Harem System In A fantasy World

The doors opened fully.

For a short moment, Elion simply stood there with Zenith beside him, staring into the enormous Royal Court.

Even after seeing everything through the Ark, experiencing it in person was entirely different.

The rows upon rows of seats rose along the massive terrace, filled with nobles, clan members, court mages, officials, and several other people whose identities Elion didn’t know.

And every single one of them was looking directly at him.

’Well... this isn’t intimidating at all.’

His eyes naturally travelled toward the front where the six Royal Councillors sat behind their massive semicircular table.

And behind them...

Alexander.

Elion’s gaze stayed on him for a brief moment. Seeing him through a screen was one thing, but seeing him in person was another.

For the smallest instant, Elion almost saw the young prince he remembered in his place. He quickly pushed the thought aside.

’Not the same person.’

He had already reminded himself enough times. Beside him, Zenith remained completely relaxed.

If anything, the hundreds of powerful people staring at them seemed to amuse her. Elion took his first step inside, and Zenith followed.

The sound of their footsteps carried through the unusually silent court as they walked down the central aisle.

Whispers quickly began spreading among the terraces.

"So that’s Elion Nova..."

"He’s younger than I expected."

"Who’s the woman?"

"Is that one of the vampires?"

"No... I don’t think so."

Elion ignored the murmurs as best he could, despite the turbulence in his heart. His gaze moved casually across the crowd.

He spotted Patriarch Moon almost immediately.

The man was watching him closely, his expression difficult to read.

’Yep... definitely awkward.’

A little further away was Gale, seated beside Mira’s mother. Elion’s gaze lingered on the pair for a second. Neither looked particularly comfortable, though for different reasons.

His eyes briefly passed over Luke Kletis, who was watching him with open curiosity, before continuing toward the front.

Then he found Dawncrest.

Their eyes met.

Cain flinched when he realised that Elion was actually looking him directly in the eye. Elion smiled, just to make it obvious that he had seen him.

Cain’s anger almost flared, but he just about managed to calm himself.

For all the hours he had spent wondering whether Elion would actually appear, seeing the young man casually strolling into the Royal Court with a beautiful woman on his arm somehow irritated him even more.

There was no nervousness, urgency, or indication whatsoever that Elion understood the severity of the situation he had walked into.

Or perhaps he understood it perfectly and simply didn’t care. Cain wasn’t sure which possibility annoyed him more.

Elion eventually looked away.

Of course, Elion also spotted Liora sitting at the front alongside the duke, but he didn’t particularly feel like looking at her for some odd reason.

From the periphery of his vision, he had seen that she hadn’t bothered looking back at him either, perhaps unwilling to face him.

As they continued walking forward, an angry-looking fellow, standing to the side, walked forward, giving Elion a nod before beckoning toward the empty seats at the front, on the left-hand side aisle.

Wendy cleared her throat.

"Your Majesty..." Alexander glanced toward her. "Shall we proceed?"

A few seconds passed.

"Yes."

Wendy bowed slightly.

"As you wish."

She turned to face Elion, who had just made it to the front with Zenith’s hand still linked with his.

"Elion Nova... You were summoned to appear before the Royal Court days ago, and you have chosen to arrive..." She briefly glanced toward the large clock mounted along one side of the chamber. "...rather late."

Elion followed her gaze before lowering his head apologetically in a small dip.

"My sincerest apologies. Travelling all the way from the Vampire Clan to here took its toll on me, but I just about managed to make it. I would never dream of missing out on such an important matter."

He was lying through his teeth, but they would never know that, now would they?

Of course, no one would even dream of claiming that he had to be lying.

His association with the vampires was well known by now, and part of him stating that now was well calculated, confirming it and reminding them so that the fact would loom over their heads for the duration of this meeting.

And the distance between Haven and Dreamdoor Hollow was quite immense, so it would make sense for him to take so long, even to the point of just barely making it to a life-defining trial.

Wendy seemed to suppress a sigh.

"Nevertheless, since you have arrived within the allotted period, all is well."

She looked toward the councillors, checking to see if the course of action she had taken would suffice, before addressing him once again.

However, before she could do so, one of the councillors leaned forward, examining Elion with narrowed eyes.

"And the woman accompanying you?"

Before Elion could answer, Zenith smiled.

"I am his wife." Another wave of whispers spread through the court.

Elion could already imagine what they were thinking. Wasn’t he supposed to be betrothed to someone from the Vampire Clan?

That was certainly not the Vampire princess, so who was this then? The councillor seemed to have the exact same question.

"Your wife?"

"Mhm."

Zenith nodded pleasantly.

Elion shrugged.

The murmurs grew louder.

The gist of it was whether the Vampire Royal Family had really allowed him to marry their future monarch when he was quite clearly involved with another woman.

While harems were not an unusual sight among powerful and influential people, to them, that wasn’t the case here.

As far as they were concerned, Elion was quite clearly going to marry into the Vampire Clan, not the other way around.

Things simply did not work that way in this world.

Wendy raised her voice.

"Silence."

The court gradually hushed again.

Then another councillor spoke.

"Today’s proceedings concern Elion Nova directly. Unless you have been summoned as a witness or representative, there is no reason for the lady to stand before the council with him."

"I would prefer to remain beside my husband," Zenith replied calmly in a pleasant voice.

The councillor frowned.

The fact that this woman remained unperturbed even while refuting his words made it seem as if she were challenging his authority, which he obviously didn’t like.

"That isn’t how these proceedings—"

"Let her stay."

The voice came from behind them, and Everything went silent.

Elion’s eyes moved toward the throne.

Alexander had spoken for the first time since Elion entered.

The King sat with one hand resting against the arm of his throne, his gaze fixed firmly upon the pair below.

Or rather...

Upon Zenith.

His expression hadn’t changed much, but there was something different in his eyes now.

Perhaps he could recognise the kindred spirit within her... The unmistakable, but restrained power of a fellow Saint.

Of course, since the king had spoken, and since he didn’t say any more than that, no one questioned his words.

Wendy cleared her throat.

"Now, please stand within the designated area so that we can proceed." Elion did as instructed. "Now that both summoned parties are present, we may finally address the primary matter for which today’s assembly was convened."

Countless gazes moved between Elion and Dawncrest.

Wendy continued.

"Duke Cain Dawncrest."

Cain rose from his seat.

"Elion Nova."

Elion remained standing where he was.

"The matter before this court concerns the events that occurred at Grimholt Academy, the allegations surrounding Elion Nova’s supposed demonic identity, and the actions subsequently taken by Duke Dawncrest."

Wendy paused.

"Both parties will be given sufficient opportunity to present their accounts, supporting evidence, and witnesses."

Her gaze shifted toward Cain.

"As Duke Dawncrest is the accusing party..." She gestured toward the centre. "You may begin."