From Trash to Villain Master of Card: With Harem of Evil women-Chapter 75: Conversation with Aria

Aschenfall Gardens — Midnight, Two Days Later

Kaito couldn’t sleep.

Again.

But this time it wasn’t because of work. The documents were up to date thanks to the four queens helping discreetly.

No, this time it was something more complex.

Images rotating in his mind:

Adelheid touching his cheek with tenderness she never showed others. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Lilith leaning close, expert hands massaging tension from his shoulders.

Naporia singing a lullaby, her voice surprisingly soft.

Valeria looking at him with something in her eyes she was learning to name as affection.

And him... he didn’t know what to do with any of it.

He had come to the garden seeking fresh air and perspective.

He found Aria already there.

Sitting on a bench under an ancient tree, looking at the stars.

"Can’t sleep either?" Kaito asked, approaching.

"I could. But I knew you’d come here eventually."

Aria patted the space beside her.

"Sit down. We need to talk."

Kaito obeyed, feeling some apprehension.

Aria’s tone was... significant.

"Talk about?"

"About the fact that you have four women in love with you and you’re pretending not to notice."

Kaito froze.

"I... I’m not..."

"Kaito. I’m your friend. Don’t lie to me."

Aria looked directly at him.

"I’ve seen them. All of them. The way they look at you. The way they find excuses to be near you. The way they subtly compete for your attention."

She paused.

"And I’ve seen you. Noticing it. But avoiding it as if ignoring it would make it less difficult."

Kaito sighed, letting his head fall into his hands.

"What am I supposed to do, Aria? If I choose one, the other three..."

He stopped, not knowing how to finish that sentence.

"Will suffer? Will feel rejected? Will you lose their loyalty?"

"Possibly all of that."

Aria didn’t sugarcoat the words.

"But here’s the question you should ask yourself: Who said you have to choose just one?"

Kaito looked up sharply.

"What?"

Aria smiled slightly.

"You constantly forget, Kaito. That you’re no longer on Earth. You’re in a different world with different norms."

She settled on the bench, preparing to explain.

"In your world, monogamy is the norm. One husband, one wife. Exclusivity."

"But here... especially among royalty... polygamy is quite common."

Kaito blinked.

"Polygamy?"

"Yes. Kings with multiple queens. It’s not unusual. In fact, it’s expected for powerful rulers."

Aria pointed toward the fortress.

"King Aldric of Kaltstein has three official wives. Several historical kings had up to ten."

"I... I guess I knew that. I just didn’t know how to approach it. I didn’t know if it was something they would want."

"Because you never asked. And no one mentioned it because they assumed you knew."

Kaito processed this information.

"So you’re saying I can..."

"Have relationships with all four. Yes."

Aria paused.

"But there’s a structure. Hierarchy. It’s not simply ’everyone is equal.’"

She turned to look at him fully.

"The first wife—or in this case, first queen—has special meaning. It’s a position of honor. Respect. Authority over the others."

"Like... the principal wife."

"Exactly. She’s the one who speaks with more weight in internal matters. Who represents the royal family at events. Who has precedence."

Kaito frowned.

"That sounds like... a complicated hierarchy."

"It is. But it works if everyone understands and accepts their roles."

Aria touched his arm gently.

"And here’s what you need to know: they’ve already discussed it."

Kaito looked at her, surprised.

"What?"

"The four of them. They’ve talked among themselves. Without you knowing."

Aria smiled with some amusement.

"You think four strong, intelligent women, competing for the same man, wouldn’t eventually have a conversation about it?"

Kaito hadn’t considered that.

"And... what did they say?"

"They reached an unofficial understanding. Adelheid has the ’right to be first.’"

"Why Adelheid? Not that I have a problem with it."

Aria counted on her fingers.

"One: she’s been with you the longest. Since literally the beginning."

"Two: she’s saved your life multiple times. You’ve saved hers."

"Three: she was your first kiss. Stolen, yes, but first."

"Four: she’s demonstrated unwavering loyalty even when it meant nearly dying."

She paused.

"The others respect that. Lilith admits Adelheid has a deeper connection. Naporia accepts that Adelheid ’won’ through time and sacrifice. Valeria... well, Valeria is learning about all this, but she understands the concept of precedence."

Kaito leaned back against the bench, processing everything, his cheeks flushing.

"So... Adelheid would be... first."

"If you choose to honor that understanding. Yes."

"And the others?"

"They accept they’ll have their time too. Their place. Just not the first."

Aria looked at him seriously.

"But, Kaito, this only works if you’re honest. With them and with yourself."

"You can’t keep avoiding the topic. You can’t pretend you don’t feel anything."

"And if I’m not sure what I feel?"

Aria smiled warmly.

"You know perfectly well. But if that were the case..."

She took his shoulder.

"Then start with what you do know. Do you feel something for Adelheid?"

Kaito considered the question honestly.

Images coming to mind:

Adelheid standing beside him in countless battles.

Adelheid organizing defenses with tactical brilliance.

Adelheid vulnerable in her room, admitting fear of disappointing him.

Adelheid hugging him when he returned from the Council as if afraid he’d disappear.

"Yes. I feel... something very deep. Respect. Trust. Affection that goes beyond the professional."

"Love?"

Kaito hesitated.

"I’m not sure I know the difference between deep love and... whatever this is. But..."

"That’s an honest answer. And enough to begin."

Aria squeezed his shoulder.

"You don’t have to have everything figured out tonight. But you need to start addressing this."

"Talk to Adelheid. Be honest about what you feel and what you’re not sure about."

"Then, over time, talk to the others. Establish clear expectations."

She paused.

"Because if you don’t, the tension will keep growing. And eventually it will explode in a way that could damage not just personal relationships but the kingdom itself."

Kaito nodded slowly.

"You’re right. As always."

"It’s my job as your friend. And as the only person here with no romantic interest in you."

Kaito laughed despite the tension.

"Sure? You could join the competition."

Aria hit his arm gently.

"Absolutely not. I’m an observer, not a participant."

She stood, stretching.

"Besides, someone needs to maintain sanity in this place. And clearly I’m the only one qualified."

Kaito stood too.

"Thank you, Aria. For... everything. For this conversation. For being honest."

"You’re welcome. Now go to sleep. And tomorrow..."

Aria looked at him meaningfully.

"Tomorrow try to talk to Adelheid. Before you lose courage."

"And if I regret it?"

"You won’t regret it. Trust me."

Aria began walking back toward the fortress.

But she stopped, turning once more.

"Kaito. One more thing."

"Yes?"

"They all love you in their own way. But love doesn’t mean possession. It means wanting your happiness."

"So when you talk to Adelheid, to any of them... remember that."

"It’s not about choosing who wins and who loses."

"It’s about building something that works for everyone. Including you."

Kaito nodded, feeling some of the tension in his chest loosen.

"I understand."

"Good."

Aria smiled.

"Now really go to sleep. You need to be rested for tomorrow’s conversation."

And she disappeared into the darkness, leaving Kaito with clearer thoughts than he’d had in weeks.

---

Kaito’s Room — An Hour Later

Kaito lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Processing everything Aria had said.

I don’t have to choose one.

But I do have to be honest.

And Adelheid... she’s been here since the beginning.

He thought about their first encounter—Adelheid chained, being transported like cargo.

Him impulsively freeing her.

Her being able to kill him but instead asking his name.

How much has changed since then?

She went from being a cold commander to someone who hugs. Who shows vulnerability. Who admits fear.

And me?

I went from a lost student to the king of a nascent kingdom.

And she was there every step.

He touched his own chest, where he remembered the feeling of her hand when she had touched him with tenderness.

Is this love?

I guess that’s what Aria meant.

But it’s something.

Something that deserves honesty.

A decision crystallizing in his mind.

Tomorrow he would talk to Adelheid.

Not because Aria suggested it.

But because it was the right thing.

And because more time avoiding would only make things more complicated.

With that resolution, he finally slept.

Deeply. Peacefully.

For the first time in weeks.

---

Outside Kaito’s Room

Aria was walking down the hallway when she noticed a figure in the shadows.

Adelheid.

Standing near Kaito’s door.

Clearly she had been there for a while.

Aria approached silently.

"Eavesdropping?"

Adelheid startled slightly.

"No. Just... making sure he’s safe."

"Sure."

Aria smiled with understanding.

"Tomorrow. He’ll talk to you tomorrow."

Adelheid looked at her.

"How...?"

"Because I know him. And because I saw the way he looks at you."

Aria touched Adelheid’s shoulder.

"Prepare yourself. To be honest too. About what you feel. What you want."

Adelheid nodded, feeling something between hope and fear.

"What if... I’m not enough?"

"You’re more than enough. You always have been."

Aria began to walk away, her gaze lowered thoughtfully, but managed to say one last thing.

"Now rest. Tomorrow is an important day."

Adelheid remained in the hallway for one more moment.

Then she returned to her own room.

To prepare mentally and emotionally.

For the conversation that would change everything.