NOVPUB
Chapter 39: The Silence of the Corridor
The Silence of the Corridor
The hush of the passageway appeared to grow deeper as the three entered Leon’s private rooms. Rias hummed ahead of them, her humming soft and soothing, while Leon and Aria trailed behind them—fingers touching lightly, an unspoken closeness passing between them.
Leon closed the door to his room open and beckoned them in. As both women crossed into the room, he shut the door behind them with a faint click, the fire from the hearth dancing warmly along the stone walls.
As the weighty door closed, Leon spun around with a smile and flung out his arms. "My lovely wifeys," he murmured in a low, joking voice. He drew both of them into a loose hug, his voice vibrating softly against their ears. "So... what do you desire tonight? My love? My Warmth? Or... my mischief?"
Rias threw her head back, her laughter sparkling in her blood-red eyes. "All of the above is tempting to hell." she provoked, her voice dripping with teasing challenge.
Aria, her face cuddled up against his chest, peered up between her lashes, voice a mere whisper. "Let’s get some sleep early tonight... We leave at dawn. And.
Her cheeks flushed as she hesitated, then pushed the words out in a bare whisper. "I’m still sore from... last night."
Leon’s arms tightened around her instinctively, a sharp pang of guilt stabbing through him. His heart thudded hard against his ribs. Memories from the previous night—his roughness, his hunger—flashed vividly in his mind.
His voice dropped with regret. "Sorry about that... I— I lost control."
Aria looked up at him, eyes soft and reassuring. "It’s okay," she said with a small smile. "It was... intense. But I’m enjoying and I’m alright. But just... tired."
Rias buried her cheek in his shoulder, releasing a happy sigh. "I enjoyed being ravished as well, Daddy," she purred wickedly, a sly smile playing on her lips. "But tonight. I just want to feel you. Warm. Close. That’s all I need."
Leon gave a low laugh, the heat rising within his chest on the verge of spilling over. "That," he said, planting a kiss on top of Rias’s head, "I can definitely do."
He led them to the bed. Sheets were newly changed, the room still having a whiff of the roses and sandalwood. Leon stretched out in the middle, arms wide open. Without a single moment’s thought, both women snuggled up beside him—Aria to his right, Rias to his left.
He drew the blanket up over them all, his arm around each of the women. Their bodies molded against his, soft and warm.
Rias shifted slightly, her voice a bit playful. "Daddy?"
"Yes, sweetheart?" he answered, brushing his fingers through her hair softly.
She tilted her head slightly. "What do you think about Tsubaki?"
Leon blinked, a bit surprised. "What do I... think?"
"Yes," Rias said, a smile pulling at her lips. "Tell me. What do you really think?"
Leon laughed nervously. "Well... she’s a great warrior. Loyal. Beautiful. Disciplined. Hot, too, I guess—"
Wait," Rias interrupted, flashing a cunning smile. "Let me reword. Would you like her in your harem?"
Leon had a strangled laugh, not sure whether he should be outraged or amused. He looked hastily at Aria—only to see her gazing at him in a contemplative one. 𝚗o𝚟pub.𝚌𝚘𝚖
He swallowed. "I mean... I am a man. And a noble," he replied cautiously. "And having gorgeous women in my harem is virtually my birthright."
Rias laughed hard. "Oh gods, Daddy, you are such a womanizer."
Aria sighed quietly. "And completely shameless."
Leon made a face. "So what? You two adore this shameless, womanizing man."
Both women giggled and snuggled up closer. Leon smiled, brushing their hair with slow, soothing strokes.
Then, Rias’s voice fell to a whisper against his chest, quivering and low. "I’ll miss you, Daddy..."
He could feel her voice as a quiver across his skin. He wrapped her closer. "Sweetheart... it’s only for a few weeks. Then, I am also come capital for ceremony."
"I know," she whispered. "But I still miss you already."
Aria sat silently, hearing their conversation with gentle eyes.
Leon gazed down, his fingers stroking lightly her hair. A thought crossed his mind and he spoke in soft voice. "Then ...You don’t have to go," he murmured. "Stay."
Rias released a soft, bitter laugh. "I wish. But if I miss this... it’ll cause trouble. Bad ones than you’d want to handle, Daddy."
He arched an eyebrow. Something wasn’t right. His mind went back to the letter—the one that sent by princess to her, stamped with the royal seal. He recalled how her face had altered upon reading it.
He inquired softly. "Rias... what did the princess say to you?"
Rias hesitated, then looked up with a smile too wicked. "It’s a secret, Daddy."
His eyes grew narrowed playfully. "You know there are no secrets between us."
She winked. "I know. But this one... I’m not telling."
He sighed, resting his head back on the pillow. "Stubborn little imp..."
"Guilty as charged," she whispered.
Before he could push further, Aria shifted and spoke up softly. "Alright, you two. Enough. We need to sleep—we leave early, remember?"
Leon and Rias shared a look—and then both grinned together. "Yes, Lady Aria Moonwalker," they chimed in unison.
Aria rolled her eyes, but a small flush spread across her cheeks. "You two are impossible," she grumbled, snuggle into his arm and raising the blanket to her chin.
Soft laughter filled the room, warm and rich.
Leon moved slightly, not wanting to disturb the serenity of the two women resting against him. His heart already full, he leaned over to Aria first, placing a slow, feather-light kiss against her forehead. His lips pausing for the beat of one heartbeat, his mouth relished the fragile warmth of her skin.
"Good night, sweetheart," he said softly, his voice low and filled with love.
Aria’s eyes fluttered half-open, and a soft smile curled her lips. Her hand rested on his chest, lightly.
"Good night, dear..." she whispered, her voice dreamy and gentle.
Leon smiled warmly. Then he rolled carefully to the other side, toward Rias, who was already curling up against him.
He cupped the back of Rias’s head with one big hand, and kissed the soft spot just behind her temple—soft, lingering, full of unspoken love.
"You too... Good night, sweetheart," he breathed against her hair.
Rias let out a soft, contented sound, lips grazing a smile against the skin of his collarbone.
"Good night, Daddy..." she breathed drowsily.
He settled back into the pillows, draping them around him. Both women snuggled into him, secure within the embrace of his arms.
He shut his eyes, his breathing matching theirs—slow, steady.
In that delicate, beautiful instant, Leon believed he could sense it—the beat of love, belonging, and complete peace.
And at last, sleep swept them away, side by side.
