CHAPTER 298: CHOSE YOU TO BOND

After resting in the clearing, Raegar and the two women headed down the road only to see the palace in the distance. He smiled when sensing the others as Drusilla commented. ’’I think Alice and Selene are fighting, or maybe it’s Yuki.’’

’’I’m not sure,’’ he replied. ’’They do love training when not in Drakenwood.’’

When he mentioned that, Dahlia turned to him. ’’Are you going to return?’’

Raegar shrugged, a smile appearing on his face. ’’I’m not sure, I may go on one of those expeditions after clearing out the rotten nobles? I’d need to get out of the limelight, thanks to causing all the upcoming chaos.’’

’’Yes, you will, while I sort out the court,’’ the older woman answered, giggling. ’’But it’s needed, the empire is buckling under their corruption and needs to be cleaned up.’’

’’And announcing that you’re marrying a younger man after being chased by nobles your age. They’ll be angry and will look to undermine you,’’ Drusilla added.

Raegar turned to the Dark Fairy and chuckled at her words. ’’Yes, the snakes will come out of the woodwork, allowing me and the Fusion army to clear them out without causing a problem.’’

Following that, the three continued chatting as they closed in on the palace, only to shock the Imperial Guards when the trio appeared at the entrance. The soldiers quickly let them in when Dahlia transformed into her normal appearance. Once inside, the older woman turned to him.

’’I’m going to find Tracy and Alfred,’’ she said. ’’I need to prepare some things with the ball tomorrow.’’

’’Okay, I’ll see you later, empress,’’ Raegar replied, smirking.

The older woman went to hit him, but he dodged and hugged her. Dahlia melted into his embrace before taking a deep breath. This surprised him as she rushed off toward the palace entrance. Drusilla appeared and grabbed his arm, leading them to the training field where the other women were.

After ten minutes, the duo entered the arena to find Selene leaping back, dodging a wave of flames that scorched the field. Raegar created a protective shield, causing the spell to crash against it before vanishing. As the battle paused, a red blur streaked toward him like a missile, forcing Raegar to brace himself and catch the charging Demoness.

He caught Selene, hugging her tightly as her yellow eyes lit up with happiness. ’’Rae! It’s good that you’re back,’’ she said.

’’Sorry I took my time, the weather was horrible and covered the capital in a layer of snow.’’

’’Don’t worry about it,’’ the Demoness replied, giving him a passionate kiss before he could say anything else.

Her hands glided over his chest, igniting his desire, but Raegar forced himself to stay composed on the training field. Moments later, the rest of the group arrived, greeting Drusilla warmly. Selene slid off him with a wide grin, turning to the other women. ’’Sorry about that, I got carried away!’’

Just then, Zahara, the blonde Half-Elf, stepped forward first, a bright smile crossing her face as her grey eyes gleamed. ’’Hello, Rae. I’m glad to see you smiling, it makes me happy,’’ she revealed.

Raegar hugged the young woman who melted into his arms. He leaned down and whispered into her pointy ear. ’’You’re included in that, Za. Meeting you made me happy.’’

Zahara trembled at his words but rose on her tiptoes, pressing her soft lips to his. Raegar, feeling the warmth of her kiss, gently held her waist, returning the gesture with tenderness that filled her with joy, her heart swelling with his love. Following that, Dominique stepped forward and just kissed him.

Raegar knew the Vampress shied away from public affection. They lingered in the moment until she pulled back, her green eyes glowing as she gazed up at him with a radiant smile. ’’That smile of yours makes my heart race,’’ she said happily. ’’Keep doing it.’’

Following that, Dominique stepped aside, allowing Alice to greet him with a kiss before getting out of Yuki’s way. The Catwoman smiled at the tanned beauty, then turned to him. ’’I love the smile, you can tell you’re happier now than the time you left for the forest.’’

’’Thank you, Yuki,’’ he replied and looked at the others. ’’Thank you all for sticking with me and not abandoning me.’’

When the seven women heard this, their eyes widened as Zahara questioned. ’’What’s going on, Rae?’’

’’Just confronting a fear I learned about in the dungeon,’’ he admitted. ’’I fear losing you girls and the life I built from the ashes of my last one.’’

After hearing this, Selene exclaimed with a big smile stretching across her face. ’’You’re not losing me, handsome.’’

’’Same for us,’’ Dominque reassured.

Raegar’s heart lightened as the weight of fear lifted, his warm smile and newfound ease softening the women’s gazes. With gentle warmth, they guided him to the private quarters Dahlia had provided. When the group arrived, Alice glanced at him and questioned. ’’Looking forward to the ball? I heard it’s going to be one of the best.’’

’’I heard Duchess Eva Westfall is coming,’’ Yuki added with an amused expression.

He glanced at the catwoman. ’’Who is she?’’

When the older woman heard this, her big blue eyes widened as Zahara was the one to answer. ’’She is a villainess and stern, I heard she runs the Western Islands like a prison.’’

Raegar’s jaw dropped at her words, catching the group’s attention as Alice got a curious glint in her green eyes as she asked ’’Why does it look like you’ve heard of the place?’’

’’That’s where the third Fusion Knight is,’’ he revealed, shocked.

As the group walked down the palace’s corridors, Drusilla’s playful voice cut through the quiet. She halted, turning to him with a mischievous glint in her eye. ’’You should have a word with this Duchess,’’ she teased, nudging him lightly. ’’I bet she’s a beauty, all grace and charm.’’

Raegar paused, his gaze shifting to the Dark Fairy, a faint smirk appearing. ’’Beauty’s not what sways me, Dru,’’ he said, his tone steady but warm. ’’It’s the heart that matters. Some may dazzle the eyes, but if their spirits are as sour as a Troll’s, it’s nothing but a hollow shell. That’s what’s truly ugly.’’

The women around him erupted into soft laughter, their eyes sparkling at his admission and honesty. But Raegar wasn’t done. He stepped forward, his voice growing softer as he met each of their gazes. ’’I couldn’t care less if someone’s beauty turns every head in the room. It’s the woman herself I value, the fire in her soul, the strength in her choices, the way she carries her truth. That’s what draws me, just as it does with each of you.’’

His words lingered, casting a hush over the group, their smiles gentling. Drusilla’s playful grin softened into a warm glow, while the others shared quiet glances, their connection to him strengthened by his earnest conviction. A flush crept up his face as he noticed they were beaming at him.

Seconds later, Drusilla moved first and hugged him tightly and whispering before kissing him on the cheek. ’’This is why I chose you to bond with, handsome.’’

Raegar was about to respond, but Dominique cuddled him just like the others as they ushered him to their quarters. Once inside, Yuki pushed him toward a chair, speaking with a warm smile. ’’Sit down while he pamper you.’’

Just then, Alice slipped behind him, her hands kneading his shoulders. He melted into the chair, a sigh escaping. Her fingers worked with expert precision, pressing into the knots of tension in his shoulders. Each movement was deliberate, her hands gliding smoothly, coaxing stiffness from his muscles.

He sank deeper into the chair as a calm warmth spread through him. The group’s conversation resumed, but it felt distant as Alice’s skilled touch lulled him into a state of relaxation. Drusilla caught his eye, her smile teasing again, but now laced with approval, as if she knew he’d earned this moment of peace.

The blonde’s hands slowed, and she leaned in close, breath hot against his ear. Then she suddenly nibbled his ear, sending a shiver racing down his spine. His breath hitched, a quiet gasp escaping as the sensation rippled through him. The chatter stopped, a few knowing smirks flickering across their faces.

Selene raised an eyebrow, her teasing grin widening as her yellow eyes glowed with affection, her hands resumed shortly after. He closed his eyes only to hear a soft voice reaching his ears. ’’Here you go, handsome,’’ Zahara sweetly said.

Raegar opened them only to see the beautiful Half-Elf smiling at him, holding a cup of tea in her hands. He took the offering, thanking her. ’’Thanks, Za. This smells delicious.’’

Following that, he began drinking the hot beverage only to feel a wave of energy pouring into his body, refreshing every part of him, causing his eyes to widen in surprise as he looked at Zahara.