Fey’s Stand [Part-3]

"And you made it feel like home," Mira whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she clasped her hands together. She swallowed, steadying herself before continuing, "You made us your wives."

A flicker passed through the hall—something quiet, something heavy.

Mira’s gaze dropped for a second before lifting again, her eyes glistening. "You made us... important."

Lilyn stood still for a moment longer than the others. Then she stepped forward, just enough to meet Leon’s eyes directly. There was no hesitation in her now.

"But..."

The word lingered.

The air shifted.

Fey moved again—this time fully stepping ahead of the others. Not forcefully, not aggressively... but with a quiet kind of certainty. Like someone who had already chosen her path and wasn’t turning back.

"...we don’t want to lose who we were."

The words didn’t echo.

They settled.

Heavy. Real.

Leon’s fingers, resting against the armrest of his throne, went still.

Chloe’s voice followed, soft enough that it almost felt like it didn’t belong in the same space—yet it reached everyone.

"We are happiest... serving you."

Ronan inhaled sharply.

It was subtle, but it was there. His eyes flickered toward Chloe, something unreadable passing through them—conflict, pride, maybe even a touch of helplessness.

But he said nothing.

Fey glanced at Chloe for a brief second, then continued, her tone firmer now.

"Not because we are lesser."

Her eyes didn’t waver from Leon.

"But because..." she exhaled, softer this time, "...that is where we feel closest to you."

Rui gave a small nod, her arms folding loosely as if to hold herself together. "When we stand beside you like that... it doesn’t feel like distance exists."

"Not as ministers," Lena said, shaking her head lightly. "Titles create space. Expectations. Walls."

"Not as rulers," Mona added, her smile fading into something more honest. "We don’t want to sit far away, making decisions while watching you from across a room."

Mira took a step closer, her voice quieter but steady now. "We don’t want to become people who only see you during meetings... or hear about you through reports."

Lilyn’s gaze softened, but her words were precise. "We don’t want a version of closeness that feels official."

A faint murmur stirred among the other women.

Tsubaki crossed her arms, her usual discipline cracking just slightly. "If serving him means staying near him... then that’s not something to give up lightly."

Syra smirked faintly, though her eyes were serious. "Besides, I’d rather be right there where things actually happen... not stuck behind some desk pretending that’s enough."

Kyra adjusted her posture, her voice calm but firm. "Position doesn’t equal connection."

Even Sona, usually quiet, spoke under her breath, "Some distances... you can’t measure with titles."

The weight of it all settled deeper into the room.

Mona let out a small breath, her smile returning—gentler this time. "We want to be the ones who stay by your side... without distance."

Silence followed.

Not empty.

Not awkward.

Just... full.

Even Black shifted slightly, his gaze turning away as if he had stepped into something that wasn’t meant for him to witness.

Leon exhaled slowly.

Not frustrated.

Not confused.

Just... thinking.

"...You want to remain maids?"

The question didn’t come out harsh—but it carried weight. The kind that pressed quietly against the chest, waiting for truth instead of obedience.

Fey didn’t hesitate.

Not even a flicker.

She stepped forward—just one last inch—closing that invisible distance between them. It wasn’t bold. It wasn’t dramatic. But it meant something. A line crossed without permission... and without apology.

Her back straightened. Her chin lifted just enough. Her eyes didn’t waver from his.

"Yes."

No tremble. No second thought.

A faint smile touched her lips—not playful, not shy... just certain.

"But your maids."

That one word shifted everything.

Not servants.

Not followers.

Not women looking for power.

Yours.

The meaning settled into the room like something heavy and undeniable.

Behind her, the others stood still—but not silent.

Rui let out a quiet breath, arms folding loosely as she leaned her weight to one side, a small grin tugging at her lips. "She really said it first, huh..."

Mira nudged Mona lightly with her elbow. "Took long enough."

Mona whispered back, "You weren’t exactly rushing either."

A soft chuckle slipped through Lena before she quickly straightened again, as if remembering where she stood.

Lilyn, as always, remained composed—but her hands were gently clasped, fingers tightening just slightly. Her eyes softened as she looked at Leon.

There was no doubt in any of them.

Leon stared.

At Fey.

At the others.

At the quiet, unspoken unity standing in front of him.

Then—

Slowly—

He laughed.

Not loud.

Not mocking.

It came out under his breath, like something he didn’t expect to feel. A quiet, almost tired sound... like a man realizing he’d lost an argument he hadn’t even started.

"You women..."

He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head faintly.

"You refuse power... and call it loyalty."

Rui tilted her head, that lazy smile returning. "Maybe we just don’t see it as refusing."

Mira added with a shrug, "Power’s not that impressive if it puts distance where we don’t want it."

Mona crossed her arms, her voice a little firmer. "And not all positions are worth taking."

Lena glanced at Fey, then back at Leon, speaking a little more quietly. "Some places... just feel right."

Lilyn stepped forward half a step—not to lead, but to support. Her voice was gentle, but it carried clarity.

"Or maybe," she said softly, "we just know what we want."

That landed differently.

Leon’s eyes moved again.

One by one.

Not as a ruler now—but as a man trying to understand the weight of their choice.

Rui, relaxed but unwavering.

Mira, sharp but grounded.

Mona, steady and blunt.

Lena, quiet but firm.

Lilyn, calm... anchored.

And Fey—

Still standing at the front.

Still looking at him like her answer had never been in doubt.

Then—

He nodded.

"...Alright."

It wasn’t loud.

But it shifted everything.

Seven pairs of eyes widened—just slightly, just enough to betray that even they hadn’t been completely sure.

"You’re serious?" Mona asked, brows lifting, though there was already a hint of a smile forming.

Leon glanced at her, one brow raising faintly as a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You think I’d force you into roles you don’t want?"

Mira huffed lightly. "Wouldn’t put it past you."