Chapter 500 – Series of Labors
It's been a lazy day, which is to be expected when nearly everyone is pregnant, and they don't have anything they need to do.
They brought a bunch of bedding and pillows out to the gazebo, and we just sat around talking and eating. I had plenty of time to pamper my wives and sneak in some snuggle time with some beautiful tails. It was a nice day, too; it is starting to turn into winter, but it's still plenty warm for us to spend the day outside. Plus, I'm getting better with my mana, so I could probably keep us all nice and warm if needed.
We even had dinner outside. I was surprised that they let us do that. Dinner is a big deal for some reason, but they let us spend it just messing around outside. The perks from the pregnancies and being an Empress, I'm sure.
They also held some races and had some kids come around to play in the wide, open yard. I had to pamper my wives so I couldn't join the kids, but it was fun watching them run around.
Elyne's family did try to slip in some requests for help, though never directly. I can't blame them for trying to get some extra help. They didn't push their luck, so I'll see what Elora thinks about their ideas. Some of them did seem interesting, like a summer camp thing.
They thought up the idea of taking some kids from the surrounding villages on hunting trips. It would cost a lot to make sure they had enough protection, but they believed it could help them get affinities if they were around some of the dangers. It would be a good test, and it would be part of raising everyone in the nation. Mana is important, and that is always going to be true.
"The sun has mostly gone down," I say. "Should we retire for the night? I've gotten word that I'm going to be very busy tomorrow."
"Do as you need to," Elyne's Mother says. "Thank you for spending time here before she gave birth. I'll work with either you or Elyne to come by a little bit after the kids are born. I've got gifts to make for the little ones."
"That would be great," I say. "We could use an extra pair of hands for a few days. Don't worry, you'll only have to deal with Elyne's kids. I won't thrust the others onto you unless you want to help with them. I'm not about to chase off helpers."
"I'd be happy to help, Empress Alzi," Elyen's Mother says. "Let me help you with Elyne. You can help your other wives."
"Thank you," I say. I do have plenty of women to help up if I'm not going to force Nanoka to teleport us around. I should probably do that for Elyne.
...
"This way, Alzi!" Kelly says the moment I've moved through Space's temple. I didn't even get to go up and see Sky!
'You have new kids on the way. You need all the time you can get with these pregnancies.'
Ok, the room is filled with a lot of women in labor. But still, just a quick hello would be nice.
"Alzi, alzi, dear," Azula says. "I'm sorry. But- My Mother- FUCK! She-"
"Shut up," I say. "Kelly, is Lensa here?" Of course, this has to be more than just my wives. I guess it's good that Lensa will be giving birth in front of me so I can get the kids I'm owed. Not that my daughter will let her off.
"Kiyomi let her in because she's in labor," Kelly says, her head between Yuki's legs.
Rosemary is wandering around with a bunch of kitsunes, one of whom has white tails. I think I met her at the divorce-reverting negotiations. She helped Mommy and Mai give birth, and I'm sure Yuki is annoyed to have to give birth in front of her sister-in-law.
"What stage is Lensa at?" I ask. It doesn't look like any of the women in this room will be giving birth immediately. Azula is just being a baby. She's actually the smallest of the bunch.
"She's late, and the biggest," Kelly says.
"Fine, Nanoka or Nakuma, bring her in," I say. What is the best thing for me to get from Lensa?
A new bed appears, and Lensa is struggling in it. I walk over and lean in close to her ear. "Need some help?" I ask.
"Anything. ANYTHING!" Lensa pants out.
"I get to see my kids whenever I want," I say. "And I get one hour with you in bed. I can do whatever I want to you. Besides killing you."
"I'll- I'll end up back here again," Lensa cries.
I put a hand on her belly and gently rub it. "That is a risk," I say. "Three... Two..."
"Yes," Lensa gasps, a massive contraction pulling at her body.
"Enjoy being my breeding bitch," I whisper. I'll probably only get her pregnant one more time, but she deserves some more pain for how entitled she's been around me.
Today is going to be stressful. I hope Fertility is keeping Ashryn from going into labor. I need to keep her alive for ten more years.
...
"Yuki," I say. "What the fuck are you doing? Breathe with me." Not even Shimmer was this bad. I guess Yuki's labor is harder, but what is with these Princesses not being able to push kids out? "Yuki, listen to me, or you're going to die. Just focus on breathing. I'm keeping you and the baby alive. You're in pain, yes, but you'll live."
"It hurts. It hurts. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, help me!" Yuki cries.
"I am helping you," I say. I've kept Nakuma out of the room, but at this point, I'm starting to think she's the only one who can get through to Yuki. She's only pushed out two kids in the time it's taken for everyone else to push them all out.
Even Lensa is done! How did Lensa finish first?
"AAAAHHHH!"
"Nakuma!" I scream. "I don't know how to help her."
"I've got it," Nakuma says.
Nakuma is getting big, and she's close to giving birth as well. But she's too big for how well she moves around. It has to be Space helping her move through space or something.
It just isn't fair.
In just a second, Nakuma is in the bed with Yuki, petting her head and everything.
Yuki may hate Nakuma, but she sure does calm down in her arms.
"Yuki?" I ask.
"Yes?" Yuki gasps.
"Good, breathe, and push with your body," I say. "Just once for each contraction, since we've been at this for so long."
Well, Nakuma, you're never going to be getting pregnant this close to Yuki until she's proven that she can handle the labor. We'll have to have a talk about this if Yuki wants to have time away from Nakuma in the future.
"There you go," I say. "The baby is moving now. You've got plenty more just like that. You're strong, you'll do it."
"Yes, you are," Nakuma says. "I've got you. You're going to make it. You shouldn't have kept me away. You need me. I've got you now. Don't worry, I won't let you leave my side ever again."
Yuki just cries to herself, pushing with the contractions like I've tried to get her to do for the past few hours.
Princesses...
...
Yuki made it thirty-two hours before she'd finally pushed all the kids out. How did she manage that? How did her body not force her to push the kids out for several hours? The kid was crowning and just didn't move any further.
Did Nakuma...? She wouldn't.
'Space, did Nakuma stop Yuki from giving birth without her there?'
'No, I would never let her do that with her mana. Yuki really was just struggling. I thought that maybe Nakuma had found a way around me, but Fertility confirmed that it was Yuki's fault.'
'She's so strange.'
'Her mind is troubled.'
'I'll visit you soon. Love you.'
'Love you.'
"Yuki," I say. "You need to work on this. If I had a few more women to worry about, you would be dead. Meditate, work with your Goddess, and work on this. Please. You're going to be heavily pregnant again soon, and I want the next labor to be easier on you."
"Ok," Yuki whispers.
"Get some sleep," I say. "Nakuma, you're up next soon. Don't forget about that."
"Yuki is fine," Nakuma says. "I've got her."
Not what I said, but it's what I should expect. She doesn't walk like she's pregnant, so why would I expect her to act like she's pregnant? That would make too much sense, and this kitsune pair doesn't like making sense.
"Goodnight, or day, or whatever time it is," I say. Whatever time it is, this body is going to wake up tomorrow.
Probably not, but one can dream.
"Let me help, My Empress," Kou says. "You can fall asleep in my arms, and I'll carry you into Eterna's arms."
"Thank you," I say, my eyes already closing.
...
"Ashryn, My Empress," Kou says. "Sorry to disturb you so soon, but I believe you wish for her to live through her labor."
"Yes," I grumble.
"I've got Lady Amrirynth and Lady Mai up to go with you, My Empress," Kou says. "I also think you should take Lady Victoria. Lady Geta is still recovering."
"If she's available," I say, trying to wipe the sleep from my eyes. I'm not a Goddess yet. Or do Goddesses get tired as well?
"She is," Mommy says. "Kiyomi has offered to come along as well. With Nakuma and Nanoka so close to giving birth, I think we should have her help us get around. And she'd help keep us all safe."
Is she hoping that I'll bend her over at the brothel? Is she getting jealous that Yumanea got pregnant from me, and she hasn't?
I wonder if she knows about Aurora and Shyla. Will she come begging to join us in bed when her daughters start to close in on her strength? And Nanoka has asked me to get Kiyomi pregnant in her pond.
"I guess," I say. "I probably need to move fast."
Everyone is ready for me at the front of the manor, where Kiyomi is already waiting with her tails fanned out behind her.
"Ready?" Kiyomi asks.
"Yes, thank you for helping," I say.
"Mother asked, and I felt it would be good to help," Kiyomi says. "Can we talk afterward?"
"For a bit," I say. "I'm tired."
"Of course," Kiyomi says. "Then, let's go."
The world blurs for a second as we teleport around. Space must have cheated too much when getting me to my wives the other day.
I don't know who owns the brothel anymore. I think I may own it, but it doesn't really matter. If I don't own it, the new owner will learn they have to accept that I own Ashryn and they don't, and I will do as I please with her, even within their halls. Or I'll find someone with a brain to run this place.
Kou opens the door for me, but Victoria goes in first, wearing her full armor. I hope the girls don't get scared by her.
I follow in behind and direct us to Kelly's old room. Ashryn can either walk here or just crawl. I doubt she already has the Skills needed to walk here during labor.
"Oh," I say. "You're already here. I guess we can get started. Mommy, take the kids to another room as they come out. There's no need to let her spend time with them."
"That..."
"I don't care," I say. "I'm the empress, and I'll do as I please. You didn't care too much about the rules until the very end, when you figured out that I may be gaining some power. Or whatever made you gain a sliver of common sense. It wasn't enough to save you, but you tried. Now, let's see where you're at. Don't expect too much help. I'm just here to make sure you live."
"Yes, my Mistress!" Ashryn screams.
Ashryn called me right as she went into labor, and it's been nice enough to give her some time to warm up.
Cheating bitch...
"Kou, can you ask Sarania to come by? I think Ashryn should get a tattoo to remember this day by," I say. "We have a bit before the fun truly starts. And it'll feel like it never ends for you, Ashryn. I'm sure you already understand that."
"Yes, Mistress," Ashryn says.
She'll be crying soon. And she'll be broken by the end of this. Just enjoy watching her spiral, Alzi. Enjoy it, like she enjoyed the gold she stacked in her safe.
We just have to wait some time for her to dilate and start pushing. Basically, it's the boring part. I want to see her in true pain. "Seems like this labor is going to take some time," I say. "Try to enjoy it. Or you'll never make it through your last few pregnancies."
"Yes, Mistress," Ashryn says.
Slaves can be kind of boring. Well, there's nothing left to do but wait, and maybe play with her tits for a bit.
...
"Fucking push," I demand. "Push with your fucking contractions. There you go. Making your collar do all the work, so sad. I at least lasted a few years before giving up and letting the collar force me to work. This is just pathetic. I was thinking of rewarding you if you did well, but with the chance of a reward comes the chance of a punishment. Good, it should be just one more push. Then, a short break, and we'll get you started on your next pregnancy. Fucking bitch."