Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 158: The Vote Against Leon

The Vote Against Leon

The meal had been finished in a contented fog of amusement and fine food. Now, Leon and his wives gathered around the long, elegantly set table, cups of herbal tea cradled in their hands, the air still filled with the pungent spices of the meal.

Leon leaned back in his chair, his voice low and contented. ”Tonight’s dinner was fantastic.”

”Mmm,” Rias added, tucking a fiery strand of hair behind her ear. ”And the saffron stew especially. I could eat that nightly.”

”I’m still dreaming of that honey-glazed venison,” Cynthia murmured, licking at her lips. ”Tender as could be.”

Kyra nodded, her silver eyes shining. ”And the roasted vegetables? Those had that burny edge... delicious.”

Syra smiled with mischief. ”I swear, I almost didn’t chew. I was just too busy moaning.”

Everyone laughed, even Mia, who just nodded gently with a soft smile, her golden-amber eyes aglow in the candlelight. ”It really was... delicious.”

The maids—Fey, Mira, and the rest—stood at respectful places around the room. Fey bowed slightly, a soft smile on her lips. ”We’re honored you liked our cooking, Lord Leon.”

Mira chimed in, ”Your approval makes all the effort worth it.”

Leon smiled weakly, warmly, and genuinely. ”I’m only speaking the truth as I feel it, my maids.”

The maids exchanged beaming glances and nodded, obviously moved by what he had said.

For a while, Leon and his wives stayed at the table, deep in easy talk, sipping the dregs of their herbal tea. The gentle clinks of china, the twinkle of candlelight, and the fitful laughter formed a peaceful, intimate cadence.

Then, as the last cups were set down, Leon stood. His chair glided back with a smooth grace.

The others followed, rising in a gentle, synchronized motion—like petals unfolding toward the light.

”Well then, let’s head upstairs,” Leon said, stretching slightly. ”We need to prepare for tomorrow’s grand event... and we’ll need proper rest for what’s sure to be a hectic day.”

His womenfolk nodded in agreement, smiles spreading across their lips. As he exited with them out of the hall, they exchanged a good-night wave with the head maids—Fey and the rest—who bowed again.

”Good night, Lord. Good night, ladies,” Fey delivered warmly.

Leon met the gesture with a nod and a soft smile. ”Good night, my dear maids.”

The women behind him repeated the sentiment in soft goodnights and dignified waves. Their steps padded softly along the velvet runner down the stairs, the enormous manor now still, except for the distant flutter of the night wind through silk drapes.

At the head of the sweeping staircase, Leon stood still in front of the corridor that opened into their personal chambers. He turned with a smile, familiar and taunting, eyes sparkling with that golden light only his wives knew.

”So,” he asked with an air of nonchalance, hands disappearing into his pockets, ”who’s sharing my bed tonight?”

The question hung like perfume—sweet, risky, and slightly drunken.

Rias and Syra snickered covertly. Cynthia raised an eyebrow. Kyra offered a soft, knowing smile. Aria smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Mia... flushed.

She could have been new to them, but she wasn’t inexperienced—she knew precisely what that implied. Her eyes went wide, and she hastily avoided Leon’s gaze, her heart racing at the depth of meaning veiled in his easy tone.

Aria stepped forward first, placing a hand on her hip, her expression innocent while her eyes danced with mischief. ”Sorry to disappoint, darling. But tonight? You’re sleeping alone.”

Leon blinked, his grin flickering. ”Wait, what?”

Cynthia came to stand beside her, moving elegantly at Aria’s side. ”Tomorrow is the big night, love. We must look perfect. And if we sleep together in your bed. well, as we all know, that ends badly. And we’re certainly not sleeping tonight.”

Leon glared at them, lips opening in affected outrage. He spoke to Syra. ”Syra. Even you? Didn’t you vow a little while ago to sleep with me tonight?

Syra gasped melodramatically, holding her chest as though injured. ”I wanted to, darling. Really! But... but Sister Rias planned it. Sister Rias told us we needed beauty sleep!”

And she then added, pouting and with dramatic flair, ”And as the little sister, I had no say. She made me do it!

”Hey!” Rias cried, putting hands on hips. ”Don’t throw me under the carriage! We all voted, remember? You were in agreement! Don’t play like I pushed you into it!”

Leon observed the exchange, his face stuck somewhere between bemused and flabbergasted. Mia, positioned a little back from the others, blinked in unspoken awe.

This—this was the noble, dignified Leon Moonwalker that folks whispered about with awe? Playing the scorned prince whose amours had conspired to leave him frostbitten and alone?

No one would take her seriously if she told them so.

And yet... she couldn’t help herself from smiling.

Leon elevated a brow at Syra.

Syra leaned in, supporting her cheek with one hand and batting him with puppy eyes. Her voice became a dramatic pout. ”Darling, look at my eyes. Have I ever lied to you?”

He gazed at her, torn between amusement and incredulity. ”No. My adorable Syra does not lie.”

”Precisely,” Syra flashed, triumphant.

From the side, Rias emitted a mock sob of pain. ”Daddy! Are you accusing me of lying, then?”

Leon looked like a man standing at the edge of a cliff and the mouth of a volcano. ”No, no. Never, sweetheart. You’re all truth incarnate.”

That did it—the others burst into giggles, the sound echoing down the corridor as they watched their darling get toyed by two women with the mischievous skill of seasoned actresses.

Then Aria stepped forward, brushing a hand along Leon’s sleeve—saving him with graceful timing.

”All right, all right,” she answered, her tone half-teasing, half-laughing. ”Sisters, stop playing with our pet.”

She turned to Leon, smiling warmly—though her voice had a firm persuasion. ”And you, sweetie, go to your room and sleep alone tonight, all right?”

Leon nodded slowly, obediently, his gaze flashing to hers with uncommon, genuine thanks. ”Bless someone here for still being kind.”

He turned to head to his chamber—then stopped.

A heartbeat behind, he turned, walked up to Aria, and swept her up in his arms.

No word, no warning—he kissed her.

Slow. Deep. Unapologetic.

Aria made a soft, surprised noise—but it was brief. Her eyes went wide, but she succumbed to the kiss almost at once, her fingers tightening into the fabric of his shirt as if pulled by instinct.

The rest gasped with amazement, hands to their mouths or holding on to each other in theatric shock. The hallway was silent, the moment suspended in still heat and moonlight.

And Mia couldn’t look away.

Her cheeks burned a bright red, her fingers curling nervously at her side. She had never witnessed such a daring, intimate moment close up. Her heart thudded—as if she had been the one kissed.

When Leon finally withdrew, his voice fell to a whisper, lips against Aria’s ear.

”Thank you for rescuing me, my love,” he murmured. ”That was your payment.”

Then he turned, raising a hand to the rest with a small wave and a smile of understanding.

”Good night, my beautiful women. Sleep tight and sleep sweet.

And with that, he stepped off down the corridor, his footsteps light on the velvet runner. At the end, the magnificent double doors of his chamber swung open—then shut behind him with a smooth, resonant thud.

The corridor was silent.

Aria remained frozen, lips agape, a dazed smile spreading across her face. She lightly touched her lips, a soft sigh escaping.

”He’s always this way... charming—and somehow always makes me feel like a little girl again,” she whispered, shaking her head with a smile.

Then she turned—and realized the others were looking at her with dagger-eyed stares.

She blinked. ”What?”

”You received the kiss,” Cynthia said under her breath without emotion.

”I watched how your tongue entwine with him in kiss,” Syra threw in, folding her arms.

”Definitely,” kyra reinforced with a melodramatic sigh and hand on heart.

Rias let out a soft whistle. ”Lucky girl.”

”Well,” Aria smiled, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she walked away. ”I’ll be in my room. Don’t stay up past midnight brooding. See you in the morning!”

No one could catch her before she disappeared into one of the rooms down the hall, her laughter still echoing in the air.

The others shared long looks.

Then—with teasing sighs and soft murmurs—each of them slowly broke away, finding their own room down the hallway, the taunting gradually giving rise to soft smiles and gentle footsteps.

Mia remained behind.

Mia stood there a moment longer, fingers straying softly over her lips as she kept her eyes fixed on Leon’s shut chamber doors.

She said nothing.

But a tiny, flowering smile had played on her lips—warm and confidential—before she turned and silently trailed behind the others, taking a room for herself.

And in an instant... Night fell across the estate.