Gacha Harem System

Melody stared up at him, eyes wide in surprise.

She’d expected to maybe see Karrakas returning for something else, or even someone from the building’s management to inform them of something, but definitely not the person in front of her.

"Baldwin," she said. "What are you doing here?"

The most surprising part wasn’t even his presence here. It was his dressing.

The man was dressed in a custom made dark suit that made him look like he owned more wealth than most people would ever see in their lifetime.

He probably did, judging by his position in the Le Fay family.

The man gave Melody a short nod before speaking. "Good morning. My apologies for the early hour. May I come in?"

Melody stepped back, pulling the door open wider. "Of course."

Baldwin ducked slightly as he walked in so as not to hit his head against the doorframe, straightening to his full height once he was inside.

Melody closed the door behind him and moved quickly to the kitchen.

"Lukas. Akira." She spoke, her voice carrying through to the kitchen. "You should come out."

Lukas appeared from the kitchen first, wiping his hands on a cloth. Akira followed a step behind, more alert now than she’d been a minute ago, but still trying to suppress another yawn.

Lukas smiled the moment he saw Baldwin, then extended a hand. "Baldwin. Good to see you."

The man shook it once. "And you."

"Join us for breakfast," Lukas said, gesturing to the dining area. "We were just about to sit down."

Baldwin shook his head. "Thank you, but no. I’d prefer to keep this brief if you don’t mind. I have business to discuss with you first."

Lukas noticed the man’s tone without difficulty. Whatever had brought the man here at this hour, it wasn’t a social visit.

He turned to Melody and Akira. "Give me a moment. Wait for me at the table."

They moved to the dining room without argument.

Lukas headed back into the kitchen, turning the heat down on everything that needed it, checking that nothing would burn or dry out while he was away.

Satisfied, he set the cloth down and walked back out.

He pulled out the chair at the head of the table and sat down.

Baldwin stood at the other end, hands clasped behind his back, waiting.

"Alright," Lukas said, settling back. "What brings you here?"

Baldwin looked at each of them in turn before he spoke.

"Would you be interested in a hundred million gold coins?"

The dining room went quiet.

Lukas stared at him. Across the table, he could feel Melody and Akira’s surprise without having to look at them.

He was just as surprised, not because he lacked a hundred million gold coins but because he hadn’t even been expecting the question.

Why would Baldwin be offering such an amount of money?

And they both knew it wouldn’t be for free, so what was the catch?

It was better to prod at the offer first before making any decisions.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked.

Baldwin’s posture remained exactly as it had been. Without the man saying anything, it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

"Lady Morgana has long recognized the value of a closer partnership between herself and the three of you. She identified it early, back in Havenhart. However, she understood that such things need to develop at the right pace, and we feel that the right time has indeed arrived."

Lukas’ eyes narrowed. "Go on."

"She values your ability," Baldwin said. "Yours and your wives’. She wishes to bring you all closer to her."

"We believe your value to us cannot simply be represented as contractors operating under an agreement, but as something more than that. Something closer to friends."

He paused. "And friends don’t only work together. They build wealth together. And they share loyalty."

Lukas leaned forward slightly. "Speak plainly, Baldwin."

He could see it now. Morgana wanted to tie them to her, not the Le Fay family.

She wanted their loyalty, but what was she willing to pay to get it? A mere hundred million gold coins?

Baldwin gave a single nod. "Since you prefer directness, I’ll be direct."

"Lady Morgana wants a partnership. She’s aware that you have ambitions that reach beyond where you currently stand, and she has the same."

"You all want to climb, and she wants the same thing. The question is whether two parties moving towards the same destination are better served working alongside each other, or being picked apart separately by people whose intentions are far less honest."

He held Lukas’s gaze. "She would rather forge something real with you now, while the opportunity exists, than allow others with worse motives to get there first."

"Worse motives?" Lukas chuckled. "Since you’ve done the same, I’ll speak plainly, Baldwin. Isn’t Morgana using us too?"

Baldwin didn’t hesitate. "Yes," he said. "She is."

"But the difference here is that we’re honest about it. Lady Morgana doesn’t just want to use you three. She also wants you to use her. That is what makes it a partnership."

"Two sides, coming together for mutual benefit. Isn’t this better than being just contracted employees?"

He straightened slightly.

"To demonstrate that this is a genuine offer of friendship, Lady Morgana is prepared to transfer ownership of several shops within the Golden Emporium to the three of you."

"Their combined value sits at one hundred million gold coins. What do you say, Valentines?"

Lukas kept his eyes on the man, silence filling the air for a few seconds. Then he finally spoke.

"Don’t you think our loyalty is worth more than a hundred million gold coins?"

For the first time since he’d walked through the door, Baldwin’s expression changed.

The corners of his mouth tilted just slightly upwards, into what might have been a smile on a face used to such an expression.

"You misunderstood me," Baldwin said. "The shops are not payment for your loyalty. They’re a gift. They’re Lady Morgana’s way of showing you the kind of partner she intends to be."

Lukas said nothing, waiting.

"Whether you accept the partnership or decline it entirely, the shops are yours regardless," Baldwin continued. "She is not buying your answer. She is demonstrating her sincerity before she asks for one."

"This is Lady Morgana’s sincerity." He met Lukas’ gaze. "And she is not asking for an answer today. Take whatever time you need."

Lukas studied the man’s face. "And if we agree?"

"Then you’ll step into a new world beyond missions and contracts," Baldwin said.

"The partnership would open doors into high society, the kind of access that money alone cannot buy. You’ll get connections, and most importantly, information."

He clasped his hands again. "When you have your answer, go to Lotus Hall. You will be welcomed at any time, without an appointment."

Lukas nodded slowly.

They exchanged a few more words before he walked Baldwin to the door.

The tall man stepped out with another short nod before disappearing down the lift.

Lukas closed the door.

He stood there for a moment, then walked back to the dining room and dropped into his chair.

Melody and Akira were both watching him.

He looked at them both.

"So," he said. "What do we do?"

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