Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation

Chapter 414 – You Can Call Me Daddy

After brunch, they returned to the mansion just long enough for Lux to have Ariel changed.

Not that she looked bad—she didn’t. The soft dress she’d picked at the boutique was lovely, light and breathable, and had somehow survived all the café chaos without a single stain. But this wasn’t about looking pretty anymore.

This was about making a statement.

”Change into the blue one,” Lux said casually, sipping from a glass of water as he leaned against the doorframe to Ariel’s room. ”The one with the embroidery. And the coat.”

Ariel blinked at him, mid-step out of her heels. ”What? Why? It’s not even cold.”

”They need to see you properly,” he replied, voice calm but firm. ”Not as a child. Not as a victim. As you. Who you are now. Not who they lost. Also... If we need to show them the scars, you just need to open your coat.”

She swallowed.

And maybe she would’ve argued if not for the weight behind his words.

Instead, she nodded slowly and turned toward the closet.

A few minutes later, with some help from Lyra and a jewelry box that Sira casually gave her way with a ”Wear this, it screams bloodline,” Ariel stood in front of the mirror.

The dress was sky blue silk with a faint shimmer that caught in the light like seafoam. The embroidery around the collar and sleeves was done in silver thread, curling like waves or wings—delicate, noble, quiet. The coat layered over it was a soft, structured white with pale gold lining, long enough to make her feel taller than she was.

Around her neck. A pearl choker. This one shimmered with quiet dignity, set in silver, and perfectly fitted. Sadly, not her pearls.

Ariel stared at her reflection for a long time.

She didn’t look like the girl who’d been thrown away.

She looked like someone who could belong.

Still—her stomach twisted.

What if they didn’t want her?

Lux watched her as they walked out to the car. Sira sat in the front, sunglasses on, fingers scrolling through her phone like this was just another brunch meeting. But Ariel...

Ariel was quiet.

Almost too quiet.

In the back seat, she kept folding and unfolding her fingers in her lap, eyes on the window. Her reflection in the glass was pale, and she bit her lower lip so often Lux could see the faint red line forming.

”You don’t have to be perfect,” he said softly, just loud enough for her to hear.

She jumped a little, then offered a stiff nod. ”I know.”

”You’re allowed to be nervous.”

Another nod.

”But don’t be afraid to speak.”

She didn’t answer this time, but she glanced at him, eyes wide and glassy.

He smiled just a little. ”I’ll be right next to you the whole time.”

Sira snorted. ”You’re giving her the ’first boardroom pitch’ speech.”

Lux didn’t look away from Ariel. ”It works.”

Sira grinned, wicked and unbothered. ”I know. That’s why I used to call you Daddy Vaelthorn during our finance exams.”

Lux didn’t miss a beat. His smirk curled slow and sharp, eyes gleaming with infernal amusement. ”You can call me Daddy in the bedroom. Especially while I’m choking you or pinning you down.”

A beat of silence.

Then Sira laughed—full-bodied and delighted. ”Oh, I want to try it now. But,” she added, tapping her lip thoughtfully, ”I don’t know if it’ll accidentally summon my real dad or not. I mean... that would be such a turn off. Imagine him showing up mid-thrust.”

Lux made a face. ”Okay. Now I’m turned off.”

Ariel choked on her own spit. ”W-what the—!?” She turned an alarming shade of red and promptly curled in on herself again, arms wrapped around her head like she was trying to block out the world.

”Please stop,” she whimpered. ”I’m going to die.”

Sira looked beyond pleased. She leaned over, gently patting the top of Ariel’s bowed head. ”You’re so precious when you panic. I want to wrap you in ribbons and hang you from a chandelier.”

”Please don’t,” Ariel whispered into her knees.

Lux chuckled under his breath. ”I told you. She’s redder than the macarons.”

”I’m not!” Ariel groaned.

”You are,” both of them said in unison.

And yeah—she didn’t uncurl for a full five minutes after that.

But by the time they reached the restaurant, the jokes stopped.

It was a high-end place. The kind where the walls were polished wood, the light was soft and ambient, and the host greeted Lux like he ran the place.

Of course, Rava was already inside. She greeted them near the back, wearing a black silk blouse and pearl slacks, her hair pulled back in a sleek braid. Professional. Regal. A storm in heels.

”Private room’s ready,” Rava said, handing Lux a slim black card. ”They’re already inside. Two of them. A couple. I checked.”

”Good,” Lux murmured, nodding once. Then, smoothly and quietly, ”Any information I need to know about them?”

Rava tilted her head slightly, already anticipating the question.

”Dislikes? Preferences?” Lux continued, adjusting his cuffs like they were weapons. ”Words I shouldn’t say, topics to avoid? Allergies? Trauma triggers?”

Ariel blinked at him like he’d just asked for their blood type.

Rava replied in her usual clipped tone. ”They’re from the western branch. Mid-level aristocratic line. Culturally conservative. You’ll want to keep tone formal and respectful—no excessive flattery, but don’t sound cold either.”

Lux nodded once. Processing. Calculating. Loading.

”They’re extremely private,” Rava went on. ”Don’t use the word ’abduction’ directly. It’s emotionally charged and might make them defensive. They might be carrying guilt.”

”Good to know,” Lux said softly.

”They’re known for favoring classical music and heritage architecture,” Rava added. ”So steer toward old values. Stability. Restoration. Dignity.”

”Got it.”

”Oh, and—no seafood analogies.”

Lux blinked. ”That’s... oddly specific.”

”The mother’s side of the family has religious aversions. Fish are sacred metaphors. You don’t want to say something stupid like ’she was tossed back into the ocean’ or they’ll think you’re making a divine joke.”

”Noted,” Lux muttered. ”No fish puns. Shame.”