After Bram obtained two fiancées, he wanted to spend time with them to get to know them better.
In a room in the house were him, Ada, and Marceline, who was staying there for a while.
She had her own room, but she liked spending time with Bram and Ada.
But she was very expressionless, seeming to have no interest in them, despite not talking much.
Both Bram and Ada asked her things about her private life and her answers were short and quick.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the place because they had no more conversation topics to share with her.
"Bram-sama, I've run out of conversation topics."
"Me too, I can't think of anything to say to her. I doubt she wants to hear how mom forced us to shave dad when he was sick."
Marceline could see them murmuring to each other.
She looked at her teacup and finally said something.
"I'm sorry," she said in that disinterested tone. "I know you're trying hard to include me in the conversation. But I've always been a very reserved girl."
"I'm sure my tastes wouldn't interest you, that's why I don't mention them. Instead, I prefer to hear yours."
Despite saying that, she felt sad deep down.
She did have hobbies and interests, but she didn't know if others would see them with the same eyes as she did.
"That's not true," replied Bram, taking her hand. "You will be my wife, I want to get to know you more. To know what you like, what you don't like, because soon we will live together and I don't want us to be strangers."
Ada joined him, taking that same hand.
"I think the same. Marceline-sama, you will be Bram-sama's wife, but I want to get along with you, I want to know you more."
Hearing them say that, she felt a support she had never felt at home.
"I like... to paint."
"You're an artist?"
Asked Ada happily. Marceline, embarrassed for the first time in her life, responded.
"It's not like that. I like to paint... monsters, make information books about them."
"Once I got lost in a dungeon at the academy and a monster like a rabbit helped me to the exit, but my classmates killed it."
"That made me understand that monsters have many things to tell us. I want to analyze them, that's why I like to go from time to time and draw their behavior."
"My family didn't like that and forbade me from doing it."
Both were surprised by this.
"That's incredible!" shouted Bram, amazed. "You want to be a monster researcher, right? I heard that abroad it's a very useful profession, we don't have that here and we only rely on information left by our predecessors."
"But if you want that, I'll help you. You won't just enjoy what you like, you'll help many people."
"Even if I can't do anything, I'll make sure you never go hungry inside a dungeon."
Seeing them smile at her, Marceline was happy for the first time in her life.
"T-thank you very much. I truly look forward to our future together."
◇◇◇
The academy was about to open, so Lucy's treatment was in its final moments.
Today was special, it's the day Lucy finally left the wheelchair to walk.
She was in the hospital, at the parallel bars preparing for the big day.
She rose trembling from her chair and placed her hands on the bars.
She began to take small steps, slow but steady.
After reaching the end, she turned around and walked to the next end again.
But this time she did it without support, again she turned around and this time walked more firmly.
Ixion approached and said to her, "Lucy, walk ten steps without stopping towards me."
"Ok," she said with complete confidence.
Lucy left the security of the bars and walked towards Ixion for ten steps, she looked like a young little old lady doing it.
"Good."
Said Ixion and a robot brought her wheelchair.
"Your nerves are returning to their normal functionality. You no longer sway, you need more walking so they reshape themselves as before."
"That means...!"
"That's right, Lucy, you'll be able to walk perfectly in a short time."
"Yes!"
Shouted Lucy, excited to walk correctly again, the robot pushing her chair was also happy.
Rudel was watching her and also applauded.
"That was great, Lucy. I can't wait for you to be able to walk again."
Lucy signaled for him to come closer.
"Hey, as a welcome gift. How about you take me on a night date around the territory?"
"Today?"
"If you have nothing planned, today itself."
"Alright. I haven't given you any affection."
"Hehehe."
Lucy smiled and made the peace sign, indicating she had won.
◇◇◇
Night fell and with it, Lucy's date with Rudel.
In the Bradford territory, Bell in less than a day built something that only existed in Rudel's territory.
Hot springs.
She did it because she had a dream that is coming true.
Alisa, Airi, Ada, Marceline, and Elaine were all gathered in the same bath along with Paula.
All of them were asking Alisa and Airi how their relationship with Rudel was.
They had it complicated because it's not something they should mention so simply.
In contrast, the stories of the others were something they all enjoyed hearing.
"What's wrong, Paula-chan?"
Airi asked Paula, who had been staring into space for a while.
Paula shook her head, but Airi insisted.
"You've been quiet the whole time and haven't said anything, that's why I'm worried about you."
"They're big."
"What thing?"
"Is the bath very deep for you or something?"
Airi was worried about Paula, who immediately revealed why she had been downcast since she entered.
"All my older sisters are big!"
Her hand started with Elaine, then Ada, then Marceline, finally Alisa and Airi.
"Big!"
"Huge!"
"Normal!"
"Big and big!"
"All of you are big while I have nothing like my mom!"
She said, touching her flat chest.
Alisa never thought she would have this conversation one day.
"P-Paula. Having them big is no big deal, in fact, sometimes it's hard to bear the gaze of Ru— of men."
Elaine and Ada joined the conversation.
"That's true. You also have to find bras that fit and prevent them from jumping on their own."
"Sometimes when I sleep on my back they suffocate me, not to mention the stretches I have to do daily to not lose my balance."
Despite trying to cheer up Paula, it didn't work because of Marceline, who was looking at Ada's breasts shaking vigorously.
"You say that when you never went through the problems of having a flat chest."
"Every woman with small or medium breasts would like to show off that she has big breasts. If you don't want those breasts, give them to me!"
"Marceline-sama, where are you touching!"
"Kyah, don't touch me too, Paula-chan!"
For some reason they started fighting over big breasts, and Erselcia, who was at the door with a towel, was angry seeing how they showed off their breasts.
"Gununu. Damn you cows!"
◇
My date with Lucy was short but fun.
We went to the port, to the village, and then took a ride on Avrora.
There wasn't much to do, but Lucy wanted to spend time with me, that was what mattered.
Now we were resting by a tree near the house.
She got up from her wheelchair by herself and then jumped towards me and stayed curled up.
"How has your experience been at my house?"
"I'm sorry I didn't take you to the capital."
I said while hugging her.
"It's been fun. I haven't been able to do much because of my condition, but I've been happy to meet your family and the people who live here."
"It reminds me a bit of home, but with animals included in the same place."
"Yes, it still makes me laugh how the cows approached you and thought you were one of them."
"Hahaha, that made me laugh too."
Enjoying this peace wasn't bad. I had several girlfriends and I had to make sure to make each one of them happy.
"Rudel. This day was fun, next time take me on a date to the capital when I can walk."
"I will, I'll give you and the others many dates."
"But in my case it's different."
"What are you talking about?"
I wondered what Lucy was talking about, who suddenly turned red and moved away from me to sit beside me.
I thought I had done something wrong and tried to apologize.
"Did I do something wrong? In that case, I'm sorry."
"No. You didn't do anything wrong, it's something intimate and personal, more like what I feel."
"Oh, yeah? And what is it?"
I was curious about what she thought.
Lucy took my hand and held it firmly.
"Rudel, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why didn't you assault me too?"
"... Pardon?"
I wasn't sure what she meant.
"Rudel. I heard you every night where you and they did it."
"Sorry."
"I'm sure you also did something with Sara and Eleonora in the capital, right?"
I couldn't deny it.
"See? You did do something."
(I did something more, in fact. I'll tell it another time.)
"Are you angry?" — I needed to prevent her from getting angry with me.
"No. I'm not, the opposite is."
"I'm jealous."
Now she gave me a hard pinch.
"I understand you might think I can't do anything because I can't move my legs, but you know something?"
Lucy moved my hand to her belly and whispered words very erotic for such a cold climate.
"That I can't move my legs doesn't mean this place is hurt too?"
"Weren't you curious about what it would be like to be with a girl who can't move? I'm sure a pervert like you wouldn't miss the chance to get into my bed every night and enjoy that I can't move."
(Lucy, what you're saying sounds like something Ellen would say. I think I should keep her away from you.)
"I-I thought it would be wrong, you can't move and I didn't want to hurt you."
"Even if I can't move my legs, it doesn't mean the upper part is sore."
Slowly she began to lift her blouse.
"From my breasts to my mouth, we could do various things, including in the bathroom. Do you know how I feel being the only one who didn't receive your affection unlike the others?"
I could see her abdomen, it was very white, cute, soft, and it made me want to bite the hole of her navel.
"Lucy, do you want to do something out here or something?"
I asked because her insinuations were clear.
"I'm sorry to tell you, but I'm not an exhibitionist. Everything we do will be behind closed doors."
Immediately, she lowered her blouse and killed the mood.
It was revenge she was doing.
But her face didn't lose that red color on her cheeks.
"I didn't mean to say that, I was just venting. What I really meant to say was this."
The next words she said made the world freeze with me.
"Rudel, I want to have your child."
I began to feel a chill that I only feel when I face a life or death situation.
"Y-y-y-y-you say a child?!"
"Wait a moment, Lucy, a child is a great responsibility and it's not something to be taken lightly!"
"I know, but when I saw that Eleonora became another of your women, I felt a tightness in my chest, as if it were telling me I'm losing you."
"You're not losing me, I'm not going anywhere."
"I feel I'm losing you as a woman, I mean."
"Huh?"
The situation continued to confuse me.
"As a woman, I feel they're taking away the time I'll have you for myself, and I don't want that. We all want you to give us your love, but we know you can't with all of us at the same time."
"That's why I want to have your child. So when I'm separated from you, I'll have our little one by my side as your replacement."
"I think this is what they call maternal instinct."
The cold sweat wouldn't go away, my body was soaked in it.
Lucy really wanted to have my child.
I remembered the conversation with Lecia on our date, she mentioned something like having a child with me.
I was very happy, but now that I'm hearing it, I feel panic.
"In the future we'll have a child, not now."
"Why?"
Her cheerful and calm tone darkened suddenly.
"That's because we still aren't 18 years old to be formally treated as adults."
"Oh? Really? But spreading my legs and hugging me tightly is something those who aren't adults do?"
She caught me. I have no escape.
Lucy's golden eyes were dim, now they looked like Airi's eyes when she gets angry with me.
"You say you don't want to have a child with me... but you want to keep using my body? Is that what you're trying to tell me, Rudel?"
I was beginning to get scared, I didn't know how to respond because she would make it seem like something bad.
I want to cry.
"Don't worry."
She said suddenly, erasing those dark eyes and dark aura she emanated.
"I understand that having a child is serious. We're still in school, I don't want to ruin our graduation by having a huge belly in the classroom."
"Besides, I want to have a child when you're ready. Because if the father doesn't want to have it, the child will feel unloved."
"Sorry."
"I was just trying to bother you. It's my revenge for you enjoying the holidays without me."
"You're terrifying when you set your mind to it."
"My husband is the man known as the Demon King. Back then, I will be the Demon Queen."
"How did you find out about that nickname?!"
"Bell told us before you arrived."
"I'm sorry to interrupt your romantic date."
Ixion floated above us.
"Where did you come from?"
"That doesn't matter. Something important is happening and you must return home right now."
"What's going on? Is it something bad?"
I was worried if it was some misfortune happening.
"Quite the opposite. Your mother has gone into labor and can't wait any longer."
"My mother?"
"My mother-in-law!"
Quickly I took Lucy and ran home.
The next member of the family was about to arrive.
◇
Upon entering the house, we went to my parents' room.
Everyone was outside the room, except my dad.
"What happened?"
I asked Lyle, who was holding my sister-in-law's hand.
"Mom dropped some plates along with a disgusting liquid. Then she said the baby is coming now."
"Did you already call the village doctor?"
"We did, but they told us he went on a trip with his family."
"But that white sphere said not to worry. It came with other magic servants and entered the room with dad, they've been in there for a while."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh! It hurts so much!"
"Hang on, Sonya! You could have four kids without problems, a fifth is nothing."
"You're not the one tearing my insides apart, idiot, shut up already and just hold my hand!"
"Ahhhh, my hand!"
I could hear dad suffering along with mom.
Ixion reassured me with what he said.
"Bell is using the old medical treatment that was done with the devices."
"You needn't fear that something will happen to her. She can't sedate her because it's risky, your mother is in pain now but will soon relax. Bell is working hard to bring the baby safely."
"I didn't know you cared so much about children."
"I find them interesting."
I sat down with Lucy and watched everyone excited.
"Alisa, what do you think it will be?"
"The important thing is that it's healthy."
"Bram-sama, will it be a boy or a girl?"
"Hmm, I'd like it to be a boy, but at the same time Paula needs company."
"Elaine onee-chan, you'll also have children with Lyle Onii-chan."
"Well... in the future we'll have one."
Everyone knew the delivery would be a success, they were anxious for it.
The servants were preparing a feast for the birth of the new family member.
"Excited about your new little brother or sister?"
Ixion asked from my shoulder.
"I am. It's the first time in my life I'll see a baby."
"And wasn't Erselcia?"
"She was in another place and they didn't let me see her."
"The important thing is that a new life will be born, the cycle of life will begin again."
At that moment, as if Ixion had predicted it, we heard the moment when life is born.
"Uwaaaaaaaah!"
We all heard a baby's cry.
The door opened and my dad came out of the room.
We all waited for the news.
"It's... a girl. A beautiful girl!"
The baby's sex wasn't the important thing; if he didn't say anything else, it was because she had no deformities.
We were all happy about that.
"Come in one by one and don't bother her."
We all entered little by little and when it was my turn, there I saw it.
My mother, soaked in sweat, in her hands held a baby in her arms.
The robots, which looked like squares with arms shaped like ice cream paddles, made sure to clean all the blood and placenta from the bed.
Bell approached us.
"Fufu. The delivery was a success thanks to Bell-chan, the first time the new world sees ancient technology helping humans was a success."
"Now when Alisa-chan and the others have children, I'll make sure their beautiful bodies have no marks."
My father closed the door and approached my mother to kiss her on the forehead.
"Have you thought of a name yet?"
"Yes, I'll call her Keira, for being the feminine version of my father's name."
"Keira Van Bradford."
"Kei-chan then it is."
"Kei-chan, I'm your daddy."
My new little sister is named Keira; my maternal grandfather's name was Keith, so it makes sense.
"Ixion, make sure to record it for the future."
"Ixion?"
For some reason, Ixion was trembling, I didn't understand why he was like that.
He even muttered something weird.
"It can't be, this breaks all the information I was gathering."
I don't understand what's wrong with him, is he scared of babies or something?
"Ixion, answer."
I called him again and he finally reacted.
"Is something wrong with you?"
I asked curiously about his behavior.
"... It's nothing. I'll start recording immediately."
He said that, but he kept behaving strangely.
◇◇◇
Once dinner ended due to Keira's birth, Bell was summoned to the upper part of the house.
There was Ixion, mysteriously observing the sky.
"What's going on? Bell-chan was about to sleep with the girls."
"Or is it that you feel lonely and wanted Bell-chan to keep you company?"
Ixion didn't respond as he normally would.
"I have something important to tell you."
"Really? What is it?"
He only said something that killed Bell's mocking attitude, staring at her intently in the process.
"Everything we know about the new humans might be totally wrong..."
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is... what if we're actually facing something much worse about the truth of what happened that day, the day humanity was exterminated?"
________________
The artificial intelligences began to share the information and in the future the answer they arrived at would be seen.
The fanservice for this chapter is for Marceline; she has a nickname, but I didn't find the opportunity to mention it: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/10061098?q=ulrich_von_hutten_%28azur_lane%29