Chapter 440 – Happy Family Dinner

The size of this family is ridiculous, and not everyone is even here. Sure, just a handful are missing, really, a handful of wives. A lot of kids are missing, and plenty are hiding in wombs for a bit. But I guess I can address them. My third body is eating with Zarzi, her wives, and Elo. It's kind of nice having that small group to focus on. I'll need to do that more in the future.

But it's time to make Aurora happy.

"Most of my wives have gathered here," I say. "Many of my children, but not all. Thank you to the many who have helped me see some of my lost kids. It makes me so happy to see them. They will always be welcome in my home. We've built this family on some difficult bonds. Some terrible bonds. But at this point, I'm ready to accept that we're stuck with each other. I'm on my way to becoming an Empress. I'm a Queen, and just got the offer to be crowned for another territory. I'll work hard to help Shimmer and make it three Queendoms for my Empire. For this and more, I need your help. Caring for the many children we are about to welcome into the world. Taking care of the Queendoms and realms. And making this world a better place, finally. Things aren't going to be perfect for us all, but I am open to working on improving our relationships and the world together."

"Thank you," Azula De Vil says. I guess I do have to take her collar off at some point. Hearth really is winning, isn't she? It's a bit annoying.

"I'm happy to work hard for this Queendom," Elora says. "Thank you for giving me a second chance, and for saving my life. I'll prove it was worth it."

"Thank you for trusting me," Shimmer says. "I'll work hard to take over for my Mother."

"Sorry for stalling, kids," I say. "I know how annoying this all is. Sorry. But that's a problem with big dinners. We'll have plenty of food to get through, I've heard. I did learn to give my speech before the food came out, rather than waiting. It saves you the temptation, even though I think this is the wrong order to do it in. Mommy, or Daddy, doesn't know all the rules very well. Aurora! Is the food ready? Am I good at timing this?"

"Close enough, Your Royal Highness," Aurora says. "The food will be in shortly, and yes, the food is normally served before the speech. But everyone is already seated, so it doesn't really matter. Ah, here comes the food. Enjoy, everyone."

Most of the kids are babies, so it's easy to put them at their own table with the wet nurses, which is practically every maid we have. I may sneak over there to help them if a bunch start crying for food at the same time. But right now, my second body is between Irlo and Radelia. Mommy and her wives are close by with my main body as well. It is a strange setup that is just going to get worse the older the kids get, until I manage to stop having kids and they all grow up.

When the food comes, I take a bite quickly so nobody has to worry about it. Maybe I can end some of these practices. I guess a few rules can stick around to keep them from getting disorderly, but most of the rules are just annoying. The rules probably started with nobles just trying to save their clothing or keep themselves from getting poisoned, like locking the men away for dinner.

That was a fun dinner. I should get a group together sometime. Just us, with no worries about sex or that terrible magic.

"Radelia, do I look as you were expecting me to now?" I ask.

"Yes, even the pregnancy. Mother says you're often pregnant," Radelia says. "She really likes how your color changes. She says that's why she actually went with a woman at the brothel."

"Oh, she's been talking about that?" I say.

"Yes, she says it's a place older women spend time in to feel important these days," Radelia says.

Well, that's a reasonable explanation. "I guess that isn't wrong," I say. "I'm glad she found me pretty. She's a cutie herself. How has today been? Has Irlo been nice?"

"I have been!" Irlo declares. "I'm nice."

"I know, I'm just teasing you," I say. "You're a good sister."

"She has been incredibly nice," Radelia says. "It's been fun. I don't get to play much. I have a lot to learn to help my family. Our land has a lot of monsters around it. A lot of farms need to be protected."

"Interesting," I say. "We did some farming in my home village. It's a lot of work, from what I saw. Earlier mornings and all that. I used to be able to get up with them in the morning, but I never did the farming."

"Yes, they're preparing me more for the fighting side," Radelia says. "To protect the farmers."

"It is important," Ilka says. "That was my job in the village. I didn't have much power back then. We had the guild from the capital taking the difficult and dangerous jobs, while we just had to handle the small beasts and bandits that were around. It's a rewarding position, but tiring. All jobs are if you're providing something to society."

I guess the brothel was providing something to society, then. I know that isn't fair, but it is a funny thought. I was providing kids to the families. The job isn't easy. I guess it does provide society with a tool for relaxing as well, even if it hurts people. I wonder if I could make it into a good job.

"It is fun, it's just tiring to swing swords around," Radelia says. Ok, maybe we're turning this into an interrogation. Do I ask her what her favorite color is? I've forgotten if Irlo has asked that question yet. It could be cute.

"Swords are cool!" Irlo says. "Elora has a bunch in her room. Vanya as well. Hers are cool. Elora is too practical."

"Hey," Elora says. "I have some useless swords as well."

"But you don't show them off as much as Vanya does. She loves those swords. You just like how they look."

I can't stop myself from laughing. The problem is, I have two bodies that start laughing. Even my third body gives a little chuckle.

"Well, I can't use them," Elora says. "They look cool. I just keep the practical ones because those are the ones I used before. I like them."

"Can I see them?" Radelia asks.

"Of course," Elora says. "I would love to show them all to you. I'm sure you would understand them better than Miss Destruction here, who doesn't care about how much more destruction the useful swords can accomplish than the silly ones."

"The silly ones are funny to watch people swing around."

"I was pregnant! I wasn't swinging any swords around."

"So why have them out?"

"Because I like them!" Elora says.

"Why?" Irlo asks with a grin that is a little too big for a four-year-old to be making this joke.

"You are not getting me to go down this conversation, Irlo," Elora says. "Trickster."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Irlo says.

"Is there a Goddess in your head, little missy?" I ask. "The swords were a surprise when I saw them."

"I don't think so," Irlo says.

"Destruction! Don't go trying to destroy the bond of the sisters!" I shout. Is that her clapping? Oh, that kid is going to destroy me. Maybe this one inside me will be creation. Or would that just create a massive fight in the world?

"This family is an interesting one," Nanoka says. "I've never had to worry about kids getting into each other's heads."

"Don't remind me," I sigh. "I don't need to think about what Lactation is going to get up to. Will she be friends with Luck and somehow always end up running into milk or something? Luck with anyone is going to be a problem, I guess. Maybe I have to be her friend?"

"Well, things will be extra interesting around the house," Mommy says. "Kids are always a mystery. But put Goddesses in the mix, and things were bound to get complicated."

"Yes, they are," I say. "I hope we can have some simple times eventually."

Of course, I'm the one creating all the difficult issues now. Tidying up the rulers of the Queendoms isn't too big a problem compared to killing Goddesses or blasphemy. Of course, it seems like healing the soul and mana are harder to do for some reason.

Well, the family looks better than at my previous dinners. And everyone seems to be included, so I guess that's an improvement.

It does feel more homely like this, even if I don't really like them all yet. Hopefully, that gets better, or the kids drown out the ones I still don't like.

...

"Is it really not too late to see her?" I ask.

"No, my Queen," Kou says. "The fire will still be burning in the fireplace."

"Ok, I guess it isn't quite yet dark," I say. Dinner finished a bit early, even with all the extra courses. It's still a small house, not that there's room to change it or a reason to. I hope the kids don't cause issues for her. I may have to push her to make a few changes or get another Priestess to help her.

I walk inside and see the fire still roaring like Kou said. Not that I would think Hearth would let her fire go out. The more important thing is the woman with a small belly sewing in the chair.

"You came sooner than I thought," the Priestess says. "Thank you for taking the time. You're getting far along."

"Yes," I say. "I do manage to get far along quickly."

"Goddesses are a prickly bunch," the Priestess says. "They love messing with the strange parts of life. Is everything going well? I know you've had a lot of things going on at once."

"I got multiple bodies," I say. "It's the strangest thing I've had happen."

"That is a new thing. Sit down. Why are you still in the doorway?" the Priestess says. "Sit."

"Sorry, I was surprised you're just right there doing what you always do. I'm too used to things changing around me," I say. I really stopped in the doorway! I move over to the couch and sink into it.

"You really do need to relax if an old pregnant woman sewing in a chair surprises you that badly," the Priestess says. "Hearth is happy that you've taken her advice. I know it's hard, but I hope it is doing your family some good. The family should help you settle down eventually. The Goddesses eventually get tired of people."

"I think it's working out better," I say. "I do need them to help me with all the duties. It's crazy how much people want me to do."

"You've always been popular," the Priestess says. "The attention is at least good this time around, or better. Attention at the top is normally better than attention at the bottom. But kids, that's a better conversation, and a pertinent one in our situation. How are they?"

"Destruction is proving to be a troublemaker, as expected," I sigh. "Besides that, it's been good. I'm finally getting to see some of the kids that I gave out at the brothel, and some nobles are promising me more. I'm happy with them. I have a body around the kids all day. It feels right to be around them. Calming."

"That's great to hear," the Priestess says, putting down the dress she was just working on. "Well, scoot over a little. You can feel the young ones you put in me for a bit. I'm sure you can't stay for much longer, and I could use the break."

"Please," I say, making room. "That would be great."