RISE OF EROS

Andrew wore a black tuxedo with a white shirt underneath and a red tie, resembling an ordinary office worker. On Earth, such attire, though formal, was quite common; however, in this place, it was a novelty.

Andrew walked hand in hand with Aki and Zany, his back straight and a friendly smile on his face. While his suit was a novelty, Andrew's mere bearing and attitude were what drew the most attention.

If anything else caught the eye, it was the two girls accompanying him, holding his arms. Although they were relatively small in stature, especially Aki, no one could deny their beauty.

The opulent ballroom fell suddenly silent when Aki and Zany made their entrance, hand in hand with Andrew. The aristocracy, accustomed to ostentation, was speechless at the unexpected sight.

There was beauty in many forms, but the combination of these two women, with their elegance and sensuality, was a spectacle in itself. Aki, petite but imposing in her own right, wore a white silk dress with a form-fitting design that highlighted her slender figure and perky backside, a silhouette that drew stares of wonder and desire.

The fabric clung to her skin like a second skin, leaving her back completely bare, with fine silver threads crisscrossing in a delicate pattern. Her every movement made the skirt billow with ethereal grace, revealing a glimpse of her pale legs, shaped by training and skill.

Her hair, loose and silky, fell in light waves over her shoulders, and her expression, though serene, carried a spark of latent danger, like a blade hidden beneath the silk. On the other hand, Zany was the embodiment of strength and wild femininity.

Her dress, a deep burgundy color, hugged her every curve with brazen confidence. She was a masterpiece of design, with a corset that enhanced her generous bust and a side slit that exposed one of her long, shapely legs, adorned with a delicate gold chain that accentuated her tanned skin tone.

Her straight, dark hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that highlighted her Amazonian bearing, and her deep red lips formed a smile that blended seduction and defiance. Her mere presence was enough to intimidate and attract in equal measure.

Andrew, walking between them, projected an unwavering calm, as if arm in arm with two beauties of her caliber was the most natural thing in the world, but anyone with a sharp eye could notice the subtle pride in his gaze.

The conversations that had previously filled the room had stopped, replaced by whispers and furtive glances. Some men held their breath, fascinated. Some women hid their envy behind crystal glasses, but Aki and Zany advanced without paying attention to them, with the confidence of those who knew exactly the effect they had. That night, no one would forget their entrance.

Although Aki and Zany were the most uncomfortable among Andrew's wives at this type of event, as they were warriors, not ladies of parties and balls, Candice, Victoria, and Gastón had been training them for this day.

Since Andrew had decided that they would be his companions to the party, they instilled in them the etiquette and elegance of high-society ladies. Although these girls vehemently refused, they had no choice.

Andrew had selected them, and they couldn't refuse, so they gritted their teeth and learned diligently. Although it was difficult, they achieved a small success, and that's why, despite their cold auras, they still looked elegant and refined.

In fact, Andrew was more surprised than anyone else at this party, as he never expected Aki and Zany to behave the way they did. The reason he chose them was different. His intention in hosting this party was to create connections and pick up girls, so he knew the time would come when he would have to abandon them and leave them alone.

All of his wives are beautiful, so if he leaves them alone, many would surely try to approach him. Beauties in this world, as in any other world, are like honey to bees, so Andrew wouldn't allow insects to swarm disrespectfully in front of his wives, so he chose the two with battle backgrounds.

Although he was convinced that no one at this party would dare to make a forceful move, one could never be too cautious, so it was best that these two, who were both powerful and knew how to fight, be his companions in case something happened.

Andrew walked arm in arm with the two girls to the front of the room and addressed those present, "Thank you for honoring me with your presence at this unexpected event, setting aside your busy schedules."

Andrew spoke eloquently and displayed a humble yet noble speech. No one knew where he came from, but just from his appearance, his way of moving, and his expression, everyone believed he was of noble birth, at least from a very wealthy family.

If they learned he came from the slums of a medium-sized city in the Cannaris Empire, they would surely be shocked. While this would surprise them, it wouldn't make them unwilling to associate with him.

It's true that status is highly valued in this world, but in Comers, it's not the same. As a port city, trade is paramount, and when it comes to trade, money is implicit. In Comers, noble status isn't as important, as there is no nobility as a system of government here; what rules is money and his status as a merchant, and they knew Andrew had it.

Those present were not ordinary people. They were all directors and heads of the city's most important business families and organizations, so they wouldn't come to this party without doing their research.

Although Andrew came from elsewhere, it wasn't difficult for them to learn his background. They quickly discovered the businesses he was involved in, as well as the relationships he had.

They already knew Andrew had several wives and that his most important businesses were pleasure houses, although those weren't the ones that brought them the most profit.

In fact, they knew Candice was the one who headed the other businesses that were most lucrative and attractive to them. They hoped to meet her, as it would be more convenient to talk to her, but they weren't able to.

Despite that, they didn't care, because Andrew was just as important. No matter how well Candice managed the businesses, the mere fact that she was one of Andrew's wives and not the only one proved that Andrew was extraordinary. This world was still quite biased, so learning that Candice was running the business, being one of Andrew's many wives, meant that Andrew was the important one, not her.

Everyone believed Andrew was the one allowing his wife to take control; they would never have expected Candice to actually be as powerful as she seemed. Andrew continued his speech for a while, and after a toast, he left the stage.

He was quickly surrounded by many people who wanted to talk to him, to curry favor, and although Andrew shared a few words with them, they were merely courtesies, nothing serious.

Although all the merchants and important figures in the city were invited to this party, not all of them carried the same weight. Those who approached Andrew so quickly were the most despicable.

It's not that Andrew didn't treat them with respect, but that they weren't his target. Andrew wanted to curry favor with the most prominent figures, and those figures aren't the kind who would approach Andrew in this way.

As much as they wanted to do business with him, these people wouldn't take the initiative, as that would put them at a disadvantage. Andrew understood this very well, so he knew he should be the one to approach them and chat.

It was Andrew's party, after all, and inviting them demonstrated his intentions, but the pride of these great people, despite having come, didn't allow them to be the first to move.

Even so, Andrew didn't lower his spirits either. While he was the one who should approach them, he wouldn't do so immediately. He systematically avoided approaching them and chatted with different people throughout the party room.

Aki and Zany didn't feel comfortable in this environment, but they still forced smiles and tried to act elegant and sophisticated, something they weren't strong at, but which they worked hard to achieve.

Many people praised them, and they knew how to accept compliments politely, without giving anyone their hopes. Besides, with Andrew around, no one dared say anything inappropriate; that would surely happen when Andrew left their side.

Just as Andrew guessed the expected movements of the important people at the party, they also noticed Andrew's movements of not approaching them for the moment. They were gauging Andrew's caliber, and so far, their expressions were serious, for they could tell that Andrew was no ordinary young man. From his actions alone, they could tell that he wouldn't be easily intimidated.

"He'll be hard to take advantage of," a middle-aged man wearing an elegant suit characteristic of this region of the continent muttered, sipping a sip of wine without staining his well-groomed beard and mustache.

"Well, if he has the strength to bring everyone to a party where no one knows him, that's obvious," replied a thin but very attractive man standing next to her. Just by looking at him, it was clear he wasn't human, as his pale skin, green hair, and pointy ears revealed he was a wood elf.