certainty.

"Leon might indulge her, yes. But in the end, he’s never been one to abandon us for a moment’s pleasure. Not when he knows we’re waiting."

That steadiness in her voice loosened some of the tension, and one by one, the women gave reluctant nods. Still, unease clung stubbornly.

Then—

Click.

The door creaked open. A groan rolled through the stillness like thunder. All heads jerked toward the noise, hearts leaping.

Two figures emerged into view, outlined against the doorway. The broad, tall shape of a man, devilishly good-looking, golden eyes burning like embers—Leon. And next to him, the serene elegance of Nova, lips curled upward, her hand grazing his as if unwilling to release.

The door closed softly behind them, and for one heart-stopping beat, no one stirred. Every eye was fixed on him.

Leon allowed the silence to linger, his eyes watching the standstill moment with a mischievous twinkle. He extended one hand lazily, his tone silky, low, compelling enough to make the very air vibrate.

"Hey, my beauties. How are you?"

The spell was broken. Gasps, furious blinks, staccato intakes of air—like they’d all been holding their breath since he came in. Not just reunion. His presence was. different. More crushing, more enthralling. His aura wrapped around them like velvet chains, gentle but unbreakable.

They didn’t realize it, but what they were experiencing was the automatic attraction of Leon’s new body—the Velvet Tyrant physique. He knew. He could see it in their shocked faces. And he smiled.

But before a further word was uttered—

A flash of red hair shot across the room.

"Daddy!"

Rias crashed into his chest, hard enough that Leon’s boots scraped back against the floor. She buried herself in him, arms wrapped tight, shaking with emotion.

"Miss you. Miss you, Daddy!"

Leon laughed low, his arm going around her immediately. His fingers slid gently through her crimson hair, soothing, loving.

"Missed you too, my little sweetheart."

The warmth in his voice caused the others to sting with jealousy. They longed for the same, the same grasp, but Rias held on like a possession no one else could have.

Leon leaned his head down, touching a kiss to the crown of her head before speaking softly,

"My Rias... my sweetheart, may I have a moment? Your sisters are waiting."

Her clutch only tightened. "No! I want this. I’ll let go when I want."

There was a ripple of responses through the room—tongue-clicks, sighs, pale glares. Shameless, possessive, bold. But none of them dared to pull her away.

Leon only smiled gently, patient.

"My love... I know you missed me. I missed you just as much. But behave for me, huh? Let me say hello to the others first, and I’ll reward you afterward. Promise."

Rias paused at that. Gradually, she raised her head up, scarlet eyes clashing with his gold.

"Really, Daddy? A reward?"

His smile in response was wicked, mischievous. "Of course."

Her pout dissipated into a smile, and she released her grip with a reluctant snort before stepping back.

She hadn’t even fully stepped back when another body swooped into his arms—silver hair falling like moonlight. Lira.

"I missed you, darling," she whispered, her voice shaking with a combination of relief and yearning.

Leon recalled too well—the evening she had completely surrendered to him, and then the bitter dawn that had torn them apart. She had waited. He knew.

"I missed you too, love," he whispered, holding her close in his arms. He kissed her forehead, holding there as if to sear the moment into memory.

The others followed one by one. Aria, Cynthia, Syra, Kyra, Fey, Rui, Lena, Mona, Mira—even Chloe and Lilyn. Every hug, every softly spoken words of love and yearning, Leon shared freely. He wasn’t selfish with his love, not for them. He had waited also, and so he showered them with it, letting each one of them feel it.

Finally, after every heart in the room had come into contact with his warmth, Leon’s eyes scanned them all, a brow creeping up in startled interest.

"You’re all here... but where’s Mia?"

The question created a quiet shift in the atmosphere. Eyes darted back and forth. Silence.

At last, it was Nova—who had not spoken since they’d arrived—reaking the silence.

"She’s with her mother."

Leon’s golden eyes slanted.

"With her mother? But she knew I was on my way. Why didn’t she show up?

Kyra moved forward, her voice guarded.

"I told her. But she said... when you get here, we should send you to her instead. And until then, she’ll be staying with her mother."

Leon’s eyebrows creased. Shock crossed his face.

Mia... who loved two things above all in the world—her mother and him. For her not to arrive? That was not normal. Something was amiss.

Before he could question more, Nova’s voice came through once more, gentle but firm.

"Dear. remember I said I had something to discuss with you?"

His gaze leapt to her. He did remember. He nodded, slow.

"Yes. You did."

Shadows crossed her emerald eyes, tightening her face.

"It’s about the kingdom. About what is presently going on."

Leon’s head cocked to one side, absently rubbing the back of his neck.

"I. don’t know. I was busy with cultivation, and then I returned from the forest directly. I hadn’t heard anything."

That admission drew a sigh from a number of women, some in resignation, others in mute frustration.

Leon’s eyes narrowed. He could sense it in his belly—whatever this was, it was big. His instincts crawled like sparks under his skin.

"Something happened, didn’t it?"

They nodded. Heads bowed, one by one, in somber unison.

Leon’s tone lowered, hard and commanding, a glint of steel underlying.

"Tell me. What happened?"

The women looked at each other, the burden of truth heavy between them. Lira finally approached, silver hair shining under the light of the lantern, her face solemn.

"Darling... in the kingdom..."

Her words sliced crisp into the quiet.