CHAPTER 55: 55

Later that same day, the Pavilion was busier than ever.

The scent of seared meat, crisp herbs, and spiced rice wafted through the air like divine perfume, drawing in customers from every street of Caerywn.

It had only been eight days since Emberdrop Pavilion had opened its doors, but it now ran like a beating heart at the center of the capital’s common quarter.

Inside the top-floor lounge overlooking the dining floor, Alaric sat in a reclining chair with a goblet of chilled juice, his eyes scanning the movement below—waiters darting gracefully, chefs orchestrating with discipline, and customers smiling with mouthfuls of flame-seared bliss.

Behind him, soft footsteps padded across the carpeted wood.

"Master,"

Aurevia murmured, her hands gently landing on his shoulders,

"you know the company you mentioned earlier? You’re planning to build it in the sanctuary, aren’t you?"

Alaric smiled, his eyes still on the crowd below.

"Yes."

"I knew it,"

Cellione chimed in from the side, arms crossed and a teasing glint in her violet eyes.

"I thought you were just playing around with fancy words to collect some pretty girls —but you actually had a plan. So those 24 slaves... they’re really on their way?"

Alaric nodded.

"Yes."

Cellione narrowed her eyes.

"Just like that? And you don’t even have a single man among them?"

"It’s for work purposes, and as I probably said before, I Don’t want any other men to ogle on my beauty’s. "

Alaric replied evenly.

All of them blushed when he said my beauty’s. But Cellione keeping her calm leaned closer.

"So, it just so happens that all these extremely talented individuals must be girls?"

Alaric blinked, slowly turning his head.

"They can be male too. I didn’t specify."

A chilling breeze brushed the back of his neck.

The pressure from Aurevia’s hands increased. Her gentle massage was turning into a shoulder-crushing hold.

The temperature in the room dropped.

"Master,"

She said sweetly,

"are you really planning to be happy with just us, or are you... collecting?"

Alaric sighed dramatically.

"Come on, Cellione, now you’re making me sound like some pervert walking around with a crooked smile. Can’t you see I’m trying to build a legacy here?"

"Legacy, sure,"

Cellione said, poking his arm.

"But you conveniently built that legacy entirely out of gorgeous young girls."

Aurevia, now with one knee resting on the edge of the couch, grinned down at him.

"I support you, Master. Just let me make something clear."

Her crimson eyes shimmered with amusement.

"If anyone dares to trade an ’extremely talented individual’ for one of our auction pieces—they better be female. I’ll make sure of it."

Alaric glanced up, lips twitching. He didn’t say anything. Her grip softened into real affection again.

Serineth, who had been sipping tea quietly from the corner, let out a small sigh and murmured,

"Your kidney is going to fail."

Alaric stared at her.

"I haven’t even used it yet."

There was a beat of silence.

Then the girls turned various shades of red again.

The tension broke as Cellione slapped her palm over her face and groaned.

"Gods, Master... must you always say things like that?"

The door slammed open.

"Hey, hey! Your favorite maid is back!"

Virellen marched in with a flourish, one hand on her hip, the other waving like she was announcing herself to a ballroom.

Alaric turned to her with a tired smile.

"Welcome back, Virellen."

She stopped, blinked, then dramatically scanned the room.

"My, oh my,"

She said with mock shock.

"Is Master finally flirting with the mistresses in the open? Should I prepare a handkerchief for all the upcoming tears?"

Alaric gave her a look.

"It’s nothing like you think."

"Ohhh, I see,"

She purred, covering her mouth with a mischievous smile.

"Not yet, hmm?"

She winked at Serineth, who immediately ducked behind her teacup.

Alaric ignored the bait.

"So? What did you find out?"

Virellen dropped the act and sighed.

"It’s chaos. We hired more staff, but it’s still not enough. Even with the enchanted ordering system, we can’t keep up. Traffic doubled in just two days. Some of the nobles have started to approach indirectly. They’re curious."

Alaric tilted his head.

"Curious, or greedy?"

"Both,"

She said.

"But some are already suggesting ’partnerships’. They’re playing it coy, but they want access. Expertise. Our name."

Alaric looked out the window. The sunlight painted his profile with the hue of a slow-burning fire.

"Tell every noble who reaches out that something will be revealed at the auction,"

He said.

"And if they can’t wait, they’d best prepare for their own demise."

The girls turned their heads sharply.

Even Virellen stopped joking.

"Are you sure, Master? You’ve been keeping a low profile. People are calling you nothing but a lucky cook. Well figuring that they Don’t know that this lucky cook is actually the mysterious organisation they are talking about, it makes sense. "

"Let them call me what they want,"

Alaric said quietly.

"The strongest fist has the final say."

Virellen bowed, more solemn this time.

"I understand. I’ll take care of it. But Master, aren’t you throwing around threats like a doge ball?"

"Hmmm, Am I now?"

Alaric said with a smile and not smile.

Virellen seeing this didn’t say anything. She bowed slightly.

And with that, she swept back out of the room.

*****

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

✶ I Reincarnated as an Extra ✶

✧ in a Reverse Harem World ✧

⊱ Eternal_Void_ ⊰

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

*****

Later That Evening

The sun dipped low, and the Pavilion finally began to slow.

Aurevia, Cellione, and Serineth gathered in the girls’ quarters upstairs. The scent of lavender and warm pastry filled the air. Virellen had left a tray for them.

Serineth was folding auction scripts, trying to memorize her lines. Cellione paced, practicing how to present the items with flair.

Aurevia stood before a full-length mirror, arms crossed, rehearsing her warning speech to the auction crowd.

"I swear,"

Cellione muttered,

"if someone tries to challenge Master during the auction, I’ll roast them alive."

Serineth murmured,

"Can we not start with fire, please?"

Aurevia smiled faintly.

"You both know how important this is. This isn’t just business. This is our declaration. And as Master said previously, human nature fear the unknown the most. Nobody will Tey anything funny. And I believe for extra assurance, Master is assigning the Hostess position. Since a person can enslave a rank 5 is nothing sort of legen nowadays."

The room fell into a quiet rhythm.

Cellione finally collapsed onto the bed, sighing.

"Do you think Master will really keep adding more girls?"

Serineth hesitated.

"Even if he does... we were the first."

"That doesn’t mean we should get complacent," Aurevia said firmly.

"We stay strong. We stay united."

The three of them locked eyes, and in that moment, nothing needed to be said.

Back Downstairs

Alaric stood alone by the window, watching the last customer leave. A soft knock came from behind.

"Come in,"

He said.

Aurevia stepped inside, followed by the others.

They didn’t speak.

They just stood with him, shoulder to shoulder, eyes forward.

No words were needed.

Their presence said everything.

***

That Night

With the Pavilion finally quiet, the group returned to the mansion.

The air was cool, and the night breeze slipped through the open windows. In the drawing room, Cellione challenged Serineth to a board game using enchanted pieces, while Virellen braided Aurevia’s hair with golden thread.

Alaric sat in the corner reading through merchant reports, one eye occasionally drifting to the girls’ laughter.

Aurevia turned her head slightly, eyeing Virellen.

"You’re good at this. Did you do this often?"

"Maid training,"

Virellen replied smugly.

"Braiding, cleaning, handling noble tantrums—I mastered it all. Of course, I was the favorite."

Serineth spoke up softly, still focused on the board.

"You were the loudest, not the favorite."

"Details,"

Virellen said with a grin.

Cellione groaned as her piece was captured.

"Master, she’s cheating. She has to be."

"She’s just better than you,"

Alaric said dryly without looking up.

Serineth beamed quietly.

Aurevia stood and stretched.

"Let’s rest early. Tomorrow, we finalize the auction scripts and wardrobe."

"I want a black dress,"

Cellione declared.

"I want one with a high collar,"

Serineth added.

Virellen clapped her hands.

"I want to look like I own the stage."

Alaric closed his book.

"Then own it. Each of you. This auction isn’t just a showcase. It’s the beginning."

He stood, his eyes meeting each of theirs.

"Of what?"

Serineth asked softly.

"Of us,"

He said.

"And I can’t help but say this. You can wear whatever you want but make sure it’s not reveling. And all of you are going to wear veils. And before you say anything, know that this is an order. Not a request. "

Alaric said with a serious look. The room fell silent for few moments before Virellen broke it with her mischievous smile.

"Oh my Master are you jealous that other people might get to enjoy the mistresses beauty?"

She said.

"Yes. I’m jealous. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil."

Alaric said plainly. This left the girls stunned. Even Virellen. She realised that her teasing were getting less and less effective as the things she teased them about is coming to reality too fast.

"I will prepare the vail for you."

And with that he left the room. Leaving behind the stunned girls. Face red as tomatoes. Except Virellen of course.

-To Be Continued