*** Nanoka ***
"Is that Alzi in the pile?" I ask. I think I see another body kneeling in the middle of the kids. I do see one gold body of Alzi in the middle of the babies. It would've been smart to have that one be the pregnant body instead, but they must've pounced before Nakuma brought them over. Kou better not say anything about causing that issue.
"Yes," Yuki says. Nakuma wrapped around her. "You look nice in your dress. I don't think I've ever seen you in anything but a robe."
"You probably haven't," I say. "Feels strange."
"You fit right in," Armirynth says. "The elderly are all feeling a little strange dressed this way."
I do forget I'm not the only Mother in this harem. "Thank you. It can be hard to rember I'm not the only one feeling the years," I say. "Are we going to do anything about the pile?"
"If you want to get mugged," Mai says. "Nakuma already brought all Alzi's bodies here that she could."
"I don't get how she got a bunch of noble kids to tackle her like this," Elora says. "I. This isn't what I expected. I'm happy she's happy, but Shyla is sweating right now about that dress."
"I am, Princess Elora, but it will be ruined playing with Alzi's children," Shyla says, her voice wavering at the end. "I can live with that. This won't be the last ti this happens."
They do look a lot like pixie kids playing right now than normal. We only ever see her body for a few seconds at a ti, which is impressive given how tall she is. I hope they factored in all this ti into the schedule.
*** Alzi ***
"Baby," Mommy says. "We need to get going. You'll have more ti to play with them all tonight and tomorrow, and so will be staying with us."
"Fine," I say. I don't know what made them all want to pile with hugs, but it was a lot of fun. I was on the ground more than I would've liked. Shyla must be worried about the dress. It seems to have held up well, though I'm sure she has a very different definition for how well the dress still looks.
The kids aren't piling onto Mommy. Returning to their noble-like behavior, they had when I first showed up. I wonder if Irlo got to them before this. Maybe behind my wives back. Elora looked very surprised at all the chaos.
"See you, Daddy/Mommy!" they all scream as Mommy pulls through the crowd.
"Can my bodies stay with them?" I ask.
"I think that is the plan now," Mommy says. "They got a lot closer to you than they thought they would. Thought the kids would be a little stricter with their upbringing. It was a joy to watch, but not for us, it seems. And Kelly was worrying about the kids. You need to spend so ti not pregnant so you can play with the kids without worrying everyone around you."
"Good luck with that," I say.
"I'll make her a cage, Lady Armirynth," Kou says. "Kids! Please get into the lines. Alzi's second body will be in the middle, the best we can. There are a limited number of bodies around. Today is a big day for the Queendom and Families. Be respectful, and like we just said. There will be more ti to play."
"Is Irlo coming with us?" One asks.
"No, she will be with the Queen for the ceremony, but she'll be around to play later," Kou says. "Move girls! We have a show to complete, then more ti to play!"
That's a good motivator for all the kids to get back in line. The older kids are working hard to get the young ones in order. Many of the kids are just one or two years old and have a maid helping them around, but there are enough toddlers to cause trouble.
Shyla finds her opening and starts pacing around . Her hand tugging and poking all over. She's just mumbling, so I don't think anything terrible has happened; probably just needs a dusting off. She had to have prepared for to be doing sothing with the kids.
"Nanoka, you look lovely," I say. "Glad they dragged you out."
"Wasn't sure how I would compare to the young beauties you have in your harem," Nanoka says. "But it seems I can still pull off dresses. It does feel a bit refreshing being out of a robe. Shyla, is her dress ok?"
"Yes," Shyla sighs. "Just had to clean up. No cuts or tears, or missing gems. Should've had you et the kids, then get dressed. But it's hard getting that many kids together when the event won't happen for a few hours. Should've had Elora do a party for the parents. Next ti. Didn't think I would stress this much about it all. The dress really is fine, and you look beautiful. Ready to go, your Royal Highness."
"I understand," I say. "Sorry to scare you so much. Kou, show the way, please."
The kids are already heading off with the small army of maids. I'm going to have trouble finding maids for all the kids. They probably won't all get maids. Yuki doesn't seem to have one, so maybe Shimr and Elora did sothing to earn a maid. Can't make it too easy to get a maid, or we'll be right back into the sa problem.
"This way, My Empress," Kou says.
My harem goes into a different door from the kids. Yumanea is there tapping her foot. The Royal Healer, Nesh, and Lotus are in the waiting room as well.
"Welco, Alzi," Yumanea says. "Sorry for the weird tiline. But kids."
"You got them all here, so I'm fine with everything," I say. "As long as nothing too weird happens during the ceremony."
"It'll be fine," Yumanea says. "It's straightforward. We thought of putting in so shows, but I don't have the heart for it, and it would cut into your ti with the kids. There's a speech, giving over the crown; if you wish to give a speech, you can, and then Elora says sothing. Dinner shall be short with so many kids around. Plenty of food to fill everyone up, but not the many courses as we're used to."
"Are you doing alright?" I ask.
"I lost a lot of wives," Yumanea says. "It's a good thing the next generation is taking over. I'm not the right one to wear the crown anymore. Probably been that way for a while now. Royal does really want to see you."
"I don't care to see her," I say. "It's a risk to visit a Goddess."
"Sorry for how you found that out," Yumanea says. "The support saved many lives. Relax for a few minutes. Kou will tell you when to walk out. I have to greet the nobles and get this started officially."
I don't know what changed. There wasn't a maid who ca back to get Yumanea, but she walked out the door and left us. Nesh and the Royal Healer join her, but Lotus cos over to .
"Hi, I'm sorry," Lotus says. "Has my daughter been well? I just need to hear about that, and then I'll give a better apology. You helped , and then I went and tried to capture you and ruin the war effort. Sorry. I didn't know."
"She's doing well," I say. "I didn't realize you hadn't been around to see her. I've mostly forgotten about the incident."
"I'm happy to hear she's doing well," Lotus says. "I knew you would be a good parent, just worried as a Mother. I'm sure you understand that. I understand if you wish for not to be part of the wedding later. Yumanea hasn't cared to talk about it, but if I need to step out, I will."
"No, you can stay," I say. "You've apologized imdiately. More than most do, and you cared about the kid first. That's enough with Nature dead."
"Ah, that is what that is all about," Lotus says. "I should go support Yumanea. Thank you for asking about her. She is doing a lot worse than she lets out. Thank you for forgiving . I'll work hard to make sure you don't regret the decision. Enjoy the night. Don't let our small group ruin it for you. It should be a great night for you. Kids and another crown."
"Thank you," I say. "Just eting the kids for a bit made it a great day."
"Of course," Lotus says, bowing and turning to follow her wives out the door.
Eterna imdiately fills in the space, and I wait for Kou to tell to go out. I wonder if Elora will walk out with . Should be most of my wives, right?
...
"They're ready for you to walk out now, My Empress," Kou says. "Everyone will join you shortly after you make your entrance. Elora will be second, then Nanoka will lead the rest out. You sohow manage to have too many royals in your harem for roles, a funny problem to have. Follow along. Ti to make you the rule over the idiots that tortured you. Most are dead now, but a few are still about. But we can worry about that later."
"I thought Yumanea was introducing ," I say. "Eterna?"
"I'm walking out with you," Eterna says. "Not risking it again. I should've flown with you before."
"That's probably a good idea," I say.
"They'll make do. Right this way, My Empress," Kou says.
I follow the sa path Yumanea had taken. Just a short walk through a hallway, then through another door to enter the throne room from the back. The crowd stands, which is weird when I'm in the middle of the crowd with the kids already.
Eterna gives a bit of space. I still feel her presence, but it isn't like she's my blank. Yuki and I share that we have a clingy lover, but I love the attention mine gives .
I move to stand next to Yumanea in front of the throne. The crown is in her hands instead of on her head. Nesh, Lotus, and Rosemary stand off to the side with small smiles.
"You aren't a Princess of this nation," Yumanea says. "But you are the head wife of the strongest family this Queendom has seen. For that, I present to you the crown to wear. With it, the responsibility to lead this Queendom and make it better for the next generation. To protect the great borders and help them prosper. You will gain my harem to help you keep the peace, and if you need extra wisdom from the old Queens. I know you have plenty of great won to help you already. One being my daughter, Princess Elora. Do you take the crown and this responsibility?"
"Yes," I say. Well, not really. Most of that is going to Elora to deal with. But I'll take the gold and so peace from everything for a while.
Yumanea stretches a bit and manages to get the crown over my horns. Behind , I hear everyone's footsteps following up. My kids understand it's a big mont and start to clap. My second body is cheering with them, so the silly nobles stop giving the cute kids a strange look. Elora hugs from behind and waits for my kids to calm down.
"Thank you all," Elora says. "Queen Alzi, would you like to give a speech?"
"I suppose I should," I say. Not like they gave much respect. But they all did fight to protect . "There's a lot I could talk about. But we'll look to the future. For now. When Elora bought , she had a wish to make this nation better for everyone in the Queendom, and I like that vision. I hope to lead us to a future that is better for all. Stopping the exploitation and problems that the commoner faces. I'll work with her to see that co true."
"Thank you," Elora says. "I want to say sorry. Many in this room have made it a difficult journey to this mont for you, and I plan to make the monts that follow easier for you and better for everyone in the Queendom. We've been through much. Two wars, champions raining down on us, and a new power structure. All in such a short ti period. Everyone has lost soone they love. Everyone has faced new and terrible struggles. I wish for us to co together and face the coming challenges together. Solve them in ways that lift everyone. It'll be hard and take a lot of work. But if we're committed to this, I'm sure it will work out for us all. A future that is better for everyone, include us. That is my vision and the one that I will use to guide as I work hard to intact Queen Alzi's goals."
The nobles give it a polite clap, but it seems a number of them don't agree with the vision; they would rather like the peasants to stay peasants. It's too bad that I'm raising a large group of kids who can take their place if needed. Most of the hateful ones probably hurt anyway.
I don't have ti with all the kids I'm raising to deal with nobles not following what Elora says.
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