Chapter 734: The Empress

"I think they should be arriving in Samar by now," Violet commented as she looked at Agnes, Ruby, and Sasha.

"I still want to know what was going on in my Husband's head. Why did he suddenly decide to go to Samar?" Ruby frowned at the frustration she was feeling right now.

"It's no use thinking about it now, Ruby. Darling has a very casual mood; he's like the wind. He goes where he wants and when he wants." Sasha commented.

"That's true. But even the wind has patterns that can be traced through the science that studies it." Ruby pointed. "Darling is the same. He doesn't act without reasons."

"The core values of what makes up Victor, when none of his Family is in danger, are Fun, and recently, goals that will help us in the long run," Violet spoke.

"Exactly." Ruby nodded in agreement with Violet.

"In that case, has he decided that going to Samar will give him an opportunity that will benefit our Family?"

"Probably," Violet spoke.

"Huh? You are not sure?" Sasha asked incredulously, "Don't you boast that you know Darling better than the rest of us? Where's your pride?"

A vein bulged on Violet's head, and she smiled with her eyes closed, grimacing: "Yes, I know Darling better than all of you, but remember that Darling was away from us for 700 years. No one goes 700 years without changing."

"That's true, but the 'core' of an individual's personality doesn't change so easily unless something drastic happens, which was the case with Victor," Agnes spoke.

"..." The three Heiresses looked at Agnes.

"As someone who has lived over 1700 years, I can clearly say that although I am not the same woman I was in the past, I am still the same Agnes as I was as a child. I am just more mature and experienced in matters of life."

"Just say you are old," Violet snorted.

Veins bulged on Agnes's head: "...Violet, it seems I should teach you to show some 'respect' to your mother. You've been very arrogant lately."

"My respect for you died completely when I saw you screaming like a bitch in heat, asking for more 'rough treatment' from my Husband." Violet snorted again.

"..." Agnes had the decency to at least turn her face away and cry a little, and as she did so, she couldn't help but wonder who made Violet so foul-mouthed and arrogant? This was not a trait of her family!

"Violet..." Sasha called Violet.

"What?"

"I've been wondering this for a while..." Sasha commented cautiously.

"Wondering what? Stop with the suspense and spit out what you want to say." Violet didn't like the suspense genre. She was the type of woman who would burn down the movie theater because she couldn't bear to watch a whole movie in that genre.

"Why do you keep commenting on the details of what happened back then and use it as a weapon to embarrass the girls?"

"..." Violet raised an eyebrow at Sasha, "You know it's not just me who does that, right?"

"I know." Sasha nodded: "But you are the First Wife. You have to set an example. If you behave like Agnes, what kind of respect do you want to gain from other Wives?"

"Oyy! What do you mean by 'behave like Agnes'!? I am not that much of a delinquent!" Agnes pointed at Violet as if she had committed a great crime.

"..." Ruby couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard what Agnes said. 'Doesn't this woman look in the mirror? Violet is clearly a copy of her.'

Ignoring what Agnes said, Sasha kept looking at Violet:

"As the Empress, you must command respect, Violet."

"Respect can't be forced, Sasha. It's not that simple." Violet pointed out.

"I know that respect must be earned." Sasha nodded. She knew that fact very well: "But how are you going to earn that respect if you don't act accordingly?"

"..." Violet frowned.

"Don't get me wrong, Violet. I'm not criticizing you or saying that the fact that you use the intimate acts we do with our Husband to shame other girls is abhorrent."

"After all, as you said, they all do that... And because they all do that kind of action, that's where the problem is generated."

"Our intimate acts should not be used as a weapon to shame other girls because these intimate acts are a way for us to show our love to Victor, our Husband."

"...." Agnes and Ruby frowned when they heard what Sasha said. They realized that what the blonde said was an

important point.

Violet might have been silent, but she listened thoroughly to what Sasha was saying because even Violet saw the merit in Sasha's words.

"Understanding, mutual respect, and companionship are important for a long and healthy relationship."

"Even though those provoking words are an internal 'joke' for us, it's not funny anymore." Sasha was very sensitive to the house's atmosphere because, like her mother, she could slow down Time if she wanted to. Although she was not a Master of facial expressions like her Husband, she could still read the environment very well. After all, that was an essential skill for reading the bipolar moods of her mother's other personality.

"If any of our words had hurt any of the girls, Victor would have done something." Violet pointed out.

"That's true. Darling would step in if any sort of internal conflict arose." Sasha nodded, she knew her Husband well, and with his Powers of Empathy, it was a fact that he could keep an eye on the emotional changes of all his Wives. If he didn't intervene now, it was because no problem had occurred.

"Right? Violet spoke: "These jokes are not a problem. Everyone understands they shouldn't take those words to heart, so what's the problem?"

"Just because a problem hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't in the future, Violet."

"..."

"Currently, Darling's Wives respect Ruby, Natashia, Kaguya, Aphrodite, Jeanne, Morgana, and Scathach the most."

"...Not including yourself?" Violet asked in amusement. She didn't feel the least bit offended by what Sasha said. After all, she could also see what Sasha was trying to point out.

"I'm not arrogant enough to think I'm as respected as the aforementioned women." Sasha snorted. Just because she wasn't 'as respected' didn't mean she didn't receive any respect from the girls.

The same was true of Violet. She wasn't hated or anything. On the contrary, she was respected but not at the level of the aforementioned women, which was a problem...at least from Sasha's perspective.

"Ironically, Scathach isn't even a 'Wife' yet, and she already has so much influence." Sasha chuckled in amusement.

"You know my mother is a Wife in all but name, right?" Ruby pointed.

"Yes, I know. But Scathach doesn't think about that, right?" Sasha smiled.

"..." Ruby had no way of refuting those words. The relationship between Victor and Scathach was complex. They wanted to fight each other when they were stronger... That's what they say, but Ruby believed the two were satisfied with keeping the relationship as it was. This was because this relationship motivated the two to get stronger and push each other's boundaries.

Ruby had never seen her mother training with such intensity as she was now.

Thinking deeply about Sasha's words, Agnes said, "Scathach has everyone's respect, as does Aphrodite."

"Which means that the two of them have the most influence in the Harem, huh?"

"Indeed." Sasha nodded.

"Violet is the First Wife. She is the woman who changed Darling's life by turning him into a Noble Vampire." Despite being part of the Ritual, the only reason Sasha was there on that fateful day was at Violet's request. Violet was the main trigger for her being in that place.

"Scathach is Victor's Master and was the woman who gave him a purpose in life. And Anna was the woman who raised Victor and shaped who he is today."

"You could say these three women hold a special place in Victor's heart."

Violet narrowed her eyes, "You know what you're saying right now is wrong, right?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you ABSOLUTELY sure?"

"...Yes." She spoke with a strong tone.

"... Haah... I'm not blind, Violet. It's clear to everyone that you, Anna, and Scathach are the most special to Victor."

"That doesn't mean he doesn't love us. Darling makes sure everyone feels special, but it's undeniable that you, Scathach, and Anna are the most special because you directly impacted Victor's life the most." Sasha spoke neutrally without showing any discomfort or sadness. She wasn't feeling these feelings because, as she said, Victor made sure to shower everyone with lots of love.

...But women were greedy. They all wanted to be 'special' in some way to their Husband. They wanted to be just like Scathach, Anna, Violet, Roxanne, Aphrodite, Leona, and Ruby.

Sasha's reason for adding Roxanne, Aphrodite, Leona, and Ruby was obvious.

Aphrodite was a literal Goddess who gave everything she had to Victor in the name of love. The love the two had for each other was like a drug strengthened by the Goddess's Blessing. It was addictive.

Leona was Victor's childhood friend. They were in a similar situation in the past. So she fell into the same category as Violet.

Ruby didn't even need to say much. The cold and intelligent woman never rested or spared any efforts to protect her Family.

And Roxanne was the woman who literally made him reborn much stronger, and she was the woman who spent 700 years at Victor's side.

Violet sighed. "Haaah... I don't like the way you put it, Sasha." She looked seriously at Sasha:

"Victor wouldn't like it either."

"..."

"Yes, maybe Scathach, Anna, and I are the most 'special' for Victor because we impacted his life so much."

"But you are being unfair to all his Wives by speaking like that."

"...Huh? What do you mean?" Sasha asked.

"We are all special, Sasha."

"Ruby impacted Victor with her hard work and how she protects the Family. She was the one who supported him when he was away from us for 1 and a half years too."

"In the beginning, you impressed Victor with your kindness and nobility. Thanks to who you are, Victor had to rethink his decisions a lot. For a long time, you were Victor's 'moral compass' not to commit so many atrocities."

"Because if it were up to just me and Ruby, the two of us wouldn't care if he burned the world down."

"...." Sasha opened her eyes wide, she looked at Ruby, asking for confirmation, and the redhead just nodded, saying:

"She is correct. It may not seem like it, but Victor, in the beginning, always made important decisions after thinking about what we would think of him." Ruby explained.

Before Sasha could say anything, Violet spoke:

"You said I should 'command' respect, but Victor and I don't think so."

"...Huh?"

"Sasha, this isn't an Imperial Harem or anything like that. There are no Factions or favorite women. Stop watching middle age dramas; your head is getting infected with that bullshit."

"....." Sasha was left speechless by Violet's brusque way of speaking.

"What is the motto of Clan Alucard?"

"We take care of each other," Sasha spoke.

"Correct, our Family will always come first." Violet nodded and added with an even more intense look:

"We are Family, we are all Family, and because of that, we are so casual with each other. After all, we are practically sisters."

"The way he found each woman and interacted with them initially makes every encounter special for him. We are all special to him, Sasha." Violet repeated it again to emphasize what she wanted to say:

"The proof of this fact is that if one of us suddenly disappears, I guarantee you he will go crazy. That's the day he will burn the world."

"...So I was wrong...?" Sasha spoke with a slightly depressed mood.

"Not exactly," Ruby and Violet spoke at the same time.

"...." The two looked at each other and nodded as if they agreed with something, then Violet began to speak:

"The situation you mentioned has merits to be taken seriously. We must not use our nightly activities with our Husband as an insult." Violet looked at Agnes.

"I'm sorry I said I lost respect for you, Mother. That's not true; I respect you a lot. And I'm sorry I spoke like that."

"..." Agnes opened her eyes wide and felt a shiver run through her entire body.

'What's wrong with my daughter!? Has she gotten sick all of a sudden!?'

Violet continued to look seriously at Agnes.

Realizing that she would not get out of this situation if she didn't say something, Agnes spoke with a trembling voice:

"I-It's okay... I understand... Can you go back to normal? You are really scaring me right now."

Violet nodded and looked back at Sasha: "I will communicate to the more 'foul-mouthed' members of our group to be more sociable."

"Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Sasha."

"... You're welcome...?" Sasha replied, confused and, at the same time, stunned. She did not expect this development. "Ruby." Violet looked at the redhead.

"I know. Talk to Natashia, right? She is one of the 'foul-mouthed' members of our group."

"Add Morgana, Pepper, Eleonor, and Rose as well. The last two can be quite unpleasant when provoked. I think that attitude was built because they come from an environment with only fighters."

Remembering the 'pleasant discussion' between Rose and Eleonor that took place in the bathroom, Ruby couldn't help but nod.

"Okay, I will go talk to them."

"On that same topic, talk to Nero and Ophis as well." Violet pointed.

"...Why?" Ruby raised her eyebrow.

"We don't want the children saying bad words, right?" Violet smiled.

"...Fair enough."

"..." Sasha couldn't help but look at Violet as if they were looking at an alien. Where did she get that aura of authority? Was this the same Violet she knew?

"You look shocked, Sasha." Agnes laughed.

"..." Sasha just nodded as she looked sideways toward Agnes.

"You haven't spent much time with Violet lately. It might not seem like it, but all those responsibilities involving the Snow Clan, the new Faction, and Darling's religion are causing major changes in Violet."

"Just as you are evolving in strength and insight, Violet is not standing still either." Agnes looked at Violet, who was talking to Ruby.

"She is growing daily." Agnes smiled proudly.

'She is growing up to become the Empress of the same stature as a King like Victor.'

"I see... Looks like I saw a big problem where there wasn't one to begin with." Sasha spoke with a sense of fulfillment.

"Actually, I used to think like you."

"Huh?" Those words caught Sasha off guard.

"I think this thought was born due to my experience observing Harems of the past. There was a lot of politics in the Harems of the Kings of the past. Women practically killed each other to be the 'First Wife'."

"...Our situation would never devolve into that."

"I know, Victor would never let it, but women are naturally selfish, you know? They always want more, especially when the prize is someone as irresistible as Victor."

"That's true, but acting that way would only make Darling sad and disappointed." Sasha pointed out.

"Indeed." Agnes nodded.

"As I said, I thought a bit like you, I saw a problem where there wasn't one, but after that conversation, my mind was cleared. As Violet said, there are no Factions or the preferred woman. There are no internal politics."

"Darling has demonstrated time and time again that he is not a small man like the Kings of the past. Instead, he is an overwhelming man who has a lot of love to give." Agnes smiled when she remembered Victor's lifeless, haunting eyes.

"That I can agree with you." Sasha smiled.

"Ruby, should we tell Victor what happened here?" Violet asked.

"Please, do it." Ruby nodded.

"...Why did you look so anxious?" Violet raised her eyebrow.

"I desire to be punished for thinking nonsense." She was brutally honest.

"..." The women stared at Ruby with deadpanned expressions.

"... In this particular case, shouldn't it be Sasha who should be punished?" Agnes asked cautiously.

"Tsk, that's true."

'Why does she look so disappointed!?' Violet and Sasha thought at the same time.

Violet looked at Sasha, the two communicated with each other's gazes, and then Sasha nodded:

"I'll tell Victor what happened... And I'll say Ruby was the one who started the trouble."

Ruby opened her eyes wide and then showed a small satisfied smile.

It was evident from her expression that she was pretty expectant.

'Victor, you bastard! What did you do to Ruby!!' Sasha and Violet thought at the same time.

Suddenly the door is opened, and Aphrodite and Hestia entered with serious faces:

"We have a problem."

"What is it?" Violet asked with a grave look.

"Hera and Nyx desire to meet us on Earth. The situation in the Greek Pantheon has gotten much worse. I predict they want to ask for shelter."

"... Well, fuck." Violet rubbed her brow: 'Why does shit always happen when Darling isn't home?' She sighed at the end.

...