Case 99: To the future, once more.
''...''
''...''
''...''
Orleans mansion, morning.
As birds began to chirp, celebrating the first rays of sunlight hitting the land, three women sat silently beside Cecilia's bed.
Rachael was massaging her temples while Penelope sat still with her arms and legs crossed. Only Kiara seemed somewhat calm as she sipped her morning milk tea.
''...Where did you even get that?'' Rachael couldn't help but question. ''No, never mind...''
''...I asked the maid earlier to place an order,'' Kiara replied.
''The maid... ugh...''
At the mention of 'maid,' the trio inexplicably let out painful groans.
Somewhere along the lines, Cecilia got too exhausted and fell asleep. Since they couldn't let her sleep among the 'filth,' and the room didn't have spares to replace the dirty ones, they had to call in the maid. Just thinking about the immense awkwardness back then, the maid's barely smiling face as she walked in... embarrassing.
Cecilia still slept soundly, her resting countenance peaceful as if praying.
The woman who greatly messed up three of the empire's most powerful noble ladies didn't seem to harbor any guilt. She was ever-innocent, with pristine, sky blue hair soaking the bed sheet, and a side profile rivaling a descending angel's.
'And to think we did that to her...'
Guilt.
Guilt.
More than anyone, Rachael felt terrible about roughing up her drunk lover like that, with two others, no less. They, the three strong and domineering ladies, picking on such a fragile woman...
''What should we do now...?'' She muttered.
Perhaps that didn't go unheard in the suffocating silence. Shortly after, Penelope sighed, ''Cecilia won't get mad. I know she longed for this kind of stuff a long time ago. She's just... like that.''
''...''
''More importantly, the child.''
And as such, the elephant in the room was finally mentioned.
''All of us should start thinking about the child's custody now. Whether it'll come out looking similar to either of us, or Cecilia...''
''...How are you so sure that she's—''
''I memorized her menstrual cycles.''
''...''
At this stage, Penelope no longer feared anything. She might have wanted to avoid the 'pervert' reputation in front of others, but the people in this room were, one way or another, tightly linked. No matter what she said here, as long as they were 'in the same boat,' they wouldn't dare to snitch.
Nonetheless, nobles generally accepted and raised their children unless they were illegitimate. Even then, a large number of those born outside of wedlock could also be raised secretly. In this society where money and influence mattered more than titles and lineages, perhaps only the royal or imperial blood was kept strictly.
But it remained that nobles didn't lack one bit the resources needed to nurture children, especially if they were their own.
Yet... in this case, no one knew whose child Cecilia had in her stomach.
Who could be the lucky one?
Obviously, when one of the seeds inevitably managed to win the race, its owner would have massive advantages in capturing Cecilia's heart. They could get closer to her more often, together raising the kid...
Merely imagining such a dreamy scenario was enough for the young and eager minds of the three ladies to falter. Coming back from work every day, being warmly greeted by their gorgeous wife, and with their lovely child running up to their arms...
''Ugh...''
But soon enough, that dream was interrupted by none other than Cecilia.
She trudged up at a snail's speed, greeting the gentle sunlight with a slight smile. Somehow, even though her head was empty, she thought something pleasing had happened the day before.
''Good... morning?''
As her hazy eyes probed around, spotting her lovers, however, a question soon rose—what did she do yesterday?
Now that she thought about it, her voice came out a bit too raspy, not to mention the noticeable tinge between her crotch, the aching muscles, the strangely full belly, and... numerous racy marks across her milky white skin. It was undeniable that something happened.
''...Ah.''
In half a moment, Cecilia snapped awake.
Before the joy of finally achieving a foursome took over, she had to worry about one, and one problem only—did the drunk version of herself lose control and unleash her instincts?
If she ever did, it would be nothing short of a tragedy.
'But seeing that they're here...'
Maybe nothing like that happened, after all. Yes. Although the three seemed awkward and somewhat nervous, their complexions were still perfect.
''Whew...''
''Cecilia?''
''Y-Yes...?''
And now that problem number one had been resolved internally, it was time for the other problems. Being drunk and possibly disrespectful aside, there was a hundred percent chance of Cecilia's ravenous self letting her lovers carelessly finish inside her yesterday.
Stroking her navel area, Cecilia struggled to come up with an excuse. Even she wanted to be a mother someday, just... not now.
''Actually, it was my—''
''Don't tell me it was your safe day again.''
The first excuse was promptly shot down by a cynical Rachael. Seeing as though the other two weren't at all on her side, Cecilia felt her back run cold.
''Ah, n-no, it was... um...''
Like clockwork, the tendency to fluster under pressure had come back to haunt her once more. Again, that awful inability would ruin her... even in this life.
Cecilia remembered the mocking stares from her classmates on the day her hobby was exposed. She remembered the contemptuous sneers from the relatives on the day of the funeral. She remembered... that life had never been too kind to her.
''I'm... hic...''
So, tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes.
She had thought her future was definitely bright when Penelope gave her that elixir, that she would live on in this bliss, being surrounded by her beloveds for decades on end. Now, if she had to somehow reveal the truth...
But at some point, Cecilia found herself being comforted. Her three lovers gently cradled her cowering figure, showering smiles.
''I'm not pressing you,'' Rachael whispered. ''I know it's important to you, and I know you're not ready yet, Cecilia... but promise me that you will someday tell us everything.''
''C-Can I really do that...?''
''Of course.''
As Rachael sneaked in a peck on Cecilia's lips, the other two belatedly took turns kissing her, feeling betrayed.
''It's not really a big deal for now.'' Penelope sighed.
''Yeah.'' Kiara nodded along. ''But does that mean we can throw the condoms away now?''
'''' ... ''''
Suddenly, it fell silent again.
''Puh—hahahah! I guess so? I'll let you guys do it raw... I will, okay?''
''Oh.''
''That's nice. It's about time already.''
''You two idiots...''
And soon enough, it was merry. Cecilia seemed to have recovered, and with the lovers somewhat forming a truce, their relationship looked exceptionally promising even in the future.
That day, a new hope was born.
''...''
'I guess this is the good ending.'
Leaning against the entrance door, amidst the giggling inside, Lyra de Orleans bitterly smiled. She calmly stared at the ring her sister put on for her, watching the light's reflection on it dancing along with her little movements.
Yes, perhaps this was truly the good ending.
This way, Cecilia would truly find happiness with her beloveds. Perhaps in the final scene, she would be smiling, and perhaps in that grand picture... Lyra would stand next to Cecilia.
Burying that ever-growing, burning desire deep in her heart, Lyra quietly left...
...not knowing the turmoils waiting for them eagerly.
