Harem Master: Seduction System - Chapter 128

Chapter 128: Grand Banquet Preparations And Eskil’s Rise
 

The night stretched on, a tapestry woven with shared whispers, stolen kisses, and the rhythmic symphony of their bodies intertwined. Alaric, fueled by his magical stamina and his long-suppressed desire for Rosalind, showed no signs of slowing down. He was determined to make this night unforgettable for both of them.

And he succeeded.

They explored each other’s bodies with a newfound intimacy, discovering hidden curves, sensitive spots, and the unique language of touch that only lovers share. They laughed, they whispered secrets, they shared stories from their past, their bond deepening with every passing moment.

By the time the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, they were both exhausted but exhilarated, their bodies still intertwined, their breaths mingling in the soft morning air.

Alaric looked down at Rosalind, her red hair splayed across the pillow, her face flushed with a soft glow. She looked peaceful, content, utterly beautiful.

‘This is… perfect,’ he thought, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. ‘This is exactly how I wanted it to be.’

Rosalind’s voluptuous body pressed against his, her soft curves molding perfectly to his own. He could feel the warmth radiating from her skin, the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

He reached out, gently cupping one of her large breasts in his hand, teasing her nipple with his thumb. Rosalind stirred slightly, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Alaric murmured, his voice soft and teasing.

Rosalind opened her eyes, her purple eyes sparkling with mischief. “Good morning, you insatiable beast,” she retorted, playfully swatting his hand away.

Alaric chuckled, pulling her closer. “Insatiable, am I?” he teased. “Perhaps. But you seem to be enjoying it.”

Rosalind blushed, her eyes darting away from his. “I… I didn’t say that,” she mumbled, her voice hesitant.

Alaric grinned, nuzzling his face into her hair. “You didn’t have to,” he whispered. “Your body said it all.”

He could feel her body trembling slightly against his. He knew she was still a little shy, still adjusting to their newfound intimacy.

He gently kissed her neck, his lips tracing a path down her skin. “Last night was… special,” he murmured, his voice soft and sincere. “Everything I had been feeling for you for all these years… it felt as though it finally came to fruition last night.”

Rosalind looked up at him, her eyes filled with emotion. “It was,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “It was… everything I ever wanted.”

She then added with a small voice, “Losing my virginity… it was exactly how I wanted it to be.”

Alaric smiled, his heart swelling with warmth. He knew that their connection was strong, their bond forged in shared experiences and mutual respect. But last night had taken their relationship to a whole new level.

They lay in bed for a while longer, enjoying each other’s company, their bodies intertwined in a comfortable embrace. They talked about their past, their shared experiences at the academy, their hopes and dreams for the future.

Finally, Alaric decided it was time to get up. They had a lot of work to do, a grand banquet to prepare.

“Alright, sleepyhead,” he said, gently nudging Rosalind. “Time to rise and shine. We have a kingdom to impress.”

Rosalind groaned playfully, rolling over and pulling the covers over her head. “Five more minutes,” she mumbled, her voice muffled by the blankets.

Alaric chuckled, pulling the covers off her. “No time for that,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “We have a lot to do.”

He then got out of bed, stretching his limbs and feeling the lingering warmth of Rosalind’s body against his. He turned to look at her, a playful smirk on his face. “Come on,” he teased. “Don’t tell me a member of the Silver Raven Guild can’t handle a little hard work.”

Rosalind groaned again, but she finally sat up, stretching her arms and yawning widely. “Fine, fine,” she mumbled, her voice still sleepy. “But you owe me breakfast.”

Alaric grinned, pulling her out of bed. “Deal,” he said. “But first, a bath. We both need to wash off the… evidence of our hard work last night.”

Rosalind blushed again, playfully swatting his arm. “Oh, shut up,” she mumbled, but she was smiling.

They then headed to the bathroom, filling the large tub with warm water and fragrant oils. They bathed together, washing each other’s bodies, their laughter echoing through the room.

After their bath, they dressed in their finest clothes.

With the afterglow of their shared night still lingering, Alaric and Rosalind turned their attention to the pressing matter of the Grand Banquet. The one-month deadline loomed large, and there was still much to be done.

“Alright, darling,” Rosalind said, clapping her hands together briskly. “Let’s get down to business. We have a kingdom to impress, remember?”

Alaric chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Indeed,” he said. “Let’s make this banquet the talk of the century.”

They dove headfirst into the preparations, meticulously reviewing every detail, from the guest list and seating arrangements to the menu and entertainment. Rosalind’s organizational skills proved invaluable, her sharp mind quickly grasping the complexities of the event.

Even Iridelle, despite her primary focus being the management of the eleven ‘Phone’ production companies, found herself drawn into the whirlwind of banquet preparations. She helped Alaric with various tasks, from coordinating with suppliers to overseeing the construction of the temporary banquet hall.

Iridelle couldn’t help but notice the easy camaraderie between Alaric and Rosalind, the way they worked together seamlessly, their laughter echoing through the mansion. She was struck by Rosalind’s beauty and her obvious talent for organization and people management.

‘She’s… amazing,’ Iridelle thought, a hint of admiration mixed with a strange pang of… something else. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it felt like a strange mix of envy and longing.

She could also sense a deep connection between Alaric and Rosalind, a bond that went beyond mere friendship. Their interactions were filled with subtle glances, shared smiles, and an unspoken intimacy that Iridelle couldn’t ignore.

‘They’re… close,’ she realized, a sour feeling rising in her stomach. She knew she had no right to feel this way. She was a commoner, while Alaric was a noble, a man of high status and influence. She had no claim on him, no right to pursue an intimate relationship with him.

Yet, despite this knowledge, a small part of her couldn’t help but yearn for his attention, for his touch. She remembered the moments they had shared while developing the ‘Phone’, the way he had touched her, the way he had looked at her. It was clear that he found her attractive, that he desired her, at least on a physical level.

‘He wouldn’t have… touched me like that if he didn’t,’ she thought, her cheeks flushing at the memory. She had been shy, hesitant, unsure of how to respond at that time. She had thought of him as a bit of a rascal, a bit of a pervert, and she had been too timid to act on the attraction she felt.

‘I should have… struck while the iron was hot,’ she thought, a hint of regret creeping into her voice.

Now, with Rosalind’s presence, she felt a sense of urgency, a need to act quickly before it was too late. She decided to use her physical attributes to her advantage, to try and seduce Alaric, to remind him of her existence, of her desirability.

She began to dress more attractively, wearing clothes that accentuated her curves and highlighted her best features. She would linger near Alaric, offering to help him with various tasks, her body subtly brushing against his, her eyes meeting his with a lingering gaze.

She knew that even if she succeeded, she might not become Alaric’s official woman. She might just be a plaything, a one-night stand, a temporary distraction. But she yearned for his touch, for his attention, even if it was just for one night.

Alaric, of course, noticed Iridelle’s subtle attempts at seduction. He was not oblivious to her longing glances, her carefully orchestrated accidental touches. He saw the way she dressed, the way she moved, the way she tried to capture his attention.

‘She’s definitely trying,’ he thought, a smirk playing on his lips. ‘It seems my little touchy-feely session with her has had quite an effect.’

He decided not to discourage her. In fact, he subtly encouraged her, teasing her with playful remarks and lingering glances, making her believe that her efforts were not in vain. He knew that this way, he would be able to enjoy her beautiful body without any complications.

‘If she wants to play this game,’ he thought, ‘I’m more than happy to play along.’

The preparations for the banquet continued, the mansion buzzing with activity. Alaric, Rosalind, and Iridelle worked together, their combined efforts creating a whirlwind of activity.

The clearing was transformed into a magnificent banquet hall, complete with a large stage for performances, a spacious dance floor, and numerous tables adorned with fine linens and silverware. The air was filled with the sounds of construction, the hammering of nails, the sawing of wood, the chatter of workers.

The menu was finalized, a lavish spread of delicacies from across the kingdom, designed to tantalize the taste buds of even the most discerning palate. The musicians were rehearsing their performances, preparing to entertain the guests with their enchanting melodies.

The invitations had been sent out, and responses were slowly trickling in. Some of the lesser noble families had already confirmed their attendance, eager to curry favor with the Steele family. But the more powerful families, including the Royal Family, remained silent.

Alaric wasn’t worried. He knew that the true impact of the banquet wouldn’t be measured by the number of attendees, but by the impact it had on those who did attend. He was confident that the ‘Phones’ would speak for themselves, creating a demand that would be impossible to ignore.

~~

While Alaric meticulously planned his grand banquet, a world away, on the eastern borders of the Eloriath Kingdom, his rival, Eskil, was making his own mark. The prodigiously talented martial artist, a student of the prestigious Lionheart Martial Institute, was rapidly ascending the ranks of the kingdom’s military.

His exceptional martial prowess, honed through countless battles against the encroaching threats from the east, had earned him a reputation as a formidable warrior. Each life-or-death encounter on the battlefield served as a brutal but effective training ground, further refining his skills and enhancing his combat experience.

At this moment, stationed in a remote outpost overlooking the vast plains that stretched towards the eastern horizon, Eskil received a message. A dark owl, its eyes gleaming with an unnatural light, landed silently before him, a small scroll clutched in its talons.

Eskil recognized the owl immediately. It was a messenger of the Phantom Assembly, a discreet and reliable way for his secret master, Gideon, to communicate with him. He quickly dismissed the nearby soldiers, ensuring his privacy before retrieving the scroll.

He retreated to a secluded tent, unrolling the scroll and reading the contents by the dim light of a flickering lantern. The letter began with a congratulatory tone.

“Eskil,” the letter read, “I congratulate you on your rapid promotion to Major. Your progress has been… impressive. I trust your training with the Iron Fanged Tiger Beast Spirit is proceeding smoothly. Have you achieved proficiency with its more… advanced techniques?”

Eskil frowned slightly. ‘He’s always pushing me,’ he thought, a hint of annoyance flickering within him. ‘As if becoming a Major in such a short time isn’t enough.’

He continued reading, his eyes widening slightly as he reached the next paragraph.

“I must also inform you of a… setback,” the letter continued. “One of our auction houses in Porthaven was recently raided by the kingdom’s forces. It seems our security was… compromised.”

Eskil’s brow furrowed. A raided auction house? That was unusual. The Phantom Assembly was usually meticulous in its operations.

The letter continued, revealing even more surprising information.

“Prior to the raid,” the letter read, “one of our high-ranking members, Brita Kuusk, was attacked and defeated by a powerful mage. This mage… he utilized a Beast Essence. And not just any Beast Essence. It was the essence of the Azure Spirit Lion.”

Eskil’s eyes widened in shock. The Azure Spirit Lion? That was a mythical beast, a creature of immense power. The fact that someone, especially a mage, possessed its essence was… extraordinary.

“And the most concerning aspect,” the letter continued, “is that this mage is completely unknown to us. He is at least at the Master Mage rank. This is why I am informing you of this. I want you to work even harder to become stronger.”

Eskil nodded slowly, his mind racing. A Master Mage with the Azure Spirit Lion’s essence… that was indeed impressive. He knew his master was mentioning this to motivate him, to prevent him from becoming complacent with his current achievements.

‘He’s right,’ Eskil thought. ‘I can’t afford to become complacent. There are always stronger opponents out there.’

He refocused his attention on the letter. It concluded with a brief instruction.

“Continue your training, Eskil,” the letter ended. “And keep me informed of your progress. There are great things in store for you.”

Eskil rolled up the scroll, a thoughtful expression on his face. He wasn’t planning on becoming complacent. In fact, he had his own plans.

He was currently stationed near the territories of two powerful noble families: the Hylaris and the Olendir families. Both families were renowned for their martial prowess, their histories intertwined with the defense of the eastern borders.

The Hylaris family specialized in heavy infantry tactics, their soldiers clad in thick armor and wielding massive greatswords. They were known for their unwavering discipline and their ability to hold the line against even the most ferocious attacks.

The Olendir family, on the other hand, specialized in mounted combat, their knights renowned for their speed, agility, and devastating charges. They were masters of the lance and the saber, capable of breaking through enemy lines with ease.

Eskil planned to establish connections with both families, to secure their patronage. As a martial talent, he required significant resources to further his training: rare herbs, powerful artifacts, access to ancient texts and training grounds.

Securing the patronage of these two powerful families would provide him with the resources he needed to reach his full potential. Moreover, establishing connections with them would be strategically advantageous, especially if he ever decided to confront Alaric Steele and his family.

‘With their support,’ Eskil thought, ‘I’ll be more than ready to deal with Alaric and his Steele Family. I will make him pay for humiliating me at the Galanis House.’

He burned the letter, ensuring that no one would discover its contents. He then left the tent, his mind focused on his next objective: initiating contact with the Hylaris and Olendir families.

Eskil, now a Major in the Eloriath Kingdom’s military, found establishing contact with the heirs of the Hylaris and Olendir families surprisingly easy. His newfound rank opened doors that had previously been firmly closed. A simple message, delivered through official military channels, was enough to secure meetings with both heirs.

‘It’s amazing what a little bit of authority can do,’ Eskil thought, a smirk playing on his lips. ‘Just a few months ago, these families wouldn’t have given me the time of day. Now, their heirs are eager to dine with me.’

He knew that simply contacting them wasn’t enough. He needed to convince them, to persuade them to put aside their families’ long-standing rivalry and support him. He needed to offer them something they couldn’t refuse.

‘And what could be more enticing,’ he mused, ‘than the fulfillment of their deepest desires?’

He knew that both heirs were vying for the position of family head, facing fierce competition from other family members. He decided to capitalize on this, offering to help them eliminate their rivals.

‘It’s a risky move,’ he thought, ‘but it’s the only way to secure their unwavering support.’

As a Major, with his enhanced martial prowess and proficiency in Battle Aura, Eskil’s options had expanded significantly. He was confident that he could handle most threats, especially with the potential backing of his master, Gideon, and the resources of the Phantom Assembly.

‘Of course,’ he thought, ‘I can’t let them know about my connection to the Phantom Assembly. That would be disastrous.’

He carefully considered which heirs to approach. He needed individuals who were ambitious, ruthless, and, most importantly, discreet. After careful consideration, he decided on Zoran Hylaris and Danica Olendir.

Zoran Hylaris, the eldest son of the Hylaris family head, was known for his aggressive personality and his relentless pursuit of power. He was a skilled warrior in his own right, but he faced stiff competition from his younger brother, a cunning strategist with a strong following within the family.

Danica Olendir, the only daughter of the Olendir family head, was equally ambitious. She was a skilled rider and a formidable warrior, but her gender was a significant obstacle in her path to becoming the family head. Many within the Olendir family still clung to traditional values, believing that only a male could lead the family.

Eskil felt that these two individuals would be most receptive to his proposal. They were both driven by ambition, facing significant obstacles, and desperate enough to consider unconventional solutions.

He began by sending separate invitations to Zoran and Danica, inviting them to dine with him at a neutral location, a well-known and discreet restaurant located near the border. He made sure to emphasize the importance of discretion in his invitations, hinting that he had matters of a sensitive nature to discuss.

Zoran was the first to respond, accepting the invitation with a curt but enthusiastic reply. Danica followed suit shortly after, her response more cautious but equally intrigued.

The day of the dinners arrived, and Eskil made sure to arrive early, securing a private room for each meeting. He wanted to ensure complete privacy for these sensitive discussions.

Zoran Hylaris arrived first, his imposing figure filling the doorway. He was a tall, muscular man with a stern face and piercing blue eyes. He wore a finely crafted suit of armor, even for a casual dinner, a testament to his martial background.

“Major Eskil,” Zoran greeted, his voice deep and resonant. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Lord Hylaris,” Eskil replied, offering a polite bow. “Please, have a seat.”

They sat down at the table, and after a few pleasantries, Eskil got straight to the point. “Lord Hylaris,” he began, his voice low and serious, “I understand that you are facing some… challenges within your family.”

Zoran’s expression hardened. “Challenges?” he repeated, his voice laced with annoyance. “You could say that. My younger brother is attempting to usurp my rightful position as heir.”

“I understand,” Eskil said, nodding sympathetically. “And I believe I can help you resolve this… issue.”

Zoran’s eyes narrowed. “Help me?” he asked, his voice skeptical. “How?”

Eskil leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I have… resources at my disposal,” he said, his eyes gleaming with a hint of menace. “Resources that can… eliminate your brother from the equation.”

Zoran’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of interest crossing his face. “Eliminate him?” he repeated, his voice barely audible.

Eskil nodded. “Permanently,” he confirmed.

Zoran remained silent for a moment, considering Eskil’s offer. He knew that eliminating his brother would be a drastic move, but it was also the only way to secure his position as heir.

“And what would you want in return?” Zoran finally asked, his voice cautious.

“Your support,” Eskil replied. “Your family’s patronage. I require resources to further my training, to reach my full potential. And with your support, I can achieve great things.”

Zoran considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I believe we can come to an arrangement, Major,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

The meeting with Danica Olendir followed a similar pattern. Danica, a tall, athletic woman with long dark hair and piercing green eyes, arrived promptly at the appointed time. She was dressed in practical riding attire, her movements graceful and confident.

Eskil presented her with the same offer, promising to eliminate her rivals within the Olendir family in exchange for her support and patronage. Danica, though initially hesitant, was eventually swayed by Eskil’s promises and the potential benefits of their alliance.

‘It’s done,’ Eskil thought, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. ‘I’ve secured their support. Now, I have the resources I need to continue my training, and I have allies who will be invaluable in my future endeavors.’

He knew that he had made a dangerous bargain, but he was confident that he could manage the situation.