Chapter 306 – Deciding Esiyae’s future

*** Alzi ***

It truly feels like shit to have to keep counting on others for my defense. I understand that I would always have to count on others for something, but it would be nice not to have almost everything be in others' hands. Maybe I wouldn't have to marry so many women I don't care much about. However, I should now be married to just about everyone I need to be. Just Zarzi is left, and I think she was married to the other two women with her.

Fluvis. It feels like I should already be married to her, with how many women have been wrapped into my family and how many children we have together. She should be giving birth soon; otherwise, I would have her take me to Power again and see if she is willing to make a deal with me.

Maybe I could have Fluvis's Mother or sister take me?

"Alzi? Baby, are you ok? You spaced out for a second," Mommy says.

"Yes, I was just annoyed that I'm counting on people who haven't done a good job keeping me safe, to keep me safe. Maybe I should've just gone straight to the Goddesses."

"A lot of them should've helped you well before now, and a few failed even when they were trying to protect you. But they've kept me safe, so they are capable of protecting people. You now have a lot more women around trying to protect you, and the Goddesses are helping. Not all of these women were helping before, so maybe a few will be helpful. And we aren't going anywhere and will do what we can to help. You're getting stronger as well. It's not much, but their entire focus is now on protecting you, and before, I don't think it was their focus."

"I guess," I say. "I have gotten a few Skills that kind of work in combat. Not that I'd be worth much in a fight."

"You're a healer," Yuki says. "You aren't meant to be the one fighting. Keeping those who do fight healthy is all that you need to do. We're all happy to have someone as strong as you ready to save us."

"I guess," I say. It would be nice to be able to defend myself. I don't know what I did when I saved Elora. I've only ever killed a few women when they did as they wished to me. "Shyla, is Petra going to be around? I liked having her help."

"Yes," Shyla says. "She is coming back with the army, and we can ask her if she would like to work for you, Your Highness."

"Good."

...

I should've eaten more slowly. It was so nice talking about my kids. Talking about the silly sounds and faces they make as they learn about the world. Not a care about the Goddesses trying to hurt their father and mother. Just happiness from being loved and cared for.

Mommy kept me like that for almost eighteen years. Then I went and ruined it all with my stupid decisions. Not a thought went through my mind as I tossed all of her hard work away.

"Shall we go over what to do with the prisoners?" Aurora asks, waddling over to me. I reach out and touch her belly, the kids kicking out for my hand. Aurora gives me an uncomfortable smile, but doesn't shy away.

I guess I can make her a concubine.

"Sure," I say. I don't really care for the prisoners. Esiyae can be left to her luck, and the others don't matter that much to me. The changeling did help me get raped, but then helped me get free, so I don't know what to think of her. Shifty is also a bit weird. She did force me to get raped, but also let me get healed at least, but then she fought against us, but her Queen made her do that, but she could've switched sides, but maybe not? I don't know. The last time I saw her, she wasn't in too great a shape, and I doubt Elora fixed that after Edoezia kidnapped me. So it really just depends on the Royal Healer if she's well again or not. I guess there are potions that she could take to heal some of the damage as well.

I guess I just don't want to have to decide if they are bad enough to be punished or not. Most others make it easy, like Esiyae and the brothel owners.

"We can figure something else out if you like, Your Highness," Aurora says, her hand covering mine. "If something is wrong."

"I was just hoping others would decide for those three. I don't care too much."

"Well, we can let Princess Elora decide for the changeling and Azula De Vil. But Duchess Fluvis has gifted you with Esiyae, and it would be rude to turn it down, Your Highness."

"Why are you saying 'Your Highness'?"

"You are a Princess. We didn't want to say it when you were still a slave, and then we formed a habit of 'my lady,' but we are working to correct our mistakes. You are a Princess of the dragons and should be honored with the correct title."

"I guess," I say. "How does this work with the slaves?"

"Just see them and work out what you are willing to have done with them. Tomorrow, you will have to make the official deals with the Queen of Edeozia."

"So you want me to feel bad about them, or something?" I ask.

"No," Yuki says. "The reason for it is so the slaves know their new owner, and it's a chance for you to get some time with them if you need to hurt them. Basically, it gives you a chance to extract your blood before they get bought back. But you won't have to worry about that as they won't be getting bought back, so we can make this quick and get your due revenge out of them over time. Don't worry too much about them. They're yours for a while, so you can do this fast and spend some time with your kids."

"Ok, that works," I say. It is better to spend this time with the kids rather than with these women. Slap them around for a bit, then forget about them for a while. Let Esiyae burst, or maybe I'll let her give me some more kids and pass away in labor. I guess I can make the other two into maids.

Esiyae and their Queen were the ones directing all the shit, and the others just helped? The changeling helped, I think. I should ask Elora about that, but Shifty did help Esiyae rape me before finally letting me get healed and clothed.

Start with the one I know what to do with. "Bring Esiyae first," I say. "I need to think about the other two for a bit." Shyla moves a chair to face the door for me. The rest of my wives, it feels nice to think that now, they stay seated around the table. Ready to watch the bitches come in.

"As you wish, Your Highness," Aurora says. "Just give her a few minutes. I look small compared to her."

Now this seems interesting. Aurora's belly attracts all the eyes in the room. Everyone must be guessing that she's due with triplets or something when they see her. I may not have a chance to keep Esiyae alive if she's even bigger.

The high elf is holding her belly up with her arms, waddling through the door, bags under her eyes, with her golden hair in tufts all over. Just patches of cloth cover her body. She just takes a few steps in before slowly making it down to her hands and knees so she can crawl the rest of the way to my feet. Aurora wasn't wrong about her size, and I really don't know if she has even a small chance of making it to labor.

I don't think I'll have a wife among the dragons after this war. If this is twenty, how could a hundred ever work? Whatever. I thought I was killing her back then, and the war has little to do with that act.

"My Mistress," Esiyae croaks out. "My Mistress. Is the child ok? Is she loved?"

She's definitely picked the right thing to ask, I'll have to give her that. "Yes," I say, "Tirlo is doing well. I'm not like the stupid nobles, failing their children for fun or something. She'll be loved and happy."

"Thank you," Esiyae says. "Thank you, my Mistress. I'm sorry. I- I'm sorry."

"Good for you."

"Can I hold the child? For just a minute, my Mistress. Please, let me die having held a child of mine at least once."

"Is it safe?" I ask, looking at Sarania. I think she's a great choice to keep my baby safe. "Sarania? Nakuma, can you make sure of it?" Space mana may be an even better way to keep her safe, even with Sarania having more mana. I may be a little soft for allowing this, but I've had enough kids taken from me that I can't do that to her. She'll get her one time and then a slow death in a cell.

"I'll be good, my Mistress. I promise. I just wish to see our baby for a minute."

"I can keep her safe," Nakuma says.

"I can as well," Sarania says. "But does she deserve to see your kid?"

"No, but I've had too many taken from me, and the women would all say I didn't deserve to see those kids."

"Very well," Sarania says. "I'll go get Tirlo."

"Thank you," I say. Sarania moves quickly, coming back with one of my bundles of joy. The beautiful little Tirlo with her pale blue horns. "Just one minute. Do anything to her, and I'll find a way for you to survive so I can take each kid from you as they pop out of your worthless cunt. Just moments after the last one leaves you, I'll give you triple the count and laugh as you burst a week or two later. I'll make sure the guards tell stories about how your kids are doing and how good it is that they'll never have to see their worthless mother."

"I understand, my Mistress. I understand."

I give Sarania a nod and watch carefully as Esiyae holds the fragile baby. Her arms gently wrap around the child as she pulls Tirlo to her breasts and rests her on her massive belly. Her arms shake as she begins to cry, and her tears drop onto Tirlos' blanket.

"Daddy's sorry," Esiyae whispers. "She should've been better. I hope you know she loves you, and you don't make my mistake. I'm sorry, baby. I failed yet again. I love you."

Goddess damn it all. I really fucking fell for this shit. Except I really do think she's crying, her thumb gently brushing Tirlo's cheek. Ice can't control water that well, right?

"Take Tirlo away," I say. "I think the slave is about to fall over." Esiyae doesn't fight Sarania, her hands giving up the child easily, leaving me with my stupid kindness. "Now, I'm wondering about your relationship with Elora."

"She's a bitch. I wish I could've done more to her. I wish she were awake when I filled you up with Tirlo. But the blood was enough. I worked twice as hard as her, and this is where I'm at now! Fuck all of this. A slave getting raped by her wife every day. That is what all my hard work earned me."

I thought she had changed. Why would she be so nice to our kid and then say something like that about me? Does she still not see me as a person? Did she really just want to see her kid? "All your stupidity did was bring you to your death. Maybe, if you survive long enough, I can save the kids. If you do, I'll give you a short prayer to let you know your children will be better off without you. Otherwise, you'll be burned and forgotten. Take her away."

"Fuck you. A few kind words, and I got to hold my daughter. You won't do shit to me," Esiyae says as Sarania drags her away. "I did as I was told, and everyone forgot about me. Nobody gives a damn about my efforts."

"I won't lift a finger for you," I say. "Have fun till you burst."