The Third Prince Of Darkness

As the warmth of the wine traveled down my throat to my stomach, the room filled with an air of celebration, accompanied by the light laughter and applause of the surrounding women. Roxanne stood by my side, her face radiating peace and happiness, making the moment all the more unforgettable. I looked at her, and the light in her eyes carried a strength that erased every doubt and fear. This wasn't just our story; it was the rebirth of a family.

Luciana, ever skilled at diffusing tension and smoothing over dramatic jealousies, began to speak with her usual grace. "We must all send our best wishes to Ethan and Roxanne on this new journey," she said, her voice imbued with warmth and a commanding sense of leadership. "This family is growing, and no matter what, we will always support each other."

Her words eased the atmosphere further as Isabella took a seat beside Roxanne and whispered with a gentle smile, "I'm sure your child will be just as beautiful as you."

Ellera stood silently in the corner, her gaze fixed on me and Roxanne as she sipped her wine with deliberate movements. Her emotions were always hard to read, but there was something in her eyes tonight—a hint of acceptance, perhaps a silent struggle with her place within this family. I wanted to approach her and say something, but she spoke first.

"Ethan, I think each of us should have at least one child. As much as I'm ashamed to admit it, I can't help but feel jealous of the mothers of your children."

Ellera's words brought a momentary hush to the room. Those around her seemed surprised at her candid expression of feelings, which she rarely allowed to surface. Uttered like a soft whisper, her statement carried a far deeper resonance than expected. My eyes locked onto hers. For once, Ellera revealed her emotions with a rare openness that went beyond her usual composure.

Roxanne let out a light chuckle and straightened her posture beside me, casting a gentle glance at Ellera. "I suppose that's just the nature of our king," she said in her usual soft but cutting tone. "He has a talent for drawing everyone to him. But we are all parts of this family, Ellera. Jealousy shouldn't make us question our place. Each of us has found a spot in Ethan's heart."

Ellera paused, and a faint smile appeared on her thin lips. "That doesn't mean I question my place, Roxanne," she replied, her voice as measured and calm as ever. "But I won't shy away from expressing my feelings, either. While we are all Ethan's wives, he means something different to each of us."

Isabella interjected with a playful laugh. "Now, now! Why are we turning this into such a serious debate? This is a celebration, remember? A new beginning, a new journey. No matter our feelings, what matters is keeping the family united." She ended her words with a friendly pat on Roxanne's shoulder, successfully dispelling the tension in the room.

Luciana raised her glass, smiling. "Isabella is right," she said. "Today isn't a day for arguments. It's a day for unity. We celebrate Ethan and Roxanne's new story. We will all stand by them and be part of this journey."

At that moment, I felt Roxanne tightly grasp my hand. I looked into her eyes. While having so many wives was the destiny of a king, I knew my bond with each of them was unique. Roxanne was my source of peace and warmth. Luciana stood by me with her intelligence and intuition. Isabella held the family together with her leadership and diplomacy. Ellera's quiet but passionate love, Kayle's complex yet loyal nature, Evangeline's deep thoughts, and Avanne's nurturing affection... Together, they formed a whole.

As the celebration continued with laughter and the clinking of wine glasses, I withdrew into my thoughts. Each of these women was like a cornerstone of my throne—strong, solid, but often clashing among themselves. Each was a different element; together, they could create a perfect harmony or a storm. The storm, however, seemed far more likely.

Roxanne stood beside me, her grip on my hand as firm as ever. Her serenity calmed me, yet it was also a warning sign. She was so self-assured that she seemed to thrive on the jealousy of others. But it wasn't her fault; it was simply her nature. Roxanne could tolerate others around her, but she would never see them as equals.

I glanced at Ellera. She still stood in the corner, slowly raising and lowering her glass. Something about her had changed tonight. This was a rare crack in her armor. Ellera's feelings had always been an enigma. She was a master at hiding her emotions, but tonight, the happiness radiating from Roxanne seemed to overwhelm her.

Jealousy is an inseparable part of human nature. Each of these women loved me intensely, but that love was the real danger. Jealousy is a powerful passion; if left unchecked, it can become a silent dagger, slowly undermining a kingdom.

The only way to prevent this was to keep them occupied. Yes, it might seem underhanded to think this way about women who loved me so deeply, but maintaining a harem—especially one this large—required me to act strategically behind the scenes.

However, I would never harm them or do anything they wouldn't approve of. My true goal was to keep them united while ensuring their happiness and peace. Otherwise, their lives would quickly turn into torment. Their love for me would become an unbearable disease, causing them immense pain.

In the future, when our children grow up and they find unconditional love from them, they might do things I wouldn't approve of for their children's sake. In short, if I do nothing, even as a god, I won't be able to sustain this harem. After all, no harem is truly suited for happiness and peace.

Only a harem made up of slaves or broken minds could ever be stable.

As the sound of wine glasses echoed throughout the room, the weight of my thoughts reminded me of the responsibilities a king must bear. A harem, while a symbol of power and grandeur from the outside, was a delicate balance to maintain within. Each woman represented a vital piece of this throne. But if these pieces weren't placed correctly, they could destabilize the foundation of my kingdom.

With Roxanne standing resolutely by my side, I felt her silent strength. She was my calm harbor, but I couldn't ignore how her presence affected the others. Ellera's quiet jealousy, Isabella's peaceful interventions, Luciana's clever guidance... These women weren't just part of my story—they were shaping the story of an empire. As their king, their husband, their lover, and their father, I had to guide them all.

As the celebration continued, my eyes searched for Kayle. She always kept her distance, observing quietly. Kayle's complexity was both her greatest strength and her most significant weakness. I never doubted her loyalty, but she often struggled to tame the storms within her. I knew I had to give her space; otherwise, she would retreat into herself, making it harder for her to return.

Evangeline, on the other hand, was a world entirely her own. She sat silently in the corner, taking in every detail around her. Her deep thoughts and analyses had often been invaluable to me. Yet, her reluctance to express emotions only fortified the surrounding walls. Gaining Evangeline's trust was like writing on sand—it required effort, but was worth every ounce of it.

When the women practically dragged me away, the small family gathering came to an end. Now, however, they found themselves in a dispute over which outfit I should wear for the evening. Their disagreement eventually turned into a little competition, with each trying to outdo the other.

Luciana, who had dressed me as a child, naturally knew my taste in colors better than anyone. When I said I liked the outfit she had chosen, for some reason, her joy surpassed what I had expected, while the other women appeared visibly disappointed.

It wasn't long before I realized the outfit selection was, in fact, a subtle way of determining who would be the first to spend time with me after the event. Once all the women left the room, Luciana and I were alone. Find your next read at empire

"This competition wasn't exactly fair," I said, giving her a knowing smile. "After all, you know me better than anyone."

My words brought a sweet smile to her face. Her eyes sparkled, and her voice was soft yet confident as she replied, "I wasn't the one who suggested it."

Slowly, she approached me. There was a familiar warmth in her eyes, but beneath it lay years of emotions she had kept hidden. Gently, she placed her hands on my shoulders and spoke in a low voice. "I've missed you so much… Little Ethan."

The sound of her calling me "Little Ethan" struck a chord deep within me. It brought a smile to my face, but it also stirred a faint sadness. Years ago, during those innocent days when I needed protection, Luciana had been a guardian to me. But now, the depth in her eyes and the feeling in her touch told a story far beyond those earlier years.