Emperor's harem: Transmigrated with SSS mana talent
Chapter 73: [Dinner]

Chapter 73: [Dinner]

The room inside Nyra’s church was dim, lit only by a flickering oil lamp that cast long, unkind shadows across the walls.

Selene sat in a carved wooden chair, her posture regal, but her expression unreadable.

A sharp edge lingered behind her stillness.

To her right, the Divine General leaned casually against the wall, one hand covering his mouth — doing a poor job hiding the smirk that tugged at his lips.

In front of them, Kael and Nyra knelt in silence.

Kael stared at the floor, jaw clenched. He wanted — desperately — to strangle the General.

One warning. One single warning would’ve been nice.

Beside him, Nyra fidgeted. Her eyes darted between Selene and the floor, utterly confused, still not understanding what she’d done wrong.

Selene’s voice broke the silence, calm but cutting.

"For the third time, Nyra," she said, "the devil asked you to contact Kael... the third son of a Duke... to purchase this orphanage, so you could join the Church of the Night Goddess?"

Nyra nodded slowly.

"Y-Yes. He said it would help everyone."

Selene turned her gaze to Kael.

He met it — and knew that look far too well.

It wasn’t anger.

Not yet.

It was a promise.

A long explanation is coming.

Kael coughed softly, rising from the floor like nothing had happened.

Without warning, he stepped around Selene’s chair and wrapped his arms around her from behind — a bold move, calculated but warm.

Selene stiffened for a moment, but didn’t pull away.

Nyra blinked, flustered, glancing quickly away with a shy flush on her face.

The Divine General raised a single eyebrow, the smirk fully returning.

Kael leaned closer to Selene’s ear.

"Let’s forget this... minor detail, hmm? What matters is we’re alive." He grinned.

"Why don’t we get healed first, haaa?"

Selene sighed — long and dramatic — but eventually let out a quiet laugh, her shoulders relaxing.

"You always talk your way out of things," she muttered.

Kael just squeezed her gently.

Moments later, Nyra stepped forward awkwardly, hands glowing faintly with soft magic.

"I-I can begin healing now..."

And the tension in the room finally began to lift.

# # #

Night draped itself over the church like a soft cloak.

Inside, the dining room glowed with lanternlight and the scent of freshly cooked food.

Kael sat at the table, eyes locked on the spread before him — warm bread, herb-roasted vegetables, a thick stew simmering with flavor, and something that suspiciously resembled Selene’s infamous honey-glazed meatrolls.

But the table wasn’t yet complete.

One seat remained empty — reserved for Nyra, who was still serving the children at the orphanage.

His stomach growled audibly.

Across from him sat Selene, arms crossed, brow arched.

To her right, the Divine General slouched lazily in his chair, sipping wine, watching Kael like a cat watches a bird near the edge of the cage.

Kael reached out — just one piece.

Just one.

Both Selene and the General turned their eyes on him in unison.

He froze.

"I was just... checking if it was hot," Kael muttered, withdrawing his hand with exaggerated grace.

"Wouldn’t want anyone to burn their tongue."

Selene gave him a deadpan look.

The General chuckled into his wine.

Moments later, soft footsteps approached.

Nyra entered the room, apron still on, hair slightly frayed. She offered them a warm, tired smile and quietly took her seat.

Before lifting a spoon, she folded her hands and bowed her head.

"Night Goddess, watch over the children. Guide our hearts in darkness..."

The table fell silent, candle flames flickering gently as her voice carried its prayer — light and reverent.

Kael sighed quietly. Worth the wait, he thought, if only slightly bitter.

They finally dug in.

Kael attacked his food like a barbarian unleashed — bread torn apart, stew slurped loudly, and meatrolls devoured with no ceremony.

Nyra watched, wide-eyed, then turned to Selene quietly,

"Does he always eat like that?"

Selene sighed deeply, setting down her fork with a half-smile.

"Only when he’s starving... and even then, he’s impressive."

The Divine General chuckled softly, shaking his head.

Kael caught their looks and grinned sheepishly between mouthfuls.

Selene took a slow sip of her wine, eyes fixed on Kael as the flickering candlelight danced across her face.

"So, what’s the plan now?" she asked quietly.

Kael lifted his cup, swirling the wine before taking a measured sip.

"I think I need to explain everything to the king. And... face the common people."

Nyra’s eyes narrowed with concern.

"What really happened at the duke’s house?"

Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Suddenly... the Devil attacked our house."

Nyra gasped, clutching her chest. Kael’s voice dropped an octave, dripping with rehearsed grief.

"There was a huge fight. I still don’t know what the Devil and my father were arguing over..." he paused, then added, "Maybe a family heirloom. Maybe pride. Who knows?"

His eyes shimmered with expertly conjured tears.

"But my brothers and I — we fought heroically."

Fake tears, practiced voice, perfect pauses, Selene noted behind her teacup.

If I didn’t already know the truth, I might’ve fallen for it.

Kael placed a hand on his chest.

"The battle... it was turning in the Devil’s favor. But then — he appeared."

A dramatic pause.

"The protector of our house. The mighty—Divine General!"

Cue music, Selene thought.

The general, who had been quietly chewing, choked on a piece of bread.

’Why am I the hero in your story?’

Kael waved a hand.

"You burst in like a righteous comet of justice, of course."

"Hmm. Must’ve missed that part," the general muttered.

Kael pressed forward.

"But it wasn’t enough. The Devil was too powerful. The entire estate was reduced to ash."

He turned to Nyra, his expression tragically noble.

"General could only save me. Everyone else... gone."

Nyra’s lips parted in silent horror.

"And my father..." Kael looked away, tone cold now.

"The Devil devoured him. Right there. Burned his body and tore out his soul.

It was... merciless."

Selene squinted.

He’s telling this story like that wasn’t his own father.

The Divine General just sighed.

’Next time, make me die dramatically at least. It’s more believable.’

Selene and the Divine General exchanged a glance, speechless at how naturally Kael could lie without a hint of hesitation.

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Kael’s words settling like a stormcloud — slow, serious, and long.

Nyra sat in silence, her gaze fixed on her half-finished cup.

She had believed the Devil to be... not good, perhaps — but not monstrous.

After all, he had helped her twice, without asking anything in return. That had to mean something, didn’t it?

But now, listening to Kael’s tale — the flames, the blood, the destruction of the Duke’s estate — she couldn’t deny the possibility.

This world was cruel. People didn’t do things without a reason.

There must be something the Devil wants, she thought, sighing quietly.

That’s how it always is.

She was kind, yes — but not naive.

Still... one thing didn’t sit right.

Nyra’s voice cut through the quiet, gentle but heavy.

"So... your whole family died today, right?"

Kael nodded, chewing on a meatball, eyes distant.

Nyra looked at him carefully.

"Now, you’re alone in this world."

Kael nodded again, still half-mast the meatball in his hand.

After a hesitant pause, Nyra muttered,

"So... why are we partying? Shouldn’t we at least skip eating for one day — for them?"

The meatball slipped from Kael’s fingers, landing with a soft plop on the plate.

Silence

A brief silence hung between them.