Day Three: The Summons
Anthonio was preparing for another day of departure arrangements when an unexpected message arrived—not from Headmaster Aldric, but from someone he'd never heard from directly: Grand Sovereign Celestia Ashborne, the true power behind the Royal Academy.
Most students didn't even know she existed. The Academy presented Headmaster Aldric as its highest authority, but in truth, he answered to someone far more powerful—a Sovereign 9-Star cultivator who'd founded the Academy centuries ago and still controlled it from the shadows.
In the original story, Anthonio recalled, Celestia Ashborne was mentioned briefly as a legendary figure. But I never wrote detailed interactions with her. This is completely new territory.
The message was simple but commanding: "Present yourself at the Sovereign's Tower. Noon. Do not be late."
The Sovereign's Tower was a structure separate from the main Academy, accessible only to those specifically invited. Anthonio had never been there, never even seen it up close despite months at the Academy.
At precisely noon, he stood before its entrance. The doors opened without him touching them, and he entered a space that seemed to exist partially outside normal reality—the formations here were so advanced they bent space itself.
"Anthonio Crimsonhart." The voice came from everywhere and nowhere. "The youngest Sovereign in centuries. The boy who overcame Broken Veins. The champion who dominated the competition. The villain who stole the protagonist's destiny."
A woman materialized before him, and Anthonio's breath caught despite his Sovereign composure.
Grand Sovereign Celestia Ashborne was breathtaking in a way that transcended mere beauty. She appeared to be in her thirties, with silver hair that seemed to contain actual starlight, violet eyes that held centuries of wisdom, and a presence that made even his Sovereign cultivation feel insignificant. Her power was overwhelming—Sovereign 9-Star at absolute peak, possibly touching the threshold of Emperor realm.
She wore formal robes that somehow managed to be both modest and sensually enticing, her figure perfect in ways that cultivation refinement couldn't fully explain.
"Grand Sovereign," Anthonio bowed respectfully. Even as a Sovereign himself, the power difference was too vast to ignore.
"Rise. I didn't summon you for formalities." Celestia circled him slowly, studying him with those ancient violet eyes. "I've been watching you since you arrived at my Academy. Watched your rapid advancement, your systematic theft of opportunities, your building of power and influence. Impressive work."
"Thank you, Grand Sovereign."
"Don't thank me yet. I'm deciding whether to eliminate you or recruit you." She stopped directly in front of him. "You're a variable I didn't account for. Someone who knows things they shouldn't, advances too quickly, manipulates events with suspicious prescience. Explain yourself."
This was the moment of truth. Anthonio could lie, could try to deceive someone with centuries of experience reading people. Or he could gamble on honesty.
"I have meta-knowledge of this world," he said carefully. "Understanding of events, people, hidden resources that comes from a perspective outside normal causality. I've used that knowledge to rewrite my destiny from 'villain who dies' to 'Sovereign who thrives.'"
"Meta-knowledge." Celestia's expression didn't change. "You speak of this world as if you're not entirely part of it. As if you understand it from an external viewpoint. Fascinating. And dangerous."
"Dangerous how?"
"Because true meta-knowledge—understanding reality as authored fiction—is power that rivals mine. Power that could destabilize everything if wielded recklessly." She moved closer, her Sovereign aura pressing against his. "So I'll ask directly: are you a threat to my Academy, my kingdom, my interests?"
"No. My goals are personal—survival, power, building my own domain. I have no interest in threatening existing power structures unless they threaten me first."
"And if I decide you're too dangerous to leave alive?"
Anthonio met her eyes directly, refusing to show fear. "Then you kill me, and the story continues without me. But you lose the potential benefit of having someone with my unique knowledge as an ally rather than an enemy."
Celestia studied him for a long moment, then smiled—a genuine expression that transformed her face from intimidatingly beautiful to devastatingly so.
"I like you. You don't cower, don't beg, don't try to manipulate with flattery. You acknowledge the power difference while maintaining dignity." She gestured, and a sitting area materialized around them. "Sit. Let's discuss your future—and mine."
They sat, and Celestia's demeanor shifted from threatening to intrigued.
"I've lived for four hundred and thirty-seven years," she said. "Founded this Academy three centuries ago, shaped it into the kingdom's premier institution. I've trained kings, raised emperors, guided the course of history itself. And in all that time, I've never encountered someone quite like you."
"I'm honored."
"Don't be. I'm not complimenting you—I'm assessing you. Your meta-knowledge makes you valuable. Your youth and malleability make you controllable. Your power makes you useful. The question is whether I can trust you."
"Trust is earned, not given."
"Indeed. So here's my proposition: I allow you to leave the Academy and establish your independent base. In exchange, you provide me with your meta-knowledge when it serves my interests. A partnership of sorts—you get freedom and protection, I get access to information I couldn't obtain otherwise."
"What kind of information?"
"Future events you've foreseen. Hidden resources you know about. Political movements you can predict. Things that would benefit someone interested in maintaining power and stability." Her violet eyes glinted. "I'm not asking you to betray your own interests. Just to share information that serves both of us."
It was a reasonable offer, actually. Celestia was proposing alliance rather than subjugation.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I kill you now, eliminate the variable, accept the loss of potential benefit. I've survived four centuries by being ruthless when necessary." She leaned forward slightly. "But I'd prefer not to. You interest me, Anthonio. And I rarely find people interesting anymore."
"Then I accept. Alliance based on mutual benefit, information shared when it serves both our interests."
"Excellent." Celestia's smile widened. "Now, there's one more aspect of this alliance we should discuss. I noticed you've been building quite the collection of women. Harem development is common among powerful cultivators, but yours is particularly... diverse."
"I won't apologize for that."
"I'm not asking you to. In fact, I find it admirable. A young Sovereign building power through strategic relationships and genuine connections." She stood, moving closer to him with predatory grace. "Which brings me to my proposal's second component."
"Which is?"
"Me." She said it simply, directly. "I want to be part of your collection. Added to your harem. Claimed by the youngest Sovereign in history."
Anthonio's mind went blank with shock. "You... what?"
"Don't look so surprised. I'm four centuries old, trapped in a body refined to perfection, wielding power that makes me untouchable. Do you know how boring that is? How isolating?" Celestia's hand traced his jaw. "Everyone fears me. Respects me. Reveres me. But no one challenges me, excites me, interests me anymore. Until you."
"I'm Sovereign 1-Star. You're Sovereign 9-Star. The power difference—"
"Makes it interesting. You're not strong enough to threaten me but strong enough to not be crushed by my presence. You're young enough to still have passion but old enough in soul to appreciate complexity. And your meta-knowledge means you see me as a person, not just an untouchable power." She leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear. "I want to submit to you, Anthonio. Want to experience what it's like to surrender control, to be dominated by someone worthy. Think you can handle that?"
His Sovereign cultivation was screaming warnings about the danger, but his mind was racing with possibilities. Having Grand Sovereign Celestia Ashborne as a lover—as part of his harem—would give him protection, access, power that no amount of personal cultivation could match.
"If I accept," he said carefully, "what would this relationship entail?"
"In public, I remain the untouchable Grand Sovereign, founder and hidden power of the Academy. In private, I'm yours—to command, to dominate, to use as you see fit. I provide protection, resources, political backing. You provide the challenge, the excitement, the domination I crave." Her violet eyes held hunger he recognized from other submissive women. "I've spent centuries in control. I want to surrender it to someone worthy. Are you worthy, Anthonio?"
It was insane. Dangerous. Potentially catastrophic if handled wrong.
But it was also an opportunity beyond anything he'd imagined.
"I'm worthy," he said, his voice taking on that commanding edge. "But understand—if you submit to me, it's complete. I don't care about your power or your status. In private, you're mine. My property. My slut. Just another woman in my collection who exists to serve my pleasure. Can you accept that?"
Celestia's breath caught, her eyes dilating with arousal. "Yes," she whispered. "God, yes. Make me forget I'm untouchable. Make me just yours."
He stood, matching her height, and his hand wrapped around her throat—not choking, but dominating. "Then prove it. Strip. Show me what the untouchable Grand Sovereign looks like when she surrenders."
Her hands moved to her robes immediately, essence dissolving the fabric with practiced ease. Within seconds she stood naked before him, and Anthonio couldn't help but appreciate the sight.
Four centuries of cultivation refinement had created a body that was literally perfect—full breasts that defied gravity, curved hips, pale skin that seemed to glow with inner light, silver hair falling to her waist. She looked like a goddess made flesh.
"On your knees," he commanded.
Celestia sank down gracefully, her violet eyes looking up at him with submission he'd never expected to see from someone so powerful.
"You're beautiful," he said, his hand tangling in her silver hair. "And you're mine now. Say it."
"I'm yours, master. The Grand Sovereign submits to you completely."
He freed his cock, already hard from the surreal situation, and pressed it against her lips. "Then prove your submission. Show me how the most powerful woman in the kingdom services her master."
Celestia's mouth opened, taking him inside with evident eagerness. Her technique was beyond expert—four centuries meant she'd perfected everything, including this. Her tongue did things that made his knees weak, her throat relaxed to take him impossibly deep, her hands working his shaft with supernatural skill.
"Fuck," Anthonio groaned. "You're incredible at this."
She pulled back just enough to speak. "I've had a lot of practice. And a lot of fantasies about submitting to someone worthy. This exceeds them all."
She took him deep again, and Anthonio let her work for several minutes, enjoying the surreal experience of the Academy's hidden power servicing him like a devoted slut.
When he finally pulled her up, he pushed her toward a nearby surface that materialized at his unspoken need—the Tower responding to Sovereign will.
"Bend over. Hands flat. Don't move them unless I tell you to."
Celestia obeyed immediately, presenting herself in complete vulnerability. Anthonio took a moment to appreciate the view—the most powerful woman he'd ever met, bent over and waiting for him to claim her.
He entered her in one powerful thrust, and they both groaned at the sensation. Celestia was impossibly tight, her Sovereign cultivation making every inch of her body perfect for pleasure.
"God," she gasped. "You feel amazing. Even though you're so much weaker, your essence feels incredible inside me."
"That's because you're finally submitting. Finally surrendering control." He began moving with steady, powerful rhythm. "How does it feel, Grand Sovereign? Being fucked by someone eight stars below you?"
"Perfect," she moaned. "Absolutely perfect. I've been dominant for so long—this is everything I needed."
Anthonio fucked her with increasing intensity, his hands gripping her hips, his cock driving deep with each thrust. Despite the power difference, he was the one in control here—Celestia had surrendered completely, given herself over to the domination she craved.
"Touch yourself," he commanded. "Make yourself come on my cock while I use you."
Her hand moved between her legs, and within seconds her inner walls were fluttering around him. When she came, it was with a scream that would have shattered windows if they'd been in normal space—her Sovereign 9-Star power releasing in uncontrolled waves.
Anthonio continued through her orgasm, pushing her into a second, then a third. Only when she was trembling and sobbing with overstimulation did he allow himself to finish, emptying himself inside her with a groan.
They stayed connected for a long moment, both breathing hard. Then Anthonio carefully withdrew and pulled her up, holding her while she recovered.
"That was incredible," Celestia whispered. "Everything I fantasized and more. You dominated me completely, made me forget everything except how you felt inside me."
"Good. Because this is what you are now—mine. When we're alone, you surrender everything. Understood?"
"Yes, master. Completely understood."
They cleaned up with essence manipulation, and Celestia's demeanor shifted back to the untouchable Grand Sovereign—though her eyes still held satisfaction.
"Our alliance is sealed," she said formally. "You leave the Academy with my blessing and protection. Anyone who threatens you threatens me. Your household has my backing."
"Thank you, Grand Sovereign."
"In public, call me that. In private, I'm just yours." She smiled. "Now go. You have other matters to attend to, and I have the satisfaction of finally experiencing real submission."
Evening: Royal Summons
That evening brought another unexpected summons—this time from the Royal Palace. Anthonio was requested to present himself before King Aldric Stormborn (no relation to Kael, despite the shared surname) and his family.
The throne room was magnificent, and the king himself was an imposing figure—Emperor 2-Star cultivation, battle-scarred and powerful. But what caught Anthonio's attention were the two women beside the throne.
Princess Seraphine Stormborn (different from his Seraphina Nightshade) was breathtaking—golden hair, sapphire eyes, a body that cultivation had refined to perfection. She was twenty years old, Transcendence 4-Star, and according to his meta-knowledge, supposed to eventually marry Kael in the original timeline.
Another heroine I can steal, he thought.
Queen Morgana Stormborn, the king's wife, was equally stunning—dark hair with silver streaks, emerald eyes, mature beauty that made his cultivation stir. She was Sovereign 3-Star, powerful in her own right, and her gaze on him held unusual intensity.
"Anthonio Crimsonhart," the king spoke. "The youngest Sovereign in history. We've heard much about you—your championship victory, your unprecedented advancement, your... controversial personal choices."
"Your Majesty honors me with this summons."
"We're curious about your plans. A seventeen-year-old Sovereign represents significant power. The kingdom's interest is in ensuring that power serves stability rather than disruption."
It was a political assessment—the king gauging whether Anthonio was a threat or potential asset.
"My plans are to establish independent cultivation base and continue advancing toward Emperor realm. I have no interest in threatening the kingdom's stability."
"Independent, you say. Not sworn to any noble house, any existing power structure?"
"Correct, Your Majesty. I prefer autonomy."
The king considered this. "Autonomy is acceptable as long as it doesn't become antagonism. However, there's another matter. My daughter, Princess Seraphine, requires suitable protection during her upcoming journey to the Northern Territories. I'm considering commissioning you for this service."
"Father!" Princess Seraphine spoke up. "I don't need a bodyguard. I'm perfectly capable—"
"You're Transcendence 4-Star. Capable, yes. But the Northern Territories are dangerous, and having Sovereign-level protection would be prudent." The king looked at Anthonio. "Would you be interested? The compensation would be substantial."
Before Anthonio could respond, Queen Morgana spoke for the first time.
"Perhaps we should discuss this proposal more privately. Your Majesty, may I speak with young Mister Crimsonhart in the adjacent chamber? To assess his suitability for protecting our daughter?"
The king waved dismissively. "If you wish. Princess Seraphine, accompany your mother. Assess this candidate together."
The queen led them to a private chamber, activating privacy formations the moment the door closed. Then her demeanor shifted completely—from formal queen to something far more predatory.
"Let's dispense with pretense," Morgana said. "I know about you, Anthonio Crimsonhart. Know about your harem, your domination of powerful women, your particular... talents."
"How—"
"Grand Sovereign Celestia is an old friend. She sent me a message after your encounter, singing your praises. Said you were the most exciting thing to happen in centuries." Morgana moved closer. "I'm interested in experiencing what made her so enthusiastic."
Princess Seraphine's eyes went wide. "Mother! You can't be serious—"
"I'm completely serious." The queen's emerald eyes held hunger. "My husband is a good king but a boring lover. He's satisfied with conventional coupling, has no interest in the things I crave. But you—" She looked at Anthonio directly. "Celestia says you're exceptional at domination. At making powerful women submit completely. I want to experience that."
"Mother, this is insane—"
"Is it? I'm a Sovereign 3-Star cultivator trapped in a marriage that provides political stability but no personal satisfaction. I have needs, desires that go unfulfilled. Why shouldn't I take what I want, just like you're building your collection of women?"
Anthonio's mind raced. The queen was offering herself—and seemed to be offering her daughter as well. The political implications were staggering.
"If I accept," he said carefully, "what are you proposing exactly?"
"A relationship. Secret, of course—I can't publicly betray my husband. But in private, I'm yours to command, to dominate, to use however you see fit. I crave BDSM, need the release of surrendering control. Give me that, and I provide political protection, resources, Royal backing for your independent establishment."
"And the Princess?"
"That's her choice." Morgana looked at her daughter. "But I think she's interested too, even if she won't admit it."
Seraphine's face was flushed, her breathing elevated. "I... this is inappropriate—"
"You've been staring at him since he entered the throne room. Don't pretend you're not curious." Morgana turned back to Anthonio. "What do you say? Two Royal women for your collection—a queen who craves submission and a princess who needs someone strong enough to handle her power?"
It was too perfect, too convenient. But also too valuable to refuse.
"If you both submit to me, it's complete," Anthonio said, using that commanding tone. "I don't care about your titles or positions. In private, you're mine. Understood?"
"Completely," Morgana breathed.
"Princess?" Anthonio looked at Seraphine directly.
"I... yes. I accept. But only because I'm curious, not because I'm admitting to any particular needs or desires."
"We'll see about that." He gestured to the queen. "You first. Strip. Show me what the queen of the kingdom looks like when she surrenders."
Morgana practically tore her clothes off, revealing a body that was mature perfection—fuller breasts than her daughter, curved hips, skin marked with a few cultivation scars that only enhanced her beauty rather than detracting from it.
"On your knees," Anthonio commanded.
She sank down immediately, her eyes hungry and eager. "Please, master. I've been waiting so long for someone who could give me this."
"Then show me how much you've been waiting. Service me properly."
Morgana's mouth engulfed his cock with desperate enthusiasm, her technique skilled but enthusiastic rather than perfect. She clearly had experience but not extensive practice at submission—which made sense given her marriage to a conventional king.
"Mother!" Seraphine gasped, watching in shock.
"Watch and learn, daughter," Morgana said between movements. "This is what real satisfaction looks like."
She took Anthonio deep, her throat relaxing, her hands working his shaft. Unlike Celestia's supernatural skill, Morgana's approach was eager, desperate, showing her genuine need rather than practiced perfection.
"Enough," Anthonio said after several minutes. "Princess, strip. Let's see what you look like."
"I don't think—"
"That wasn't a request. Strip, or I walk away and you both lose this opportunity."
Seraphine hesitated, then began removing her clothes with trembling hands. Her body was younger, firmer than her mother's—high breasts, narrow waist, the kind of perfection that came from youth combined with cultivation refinement.
"Both of you, on the bed. Mother teaching daughter how to please their master."
What followed was intensely surreal. Anthonio directed them through various acts—Morgana showing Seraphine how to use her mouth, both of them kissing and touching each other under his direction, creating combinations that left all three aroused and eager.
"Mother first," he decided. "Princess, you watch and learn."
He positioned Morgana on hands and knees, then retrieved silk ropes from his storage. "You said you crave BDSM. Let's test how much you can handle."
He bound her wrists behind her back, her ankles spread and secured. Morgana was trembling with anticipation, her breathing heavy.
"Safeword?" he asked.
"Crimson."
"Good. Now let's see how much the queen can take."
He started with his hand, spanking her ass until it glowed red. Morgana moaned with each impact, clearly enjoying the pain mixed with pleasure. Then he used essence-formed restraints to heighten sensation, temperature play with ice and heat, edge play that brought her to the brink of orgasm repeatedly without allowing release.
Princess Seraphine watched with wide eyes, her own arousal evident despite her shock at seeing her mother treated this way.
After thirty minutes of exquisite torture, Anthonio finally entered Morgana. She screamed into the pillow as he filled her, the sensation overwhelming after so much denial.
"Who do you belong to?" he demanded, his hips driving forward with powerful rhythm.
"You, master! The queen belongs to you!"
"What are you?"
"Your slut! Your property! Yours to use however you want!"
He fucked her with relentless intensity, pushing her through multiple orgasms until she was sobbing with pleasure. Only then did he allow himself to finish, emptying himself inside her with a groan.
Morgana collapsed when he untied her, completely spent and deeply satisfied. "That was everything I needed," she whispered. "Everything I've been missing."
"Princess," Anthonio turned to Seraphine. "Your turn."
"I don't need all that," she said quickly. "Just... normal is fine."
"We'll start normal. But eventually, you'll crave what your mother just experienced. They always do."
He took Seraphine more gently—on her back, missionary position, taking time to build her arousal properly. Despite her protests about just being curious, her body responded eagerly, her inner walls tight and hot around him.
"Relax," he murmured, his hands exploring her body. "Let yourself enjoy this."
"I am enjoying—oh god—" She gasped as he hit a particularly sensitive spot.
He made love to her with steady intensity, watching her face as pleasure built, seeing the moment when curiosity transformed into genuine desire. When she came, it was with his name on her lips and her sapphire eyes wide with surprise at the intensity.
He finished shortly after, filling her with several powerful pulses. Seraphine lay trembling, looking somewhat shocked at herself.
"That was better than I expected," she admitted quietly.
"It usually is." Anthonio began dressing. "So, do we have an agreement? You both become part of my collection, I receive Royal protection and backing?"
"Yes," Morgana said immediately.
"I... yes," Seraphine agreed, less certainly.
"Good. This remains secret—I have no interest in causing political crisis by exposing the queen's infidelity. We'll arrange regular meetings. And Princess, you're not required to continue if you truly don't want to."
"I want to," Seraphine said, surprising herself. "I definitely want to."
After he left the palace, Anthonio walked through the capital in something close to shock. In one day, he'd claimed Grand Sovereign Celestia Ashborne, Queen Morgana Stormborn, and Princess Seraphine Stormborn.
Three of the most powerful women in the kingdom were now part of his harem.
This is insane, he thought. Absolutely insane. But also perfect. With their backing, I'm essentially untouchable politically.
The Shadow Heart pulsed with amazed approval. Young master, you've exceeded all possible expectations. Three women of immense power and position, all submitting to you. Your household is becoming a true power structure.
Phase one complete, Anthonio thought. Power achieved, harem established, political backing secured. Now comes the real work—building an empire worthy of what I've claimed.
END OF CHAPTER 39