Chapter 291 – A Promise for the Future

"I need a promise that you will fully marry at least one of my daughters," the Queen says. "I need that to make it easy to deal with the nobles. You can pick from the younger ones who don't touch politics if it doesn't work out with Elora. If you are ok with that, then we can do this contractual marriage. I want it backed by Contract as well. With some occasional meetings of the full family during the two years, so there will be a chance that you marry the women at the end of the contract period."

"Fine," I say. Here's to hoping the Queen has one daughter who is nice, and I can find her. Of course, I could just ignore the Princess I marry and just let her be. Find some concubines and then curse her Mother together whenever we have to be near each other.

"Yes, that makes sense," Sarania says. "Once a month, Alzi will meet with the contracted marriage family. And she has to see a single individual from that family once a month as well."

The Queen clearly doesn't love how little we'd need to interact. It's time to see how desperate she really is to have me in her family tree. I could just pick Vanya and Inanos for those visits with the current wording.

"Twice, she has to meet with a small group," the Queen says. "That's more often, but it can be with three women at once, so it doesn't have to be as intimate. True meetings for a few hours."

"Perfect," Sarania says. "I believe we can live with that."

I can just be with Vanya and Inanos every time, so it really isn't too bad for the protection. "Yes," I say, giving Elora a few pets. "Now, back to Shimmer. Why should I offer you a path to marry me?" The Goddess of the Dragons said the Kitsunes can handle the dragonkin, so I'm not sure I need the phoenixes, though it would be nice to have more help.

"The offer would be similar to what the others have offered," Shimmer says. "Getting to raise our child, and I know of a few strong phoenixes who would be willing to marry you alongside me. I am your mate now."

"You forced it to happen," I say. "But are you really going to be Queen?"

"I think," Shimmer says, turning to the table. "I think so. We've never had a Queen be the submissive in their relationship before."

"Well, you'd better work hard to fix that issue," I say. "I'm not happy that you took a kid from me and seemed to be planning to run off with her."

"I would never!" Shimmer says, her hand slamming the table. "I would never do that. You would've naturally found out about the kid soon anyway, and I couldn't hide it forever, or how would I give birth? Do you think I'd risk that in the middle of nowhere when I have a healer at home? No, this kid will be raised by you. I was just not willing to wait or hear Elora complain about me getting pregnant. This child is ours. Yes, my Mother demanded I have it, but she demanded I have many kids with you. She would love it if my regular form were that of a woman heavy with your children. Now, I am happy to be whatever you wish for me. If you wish for me to carry your children, then I shall. If you would prefer I watch others carry your children, then I shall. This deception was not to take something from you but to let me give you more. I did my best to make you happy. I tried to pamper you in the short time we lived together. I tried to help you become friends with your wives. I tried to support you and bring you happiness. I tried, my love. Now, I am here to offer my help in fending off the Goddesses. My help and the help of my people. I failed my other tasks. I know that. But for this one, I'm just acting as a bridge. A tool for you to use to have my Mother agree to help you."

She really does know how to make everything into a speech. I doubt it will be hard for her to spin the fact that she is a submissive into a benefit for the crown. Then, I'd have the Queen of the Phoenixes washing my back. "I'm guessing you'll be better at handling the dragons than the Kitsune would be."

"Yes," Shimmer says. "Being able to fly does help defend against those that can fly. Not to mention the heat issue dragons bring and the possibility of the true Dragon deciding to have some fun. We are better suited to handling the dragons, and we may even be able to spare some for Nature as well and burn down some of her beloved forests. My people would be happy to help you, Alzi. Please, let us prove our worth."

Just like you proved that you all love me and will protect me.

"Is there a chance for us?" Shimmer asks. "Please, I wish for you to help raise our child. I don't want to live without my mate. I care deeply about you, Alzi. I miss you. I'm sorry for trusting that you would be safe in the army. Please." Her eyes twitch to peek at the pregnant Princess at my feet, and her hand goes to her bigger belly. Her pregnancy began just a few days earlier, but that can mean a lot for my kids. "I'm yours, Alzi, completely yours."

"Prove it," I say. Royals must have lessons about how to apologize without actually apologizing. What happened to saying sorry and saying how you will fix it? I guess they would still fail to enact whatever plan they put forth, but they could at least pretend.

"Yes, my Love," Shimmer says, sliding off her chair. Slowly, a third Princess comes to sit at my feet. Maybe I should call over Yuki to have them all at once?

But who cares? I could do it later if I wish.

Geta, I don't quite understand. What does she want, and what do I feel about her? She had secrets, but was nice and didn't do anything terrible, I think. It would have been nice if she hadn't run off and let me get captured, but that did help me get free from the stupid collar.

"My Goddess sent me," Geta says. "I never forced you to do anything, and I didn't promise the world. I hid who I was, but can you blame me? Do you think I would get a single moment alone with you if I came out and said I was a Valkyrie of Death? The Princess wouldn't trust marrying me. I've been honest with you, Alzi. If I need to prove myself, which is fair to ask from us, then all of your wives need to prove themselves."

"Vanya and Inanos don't have a choice," I say. "I'm not losing that many kids. And I kind of like Inanos anyway. Isda would be the last one who I think needs to prove something to me, but it seems to be Goddesses fucking us both over there. The rest just seem to be here for fun and can't do much in the family. Almost less than I can. You and Shimmer hid something of value."

"Fair enough," Geta says. "I hid one thing from you. Everyone has something to hide, and as you think, we were hardly in love or really married. Why would I share something that important with someone I can't trust? Elora could make you shout it from the carriage or force you to tell her all my secrets. Of course, I hid my nature, but I think we like each other. So, would you like to continue building a relationship? Having the Goddess of Death supporting you would be helpful. She is a member of the Elder Goddesses, like Nature."

"Sounds dangerous to be friends with death," I say.

"She doesn't cause death. Just covers what happens once death has taken your body. This isn't all, but we need to see my Goddess to get the rest of what I offer."

"I guess," I say, my left hand finding Shimmer's red hair. It's nice having two women at my feet, so maybe the power will be worth it. I'll pick who stays in my bed. What everyone's purpose is in my harem. Plus, this gives me control over the Queen who ordered my kidnapping, and I have Mai's assassins. I just need to get the brothel owners and maybe find my Aunt. Isda is getting lucky with being a plaything of the Goddesses and having all of my kids in her womb. But I turn my head to her to see what will happen to the small angel.

Her golden hair shines for a few seconds before she falls to her knees. "Please, Alzi. All I see in my dreams is me serving you. It's all I want. Please, let me serve you."

"Fine," I say. "But you will be a test for how many kids I can give out without the woman needing help from me."

"As you wish," Isda says.

"You two happy?"

"No," the Queen says. "I would prefer everyone going straight to married and for there to be some actual mutual love. But that is an issue of our own making. I'm sorry for failing to find you earlier and protect you from the abuse. Together, we'll defend you and the nation from the Goddesses. An interesting and dangerous proposition."

"How did the forced marriages work out?" I ask. "I don't see the Edeozia Queen being happy around me, and I don't plan on going easy on her."

The doors open again; this time, a woman with light blue hair comes in. She walks right up to the Queen and gives her a soft kiss, bending over so the Queen can reach down her dress and play with her tits.

Is someone jealous that I have two princesses resting their heads in my lap as they carry my child? Pregnant bitch.

"Keya, how was it marrying me?" the Queen asks, pulling away from the strange elf.

"Simple. I had no choice in the matter. My goal was simple: show my loyalty and work to improve the Queendom."

"Give us a little show," the Queen says. "Almost everyone here will become your wife soon."

"I would like to wait until that happens," Keya says. "I am not a slave."

"I know. Just trying to show the limits for Alzi here," the Queen says. "That is just about what you can do. She will work for you, and she can't harm you. That would go against the family's goals, and a wife can't do that. You may be able to use that mark to get even more from her, as marriage is close to a contract, and a surrender agreement is most definitely a contract. Elora and I will be working out the exact details, but I would be more than happy to have you join us. You are a majorly affected party, and Elora is to be in your house now, even if it is just through a temporary contract, so it would be wrong to exclude you from the decisions. We have a wedding planned, and I was hoping it would be everyone, but it is what it is. We can do it right after you finish all your work with Fertility, or wait until tomorrow, or make it a big party later. Your choice, Alzi. We can always have a separate party from the wedding as well. I know you wish to marry your lovers soon, but you may want the party."

"Today," I say. "I'm not waiting any longer to marry Mommy, Mai, and Kelly." My only real attacking spell requires me to be pregnant for it to work as a defense for me, as I'm not about to bring my children to a fight. So I need to share a bed with Mommy anyway. I guess I don't have to be married to do that, but I want that.

Should I carry a child from everyone I love? I won't be carrying another Goddess, so it should be safe to have that many in me. I wasn't that big the last time, and Kelly can have a kid, and Ilka and Akhae can get pregnant. They must want to have their own kids as well. Yuki needs a lot of kids, and Nakuma needs to settle down, and a pregnancy should help. Or maybe I should wait on them until after the fight with Nature?

I really want to get them pregnant.

No, safety first. Just let Mommy get you pregnant, Alzi. Yes, Mommy, Mai, Kelly, Ilka, Akhae, and maybe Yuki. Maybe Inanos or Nanoka.

I can figure out the extras after the wedding, but I need to keep the strong women around me pregnancy-free until I have the Dragons' throne. Then, I have to figure out how to deal with Sex.

But first, Nature and Justice.

"Is that all?" I ask.

"Yes," the Queen says. "I'll start preparing for the wedding. Come to the temple when you are ready. If you need anyone to stay here with you, call them over. Otherwise, they can join me in getting ready."

"That's fine," I say. "Mommy, can you stay?"

"Yes, baby," Mommy says. "Can we keep my wives here as well?"

"Of course. I offered to do some rituals for the Priestesses, and I should also pray to the Goddess."

And right on cue, I see Fertility naked with a soft smile as a pregnant dryad knits in a chair next to her. Her legs are spread wide for me, showing off a new piece of equipment.

Am I going to walk away with another goddess in my belly?