The Dragon King’s Harem System

Chapter 286. Are You A Masochist?

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 286. Are You A Masochist?

"I'm not going to deny it. As kings, they’ve got a lot of power, and with that comes a load of responsibility. But when they’re driven by greed and ambition, the fallout doesn’t just hit them—it ends up hurting innocent people, too."

My own words made me pause, and I couldn’t help but think about my role. Every decision I made had consequences, rippling out to affect people both within my tribe and beyond it. Being a leader wasn’t just about power; it was about the lives that depended on my choices.

I noticed Glasha, listening quietly but visibly uncomfortable. Her expression said it all—she was caught between understanding where I was coming from and feeling for the people who had suffered in the conflict.

Evelina picked up on Glasha’s unease right away. Turning to me, she gave a gentle smile. "Maybe we should change the subject?" she suggested, her tone warm and calming. "This conversation’s getting a bit heavy."

I shot her a grateful smile, glad for her knack for reading the room. "You’re right, Evelina," I agreed, eager to shift the mood. "Let’s talk about something else."

But Glasha’s eyes flashed, guarded and defiant. "If you’re worried about my feelings, don’t be," she said, her voice cold and laced with a bit of bitterness. "I have prepared myself for this."

Her words threw me off. I looked at her, eyebrows raised, trying to understand what she meant. "You…have prepared yourself?" I repeated, trying to make sense of her guarded tone. She was putting on a brave front, but I could see through it—she was holding back a lot, keeping her vulnerability tightly locked away.

My other wives exchanged glances, clearly a bit concerned, while I struggled to find the right words. "Are you a maso—" I started, then stopped myself, realizing ‘masochist’ probably wasn’t a term that’d make sense here. I rephrased quickly. "Are you pushing people away on purpose?"

Glasha’s expression softened, if only for a moment, but her walls stayed up. "I don’t need anyone’s pity," she said firmly. "Or sympathy. I can handle this alone."

I sighed, realizing she wasn’t ready to let her guard down. "You don’t have to be strong all the time, Glasha," I said gently but firmly. "Keeping everything bottled up only makes things harder. It’s not a sign of strength."

Her past started to make sense, the puzzle pieces fitting together. She’d grown up in a world that valued strength above all else, where being tough meant survival, and vulnerability was seen as weakness. Her father’s cold, harsh rule had shaped her into a fierce warrior, but it had also left her with a guarded heart.

Her resistance to opening up wasn’t just about us or this marriage. It was deeper, rooted in her constant battle against her father’s controlling nature. And now, with me as her husband, she probably felt like she was back in the same situation, having to fight against another man trying to control her.

But I wasn’t going to let her think I was anything like her father. I didn’t want to dominate or control her; I wanted to be her partner. I wanted her to know she could trust me, that I was here for her in a way her father never was.

Glasha’s face twisted in a slight frown, a mix of defiance and sadness flickering in her eyes. "Forgive me for my personality, Your Majesty. I’m a warrior," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Even though you’ve taken my weapon and made me your wife, I’m still a warrior inside."

Her words hit me hard. I could see the pride and strength in her, even in this vulnerable moment. Glasha was tough, no doubt about it, and I respected that. But I also knew that behind that armor was a heart that had been hurt, a heart that needed time and understanding.

I leaned back, sighing as I took in her words. "Stubbornness isn’t a warrior’s attitude, Glasha. It’s the attitude of someone who doesn’t want help and pushes people away," I said, hoping to get through to her.

She narrowed her eyes and looked away, jaw clenched. "I don’t need anyone’s help," she muttered.

"But you do," I said softly. "We all do sometimes. No one can fight every battle alone. Even the strongest warriors have moments of weakness. It doesn’t make them any less brave."

Glasha pressed her lips together, clearly wrestling with my words. I could feel the tension thickening, but I didn’t want to let this turn into an argument, especially during a celebration. So I held up a hand and forced a smile.

"Forget it," I said, letting out a sigh. "We’re here to celebrate, right? No point arguing right now."

Evelina jumped in, eager to lighten the mood. "He’s right. Let’s just enjoy the night," she said, her smile warm and inviting.

Glasha hesitated, but eventually nodded, though she still looked a bit annoyed. But as she relaxed, I noticed her shoulders easing, as if she was finally letting go of some of the tension she’d been holding onto.

The rest of the meal went more smoothly, with the others filling the room with laughter and stories of their activities while I was away. Glasha stayed mostly quiet, but I could see she was more at ease, even if only a little.

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