"You know, I never pictured you as a big shot, running a massive company. I figured you'd be some kind of adventurer," Erick said, his voice casual but with a hint of admiration.
Gabrielle was in the bathroom, changing clothes. If she walked out still wearing that tight, sexy outfit, every eye in the village would be glued to her. Even Anna couldn't help but sneak glances at her own body, comparing herself to Gabrielle's curvy, seductive figure. Her eyes would flick back and forth, and the faintest crease formed between her brows.
She was being too adorable, though, and I almost told her not to worry. But I held back, just enjoying her quiet insecurity.
"Well, I've just been lucky, I guess. It's not like I built it all by myself," I said, thinking back to when I was practically nothing. Amon and Gabrielle had been the real driving force behind it all, laying the foundation when I had barely started.
"But none of it would've happened without you," Erick said, his tone more serious now. "Your leadership made it all possible. The company you own is proof of that. Honestly, it makes me feel more at ease, knowing Anna's with you."
He said it with such confidence, like he didn't even care that I had a harem of women. The fact that he was still fine with giving his daughter to me, even after learning I wasn't exactly monogamous, was surprising. I guess it was a difference in beliefs. Having multiple women wasn't as big of a deal here as I thought.
"Master, I'm ready," Gabrielle said, stepping out in an entirely different outfit. The kind of outfit that clung just enough to show off her figure but still let her move freely. It was practical, built for the heat of this village, with fabric that would breathe even when she started sweating.
Yet, even in something so simple, she looked near perfect—every curve still noticeable, her body radiating confidence.
Anna, on the other hand, couldn't take her eyes off Gabrielle's chest and hips. She stood there, staring, her own hands unconsciously brushing over her body as she compared herself. Gabrielle's frame was toned, seductive in a way that drew eyes. Anna's body was softer, rounder, with a bit more plushness, and it was clear she felt a little intimidated by the comparison.
But honestly, I loved Anna just the way she was. That softness? It made her perfect to hold.
Discover exclusive tales on empire
Knowing she needed reassurance, I spoke up. "It's fine, Anna. You don't need to change anything."
"Isn't she Scarlet Alekseev?" I asked, glancing at Gabrielle.
"Oh? So you've already met her?"
"Yeah. I ran into her a couple of days ago and gave her directions to the Holy City."
"I actually saw her in the Holy City. She was roughing up a few thugs," Gabrielle said, with a smirk. "But they weren't your run-of-the-mill street trash."
She pulled out her phone and showed me a photo. The men in the image were bound in thick green vines, their faces contorted in agony. I noticed a symbol on their wrists.
It was the Eclipse symbol.
"Have you found anything useful from them?" I asked.
Gabrielle shrugged. "Not really. I've only uncovered their unshakable devotion to their faith, but beyond that? Nothing." She sighed. "Which is why I'm curious. What kind of faith could make them blindly believe like that?
I want to know what drives them, what makes them so fanatical."
I raised an eyebrow. "So, what's the connection between Scarlet and the Eclipse? And why'd you bring her here? I assume you didn't bring her just for me to dominate her, right?"
Gabrielle chuckled darkly. "No, Master, not just for that. I came across some information from one of the villages in the Empire. Apparently, a woman—deemed a hero—was protecting the entire village. The description fits. She had metallic arms and was incredibly skilled in combat.
She singlehandedly fought off several members of the Eclipse." Gabrielle's eyes gleamed with interest. "In other words, she might be useful to you down the line, Master."