In Steve's mind, one clear thought rang out as he stood afront of Maggie
'I'm… I'm a fucking genius.'
He had pieced it together. At first, it was blurry, but now, he had fully recalled that he had thought once that-
'The only way Maggie can heal me… is through touch. And the more intimate the touch, the stronger the effect.'
He adjusted his posture, straightening his back, schooling his expression to something that looked calm and thoughtful.
'Damn...that was good...All I have to do… is play along, right?' he thought, then hesitated.
"Do I really have to?" Steve stuttered.
Maggie's voice cut through the silence, soft but teasing.
"Well, your mana has depreciated. That's bad for us. And getting a more specialized healer… isn't the best financial move for our current situation." She took a step closer, arms folded casually.
"Come on. Just give me a hug. It's not that bad, is it?"
Steve's eyes drifted off to the side, his face tinged with the faintest red. A beat passed in silence. Then he let out a breath, puffing out as if trying to cast away the awkwardness.
'Okay, just go with it. Fit into the role. Don't make it weird.' he told himself.
But inwardly… a devilish grin curled at the edge of his thoughts.
He stepped forward.
Maggie reached for him, arms wrapping gently around his body. At first, it was just a normal hug — soft, warm, maybe a little firm — but then something shimmered.
A faint, glowing green light began to pulse gently between them, like tiny embers flickering to life. It was subtle at first, then slowly grew.
It looked like sparkles, but Steve could feel it — feel her energy flowing into him, dot after dot, gently sinking into his body. Warmth filled him. The pain he had carried in his limbs, in his core… it vanished. Disappeared like mist under sunlight.
Maggie's embrace grew firmer, more affectionate, her body pressing closer against him. Her soft chest gently nestled against his torso, the curve of her form fitting snugly with his. Her arms clung to him lovingly.
For her, it was a sincere gesture of healing.
For him? Not so much.
But the results were undeniable. Within a minute, Steve stood there without a single ache. Not even a trace of pain remained. He blinked, stunned.
Then Maggie slowly pulled away, a small, satisfied smile on her lips as she looked up at him.
Steve stared back, still caught between appreciation and surprise. His lips parted, and for a second, he had no words.
"How do you feel?" she asked, voice calm and light.
"Um…" he said, glancing down at his hands.
"I… I don't feel any pain at all. Thanks… thanks a lot."
She reached up, her hand gently brushing against his cheek.
"There's no need to thank me..." she said warmly.
"That's what I'm here for."
Then her expression shifted. She turned her head slightly, eyes landing on Tonya.
Her smile faded just a touch.
"Tonya." she said calmly,
"You need to apologize to Fiona."
Tonya's eyes widened slightly.
"I wasn't there..." Maggie continued,
"...but I can tell. With how rough your tongue can be… I'm certain you lashed out at her. She's newly awakened. She doesn't understand how to use her powers yet. There's no need to be so harsh."
Tonya opened her mouth, then shut it again. Her eyes flickered downward, voice low.
"Y-Yes, ma."
Maggie nodded, then turned and walked off, leaving Tonya behind. The room quieted.
After a brief pause, she turned back to Steve. Her warm smile returned, lighting up her face again.
"Well," she said.
"I hope you've worked up an appetite."
Steve blinked, confused.
"Huh?"
"Chicken soup today." she said with a grin,
"only… without the chicken part."
Steve stared.
"Chicken soup… without chicken?" His brows creased.
"How the hell do you even make that?"
Maggie chuckled and crossed her arms.
"What? Doubting my cooking skills?" she asked, mock-offended.
"It's not like we even have the funds to get meat around here. We just make do with what we have."
She walked past him, giving him a light pat on the side as she did.
"So come on, don't be such a downer."
Steve just stared at her, mildly baffled, while she made her way toward the door she had entered from.
"Go freshen up. Dinner will be served really soon," she said over her shoulder, then stepped out, leaving Steve alone in the room.
Just Steve.
He didn't need to be told twice.
With a little sigh, he wandered into the rest of the house. It wasn't hard to navigate. After all, it had come straight from his imagination. Everything was exactly where he thought it would be.
Eventually, he found himself in a room. His room.
Simple bed. Some furniture. Nothing fancy.
But Steve didn't mind.
He shut the door behind him, letting the quiet fill the space. Then he smiled.
Now… now he was starting to recollect himself. He had met everyone he needed to meet. Every character. Every important piece. And they were all beautiful. Every last one of them.
He sat on the edge of the bed.
"All MILFs" he whispered.
"Every woman in this world… is a MILFs...exactly my type."
A slow grin crept across his face.
He had the ultimate power now.
The Author's Notebook.
With it, he could write anything. Anything he wanted. He could shape their lives, twist their stories, bend reality to suit his whims. He could write that one of them entered his room right now. He could write what they did. He could make it happen.
'Yes… this harem is mine to shape.' he thought.
'I am the Harem Overlord.'
With a gleam in his eye, he reached for the side of his pants and pulled out the notebook.
That cruel smile returned to his lips.
Now the real question was…
"What should I write first?"
He chuckled to himself, flipping open the cover.
"Should I write that a busty MILF sneaks into my room and instantly jumps on me… or maybe I write that I'm fast asleep, and she slips her hand under my pants or somethinh?"
He licked his lips, the rush of possibilities making his pulse quicken.
"So many ideas… And they're all possible....it's time for my harem."
***
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