Chapter 304
The living room of Aiden's mansion was bathed in the soft golden light of late afternoon filtering through tall arched windows draped with heavy crimson curtains.
Plush sofas and oversized cushions formed a cozy nest in the center of the room, scattered with colorful pillows and a few discarded toys.
A low table held a half-finished plates of sweet pastries.
Edda sat in the middle of the sofa. Her posture was relaxed, one arm draped protectivrly around Noir while the other rested protectively around little Liri, who was curled against her side.
Noir, the quiet demon girl, knees drawn up to her chest. She was shy as always, but her eyes sparkled with interest whenever the conversation turned to Aiden, her Daddy.
Leona was perched on Edda's lap, smalls hands gripping her Edda's sleeve as she babbled happily.
Lusha, the newest addition — a beautiful cat-girl milf with soft ears, a fluffy tail, and a curvaceous figure that made even simple movements look graceful — sat a little apart on the edge of the sofa. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, cheeks faintly pink.
The children had already started calling her 'Mummy,' which only made her shyer. She was trying her best to feel at home, offering small smiles and gentle words, but every time one of the kids turned to her with bright eyes, she blushed and glanced at Edda for reassurance.
"Mama," Liri said, tilting her head up at Edda with wide, curious eyes. "Tell them about the magic school! Daddy and the mummies went there today. Tell Leona and Noir about it, they are very excited to know."
Edda smiled warmly, her voice soft and loving as she brushed a stray lock of hair from Liri's forehead and looked at the others. "It's very big, my sweets. Bigger than our home, with tall towers that touch the clouds and floating lanterns that light up even at night. When I was a student there many years ago, I remember walking through the grand courtyard and feeling so small… but also so excited. There are gardens where flowers bloom with magic, and halls where the walls remember every spell ever cast."
Leona bounced on Edda's lap, "What about Flying books? Do they fly like a dragon?"
Edda laughed gently. "Almost. Some books do float if you ask them nicely. And there are three big trials on the first day — tests to see how strong and smart the new students are."
Liri perked up, nodding eagerly. "I know! Mana measurement, flow control, and duels! You told me before, Mama."
"That's right, my clever girl," Edda praised, kissing the top of Liri's head. "The first one measures how much mana you have. The second tests how well you can control it — like pouring water without spilling. And the third… well, that's the fighting part. Your Daddy and mummies are very strong, so I'm sure they're doing wonderfully."
Noir shifted closer, her voice quiet but curious. "Edda-Mummy… are the nobles mean there? Like the ones who look down on me?"
Edda's expression softened with understanding. She reached out and gently took Noir's smaller hand in hers. "Some of them can be, sweetheart. They think bloodline is everything. But your Daddy doesn't care about any of that. He's there to show them that real strength comes from heart and hard work. And your mummies — Luna, Lysandra, Selvara, all of them — they're with him. They protect each other."
Leona tugged at Edda's sleeve. "What about Lusha-Mummy? When she will go to magic school too?"
Lusha startled, ears twitching. Her tail curled tightly around her waist as all three children turned to look at her with bright, expectant eyes. She fidgeted, cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink.
"I… um… I don't know if I'm ready for something like that," Lusha said softly, voice shy and hesitant. She glanced at Edda for help. "I'm still learning how to… be here. With all of you. It's already so much."
Leona crawled across Edda's lap toward Lusha, reaching out with small arms. "Lusha-Mummy can come with us! We can show you around!"
Noir nodded shyly, adding in a small voice, "You're nice, Lusha-Mummy."
Lusha's ears flattened in embarrassment, but a tiny, warm smile broke through. "Th-thank you… I just want to make sure I don't mess anything up. I'm still getting used to being called 'Mummy'…"
Liri giggled and leaned over to pat Lusha's hand. "It's okay! Mama says you're family now. So you have to learn with us!"
Edda chuckled lovingly, her eyes full of affection as she watched Lusha. "They're right, Lusha. You're part of this family. There's no rush. But if you ever want to hear more about the school, I can tell you everything. My younger sister is studying there right now, you know. She writes me letters about her days and the mischievous professors."
Lusha's tail gave a small, hopeful flick. "Your sister… she's the one everyone talks about sometimes?"
"Yes," Edda said warmly. "She's clever, kind and a genious. When I was in the school, I was just a average student. But she... She got enrolled before she turned 18. But... She is really a handful. Noir, Leona and the other haven't met her yet."
Leona asked, looking toward her. "Edda-Mummy! When can we meet Auntie?"
"Soon, little one," Edda promised, kissing Leona's forehead. "She visits sometimes. And when she does, we'll plan a big family gathering."
Noir looked thoughtful, still holding Edda's hand. "Edda-Mummy… do you think Daddy is winning all the trials?"
Edda's smile was confident and full of love. "I think your Daddy is showing everyone exactly why we all love him so much. And your mummies are right beside him, making sure no one forgets how strong our family is."
Lusha hesitated, then added shyly, encouraged by the children's hopeful faces, "If… if it helps, I can help you look after things here while they're gone. So when they return, everything is ready for them."
Leona immediately hugged Lusha's arm. "Lusha-Mummy is the best!"
The conversation flowed easily after that — the children asking more questions about floating lanterns, talking statues, and whether there were dragons in the school. Lusha gradually relaxed, offering small comments and even laughing when Leona tried to imitate a 'magic spell' by waving her hands wildly.
Edda watched them all with quiet joy, her heart full. This was her family — loud, messy, loving, and growing. She gave her arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
"You're doing wonderfully," Edda whispered to her. "They already adore you."
Lusha's ears perked up, a shy but genuine smile blooming on her face. "Thank you..."
The children didn't miss it. Leona and Liri both cheered, while Noir gave a small, happy nod.
Suddenly, Leona stopped bouncing. Her adorable face tilted up toward Lusha with wide, innocent curiosity. In her sweet, piping voice, she asked without any hesitation:
"Lusha-Mummy… do you like Daddy?"
The room went still for half a heartbeat.
Edda's gentle smile froze, turning into a nervous, affectionate one as she glanced quickly at Lusha. Noir's eyes widened slightly, and she hid a tiny smile behind her hands. Liri blinked, then giggled softly, covering her mouth with both palms as if she sensed something fun was happening.
Lusha froze completely.
Her cheeks exploded into a deep, burning blush that spread all the way to the tips of her fluffy cat ears. She immediately cupped both hands over her face, trying to hide the redness, her tail fluffing up and wrapping even tighter around her waist. Her shoulders hunched as she shrank into herself, looking utterly shy and overwhelmed.
"I… I… um…" Lusha stammered, voice barely above a whisper, muffled slightly by her palms. "I… don't know… I mean… I… he's… very kind and… and strong and… I just… I don't know yet…"
She peeked through her fingers, eyes wide and flustered, before quickly hiding her face again. "He's… everyone's husband… and I'm still new here… and… and you children are so sweet… but I… I'm still trying to… to be useful and not mess things up…"
Leona tilted her head, blinking innocently. "But Lusha-Mummy is pretty!"
Edda let out a soft, loving laugh, though it carried a hint of nervousness. "Leona, sweetheart, don't tease Mummy like that. She is still getting used to being part of our big, loud family. There's no rush at all."
Liri nodded seriously, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Mama says Lusha-Mummies need time. Like when Noir came. She was shy too."
Noir gave a tiny nod, cheeks pink. "Mummy helped me… so maybe we can help Lusha-Mummy too."
Lusha lowered her hands just enough to reveal her still-blushing face, ears flat against her head. "Th-thank you… all of you. I really am trying. Master… Master… he's been very gentle with me. And the way he looks after everyone… it's… it's nice. I just want to make sure I belong here first."
Leona reached out with her small arms, trying to hug Lusha from across Edda's lap. "Lusha-Mummy belongs! You can sleep with us tonight if you want!"
Lusha made a small, embarrassed squeak, covering her face again, but this time a tiny, shy smile peeked through her fingers. "Y-you're all too sweet… I might melt…"
Edda chuckled warmly, pulling Leona back gently while giving Lusha a reassuring look. "See? The children already adore you. And so do I. There's room for you here, Lusha. No pressure. Just… be with us. That's enough for now."
Liri leaned over and patted Lusha's arm. "When Daddy comes home, you can ask him about school too! He'll tell you everything!"
"T-thank you. I would like that." Lusha replied softly, hopeful.
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END OF CHAPTER : 303 : AT HOME!
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