465,

Impressive!

Cyclone couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Elyse's strike was indeed brilliant, prompting Cyclone to clasp her hands together involuntarily. Never before in this household, or even on this continent, had anyone faced Yuna like this. But Elyse did it, and she even managed to successfully slap Yuna. Cyclone watched with great excitement – women are truly extraordinary. This was proper, this was the real Elyse. However, in this room, only Cyclone and Yuna could manage to smile. It's very strange... isn't it strange to say such a thing? Unlike Cyclone's inner excitement, Elyse's hand trembled as her inner unease continued to grow. What in the world was happening... Elyse couldn't make sense of it at all. Was Cyclone really on her side, or was she siding with Yuna? As a princess of the City of Dusk, Elyse was accustomed to the struggles of the harem. Her brother was the king of a nation, and he was surrounded by many women. Elyse understood from a young age that men always desired one or two concubines to accompany them, being predisposed to affection. Elyse didn't mind, as it was the nature of men. Yet, even with three thousand in the harem, there would always be only one queen, the highest ranking figure destined to accompany the man for a lifetime. Ultimately, the king would always have to choose, silently discarding the lesser women to protect his one true love. Therefore, Elyse would never become a concubine. As a proud princess of a nation, even if she managed to escape the royal palace, she would maintain the dignity befitting a princess, becoming a queen, a lawful wife. The palace intrigues, the deceit, all aimed at making oneself pure, becoming the most beloved figure in a man's heart. But why, why could Yuna openly challenge me, who was already favored? Wasn't she afraid that Cyclone would reprimand her? Afraid that Cyclone would come to dislike her for it? In an instant, Elyse understood. This was the authority of a lawful wife, the caprice that only a lawful wife could exhibit. "No," softly said Yuna, as though she had seen through Elyse's thoughts. This was an unprecedented situation. Yuna, Little Dragon, and Eileen had all experienced the loss of their parents and had longed to be loved, to be needed. After enduring various past experiences, Cyclone ultimately embraced them and provided them with a home. This home was warm and comforting, filled with joy every day, satisfying their minds and bodies. Yet, this was the result of the three who had lost the warmth of a family. Elyse was not like them. With a family of her own, she had fled from the royal palace out of disdain for her family and her brother. Although Elyse also sought the feeling of being loved by Cyclone, this family surpassed her understanding. The three wives not only got along well, but also cleverly shared the same man. This completely overturned Elyse's knowledge from childhood to adulthood. However, this was the charm of Cyclone. "Here, there is no harem," Yuna said with a smile.

"Here, they are all legal wives, all are the rightful concubines," Yuna said simply, expressing Cyclone's thoughts on the family.

Yuna raised her hand and gently stroked the cheek that had just slapped Elyse.

"This is the man you love, and this has always been his goal. What Cyclone wishes for is for us to indulge ourselves, to live out our true selves freely."

Although the warmth of her palm was still lingering from the slap to her own cheek, it was now being soothed by this warmth.

"Family should show their true selves and then accept each other... But!"

At that moment, Yuna pushed Elyse against the wall.

"Elyse! I still detest you!"

The air carried coldness but also truth.

Elyse had never experienced anything like it, being treated sincerely, without any falsehood.

"...A-am I not the same!! You monopolize Cyclone all day long, who do you think you are!! I am now Cyclone's wife too, on equal footing with you!!"

Finally, as if back to the day when she first met Yuna, Elyse courageously stood up with her flawless chest, despite feeling a bit fearful.

Their chests did not yield an inch, bumping against each other.

Even though their clothes were off, Elyse still maintained a princess-like arrogance.

The wives did not give in, which was precisely what Cyclone desired.

Yuna had her own ideas, Elyse had her own stubbornness, and regardless of what might happen in the process, the outcome would surely be good.

Competing with each other, pushing each other forward; this was true sincerity.

Men had to survive in this ever-changing battlefield to truly fulfill their lives!

With a smile of cunning, Cyclone's scheme succeeded.

And at that moment, an explosion propelled everything into an unforeseeable future.

***