I. The Divine Intervention (The Comedic Pause)
As Vael stood before King Aerion, ready to recite his most dangerous poem, he closed his eyes. In the profound silence of the Royal Hall, a familiar, golden light enveloped Vael's mind.
God Aethel appeared before him, legs crossed, sipping a celestial beverage.
"Hello, little rhymer," Aethel chirped. "I noticed your current predicament. I'm here to fix that contractual oversight."
Vael immediately dropped to his knees in his mind. "Thank you, Aethel! Please, save me! Just give me a decent poem!"
"No need for that," Aethel said smugly. "The 'Male Admirer' sub-plot was a glitch. I'm removing the cross-gender effect of your poetry. From this moment forth, your charm works exclusively on women. Those two confused soldiers will now see you as just a normal, skinny writer. Problem solved!"
Vael froze. His eyes, still closed in the Royal Hall, flew open in mental horror. "No! Aethel, wait! Don't! I... I need it! I need to charm the King right now, or he will execute me! My charm is my only defense against large, powerful men!"
"Nonsense," Aethel scoffed. "You said you didn't want the boys! Now you get only the girls. Enjoy the simplified demographic!"
"Please, God, please! I'll take the boys! I'll take the shame! I'll endure the positional kissing, just don't remove the charm on men!" Vael pleaded.
Aethel chuckled—a sound like crashing meteors. "Too late! Focus on your poem, little one. And stop yelling at your contract provider."
The Divine Presence vanished, leaving Vael completely alone, facing a death sentence, with the terrifying knowledge that his most crucial charm power had just been removed.
II. The Royal Charm
Vael's panic was now fused with a primal desperation. He had to succeed without his power working on the King. He decided to appeal not to love, but to Royal Ego.
Vael opened his eyes and began to speak, his voice soaring with dramatic intensity:
"Behold the King, whose shoulders bear the weight,
Of land and law, and sealing every fate.
If Duty calls, and blood demands the crown,
Then let the people never watch you frown!
I am the Consort, not of mere desire,
But Destiny itself, a sacred fire!
Accept this Gift! A Poet's truth must reign!
Lest all your Royal labours be in vain!"
[Divine Power Effect: King Aerion and Senior Female Nobles are Charmed!]
King Aerion did not fall in love, but his stern expression melted into one of deep, paternal responsibility. He rose slowly from his throne, looking at Vael with intense reverence.
"Silence, all of you!" the King boomed, his voice echoing. "This man... this Divine Poet... he is not a vagrant. He is a Destiny! He is the key to our Kingdom's legacy! I cannot allow such a treasure to walk unprotected!"
The King clapped his hands. "I hereby declare this man to be the Royal Poet-Advisor and Divine Consort of the Realm!"
III. The Wives Crash the Party
Just as a stunned King Aerion was placing a heavy, ornate medal on Vael's chest, the grand doors of the Royal Hall flew open with a tremendous crash.
Astra, Lyra, Seraphina, Serana, and Anaya rushed in, breathing heavily, their hair messy, their clothes wrinkled. They looked more like a band of brigands than wives.
"There he is! My Husband!" Astra roared.
Seraphina pointed a dramatic finger at the King. "Unhand him, you old tyrant! We will fight you for his freedom!"
Lyra drew a small notepad. "We are invoking VOPP Section 4.3: High-Value Target Retrieval! Release the Consort immediately!"
Vael, still reeling from the shock of the medal, saw his wives preparing to fight an entire Kingdom's army. He tried to wave them off.
"Wives! Stop! It's fine! The King is... charmed! We're okay!" Vael tried to yell, but the sound was drowned out by the chaos.
"Run, Consort! Go! We will hold them off!" Astra screamed, drawing her sword.
"Wives, wait! Everything has been settled! I'm now a Royal Official!"
IV. The New Nightmare
The King, charmed but still majestic, stepped between his guards and the incoming women.
"Silence!" King Aerion commanded. "These women are clearly his Royal Harem! They are also necessary for the fulfillment of his Destiny! We must protect them all!" He turned to Vael, beaming. "My son! I have given you the Grand Suite, a personal guard, and the post of First Advisor on Poetic Policy!"
Vael's jaw dropped. First Advisor? Now I have official paperwork and responsibilities? I didn't want to rule! I wanted to go home!
The four warrior wives, seeing that Vael was safe and now the most powerful man in the Kingdom (next to the King), instantly dropped their swords. They rushed Vael, but were blocked by Princess Kira, who eyed them with a terrifying mix of sisterly love and sharp royal jealousy.
"And who are these... women?" Princess Kira asked Vael, her eyes narrowing. "How many wives do you have, My King?"
Vael felt the pressure. He looked at Kira, then at the four hungry eyes of his wives, then at the King who was looking at him with expecting adoration.
Vael simply threw his hands up in despair. "It's not my fault! I didn't want any of this! I only wanted one!"
Aethel! You laugh at my misery, don't you?! Vael thought, hearing the phantom sound of a thousand laughing meteors in his mind.
Vael is now a highly visible, highly responsible Royal Official, guarded by his newest, most powerful political wife (the King) and facing instant, intense jealousy from his newest sister-wife, Princess Kira.