Even without the kitsune tails in the mix, cuddling up is quite comfortable. I think it was Eterna that gathered everyone up and pushed them into my bed. I wonder if she's going to keep up this nesting thing as she goes through her pregnancy. My bed may become a bit crowded if so. But it'll be warm.

The dinner was nice again. Elora didn't partner up with the bottles of wine this time. I hope that's a good sign and that she continues it till I get her pregnant. I didn't see her drinking while pregnant. Do I need to watch her closer for her next pregnancy? No, Sedriresa won't lie to me. She wouldn't let Elora risk the kid either. I need to get all the wives a maid so I can make sure they're being taken care of.

The one issue with this is Kou watching me and doing her best to hold in her laughter. Is it really that funny? I think this is very cute.

"My Queen," Kou says. "You need to get up. The pixies will be expecting you soon."

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"Your wives are awake, for the most part, My Queen," Kou says. "But it is funny seeing your little nest. I know Eterna was the one who truly made it, but you're the one framed by it."

"You didn't have to tell her," Mommy says. "This is very comfortable, baby."

"I thought you were all awake," I say. Only Eterna is still asleep, which is a small problem for my ability to get out of the nest. She somehow managed to be the one snuggled between my breasts. Her arms wrap me in a soft, warm hug. It's going to be difficult to get the willpower to disturb her. Maybe Eterna will accept Mommy or Shimmer as a replacement for her sleep if I can get them in place somehow.

Geta is the first to start moving; the rest begrudgingly move after her. Mommy stays, trying to ease my true phoenix awake. Instead, she just gets captured in the phoenix's grasp. I give Eterna a little poke, and that gets her to soften her grip enough for Mommy to take my place.

I'll have to ask her what's going on. She likes holding on to me, but she's never been this insistent about it before. I hope it isn't a bad dream.

"There we go," I say. "Sorry, Mommy."

"Oh, don't mind me," Mommy chuckles. "She's a great hugger."

"She is," I say. "Plenty warm as well. What am I wearing to this event?"

Shimmer and Elora are already gone, likely to replace the maids watching the kids. The rest are hanging out till Kou gives them a look. I guess only Mommy gets to see me change today.

"Something simple, my Queen," Kou says. "No need to give the pixies something worth stealing. I'm sure Space and Dragon are getting an ear full about keeping the pixies from taking your crown. They won't be helping again. Are you ok with going without panties and a bra?"

"You just told me I'm going to lose them," I say. "Just make sure the babies don't see me."

"The dress itself will be conservative, My Queen, just missing the undergarments, and I'll try to make it easy to... well, you understand. The breeding part of the deal," Kou says. "Try to make it so you don't have to undress in the middle of pixies is the best. Just a warning, they may strip you. They'll give you the clothing back before you leave. Ioelena said they did it a few times to her. They are kind enough to wait for the women to become adults, but that makes it all the more confusing the first time it happens after years of not having to worry about your bits suddenly being free for the forest to see. If they aren't willing to give you your clothing back, start walking to the center of their city. That's where the kids are. They'll dress you themselves if you do that. Ioelena will be nearby to help if needed. Just call out for her."

"Thank you," I say. "The pixies really do take their jokes too far."

"That is one way of putting it, My Queen," Kou says. "Alright. Time to get dressed."

...

I think Shyla took Ioelena's hair as inspiration for the dress. It's pretty, but I don't think I've ever worn this much pink before. The dress does go down to my ankles, so hopefully they don't start hiding in my skirt. The pink does nothing to hide my growing belly. The kids should be kicking me more than they do, probably thanks to the Fertility's ritual. Almost makes me want to do it for every pregnancy I have. I don't think I want to carry a bunch of kids for the high priestess. She's nice, but I don't really know her. Maybe I could change that?

I'm not wearing my crown; no need to risk another incident.

"Just ahead," Ioelena says. "I'll be here. If you need anything, don't be afraid to say something. The pixies like to play pranks, but you're pregnant. They won't hurt you."

"Thank you," I say. I should've forced them to let Geta come, or at least not promise I'll go alone. They didn't really ask for me to be alone. I just said it. That was stupid. I can't make this mistake again. I can't follow Elora and Shimmer's lead on my safety.

I don't have to walk far to end up at the edge of their city. They must have some barrier that hides the city because it seems to just pop up out of nowhere. I passed a tree, and suddenly, little flashes of pink are flying all over, trees warped to create homes for them, and a small group is hovering, waiting for me.

"Welcome, Queen Alzi," Treedoc says. "Sorry for walking out on our negotiations. I think the war got to me more than I thought."

"It's fine," I say. Oh, this is so stressful! I know they're going to do something to me. But what and when, and how bad, and I can't blame the fairies for hating them. "I should heal your people first."

"If you wish," Treedoc says. "Follow me."

We move along the edge of the city. A bit strange for the injured to be at the edge. I would've thought you'd keep them in the middle for safety. I guess they have a safe border with the fairies and Ioelena's family behind them. Still a lot of trust for such a strained relationship.

"We moved them so you could enter the building," Treedoc says. "We only have a few buildings that you can fit into comfortably. Even less with how tall you are and the horns and tail."

"I don't have to be right next to the patients to heal them. But thank you for thinking about that. I'm forgetting about the size difference, and I'm staring at it."

I guess it makes sense that the tall buildings would all be near the edge, then. No need to make buildings built for others the center of their city. Soon, a building that would fit me comes into view. It looks like a log cabin. Like something from my home village.

Inside are stacks and stacks of bunks, each with a pixie sleeping in it. Many are missing limbs, others look poisoned, and who knows what else is hiding deeper. The size of the city must be much larger than I thought if this is how many injured they have. Did they do most of the fighting? Maybe they get hurt by their own traps often?

I shouldn't have been so hard on the fairies. They likely do have fewer injured.

"You should've told me," I say. "I could've come back with you after our meeting. There are so many. I. Let me. I should call in Ioelena. I have some skills that need a sexual partner. It'll heal them faster that way."

"We have them all stable," Treedoc says. "Just focus on healing them in the middle. That is where the worst are. We can go grab her to help you."

Wait, is Ioelena going to think everything is a trick and just sit there? Can they make it look like I'm meeting her? I should've asked more about what they could do for tricks.

I step towards the middle of the cabin. The pixies here really are worse off. Burns cover the pixie's bodies. Lost limbs. A mix of everything on their little bodies.

I kneel to see if the top or bottom bunks are worse off, and fall onto my butt. The world shifts around me. Steam hides what the cabin truly holds from me. Then I hear the running water and realize my dress is missing.

"A bath? That is what you wanted to do first? Your people are hurt," I call out.

"They're stable," Treedoc says. "I didn't lie about that part. And we don't have that many injured. We fight with traps mostly. It's a lot harder to get attacked when you're nowhere near the enemy."

Where is she?

"I asked to heal them first."

"But this is so relaxing," Treedoc says. "I promise they are fine. I'm the Queen. If I'm ok waiting to heal them, then it is fine for them to wait. They agree. I promise."

Between my breasts! She's using me like a lounging chair!

"An entire building you faked just to take a bath with me. Think you're walking away without some twins in your womb now? I don't like this trick."

"I thought of many different tricks I could pull, and this was the best of them. I could've made your hair turn to stone or something. But that didn't seem like fun. Walking into a bath is nice. Just relax and let my harem clean you. We can do this again after you heal my people if you wish as well. We promise that we take bathing serious. I'll give you that second bag you asked for as well."

I don't even need that bag! I can give it to Yuki or Tanatsu to use for something, I guess.

"That hardly changes that everyone is stressed when they have to deal with you. What if I started using a mass heal skill here, where there are no injured women? What would you do when I had no mana to heal your people then?"

"They're on the second floor. You would've healed them anyway," Treedoc says. "I know how to pull tricks off without hurting others."

"Oh, am I not hurt right now? Did I say I would have a bath with you?"

"If you wish to have a relationship with our kids, then we have to get to know each other. So yes, you did say you would have a bath with me and my harem. Otherwise, you won't get to help raise the kids."

Some flashes of pink come out, and I start feeling a bunch of little hands scrubbing all over. Treedoc even starts on cleaning my breasts, little bastard. The bath does feel nice, and their little hands are soft. But that is hardly an excuse just to strip me and force me to join them in the bath.

"You have to help Ioelena with her mana then," I say. "Otherwise you'll all pop from your pregnancies."

"Fine," Treedoc says. "I guess we can help her. I don't understand why you're so mad to be bathed by us all. You're making me think an endless hallway would've been the better prank."

"Good," I say. At least they understand threats even if they don't understand common decency.