Free Web NovelChapter 249: _Ever-Increasing Harem
"Why exactly are we in here?" Ambrose found his voice, slowly placing his hands on Valentine’s shoulders. "The others will soon start searching for us. You’re acting as if I went out of my way to summon Loki or something."
He tried pushing the Necromancer back but he wouldn’t budge.
After weeks of levelling up, Ambrose was physically stronger than any A-Rank Esper or Guide out there—unless they had a strength type ability.
Heck, he might even be physically stronger than some S-Ranks.
Being unable to make Valentine move even an inch was a real blow to the good old ego.
"It’s not about him appearing," the SS-Rank ignored his grip and fixed both hands on the sink, successfully locking Ambrose between either of them. "It’s—"
"Oh, what? About him calling you out for caring about me or whatever that shit was?"
Valentine blinked back a frown. "What? No—well, not that exactly." He groaned, lowering his head. "It’s about the way he is around you. The way you are."
Ambrose recoiled so hard his back nearly melted into the sink behind him. "The way I am? Val, I feel nothing but annoyance toward Loki."
"Really? The way you stared at them told me otherwise."
’System?’ The guide quickly opted for another opinion. ’Do I really—’
[The host tends to stare too intensely at the target: Loki. Particularly after he kidnapped you.]
Ambrose’s face lost colour.
No.
No, no, no... There was just no way!
He couldn’t possibly like the asshole, right?
"I can practically smell how torn you are, you know." Valentine shook his head just then, finally inching back away from him. "So I was right."
The latter ground his teeth. "Do I need to remind you that Devon and Viktor are my boyfriends now?"
"Is that supposed to mean anything to me, Guide?"
That made Ambrose pause. For the quickest second he thought he felt some kind of hurt behind the Necromancer’s voice.
Which further added to his confusion.
"It should tell you that I’m... complicated when it comes to my relations with Espers, Val." He sighed. "Besides, I don’t like Loki. Sure they’re fine. But that’s probably just an effect of—"
"My only qualm is," Valentine straightened, adjusting his outfit, "if you do plan on adding another person to your ever-increasing harem of powerful men—please, do well to inform the others first."
The word ’please’ took Ambrose completely off guard. The man rarely ever used that word.
But it also made him conscious of how sincere he was being. And equally made an unbearable knot of guilt tighten in his chest.
After keeping those crimson eyes on him for a few more seconds, Valentine cleared his throat. "Anyway, our food is probably getting cold by now." He pointed at the toilet. "You still want to do your business or—?"
"I think I’m good." Ambrose forced a smile.
Valentine was about to open the door when he seized his shoulder.
"Val," his voice softened. "T–Thank you. Seriously. Before now I didn’t realise how much I’d be hurting the others if I ever planned on... bringing someone else."
His cheeks heated but he kept talking regardless. "First it was Devon with Viktor. Now it appears to be them with you—it’s just not fair for me to assume they’d just get used to it without consulting them."
Valentine’s expression remained plain at first. Then gradually, a proud smile curved his lips as he patted Ambrose on one cheek.
"It’s adorable seeing you self-reflect in real time."
"Let’s not push it..."
They both laughed so long that Ambrose nearly forgot about the tension from when they first got here. Both men eventually eased out of the restroom, side by side.
★★★★★
When they joined the others again, the conversations that followed were light, devoid of any drama at all.
Devon and Viktor occasionally dragged out each other’s embarrassing stories from their past friendship—while making sure to keep it all PG-friendly because of Orion.
The little guy was so well behaved anyway, too busy chowing on his ice cream sundae to care about their adult discussions.
At one point Valentine called out Gabriel, revealing that he was skilled at playing the piano.
"Well, well, well," Viktor drawled with a lazy smirk, angling his head to the space god. "Looks like you aren’t a boring background character after all."
"First off... duck you." Gabriel’s iridescent orbs flicked to Orion briefly before he went on. "Second off, yes I can. And I don’t get why Valentine is suddenly bringing that up."
"Why, come on, Gabriel." Valentine winked. "Tell me you don’t feel like showing that lacklustre pianist how it’s done."
"I don’t, thank you very much."
Ambrose spun his neck toward the direction of said pianist. He was currently playing a gentle piece... that honestly felt boring.
Maybe getting Gabriel to play something won’t be such a bad idea.
The moment the suggestion left Valentine’s mouth, everyone else immediately latched onto it.
"Actually..." Devon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "That’s not a bad idea."
Gabriel looked offended. "It is absolutely a bad idea."
"Oh, come on." Ambrose laughed. "You’re telling me you’ve got all that mysterious celestial energy going on and don’t know how to play dramatically in public?"
"I know how to play." Gabriel sighed. "I simply don’t feel the need to perform for people while they’re eating."
"Coward," Viktor deadpanned.
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed at that.
Valentine immediately pointed at him. "See? Even Viktor agrees."
"That’s because Viktor enjoys causing problems."
"Correct." The ice Prince raised his wine glass. "Now go play."
Even Orion joined in. "Please?"
The six-year-old’s eyes widened with devastating effectiveness.
Gabriel stared at him for three whole seconds before dragging a hand down his face.
"You’re all impossible."
A chorus of victory erupted around the table.
To Ambrose’s surprise, even the hotel manager seemed thrilled when Valentine casually flagged him down and explained the situation. The man’s eyes nearly lit up when he recognised exactly who Gabriel was.
A few minutes later Gabriel found himself seated before the grand piano.
The restaurant gradually quieted as several guests turned in curiosity. Then Gabriel placed his fingers on the keys.
Ambrose expected something classical. Something painfully boring.
Instead, a familiar modern melody burst through the restaurant.
The upbeat rhythm instantly caught everyone off guard.
Devon nearly choked on his drink while Viktor barked out a laugh.
"There’s no way," Ambrose wheezed.
Yet there absolutely was.
Gabriel continued playing flawlessly, transforming the trendy song into something grand enough for a concert hall.
Before long Devon was on his feet. Then Viktor. Then Valentine somehow dragged Ambrose up as well.
Even Orion started bouncing excitedly beside the table.
Laughter filled the air.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Ambrose forgot about every nightmare imaginable waiting beyond tonight.
For a few precious moments, there was only music.
And family.
