*** Elora ***

"I did well, right?" I ask, feeling the little blessing Alzi gave me. "I offered to protect her, and then I listened. I tried to comfort her. That was the right thing to do, right?"

"Yes, your Highness," Sedriressa says. "But don't get your hopes up. She won't just welcome you back after a few moments. You'll have to be patient and chip away at the hate you've built up in the relationship. Now, stand still. I still have more armor to get off you. You're getting too big into this set." Like normal, Sedriressa pulled me up to my room. I need to get out again and see the people. But for now, I've got nothing to do but hide away in my room and try to forget about everyone ignoring me.

"They wanted to hurt my wife and risk my Queendom. How could I not put the armor on?" I say. "It's one of the last things I can still do for her."

"Let the ones that aren't pregnant do the work," Sedriressa says. "You aren't amongst the ones that can defend the family right now. Your job is to work with the Queendom and mend the relationship with Alzi. Those are after taking care of the kid in your womb."

"But I can do more."

"No. No, you can't. Right now, you can't do more. Don't get over your head again," Sedriressa says, standing up and pulling me into a hug. "You've got an important family member in your womb. Your wife loves it, and you love it. Don't put them in harm's way. You can't keep doing what you're doing. It won't work. Serve Alzi completely. That starts with putting this little life above everything else, even your wife."

"Ok."

"No, not ok. Say yes, Ma'am."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"There. Now follow through. This pregnancy is the most important. Prove that you can be trusted to carry Princess Alzi's children so you can have a chance to carry another for your love. Then we have to work on showing our love to the little bundle of joy. We have a lot of work and then the Queendom. You'll have to work with Princess Alzi to run it. A lot is coming up, and very little of it requires armor or swords. It needs you to find out how to show your love. We'll work on that together. Ok? Focus on your unborn child. She hasn't shunned you, and we'll work together to keep her happy to run into your arms."

"Please."

"Yes, my love."

*** Alzi ***

Kelly gave the same answer as the Royal Healer, so I risked it and probed my belly. Each little bundle strips a bit of the mana as it passes by.

"What did the Goddess do?" I ask. "It hurt, and I had to heal myself. How does that happen?"

"Only a small part of you went up. Normally, the Goddesses take most of you up. The Goddess of War planned to fight you from the start," Geta says. "Sorry, next time I'm coming along. The Goddesses will have to deal with me being inside their temples. The ones we want to work with will understand my presence. I'm sorry, I should've gone with you."

"Why do I need everyone to defend me?" I ask. "I want to rest."

"How about we sleep around your kids. They should be napping for a bit longer," Sarania says.

"Please," I say.

"This way, my Mistress."

...

"Your Highness," Aurora says in a soft, low voice. "Sorry to disturb you, but you have two letters. One from Cornelious and another from Duchess Fluvis. I think you should read them soon. You may need help, so I will be nearby if you need help. How about it? Give this a try, then tonight you can read all these cuties a bedtime story."

"I really don't have time for anything."

"I'm sorry, your Highness, but you do not right now."

"Stupid."

There isn't much room in the nursery for a full bed. But I made it work. Just a simple mattress thrown in between two of the cribs. The babies are all sleeping peacefully. Mommy has said she worries about when the group is a few years old, and if Irlo is the normal child, then we're going to have some issues keeping up. But it'll be fun running around with them all if I can keep from getting pregnant again.

I slowly crawl out of the makeshift bed and follow my maid out of the nursery and into my room. Ilka is sleeping in my bed for some reason. I hope I don't wake her, but I go over to my desk and sit down. Aurora places the two letters down.

"You can stay near and make sure I don't get the wrong idea from the letters," I say. "I'm sure they love their big words."

"We shall see. Just point to any word you do not understand, and I will help you. After we finish, we can combine our understanding of each letter."

One of the letters has an 'H' in the seal, the other an 'N.'

"Which is Fluvis's letter?" I ask.

"The one with the 'N', your Highness. Duchess Fluvis Nele."

"Thanks." I open Cornelius's letter and set it down. I could use some good news, and I think he'll be more likely to give it to me.

Dear Alzi,

Sorry for not giving you the proper title, after the divorce and then marriage, and extra reveals it's hard to know everything. I mean no disrespect, I'm just ignorant of your true standing, my friend.

Now for more bad news for us, or maybe just me. My wives found out you enjoyed Hunting Grounds and that I was casually playing with you. They've got me busy training alongside them for the next big tournament. Then the request is to ask you to watch me. I would love for you to come and watch the games. I don't believe I'll make it far, my heart just isn't in it like my wives, but they should put on a good show for us. I even mentioned a little bit about your style, and one has taken it and decided to try and ...'

"What is this word?" I have to ask. I was able to guess the tournament word. Sounds like what that Stupid Priestess was talking about.

"Implement. One of his wives plans to adopt your style of play for the tournament," Aurora says.

"Thanks," I mumble.

'Implement your style. She does like the defense, so I think it would be a good example for you to see how to win with your id...'

"Ideology."

'ideology.

If you don't wish to come, I understand. It is a lot, and my wives are starting at a position of assuming you will come. I'm sorry for that. They get excited when it comes to the game, so I hope you can forgive them for that. If you are too busy or need an excuse, just say it will be hard to fit into your schedule, and we'll understand. They'll be sad, but it'll be completely their fault.

Sorry for delivering this in a letter. I hope we can find a less stressful way to see each other soon.

Your Friend,

Cornelius Haye'

"So he invited me to the tournament that the Goddess of War is holding in her temple?"

"Seems like it, your Highness. I suggest telling him about your experience inside her temple. Their family will be able to get the venue changed if you wish to watch and not be in that temple. Should we write the response, or do you want to read Duchess Fluvis's letter first?" Aurora asks, pulling out some ink and paper.

"We can respond first."

"Ok, do you want to try to write it? First address Cornelius Haye, just like he did."

"Yes, but I don't want to go into the temple."

"Great, then say something like 'Thank you for the invitation. I would like to cheer your family on in the tournament, but I have some issues with the venue that make it hard to watch. If it changes, I would do my best to watch some of the games. Please let me know if the venue changes and when the first round starts. I will do my best to come.' You may have something that keeps you from getting there. I do not think the war will last till the tournament, but you never know. If you want, I can read it over, but with the Goddess of Writing looking over you, it should be fine. I will step back so you can add personal details if you wish."

"Thanks," I say. I don't have much else to tell him. Maybe that I don't care for the extra titles, and Alzi is fine. I probably shouldn't try to explain all my marriages; I don't even understand them all. "I'll just say I don't care about my title and what you said. That should cover everything."

"You should talk about your kids," Aurora says. "I am sure he would love to know about Mai's child and the ones you and Sarania had. You do not need to mention they are Goddesses. Just say you welcomed some beautiful babies into the family as well. Do not be afraid to share more. He calls you a friend, and he is known to be a kind man. It will be good to have someone outside the family to talk to."

"I guess," I say. They are cute, and others should know about them.

'Dear Cornelius Haye,

Thank you for inviting me to watch you all play. I have some problems with the Goddess of War, so I'm not willing to go inside that temple anytime soon. If the venue is changed, I will try to make it to the games, so please let me know about them.

I don't understand what my title is, so you can ignore it. I have welcomed a number of kids into my family. Three little girls I had; my Mother had twins. A cute Royal dragonkin and a boy. Then another friend of mine, Mai, gave birth to a cute catkin. Then Sarania gave birth to a beautiful succubus. Then Annoris, married to Osanna, I don't know their last name, also gave birth recently, and we'll be raising the child together. Honestly feels like I'm missing a kid in there.

I've got a lot going on besides kids. But I'll do my best to show up. It'll be fun to see if my style works.

Your Friend,

Alzi'

"Is that ok?" I ask.

"Yes, I think he will enjoy reading it. Think about what else you may want to share with him. I think he will be happy to hear about the parts of your marriage you do understand. Just do not give anything about the Queendom out. Those have to stay secret. But your personal life is yours to share."

"I'll think about it. It is nice to share it," I say. "Is there anything else I need to do?"

"I will get it stamped with Elora's seal and send it. The Queen is working on getting you a stamp soon, but for now, we can borrow Elora's. She will be happy to help, and a royal seal will keep it safe."

"Thanks," I say, pulling Fluvis's letter over. Aurora snatches up the other letters, and I open Fluvis's letter.

'Hello Alzi,

We talked about marrying Elora, and I hope you are open to me marrying you instead. Our twelve little girls clearly miss their Mother, and I'm sorry for keeping them from you.

As I write this, I feel the start of my labor, bringing another four children of yours into the world that deserve to know both parents. I'll make it work if you don't wish to have me in your family.

Now, if you do wish to invite me in, we have the same problem I had when trying to marry Elora. I need to hand the Duchy off to one that will continue to support Elora and you. For that, we need my sister or my Mother to understand what is best for the Queendom. My sister and Mother will be coming in to visit me...

"That is a date, it would be tomorrow and staying for about a week," Aurora says.

"Oh, I didn't know that is how they get written."

'I think if you came by, we could try to help my sister overcome her issues, and worst case, work my Mother over. I hate to ask this of you after how I started this letter, but the fastest route is to impregnate my Mother as I forced you to impregnate me. I know she'll be willing to share the kids with you. She'll love to think about how everyone knows she has kids with the one behind the Queen, or maybe the Queen directly. If you would rather not, I'll figure something out. I promise.

But I would prefer my sister to take it over. She's strong and kind. I think you'll be good friends with her, and I know she would be a good stew..."

"Stew?"

"Stewardess. She would look over the Duchy well, is what Duchess Fluvis is saying."

'stewardess of the land.

If you could make it, please let me know. Lottie needs to share more about her punishment.

I hope this letter finds you well. Likely, you'll have four more kids when you read it.

Duchis Fluvis Nele.'