CHAPTER 50: 50

The capital of Velmora, once trapped in the monotony of its daily rhythms, had shifted. Life pulsed differently now. Excitement simmered in the air. Every alleyway conversation—be it from silver-clad nobles or weather-worn vendors—echoed one name:

Crydias.

Word had spread like wildfire about their declaration: a [Grade-5] mana crystal—genuine and untouched—would soon be auctioned off from the very heart of the Crydias estate.

No one knew where the crystal came from.

No one knew who had given it to them.

But everyone knew this—something massive was moving behind the scenes.

The estate, once the target of quiet mockery, had undergone a rapid restoration. Its gates gleamed. Its guards doubled. Its walls whispered of power. And though the date of the auction remained a mystery, the location was confirmed.

Already, shrewd merchant vendors had swarmed the nearby streets, hawking wares and staking claims. They smelled money—not just from Velmora, but from beyond its borders. Whispers confirmed that even neighboring kingdoms had caught wind of the auction.

And yet, in the dark corners of the capital, not everyone celebrated.

Hidden organizations had considered a preemptive strike. But caution held them back.

Who was the real seller?

If they attacked the wrong person—someone they couldn’t afford to offend—it could spell their ruin.

While rumors stirred and ambitions clashed, the one at the center of it all was... opening a restaurant.

Yes. A restaurant.

In the commoner district.

The building was complete—its design humble but dignified. Final touches were being made: lanterns lit, counters polished, aprons fitted.

Staff and chefs had been hired, each one tightly bound by contracts—strict ones. They could not utter a word to outsiders. No gossip. No leaks. Silence was the first ingredient.

Because the auction and the restaurant were only the beginning.

The auction would serve to establish the mysterious figure behind the Crydias family.

And the restaurant?

It would be their foothold—quiet, rooted, and permanent.

Today, after weeks of unrelenting movement, the estate finally exhaled.

They had free time.

Alaric sat with his girls—Aurevia, Cellione, Serenith, and Virellen—beneath the soft shade of the estate’s courtyard.

After a long while, what it felt like years had passed within this week of hard work, planning, building, management, staff hiring, they felt they could finally breath.

No pressure.

Just tea, snacks, and soft wind.

Virellen, of course, wasn’t in her maid uniform. Not here. Not now. She was the young lady of this estate, just like the others. Her grey eyes gleamed mischievously as she sipped her tea, one leg lazily crossed over the other.

Around them, a few newly hired maids served with trembling grace, balancing trays and whispering polite phrases. But their focus... wasn’t on the tea.

It was on him.

Alaric.

Their glances lingered just a little too long.

Their faces flushed just a little too easily.

Their hands fumbled just a little too often.

Aurevia narrowed her crimson eyes, setting her teacup down with elegance and just a touch of ice.

"They’re not very subtle, are they?"

She murmured.

Cellione scoffed, her violet eyes rolling.

"I saw the short one trip over her own feet twice. What is she, drunk on his hair?"

Serenith didn’t speak, cheeks puffed slightly in a quiet pout as she stared into her teacup.

And Virellen?

Oh, she was glowing with opportunity.

She leaned forward, lips curled into a devilish grin.

"Jealous, are we, Mistresses?"

She teased.

"Don’t worry—I’m sure Master didn’t notice at all. He only notices you three. Well, usually."

Aurevia shot her a sharp look.

"You’re not helping."

"Oh, I’m not trying to help,"

Virellen replied sweetly.

"I’m enjoying the view. The maids are cute. But you three? Positively feral."

Alaric, calm as ever, simply raised an eyebrow.

"You’re not jealous too, Virellen?"

She placed a hand on her chest, mock-offended.

"Me? Jealous? Master, I’m above such petty emotions. I’m a noblewoman now. A noblewoman with a front-row seat to your ever-growing fanclub."

Serenith finally spoke, her voice soft but firm.

"They... really shouldn’t stare like that."

Virellen grinned.

"They’ll learn. Or they’ll slip tea on someone’s lap and I’ll get to watch Mistress Aurevia freeze their hands."

Cellione flicked a crumb at her.

"You’re horrible."

"I’m honest."

And just like that, the air lightened—tension diffused by warmth and teasing.

The estate might be the eye of a brewing storm.

But for now, they had each other.

And tea. Always tea.

*****

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

✶ I Reincarnated as an Extra ✶

✧ in a Reverse Harem World ✧

⊱ Eternal_Void_ ⊰

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

*****

Night had settled over Caerywn, casting a gentle silver glow over its rooftops. The air was crisp, yet gentle—the kind of evening that made the city feel just a little more alive.

Virellen, Cellione, and Serenith had gone out for a bit of shopping earlier. They had tried dragging Aurevia along with them, but she declined. It wasn’t that she didn’t like shopping—she just didn’t feel like it tonight.

And perhaps, more than that, it was the growing gap she felt. They still acted like girls on an outing; she couldn’t anymore. Not after everything. Not after how she’d changed.

She was no longer the same seventeen-year-old slave girl from that fateful day. She was 5’9" now—taller, stronger, beautiful in a way that made strangers stare, and nobles bow. The breakthrough to [Rank-5] had transformed more than just her strength.

Her presence had shifted. She carried herself with the quiet dignity of a woman who had faced the world and didn’t flinch.

As she walked alone through the candlelit corridor of their estate, she saw him. Alaric. He was approaching from the other side, as composed and unreadable as ever, but a faint smile tugged at his lips when he saw her.

"Didn’t feel like going with them?"

He asked casually.

Aurevia met his eyes, the corners of her lips lifting just a touch.

"No. Just wasn’t in the mood."

He nodded, as if he understood something unsaid. Then, after a small pause,

"Come on. Let’s go for a walk."

She blinked, surprised—but only a little. Something about his voice told her this wasn’t just about taking a stroll. And maybe... maybe she didn’t want to be alone right now either.

"Alright,"

She said, brushing a strand of white hair behind her ear.

Without anyone noticing, they slipped out of the estate. Alaric had quietly cloaked them both with Divine Energy—improper use, sure, but who cared if it worked? They moved unseen beneath the city’s light.

The capital plaza was vibrant tonight, alive with laughter and color. Music floated through the air; children ran past vendors selling sweet cakes and roasted nuts. Aurevia looked around, the glow of lanterns dancing in her crimson eyes.

She smiled.

A real smile. Not the polite one she wore at noble gatherings, not the stiff smile she gave servants or strangers. This one was honest, warm. And Alaric noticed.

Despite everything she’d been through, despite how much she’d grown... at heart, she was still a seventeen-year-old girl. And maybe—just maybe—tonight, she allowed herself to be one again.

They walked slowly, without a destination, just taking in the world. And then, as they began heading back, Alaric suddenly reached out and gently took her hand.

She froze, just for a second. Her breath hitched.

But then... she returned the gesture, fingers slipping between his. Her face flushed pink, but she didn’t pull away.

They walked hand in hand through the capital streets, and if anyone had seen them in that moment, they would’ve thought: A match made in heaven.

Aurevia’s heart was a mess of butterflies. She didn’t know when it started. She couldn’t name the moment when admiration became something more—something softer, deeper.

But it was there now, blooming with each heartbeat. And she didn’t want to run from it.

Alaric broke the silence, his voice low, thoughtful.

"It feels like a lot of time has passed, doesn’t it? But it’s only been a few months since I was wandering this city like a lost kid... cleaning my neck, gawking at people."

He chuckled softly.

"Now,"

He continued,

"I’m the one everyone watches. I’m the one they whisper about."

Aurevia didn’t speak. She just listened.

"Fate’s got a strange sense of humor,"

He said, glancing her way.

"Who would’ve thought I’d meet people like you? Lovely girls who turned my life upside down in the best way possible."

His gaze dropped.

"Sometimes I wonder... what if I’d never left the village? What if I never stepped into that slave market that day? What would’ve happened to you? Or to me?"

He didn’t wait for an answer. He didn’t need one. The silence spoke enough.

They reached the estate in quiet reflection. But the moment they stepped into the main hall, it all shattered.

"My, my..."

Virellen’s voice rang out like a bell, mischief dripping from every word. She spotted their interlocked hands instantly.

"So this is why you didn’t want to come shopping, dear Mistress. How bold. Out on a secret date with Master, hmm?"

Aurevia instantly tried to pull her hand back, face burning.

"T-This isn’t what it looks like!"

But Alaric didn’t let go. Instead, he held her hand tighter and said flatly,

"It’s exactly what it looks like. We just walked around the city. That’s it. No need to make a fuss."

The other two weren’t buying it.

Serenith pouted, folding her arms.

"Big Sister, this isn’t fair...!"

Cellione joined in, voice mock-hurt.

"Yeah! You’re not supposed to hog Master all to yourself!"

Aurevia, still blushing furiously, looked like she wanted to vanish.

"I-It’s not like that, I swear—!"

"Alright, alright."

Alaric raised his free hand in surrender.

"I’ll be fair. Next time, I’ll go out with Cellione. Then Serenith. And if she wants... even Virellen can have her turn."

Virellen covered her mouth with a delicate hand and giggled.

"Ara ara, Master... are you flirting with me now? You haven’t even married the three Mistresses, and already you’re courting a fourth?"

Alaric ran a hand through his hair, tilting his chin up with exaggerated pride.

"What can I say? My heart is vast, and I need the love of many maidens to fill the void."

The girls all groaned at once.

Aurevia, her hand still trapped in his, gave him a death grip squeeze—but even with all her strength, it didn’t make him flinch.

He smiled.

"Alright,"

He said after a beat.

"Enough chitchat. We’ve got work tomorrow. Everyone, to bed."

The girls grumbled, but obeyed.

As they dispersed to their rooms, Cellione and Serenith shot Aurevia resentful glances—not of true anger, but of frustration. They wanted a walk with him too. Timing was everything, and today hadn’t been their day.

They’d make sure the next one was.

-To Be Continued