Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 201: Jealousy in the Edric’s Smile

Jealousy in the Edric’s Smile

Then Rias spoke up, a mischievous curl to her lip as she leaned her head. ”By any chance, Sister Nova. seducing Daddy tonight?”

She left the words afloat before continuing with a wink, ”Or are you getting ready for a much more than seduce. strategic victory after the banquet?

Nova blinked, completely caught off guard. A tiny cough slipped out from her as she attempted to recover, but the blush was already unfurling on her cheeks.

The laughter that erupted from the women afterwards was soft but teasing. Rias stroked her fingertips daintily over her mouth, while another lightly shoved her shoulder.

Leon, who was standing close, arched an eyebrow and watched Nova’s rosy face with unspoken amusement.

A slow smile pulled at his mouth.

”I wouldn’t object,” he whispered, voice low and silky. ”If she did have something in mind. Right, my love?”

Nova flashed him a stern glare—tipped, gorgeous, and spiked with warning. Her lips compressed.

”Leon. In public.”

”Okay, okay,” he chuckled, hands up in concession. ”I said nothing rude.”

Even so, Rias teased beside him, and the others laughed—can’t conceal their merriment.

Their comfortable chemistry didn’t just suggest intimacy.

It trumpeted it.

What the nobles viewing could not possibly be aware of—what they would not dare to imagine—was what had occurred that very morning, in the peaceful golden light of the breakfast room, where sunlight collided with secrets.

Leon had confided everything in his wives.

The plot against him and Nova the previous night.

The secret about Natasha—once a traitor, now tied to him by loyalty.

The enemy shadows moving through the fringes of their kingdom.

The war knocking softly, insistently, at their door.

And the plan they would carry forward.

A plan not just to survive...

But to rule.

Yes, they were all shocked—but none of them said a word.

Somewhere in their hearts, each of them knew. Maybe even wanted it.

To see the one they loved go so high—higher than any duke’s title could grant even higher then king or emperors as well.

So, none of them—Rias, Aria, Cynthia, Kyra, Syra... even Mia—had winced.

They stood with him, without a blink. Steady. Unmoving. Proud.

And Nova?

She faced the moment with the composure of a queen... and the rage of a storm.

Leon had told them all—how the kingdom’s enemies were paying attention, how uncertainty had become their arsenal. Particularly against the King.

Because if the King found out the truth—that Leon and Nova had been together—he would do something. And Leon wasn’t prepared for that yet.

Not yet.

So for the kingdom, for the sake of planning, he and Nova would keep their distance in front of people. Not lovers. Not even close.

Just allies.

And every woman had complied. Even Mia, after being shocked, had sworn secrecy.

Not a word would escape their group.

Leon had requested that his relationship with Nova be left undefined. Ambiguous.

And none of them fought it.

Their low, warm, private laughter returned—but tension did not fully release.

Because eyes were still upon them.

So tonight, the strategy existed in that choreographed space they held between each other.

No touches. No hugs. No lingering hands on bodies.

Only looks. Only words.

And that... was enough.

As laughter swirled a second time around Leon’s table, so too did the whispers outside it.

A few nobles pilfered lingering glances—some at Nova’s authoritative poise, others at Rias’s smirk, Aria’s understated curve, or the unobtrusive refinement that shimmered from Cynthia. Syra and Kyra, their ethereal twin loveliness, commanded wide-eyed glances, while Mia’s fragile, nearly wicked charm threw a few more hearts astray.

But no one dared to let their gaze linger too long. Not on them. Not when they knew full well who was standing at the heart of that ring—the man those women were with. And what it was to trespass even with a look.

Some women, with wine and fantasy boldening them, gave flirtatious glances in Leon’s direction. One was braver than the others, even raising her crystal glass very slightly, a smile playing on her lips when his glance flicked hers for a moment.

Leon smiled back a courteous, inscrutable smile. That was all. The woman flushed, heart skipping at so much as that.

He could have indulged them. He was well aware of the game rules, and he had every justification to enlarge his harem—if only for the system’s sake that hummed quietly inside him. to grow stronger.

But he didn’t budge.

Because the women beside him, his family, his wives—each of them sensed it. So did the crowd.

These women were not decorations to be flaunted.

They were his.

And he... was theirs.

For the time being, that was all that counted.

But somewhere in that ocean of scent and pretence...

Somebody was burning.

Edric.

Frozen, wine unfilled. His fury, which had been a dying ember, blazed into wildfire.

Because there she was—the woman he had pursued for so long. Cold. Remote. Untouchable.

Now standing next to him, laughing as though she should be there.

And his daughter. not even glancing in his direction—giggling alongside Leon as if they were family.

Leon. That son of a gun. That thief of seconds. That smirking usurper of things he’s owned.

Edric’s jaw worked, nostrils flaring.

Enjoy it while you can, he seethed, eyes burning.

Because soon.

You won’t be able to smile like this.

He shut his eyes for a slow breath. Then opened them again—calm. Smooth. Masked.

And smiling.

A flawless lie.

He started to walk toward them.

The instant his feet hit the marble, Leon’s party froze.

The dance of laughter between them stumbled, then fell silent.

Together, they turned.

And saw him.

Leon’s golden eyes narrowed—just a little. He watched the man coming: perfectly dressed, every step edged with well-polished charm that didn’t touch the eyes.

A wily fox in blue robes, Leon thought. Smiling as if he isn’t already laying the fire.

Nova’s hand fisted beside him. Her lips compressed into a line. She didn’t try to hide it.

Her eyes narrowed, ice seeping into their depths.

Edric came forward with the suave movement of a courtier, but the air around him slid like oil.

”Ah. Duke Leon. Duchess Nova,” he greeted in smooth tones. ”What a delightful surprise to see you both together.”

He beamed and continued. ”It’s been too long since I have seen you.”

Leon smiled back—polished, pleasant, and just as empty.

”Indeed, Duke Edric.

Nova wasn’t bothering with niceties. Her tone sliced crisp and cold.

”What are you doing here, Edric?”

His smile faltered by barely a hair. ”Just paying respects to fellow dukes, dear Duchess. A gesture of respect.”

Leon’s eyes stayed fixed—level, unyielding, but with undertones of danger.

Nova’s tone didn’t slacken. ”You don’t normally waste time on respect.”

He laughed, the sound light but empty. ”You wound me, Duchess.

Then his gaze wandered back to Leon. Something inscrutable moved in their depths as he gazed from the two.

”Pretty partnership you have going here,” he said quietly. ”You and the duchess... close now, are you?”

Leon raised his glass with a slow, wicked smile—spiced with humor.

”The duchess needed protection. I was privileged to give it. We’ve become... business partners.”

”Partners?” Edric repeated, the word laced with silk but belying thorns. He was annoyed, his tone covert but genuine. ”How. convenient.”

Nova sensed the venom in his tone. Her smile was small—but genuine. She cocked her head, eyes sparkling with challenge.

”Is that envy I hear, Edric?”

He breathed out, taut and silent, before he swung around. His eye roved over the cluster of women—then faltered. It settled on Mia.

There was the slightest flicker of something—panic? remorse? —before he covered it up with a forced smile.

He spun to her a beat too quickly.

”My dear,” he said, voice tight with pretended warmth, ”won’t you say hello to your father?”

Mia did not blink. Her eyes grew narrower before she turned her back, saying nothing.

Breathless hush ensued.

Silence—

Like a dagger to the heart.

Leon said nothing. Neither did the others. But their eyes.

Their eyes spoke volumes. Mockery.

The insult dangled, suspended in the air—visible, unavoidable.

Edric’s jaw tightened.

Leon didn’t retort quietly just drank his wine, quiet and unruffled.

Behind his back, Edric’s fists formed. Still, the smile remained.

”Ah, well,” Edric said in a light tone, his voice still as silk. ”Children today.”

He spun around, spine bristling with pride. ”Now, I bid you farewell.”

A hesitation. ”I’m sure we’ll talk again, Duke Leon.”

The tone was polite. But under it, something writhed. Twisted. Coiled.

Ready to strike.

His last words coiled with venom.

And Leon’s wives—all six—picked up the scent.

Their eyes grew dark. Even Nova, ready as she was, bristled ever so slightly.

But Leon... Leon just smiled. Unfazed.

”Oh, we will.”

Edric spun and dissolved back into the crowd of nobles.

And just as the tension was starting to fray, a new presence.

The music slowed once again.

A murmur spread through the great hall.

Another presence... was about to enter the scene.

And the game. had just begun.