An insult from the youngest wife

The next day morning, Kael resumed his journey.

Kael and his party finally reached the capital city, its towering spires gleaming under the setting sun. Their first stop was the Adventurer's Guild main branch, where Kael submitted the materials from their quest.

After deducting expenses for ingredients for purification potions, alchemist fees, adventuring team commission, and other costs, his net earnings from the venture came to 1,055 gold coins. It wasn't a fortune, but it was a solid profit, enough to spark a cheerful mood.

"Let's celebrate," Kael said warmly, glancing at his wives. "It's been a tough journey. How about I treat you all to something nice?"

Laura beamed, wanting to indeed eat something nice after eating those tasteless inferior quality food and bland drinks during the adventure. However, Shiera crossed her arms, her expression frosty.

"What do you plan to treat eleven of us with, Kael?" she asked, her tone cutting. "A thousand gold coins? Do you even realize how little that is? To host a proper dinner for all of us, you'd need at least ten thousand gold coins. And you—weak and broke, who is depending on my mother's stipend to run the house—would take months to earn that unless…" She smirked coldly, "...you plan on sleeping with some noble for the money."

Laura's cheer faded instantly, her face twisting with anger. "How dare you!" she snapped, her voice rising as she almost caught Shiera's collar. "How can you talk about your husband like that?"

Even Seraphina frowned, her serene demeanor breaking. "Shiera," she said sternly, "that's enough. Do you have to destroy the mood using such harsh comments? Your husband is trying his best and you have to demean him like that?"

But Shiera wasn't done. "Husband?" she scoffed. "He's only half a husband to me. We haven't even consummated our marriage. When I become queen, the first thing I'll do is annul this sham marriage."

Seraphina hesitated, unable to counter Shiera's argument. She, too, hadn't consummated her marriage with Kael, a fact that nibbled at her pride.

Laura, however, refused to back down. She summoned her book, ready to battle Shiera to death even if the latter was stronger than her. But before anything could escalate, Kael stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Laura's arm.

"Let it go," he said softly.

Laura glared at him but relented, dismissing her spirit. Kael then turned to Shiera, his expression calm and measured.

"One day, Shiera," he said with a faint smile, "I'll invite you to a dinner worth ten thousand gold coins. And it'll be when I'll earn it all through my own efforts."

Shiera scoffed, turning on her heel. "Good luck with that," she muttered before leaving the group.

Her teammates apologized to Kael one after another and went after Shiera.

Kael gave away the remainder of the commission fees to the adventuring team that he hired, apologizing them. They understood the mood and knew that the dinner would not materialize. They too left the scene.

As they slowly stepped into the horse carriage, Laura couldn't contain her frustration any longer. "Why did you stop me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. "She insulted you! She insulted us!"

Kael shook his head, his tone soothing. "She's your sister, my love. Even if she was proud and headstrong, you can't just fight her. Moreover, it is true that our house is running by the money from the imperial treasury."

"So, what? You are the royal consort, the only one of the Queendom. What if Moonstone House is run by the treasury? Entire treasury belongs to you," Laura defended it, her voice firm.

Seraphina sighed, her voice laced with guilt instead. "I'm sorry, Kael. This is my fault. I was the one who contacted her for help."

Kael gave her a reassuring smile. "You did the right thing. If not for her, we might not have survived the mercenaries. Besides," he added with a twisted grin, "she's family, after all."

Before the conversation could continue, Kael's eyes flicked to something in the distance, through the window. His demeanor shifted abruptly. "I just remembered I have something to do. I'll be visiting the Church. You head on," he said, before stopping the carriage and leaving in a hurry.

Laura watched him go, her heart sinking. "He's disappointed," she murmured. "It's all her dam brat's fault."

Seraphina placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Respect isn't earned by marriage, Laura. It's earned through actions."

Laura turned to her, frowning. "Then why do you respect him and always support his actions then?"

For a moment, Seraphina was silent. Then she replied, "I don't."

Laura blinked, stunned.

"I pity him," Seraphina continued. "He's like a lamb surrounded by butchers. I feel it's my duty to protect him."

Laura spiked at her words. "Kael doesn't need your pity. He'll achieve his dreams, and he doesn't need anyone's help to do it."

Seraphina gave her a sidelong glance. "Perhaps," she said softly. "But don't you think he's… different, lately? I mean, when we were married first, he just looked like a helpless lamb who agrees with you whatever. However, as time passed, I realized that it is not like he bows down to your authority but always be considerate of his wives and very understanding. I didn't even think he was aware that I like honey cakes. And how he dealt with those adventuring team we encountered at the Blossom Valley. Not to mention the fact that a legendary beast like spectral wolf volunteered itself to become his beast companion. I think I should spend more time with him to understand his true personality and the secrets he was holding."

A chill ran down Laura's spine. "You should just keep pitying him," she snapped, her voice defensive.

Seraphina chuckled, ruffling Laura's hair. "You're so cute when you're jealous and protective."

Laura pouted, puffing her cheeks. "I'm not jealous!"

Meanwhile, Kael walked through the winding streets of the capital, his steps purposeful. He slipped into a dark alley, glancing over his shoulder to ensure no one was following him.

In a matter of moments, he changed his clothes, replacing his simple attire with a dark, hooded cloak. Climbing up a nearby tall building, he leaped onto the rooftop and crouched, his sharp gaze fixed on the street below.

A carriage rolled by, its driver cracking a whip—not at horses, but at two buffed half-naked men tied to the front like beasts as both of them carried a brand of skull on their chests, the symbol of slaves. The carriage bore the insignia of an anchor and a ship, the crest of a known noble house.

Kael's expression darkened. "The Aquareld House," he muttered. "It should be the Duchess of Slaughter riding inside. An Exalt realm expert—and a slave trader. What does that person doing in the imperial city?"

Memories flooded his mind. The previous duchess, a cruel woman who had orchestrated the death of his parents, had fallen to his blade.

After that, her niece took over the reins of the family, continuing the family's legacy of slave trading.

While slave trading is considered immoral, it is not against the law as the Queendom permits them. Morever, not even a single case has been filed against this new Duchess so far either. As a result, Kael can only ignore her acts, just like the Queen.

Back to the present, as the carriage seemed to be going toward the palace, Kael blended into the shadows, following her from a distance.