Chapter 477 – Moving Day
I think all my wives are in my bed right now. A few obvious people are missing. Yuki and Nakuma aren't here. I'm sure Nakuma was busy having her fun with Yuki to mirror me. Then Yumanea and her wives and Azula. Elo and Zarzi are in my bed, just not the same one as most of my wives, and a different body.
Even with all those exceptions, I have a lot of wives in my bed.
Of course, I have Elora wrapped up close by me. Eterna was making sure the drunk Queen couldn't escape the bed till I was ready. Or till Eterna was ready.
"Moving day," Kou says. "My Empress, good. Everyone important is here already. Makes this easy. The Kitsunes already know what is going on, and I doubt you'll have any issues. The house is a decent distance from the capital, with plenty of room for everyone both inside and outside. I've got the maids set up to take everything, so none of you should be required to handle the actual movement of items. I've assigned the rooms already, and Nakuma will be in charge of runes to help with the travel between realms. Of course, you're all welcome to visit the cities and have fun. It should be a quick process with the help of the Goddess of Space. Most of the day, you'll have to get used to the new layout and grounds. Empress Alzi was planning on having a tour of the city. I have a few other families willing to help you all if you would like that as well, or you can have Yuki do it later. Before she gets too big, or look around yourself, or make her waddle around while she's massive. There isn't anything important that would make it difficult for any of you to walk around in the city by yourself. They will welcome your visit if you wish. Just be kind, and everything will be fine."
"Thanks," I say. Kou really has taken charge of this move. Sounds like Kou doesn't care about the extra help I gathered.
"Happy to help, My Empress," Kou says. "Now, it won't take long, but I want my Empress to have plenty of time to see the city with people in it this time, so if you all could get up. Grandma can't help me when we need to get everyone ready together."
I wait patiently, while hugging Mommy, Elora, and Eterna, for my wives to slowly slide out of bed. Kou managed to grow the bed somehow. I really do have too many wives. Plenty of women to give me kids. Not the best way to look at it, but we're working on it.
"Do I have to wear a special dress?" I ask. Might as well ask some questions while I wait for the pile to move.
"No, your Royal Highness," Shyla says. "I have some small heels, or flats if you prefer, and a simple green dress for you to go in. I can always get you dressed up if you want. But I think going simple for moving day would be what you wanted."
"That sounds great," I say. Now the hard part, getting Eterna up. "Eterna, can we get up?"
"Fine," Eterna says. "But can we have a few days later in the pregnancy that we sit in bed together?"
"Happy to," I say. "I'm big, but I still have a while before they're ready. I'm going to want a few days like that soon, and Kou can schedule some in later."
"Then we can get up," Eterna says. "And I need to introduce you to my Mother. She's going to be complaining about us meeting Yzzorres before her."
"Well, it's not like I planned to meet Yzzorres so quickly," I say. "I thought I would see her before Yzzorres as well. Get dressed, everyone, and meet at Space's temple. The kids are going to be interesting. They're mostly babies, so maybe it'll be easy. I could see Irlo getting the older kids in line."
"Yes, Irlo knows and is excited to see the new house, my Empress," Kou says. "But I do wonder if you should keep some kids like Irlo in the castle with one of your bodies."
"We can ask her," I say. "I just worry about sisters not knowing each other. I guess it's bound to happen. With how many generations we're going to have, they'll naturally form groups based on birth year, and they can't know everyone in multiple villages. Just have to be careful to make sure they know I love them all." I was supposed to see my village yesterday! It'll be there tomorrow, or a week from now. I'll just plan to make Kou schedule a time for it.
Kids make this difficult. But still one of the best problems I've had, and it's looking to be the biggest problem I'm facing finally. No worry about goddesses, or wars, or a collar. Just way too many kids to raise.
"Aurora and I have a few different ideas that we can try, my Empress," Kou says. "We'll get it working the best we can."
"Then I guess I have to get up and dressed now," I say.
"Yes, your Royal Highness," Shyla says.
Time to roll, a bit too literally with this belly.
...
'Space, are you going to be ok to move all of us?'
'Yes, Kitsunes were praying a lot to me. They want you around. Just don't have a large migration again. You'll have to get Nanoka and Nakuma to help you with that one. Maybe even Kiyomi.'
'Small groups. I understand.' Like I'm about to give Kiyomi any reason to bargain with me ever again.
I step into the temple and appear in a garden. Yuki comes through next, Nakuma's attached, of course.
"There should be a rock garden nearby," Yuki says. "They're surprisingly peaceful. Mother does prefer to have vegetation in her garden."
"I know," I say.
"You visited her garden?" Yuki asks.
"Yes, almost got her pregnant in it instead of you," I say. "Ah, Kou. Great. What should I do first?"
"Explore your manor, My Empress," Kou says. "You can start outside and look at the insides with your other bodies, and for lunch."
"Probably the easiest way to do this," I say. "I do have a lot of ground to cover. I'm glad I can see a forest. I can let Annoris give birth now. Hopefully. How that works will be interesting. Lotus may have to help that kid figure things out. Off to that rock garden thing, I guess."
"This way then, My Empress," Kou says. Of course, she already knows the entire place. I wonder if this place has secret tunnels that enemies can use to kidnap people. I'm sure Kiyomi is smarter than that. Or has actually hidden the tunnels from others, or whatever the flaw was.
Happy thoughts, I have my retreat now. Just need to find some time to relax in it, which I should have now. Yzzorres is the only one who will drag me away, and Eterna to visit her family. I hope they're as easy to get along with as Ioelena's family.
The rock garden seems more like a home for rocks. All neatly groomed into rows. Almost like a farmer's field, one that knows what they're doing but got tricked into thinking rocks are wheat.
"This is kind of funny," I say. "Seems that the farmer forgot what they are supposed to plant."
"Some say it's calming to work the rocks, My Empress," Kou says. "Maybe it'll be a good break from your hectic life. Rocks won't be screaming for your attention; they'll just move as you wish them to. I never cared for the activity; I prefer to be doing things, but you never know. It is more common with the generals, so it may have something to do with rocks not ignoring their ask for straight lines."
"So, people who want a garden with more control and less work?" I ask.
"I would agree with you, My Empress, but be careful who you say that to. Those who love it won't be as agreeable."
"I'll keep that in mind," I say. "Do we have a large field?"
"Several, my Empress," Kou says. "One for the adults to exercise in and two for the kids. When they get old enough, we can think about sharing the adult one with the kids. Or open it up at certain times for them. I'm sure your wives will want some time training without the worry of people with little mana around to hurt them by accident."
"That's good," I say. The fields days are great. "I guess we have more gardens to check out?"
"This way, My Empress," Kou says. "There is plenty to see before lunch."
...
"Am. I. Living. In. A. City?" I ask between breaths. The pace we've had to go to make it through all the gardens is not made for a pregnant woman. I did at least hear the front door unlock when I rested against it. Kou remembers the details.
"No, My Empress," Kou says. "At least not yet. You may have a city by the time you're done with kids, but for now, it is just a large manor."
"MASSIVE!" I say.
"Yes, only Mother's manor is larger," Kou says. "Sorry. Maybe should've spread this over multiple days and let you enjoy the gardens more. Sorry."
"No, this is fine," I say. "I should do my best to know the grounds. I'm sure my kids will want to go all over the place."
"I'm sure they will," Kou says. "Now, lunch should be ready for you. I've made it a small group due to the activities of the day. Just the inner wives."
"That sounds nice," I say. My other bodies haven't been able to explore much of the house. The babies don't seem to care much about being in a new home and just want to play. Most are at the point of crawling around, and I'm sure a few are getting ready to share their first words with the world or start running from me. Then the goddesses, of course. They love to show off that they can talk, but refuse to say anything that would give them away as goddesses. I do wonder if they're just pretending to be babies for me. Or maybe they want to be babied? I wouldn't mind reverting for a bit sometimes.
They can do what they want, as long a Destruction doesn't destroy my new house.
...
"My Empress, Lady Yurimi, is here," Kou says. "Are you ready to go, or should I tell her to wait a bit?"
"I can go," I say. Lunch isn't much different here. So easy to finish.
"You are the Empress. If you wish to wait, you can," Kou says. "I know you want to be more equal with others, but I pushed you hard this morning. I'm sure Lady Yurimi would be willing to let you rest a bit longer."
"No, I'm done with lunch. I want to get to know her a bit, so I kind of need to head out now, or I'm going to be getting a stranger pregnant again." I have to meet the other vampire Lorelei brought with her as well. That sounds a lot better than saying I need to get someone pregnant. Already improved things.
"Have fun, baby," Mommy says. "Don't push yourself."
"I'll be good," I say.
"I'll be with them," Kou says. "It'll be fine. Yurimi is kind. I think tonight will be enjoyable for everyone. She's just at the front door."
Kou's planning comes in handy as it's a short walk to the front door, where Yurimi is standing in a fancy dress.
I should've asked for a fancier dress! Why is she acting like this is some big deal? I thought it was just a tour of the city!
"Hello, Empress Alzi," Yurimi says. "You look lovely today. How was the move? I was told that I didn't need to come in early."
"Easy," I say. I guess being pregnant gets you off of more than just wearing heels for nobles. Or you can't tell an empress she's under dressed. "I mainly just wandered the grounds while everyone else moved things."
"As it should be," Yurimi says. "Do you like the yard?"
"Yes, the gardens are beautiful and colorful," I say. "Peaceful. I see myself escaping to them when I get overwhelmed with the kids. Then, having them run up behind me because I've made too many to escape. I'm excited to see what it's like to live here."
"That's good to hear. I think you'll enjoy it. It's a task to get out of here, so you should have plenty of peace. Ready to see the city?"
"Yes."