Chapter 35: The Reality of Harem Life
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Aether and Amber pulled away from their kiss, both surprised by the warmth of the moment. Aether's heart raced as he processed the unexpected intimacy.
"Wow," he murmured, a soft smile gracing his lips. "That was... nice."
Amber giggled, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "It really was. I didn't expect it to happen, but it felt right."
Aether nodded, his mind drifting back to their earlier conversation. "So, how many more girls will I be getting, in your opinion, seeing how my kingdom works and everything?"
Amber shrugged playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Counting me and Eula, I'd say about 15 more. You know how these things go in the stories, right? A knight often gathers a harem of strong allies—especially one as powerful as you!"
"Fifteen?" Aether echoed, raising an eyebrow. "That seems... excessive. Do I really need that many?"
Amber laughed, her laughter light and carefree. "Well, it's not just about having a lot of girls; it's about the bonds you create with each of them. Each one can bring something unique to the table—different skills, perspectives, and stories."
Aether considered her words. "You're right. But how do I even approach that? I mean, I'm still getting to know you and Eula!"
Amber placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You'll figure it out! Just be yourself and let things unfold naturally. It's all about forming connections."
Aether smiled, comforted by Amber's encouragement. "Thanks, Amber. I guess I just need to take it one step at a time."
Amber nodded, her expression turning serious for a moment. "Just remember, it's not just about the number of people. It's about making genuine connections. You have to care for each of them individually. A harem can be beautiful, but it also comes with responsibility."
"I understand," Aether replied, feeling a sense of determination. "I want to make sure I treat everyone with respect and kindness."
"Exactly!" Amber exclaimed, her enthusiasm returning. "And who knows? You might even find that special connection with one of them that's deeper than the others."
Aether felt a warmth spread through him at the thought. "You mean like what we have? Or what I have with Eula?"
Amber smiled, a hint of mischief returning to her eyes. "Exactly! But be careful; you don't want to make any of them jealous!"
"Right," Aether chuckled, the image of various girls vying for his attention flashing in his mind. "That could get complicated fast!"
"Just keep your heart open, and don't be afraid to show them your true self. They'll appreciate your honesty," Amber advised, her voice gentle.
As they walked back towards the city, the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, casting a soft glow over the world around them. Aether felt a renewed sense of hope and excitement for the journey ahead.
When they reached the city gates, Aether turned to Amber, a grin on his face. "So, what's the next step in our story? Any more ideas?"
Amber thought for a moment, then her eyes sparkled with a new idea. "Why don't we host a gathering? We could invite the girls and get to know them better! That way, you can start building those connections."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Aether replied, feeling the thrill of possibility. "It'll give me a chance to see how everyone interacts."
"Exactly! I can help with the planning," Amber said, her excitement palpable. "We can make it a fun event with games and food! It'll be a great way to break the ice."
Aether nodded, already envisioning how the gathering could go. "I'll talk to Eula about it too. She might have some ideas to make it even better."
Amber beamed at him, her enthusiasm infectious. "This is going to be so much fun! I can't wait!"
As they made their way through the familiar streets of Mondstadt, Aether felt a sense of anticipation building within him. With Amber by his side, he was ready to embrace whatever challenges and adventures awaited him—and perhaps, to build something beautiful with those who would join him on his journey.
Later that evening, as the day's excitement wound down, Aether found himself in the quiet solitude of the Knights of Favonius library. He was flipping through an old tome, trying to distract himself with stories of Mondstadt's history, but his mind kept wandering back to the day's events. The gathering had gone better than expected, and the thought of bonding with so many people was both exciting and daunting.
As he was absorbed in the text, Aether felt a pair of eyes on him. Looking up, he saw Lisa, the ever-curious librarian, leaning against a nearby bookshelf. Her expression was playful, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Um... Lisa?" Aether greeted her nervously, feeling like her presence meant something was about to happen.
Lisa's smirk grew more pronounced as she slowly approached him, her voice lilting with amusement. "Well, well, Aether. I've heard some interesting things today... seems like our little knight has been busy. A date with Amber, hmm?" she teased, her emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Aether froze, caught off guard. He hadn't expected word of his date with Amber to spread so quickly. Before he could respond, Paimon chimed in, floating next to him with a look of concern.
"Paimon suggests you run, Aether!" she whispered dramatically, glancing between him and Lisa.
Aether shot Paimon a quick look of exasperation. "Paimon, not helping." He then turned his attention back to Lisa, feeling the weight of her amused gaze.
Lisa chuckled softly, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction. "Oh, don't be shy now. I'm not going to bite... unless you ask nicely." She winked, causing Aether to feel both embarrassed and intrigued by her playful tone.
"W-Wait, it's not like that!" Aether stammered, trying to regain his composure. "It was just... a date with Amber. You know, to take my mind off things."
Lisa raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the innocent explanation. "Oh, is that so? Well, if it's just a harmless little date, then why do you seem so nervous?" Her voice was smooth as silk, drawing closer with every word.
Aether could feel the heat rising in his cheeks as he fumbled for an answer. "It's just... you know... things have been complicated lately. I didn't expect to end up... in this kind of situation."
Lisa let out a melodic laugh, her eyes softening as she leaned closer to Aether. "Relax, cutie. I'm just teasing. But, I must say, it's not every day I see someone like Amber making bold moves like that. You must have made quite the impression on her."
Aether sighed in relief, though the weight of her words still lingered. "I guess... but it wasn't really planned. Everything is just happening so fast."
Lisa nodded thoughtfully. "That's how life works sometimes. One minute you're minding your own business, and the next, you're swept up in something much bigger. And with you, Aether, things seem to move at a rather... exciting pace."
Paimon floated back into the conversation, trying to divert the attention. "Yeah! Aether's been super busy with all kinds of adventures! No time for all this romance stuff."
Lisa gave Paimon a knowing smile before focusing back on Aether. "Oh, but Paimon, don't you think even the bravest adventurers deserve a little... distraction now and then? Especially when it comes from someone as sweet as Amber."
Aether scratched the back of his head, feeling like he was walking into another teasing trap. "I mean, yeah, but—"
Before he could finish, Lisa cut him off with a soft, mischievous laugh. "I'm just saying, darling, you might want to brace yourself. Amber's not the only one who has noticed your... charms." She winked again, the playful smirk never leaving her face.
Aether blinked, unsure of how to respond to that. Was Lisa... hinting at something? He wasn't sure if it was a joke or if there was more to her words.
Lisa straightened up and turned to leave, but not before throwing one last glance over her shoulder. "Anyway, I'll leave you to your reading, Aether. But don't be surprised if others start vying for your attention too. Mondstadt's full of interesting people... and I'd keep an eye on some of the girls in your circle."
With that, she sashayed away, leaving Aether sitting there, dumbfounded. Paimon floated next to him, wide-eyed and as stunned as he was.
"Well, that was... something," Paimon finally said, breaking the silence.
Aether let out a long breath, his thoughts racing. "Yeah, something. I don't know what just happened, but I feel like things are about to get even more complicated."
Paimon shook her head. "You think?! Paimon's starting to think you're gonna have your hands full with more than just saving Teyvat."
Aether groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Great... just great."
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and I am back to writing this story, anyway give me power stone and yes I know this is short then my normal Ch