My Xianxia Harem Life

"Please, sit, Princess Anya." Riley's voice was smooth, his expression unreadable as he gestured toward the empty seat.

The tension between the two women was almost tangible, like a silent battle being waged beneath polite smiles and carefully chosen words. Riley, however, had no interest in their feud.

He was here for entertainment, good wine, and perhaps a fleeting distraction from the endless monotony that came with his status.

Unlike other cultivators who saw such gatherings as trivial and beneath them, Riley enjoyed indulging in the mortal world's pleasures from time to time.

"Thank you, Saint Riley." Princess Anya took her seat gracefully, her movements practiced and elegant, befitting her noble lineage.

That left just the three of them at the main table—Riley, Anya, and Elsa. Around them, the grand hall was alive with music and laughter.

Noblemen and women dined on exotic delicacies, their voices blending into a pleasant hum of chatter. Servants moved seamlessly through the crowd, refilling goblets and ensuring the guests' every need was met.

Anya took a moment to scan the room, as if searching for someone, before speaking.

"I can't seem to see your wives here, Saint Riley," she remarked, her tone light but probing. "Are they occupied elsewhere?"

Riley took a slow sip from his goblet, the deep red of the wine swirling under the dim glow of the lanterns. He let the question linger in the air for a moment before answering.

"Lovers," he corrected. "I haven't married them yet. Perhaps in the future, I will. Marriage is a great responsibility, after all, and should not be taken lightly." He leaned back slightly, his gaze flickering toward Elsa with mild amusement.

"As for their absence, let's just say I had the foresight to keep them from inviting her. Judging by how well Princess Elsa has taken to entertaining tonight, I'd say my decision was justified."

His words carried an unmistakable teasing edge, one Elsa picked up on instantly. Instead of showing embarrassment, she merely smiled, lifting her goblet in acknowledgment.

"I only aim to please you, Saint Riley," she said smoothly. Then, after a deliberate pause, she added, "And besides… I wouldn't mind becoming one of your women—if you'd have me."

Her words were bold, daring even.

The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on her face, highlighting the delicate blush that had bloomed on her cheeks, no doubt thanks to the wine.

The slight intoxication only made her look more radiant, her beauty intoxicating in its own right. The way her lips curved into a subtle smirk, the way her gaze lingered on Riley—it was an unspoken invitation.

Any lesser man might have been tempted to act on it.

But not Riley.

He was no common fool, nor was he the type to be swayed by a few flirtatious words and a bit of wine-induced boldness. He had standards. He had patience.

And that much was evident in his response.

"That's just the wine talking, Princess Elsa," Riley chuckled, swirling the liquid in his goblet. "By tomorrow, you'll have forgotten you ever said those words."

Elsa's lips parted, ready to argue, but before she could, Anya cut in with a sharpness that sliced through the playful atmosphere.

"Don't be surprised, Saint Riley," she said, her voice laced with disdain as she twirled the stem of her goblet between her fingers. "That's just the way Kaido women are. They have little respect for themselves."

The words hung in the air like a blade unsheathed.

The surrounding conversations didn't quite die down, but there was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. A few nearby guests turned their heads ever so slightly, feigning disinterest while clearly eavesdropping.

Elsa's expression darkened for a fraction of a second before she smiled—sweet, unbothered, but dangerously sharp at the edges.

"I see," she said, tilting her head. "And yet, despite our lack of self-respect, we Kaido women seem to hold the attention of men far more effortlessly than some others." She took a slow sip of her wine. "Perhaps there's something to be learned from that."

Anya's eyes flickered, but her practiced poise didn't falter. "Attention and respect are two very different things, Princess Elsa. But I wouldn't expect you to know the difference."

Elsa laughed, the sound light and almost musical. "You're right. I wouldn't. I'm far too busy being admired to concern myself with such things."

Riley smirked, watching the exchange with mild amusement. He had no intention of stepping in—not yet, at least. This was far too entertaining.

He took another sip of his drink, wondering just how much longer the two princesses would keep up their little game before one of them finally lost their composure.

Still, Riley hadn't expected just how fiercely the two women would compete with each other.

Princess Anya and Elsa exchanged sharp words, each parrying the other's insults with practiced grace, their rivalry simmering beneath their refined exteriors.

To the casual observer, they might have seemed like two noblewomen engaging in polite conversation, but the subtle barbs in their words told another story.

Every comment was a challenge, every glance a test of dominance. Neither was willing to back down, and the longer their exchange went on, the more evident it became that this was no mere verbal spat—it was a battle of egos.

Then, a glint of mischief flashed in Elsa's eyes. A wicked idea had taken root in her mind.

"You and I are both subjects of Saint Riley," she said, her tone playful yet laced with challenge. "Instead of wasting time with words, why don't we settle this with action instead? Are you up for a little competition, Princess Anya Shanks?"

Anya's gaze narrowed. She was not one to retreat, least of all in the face of someone like Elsa. Her family name and empire's honor were at stake, and losing—especially to a woman as arrogant as Elsa—was not an option.

"What do you have in mind?" she asked, keeping her voice calm and measured.

Elsa smirked, clearly reveling in the anticipation. "Since we are mere servants to Saint Riley, why don't we compete to see who can serve him better tonight?"

Anya's brows furrowed slightly. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

Elsa let out a short, amused laugh, shaking her head as if she pitied Anya's supposed ignorance. "Ah… I should have known. Shanks women are so slow-witted. I shouldn't have expected more from you or your kin."

Anya's expression darkened, her pride wounded. Her bloodline was one of the most revered in the empire, and to have it insulted so casually in front of Riley was beyond infuriating.

Still, she forced herself to maintain her composure. She would not allow Elsa to get under her skin so easily.

"Careful with your words, Elsa," Anya warned, her voice carrying the sharpness of a drawn blade. "You might find that arrogance has consequences."

Elsa, unfazed, merely tilted her head with an air of mock innocence. "Oh? Then why don't you prove me wrong?"

Before Anya could respond, Elsa acted.

"Let me show you what I mean, dear princess."

With deliberate grace, Elsa slid from her seat and knelt before Riley, positioning herself between his legs. The entire motion was executed so fluidly that it took a moment for everyone at the table to register what had just happened.

Riley raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, instinctively shifting his chair back to give her more space. He had seen many bold women in his lifetime, but Elsa's audacity was truly something else.

Anya, on the other hand, was livid.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice edged with disbelief and outrage.

Elsa glanced up at her, the smug smile on her lips only deepening. "Oh, don't act so scandalized, Anya. If you're too much of a coward to compete, then just admit it and take your seat like a good little spectator."

Anya's hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her entire life, she had been raised to uphold the dignity of her name, to never let anyone question her worth. To step back now would mean accepting defeat in front of Riley, and that was something she would never allow.

This wasn't just about pride anymore—it was about proving who truly deserved Riley's favor.

The challenge had been set.

And Anya had never been one to lose.

Still, Anya did not want to act prematurely and let Princess Elsa have the first chance at Saint Riley. The night was still young, and she knew she had plenty of time to make her move.

Instead, she glanced around the room, hoping to see if anyone else noticed what Elsa was doing. To her surprise, it seemed that no one was paying attention.

"That's it," Anya realized. It must be Riley's doing. He was intentionally covering what was happening at the main table, ensuring that neither Elsa nor she would be shamed by the onlookers.

A feeling of frustration boiled within Anya. She clenched her fist tightly, knowing she couldn't afford to lose in this situation.

Too much was at stake—not just her pride, but the honor of the Shanks family and the reputation of the Kaido Empire.

She couldn't allow Elsa, or anyone else, to exploit this moment. The stakes were too high, and Anya's determination burned brighter than ever.

She knew she had to act soon—before Elsa had the chance to cement her advantage.