Chapter 184: Chapter : 184 : Paperworks!

Aiden sat across from Queen Alethea Albinos, posture relaxed, hands resting loosely on his knees.

“So,” Alethea said calmly, voice smooth, authoritative without effort. “You wish to enroll in the Albinos School of Wizard and Witchcraft, Sir.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Aiden replied easily. “That’s the plan.”

“Hm.”

“I assumed as much,” She continued. “Given recent… developments. I’ll prepare everything. Papers, exemptions, protections, faculty notifications. You won’t need to worry about that.”

“Appreciate it, Ma’am.”

She tilted her head slightly. “However, you never do anything alone. I assume you’re not going by yourself.”

Aiden smirked. “You know me too well.”

“How many?” She asked directly.

“Twelve.”

There was a short pause.

“Twelve,” Alethea repeated slowly. “Very well. Names.”

“Lysandra, Luna, Nyxion, Venya, Selvara, Thristle, Arisha, Zerra, Xylendra, Valeforia, Aethoniel, and Vegia.”

There it was.

Alethea’s eyebrow rose—just a little—at three names.

“Selvara,” She said “Xylendra. Valeforia.”

Aiden noticed. He always did.

“You’re aware,” Alethea continued evenly, “that demons are… not well received. Especially by humans. Especially at an institution like the academy.”

“I know,” Aiden replied without hesitation.

“And you still intend to bring them.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

There was another pause.

“You understand the consequences,” She said. “Hostility. Provocation. Discrimination. Even faculty resistance.”

Aiden leaned back slightly. “If anyone has a problem, they can take it up with me.”

“You cannot punch the entire academy,” She said dryly.

“I can punch whoever starts it,” He shot back.

That earned him a smile.

“Still the same,” Alethea said. “Very well. What assurances do you provide for their safety?”

“I don’t need assurances,” Aiden replied. “I’ll protect my wives on my own.”

She studied him for a moment.

“Confident,” She said.

“Prepared,” He corrected.

Alethea nodded slowly. “You’ve always drawn lines clearly. That hasn’t changed.”

“No reason to,” Aiden said.

She tapped her fingers once. “What of your other wives?”

“I can’t take Edda,” Aiden said immediately. “She’s a mother. Someone has to take care of the house. And Liri. Plus, she’s already done her studies.”

Alethea nodded. “Sensibly decided.”

“Serica and Vaara can’t come either,” He continued. “They’re your generals. They’ve got work to do.”

“I expected that answer,” Alethea replied. “They’re irreplaceable in the current situation.”

“Edda agrees too,” Aiden added. “She said it’s fine.”

“Good,” Alethea said. “She’s practical.”

“Terrifyingly so,” Aiden muttered.

Alethea chuckled lightly. “Sir, you’re aware the academy isn’t a playground.”

“I know.”

“It will test you.”

“I like tests.”

“It will test them.”

“Even better,” Aiden replied.

She shook her head faintly. “You really don’t fear stirring trouble.”

“I fear being bored,” He said bluntly.

“Of course you do.”

There was a brief silence.

“I’ll register your wives as accompanying you,” Alethea continued. “Not slaves. Not servants. Full legal protection under you and the crown.”

“That’s what I wanted,” Aiden said. “Thanks, Ma’am.”

“Do not thank me yet,” She replied. “There will be backlash.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“You always say that.”

“And I always do.”

She leaned forward slightly. “You’re taking responsibility for twelve lives in an environment that may hate half of them.”

“I already am,” Aiden said. “Nothing changes.”

Alethea exhaled slowly. “Very well. Housing will be adjusted. Separate wing. Enhanced wards.”

“Good.”

“Schedules will be… flexible.”

“Even better.”

She eyed him. “You’re enjoying this.”

“A little.”

“Sir.”

“Ma’am.”

She sighed. “One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“If things escalate… politically.”

“I’ll de-escalate them,” Aiden said. “Or end them.”

Alethea smiled thinly. “You sound like a king.”

“I’m just a husband.”

She laughed softly. “You always say that.”

“And I mean it.”

“Classes will begin soon,” she said. “Your entrance will not be subtle.”

“I don’t do subtle.”

“I know.”

She stood. “Then it’s settled. I’ll prepare everything.”

Aiden stood as well. “Thanks, Ma’am.”

She looked at him one last time. “Protect them.”

“Always,” Aiden replied.

“Good,” Alethea said. “Then welcome to the academy, Sir.”

“About time,” Aiden said with a grin.

—

Aiden stepped out of the chamber and into the corridor, the doors closing behind him with a muted thud. He rolled his shoulders once, breathing out, already shifting out of the formal mood.

He barely took five steps.

“Sir!”

The voice was bright, sweet, and way too familiar.

Before he could even turn fully—

Impact.

Soft arms wrapped around him, momentum carrying her straight into his chest. Aiden stumbled half a step, then laughed as he caught her instinctively.

“Woah—”

“I missed you!” Seraphina said loudly, burying her face against him and hugging him tight.

Aiden chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her securely. “Yeah, I figured.”

She pulled back just enough to look up at him, eyes shining. “You didn’t even send a letter.”

“Busy,” he replied easily.

“That’s not an excuse,” She said, then hugged him even tighter.

Aiden sighed dramatically but his hand moved up to rub her back in slow, comforting circles. “I missed you too.”

Seraphina froze for half a second.

Then she beamed.

Her arms tightened again and she pressed herself against him without shame, her voice muffled against his chest. “I love you.”

Aiden smiled, genuine and soft, resting his chin lightly against the top of her head. “I know.”

She didn’t pull away. In fact, she leaned into him more, clearly enjoying the moment far too much.

That was when Aiden noticed someone else standing a few steps away.

Nivara.

She stood there with her arms crossed, posture straight, cheeks faintly pink, a small smile she was definitely trying—and failing—to hide.

Aiden lifted his gaze and smiled at her.

Nivara stiffened instantly.

Her blush deepened.

She cleared her throat sharply. “You left her. And you returned today. Do you have any idea how much the Princess missed you?”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. “That sounded personal.”

“It is personal,” Nivara snapped. “She talks about you constantly.”

Seraphina nodded enthusiastically without letting go. “Every day.”

Aiden laughed and rubbed Seraphina’s back again, his tone relaxed. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to worry you.”

Nivara huffed.

Aiden tilted his head slightly and smirked. “What about you?”

Nivara froze.

“W-What about me?” She shot back.

“Did you miss me?” He asked casually.

Her face turned red instantly. “Of course not!”

Seraphina pulled back just enough to look between them, still keeping her arms around Aiden’s neck. “Nini totally did.”

“I did not!” Nivara protested.

Aiden grinned. “You hesitated.”

Nivara looked away sharply. “Tch.”

Aiden shifted his hand down to Seraphina’s waist, keeping her close as she relaxed against him, clearly content to stay there.

“So,” He said, “I talked to your mother.”

Seraphina’s ears perked—figuratively. “Really?”

“Yeah. About the academy.”

Her smile widened at first. “You’re going to the school?”

“Yep.”

“With everyone?” She asked hopefully.

Aiden nodded. “Most of them.”

Her smile faltered just a little. “…I can’t go, can I?”

Aiden shook his head gently. “No. You know why.”

She sighed softly but didn’t argue. “I figured.”

He squeezed her waist reassuringly. “Doesn’t change anything.”

“I know,” She said quietly. Then, brighter, “But you’ll visit.”

“Of course.”

“And write letters.”

“I’ll try.”

She narrowed her eyes. “That wasn’t convincing.”

Nivara crossed her arms tighter. “You’d better.”

Aiden chuckled. “You’re both ganging up on me.”

“Good,” Seraphina said. “You deserve it.”

She leaned her forehead against his. “You always come back though.”

“Always,” Aiden said.

Nivara watched them quietly, her expression softer now.

“You’re really going to stir things up at the academy,” She said.

“That’s the plan.”

She sighed. “Figures.”

Aiden looked at her. “You worried?”

“A little,” Nivara admitted. “But… if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

He smiled at that.

Seraphina hugged him again, tighter. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

“And don’t let anyone bully your wives.”

“Anyone tries, they’re done.”

She laughed softly. “I knew you’d say that.”

Nivara shook her head. “You really are ridiculous.”

“Yet here you are,” Aiden replied.

She clicked her tongue. “Someone has to keep an eye on you.”

Aiden smiled at Nivara. “Thank you for taking care of things while I was gone.”

Nivara looked away. “It’s my duty.”

Aiden smirked. “Sure it is.”

She glared at him. “Don’t start.”

He laughed.

Seraphina finally relaxed her hold just a bit, though she still didn’t fully let go. “When do you leave?”

“Soon,” Aiden said. “Few days.”

She nodded. “Then stay a little longer.”

“I can do that.”

She smiled, satisfied.

Nivara turned slightly, giving them space—but not leaving. “I’ll… walk with you for a bit.”

Aiden nodded. “I’d like that.”

Seraphina leaned against him as they started down the corridor together, her steps light, her smile warm.

“Don’t forget us,” She said softly.

Aiden looked down at her. “Never.”

She believed him.

Aiden suddenly reached out and caught Nivara by the waist, pulling her closer before she could react.

“Hey—!” Ahe yelped, hands flying up to grab his arm. Her face went instantly red. “W-What are you doing?!”

“Walking together,” Aiden said casually. “You said you’d keep an eye on me.”

Seraphina blinked, then laughed. “Ohhh. He got you.”

Nivara sputtered. “T-This isn’t what I meant!”

Aiden leaned slightly toward her, smirking. “Relax. You’re tense.”

“I am not tense!” she snapped, then immediately froze when she realized how close she was. “…Okay maybe a little.”

Seraphina squeezed his arm playfully. “She missed you too.”

“I did not!” Nivara said quickly, then quieter, “…I just worried.”

Aiden softened a bit, his grip steady but gentle. “Thanks.”

That single word shut her up completely.

Her shoulders relaxed, just a little.

“Don’t say things like that so easily,” She muttered. “It’s unfair.”

Aiden chuckled. “You’re still blushing.”

“Shut up.”

Seraphina leaned her head on his shoulder, smiling. “Are you leaving soon?”

“Yeah,” Aiden said. “But I’ll come back.”

Nivara glanced at him from the side. “You better.”

He squeezed her waist lightly. “I always do.”

She didn’t pull away.

—

END OF Chapter : 184 : PAPER WORKS!

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