Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation

Chapter 131 – I’m An Empire

Fiera led the way—heels clicking, hips swaying, tails flicking with anticipation that betrayed just how not-calm she actually was. The thick velvet curtains behind the stage fell shut behind them, cutting off the chatter of the auction hall and replacing it with something far more chaotic.

Backstage.

Models glided around in silk, feathers, crystals, and very little else. Assistants sprinted with clipboards and rolls of fabric. The air smelled like hairspray, sweat, freshly steamed clothes, and adrenaline. And in the middle of it all? Fiera Ninevyn—designer, fox with nine tails and a secret heartbeat that just wouldn’t calm the hell down.

She could feel it pulsing in her ears.

Lux. Behind her. His energy was... ridiculous. Like walking into a fire-lit room and realizing the flames liked you more than the wood. Even now, without saying a word, the women in the room felt him.

And oh, they looked.

Models turned mid-brushstroke. One paused mid-lipstick and smeared it by accident. Another nearly tripped on the hem of her gown while trying to make eye contact.

Fiera didn’t even blame them.

She was doing the same damn thing.

But she had to stay focused. She had to. This was her summer collection. Her most grounded one yet—less frill, more finesse. Luxe materials that felt like second skin. Smart tailoring that didn’t just hint at curves—it celebrated them. It was her ”I’m serious, I’m an empire” line. Still sexy, but with power in every stitch. Designed for women who knew what they wanted—and didn’t apologize for wanting to look good getting it.

Only women.

And then she’d dragged him in here.

She turned, doing her best to look composed while the entire changing room buzzed with Lux’s silent arrival. He leaned casually against a rolling rack of designer gowns like it was furniture meant for him. Black shirt still flawless. Hair impossibly perfect. Eyes scanning the room like he was judging the lighting and everyone in it.

”This is for your summer collection?” he asked, voice smooth as a sin that knew it wouldn’t get punished.

Fiera cleared her throat, heart thudding a little harder, and nodded. ”Yes. Sleek, confident, body-conscious silhouettes. Tailored to own the room—boardrooms, runways, late-night power dinners. Less frill, more fire. Luxe fabric, dangerous curves. This is me going bold, not polite.”

Lux arched a brow. ”So you really just need an escort.”

”Yes,” she said quickly. ”Just for the finale walk. You’ll be sitting with all of us in the VIP row until it’s your cue.”

”All of us?” Lux repeated, voice trailing like he already knew the answer.

Fiera hesitated... then gave the tiniest shrug. ”Mira and Ely will be here.”

Lux smirked. Of course.

Dragon heiress. Elf noble. And now the nine-tailed fox.

It was like a bad joke wrapped in couture.

”I see,” he said. ”So that’s what you meant by leverage.”

Fiera couldn’t help the sly grin. ”Clever.”

She turned to the wardrobe wall, fingers brushing past hangers of silk, leather, and luxury-grade material. Then—she stopped. Reached. Pulled a suit from its dark velvet sheath.

Lux’s eyes narrowed.

It wasn’t just elegant. It was... infernal.

A deep obsidian three-piece tailored so sharply it looked like it could cut through reality. Subtle dark red threading along the edges, faint shimmer under the light like it had been kissed by smoke and secrets. The lapel bore no logo—just a stitched pattern of nine tails swirling inward.

He stepped forward, reaching out without touching. ”This is...”

”Looks like it’s made for a devil?” she finished for him, teasing.

He glanced at her with a sharp, amused look. ”Exactly.”

Fiera’s smile turned softer—almost reverent now. ”I saw something in you, the first time we met. That quiet pull. Like you walked into the room and the room shifted. Like everything orbiting you had to adjust.”

He didn’t respond.

She held his gaze.

”I see a devil in you,” she said. ”A charming one. A seductive one. A devil who doesn’t beg for attention—but gets it anyway.”

Lux tilted his head, the faintest flicker of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ”Is that your pitch?”

”No,” she said. ”That’s just what I see.”

She moved closer again—her voice low now. Intimate.

”I noticed how all my models turned to look at you. How they leaned in. And I felt it too. You... lure people.”

”Dangerous thing to say.”

”True things usually are.”

She held the suit up for him now, careful with the hanger, the garment surprisingly heavy. ”No one’s ever worn this,” she added.

”No one?”

She shook her head. ”I made it months ago. Designed it on a whim. My team didn’t even know it existed. I kept it in storage, waiting for someone who could actually wear it.”

She stepped forward. Tails brushing lightly against Lux’s wrist—like they had a mind of their own and weren’t entirely playing fair.

”But now...” she purred, ”I think I found one.”

Lux’s eyes dropped to the suit again, then back up at her. He didn’t speak for a second. His system buzzed faintly at the edge of his mind, reminding him how close she was, how many people were watching, how elevated her heartrate had become.

[Fiera Ninevyn – Emotional Spike Detected]

[Current Interest: Escalating]

[Flirt Density: 83%]

He inhaled slowly.

”Well,” he said at last, taking the hanger from her hand. ”Guess we’re dressing the devil.”

Fiera stepped back slightly, lips curved, but her eyes still locked on him.

”I’ll have the assistant bring your shoes and fix your cuffs. Room’s yours to change in. And Lux?”

He paused.

She leaned in one last time. Not touching him now. Just close.

”If you look too good,” she whispered, ”I’m keeping you. You are mine~.”

He chuckled. ”Tempting. But you can’t buy me.”

”We’ll see... I rejected a couple of billionaires on their knees once. Let’s see if I can make you do the same.” Fiera turned before she could do anything more stupid.

Her heart was racing.

Stupid tails were twitching. Again. Loudly.

She made her way back through the chaos of backstage, ignoring the way her models kept sneaking glances past her—toward the changing room where Lux had just disappeared with her devil-suit.

She pressed a hand to her own chest once she was out of sight, then sighed.

This?

This was not what she expected when she designed this collection.

But damn.

It might end up being her best show yet.