Once Amelia finally fell asleep after their vigorous copulation, Hal sat crosslegged and he refined the essence he had gotten from his dual cultivating sessions.

He was pleased to see himself move ever closer to the formation of his Cosmic Armament and already had an idea that would speed things along.

Burt had already delivered the news of Gregory's ecstatic joy upon his epiphany and Evian had relayed to him, what the plans of the Plebeians were.

Even though he had expected their eventual arrival, the news was still useful to him because he now knew when they were coming.

Two days from now.

It would take that long because they did not wish for their visit to be tied to that of the Mysterious figure -who was their master- and Lillian.

Also, they wanted to take that time to prepare efficiently so as not to fall prey to a possible ambush.

Attacks were coming to Hal and his faction from two sides. While there was going to be a difference in the time of arrival, it did not change the potential danger.

But even so, Hal could not help but smile.

For one thing, all their plans were not sure to be effective since he knew of it already and also because Gregory's potential attack reminded him that it was high time he paid a visit to the Payne Family Elites.

...

Morning at the Mansion...

Once Amelia was awake, Hal passed on a Dual cultivation technique to her and noted her lack of surprise at the type of technique. It was clear to him that she knew what it was already.

"This is incredible. Where did you get it?" She asked with a smile, to which Hal answered,

"I stole it"

"Classic you" she said with a giggle.

While she had not shown it, she also wished to become stronger. At the rate he was growing in strength, he was bound to be beyond her reach soon.

She perused the technique but decided not to refine the essence just yet. While she wished to get stronger, she was not in that much of a rush.

Besides, now that they were awake, it was time to talk about what she had asked during intercourse.

"So what do you think of my request?" She said with a smirk.

Hal did not bother to ask her what she was talking about as he never could have forgotten.

"About me 'fucking' your mother"

Amelia blushed deeply,

"Why did you have to use that word?"

Hal chuckled,

"Because it's the word you used"

Amelia blushed even deeper. How could he not be a little more tactful? She had used that word in the throes of pleasure. She surely was not that bold to use it otherwise.

"Ugh. While you were quite crass, yes that's what I was talking about"

Hal looked at her with a slight smile but said nothing.

A few seconds passed and with each, Amelia's embarrassment grew.

"Say something. And don't you dare act as though it's an unreasonable request you pervert. You've definitely thought of it already.

This is just me giving you the go-ahead"

Hal chuckled,

"I try my best to flirt with a lot of women. Does that mean I want to sleep with all of them?" He asked with his head cocked to the side.

"Yes! Maybe for other men, it's harmless. But not for you. If you flirt, then you want it" Amelia said.

Hal looked thoughtful for a moment before he said,

"You know what? You just might be right"

Amelia looked victorious and was about to say something else when Hal interrupted,

"I am curious though. What could make you so interested in hurting your father?"

This time Hal spoke in a normal voice that was devoid of playfulness. It was clear to Amelia that he was serious.

And Hal was.

Personally, he could not care less what happened to Ford Horst and he would take Emily for his own without care for how it would make the Horst patriarch feel.

But that was Hal.

He did not see why Amelia would not care either.

Amelia sighed,

"It's a long story but let me just say that the only thing the two of them have in common is my brother and me.

My Dad holds on to the hope that one day, he can do the impossible and capture Mom's heart but unfortunately for him, Mom's upbringing makes it so that there is only one way that it can be done and Dad is not up to the task"

While that one way was left unsaid, Hal felt he could make an accurate guess but he would not ask further.

Amelia took a deep breath before she continued,

"Call it twisted but it is because I love them both that I want this to happen. If my mom can finally be happy. And I mean truly happy, then maybe Dad would stop pining after her and move on to find his own happiness"

Hal looked at Amelia whose eyes were starting to get teary and pulled her against his chest.

He was not going to call it twisted. He felt it was loving.

Amelia wrapped her arms around him and snuggled even more into his chest.

"It's not Dad's fault that he's not up to the task. Mom has a condition..." At this point, Amelia suddenly went quiet.

Hal smiled, he could tell that whatever this condition was, telling it to a third party would be like a breach of trust between her and her mother so he did not ask her to speak of it.

Condition or not, if he wanted Emily, he would have her.

Amelia looked up at him,

"So, will you do it?"

Hal shrugged,

"Who knows?"

"That's not an answer" Amelia said and Hal laughed before he kissed the top of her head.

Amelia pouted into his chest because she could tell that he wanted to do it but just did not want to make a formal declaration of promise.

Hal smiled. Since she had not mentioned it, it was clear that she had no idea her father had already bet his soul that it would be impossible for him to capture Emily's heart.

He must have known of Emily's condition or at least have had an idea.

'I wonder what it is' Hal thought.

Hal gave Amelia a beautiful new gown which he told her she would wear to breakfast. Also telling her the number of those who would be present for that breakfast.

"There will be a meeting after breakfast" he told her.

"What is it about?" Amelia asked.

"It's all about the steps we will be taking to neutralize the attacks that are coming to us. Also how we are going to neutralize all the Great and Plebeian families and come out on top in the coming war.

Why? Do you wish to participate?" He asked in a teasing voice.

Amelia however took it seriously as though he had really been insinuating she not be part.

"Of course I wish to participate. You are not going to do this without me"

Hal smiled at her resolution and how she could easily gloss over the fact that her family was part of the families to be neutralized.

He was sure she was not overlooking it. She was merely trustful that he would not hurt her for his ambitions.

All those who had been cultivating the day before were done and Hal had the maids prepare what was akin to a feast (by sheer amount) and set up the largest Hall in the Mansion as the dining location of the day.

It was the first time such would be done and all the ladies knew it had to be about more than simple breakfast.

Even though the meal could not qualify as 'Simple' with the number of delicacies served.

The table was quickly set and the chairs were quickly filled.

Hal sat at the head of the table with Melinda at his right and Rita at his left, other than those two, the closest to him was Marla and Amelia.

Once they had finished eating and the plates cleared away, Hal cleared his throat and all attention was immediately directed at him although to be fair, the ladies could hardly keep their eyes off him either way.

Amelia was especially attentive.

"So, in a few days, we will be visited by the Plebeians who plan to accuse me formally for killing the Holgers and then execute me.

They plan to do the same for all those with me."

The ladies from Pleasure Inn all looked at each other but the fear in their eyes was not for their own safety but his,

"Husband, is that really so?" Asked Nevaveh as she pushed a lock of her brown hair away from her face.

(Nevaeh is one of the ladies in Pleasure inn and a lot of them will be mentioned moving forward. If you wish to know their names, check the creator's thoughts below this chapter)

Hal smiled at her,

"I'm afraid it is my dear but not to worry, they can try but can never succeed in taking me away from you all. There are more sisters to be brought into the fold after all"

Nevaeh and some of her sisters sitting by her side nodded seriously at Hal's words. It was clear that they took Hal's words seriously.

"That said, I am open to suggestions. This, after all, concerns more than just me. It affects all of us. Should we merely focus on defending ourselves or do we pay them back in kind?" Hal asked in a quiet tone of voice.

Almost as soon as he was done speaking, Marla's voice rang out,

"It's obvious that we need to kill them. They dared to storm our home. Why should we just defend? Let's show them the consequences of acting against the house of Hal"

Melinda smiled,

"I second that" she said and turned to Marla "Impressive reasoning. I knew we thought alike."

Looking at Marla receiving commendation from the Lady that was obviously closest to Hal, the other ladies (except Rita) who had the same thought grit their teeth at not speaking up faster.

And to make things worse...

"Well said"

...Hal commended her as well.