Chapter 46: Harem Expansion!

Zachary wasted no time making himself comfortable in the greenhouse.

After barging in with his enormous golden box, he casually lifted Ephraim’s gifts from the table and placed them on a nearby bench before taking the newly available seat between Lydia and the Crown Prince.

"Did I disturb your dating time, Ephraim?"

"VERY MUCH SO. You sure do, Senior."

"Always straightforward as ever. You didn’t even bother to mask it. Wonderful!"

What’s wrong with these two men?

How could Zachary take it as a compliment? He even patted Ephraim’s shoulder with joy.

Lydia always knew that Ephraim wasn’t fond of physical touches. Just the fact that he let Zachary pat him meant both of them shared a history.

Well, not romantically, for sure. But they seemed really close.

Lydia glanced around and caught several maids and servants stealing awkward looks in their direction.

By this point, they had watched Zachary visit the mansion often enough to grow accustomed to his presence.

The heir of the Empire’s Purse was practically a regular guest, and his habit of arriving without warning had apparently become part of their daily routine.

However, this was the first time they had seen their lady surrounded by two of the most powerful men in the Adrestian Empire at once.

A Crown Prince, the heir of the Empire’s Purse, and the lady of the Empire’s Sword.

They must make quite a sight together.

Lydia couldn’t blame the servants for being curious. Even she wasn’t entirely sure how she had ended up in this situation, especially when both men seemed determined to make their presence known.

A soft cough from her was enough to scatter the onlookers, finally giving the trio some privacy.

"I brought you an exclusive custom-fitted clothing for the upcoming Hunting Competition, Lydia."

Zachary gestured toward the enormous golden box, looking rather pleased with himself.

Before Lydia could ask what he had brought, Ephraim spoke up.

"Senior. I’m well aware that you know that Lydia is my fiancée, right?"

"No need to be so hostile, Ephraim. She’s my personal Guide. What’s wrong with pampering my deerling?"

"I don’t like sharing what’s mine."

Ephraim turned toward Lydia with a polite smile. It was the same pleasant expression he wore whenever he wanted to appear perfectly reasonable, but Lydia understood the unspoken question behind it.

Why is Zachary bringing you gifts?

Unfortunately, she had no explanation that would satisfy him. Zachary was Zachary, and trying to stop him from doing whatever he wanted was about as effective as asking a storm to change direction.

"Did I miss several Chapters when I was away?" Ephraim’s question made Zachary chuckle.

Ignoring the Crown Prince’s annoyed look, Zachary rose from his seat and stepped beside Lydia as he casually sling an arm over her shoulders.

His green eyes, however, remained fixed on Ephraim.

The gesture was almost lazy, yet his expression carried the unmistakable confidence of a black panther that had claimed its domain.

"Article 21 of the Sentinel and Guide Act: A Guide shall be legally permitted to establish Mark Bonds with multiple Sentinels, subject to the applicable requirements governing Bond Marking and mutual consent."

Ephraim’s polite smile remained intact, but his fists trembled slightly at his sides.

"And why are you bringing this now?"

Zachary smirked like a Cheshire cat before continuing, "Even the Emperor can’t just get rid of it without throwing the whole system into chaos, Ephraim. But you already knew that, didn’t you? Surely our Crown Prince isn’t that clueless~"

He must be furious, I know it. Ephraim always does when his crimson eyes turn like molten rubies like that. It is rare, but not impossible.

Lydia could practically feel the tension building between the two men again.

Zachary had deliberately brought up the law, and there was no way Ephraim could pretend he didn’t understand what it meant.

"Besides, more than anyone, you know how hard it was for me to have no Guide, Ephraim. Especially after..." Zachary went silent and quickly turned away. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to."

This was the first time Lydia ever saw such a look on Zachary. He seemed distant and tired. Almost lonely.

For a moment, the Crown Prince looked as though Zachary had touched a wound neither of them wanted to expose.

"Enough."

Ephraim closed his eyes, taking a moment to regain his composure. The greenhouse fell quiet, and even Zachary seemed lost in his own thoughts.

Whatever lay behind those unfinished words, it was clearly something they both understood.

When Ephraim opened his eyes again, the hostility in his expression had softened into something more complicated.

He looked at Zachary, who met his gaze without his usual grin. Neither of them said anything, but Lydia could tell they were both hurting.

Ephraim drew a deep breath before schooling his features back into their familiar calm.

"Yes. That’s enough, Senior. I understand."

The change in his attitude caught Lydia off guard. She had expected another exchange of sharp remarks, perhaps even a full argument over Article 21.

Instead, Ephraim had accepted Zachary’s point without another objection.

Ephraim rose from his seat and walked around to her side. Now, both men were standing beside her, one on either side.

Ephraim on the left. Zachary on the right.

"Are we going to do a photoshoot? Why are you both standing next to me?"

Suddenly Ephraim pulled Lydia closer to him and kissed her.

The kiss was brief, but it was enough to silence her. Lydia hadn’t expected Ephraim to do something so bold, especially with Zachary standing right beside them!

"Senior was right. As much as I hate it, you can have as much as Sentinels you want to guide. But, you’re still my fiancée, Lydia. I can tolerate it."

He smiled politely as usual, looking as composed as ever.

Lydia gawked at him, still struggling to recover from the shock.

He had agreed to let Lydia guide other Sentinels, but he still wanted to remain her number one.

Zachary, on the other hand, grinned and gave Ephraim two thumbs up.

"As expected from our Crown Prince. Yeah, after all, finding someone that can guide high ranking Sentinels like us was really rare."

"Indeed. I can’t risk you to be a Mindless, Senior. An SSS-Rank Sentinel like you might erase this entire Ceras continent if such things were to happen."

"Whatttt?!"

Lydia’s eyes widened as she turned toward Zachary. She knew Ephraim wasn’t joking, and she had personally witnessed Zachary’s terrifying power in battle.

A whole continent. That was devastating. And now, somehow, Lydia was being drawn into the matter.

Zachary merely grinned at her, utterly shameless as he leaned closer.

"I’m in your care, deerling. Let’s do our best to prevent such a tragedy."