Claiming Shuri's Heart

 He left the slave in the basement. However, not before chaining her to the walls and removing every dangerous object in the vicinity. After all, he didn't want her to kill herself before he could truly torment her.

 He then went to his bed, where his lovers had already woken up, though slightly groggy due to it being not even morning yet, as the sun still hadn't risen.

 "Haah- wheerree... did yoouu- go?" Mashia asked, yawning a bit before it was silenced by Ryker's lips.

 "I tell you in the morning. Now, let us sleep," his lovers didn't voice any complaints, all of them moving closer to him as sleep claimed them once more.

-x-

 "SHE TRIED TO WHAT??!!!" Era screamed, only to have her mouth covered by Ryker, who pointed to the door, telling her to not do so or she would wake up the others without meaning to.

 The young woman grumbled but agreed to it nonetheless. Still, it didn't erase yesterday's event. 

 "I will kill her now," Mashia said seriously. After all, the children had become close to her and she considered them to be her siblings as well, which makes sense as their brother is her lover.

 Ryker shook his head, "Don't," his words caused the rest to pause, "She wanted to die. I'm not planning to give her something she wants," hearing this caused the room to turn silent before it was broken by Miriam.

 "What are you planning to do with her?" she asked, which caused the rest to look at him as well. Thankfully, he already had a plan to make her suffer.

 "Let's just say, I have some plans for her. All involving turning her into a personal training dummy, emphasis on dummy," the rest shared the same murderous glare.

 However, Miriam shook her head, "If you want to make her suffer, I have more ways to break her," she said, before her head moved closer to his ears, whispering the idea she had. 

 When she finished, Ryker looked at her with shook, and slight fear, "T-that would certainly break her, but why do you want to make her suffer that way?" his question was answered with another whispering session.

 His eyes widened before he nodded, "Alright, I accept the idea," the rest looked at them, confusion on their face. He didn't plan on telling them. In the end, it was Miriam's idea, one he agreed on.

 Seeing neither of them going to elaborate, the other three looked at each other before sighing. They could always corner Miriam later. The young woman felt a shiver in her spine before glancing at the rest of the harem members, who looked at her with a calm look.

 She turned towards Ryker for help, only to receive a devilish smirk in return, telling her everything with that one look. She turned her head towards them, tears pitifully forming in her eyes before she was pulled by the others, seemingly wanting to squeeze the answer out of her.

-x-

 "It nice to just have some time between the three of us," Solance said, before taking a sip of his drink. Ryker nodded, after all, the situation in the barony had been hectic, which made the two friends unable to converse with each other for long as Ryker needed to help in the front.

 Solance could only sigh inwardly at the thought. His friend had advanced to a level he couldn't hope to chase after, while he still remained stagnant. The only thing that remained was that the two remained friends.

 'Though, if cousin truly wished for something more, then we would be brothers,' he thought to himself, glancing at his younger cousin, who fidgetted slightly from Ryker's gaze.

 Meanwhile, Ryker thought about the conversation he had with his lovers, one where they encouraged him to make a move on Shuri. After giving it some thought, he decided to be true to himself and his desire.

 However, even if he wanted to turn their relationship into something else, he needed her to agree to it, after all, he didn't want to force her into a relationship.

 What the two people didn't realize was that the tension was something that Solance could feel. It even felt tangible enough for him to touch. He knew, that the two needed to talk about it, preferably alone, with no interruption. 

 He wanted to leave but he didn't want them to realize what he was doing. When he was about to pour some more drink, only a droplet fell into his cup. Realizing the perfect opportunity that was given to him, he quickly excused himself.

 "I will go get some more drinks, maybe some snacks as well," he then left the room to the two people, who looked at each other with slight blushes, already realizing what he was planning, which was both welcomed and unwelcome.

 They stare at each other for a while before Ryker finally decides to man up and ask, "So, what is your answer?"

 Knowing what he meant, Shuri struggled, not wanting to give a concrete answer. However, a piece of advice his cousin told her made her change her mind. She let out a sigh before giving him a smile.

 "Yes, I would like to join you, but not as a friend, but as one of your lovers," she then moved towards him, claiming his lips. A bit shocked, Ryker quickly repucurate it, the kiss turning intense by the seconds.

 When their lips parted, Ryker decided to ask, "You do realize you might not be the only one that I will add to my harem?" the woman giggled at the question.

 "Considering your strength, there is no doubt you going to have more women falling over you. But I don't doubt the one you choose to be close to you will be the one that has your hearts and yours hold theirs as well," she replied, before closing in once more.

 The second makeup session, which was about to turn into something else, as Ryker's hand began to explore her body, was stopped when Solance entered the room.

 "Who wa-..... I'm going to come back later," he politely excused himself before running for his life, a very good decision as Shuri started to chase after him.

 "Come back here, you idiot!" she yelled as she began to close in on her cousin. As for Ryker, he remained seated before he grabbed the drinks and snacks that Solance put away before flying upwards.

 He then watched both Shuri and Solance play a game of tag, but with the two having permanent positions. A while after, Solail and the elder joined him, watching as the two cousins ran across the estate.