My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

In the next few days, the Matten estate transformed from a home to a fortress.

Well, it already was, but this time, there were powerful guests sweeping in and out of its gates.

Where before there were cozy rooms and comfortable conversation, all that was left now was beautifully decorated upholstery and razor-edged politicking.

Nobles, lords, envoys, and diplomats streamed in from across the Monarchy like blood-scented wolves wrapped in gold. Every guest brought gifts. Every smile covered their greed. And every word hid the blades they held at the ready.

Ezra stood as the unmoving pillar at the heart of it all.

Dressed in a beautiful black suit, Ezra received them all with unshakeable calm. His eyes were neutral, betraying little. His words were courteous but never warm.

At his side, Olivia stood like royalty, glowing like she'd never even been in labour just a few days prior. She wore a flowing gown the color of midnight, her only adornment a single silver pin shaped like a coiled serpent.

But no visitor could mistake her calm, demure manner for weakness. After all, her gaze followed each guest like a predator.

Red roamed closeby. She wore her blade openly, a gesture that none of the visitors questioned. The atmosphere around her was just too intense. Her presence alone dared anyone to even consider speaking out of line.

Gen, unseen to all but the coven, drifted through the gatherings like a whisper. Hovering invisibly at Ezra's shoulder, she made faces behind the backs of the more arrogant nobles and mock-curtsied when titles grew too long and flowery.

She murmured biting commentary to Ezra through their private thread of soulbond, making him smirk when no one else could tell why.

The Monarchy's structure demanded appearances, and Ezra understood the rules. The nobles came not just to congratulate, but to calculate. They needed to see for themselves the man who had become a symbol of danger. The prince who had burned a legacy to ash.

It was the Daydream Court's envoy who drew the most attention.

She arrived in a shimmering silver dress, tall and pale, with a voice like wind chimes under moonlight. Her eyes were sparkling pools of crimson, and even her footsteps seemed choreographed.

The name she gave was Lady Sereniel of the Clouded Mirror. Ezra did not know if that was her true name or a poetic affectation, and it didn't matter.

She bowed gracefully before presenting her gift on behalf of Prince Arthur. It was a small golden orb no larger than a clenched fist, sitting in a small, gold gilded box.

"This," she said, "is the Dreamer's Flame. Forged from light bound at the edge of Omnia's reach. It is said to guard the dreams of newborns and repel nightmares before they reach the cradle."

Ezra accepted the orb with a neutral expression, but something in it made his instincts bristle. The weave quivered when he touched it. Whatever power was inside, it was real. And it definitely wasn't friendly. There was no way it would be getting anywhere near Aurora.

"You honor us." Ezra said aloud.

Sereniel inclined her head. "We honor strength. And strength, it seems, runs in your blood now more than ever."

Ezra stared at her, wondering what she was trying to say. And why was she speaking like that?

"The tale of House Clementine has reached every corner of the Daydream Court, Prince Ezra. Of how one man reduced a noble house to ruin in a single night. A terrifying tale, if one believes it."

Ezra's silence was colder than steel.

"And do you believe it?" He asked.

Sereniel's lips curved slightly upwards. "Does it matter? The fear is what matters now. And they do fear you."

She didn't stay long after that, but the very fear she spoke about could be seen among the guests that arrived at the Matten estate.

Other gifts continued to arrive, some less grand, and others more ostentatious.

Akiko's delivery came in a black velvet box, with a sealed handwritten letter of congratulation attached to it. Inside the box was a music box unlike any Ezra had seen.

It had been carved from a dark stone that absorbed rather than reflected light, radiating a faint power that immediately drew Ezra's attention. A power he recognized.

It was an actual Abyssal stone. Real. Unfiltered. Dangerous.

He set it aside, not touching it again.

Vance, the second most powerful prince of the Nightmare Court's gift came in the form of a bound and heavy tome wrapped in white cloth. The book looked old, with the spine worn with age. The book cannot be opened unless by the person it was intended for.

Another gift that would go nowhere near his daughter.

And finally, Prince Caspian's gift arrived. It was a black dagger without a name, no inscription, and no flourish. Just cold steel that hummed faintly when drawn from its sheath. Ezra stared at it for a long time before deciding that it too, would have to sleep for a long time in the deepest vault under the estate.

After a few days of receiving visitors, the final guests finally left, some quietly, and others with unnecessary ceremony.

Ezra walked the quiet halls of his estate, back to the place that mattered most.

The nursery.

Inside, Olivia sat in a plush chair beside Aurora's cradle, the baby sleeping soundly, tiny fists curled. Gen floated above, humming to herself. Red stood beside the window, her hand on the hilt of her blade as she stared into the night.

Ezra stepped in and shut the door behind him.

He crossed the room and sat on the armrest of Olivia's chair, resting one hand on her shoulder. "It's done." He said simply.

Olivia looked up at him. "How bad was it?"

Ezra exhaled. "They're not afraid of what I did. They're afraid of what I could do next."

"Good." Red said from across the room.

"They should be." Gen said, her signature bloodthirsty grin on her face. "It means we get to have fun."

Ezra looked down at Aurora. She shifted slightly in her sleep, her mouth forming a small 'o' before she settled again.

"All that is left is one guest."

"Who?" Ren asked.

A smirk appeared on Ezra's face. "You'll see."