A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night

Two months later;

Kael stirred as sunlight streamed through the window, painting the room in golden hues. A soft warmth pressed against his side. He turned his head to see Laura, his fourth wife, nestled close to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Her dark curls spilled across the pillow, and her peaceful expression brought a faint smile to his lips.

Careful not to wake her, Kael eased himself out of her grasp. He tucked the blanket snugly around her and slipped out of bed. After freshening up, he dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit—a dark tunic and trousers—and headed downstairs.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat greeted him as he stepped into the kitchen. There, his third wife, Melissa, stood at the center of the chaos, her long silver hair pinned up as she directed the servants.

"No, no, that needs another pinch of salt," she said, leaning over a pot of stew. "And the pastries—make sure they're golden, not burnt."

Kael leaned against the doorway, watching her with admiration. "You're running the kitchen like a general commanding her troops," he teased.

Melissa turned, her stern expression softening into a warm smile. "Kael, you're up early. Are you leaving already?"

"Soon," he said, stepping closer. "I wanted to see you before I go."

She reached out, brushing a speck of flour from his shoulder. "You better eat first. I won't let you skip breakfast."

Kael chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."

They sat together in the dining hall, where the staff served a hearty meal of eggs, smoked ham, and fresh fruit. Melissa poured him a cup of tea, her voice gentle as they chatted about the day ahead.

"You've been working so hard," she said, her brow furrowing slightly. "Don't push yourself too much."

"I'll be fine," Kael assured her, taking her hand briefly. "You know I have you to keep me grounded."

Melissa smiled in return.

After breakfast, Kael left the mansion and climbed into his carriage drawn by two sturdy horses, carrying the crest of the golden dragon—a symbol of Moonstone House. The coachwoman snapped the reins, setting them off toward the lively merchant guild.

The merchant guild was a grand stone building, its entrance flanked by banners bearing the crest of the imperial family—Flamehart House, a shield with two swords crossed above it.

Unlike the adventuring guilds, which were privately owned and competitive, the merchant guild was state-run. It offered merchants like Kael the support of the palace, from securing trade routes to brokering deals. After all, it is the merchants that bring the most money to the treasury.

For Kael, it had been a fresh start after his marriage and departure from the Everlasting Guild. Over the past six weeks, Kael had immersed himself in this new world. Though it was a far cry from adventuring, he found satisfaction in the careful planning and negotiation that came with being a merchant. It was also a far better profession than sitting behind a desk all the time and hearing women either try to woo him or men hurling insults behind his back.

Today, he picked up a new quest, recommended by the guild manager, who gives him the royal treatment as Kael is now a royal consort of the five princesses and not a simple noble or brother of a strong adventurer.

The Quest is about procuring a rare herb called the Starlight Blossom, prized for its use in powerful healing potions. Kael stood by a desk in the guild hall, studying the mission details. He tapped his pen against the parchment, deep in thought.

"Starlight Blossom," he murmured to himself. "Or alternatives… Let's see where these grow."

He leaned over the guild map, marked with locations where the herb might be found. The clerk at the counter provided additional notes.

"You've got a few options," a clerk said, pointing at the map. "The Northwood Forest is the closest, but the herbs there are scarce. Your best bet is probably the Blooming Valley, though it's farther out."

Kael nodded, jotting down the information. "And if I can get the potions directly?"

"Better merchant credits," the clerk confirmed. "But you'll need someone who knows alchemy for that."

Kael left the desk and found an empty chair nearby. He sat down and leaned back in his chair, considering his options. Then, he pulled out a communication scroll—a thin, parchment-like sheet inscribed with intricate runes. It glowed faintly in his hands as he channeled a small amount of mana into it.

The scroll's runes shimmered for a few seconds, and Kael's voice recorded itself: "Shiera, I'm taking a mission to procure Starlight Blossoms. I might need your help—can you check your schedule and let me know?"

Satisfied, he sealed the message with a press of his thumb. The scroll absorbed his mana signature, locking it to its recipient—his fifth wife, Shiera.

Communication scrolls were a marvel of magical craftsmanship developed during the past century. Each one required a mana signature to function. The higher the quality, the more signatures it could store and the farther its range. Kael's scroll was legendary grade, capable of storing up to 50 contacts and transmitting messages across a thousand kilometers. The Queen gave it as one of the presents on his wedding day. It was one of the many privileges of being tied to the royal family.

Kael rolled up the scroll and tucked it away.

Meanwhile, far away from the imperial city;

The dungeon was eerily quiet, the only sounds were the occasional drip of water and the faint hum of magical energy coursing through the walls. Shiera and her party sat around a makeshift camp on an empty floor, their weapons resting within arm's reach. A faint glow from enchanted crystals lit the space.

Shiera leaned back against a stone pillar, her halberd resting beside her. The fight earlier had been brutal—a horde of undead swarming them in the narrow hallways. But they had prevailed, her halberd slicing through the enemies like butter.

"Good work, everyone," one of her teammates said, stretching her legs. "We'll rest here before tackling the next level."

Shiera nodded, letting her eyes shut. Suddenly, her communication scroll glowed and floated out of her pouch, hovering in front of her. The runes shimmered as Kael's voice filled the air.

"Shiera, I'm taking a mission to procure Starlight Blossoms. I might need your help—can you check your schedule and let me know?"

The party turned their attention to her in curiosity.

"Who was that?" one of them asked.

Shiera grabbed the scroll mid-air and stashed it back into her pouch with a frown on her face. "No one important," she said sharply. "Just my useless husband."

Her tone and the disgust on her face silenced the others. One of her teammates hesitated. "You're married? I didn't know that."

Shiera waved her hand dismissively. "Don't ask. I don't want to talk about it."

The tension eased as her teammates shrugged and returned to their own conversations. Shiera closed her eyes, trying to ignore the uncomfortable knot in her stomach. Despite her harsh words, an image flickered in her mind: Kael's sister, Mia, standing tall and fearless as she battled a demonic lion.

The memory was vivid. Mia's blade shone with mana as she struck the beast down in one swing, saving Shiera's life.

Shiera sighed and shifted in her seat. "Forget it," she muttered to herself, forcing the thought away. She needed her rest at the moment.

Meanwhile, in the bustling healing house, a non-profit organization that provides basic healing treatment for free, Kael stepped into the cool, herb-scented hall. The place was alive with activity—healers tending to patients, apprentices sorting potions, and clerks scribbling away at desks.

Kael spotted his second wife, Seraphina, standing near a shelf filled with jars of dried herbs. She wore a flowing white robe adorned with golden embroidery, and her silver hair shimmered under the light.

"Seraphina," Kael called softly.

She turned, her calm demeanor brightening slightly at the sight of him. "Kael. What brings you here?"

"Well, the thing is…"

He explained the mission and his need for Starlight Blossoms. "I heard you might know of alternative herbs if we can't find the real thing."

Seraphina tilted her head thoughtfully. "That's true. There are substitutes that can work just as well. I can come with you to identify them."

"Thank you," Kael said with genuine relief.

She nodded, her voice gentle. "You shouldn't travel alone. These missions can be dangerous."

"Yeah, I know. But Shiera didn't respond to my messages," Kael said, disappointment was evident in his tone. "I intend to visit the Everlasting Guild and see if I could hire any familiar adventuring team."

"Hmm…" Seraphina grabbed her chin, thought for a moment, and replied, "Since you have no knowledge of the herb, I'll come along with you."

"Really?" Kael's eyes lit up in joy. "Thank you."

A while later, Kael informed Laura and Melissa about the trip. Melissa gave him an understanding nod, but Laura's eyes narrowed when she heard Seraphina was accompanying him.

"You're traveling alone with her?" Laura asked, crossing her arms.

Kael blinked. "I—uh— yes?"

"I'm coming with you," Laura declared. "It's not proper for you to be alone with her, especially with an all-female adventuring team around."

"Laura, it's not—" Kael started to protest, but her determined look silenced him. "Fine."

The next morning, Kael, Laura, and Seraphina climbed into the carriage. Laura wore a fitted leather tunic and trousers, carrying some sort of tome in her hands. Seraphina, in her elegant healer's robes, seemed unbothered by Laura's presence.

Four women from a Gold-grade adventuring team of Kael's former guild rode alongside the carriage on horseback. Their armor gleamed, and their weapons were ready for any trouble on the road.

As the carriage rolled out of the city gates, Kael glanced between his two wives. Laura chatted animatedly with the adventurers, her voice brimming with excitement for the journey. Seraphina, on the other hand, was quiet, her gaze focused on the road ahead.

Kael sighed, leaning back in his seat. "It was going to be a long trip."