Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 196: Before the Banquet Begins

Before the Banquet Begins

Then—Click-clack. Click-clack.

The unmistakable click of heels coming down marble stairs rang like a bell of loveliness. A change in the atmosphere.

The lightest ripple of scent—jasmine, sandalwood, lavender. Recognizable. Enchanting.

A breath of floral perfume wafted toward him, and Leon—lounging loosely on the couch—turned his head with reluctance.

His golden eyes opened wide, if only a fraction.

What he saw stole the breath from the room.

Down the grand stairway in a manner of goddesses spun from a dream descended Rias, Aria, Cynthia, Kyra, Syra, and Mia—each dressed in stunning gowns that glimmered with silk, lace, and unbridled beauty. They were not just lovely; they were otherworldly.

Behind them, five beautiful maids trailed in step—Fey, Mira, Sona, Lena, and Rui. All wore perfectly fitted black-and-white maid uniforms that blended grace with understated sensuality. Their long black hair was neatly back, streaming behind them like veils of night, every curve enhanced with tasteful accuracy. They glided with poise, heads inclining slightly, eyes sparkling.

For an instant—even Leon, always so calm and oftentimes unbreakable—was frozen.

The women had surpassed themselves.

Rias, in the forefront, had on a dark red gown that hugged her frame like fire taken shape. A golden sash was draped around her waist, flowing like royal fire. Her red eyes glowed with a dizzying combination of pride and mischief, her long red hair piled high with jeweled pins that sparkled with every movement.

At her side, Aria trailed in a gown of flowing violet silk, its high slits flashing at one thigh with each step, gold chains draped over her collarbone and waist like stardust, and her purple hair flowing down in loose waves.

Cynthia’s dress was white serenity—silky white embroidered in fine silver and blue dress that glowed softly in the light of the chandelier. Sleeves that poured like mist, hem flowing like moonlight. Her black eyes made direct contact with his with gentle warmth.

Syra, shining in a deep forest green gown with gold stitching, resembled spring and sunlight and wild earth all rolled into one. Her gown cascaded like part of nature itself, her smile bright and unfettered.

Kyra descended next in a dramatic emerald-green gown, the slit high reaching upwards, her frosty self-control reflected in her face. But her green eyes sparkled like ice, ablaze with firelight. The gown clung to her long body perfectly, the material picking up every glint of the chandelier above. She remained silent—but the slight curl of her lips told all.

And finally, Mia—she was quiet, reserved, and yet impossible to overlook. She wore midnight-black silk stitched with sapphire thread, understated and hauntingly lovely. She had a single braid draped over her shoulder, with small silver pins holding it in place. Her cheeks were flushed with the faintest touch of color.

When they descend downstairs and their eye falls on Leon. They all stopped at the bottom of the stairs, all six women at the same moment coming to the realization:

Leon was devastatingly handsome.

For a moment, none of them budged. They had spent time dressing cautiously—selecting colors, textures, and jewels to complement their loveliness, hoping perhaps that they’d surpass him. But now that they stood there, facing him... it was obvious they hadn’t prepared for him.

Leon sit on couch like a dream vision. His formal banquet dress, expertly fitted, hugged his expansive figure with kingly beauty. The sonorous cloak hung across his shoulders glimmered faintly in the rich chandelier light, and the delicate stitches around the cuffs picked up gleams of gold and silver. His hair was tied back in impeccable elegant style just so as not to look contrived, and his serene golden eyes—unflickering and untroubled—drifted over them like light through mottled glass.

And yet... he wasn’t the only one who was taken aback.

Every woman felt it. That odd stillness. That time had come and gone between heartbeats. They had witnessed Leon a thousand times—in battle, in brooding halls, in the grayness of night. But this night was not the same. Tonight, he was different. Tonight, he appeared like a king—no, better than a king. Tonight, he appeared like a legend forged out of very gold.

For a breathless moment, they were all staring at him.

Then, the trance broke as Leon shifted slightly. His posture straightened, and his golden eyes, warm and sharp, drifted from one woman to the next.

”...You’re all breathtaking,” he said finally, voice low and reverent, filled with something tender and unspoken. ”Every single one of you.”

The words settled on them like a blessing.

The women smiled—some proudly, others bashfully.

Mia, keeping herself slightly distant, tilted her face ever so slightly, attempting to conceal the flush that crept onto her cheeks. She wasn’t formally in his harem—not yet—but the fact that his eyes had lingered on hers for a beat longer sent her stomach into a whirl of hope and uncertainty.

Rias, never one to remain quiet, cocked a brow and grumbled under her breath with a wicked smile, ”Not bad yourself, Daddy...”

Aria made a soft snort, amused, as Kyra shook her head with a lopsided smirk playing on her lips. Cynthia clapped a hand over her mouth to suppress a giggle, and even Syra—so always poised—allowed a soft smile to cross her lips, her eyes lingering on Leon a fraction of a second longer.

”I take one night to look perfect, and you hog the spotlight?” Syra crossed her arms with feigned outrage. But the glint in her eyes betrayed her—she was impressed, and perhaps a tad smitten.

Leon laughed softly, the sound deep and smooth, as he stood up from the couch with a quiet confidence. His eyes roamed over each of them, warm and steady, as if he were committing the moment to memory.

”Steal it?” he repeated, voice velvet-soft and filled with quiet awe, golden eyes roving over the six of them. ”You set the entire room ablaze the second you walked in.”

Laughter spread through the group like sunlight across water—warm, bright, effortless.

Mia, held in his attention a heartbeat too long, blushed. Her eyelashes dipped as she glanced away, lips twisting in a shy smile she couldn’t quite hide.

Rias tossed her hair with easy bravado, her smile nothing less than dazzling.

”Of course we do,” she said airily. ”We’re your wives, aren’t we?”

Syra leaned in with a flirtatious wink, speaking in a low, sultry tone.

”We’d never let you steal the show... too much.”

Cynthia laughed softly, smiling kindly as ever, and Aria moved forward with a glint in her eyes.

”Still...” she said, swiping an imaginary speck from his lapel, ”you look lovely, darling.”

Leon’s laugh was low and sincere. ”I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He stepped closer, his eyes lingering on each of them with quiet pride, then turned slightly to the side where the maids stood patiently, their hands clasped and eyes respectfully lowered.

”Thank you, Fey. All of you,” he said warmly. ”You’ve outdone yourselves helping them.”

Fey, standing at the front, dipped her head with grace, her voice soft but brimming with pride.

”It is our duty and our pleasure, my lord,” she said. ”To make your ladies more radiant... and to please you.”

Leon’s smile deepened, touched with genuine affection. His gaze softened as he met her eyes.

”And you’ve done both beautifully, Fey,” he said with a respectful nod. ”Thank you—for ready them like queens.”

Fey bowed slightly again, a faint pink coloring her cheeks as she tried—unsuccessfully—to hide her pleased smile.

Leon bestowed one last nod upon her before facing once more the women who claimed his attention, each more resplendent than the next.

”If you’re ready..., shall we go?”

Eager nods and soft ”Mm-hm”s were exchanged.

When Leon offered his hand, Rias moved up first, her actions fluid and abounding with silent assurance. She settled her hand softly on his arm, her scarlet eyes shining like warmth.

Each in turn, the others moved—Aria with a spunky toss of her purple locks and a smug grin; Cynthia with silent poise and a subtle smile tipping up the corners of her mouth; Syra and Kyra, the twins, exchanging a fleeting glance before moving in perfect step behind their sisters.

Mia lingered.

Her fingers trembled at her side, trapped in doubt and desire. She wasn’t accustomed to this—to being involved in something already so deeply entwined.

Leon saw. He spun, eyes colliding with hers—not with authority, but invitation.

”You coming?” he asked, voice soft but firm.

For a moment, the world stopped.

Then Mia nodded. Once.

She stepped forward, her hand brushing against his briefly before finding step beside the others. It wasn’t smooth—no, not yet—but something in the way the group parted to let her in, in the unspoken welcome shared between eyes, made it seem like she’d been part of them all along.

And so they moved—step by step—toward the great foyer, toward the banquet awaiting, toward a night illuminated not merely by lanterns...

.but by fate.