Sarania is missing from my room, along with her sister. Should I check with Sarania or head to Tanatsu?

Fyserreia could use some healing. It's not like I would have much time to do anything with Tanatsu even if I went. Damn, priestess stalling for no reason. I hope she finds herself out on her ass after this.

"You aren't thinking of going to the succubus, are you?" Geta says, holding the door shut.

"I am. She could use some healing. You don't think that woman can hurt me, do you?" I say.

"You have to be careful around her," Geta says. "She's unstable. Never be alone with her. It would be best if you have me or Victoria with you. It should be me unless you really need to see her and I'm not available for some reason. Sarania will go soft on her sister. We'll protect you. It sounds harsh, but it'll be a miracle if that girl isn't completely insane."

"Glad the priestesses know how to torture women," I say. "Is there school for nobles on how to conduct effective torture? I don't think I've met many nobles who don't know how."

"Torture is easy to do if you have the stomach to watch others in pain; some even enjoy others suffering. Even you've done it. Esiyae won't make it to the end of the week. Kelly has given her a bit of healing so her kids will grow big enough to survive, but that has just prolonged Esiyae's suffering. She is more kid than woman at this point. Her organs have long since left their natural home and shape. Stretching and twisting to make room. Esiyae hasn't had more than ten minutes of sleep for the past two weeks. Talindra still rapes her whenever she has the energy. You let that happen. Then your shadow, and I'm sure the ant as well. I know he doesn't have all his parts, and I doubt that was all you did. Caring about others is the thing that is hard. That is the part that makes you special."

"I found that part easy."

"Do you think many around you can say the same thing? Think, after all the torture, Fryserreia can tell friend from foe? We can try to help, but don't be surprised if she's too far gone. Ending her may be the merciful thing to do, so she doesn't hurt those she used to love."

"Then the temple will burn with the women still inside."

"That will ruffle more feathers than we can risk right now. We need to end this war and recover before doing something like that. It would be best to have more Goddesses on your side as well. Elders have sway and a bit more power. Numbers can easily overcome that, just as they are with Nature and Justice, but you need to earn more, as more Goddesses will be interested after a temple burns down. Don't forget about Sex, she'll stir the pot, hoping it spills over and burns the world down."

"Then let go of the door. We can wait to burn those fucking bitches. I'm waiting for the brothel owners, aren't I? Help me, and I'll get you pregnant."

"I just want you to be safe. I don't want to repeat things. We've had enough of that already. I don't want to get pregnant due to a deal. Do that because you want to, not because you need to."

"You are meant to be my servant. So I'll have your help. Now, this sounds like something you need to pay attention to. I'm going to help her. Now, release the door."

"I just want to keep you safe," Geta says, releasing the door. Chapters first released on novel-fire.ɴet

"Should've done that from the start."

Sarania's room isn't far from here. Space may have moved them to a simpler room to keep Fyserreia from getting overwhelmed. If that's the case, I'll have to bother Shyla to find them, or ask another maid I run into about them. I will have to remember to thank Kelly for helping me get the kids in Esiyae's womb. I was a bit sad I was going to lose them; they didn't do anything wrong to me, but Esiyae is hopeless. Just like Geta says, Fyserreia's going to be.

The demoness would've warned me if that was the route things were going, I hope. We just have to be patient. We can work through things together. Maybe that will help us both. Syro should be getting a skill soon for helping me so much. It doesn't earn as much as killing, I'm sure, but the time together has to be worth something. And the light fingering. That I know gives us a little boost.

That does require Syro to survive what they put the succubus through. Fyserreia has scars on scars covering brandings. Her limbs weren't healed correctly after getting broken. The best way to heal her may be just to cut her limbs off and regrow them. It's disgusting even to think that. But the other option is to reshape the bones slowly. I have to cut out the scar tissue anyway.

They left me with no good options.

I give Sarania's room a soft knock and wait for an answer. Geta and my shadow close behind like Fryserreia is going to open the door and pounce. I doubt she still has any energy to move. It must've been pure mana letting her move before.

"Come in," Sarania says.

"Be nice," I whisper and slowly open the door.

It's a simple room. Pink walls and a small bed are the only notable features. She doesn't even have a desk or dresser. I need to make sure she has everything she needs. Sarania has been spending most nights with me, and days for that matter, but she should have a room that makes her smile to come back to.

"Hello," I say. "How is Fryserreia doing?" The sisters are on the bed. Fryserreia seems to be sleeping while Sarania sits on the side watching her for any signs of distress.

"Sleeping," Sarania says. "Sorry for scaring you, my Mistress. You just didn't deserve to go through that. I know you have a difficult relationship with lust, but to feel it getting drained as my sister needed felt awful. The lack of care and love leaves you a bit empty inside."

"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm happy she's free," I say. I move to her side and hug her. "If you need something, ask. I'm used to loveless sex. Even draining sex. Rise or shine, I had to do it."

"You deserve better, my Mistress. I can provide everything she needs, though I may get a bit needy in bed."

"You'll be risking another bun in the oven, but I'm happy to accommodate," I tease. "I love you. You've been a major supporter of me. Steadfast and helpful. Take some time to watch over your sister. I'll find a way to work in some help if you need it."

"Thank you, Alzi. Thank you," Sarania says. "She'll need healing, my Mistress."

"Yes, I've been thinking about how to do it. I'm worried she'll need to have her limbs cut off to do it. I don't want to do that, I don't want to cause her pain, but that may be the best and fastest solution. They did so much damage to her."

"I thought that would be the answer. I have a few methods to transfer at least some of the pain to me. But the healing can wait till she can tell us how she wants to do it. I'm fine here for now. Calli should be outside the door. You may need to meet with the Kitsune and get that new head maid now that I'm gone. Shimmer just gave birth, so Calli can't be far behind. Shyla as well."

"It'll lock me to Yuki."

"I'm sure others have told you this, but you don't have to love everyone you marry. The Goddesses don't understand how to rule over their own affinities. You struggle to hate Yuki, so don't. Don't love her or hate her. She has a debt to you. Make her pay that off and fix the love you once had. Let her be split between you and Nakuma. She'll have heaven and hell by your side, and she'll learn to love it. Get her pregnant and brush your new head maid's tails while Nakuma has her way with Yuki. Then the next night, bring her to bed and prove you own all three of them. It won't fix their wrongs, but even killing them like Esiyae won't do that. But it'll help you clear your thoughts and figure it all out. If you come to hate her, then leave her with Nakuma. If you come to love her, then protect her from Nakuma."

That sounds a bit too hopeful about things, but she could use that hope right now. If I can't work through my issues, what hope does Fryserriea have? "I can give it a shot. Syro likely isn't going to be too useful to Fryserreia right now, and I have to convince her to help us, but I'll try to get help."

"Thank you, my Mistress. Sorry for overstepping my bounds. I just want the women I care about to be happy."

"I had a similar thought to what you said. It feels nice to hear it out loud. I can always ask my lover for help getting to the castle grounds if you need it." I give her a little kiss and walk out. Geta's worries are feeling a bit stupid right now. I have to be afraid of sleeping women now? I guess she didn't know that, but still feels kind of funny. I get a lecture about a woman who poses no threat after how many times they let me get hurt?

Outside is the cute pregnant dogkin, just as Sarania said. "Hello," I say. "To Nanoka, I guess."

"As you wish, your Highness," Calli says. Her bushy tail sways behind her as she waddles through the halls.

"Are you feeling ready?" I ask. What a stupid way of putting it.

"Ready to be a Mother? No, your Highness, I am not. But I don't have much of a choice. I am happy for the kid. Just scared. Sorry. I love the kid and can't wait, but scared to raise a kid."

"I meant ready to have the kid," I say. "Go get some rest. I can just yell for Nanoka, and she'll find a way to direct me to her. You're right to be scared. I have a bunch of kids already born, and it still scares me to call myself a mother and father."

"That would be..."

"Go," I say. "You need the rest."

"As you wish, your Highness. Thank you," Calli says, giving a little bow before waddling off.

I should work on convincing her to let me get her pregnant with twins. I can get Calli and Mai pregnant together. I could offer to pamper them every night in bed. It would be cute to see how big my lovely little kitty and dog get together. "Nanoka! I need to get to you," I say.

"You just need to ask," Nanoka says. "What can I do for you? You had Geta with you, so I was trying to give you some privacy. If a Valkyrie can't help you with Fryserreia, then this house is all doomed."

"I need to meet your daughter," I say. "I'm running low on maids. Keep getting them too pregnant, I guess."

"Ah, yes. Something nobody really wants to do."