After Serika left, Jax changed his clothes into a more relaxing outfit and sat on the bed, browsing through the Ledger of Fate to keep updated on all of the ongoings in the Capital City.
With the people troubling the Mana Stone Mines cleared out, the construction of the Capital City and all of the different aspects of it had been kicked into high gear, the Witches working 24/7 to get it done as soon as possible.
After around 15 minutes of this going on, the chamber doors opened softly, and Serika finally returned, the Foxkin slipping inside quietly, her tails swaying behind her while she immediately locked eyes with Jax.
Hydra stepped in behind her, looking at Jax curiously as she wondered what he called her back for, especially sending such a conspicuous maid.
Jax leaned back against the table in the room, his arms crossed as he looked at the duo, "Good," he said, "Youāre both here."
"Yes, I brought Miss Hydra master," Serika said with a nod as she glanced sideways at the Dragoness.
Jax decided not to confront her about calling him master just after he told her not to, instead just speaking, "Iām not going to dance around this," Jax said. "Iāve been intimate with both of you."
The words landed cleanly, and both of the girls immediately stared at each-other as they heard this. Now, they seemed to be inspecting each-otherās body, their gazes tracing each-others breasts, hips and more.
Serikaās tails had stiffened slightly before slowly relaxing, "I... assumed," she said quietly.
Hydra clicked her tongue once,"Youāre terrible at hiding things," she muttered, then looked directly at Serika, "You too, I wasnāt under the impression that this was some big secret,"
Serika flushed faintly but didnāt deny it.
Jax continued, voice steady, "It isnāt, but I wanted to be clear. I care about both of you. Deeply. I wonāt pretend otherwise. And I wonāt lie to either of you by pretending youāre the only one."
Silence followed for a couple moments before Hydra finally broke it.
"So," she said, unfolding her arms, "this is where you tell us what you want."
"Yes," Jax said simply.
He stepped forward, "I want both of you to stand beside me," His golden eyes burned with certainty as he continued speaking.
"I want you both in my harem, officially. No need to beat around the bush anymore. I intend to love and protect both of you equally," Jax said.
Serika inhaled sharply, her eyes wide as she heard what he said. Her ears twitched sharply, tails flaring wide in reflex before she could stop them, every instinct screaming at once.
"A... a harem?" she repeated faintly.
Hydra, by contrast, only raised a brow.
Serika turned fully toward Jax now, panic flooding her expression. "Jax, no, my King, " she caught herself, flustered, "I mean....this isnāt possible. Iām just a maid. A Foxkin servant. I clean rooms, manage schedules, brew tea...."
She gestured helplessly at herself, "A Demon King canāt just
take
a maid as, as..." Her voice wavered. "As something official."
Hydra snorted softly as she heard that, but Jax didnāt. He stepped forward, boots clicking once against the stone, presence settling into the room like gravity remembering its job.
"Serika," he said calmly.
She flinched at how gentle her name sounded.
"I donāt need permission," Jax continued, "Havenāt you seen what Iāve done since I arrived here. I do whatever I want. Nothing matters before absolute power,"
He met her eyes directly, "I am the Demon King," he said simply. "I donāt
ask
what Iām allowed to do, I decide."
Serika swallowed, "But....people will talk," she said weakly. "Theyāll say I climbed too high. That I used you. That I..."
"That theyāre afraid," Jax cut in, "Because someone they donāt control matters."
Hydra shifted, arms folding again as she watched the exchange with open interest. Jax softened his tone, not his resolve.
"You didnāt scheme your way here," he said. "You didnāt seduce power. You didnāt betray anyone."
He stepped closer, close enough that Serika had to tilt her head up to look at him.
"You were loyal when you didnāt have to be," Jax said. "You willingly served me, dedicated your body and soul to me,"
Serikaās eyes burned.
"That," Jax finished, "is exactly why you belong at my side."
Her breath hitched.
"But Iām not strong like Hydra," she whispered, "I can defend myself, let alone help you in all of your problems,"
Hydra clicked her tongue again, this time amused.
"FoxGirl," she said, stepping closer, "If you know him, you know nothing you say is gonna convince him otherwise,"
Serika blinked.
Jax nodded, "I donāt need every woman beside me to be a weapon," he said. "Some of you are anchors."
Serikaās shoulders trembled.
"...Iām scared," she admitted.
Jax didnāt deny her fear.
"I know," he said. "Thatās why Iām asking you honestly. Not as a King."
He paused.
"But as a man who wants you in his life."
The room went very quiet.
Hydra broke it almost immediately.
"Well," she said with a shrug, "this partās easy for me."
Serika looked at her, startled.
"I accept," Hydra said bluntly. "No hesitation. No drama."
She glanced at Jax. "Youāre honest, powerful, and you donāt lie about who you are. Out of everyone who couldāve solved my problem, Iām lucky it happened to be you,"
Then she turned back to Serika.
"And you," Hydra added, stepping closer, "arenāt competition."
Serika stiffened.
Hydra reached out and pulled her into a loose, one-armed embrace before the Foxkin could even react.
"If he ever treats you badly," Hydra said casually, "Iāll poison his wine."
Serikaās eyes widened in horror.
Jax blinked once.
"...That feels like an overreaction."
Hydra smirked. "I said
if
."
Serika stared at her for a heartbeatāthen let out a shaky laugh she hadnāt meant to make.
"Youād really... protect me?" she asked.
Hydra shrugged. "Youāre soft. This world eats soft things."
She glanced at Jax again. "And I donāt share toys that break."
Jax sighed. "Iām standing right here."
That did it.
Serika laughed properly this time, light, breathless, disbelieving. Her fear didnāt vanish, but it loosened its grip, replaced by something warmer.
She looked at Jax one last time.
"...If I accept," she said quietly, "I wonāt be your maid anymore."
"No," Jax agreed. "Youāll be something far more troublesome."
Hydra snorted.
Serika closed her eyes.
Then nodded.
"...Alright," she said softly. "If youāre truly willing to defy the world for me,"
She looked up again, resolve trembling but real.
"Then Iāll stand beside you."
Jax smiled and pulled Serika into a hug as he heard that, kissing her on the lips before pulling away.
He was about to turn to Hydra, when he heard her speak near the bed, "So which one of us was better in bed?"