Not Yet, Rias

Leon’s gaze settled on them.

The last group.

Eight women standing together—not uncertain... not afraid... but waiting.

The throne hall felt different now.

Not tense.

Not heavy.

But alive.

Every appointment before this had been about power.

This—

This was something else.

Leon leaned slightly forward on the throne, his golden eyes softening just a fraction as they rested on the crimson-haired woman at the center.

"Rias..."

His voice dropped.

Gentler.

"My love..."

Rias held her breath.

Just for a second.

It caught her off guard—how soft he sounded. Not the king. Not the ruler everyone feared and followed. Just him.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, nails brushing against her palm as she steadied herself. Around her, the others stood quietly, but there was a subtle shift—attention tightening, anticipation sharpening.

For the first time since the announcements began, her usual playful confidence flickered.

Not gone.

But... quieter.

She had watched everyone step forward.

Watched them receive roles.

Watched them become pillars of the kingdom.

And now—

It was her turn.

Her chin lifted slightly.

A faint smirk returned, but it wasn’t as careless as before. There was something warmer beneath it now... something real.

"Finally," she said, folding her arms lightly. "I was starting to think you forgot your first wife."

A soft chuckle broke out somewhere behind her—Mona, unable to hold it in.

"Bold as always," Lena murmured under her breath, nudging Rui slightly.

Rui gave a small smile. "That’s why she stands in front."

Mira leaned in just a fraction, whispering, "Still... she waited the longest."

Chloe, standing quietly at the edge, watched Leon instead of Rias. Her eyes were calm, observant. "He didn’t forget," she said softly. "He saved her for last."

Lilyn gave a gentle nod beside her, hands folded neatly. "Because she’s not just anyone."

Fey didn’t speak—but her gaze flickered between Leon and Rias, sharp and understanding.

A ripple of quiet amusement passed through the hall.

Leon smiled.

Slow.

Knowing.

But instead of answering her—

He turned.

His gaze shifted.

To the others standing beside her.

"Before that... I come to you..."

Rias blinked.

"...wait."

Her brows slowly pulled together, the smirk on her lips slipping into confusion—and just a hint of irritation.

"Oi," she muttered, dropping her arms to her sides. "Don’t tell me you’re skipping me again. That’s twice now."

Mona let out a quiet snort, unable to stop herself. "Not looking good for you."

Rias shot her a side glance. "You’re enjoying this a little too much."

"Maybe," Mona shrugged, lips curling. "It’s rare seeing you lose your spotlight."

"Serves you right," Lena added with a teasing tilt of her head, though her tone stayed light. "You’ve been standing there like you already won."

"I *did* win," Rias shot back instantly. "I married him first."

Rui chuckled softly and shook her head. "You’re missing it."

Rias frowned. "Missing what?"

Rui’s eyes flicked toward the throne. "Look at him properly."

There was something in her tone—calm, certain—that made Rias pause.

Rias turned.

And actually looked.

Not as a wife waiting her turn.

Not as someone expecting attention.

But as someone trying to understand him.

And just like that—her irritation stilled.

Leon’s eyes weren’t dismissing her.

They weren’t passing over her.

They were steady.

Intentional.

Focused on the others.

Leon’s gaze moved across them.

Fey.

Rui.

Lena.

Mona.

Mira.

Chloe.

Lilyn.

Seven figures.

Quiet.

Watching.

Loyal.

Frozen in place, Fey looked sharp, impossible to read - yet her focus stayed locked. Stillness held her, though her eyes refused to drift.

Still as a pause between breaths, Rui stood without tension, fingers relaxed, face quiet. Her posture held no strain - just space around her palms, like still water after wind stops.

Lena adjusted her stance a touch, calm yet watchful, her gaze sharp with interest.

A little tilt of her body made it look like she wasn’t trying - yet her eyes stayed sharp, watching more than they seemed to.

Up she stood, posture tight like a soldier’s. Quiet, yet loud in what wasn’t said.

A hush settled around Chloe as she stood, barely moving. Her body stayed fixed, yet her gaze darted between motions. Each detail caught her attention like a thread pulled loose. Stillness held her limbs while thoughts raced just beneath.

Folded hands rested at her front, posture calm as ever, Lilyn held still. Her face showed quiet strength, a gentle look that did not waver.

One stood tall, another slouched slightly, yet each stayed steady in their own way.

Something else was happening instead of them just standing there.

They were ready.

A hush fell, yet the walls pulsed like a heartbeat. Quiet filled the space, though it felt alive beneath their skin. Stillness held on, but something moved between them.

He allowed the quiet to linger on.

Not awkward.

Not heavy.

Deliberate.

It settled over them like a test—one none of them failed.

Even Rias didn’t interrupt this time.

Then—

Leon spoke again.

"Let me assign their positions first."

The words had barely left his mouth—

When something shifted.

A step.

Soft.

But enough to break the rhythm.

Fey moved forward.

Not hurried.

Not hesitant.

But deliberate.

A hush dropped through the throne room. Every voice stopped at once.

Facing her, they moved without thinking. A hush passed among them, thin and sharp. Eyes darted sideways. Shoulders tensed slightly. Silence carried what words did not.

"...Did she just step out?" Syra murmured under her breath, green eyes narrowing with interest.

Kyra crossed her arms, eyes narrow. That wasn’t a mistake - she meant it. She knew exactly what she was doing

A small smile touched Rias’s mouth as she tipped her head just a bit. Interesting, this might turn out to be, she thought

Aria’s expression softened with curiosity, though her eyes stayed fixed on Fey. "She’s choosing her moment carefully..."

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Supreme Spouse System* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Supreme Spouse System

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