A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1577: No, I Forbid It!

Archer noticed the diner had a jukebox in the corner; it was playing a soft tune, and the waitress, a woman with a high ponytail, greeted them with a tired but friendly smile. ”Welcome back girls! What can I do for you today? Booth or counter?”

ʼʼBooth, please, Darlene,ʼʼ Sasha said, leading the way as the older woman grabbed a few menus and guided them to a corner spot by a window, stealing glances at him as they walked.

The vinyl seats creaked as they slid in, Archer taking up more space than the booth seemed designed for, his broad shoulders brushing against Ceceʼs. He picked up a menu, his brows furrowing as he scanned the pages. ʼʼBurgers, fries, milkshakes…ʼʼ he muttered, almost to himself. ʼʼI donʼt know what to get. I ran out of Earth food years ago.ʼʼ

Cece grinned, leaning closer to point at the menu. ʼʼTry the double cheeseburger with onion rings. Itʼs practically a law to order that your first time here.ʼʼ

Sasha nodded, flipping her own menu shut. ”And a chocolate shake. Trust me, handsome, itʼs the best.ʼʼ

ʼʼDo you come here often?ʼʼ Archer questioned.

They nodded as Cece answered. ʼʼWhen everything went to shit, Elizabeth moved us out here to Colorado, in the middle of nowhere, but it looks like they still found us.ʼʼ

ʼʼThey wonʼt bother you girls anymore,ʼʼ he reassured the twins. ʼʼNow Liz is back in control of the country.ʼʼ

Darlene returned to the booth, her notepad in hand, her ponytail bobbing slightly as she finished tending to a family of four at another table. Her eyes lingered on Archer, curiosity etched into the lines of her weathered face. She tucked a stray grey strand behind her ear and raised an eyebrow at the twins.

”Alright, girls, whatʼll it be? The usual?ʼʼ she asked, her gaze flicking to Archer again. ʼʼAnd whoʼs this big guy takinʼ up half the booth?”

Cece smirked, exchanging a glance with Sasha before leaning forward. ʼʼDouble cheeseburger with onion rings for me, Darlene. And this is Archer, our boyfriend we told you about.ʼʼ

Sasha chimed in, her voice teasing as she closed her menu. ʼʼSame for me, plus a chocolate shake.ʼʼ

Darleneʼs pencil froze mid-scribble, her eyes widening as she looked from Cece to Sasha, then to Archer, who shifted uncomfortably under her stare, his broad frame making the vinyl creak again. ʼʼBoyfriend? As in… both of you?ʼʼ she asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and amusement.

She let out a low whistle, shaking her head. ʼʼWell, Iʼll be. Youʼre one lucky fella, ainʼt ya?ʼʼ

ʼʼI am,ʼʼ Archer replied, a confident smile crossing his face. ʼʼThese girls have been in my life since I was a little boy. I used to crush on them, but now look? Both mine.ʼʼ

Cece and Sasha flushed, their cheeks pink, prompting a soft giggle from Darlene. ʼʼOh, you two werenʼt kidding, heʼs quite the charmer! But a word of caution, young man: steer clear of my daughter. Sheʼs off-limits and a proper lady!ʼʼ

Archerʼs violet eyes glowed with challenge, only for Darlene to go wide-eyed as she pointed at his ears. ʼʼHow come they are pointy! Is it some form of birth defect?ʼʼ

ʼʼOi, leave him alone!ʼʼ Sasha jumped up. ʼʼWe both love them!ʼʼ

Cece agreed with a firm nod just as a voice sounded from behind them. ʼʼCanʼt you see, Mom? Heʼs a cosplayer like the people on Instagram I showed you.ʼʼ

ʼʼOh no, wait until he sees Belle,ʼʼ the twins giggled.

Archer turned, his breath catching as he came face-to-face with a vision that stopped him dead in his tracks. Before him stood a platinum blonde, her lustrous hair cascading like a silvery waterfall, catching the light. Her tall, elegant frame was accentuated by a pair of bold, thick-rimmed glasses that perched on her nose.

The strangerʼs striking beauty could rival even the most enchanting women in his harem, each of whom heʼd thought unmatched until this moment. Her piercing red gaze and the subtle curve of her lips hinted at a confidence that was as disarming as it was irresistible, causing him to think. ʼWhere has this angel been hiding?ʼ

Archer chuckled after shaking his head, answering. ʼʼYes, Iʼm roleplaying Belle, why donʼt you join me and the twins?ʼʼ

ʼʼNo, I forbid it!ʼʼ Darlene resisted, making the twins laugh even more.

Before the older woman could rant anymore, Belleʼs smile grew wider as she accepted his invitation and sat down next to him. He felt a spark between them, but to his shock, his Charisma wasnʼt affecting her in the slightest. The newcomer looked at him with a bright smile. ʼʼSo are we going half? I donʼt want you paying for me....?ʼʼ

She held out her hand, causing him to look at it, then at the twins, who burst out into a fit of uncontrollable giggles, making Belle narrow her eyes as she spoke. ʼʼYou two are as silly as ever, but it looks like youʼre both happy.ʼʼ

Following that, she turned back to him as he took her hand, introducing himself. ʼʼIʼm Archer Wyldheart. The twinsʼ boyfriend.ʼʼ

The young womanʼs eyes widened, whispering. ʼʼYou have a harem?ʼʼ

Now it was Archerʼs turn to be surprised as he nodded. ʼʼYes, there are more women, but theyʼre not here now.ʼʼ

As those words left his lips, Belle pulled out a Kindle. Her fingers slid along the screen as she showed him her library, only to be shocked at the contents. It seemed like she loved Litrpg fantasy harem novels, making him laugh. ʼʼWell, thatʼs good, because it seems like Iʼm the main character inside a harem story sometimes.ʼʼ

Everyone laughed as the young woman spoke after shaking her head. ʼʼMost people say that when it comes to their own lives.ʼʼ

Following that, the group continued chatting about random topics before Darlene brought over their orders. She was balancing a tray packed with steaming plates and a tall chocolate shake, its frosty glass sweating in the warm diner air. The jukebox shifted to a country tune, filling the space with a soft hum as she set the food down.

ʼʼHere we go,ʼʼ she said, sliding a double cheeseburger alongside a golden stack of onion rings in front of Cece, then another for Sasha.

The chocolate shake, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry, landed between them. For Archer, she placed an identical burger and onion ring combo, her eyes flicking to him, a teasing grin appeared on her face. ʼʼHope you can handle the food.ʼʼ

Belle, who had ordered a chicken salad sandwich, got a plate piled high with crisp lettuce and tomato peeking out from thick-cut bread. She thanked her mom, adjusting her glasses as she tucked her Kindle back into her bag.

ʼʼThanks, Darlene,ʼʼ Cece said, already snagging an onion ring and crunching into it, the crisp batter giving way with a satisfying snap. She leaned back, nudging Archer using her elbow. ʼʼGo on, try it. Youʼre about to have your mind blown.ʼʼ

Archer eyed the burger, its juicy patty oozing melted cheese and framed by a glossy bun. He picked it up using both hands, his large fingers making the burger look almost comically small. ʼʼThis is… heavier than I expected,ʼʼ he said, his violet eyes glinting with curiosity.

He took a cautious bite, chewing slowly as the flavours hit: savoury beef, sharp cheddar, a hint of tangy ketchup. His brows shot up, and a slow grin spread across his face. ʼʼOkay, I get it now. This is good.ʼʼ

Sasha laughed, sipping the chocolate shake through one of the straws, her cheeks hollowing slightly. ʼʼTold you, handsome. Stick with us, and weʼll show you all the best stuff in Colorado.ʼ

She slid the shake toward him, nudging Cece to share. ʼʼTry this next.ʼʼ

Archer took a sip, the creamy chocolate coating his tongue, and let out a low hum of approval. ʼʼYou two werenʼt kidding about this place,ʼʼ he said, passing the shake to Cece, who winked at him as she took her turn.

Belle, meanwhile, nibbled on her sandwich, her eyes darting between the twins and him with a mix of amusement and curiosity. She set her food down, wiping her hands. ʼʼSo, Archer,ʼʼ she said. ʼʼYou said youʼre like a main character in a harem story. What/s that like? I mean, I read about it, but…ʼʼ

She trailed off, her lips quirking into a sly smile. ʼʼYou donʼt seem like youʼre just playing a part.ʼʼ

Archer chuckled, wiping a bit of ketchup from the corner of his mouth. ʼʼItʼs complicated. These two,ʼʼ he nodded toward the twins, who were now playfully fighting over the last onion ring.

ʼʼThey have been with me through a lot. More than just crushes now. But yeah, sometimes it feels like I stumbled into a story bigger than me,ʼʼ his gaze softened as he looked at the twins, then flicked to Belle, a spark of interest. ʼʼWhat about you? Reading all those LitRPGs, have you ever imagined yourself in one?ʼʼ