Raegar was sitting on a sofa facing one of the windows, only to notice the rain lashing against the tent walls. It flapped in the breeze, and the girls were chatting among themselves while Yuki brought him some tea, speaking with a warm smile. ''Here you go, young master.''

''Thank you, Yuki,'' he replied, taking the tea. ''Would you like to join me? The others are gossiping with Drusilla.''

The pink-haired woman smiled, sitting next to him. ''It's good that you've found those five girls, young master. They are a happy but fiercely loyal bunch, not many nobles are lucky to find such women.''

''I know,'' Raegar admitted, taking a sip of tea, watching the rain pummel the stonework outside as workers rushed around.

''I'm lucky to have all of you in my life,'' he continued, smiling. ''I'd never take you girls for granted.''

When the young woman heard this, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek just as Zahara spoke up from behind them. ''Rae, we're headed for bed. It'll be a long day tomorrow as we have to go to the palace.''

''Alright, I'll join in a bit,'' he replied. ''Just gonna drink this and talk with Yuki.''

The blonde nodded as the others entered her room, making the catwoman giggle. ''Seems like they expected you to join them.''

''We will soon, but I've barely spent any time with you and want to make it right.''

Yuki couldn't help but smile at that before snuggling up to him. ''Do you want to go for a walk, Rae?'' she murmured, cheeks red as a tomato.

''Of course!''

He jumped up and grabbed her hand as a charming smile crossed his face. ''Let's go now, I want to see what the builders have done so far.''

Raegar pulled her out of the dimly lit tent into the storm. Rain pelted the ground, but he raised his hand, creating an Aether shield that hummed into place above them. The translucent barrier shimmered, keeping the downpour at bay as water hissed and vanished upon contact.

Yuki, her cat-like eyes glinting with amusement, hooked her arm through his, and the pair began strolling through the sprawling grounds of the Vaelthorne estate. Raegar's gaze swept over the scene, his eyes widening at the sight of hundreds of soldiers, their armor gleaming faintly under the storm's gloom, flanked by the unmistakable crimson cloaks of the Imperial Guard elites.

'Dahlia left her guard here?' he thought, disbelief flickering across his face.

The young woman's laughter broke through the rain, her ears twitching as she shot him a look that screamed he was missing the obvious. ''You're her lover, her future husband, and, oh yeah, the next emperor,'' she teased, her tail flicking playfully. ''Of course, the Imperial Guard's here to keep you in one piece.''

Raegar joined her in laughing as he didn't realize, and so the couple walked around the construction site while being trailed by ten soldiers radiating a Tier Eight aura, making his eyebrows shoot up as he thought. 'They aren't weak.'

Following that, the two continued chatting as they saw that the mansion was almost done. The mages needed to construct the roof, but Yuki revealed. ''Thanks to you accepting the empress's proposal, she instantly helped the Vaelthornes, though I suspect the other families will have something to say about it.''

''What will they bitch about?''

''Special treatment, how she's taken a man half her age, and how there are many capable people who could take your place.''

Raegar started laughing before his red eyes gleamed with pure Aether as he retorted. ''They can moan, but when I come visiting alongside Arthur and the other Fusion Knights I find I'm sure the nobles won't be any more.''

The young woman tilted her head, her laughter bubbling up like a clear stream as she playfully swatted at Raegar's arm. ''Enough with the chaos, young master,'' she teased, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. ''You've been through more battles in your first year here than any student should ever face. Take a break and enjoy some time with us ladies, will you?''

His lips curved into a confident, lopsided grin, his red eyes glinting with confidence. ''I'm fine, really,'' he commented. ''But you've got a point, Yuki. I'll make more time for you and the girls, promise.''

Raegar's tone softened just a touch, a rare warmth breaking through his usual bravado as he gave her a reassuring nod, the Aether shield above them still humming faintly against the pattering rain. Yuki squeezed his arm, her fingers lingering against the rough fabric of his cloak.

The couple continued their stroll through the Vaelthorne estate. The cobblestone path wound past well-tended hedges and marble statues, their surfaces slick with water, reflecting the distant torchlight from the patrolling soldiers. Yuki, undeterred by the rain, chattered lightly about the upcoming festival.

As they rounded a corner near the estate's rose garden, the wind began to howl, tugging at their clothes with sudden ferocity. The Aether shield wavered, its edges flickering as gusts battered its surface, sending stray raindrops slipping through. Lira's ears flattened against her head, her tail flicking in annoyance as she clutched Raegar's arm tighter.

''This storm's getting worse,'' she muttered, brushing damp strands of hair from her face.

Raegar nodded, his jaw tightening as he scanned the darkening sky. Without a word, he turned them back toward the tent. The wind roared louder, whipping leaves and debris across their path, and he strengthened the Aether shield, ensuring it held until they ducked inside the tent, the storm's fury muffled behind them.

They hurriedly dried off, and Yuki slipped out of her dress, revealing her curves. Her bold move caught him off guard, his eyes widening in surprise. The catwoman stepped closer, a sly smirk playing on her lips, and gently cupped his face before pressing a sudden, soft kiss to his lips.

A shiver raced through his body. ''Fuck, you're beautiful, Yuki,'' he mumbled.

Raegar deepened the kiss, his hands exploring her body before gently cupping her breast and teasing her nipple with a pinch. The young woman moaned, which was music to his ears. ''Mmmmmmhhh~~ Ughhhnmmm~~.''

Following this, Yuki dragged him toward an empty bedroom only and the couple began making love until falling asleep. They were covered in sweat and other fluids, prompting the catwoman to cast a cleaning spell over both of them. Raegar gave her a grateful smile as she leaned over and gave him a kiss.

After they parted, Yuki and Raegar, exhausted, drifted into a deep sleep as if nothing had happened. By morning, the other girls had joined them. Drusilla, in her tiny form, sprawled across his forehead. Selene nestled against his right side, while Zahara and Alice used his thighs as pillows.

Dominique lay curled up on his chest, her warmth enveloping him. Selene rested above, her fingers gently tangled in his hair, bringing a soft smile to his face. With a Flash Step, he appeared at the foot of the bed, only to hear the clamor of builders outside. Stepping out, he found his father, Alaric, sitting there, calmly eyeing the scene.

''Morning, son,'' the older man greeted him, smiling. ''What wakes you up so early?''

''Had enough sleep and wanted some fresh air.''

Alaric nodded in understanding, motioning for the nearby chair. ''Sit with me, boy, it's been some time since it's just been us.''

Raegar slumped down, letting out a sigh as he pulled out a bottle of sake. This caught his father's eye. ''Don't become a drunk son, I've seen many warriors numb the pain or just to have fun fall to that stuff.''

''Don't worry, Father,'' he reassured. ''My Aether doesn't allow me to get drunk, but if I drink multiple bottles, then I don't know.''

The two of them laughed as Alaric suddenly revealed. ''Do you know how proud I am as a father to hear you declare that you'd keep my name?''

Raegar didn't answer straight away, while the older man continued, a proud smile crossed his face. ''It was nothing short of amazement, my three other children chose Vaelthorne as their family name, but not you, my youngest, the one who will forever change this empire just with your presence.''

His eyebrow rose as he replied. ''Yes, the Devil attacks have slowed down since I killed one of their lords; the emperor must be pissed with me, but apart from that, Dawnfire has plenty of enemies at its borders.''

''No longer, boy,'' Alaric revealed to his shock. ''They heard about a young man who controls every Aether element, can use massive amounts of power to wipe out armies or cities. Now those kingdoms sue for peace, even the infamous Blood Elves have sent a delegation to the palace.''

Raegar's eyes widened as he muttered. ''That's why Dahlia proposed to me? If this threat were her lover, the other rulers would think twice before invading the empire.''

His father nodded but added. ''Also, she's crazy about you, the only man who can compete with her power. Your mother and I noticed the way she was staring at you; it was bordering on obsession, which isn't bad to me.''