Chapter 463 – Old Kitsune

*** Queen Yumanea ***

"What do you want, Kiyomi?" I ask. "I wish to be alone. That is why I'm in my personal wing, where no one else is allowed."

"Your Dryads are running around again," Kiyomi says.

"Yes, Nature's champion broke them out," I say.

"Nature is dead," Kiyomi says, plopping down in one of the chairs. "You look like shit."

"I've lost most of my wives," I say. "I'm tired and sad. I don't want to deal with you right now, so make it quick." She really thinks she owns the world right now. How long will she keep feeling like that when Alzi gets the rest of the thrones? Does she know about the true dragon?

"I know what it is like to lose your wives," Kiyomi says. "It didn't all happen at once like it did for you, but it hurts all the same. You shouldn't be alone so much. You still have your Mother to talk to, and Alzi. And you still have a few wives left."

"You aren't here to comfort me," I say. "You started talking about the Dryads. What do you want?"

"I'm just testing how well you're keeping up to date on what is happening in the world," Kiyomi says. "It seems you aren't doing much to stay informed. Alzi did the ritual to kill Justice, Nature, and Sex on your castle grounds, and you don't even know about it. That's kind of sad, don't you think? I was going to ask you to help me move Alzi and her harem to my realm, but it seems you could use a few days. But I am owed a pregnancy from Alzi."

"Talk to Alzi about it," I say.

"No, she knows, and I believe she will fulfill her obligations. She's a nice girl, much better than we have ever been," Kiyomi says. "I want some spots at the coronation. When is it? Two days away? Just a few spots. One for me, and a few more for a good family that Alzi can work with."

"Work with? You're turning her into a breeding bitch?"

"No, her role in my realm will be much more prestigious than a breeding bitch," Kiyomi says. "That is what your Queendom wished for Alzi to be. Remember, that was what she was doing for a while, right in your backyard. No, Alzi will be the husband to the ones who aren't lucky enough to have a husband, and a father to all the kids she has with the families. She'll pick if the family gets kids, and the kids will be recognized as hers from the start. She'll be there at the birth and will choose how involved she'll be in raising all of the kids. She isn't a cock just handing out kids to the highest bidder, but a powerful woman building families with those she believes deserve them. Alzi has a similar agreement with Countess Esmeralda, I believe."

"Whatever lets you sleep at night," I say.

"You should work on finding some things that let you sleep," Kiyomi says. "Alzi isn't going to be happy with this husk of a woman for a wife. She's been through a lot, and I haven't seen her look like you before. So, do I have the spots?"

"Fine," I say. It's better to just get this annoying woman out of here. It won't hurt to have her around. Maybe I should invite Queen Flametalon as well. It would let her see how Shimmer is doing and show the nobles that we are indeed in a better place than we were at the start of the war.

"Good, you should get some sleep. You're not keeping up with the news, so there is no reason to stay awake right now. You're just hurting yourself," Kiyomi says before teleporting away.

*** Alzi ***

The bright morning sun shines through the window, yet my main body clearly wants more sleep above all else right now. Kou had the opportunity to prove she could wake me up last night, but I guess she agreed that I could use the sleep.

"Good Morning, My Empress," Kou says. "It's good to see that you got the rest you've needed. You really were running yourself too hard. I just got word that the coronation is tomorrow. Is that ok for you?"

"Yes," I say. Syro joined us sometime last night, along with Eterna, of course. The rest of my wives decided to follow one of my other bodies to bed. However, Zarzi and her wives decided to head back to our eggs. "Things keep moving so fast."

"Well, you have a break today, My Empress," Kou says. "You can relax in the nursery, or you can spend time with your wives or sleep some more if you like."

"A mix of kids and wives would be nice," I say. "Nanoka could use some comforting with her new pregnancy. And I guess I should see Yuki and Nakuma to make sure everything is alright with those two. I don't want to find them dying before I get my cute kids from them. I don't think I can fully trust Nakuma to keep them both alive."

"Nakuma knows how to stay alive, My Empress," Kou says. "But we can work that in. How about we start with Nanoka? Grandma loves to wake up early."

"That sounds nice," I say. "We just need to get Eterna up."

"She can come along," Nanoka says. "She's also an old woman who's pregnant. Sorry for pulling you up so suddenly. Are you feeling rested? You're looking ready to pop, but I know that can mean you still have a week or so to go, with how many you're carrying. I'm sure I'm going to look ready for a while. I really was ready to die back then, but the kids are convincing me that this is for the best. Would you like some tea? We can ask Kou or Shyla to bring some biscuits up for a light breakfast. You did miss dinner with this body."

"That would be nice," I say. "I am feeling better than before. It's nice not to have Sex hanging over me, and finally getting a bit of revenge for all the trouble Justice and Nature put me through. That's basically everyone, now. All that's left are just the finishing touches for Ashryn."

"Good, good," Nanoka says, getting up to start making some tea for us. "You don't need to check in on Yuki too much. I can watch over her. But I would ask you to spend some time with her. I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for my granddaughter. I'm sorry we didn't watch over her as we should've."

"It's fine," I say. "It worked out for me."

"That doesn't wipe away the pain we caused. But happier topics for the morning. You get to have your next coronation tomorrow. This one will be a lot bigger, and Elora was working hard last night on some preparations for it. I think we'll all enjoy them."

"I hope so," I say.

"Even Yumanea understands the importance. Don't worry, I expect the day to be a fun one for us all," Nanoka says. "But let's talk about something between us two. My kids. Our kids. It scares me, Dear. I know with both your and your Mother's support, and with how Aurora is putting in some good work as well, we'll raise them the best that any parent can. But being pregnant again... I know this harem is just about the best harem to be pregnant in, with you and Kelly, and soon we'll have that Royal Healer. But I hope you understand the fear. I'm not asking for special treatment or extra attention. Just some patience with my feelings and fears. I know I'm safe, but feelings don't always consider all the facts."

"Don't worry," I say. "I'm used to being scared during pregnancies. And sad."

"These will all be filled with joy," Nanoka says. "Even Eterna is happy, despite being locked in the form she doesn't like as much. You've brought us all so much joy, Alzi. I truly felt ready to die before you saved me. I was letting my life waste away. You've brought me some furballs of purpose again. My Goddess gave me a silly mission that night. One to get you to love me truly. I thought she was playing a cruel joke on me until I woke up in this world again. I don't care much about her mission. Even the Goddess of Love can't promise true love will happen between two people. That requires both sides to find love without interference. But Kitsune gave me that mission anyway, making me her Champion on top of giving me the markings on my tails. I cared for you before I got pregnant. I wanted you to be happy and safe. I felt you deserved that after your hard life. But now? Now I have to admit I want your life to be happy, with me in it. Is that a crazy thing to want? I can't say I'm the oldest of your mates and wives, but I am the oldest out of the non-crazy beings. We can hardly count Geta, or Yzzorres, in the running for age, as they're practically divine beings. Eterna is a bit fairer, and that does help me feel a bit younger. But... I have great-grandchildren, Alzi. I had a harem that all died out. How can I be someone who gets to be in love again?"

"I like you," I say. It's a bit pathetic after the speech she just gave, but it answers her question, I think.

"That makes my old heart flutter," Nanoka sings. "The person rising to the top in record time likes this silly old kitsune. Thank you, Dear. That means a lot to me. I'm happy I was able to fight for you. I proved to all my old wives that I was willing to fight for them, and even die for a few of them as well. But I always seem to luck out, and the healer reaches me in time. And then I got the crown, and for the longest time, it felt like only the heavens could stop me. I walked into the dragon's realm, told their Queen to dress as I liked, and I would teleport her around her castle as I wished. I would tie her to the bed and have my way with her as I laid out my demands. I really was on top of the world. At least until my silly daughter took a good, long look at my throne and decided that she wanted it. I got another tail just a week before she forced me to hand over the crown. I guess my Goddess was telling me that I needed to make room for the next generation. I was a little annoyed, but if I'm honest with myself, I was happy to let go of the crown. I got more time to spend with my aging wives and make their last moments into memories that I'll always remember. I'm happy that I get a chance to make more loving memories. I never thought I would have these feelings again. You- Oh, the tea is singing, and this old bag of tails is talking about the times before you were born. The biscuits should be up soon. Eterna!"

"What?" Eterna says, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "This isn't the nest."

"It is my room," Nanoka says. "Would you like some tea and biscuits? The biscuits are on their way. But the tea is ready."

"That would be nice if I have to be awake," Eterna says.

"You don't have to be," I say. "You can sleep some more. Nanoka is just being nice to her wife."

"I'm up. I'll have the tea," Eterna says.

"Great, tea for three, then," Nanoka says, bringing over her tea set.

"I'm glad you have good memories of your wives," I say. "I hope we can make many more so we all have great stories to tell when we join them in the afterlife."

"We will," Nanoka says. "That much is certain when you're nearby. Oh, and here are the biscuits. Thank you, Kou!"

"Think nothing of it, Lady Nanoka, My Empress," Kou says through the door. "Enjoy your breakfast."