Chapter 164 – Queens and Goddesses

*** Fluvis ***

"Duchess, are you planning a trip sometime soon?" the master shipbuilder asks.

"No, but have you ever been pregnant, Hydran?" I ask her, continuing to waddle alongside my newest design. The prettiest ship ever made, along with the fastest and most deadly.

As long as I'm not on another ship.

"No Duchess. But what does that have to do with a ship being ready on time? I mean, we are just doing the final checks on him and will be ready to sail in just a few days. But anyone can tell you aren't made for a journey right now," Hydran says. She's led the building of every ship I've designed. Perfect work so far, and this one is looking to be the same.

"This is the first pregnancy for me, you see. So I may be wrong about this, I admit, but I don't think I am," I say. "But the kids in my womb settle down for two occasions. One is when I'm holding and playing with their sisters, and the other is when I'm working on this beauty. I may not be planning a trip, but I think they plan for me to go on one. I want him ready for a chase and a fight. Can you do that?"

"Duchess, I'll agree you shouldn't ignore children, but I doubt they can predicate a voyage on the waters from your womb. But she will be ready for you in just a few days. I'll even look to get supplies for a voyage if you want," she offers up.

"Make it so. If I don't go on a trip in two weeks, donate the food to the hungry. I'll handle the crew," I say. Thank you for the work on him. I can't find a single issue with her. Let the team know I appreciate their hard work and dedication. Their work is what lets my navy do theirs."

"Thank you, Fluvis. I'll make sure the silly girls know you still like them and I'll prepare them for repairing their fine work if that trip comes to fruition. Just be careful on the sea. I know the Goddess is kind to pregnant women in her waters, but that is no promise of safety," Hydran says.

"I always am. It is only my prey that needs to worry. Though I doubt my current form will strike fear into anyone," I say.

"Yes, your current form makes me want to protect you instead of cowering in fear like normal. You should get back to your kids and out of the cold unless there is something else, Duchess," Hydran says, clearly wishing to finish up her work for the day.

"That is all. Sorry for showing up so late. I'm excited about how the boy will run. Have a good day. I'll be back when you finish your inspections, and then if I need to move up the first journey," I say, giving the massive ship one last look.

"I hope I only see you once more while you're still pregnant, Duchess. Congratulations on the kids again, and thank you for giving us such ships to build. It is an honor as always," Hydran says, giving me a small bow.

Not wanting my wives to yell at me for staying out too long, I head back to my carriage. The stinkers in my womb start to get restless again. I will have to say they have given me a great reason to spend so much time with my kids. But sleep is almost impossible to come by. I've had to start sleeping in the nursery just to have them calm down enough to get some sleep.

I think these four are going to be protective of their older sisters and the only way that works is if Alzi managed to put a few dragons in me.

I hope she is doing alright with the Princess. I need to have kids with her the correct way. My desperation hurt what could have been a very powerful relationship. I'll make it up to her. I just need to get my stubborn Mother under control.

*** Queen Yuminea ***

"Find the daughter that gave Yuki a way to force me back into her life! Then find out what is going on between the office and my workers," I call out to my maids. Getting up to go to the royal's private temple. Seems my time with Irlo has hurt my rule more than I thought it would.

Seems to be going beyond just my daughters like I was hoping.

I leave my private halls and make my way to the royal section, which all my wives, kids, and husband can enjoy. This section is the majority of the castle, with just a small section to hold the occasional foreign royals and then the main chamber.

The rest of the accommodations are in their own building on the castle grounds. Well, there are a few different levels of jail cells for other criminals who manage to keep their heads attached to their bodies, but those hardly count as usable space.

The temple is small, and only royalty ever use it. Even then, it is usually just me and the Princesses aiming for the throne that ever use it. Maybe my Mother will pop in to gossip with the Goddesses if she has nothing better to do.

I can order her to find out what those idiots reading my mail are doing denying a Princess a house. Let her pet my stomach for a few minutes and she should fold easy enough.

The temple may be small, but gold fills the room. Statue after statue dedicated to the Royal Goddesses. Unlike the realm beings, I have to share the Royal Goddess with the other Queens. So she won't help in wars against Queendoms or spill secrets she finds. But she should help find out if other Goddesses are messing with my Queendom.

I kneel before the Altar and start praying. In just a few seconds, I'm surrounded by white, the Goddess's voice calling out.

"How may I help you, little one? Daring to get pregnant again at your age," Goddess of Royalty calls out.

"I think some Goddesses are messing around in my Queendom. I was hoping you could help me find out if that is true, my Goddess," I say. I lack a body here, so I can't really bow down, but I try anyway. You never know if they are just hiding the body or if they know what you are trying to do.

"We are always messing around down there. But I'm guessing you are talking about troubles in your court," the Goddess says. "Yes, a few factions are fighting. Honestly, it has gotten to the point where you can't really win. Not that you could win to start with. Not unless you figured out the first plot immediately. But you didn't have a chance to do that, really."

"Can I know the major sides in the fight and what they want? I just don't want them tearing my people apart, my Goddess," I say. I'm guessing the first plot was Alzi and whatever got her to be a slave. Or maybe it was just her birth.

"Justice and Nature are fighting with Fertility again. You have to be careful. Fertility can end your Queendom, and Justice can plunge it into anarchy."

"Alzi?" I ask.

"The rainbow dragon? Yes, she is a piece many want, and a few have a good claim to."

"Should I free her?"

"One side will be happy one side will be mad. The question is if the happy side can overpower the mad side."

"Can they?" I dare to ask.

"Not right now. But eventually."

"Alzi is with Fertility, correct?"

"Yes, your child should make that one obvious."

"Freeing a champion will bring destruction to my Queendom. How is keeping her a slave not going to bring it to destruction?" I ask before I think.

"Luck and sacrifice, honestly. You will feel her slip through your fingers, and the question will be, what happens when you reach out again. Will your hand meet a sword or an offer? Will you even want to reach out to her? All depends on when things happen."

"Is there anything you can do to help? I'm willing to..."

"I will not help your stupid daughter if Alzi asks for a divorce. I will show up, but I will be silent behind her. Alzi is wanted by plenty of Queens and Princesses. I may not be supported much by the realms, but royalty is royalty. I will have access to Alzi no matter what. Much of my control is dependent on Justice; I can not stray too far from her wishes. She wishes for Alzi to be controlled or kicked out of the main realm. It will be up to you to keep Alzi controlled if you want my help. Fertility will be happier if Alzi is free," the Goddess says.

I wait for a bit, wondering if there is something I can ask or guidance I could use. Justice is messing with my rules. But is she about to send a champion to fight Alzi?

"I am sorry about this, but there is a reason I am hidden away in royal castles. My power is through knowing information, not enforcing my will. For that, I have to say the right words to Justice and War. Normally, those two are the only ones I need to balance. Fertility waking up and stretching her muscles is making things more difficult," the Goddess says with a sigh. "War doesn't care, but Justice is used to having control. The Goddess of Agriculture has her tantrums but is normally happy with some sacrifices. I'm not sure what Fertility wants right now. If I find out, I will let you know. But it is likely to be at odds with Justice. For now, be careful."

The Goddess ends our little meeting without even giving me a chance to speak. She likely new about Alzi before, possibly even working with that stupid daughter to keep the enslavement going.

I hold my anger until I leave. By the time I leave, I have accepted that the Goddesses are going to be messing with me. It's best to let my Mother and grandmother know. They'll likely get used to quelling some wars the Goddesses stir up. Hopefully, they are meditating, and I can just tell the story once.

And Elora better treat that damn dragon better than the brothels did.

The halls are filled with the maids and the few Princesses still staying in the castle. Just a few besides Irlo are young enough to be sticking around here. And they should be gone in a few years. Of course, I will be joining my Mother with my harem in the back of the hall shortly as well.

I should've just grabbed Alzi when she got me pregnant the first time. I wonder how many problems that would've solved.

Luckily, nobody stopped me on my way to the elders. The annoyance on my face likely being why.

Taking a deep breath, I push past the doors and hope for the best. I'm not like Alzi. I would prefer not to see my Mother or grandmother naked, but I refuse to knock on their doors. They don't give me that pleasure even now that I'm stronger than them.

"Thank the Goddess, you're dressed," I say. A bit of luck coming my way. Both my Mother and Grandmother are just meditating on the bed. "Now I have some news. Some good. Others problematic, I guess."

"Well, come over here and let me pet your womb. You think you can hide it from your Mother?" my Mother says.

"I didn't think I was hiding it from you," I say. I submit to my fate and walk over, joining the old women on the bed. "Same father as Irlo."

"It feels like it may actually be a dragon this time," Grandmother says. "What would those golden freaks say if you gave birth to a royal dragon. I suppose you know the gender?"

"Girl. I'm not that lucky," I say. The women assaulting my womb. Will I do this to the next Queen? "Other news is about the father."

"I knew we should have said something," Mother says. "Well, is he going to cause a bunch of problems?"

"Do not sneak under my clothing! We are not having sex," I say, slapping the old woman's hand away. "And yes. Possible wars. Goddesses are fighting, and Justice is likely messing around in my court right now."

"You want us to help keep the peace if possible?" Grandmother asks.

"Yes, I think Yuki has a sister hiding around here. Likely working with the assassin's guild. They likely are getting tricked by the sister. They feel too confident in dealing with Yuki to not have someone stronger around than my lower nobles, and the only way Yuki survives that attack then is if they are friends or family. I'm guessing family. They are likely going to try and help Yuki take Alzi out of here. Depending on what goes on, the sister may make a distraction," I say.

"We are just here rotting away. Ask, and we will help little one," Mother says, pulling me into a hug. "Let it happen, Yuminea. Just relax into your Mother for a moment, then you can get back to the stress of the crown."

"Fine," I say.

"Thanks, baby," Mother says. "Congratulations on the pregnancy."