---
The castle was old, half-broken, and barely held together by time and stubborn pride.
Kind of like me.
After escaping the temple region, we reached the outer territory of the old capital—once the jewel of the empire, now a haunted memory of my former glory. The old castle had been cleared out by Kaida and Yurei in advance, its crumbling halls swept enough to be livable. Barely.
We entered the main hall, where cracked marble still shimmered beneath layers of dust. I turned slowly, taking in the familiar columns, the ruined throne, the torn banners of my family crest.
> [Base of Operations Acquired: Asahiro Ruins – Castle Heart Activated] System Note: This place sucks. But it's yours.
---
DAY ONE: SURVIVAL & RESTRAINT
I woke up to three things:
1. Sunlight pouring through broken glass.
2. Kaida snoring in a very unladylike way.
3. Yurei sleeping upside-down on the rafter with one dagger in her hand and another in my pillow.
And Mikako?
She was already up, kneeling in the courtyard, her robes flowing as she whispered prayers into the wind, untouched by dirt, dust, or mortal needs.
> Control yourself, I thought. You're a prince. You can handle this.
I stepped outside. Mikako turned, sensing me, but said nothing. Her gaze landed briefly on my exposed collar—where my shirt hung loose—and then quickly looked away.
Progress?
Or a divine warning?
---
CASTLE LIFE, OR: HOW TO FAIL AT SELF-CONTROL
By midday, the castle was alive. Kaida had taken over the training courtyard. Shirtless. Muscles gleaming. Swinging a war axe that looked like it could split a mountain.
Yurei was stalking the shadows, setting traps in the corridors. I triggered two by accident. Okay, three.
Mikako took over one of the towers for meditation, warding it with light barriers so strong they singed my eyebrows when I knocked.
Me? I was trying to act like a future king.
> Meetings Held: 0 Fires Put Out (Literal): 3 Girls Accidentally Walked In On While Changing: 2.5
---
THE HAREM EFFECT
Kaida would bathe in the courtyard spring—openly. Shamelessly.
Yurei would casually sit in my lap during strategy talks, claiming it was "the best angle for stabbing my back if needed."
Mikako… would scold the others, but never stopped them. And at night, when I passed her room, I swore I could feel her aura flare when she thought I was too close.
I was a man on the edge.
> [Self-Control Holding at 46%] [Warning: Impure Thoughts Rising]
---
ENTER: THE SIBLING
"Prince Riku?"
The voice stopped everything.
I turned. There, standing at the main gate, was Rin Asahiro—my younger half-brother.
Tall, refined, with jet-black hair tied in a noble knot and robes too clean for this ruined place. He looked like someone still welcome at royal banquets. I wasn't.
"You're alive," he said simply.
"Good to see you too," I replied.
Rin's eyes swept the room—and froze on Mikako as she descended the stairs, divine light haloing around her.
He blinked once. Slowly.
"Who's that?"
Mikako paused beside me. "I am Mikako Amane, Priestess of the Celestial Path."
Rin swallowed.
"I see."
He smiled slightly. Too politely.
> [System Alert: Potential Rival Flag Raised – Rin Asahiro has shown interest in Bride 3: Mikako.]
Are you kidding me?
---
Later that night, I caught Rin talking to her in the courtyard. Complimenting her wisdom. Quoting ancient texts. Trying to glow. He was trying to glow.
I interrupted. Politely.
"Brother, the library is that way. This one's taken."
Mikako didn't look at either of us. Just smiled faintly. "I belong to no one."
> [Affection -1, Jealousy +2, Divine Pressure Rising]
Great
---
The castle had one working bath.
One. Outside. In the old inner courtyard, fed by a natural spring. Steam rose from its surface like a holy fog, hiding just enough… and revealing way too much.
I came for a quiet soak. Just me, the moon, and some peace.
Big mistake.
---
"You're late."
Kaida was already in the water—naked, glowing from heat, arms stretched along the edge like she owned the place. Her skin shimmered with condensation, steam coiling around her curves like teasing silk.
"Didn't know it was reserved," I muttered, stepping back.
She smirked. "It's not. Get in. Or are you scared of heat?"
"I'm scared of lawsuits."
---
Then Yurei dropped from the roof. Literally.
"Bath party?" she asked, already peeling off her silk top, revealing smooth shoulders and far too much thigh. "Hope there's room for three."
"There's not," I croaked.
She stepped into the water anyway. Next to Kaida. Right across from me.
Kaida rolled her eyes. "You're here to assassinate the bubbles?"
"I'm here to keep the prince from dying of blood loss," Yurei replied. "Nosebleeds. Very serious condition."
---
Then… Mikako.
She appeared in white. Always white. Thin, soaked-through, divine white.
She didn't speak. She just stepped into the water like it was holy ground, eyes closed, robes floating up slightly before clinging to her like second skin.
Both Kaida and Yurei turned to stare.
"…She does this every time," Yurei whispered.
"Does what?" I whispered back.
"Exist."
---
My back was flat against a rock. My thoughts were drowning.
Steam fogged the air—and my sanity.
> [Lust Level: 89% – Overheating Detected]
[Self-Control: Hanging by a thread. Literally.]
"Enjoying the view?" Kaida asked, stretching.
"Focusing on breathing," I said.
Yurei slid closer. Her leg brushed mine under the water. "Oops."
Mikako opened her eyes slowly. "Do not lose yourself in temptation, Prince Riku."
I swallowed. Loudly.
Then she added, "Unless you're prepared to take responsibility."
The steam rose.
I sank deeper.
And the system laughed in my head.
> [System Alert: You are so, so doomed.]
---
RECLAIMING A KINGDOM... SLOWLY
Despite the chaos, small wins added up:
I reactivated the war room with old magical maps.
A few ex-knights sent ravens, saying they might return.
The system helped identify two old treasuries under the castle.
We weren't an army. Not yet.
But we were… something.
And even if my self-control was being tested hourly, one thing was clear:
> I was alive. My throne was still waiting. And my harem? Already dangerous enough.
Tomorrow, I'd start gathering allies. Tonight… I just had to survive dinner. With Mikako on my right, Kaida on my left, and Yurei sharpening a dagger under the table.
Pray for me.