Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 267: Mia’s Decision, Sona’s Trust

Mia’s Decision, Sona’s Trust

The air retained the scent of Nova’s perfume.

Although she disappeared from the courtyard, what was left wasn’t silence, but a sort of emotional afterglow. The air she had left was warm, with her presence touching it—a diminishing heat that clung to the air like a memory that did not want to be lost. Leon did not budge immediately. His golden gaze rested for a moment on the position where she had been, as if waiting for her to turn around and reappear. But she didn’t. Taking a deep breath, he turned at last, ready to walk away.

It was then that the gentle rhythm of footsteps shattered the silence.

From the row of women standing quietly in the background, one stepped forward in a small, tentative manner. Her step was not courageous. It was laced with doubt, as if she walked in the face of the wind of her own doubts. Every step further seemed to take more of her will.

She was Mia.

Her own black hair, long and silky, swung with each quiet movement, caressing softly against the curve of her waist. Her big black eyes, which too often had stayed cast down or veiled behind the security of a flush, now sought out Leon. There was no rebellious look in them—only a trembling sort of bravery, like a candle flame dancing in the wind but still holding fast.

Leon shifted his gaze towards her, eyebrows lifting slightly in interest. The other women had noticed also, their eyes fixed upon her in silence.

”...Lord Leon,” Mia repeated, voice shaking as she drew near. Her slim fingers grasped the hem of her pale blue robe, the movement small but intimate, giving away the tense nervousness she couldn’t suppress. She ducked her head slightly, not quite meeting his gaze, her breathing catching softly as though she was afraid she’d never have the courage to say a word.

Leon’s golden eyes softened. ”Mia?” he whispered, startled by her sudden appearance.

Now all eyes were upon her.

”I... I wanted to tell you something before you departed,” she said, barely above a whisper. Her voice still had that same gentleness she always possessed, but there was now a thread of desperation woven into every phrase. ”I... I need to go back to the Starlight Duchy. My people are departing today.

Leon blinked, taking in her words. ”With Duke Edric?” he said, though the name wasn’t accompanied by judgment—only by quiet realization.

Mia gave a small nod. Her eyes dropped to the stone path beneath her feet as she continued, ”I... I’m from the Starlight Duchy. My father... he asked me to return with him.” Her fingers tightened slightly around her robe. ”He came to me yesterday morning. Said it’s time for me to come home.”

Leon’s expression didn’t change, but something inside him stirred. A subtle shift.

So that was it.

He hadn’t spoken to the others yet—about the private talk Duke Edric had with him, about the request he’d made. He’d gotten back too late last night to speak. of anything, and today had rushed by too fast, too emotionally, to mention it. And now Mia stood in front of him, her soft words saying what he hadn’t yet had the time to say.

His mind wandered for a moment, fragments slowly falling into place in the stillness. A slight furrow pulled at his brow—not frustration, but the heavy stillness of realization settling in.

Ah... right.

He had not returned to the mansion since meeting Duke Edric yesterday. Neither he nor Nova said a word to the others. They must’ve wondered. No messages. No explanations.

No wonder his wives were kept in the dark.

Lost in thought, Leon froze, eyes unfocused. He didn’t reply. Not yet.

In front of him, Mia waited silently, her face a mixture of uncertainty and tremulous hope. She gazed up at him, holding out—for a word, a gesture, anything.

The silence grew, dense and almost palpable in the room.

Seconds ticked by.

Leon remained silent.

Rias’s eyebrow twitched in worry. She moved closer, slightly narrowing her eyes, taking in his face with habitual intimacy.

”Darling... where were you just now?” Aria asked, soft but sharp with tension as she finally spoke into the silence.

Mia winced faintly at the query, lips parting as though she meant to say something, but words failed her. The confusion on her face grew, and she took a small, involuntary step back.

Aria let out a soft breath, her arms folded over her chest. ”Darling... where are you?”

Leon blinked, as if coming up for air from the depths of the ocean. ”What?”

”You’re spaced out,” Aria told him, her voice soft but firm. ”Again.”

Another slow blink from Leon. He flashed a pale, sorry smile, ran a hand through his hair, before breathing softly.

”No, it’s nothing,” he informed her, speaking low. ”I just... forgot to mention something to all of you.”

Mia’s eyes lit up. She leaned in a little, curiosity and hope returning to her face. ”Something important?” she asked, her voice softer this time, almost shy. ”What is it, Lord Leon?”

He turned his gaze toward her, the smile on his lips warming slightly.

”Yes, Mia... you’re coming with us to Silver City.”

A beat of silence followed.

”Huh?” Her breath halted. Her eyes were wide with incredulity as she stared at him as if she hadn’t heard correctly. ”What do you mean?”

The women around them all exchanged discreet looks, shock dancing across their faces like water rippling on still water. Their banter faltered for one moment, each and every one of their eyes now drawn to Leon—and the girl who stood mutely before him, speechless with shock.

Leon’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile as he strode towards the couch, the hem of his coat brushing the shining floor. He sank into the seat with a casual ease, then looked at Mia with a softened face.

”Yesterday,” he started with a light laugh, ”your father—Duke Edric—came to me when the court meeting was finished. He invited me to bring you with us to Silver City.”

The air in the room was held breathless.

Leon exhaled slowly, rubbing his cheek, his voice falling to a sheepish pitch. ”I was going to tell all of you, but... well, I didn’t return last night, so I never had a chance.”

His gaze flicked up to hers for a fleeting instant, an apology unspoken but evident.

”Her mentioned it’s for your safety. With war fermenting close to the western border... the Starlight Duchy could be next to get caught in the crossfire.”

Mia stood frozen, as if the gravity of his words had not yet had time to travel down to her heart. Her mouth opened, her voice little and trembling. ”But... why?”

Her eyes clouded, confusion and skepticism flashing across her fragile face.

”He... he what?” she breathed, as if saying it out loud would somehow make it make sense.

She gazed down at her hands, her fists clenched tightly by her sides. She didn’t say it, but the pain in her heart was printed clearly on her face.

That man... he never protected me. Or Mother. Why now? Why suddenly act like he’s doing it for me? The question burned within her chest, a bitter, raw thing.

Silence reigned—until Mia slowly raised her head.

And smiled.

It wasn’t broad, it wasn’t fierce, but it was genuine—like the first light after a storm.

It was ”.Even if it’s weird... for once, he actually did something right,” she whispered, her voice hardly loud enough to be heard.

It met Leon’s eyes, glinting with something beyond appreciation.

”And honestly... I wish to go with you, Lord Leon.

Her voice steadied as she moved forward. Then, with both emotion and grace in each motion, she dipped her head in a bow.

”Thank you... for bringing me.”

Leon opened his mouth, but another voice got there first—bright and teasing.

”Well, well~ Look at you,” Rias laughed, stepping in with her usual fire. She wrapped an arm around Mia’s shoulders, her crimson hair cascading down as she pulled the girl into a tight, affectionate embrace. ”I’m glad, Mia. You’re coming with us.”

Mia blinked, surprised—but slowly, she relaxed into the warmth of Rias’s touch.

Aria stepped forward, violet eyes sparkling with quiet approval. ”Yes. Very glad,” she murmured, her smile relaxed and beautiful.

Cynthia, ever the image of poise, crossed her arms over her chest and offered a slow, sly smile. ”The more the merrier,” she winked.

Once from the side, Kyra nodded once, her face as serene as ever—yet her emerald eyes sparkled warmly.

The mood changed—what had initially been strained now dissolved into something warm, like sunlight filtering through drab clouds. The still unspoken sisterhood between them, that quiet connection, encircled Mia in an intangible hug—just as warm and as real as any arms might provide.

Syra’s smile was unapologetically impish as she leaned in closer to Mia, playing a flirtatious jab to the ribs. ”Now you have a good opportunity to seduce sweetie.”~”

”W-What?!” Mia’s entire face turned scarlet, her eyes wide as she flailed slightly in embarrassment. ”I-I didn’t mean it like that!”

Leon, who was standing around the corner, let out a soft laugh watching the friendly scene transpire. The warmth in the courtyard, the laughter, the intimacy—it was a fleeting, sweet moment amidst the tempest brewing on the horizon. But before he could say anything, a soft voice was heard—not out loud, but within his head, coursing through the thread of their common link.

(Leon... can you hear me?)

His smile grew, golden eyes shining with love. Sona?

He replied in mind, his mental voice gentle and warm.

(Yes, my love. I hear you like crystal.)

At the other end, he could sense her smile against the link, as sweet and warm as the pressure of her fingertips along his jaw.

(Good.) His heart received emotion—something beyond language. (I have to ask you something....)

Anything. What is it, Sona?

There was a pause—a pause that didn’t seem empty, but heavy with anxious uncertainty. And then her voice came back, lower, hesitant.

(Can you... can you bring Lira with you... to Silver City?)

Leon’s face changed slightly, shock darting across his features.

(.Lira?)

(I know it’s abrupt... but when you left here this morning, she approached me. She asked to accompany you. I was taken aback at first... but after considering, I said okay. I... I trust you more than I trust this palace. And that idiot king is not a person I want her around.)

Leon remained in contemplative silence, his words gathering in his chest like a smoldering fire. Part of him was shocked, but another part—more authentic—was touched by her choice.

His face relaxed as her voice resonated within the bond, sweet with subdued feeling.

He blinked, increasingly interested in the gravity of her decision.

(You trust me that much?) he whispered gently, his tone tinged with something richer than idle curiosity.

(I know my daughter will be better off with you than here. Safer than with that stupid king. Please, Leon...)

There was no longer any hesitation. No uncertainty.

(Of course. I’ll take her. I’ll protect her.)

A gentle sigh traveled across the link, filling with relief, love, and something more perhaps—unspoken trust that filled him profoundly.

(Thank you... thank you, Leon.)

He released a low, quiet laugh, lips curving into fondness.

(You don’t have to thank me, my love. No ”thank you” or ”sorry” between us, remember?)

(Mm... You’re right... I love you, husband.)

(I love you, wife.)

(Now go get ready for your journey. I’ll get some rest before I start my work.)

(Rest well. I’ll be thinking of you.)

Her gentle laughter rang sweetly in his head, like the residual heat of a lover’s touch.

The connection faded away slowly, but the sense of her didn’t disappear—it hung on, softly and constant in his chest.

Leon’s eyes opened once more to find all of his wives still seated, laughing warmly with Mia.

And in that instant, he knew—his family was expanding, and so were the obligations that went along with it.

Eventually, it would be time to depart from Moonspire.

But not his connections.

Never those.