The city was eerily quiet. The streets are empty as we walk down the streets towards the middle of the city.
Sarania has to pull through the city, really, handling both the children and .
My thoughts frayed, worried that my past will jump out from one of the dark alleyways. Scared of what the Princess will do when we reach her.
Will they lock away? Force themselves on ? Find so way to have Sarania fill us all with lust so everyone walks away pregnant, tying to them forever? Will Mistress get back?
My vision swirls about as Sarania's steady hand keeps moving next to her.
"My Mistress," Sarania says. "Take deep breaths for , in through the nose and out the mouth. Focus on just your breath. I'll keep you moving in the right direction. Your family can't and won't hurt you. You don't believe this, but they want you to like them."
"No, things are going too well for . Sothing has to happen. They'll find a way, I know it. I know it," I mumble. "They always do."
"I'll protect you. If Geta wished to harm you, she would've. The rest aren't strong enough to get through ," Sarania says. "Focus on your breath. We'll get through this together. One step at a ti. One day after the other. Nothing will stop us."
"Ok."
I do my best to worry about my breathing. It's not exactly what Sarania asked to do, but it's the best I can do. Out shoes clacking against the stone street in the cold winter air. My eyes focus on Luck's cute little face as she sleeps.
Sarania must be doing sothing to keep the baskets from rocking all over the place over the rough streets.
"Here we go, My Mistress," Sarania says.
A tal fence surrounds the manor. A freshly cut green lawn in the middle of the city. It doesn't look as pretty as the Princess's yard. Clearly, having had so neglect over the past months. The hedges dead, like most areas are in the winter, show the lack of mana the city now has.
A few guards patrol the fence, and the one at the gate lets us in without a word. Letting us continue up to the front door. It, too, swings in without a word or an ask.
Inside is the Princess. Inanos steps out from behind her. Shyla stands off to the side in her normal uniform, her smile widening as I step in.
"Hello, Love," the Princess says. "I'm glad you're safe and unhard, and even with new mbers of the family. I would love to get to know them tonight. But, right now, I'm sorry. We failed you once again. This ti, it seed to turn out ok, but I know the pain of getting to this outco was imnse and shouldn't have happened. I underestimated their desperation and allowed you to be hurt again. We are working on a new guard rotation for you. This ti, you will have a wife with you at all tis unless you ask to be alone, and we are hoping to get Yuki and Nakuma in as well. I think they will do most of the guard duty for a while, and we can work on your second affinity so you can defend yourself as well. But, most of all, I'm happy to see you. We ca as fast as we could, and I'm happy we found you already freed. Thank you, Sarania, for helping our wife."
"I simply helped my Mistress," Sarania says, her hand moving to stead my own hand.
"My Lady," Shyla says, deciding I won't respond to the Princess. "I am happy to see you free of that disgusting collar finally. I would like to ask to be your maid officially now. I know we started off poorly, but I've shown my ability and usefulness." She moves out in front of and bows deep, holding out the skirt and letting see down her dress. "My only complaint with you is now fixed. I think we will work well together. You already need new clothing, and I am happy to provide it."
"Ok," I whisper.
She bends a bit deeper at the waist and then stands straight, moving behind .
"Why don't you relax for a bit," the Princess says. "Relax and wear so comfortable clothing. Get sothing to eat, and then co down, and we can talk as a family. Tomorrow, I wish to return to the capital, and the marriage is scheduled between us and your lovers. I know Shimr and Geta have things to discuss with us as well."
"Ok," I say. Why are they all standing so far away? Do they think I'm dangerous, or do they not like now that I'm free?
"My Lady," Shyla says. "Why don't we have Lady Inanos join you for this late lunch?"
"Ok," I say.
"Good, then this way, my Lady," Shyla says, taking over and directing . "Sorry about it being on the second floor, but we have prisoners on the first, so all the wives are on the second or third floor. Isda already has a room on the first ready for you and the kids. I made sure of it, and my Mother has confird it as well."
"Excuse ," Sarania says. "But why are you acting like you are in control?"
"I am acting as her head maid while my Mother isn't here. Alzi has not told your title," Shyla says."
"I don't know what the difference between a maid and a servant is," I say.
"Don't worry about that. It is enough to handle it ourselves later," Shyla says. "For now, I know where the room is and the food."
"Fine," Sarania says. Wait, how is she getting the baskets on wheels up the stairs?
Mana Alzi. Mana.
*** Shyla ***
What. The. Fuck. Did that fucking brothel bitch do to my Lady!
I've been around Duchess Fluvis's sister a few tis. The shaking ss of a woman struggling to do anything on her own. A disgrace the pressure the old Duchess put on her.
Now, my Lady is like that. Alzi is about to crumble, her body shaking, looking around to make sure nothing is going to jump out at her. So of that is likely the Princess's fault, but not to this level. No. That is her ti in the brothel.
The woman I grew close to was just taken from . She was confident and powerful working in the dical tent, and now she isn't even sure of her footing. Just how much was that collar controlling? How many mories were hidden in the back of her mind?
"This is the room, my Lady," I say. "It has a fake wall to give so privacy but also keep the kids close. We don't have to put it up all the ti. Just when you want privacy."
I give the stupid succubus a smile so she hopefully takes over for my Lady as I set the table. I don't know how much she knows about serving. I'm sure it has changed a few tis while she's been alive, but Alzi seems to be more comfortable with the succubus. I just wish she hadn't started that fight. She didn't know the room we were going to, so why didn't she ask in private to figure out the roles? We shouldn't burden our Lady with that right now.
Either way, I have to get the food out. So hot als should help her, and so ti with her Mother. Thank the Goddesses, the Princess wised up and set the marriage up. I could've had a free Lady from the start if she had an ounce of common sense.
I had to order the kitchen to make soup for my Lady. She always seed most comfortable with a soup, and right now, comfort is a need. They should finish it fast. I need to keep her active and moving. If she gets bored, I know her mories will take her away from us all. Not to ntion the potential divorce.
Off to the temple in a heartbeat, and who knows if she'll take with her. All the ti I spent caring for her, falling in love with her, out the window and into the drain. Leaving behind to cry as I lose the best Lady to work for in the realm. Who else is going to ask to co up with a new design for a suit or let dress her in that revealing clothing and then ask for not a single curve to be shown the next day?
She's frustrating in the way she thinks about the world, but it is refreshing and kind. She is who I want to serve, and the Princess is going to ruin that.
Her happiness is more important. I can always petition her to let help her, even as a gardener or sothing.
"Just a mont, my Lady," I say. "The food should be ready shortly. I wanted it fresh for you. Sorry for the wait. But a hot al would do you so good, I think."
"Ok," my Lady says, taking her seat. Lady Inanos sits to her right, and then Sarania sits down.
"Would you like the kids to be near you, or would you like to take care of them while you eat, my Lady?" I say, looking over the strange stroller. Four kids. We went from zero to four in an instant. "They are really cute. What are their nas?"
"Tirlo, Luck, and Namora. The fourth is unknown," my Lady says. This ti, a bit of love worms its way into her voice.
Good. Just focus on the kids, and this will work. I just need her to see her Mother walk down the aisle in a dress, holding her kids. Do that, and I'll be able to serve her for the rest of my life.
"Unknown? Is there sothing stopping you from naming her?" I ask. She was quite demanding for the nas before.
"She is a Goddess like Luck," Sarania says. "We don't understand her affinity, so we can't say what her na is."
"Goddess? Two in these baskets?" I ask. "Is that possible? My Lady gave birth to Goddesses?"
"Yes," Sarania says.
"I see," I say.
One of the babies. No, my Lady starts to cry. Inanos just sits there wide-eyed. Why couldn't it have been Ioelena or Vanya here? I know my Lady likes Inanos so, but the death elental isn't the right woman to comfort Alzi now.
Please do sothing, Inanos.
"My Lady," I say. "We are here for you. To support you and help you." I rush over and pull her into my womb. I'm not showing yet despite the number of kids Alzi put into . Just a month along right now and all. Hopefully, she can feel the kids, and that helps to ward off whatever mory is attacking her right now.
She screams out, pushing away, her body shaking in the chair. Mumbling apologies to the old torturer.
"Alzi," I say. "Alzi, you are safe right now. No one will hurt you. You are safe." The children start to cry out as well. Hopefully, the succubus will take care of them.
"Dear," Inanos finally says. "Dear. We will get them. No need to fear or apologize. We'll kill them so they never hurt you again."
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