Chapter 277 – Meeting the Wives

The city is eerily quiet. The streets are empty as we walk down the streets towards the middle of the city.

Sarania has to pull me through the city, really, handling both the children and me.

My thoughts frayed, worried that my past will jump out from one of the dark alleyways. Scared of what the Princess will do when we reach her.

Will they lock me away? Force themselves on me? Find some way to have Sarania fill us all with lust so everyone walks away pregnant, tying me to them forever? Will Mistress get me back?

My vision swirls about as Sarania's steady hand keeps me moving next to her.

"My Mistress," Sarania says. "Take deep breaths for me, in through the nose and out the mouth. Focus on just your breath. I'll keep you moving in the right direction. Your family can't and won't hurt you. You don't believe this, but they want you to like them."

"No, things are going too well for me. Something has to happen. They'll find a way. I know it. I know it," I mumble. "They always do."

"I'll protect you. If Geta wished to harm you, she would've. The rest aren't strong enough to get through me," Sarania says. "Focus on your breath. We'll get through this together. One step at a time. One day after the other. Nothing will stop us."

"Ok."

I do my best to worry about my breathing. It's not exactly what Sarania asked me to do, but it's the best I can do, our shoes clacking against the stone street in the cold winter air. My eyes focus on Luck's cute little face as she sleeps.

Sarania must be doing something to keep the baskets from rocking all over the place over the rough streets.

"Here we go, My Mistress," Sarania says.

A metal fence surrounds the manor. A freshly cut green lawn in the middle of the city. It doesn't look as pretty as the Princess's yard, clearly having suffered some neglect over the past months. The hedges are dead, like most areas are in the winter, showing the lack of mana the city now has.

A few guards are patrolling the fence, and the one at the gate lets us in without a word, letting us continue up to the front door. It, too, swings in without a word or an ask.

Inside is the Princess, and Inanos steps out from behind her. Shyla is standing off to the side in her normal uniform, her smile widening as I step in.

"Hello, Love," the Princess says. "I'm glad you're safe and unharmed, and even with new members of the family. I would love to get to know them tonight. But, for right now, I'm sorry. We failed you once again. This time, it seemed to turn out ok, but I know the pain of getting to this outcome was immense and shouldn't have happened. I underestimated their desperation and allowed you to be hurt again. We are working on a new guard rotation for you. This time, you will have a wife with you at all times unless you ask to be alone, and we are also hoping to get Yuki and Nakuma in. I think they will do most of the guard duty for a while, and we can work on your second affinity so you can defend yourself as well. But, most of all, I'm happy to see you. We came as fast as we could, and I'm happy we found you already freed. Thank you, Sarania, for helping our wife."

"I simply helped my Mistress," Sarania says, her hand moving to steady my own hand.

"My Lady," Shyla says, determining that I won't respond to the Princess. "I am happy to see you finally free of that disgusting collar. I would like to ask to be your maid officially now. I know we started off poorly, but I've shown my ability and usefulness." She moves out in front of me and bows deep, holding out the skirt and letting me see down her dress. "My only complaint with you is now fixed. I think we will work well together. You already need new clothing, and I am happy to provide it."

"Ok," I whisper.

She bends a bit deeper at the waist and then stands straight, moving behind me.

"Why don't you relax for a bit," the Princess says. "Relax and wear some comfortable clothing. Get something to eat, and then come back down, and we can talk as a family. Tomorrow, I wish to return to the capital, and the marriage is scheduled between us and your lovers. I know Shimmer and Geta have things to discuss with us as well."

"Ok," I say. Why are they all standing so far away? Do they think I'm dangerous, or do they not like me now that I'm free?

"My Lady," Shyla says. "Why don't we have Lady Inanos join you for this late lunch?"

"Ok," I say.

"Good, then this way, my Lady," Shyla says, taking over and directing me. "Sorry about it being on the second floor, but we have prisoners on the first, so all the wives are on the second or third floor. Isda already has a room on the first ready for you and the kids. I made sure of it, and my Mother has confirmed it as well."

"Excuse me," Sarania says. "But why are you acting like you are in control?"

"I am acting as her head maid while my Mother isn't here. Alzi has not told me your title," Shyla says.

"I don't know what the difference between a maid and a servant is," I say.

"Don't worry about that. It is enough to handle it ourselves later," Shyla says. "For now, I know where the room is and the food."

"Fine," Sarania says. Wait, how is she getting the baskets on wheels up the stairs?

Mana, Alzi. Mana.

*** Shyla ***

What. The. Fuck. Did that fucking brothel bitch do to my Lady?!

I've been around Duchess Fluvis's sister a few times, the shaking mess of a woman struggling to do anything on her own. A disgrace caused by the pressure the old Duchess put on her.

Now, my Lady is like that. Alzi is about to crumble, her body shaking, looking around to make sure nothing is going to jump out at her. Some of that is likely the Princess's fault, but not to this level. No. That is because of her time in the brothel.

The woman I grew close to was just taken from me. She was confident and powerful working in the medical tent, and now she isn't even sure of her footing. Just how much was that collar controlling? How many memories were hidden in the back of her mind?

"This is the room, my Lady," I say. "It has a fake wall to give some privacy but also keep the kids close. We don't have to put it up all the time. Just when you want privacy."

I give the stupid succubus a smile so she hopefully takes over for my Lady as I set the table. I don't know how much she knows about serving. I'm sure it has changed a few times while she's been alive, but Alzi seems to be more comfortable with the succubus. I just wish she hadn't started that fight. She didn't know the room we were going to, so why didn't she ask me in private to figure out the roles? We shouldn't burden our Lady with that right now.

Either way, I have to get the food out. Some hot meals should help her, as well as some time with her Mother. Thank the Goddesses that the Princess wised up and arranged the marriage. I could've had a free Lady from the start if she had an ounce of common sense.

I had to order the kitchen to make soup for my Lady. She always seemed the most comfortable with a soup, and right now, comfort is definitely needed. They should finish it fast, but I need to keep her active and moving. If she gets bored, I know her memories will take her away from us all. Not to mention the potential divorce.

Off to the temple in a heartbeat, and who knows if she'll take me with her. All the time I spent caring for her, falling in love with her, will be gone out the window and down the drain, leaving me behind to cry as I lose the best Lady to work for in the realm. Who else is going to ask me to come up with a new design for a suit or let me dress her in that revealing clothing and then ask for not a single curve to be shown the next day?

She's frustrating in the way she thinks about the world, but it is refreshing and kind. She is who I want to serve, and the Princess is going to ruin that.

But her happiness is more important, and I can always petition her to let me help her, even as just a gardener or something.

"Just a moment, my Lady," I say. "The food should be ready shortly. I wanted it fresh for you. Sorry for the wait, but a hot meal would do you some good, I think."

"Ok," my Lady says, taking her seat. Lady Inanos sits to her right, and then Sarania sits down.

"Would you like the kids to be near you, or would you like me to take care of them while you eat, my Lady?" I say, looking over the strange stroller. Four kids. We've gone from zero to four in an instant. "They are really cute. What are their names?"

"Tirlo, Luck, and Nymora. The fourth is unknown," my Lady says. This time, a bit of love worms its way into her voice.

Good. Just focus on the kids, and this will work. I just need her to see her Mother walk down the aisle in a dress, holding her kids. Do that, and I'll be able to serve her for the rest of my life.

"Unknown? Is there something stopping you from naming her?" I ask. She was quite adamant when she was demanding to be told the names before.

"She is a Goddess like Luck," Sarania says. "We don't understand her affinity, so we can't say what her name is."

"Goddess? Two in these baskets?" I ask. "Is that possible? My Lady gave birth to Goddesses?"

"Yes," Sarania says.

"I see," I say.

One of the babies. No, my Lady starts to cry. Inanos just sits there wide-eyed. Why couldn't it have been Ioelena or Vanya here? I know my Lady likes Inanos a bit, but the death elemental isn't the right woman to comfort Alzi now.

Please do something, Inanos.

"My Lady," I say. "We are here for you. To support you and help you." I rush over and pull her against my womb. I'm not showing yet, despite the number of kids Alzi put into me, just being a month along right now and all. Hopefully, she can feel the kids, and that helps to ward off whatever memory is attacking her right now.

She screams out, pushing me away, her body shaking in the chair, mumbling apologies to her old torturer.

"Alzi," I say. "Alzi, you are safe right now. No one will hurt you. You are safe." The children start to cry out as well. Hopefully, the succubus will take care of them.

"Dear," Inanos finally says. "Dear. We will get them. No need to fear or apologize. We'll kill them so they can never hurt you again."