Reyna froze as she felt the unmistakable heat and hardness pressing against her from Reinhardt's lap. Her face turned a shade of crimson that rivaled the Gremory hair, and actual steam seemed to hiss from her head.

  "You... you stupid, perverted idiot!" she stammered, her heart hammering against her ribs.

  Reinhardt just chuckled, leaning back into the pillows with a predatory grin. "Where did all that boldness go, Reyna? You're the one who decided my lap was a dining chair. Besides, can you blame me? You're tempting enough to make a saint fall. One of these days, I'm going to paint that pretty face in white."

  Reyna's jaw dropped, her blush intensifying until she looked like she might actually combust. "R-Rein!" she squeaked, though she didn't move an inch. They spent the next hour in comfortable, flirty banter until the doctors finally cleared him for discharge.

  The Silent Mansion

  Returning to the Bael-Phenex estate was different this time. The grand halls felt cold without Astarion's booming laugh. Reinhardt walked straight to his father's study. On the mahogany desk sat a framed photo: a younger Astarion, looking every bit the proud lion, holding a toddler Reinhardt on his shoulders.

  Reinhardt traced the glass with his thumb, his eyes turning cold. "Wait for me, Dad," he whispered. "In a few years, the people who did this won't just be dead. They'll be ashes scattered to the void."

  He set the photo down and headed for the main lounge, but he didn't even make it across the foyer before the front doors burst open.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "REIN!"

  Two blurs of absolute beauty lunged at him. Before he could even say "Hello," he was tackled to the floor. Venelana—freshly divorced and looking radiant—and Misla Bael were both on top of him, their eyes wide with worry.

  "Are you okay, Rein? Are you hurting?" Venelana asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Uncle Astarion... we're so sorry."

  Misla gripped his shirt tightly. "Don't worry, Rein. We're here now. We'll help you get revenge. We'll burn them all!"

  Reinhardt looked up at the two women pinned against him. He reached up, cupping their cheeks gently. "Just stay with me," he said softly, his voice full of a sudden, heavy sincerity. "Stay exactly as you are. That's all the help I need."

  The two women froze. The intensity in his eyes was so raw, so much like a marriage proposal, that both Venelana and Misla felt their hearts skip a beat. Their faces turned beet red in unison.

  "Welcome back, Lana," Reinhardt added with a smirk, looking at Venelana. "Glad you're away from that Gremory trash."

  Venelana let out a shaky laugh, her blush deepening. "My, my... it looks like Rein is the one taking care of us, rather than the other way around. You've grown up too fast, little lion."

  "I need both of you to help me master the Power of Destruction," Reinhardt said, his tone turning serious.

  "Yes!" they both replied instantly, their loyalty absolute.

  Reinhardt looked down at their tangled limbs and the way their dresses were riding up, highlighting every curve. "So... are you two ever going to get up? Not that I mind. This view of such beautiful 'art' is the best medicine I've had all day."

  The realization of their suggestive position finally hit them. Steam erupted from both their heads as they scrambled to their feet, reluctantly smoothing out their clothes while trying to avoid his teasing gaze.

  [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

  [Quest Triggered: The Path of the Sovereign]

  Objective: Begin training the Power of Destruction with Venelana and Misla. Reward: 1,000,000 Devil Coins & 1x Random Skill Book.