Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 188: A Sister, At Last

A Sister, At Last

The silence hung. Not cold, but heavy. Almost delicate.

Then Leon cleared his throat. ”Ahem.”

That did it.

The girls blinked, shaken out of their daze, looking at each other before slowly turning back to Nova.

Rias blinked furiously. Then turned to Leon, finger pointed at the woman standing next to her father. ”Da—Daddy,” she breathed, voice half stuck in shock. ”She’s... she’s Duchess Nova. The Nova, isn’t she?”

Leon grinned and rose to his feet, performing a mock-dramatic bow. ”Yup, sweetheart,” he declared, arms wide open. ”The one and only—Moonstone’s toughest rose.”

The women gazed once more at the figure on the bed. Since her face was now clearly in view, any remaining skepticism dissolved like morning sun on mist. This was real.

Leon slapped his hands together once, a grin pulling at his mouth. ”Well then,” he said, voice light but brimming with pride, ”no more games.”

He turned and gestured with a sweep of his hand to the woman who remained seated behind him.

”Let me introduce her properly—Duchess Nova of Moonstone. Hero of the border campaigns. Scholar of royal war. And, as of this morning... your sister.”

Nova blinked, caught between the urge to stand or disappear into the covers. But the room held its breath for just a beat longer.

Then—

Aria breathed a laugh. ”Of all the women in the kingdom, you picked her as our new sister? Honestly, darling... you’re recklessly brave.”

Rias moved forward, her arms crossed and fighting hard to keep the smile off her face. ”You really could’ve warned us, Daddy.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder dramatically. ”Yet, naturally it’s our new sister. Because Normal women don’t spend the night curled around you like that.”

Then, smiling, she said, ”Still... Sister Nova, huh? Nice to finally meet you.”

Nova blinked in surprise not at the teasing—but at the term they kept repeating.

”Sister.”

Aria took another step forward, her smile gentler now. ”Welcome to the chaos, Sister Nova.”

Cynthia nodded respectfully. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Syra applauded with her hands, virtually radiating. ”Sister Nova~! I’ve heard so much about you and yet never got the opportunity to know you. And now—now I do! And I’m so glad!”

Even Kyra, serene and reserved as always, nodded. ”Welcome,” she said matter-of-factly. ”Sister.”

Nova remained still, not knowing how to react. It seemed unreal—how readily they welcomed her, as if she had been here all along.

She carefully moved the blankets aside and stood, standng on bare feet on the cold marble floor. Despite the uncertainty in her movements, she walked like a noblewoman born to rule. Not knowing where to belong, but too proud to retreat from it, she steadied herself and allowed composure fall back over her like a cloak.

With one hand on her chest, she made a curtsy. Her tone was soft, but firm.

”Thank you. for the welcome. My name is Nova—though I suppose you’d already guessed that.” A subtle smile played on her lips. ”It’s nice to meet you. All of you. sisters.”

The term sounded alien. She flushed slightly—but retained her composure.

But somehow. it had a feel of rightness to it.

For an instant, the girls were quiet, taken aback by candor in her tone.

Then Syra grinned and applauded. ”That was so cute!”

Laughter spread through the room once more—this time brighter, authentic.

Rias moved forward and put a hand on Nova’s shoulder. ”Welcome to the craziness, Sister Nova,” she teased with a grin. ”Hold on to your seat.”

Cynthia moved forward, her voice steady, genuine. ”You’re already a part of this family. Whether you intended to be or not.”

Aria nodded slightly, her gaze contemplative. ”You don’t have to try so hard, Nova. Just be yourself. That’s enough.”

Kyra said nothing at all, her voice subdued but clear yet merely. ”Yes.”

Nova stood among them, silent for a beat—between a smile and something much deeper. She hadn’t anticipated this. Not kindness. Not laughter

Not... belonging.

But in this instant, she felt it.

A still warmth seeping into the crevices of her armored heart.

Something that almost bordered on... home.

The girls moved forward, one by one—names exchanged, soft smiles shared, laughter spilling like morning light. Their voices were kind, inquiring, but unguarded.

And when both of them called her ”sister,”

Nova felt something move within her.

Something she hadn’t experienced in years.

Not the hard schemes of noble alliances.

Not political kinship clothed in silk and deceit.

But actual warmth. Like kin.

She looked at Leon, a glint of warmth in her gaze. He smiled back, just as gentle.

From the side, Leon observed it all happening—his heart expanding. This moment—his women, his family, loving the one woman who had led him to doubt his own heart—warmed something deep within him.

Nova, smiling with the others. The others, extending themselves without reservation.

It was all he hadn’t been bold enough to hope for.

He smiled and parted his lips to say something. ”So—”

”Daddy,” Rias cut in softly, turning towards him.

Leon blinked, sentence unfinished. ”Hmm? Yes, sweetheart?”

She smiled at him sweetly, quietly assertive. ”Would you mind taking a walk downstairs for a while? We only want to have a little chat with our new sister. You know... girl-to-girl stuff.”

Leon’s eyes went wide as he stared between the girls, then at Nova, who appeared just as stunned. ”Wait, what? Why now?” He rubbed his head. ”And how do I take my fall? I haven’t bathed yet—”

Aria intervened with a careless shrug. ”Darling, this manor has, like, a many room. Choose one. Bathe in peace.

Cynthia leaned forward, a mischievous smile on her face. ”We let you hold her all night, wordlessly. Now let us have a few minutes to tell her, okay?”Syra came up behind him, her smile so sweet as honey. She put a gentle hand on his shoulders, nudging him toward the door. ”Shoo, now~” she laughed. ”We’ll only keep her a little while. I promise.

Leon gazed around at them, a bit dazed by the change. ”You guys are all really well-choreographed for a second there. Should I be concerned?”

There was nothing icy or furtive about their faces, however. Only warmth. A hint of playfulness. And honest interest.

His gaze came to rest on Nova finally. She nodded to him once, a small reassuring smile playing on her lips.

Leon released a breath, combing his rumpled hair with a fingernail as a small smile played about the edges of his lips.

”Alright, alright. I receive the message. I’ll be down,” he uttered with a wry smile.

With a soft sigh, he backed away and stepped out, door closing softly behind him.

Silence befell the room.

Six women were in the room.

Rias led the way. Her red hair glowed in the morning light, shining like embers. The mischievous bite in her look softened into something more warm—true, inquiring.

She waved gracefully toward the sitting area beside the tall windows, where sunlight poured in like strips of golden silk across the highly polished floor.

”Let us sit and get to know each other then, Sister Nova,” she said with calm poise, ”since we are here.”

Nova blinked in reaction to the abrupt change in tone, taken aback by the formal appellation. But after a moment, she nodded and rose, smoothing the front of her robe quietly.

The women sat together, rustle of soft fabric and slight taps of footsteps being the only noises as they settled in against the warm lounge. Rias claimed the middle seat, legs crossed with easy confidence, while the others sat around her.

Nova sat lightly on the very edge of the couch facing them, her eyes passing over each face—interested, guarded, but peaceful.

Then, leaning forward slightly and a glint of mischief flashing in her ruby-hued eyes, Rias smiled.

”So, Sister Nova.” she drawled. ”Tell us—when precisely did our dear Daddy succeed in pilfering your heart?