Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 37: Princess summons.

Princess summons.

The massive oak door groaned open with a labored, slow groan.

Aria and Leon both turned in their direction. Footsteps echoed next—measured, confident, and heavy with intent. But when the figure entered study, Leon’s brow arched in shock.

She stood at an imposing 5’9" tall and striking, her stance radiating confidence forged from years of training. Raven-black hair, pulled back into a tightly disciplined ponytail, starkly contrasting with the fair complexion. Her dark obsidian-colored eyes spoke volumes of battles fought and won and loyalty that knew no bounds. Dressed in shiny armor that molded itself around her muscular body with fluid motion, she glided with ease that belied the heaviness of her armor.

Leon’s eyebrows shot up in recognition.

Tsubaki.

A name dragged from the farthest recesses of his memories. the princess’s personal bodyguard. Loyal. Terrifying. Honorable to the point of obstinacy. Their paths had crossed at several royal functions, her watchful presence always a steady presence beside the princess.

She halted at the center of the study, made a deep but elegant bow, and addressed him in a rich, melodious voice that rang with power.

"Salutations, Duke Leon Moonwalker."

Leon stood up straight in his chair, a warm smile curving on his lips. "Salutations, Knight Tsubaki, it has been some time." His voice fell into that velvety softness and some charm. "Please, lift your head."

She complied, raising her gaze, and for an instant—it hung.

Not on the room.

On him.

Leon saw it. The subtle flicker in her sharp demeanor. A slight opening of her lips. As though she hadn’t predicted that he would be quite so... look Devastating handsome.

Aria had seen it also and breathed a soft sigh, to herself remarking, There it is again... Leon’s charm claims another casualty.

"Come, sit down," Leon invited, indicating the chair in front of his desk.

Tsubaki inclined her head, sitting with effortless poise. As she did, her eyes darted up for an instant toward Aria... and back to Leon.

"So, Miss Tsubaki, what brings princess’s shadow to my door?" Leon asked, his grin warm and engaging.

For a moment, Tsubaki seemed lost in thought, her eyes lingering on Leon’s features. His reputation as one of the most handsome men in Galvia, and certainly the most handsome in the Moonstone Kingdom, was well-earned. Her heart fluttered unexpectedly, but she quickly composed herself.

"Miss Tsubaki?" Leon called again, a hint of teasing in his tone. "Don’t tell me you’ve come all this way just to stare at me?"

Her thoughts caught up with reality. A soft flush brushed her cheeks—palpable barely, but present nonetheless.

She cleared the throat. "Excuse me, Lord Duke. I’m here on a personal request of Princess Lira."

Leon inclined his head, interest awakened. "The princess? What could she possibly need?"

Tsubaki nodded and stated succinctly before answering. "Prior to continuing. would you mind inviting Miss Rias to our presence?

Leon shared a look with Aria, who gave a subtle nod of comprehension. She got up elegantly move from beside him and left the study to retrieve Rias.

While waiting, Leon’s mind went back to the relationship between Rias and Princess Lira. Years earlier, when Leon visited the capital, Rias had become great friends with the princess and the daughter of another duke. The three of them, all being around the same age, were inseparable and very close friends during those times.

Tsubaki noticed Leon’s thoughtful look, her mind momentarily wandering away.

A couple of minutes went by before the door creaked open once more. The hush was interrupted by the quiet tread of Aria returning, followed by Rias.

Rias swept in with a burst of red hair and attitude. "Daddy, you called—oh." Her eyes fell upon the kneeling knight, and she smiled. "Tsubaki!"

The knight stood up once more, bowing respectfully. "Lady Rias."

Hey, cut it out," Rias complained, flinging an arm. "How many times must I inform you? We have bond, for goodness’ sake!"

Tsubaki bestowed on her a small, appreciative smile.

Leon snickered under his breath. "Sweetheart, sit down, please. Lady Tsubaki brings a message from the princess herself.

Rias inclined her head a little, eyes at once sparkling with interest. She tossed her crimson locks over her shoulder and glided to sit down next to Tsubaki and Aria who had moved silently back to her seat next to Leon. Her actions were elegant, unstrained—but there was a spark of interest in her every look.

Tsubaki breathed in slowly, then began. "The Duke is right. I was dispatched on behalf of Her Highness, Princess Lira."

"And what does Lira want with us this time?" Rias asked, half-joking but entirely curious.

Tsubaki looked straight ahead.

"She wishes for your presence," she said. "For an upcoming ceremony at Moonspire."

Rias blinked once. "Oh! That," she said casually, brushing her fingers along her thigh. "We got an invitation a few days ago. It was delivered directly to our estate. We’ll be there on time, don’t worry."

But Tsubaki shook her head softly. "No, Miss Rias... I think you’ve misunderstood."

Rias hesitated, her furrowed brow deepening. She looked at Leon, who turned his full gaze to Tsubaki, his face calmly inquiring. "Misunderstood?" she asked.

Tsubaki crossed her hands in her lap and spoke quietly, "The princess does not merely invite your presence at the event. She invites you to arrive before the event. She wants her closest friends particularly you—to be with her in advance. She wants your presence by her side... for the days before the ceremony."

Rias was quiet.

Oh..." she whispered. "You’re saying, I have to leave for the capital early?"

Tsubaki nodded once. "Yes. If it’s possible... tomorrow at the latest."

Rias’s eyes fell to the desk. For a long time, she didn’t say anything. Her fingers tapped once on her knee, consideration.

Then, as if compelled by habit, she glanced towards Leon. Her eyes questioned a question her lips couldn’t ask: What am I to do?

But Leon just smiled—soft and warm, the way only he could. "It’s your decision, sweetheart," he said softly. "Not mine."

Her throat constricted.

Of course, it was her decision. But the reality was, her heart was conflicted.

Lira was her best friend. Of course, she’d go if she was required.

But...

She snatched a fleeting glance in Aria’s direction... then to Leon.

Her relationship—her and her daddy’s—was now finally flowering into something more. Into something holy. They had only just started to share life not as father and daughter solely, but as man and woman... as husband and wife. She did not want to depart just as that area of his heart was at last opening up.

"I..." she started tentatively, having no idea what she even wished to say.

But then—

"Miss Rias."

Tsubaki’s voice was soft this time. Rias glanced up. The knight dipped into her armor and produced a sealed letter—crisp-folding and tied in dark violet wax, embossed with the crescent moon of Moonspire.

"The princess told me to give this to you," she said. "She told me it might assist you in your decision. But you—and only you—are to read it."

Rias did it slowly, furrowing her brows. The seal was clearly royal.

She opened it with a tiny snap... unfolded the parchment... and started reading.

The room was quiet for a moment. Tsubaki didn’t move. Leon observed Rias intently, seeing how her face gradually hardened—her lips compressing, her scarlet eyes turning darker. Her hold on the parchment became taut.

Then... she clenched her teeth.

"I’m going," she said flatly, voice lower than usual. "With Tsubaki."

The moment she spoke, the letter in her hands sparked suddenly—catching flame at its edges. Within seconds, it burned to ash in her palms and vanished, leaving behind nothing but a curl of smoke.

Leon’s eyes narrowed slightly. That wasn’t normal.

A magic-burn letter?

Only the most personal royal communications were sealed so—intended to be read only once and never spoken of again. Whatever Lira had written... was intended for Rias’s eyes only.

Tsubaki nodded beside her, as if the decision had been a foregone one. "Understood, Miss Rias." She rose, her armor gently clinking with movement, and bowed deeply to Leon. "Then I shall be off. My business here is done."

But before she could move—

"Wait," Rias said suddenly.

Tsubaki paused, straightened, and looked her.

"Tell me," Rias asked, "did Mia also receive a request from Lira?"

Tsubaki nodded. "Yes, Miss Rias. Lady Mia has also been summoned."

Rias gave a thoughtful nod. "Then... you’ll be passing through the Starlight Duchy on your way back to the capital, right?"

"Yes."

"Then come here tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to Mia’s mansion—and we’ll both visit Moonspire together."

Tsubaki hesitated for a moment, eyes darting between Rias and Leon. Then she bowed her head. "As you wish, Miss Rias."

A moment passed. Then she turned back to Leon again. "Lord Duke... might I intrude upon your hospitality for the evening?"

Leon, the ever polite host, smiled warmly. "Naturally, Miss Tsubaki. You’re welcome in this mansion at any time. Rest as long as you want."

That made her blush, just a little—but noticeably. Aria noticed. So did Rias.

Neither said anything.

Leon looked over at Rias. "Sweetheart," he said with a wink, "would you be so kind as to ready our guest room?"

Rias smiled—half warmly, half playfully. "Of course, Daddy.

She rose, the long red hair cascading down her back in a velvet curtain. "Come along, Tsubaki. I’ll take you to your room. We’ll get you some clean clothes too—you’ve been on horseback all day, haven’t you?"

Tsubaki executed a slight bow to Leon and Aria. "Thank you, Lord Duke."

Aria merely nodded, a slight sympathetic smile on her lips.

Then, without another word, the two women departed from the study together—Rias in the lead, her feet light, with Tsubaki following in silent dignity. The door closed behind them with a quiet click, leaving Leon and Aria alone once more, the faint aroma of parchment and armor still in the air.

Leon settled back in his chair with a contemplative expression, fingers steepled under his chin.

Another summons. Another royal strand in this burgeoning tapestry.

He glanced toward the door once again before plunged into his thought.