Not too long ago, in a luxurious, quaint ladies' cloth shop, the interiors were bathed in warm golden light from the ornate chandeliers that hung above.
Gossamer drapes billowed softly from the ceiling, and elegant mannequins showcased the shop's finest bikinis. The walls were adorned with a mesmerizing array of fabrics, from the shiniest silks to the softest cotton, in every color imaginable.
However, the atmosphere was laden with tension. Ceti's sharp glare sent the last of the shop's patrons scurrying away, leaving her and her mother in an oasis of solitude amidst the paradise of textiles.
The reverberations of the door chime echoed in the empty shop as Ceti hesitated, her fiery demeanor contrasting with the gentle surroundings.
She felt too self-conscious coming here, and so she had no choice but to shoo everyone out, lest she feel their prying gazes on her.
"Why did you drag me here, Mother?" she whispered, casting an anxious glance at the array of bikinis, "I don't need these... strange clothes to go to the beach," Ceti took a quick look and saw that these short and revealing clothes with no functional uses were mainly worn by humans in beaches.
She once again wondered when their demon kind picked up on this culture, though rarely anyone wore one of these back home due to the nature of their world.
Merina, embodying grace and understanding, gently wrapped an arm around her daughter, "Isola plans to wear one," she said softly, her voice carrying a note of playful concern, "I can't let my daughter fall behind, now, can I?"
Ceti's gaze darted away, her flusteredness palpable, "I-I don't understand what you're implying."
Merina's smile widened just a fraction, "Wearing one of these might catch his attention," she murmured, "You'd stand out more to him."
Ceti's breath caught in her throat. The realization that her mother had pieced together everything between her and Asher just like she suspected, brought a rush of vulnerability, "Mother," she began, her voice quivering, "I... I am..."
Merina placed a gentle hand on Ceti's face, guiding her eyes back to meet her own, "You have no reason to feel bad," she whispered, "Your happiness means everything to me, more than anything. After all you've been through, you deserve this. I don't want you suffering years of unhappiness like me. You are still young and very beautiful. Don't let the years go past wasted. It's high time you let someone make you happy."
"Mother..." Ceti's voice broke, a mix of gratitude and guilt evident in her tone.
Merina, ever the wise matriarch, sensed her daughter's turmoil, "Don't overthink it," she urged, "Try one of these on. Let yourself be admired by the man you like. What's the worst that can happen? It's nothing complicated."
Touched by her mother's words, a soft smile spread across Ceti's face.
With a deep breath, she began to peruse the variety of bikinis, allowing herself to embrace the experience, guided by her mother's advice.
Still, the idea of going out and standing before him while wearing one of these couldn't stop her heart from calming down.
The beach of Hellbringer's Haven was a picturesque setting, a paradox of peace amidst the realm of chaos.
White sands stretched far and wide, meeting the azure waters that shimmered under the blazing sun. However, today wasn't just about the tranquil beauty of the sea. It was a spectacle, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for many, and they weren't about to miss it.
From various corners, a motley crowd had gathered. There were sharp-horned Minotaurs, nimble goblins, fiery-eyed lizardmen, and so many more.
Each had their own reasons to be there, but a common anticipation united them all: the arrival of the Bloodburn Consort and his renowned entourage, especially the Umbralfiend Emissary, who was, in reality, the princess of the Umbralfiends and whose beauty was said to be on par with the Bloodburn Queen herself.
The sectioned-off part of the beach bore witness to the frolic of a young Kraken.
Its giant pincers playfully splashed in the waters, drawing amused and terrified glances from onlookers just by looking at the gigantic waves it was creating casually.
But what was more intriguing was the formidable ring of armored guards that circled this area. Their intimidating stances made it clear: no unsolicited approaches would be tolerated.
A sudden hum in the air marked the activation of a teleportation portal.
The silver shimmer of the portal cast surreal reflections on the water's surface, and as it did, a hushed silence fell upon the throng.
Emerging from the portal, the Bloodburn Consort instantly became the epicenter of every gaze. His tall, dove-gray skin radiated under the sun, muscles rippling with each step. Though adorned only in his trousers, his demeanor bore regality.
With a charming smile, he walked forward towards a sunlounger while all the guards deeply bowed, and the people looked on with awe.
This was the very same man who was not only rumored to have an Immortal Bloodline but someone who defeated the 2nd strongest genius among their generation, Prince Agonon.
Some were still skeptical, but the fact that Prince Agonon and his entire group vanished off the face of the mini-dungeons and with the famous royal insignia of Prince Agonon adorning the gates of Hellbringer's Haven was enough proof.
Nobody could steal that from such a powerful, draconian prince. This only left one answer. He was killed, and his royal insignia was used as a means to humiliate him and his kingdom, even after his death.
They couldn't help but wonder if the Bloodburn Consort was truly fearless to not expect any consequences after getting back home.
After all, Agonon was highly treasured by the Draconian King and his queen. Even if the Bloodburn Consort was the king here, it wouldn't be the same when he returns.
But suddenly, their thoughts were distracted upon seeing the teleportation portal shimmer again.
Three women emerged from the portal, exuding an allure that could rival the beauties of legends.
First to step out was Isola, the princess of the Umbralfiends.
Her twilight blue skin gleamed under the sun, setting a celestial backdrop for the stark white bikini she wore.
Its design was intricate: tiny moonstone gems embedded in silver threadwork tracing the curves of her top, complementing her generous supple bust and toned figure.
Her bottom was a low-rise, tied at each side with tassels that swayed with her every movement.
Her luminescent moon-white hair, cascading down her back, added an ethereal quality.
Her sapphire blue eyes, soft and calm like the sea, skimmed the crowd, making many men find themselves entranced, their gazes lingering on her form, wishing the moment could be frozen in time.
Walking beside her was the fierce Royal Battlemaster.
Her bold choice of a blood-red bikini made her stand out, mirroring her fiery personality.
The triangular cut of the bikini top highlighted her large breasts and her deep cleavage, with golden chains draping below, clinking softly with her movements.
The bottom was a high-cut, emphasizing her toned legs and waist.
Her scarlet hair, pulled into a defiant ponytail, accentuated the angular beauty of her face. Several men in the crowd shifted uneasily, mouths slightly agape, taken aback by her audacious allure.
Every step she took was with confidence, her fierce dark blue eyes scanning the throng, challenging anyone who dared to meet her gaze for long, discouraging the men from letting their gazes linger too long.
However, inwardly, her cheeks were burning up as this was the first time she was wearing such strange clothes and stepping out. She would have definitely felt more comfortable in her armor.
Lastly, the ever-so-graceful Merina. Her maturity was evident, yet she bore an ageless beauty.
She donned a black, halter-neck bikini that tightly wrapped around her plump breasts while revealing her tempting cleavage.
The top was ornate with shimmering black beads, providing a soft contrast to her red skin.
The bottom was a full coverage style, draped elegantly around her hips, emphasizing her voluptuous curves. Long black hair flowed down her back, creating a silhouette of timeless elegance while complimenting her demure demeanor.
Men, especially the older ones, felt a nostalgic pang of first love, their hearts racing as they were transported back to younger days while the younger ones felt they were starved of some motherly love, especially after seeing those pair of bouncy melons.
With every step the quartet took, they commanded the beach, a blend of power and allure, leaving an indelible mark on the memories of all who were present.
The men couldn't help but feel jealous of the Bloodburn Consort for being surrounded by such beauties despite being married to the most beautiful woman in the Bloodburn Kingdom.
The women in the crowd, on the other hand, took in the scene with mixed feelings. Envious gazes coupled with keen assessments of the Consort's choices, "So, he prefers women like them? Sigh, maybe I can match up to them one day," one of them muttered, her eyes moving from Isola to Merina and then to Ceti.
"Keep dreaming," Another one rolled her eyes upon hearing this.
"You!"
The collective reaction was electric. Murmurs of appreciation rippled through the crowd. Eyes widened, jaws slackened, and for a few moments, time seemed to pause.
The power of beauty was evident, as even the most stoic among the demons found themselves captivated.
It was no secret that wars were waged throughout history, not only for wealth and power but for beauty as well.
The beach, for that brief moment, became a theater of admiration, envy, and raw attraction.
As Asher turned towards the familiar trio emerging from the teleportation portal, his casual demeanor wavered.
Isola warmly smiled upon catching his gaze with a hint of longing in her eyes, though her smile turned wistful upon knowing how this was all she could do.
And as Asher's gaze lingered on Ceti, the usually fierce face was painted in a hue of crimson, her eyes darting away.
Merina's eyes, filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty, met her Master's, wondering if he would like what she was wearing.
A hushed murmur ran through the crowd as the demons around whispered and gossiped about the striking trio and their relationship with the Bloodburn Consort.
They knew there was a high chance he was sleeping with all three, but of course, as the consort of the Bloodburn Queen, he wouldn't prove their suspicions in public.
Asher, however, seemed to exist in a world of his own, his burning gaze unwavering as he admired the three women who had so unexpectedly captivated him in this moment.
The gentle lapping of the waves against the shore seemed to synchronize with the racing blood in his veins. The scene was nothing short of enchanting.
However, not too far away, a handsome hunk with uncanny red eyes and long silver hair stepped out along with three noble figures behind him, the crowd hurriedly giving them way.
Upon seeing his Isola, dressed in such an alluring way, he swallowed his saliva. However, his expression contorted upon noticing the eyesore named Asher ogling at his woman.
"It's time…" He mumbled to his followers with a sinister curve of his lips.
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