“This is going to be amazing,” Quinny said as Gwen stared into her kingdom heart, making changes. They stood in the love wood on the shores of Quinny's beautiful pond, surrounded by colorful trees that defied logic. Flowers of every variety grew around the trunks in thick bands, scenting the air with their sweetness. Lush water plants grew in the shallows, bursting with blooms of varieties not known on earth. Hannah stood beside Frank, holding his hand as Breanne and Umtha sat on a stone near the shore, watching the display.
Gisley, the beautiful purple-skinned night butterfly, danced over the water in anticipation. Nearly bursting from the excitement she felt. A long time ago, Hannah had promised her a special gift, and today, they were here to fulfill that promise.
“There,” Gwen said as she looked away from her interface. “I added the permissions to the lake and set the parameters for them to spawn. Now we just submit.” She tapped the air, pressing a button that only she could see. Instantly, five different colored lights burst into being as small six-inch garden fairies with butterfly wings came to life.
Gisley's squeal was ear-piercing as she fluttered after one, trying to see it closer. They were all tiny, beautiful women in gossamer gowns, fluttering together as they left a shower of glitter. Each was a different color and had a different look, but all giggled happily when Gisley declared her love for them.
“This was worth the trouble just to see her happiness,” Gwen said with an approving nod.
“I should have done this sooner,” Hannah said. “I start so many things and never finish them.”
“Your life has been a little troubled of late,” Gwen replied, putting an arm around Hannah's shoulders. “And let's not forget your wedding is only days away.”
Hannah smiled as she looked past Frank to where Quinny stood at his side. She was in her succubus form with her soft blue skin and purple eyes. She had been dreaming of the day she would marry for weeks, and the anticipation was killing her. Breanne and Blackbast would also officially marry them, and a special effort would be made to announce Umtha. This would unite all of them as one official family, with Gwen as their mother.
Hannah couldn't wait to put the ring on Quinny's finger and end the poor woman's suffering. Still, she wondered why Quinny was so determined to marry and why she sometimes became distant and sad when the topic of family came up. She wondered if maybe she could get Quinny alone to talk about it and find out what was bothering her. If there was anything Hannah could do to heal her zombie girl, she would do it.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Gisley suddenly hugged her, thanking her profusely for the gift. She then flung herself into Gwen's arms, hugging her tightly before pressing her with a kiss. She thanked Gwen and danced away, her fairy girls flying after her as if she were their Queen.
“Why didn't I get a kiss?” Hannah pouted as she glared at her mother. “I am the one who told her I would provide the fairies.”
“I have no idea why she chose me,” Gwen said with a smile. “But had I known there was a kiss on offer, I would have been here sooner.”
“So, as long as we are all here,” Frank said before clearing his throat and looking at Gwen. “I wanted to ask you something.”
Hannah was surprised by Frank's sudden interest in her mother. He brushed back his long black hair and smiled with that handsome face before taking Hannah's hand. She wondered what he was thinking, but he kept his peace until Gwen replied.
“What did you want to ask?” Gwen replied.
“It’s about the monster players,” Frank said. “I think I know a way we can help them.”
Hannah raised a brow as Frank laid out an amazing idea. He wanted to add the adventurers guild and create a chapter just for monster players. He would invite all monster players to register and spell out the locations of their lairs, inviting players to adventure in them. Gwen pointed out that many monster players wouldn't want to reveal the location of their lairs because of the risk of resetting. Frank then explained that was what he wanted to talk to Gwen about.
Hannah's jaw dropped as Frank explained his plan. He wanted Gwen to create the least possible noble title she could and reward it to any monster player who registered. All the title would truly grant the monster player was a place in her kingdom, rendering the entire region safe. Thus, a monster player could be killed away from his or her lair, and they wouldn't reset. They would be free to wander the entire breadth of the kingdom as they desired without fear of dying.
“Frank, that’s a brilliant idea,” Breanne said. “It would allow monster players who don’t have a dungeon heart to be away from their lairs safely. It would change the whole game for them.”
“Only inside our kingdom,” Frank pointed out. “But that’s better than what they have now.”
“This is a unique idea,” Gwen replied, smiling almost evilly. “And it will enrage our neighbors. I consider that a bonus.”
“You are so wonderful,” Hannah said as she hugged him. “Why do you have such a big heart?”
“He's the best,” Quinny said as she clung to his arm. “He's always trying to find some way to help people.”
“I just wanted to find a way to take some of the fear off monster players,” Frank explained. “I know what it was like to be away from my lair when I was helping Hannah. I was terrified of dying too far from the graveyard that I would reset again.”
“We have all felt that way,” Breanne said. “Don't forget I was trapped in that tiny graveyard when you found me. I know the maddening feeling that I am stuck here, and to go anywhere is a huge risk.”
“You are a credit to your kingdom,” Gwen said. “And I am proud to call you my son.”
Hannah nearly laughed as Frank blushed at the compliment. He wasn't used to being treated with such respect, and to be called a son took a lot of him by surprise. However, Hannah noticed Quinny flinch but kept up her smile even though it appeared strained.
Frank then asked if he could announce the new system at the wedding as a sort of surprise for the kingdom. Gwen assured him she would create a small title that would do nothing but tie them to the kingdom to allow them safe travel. She encouraged him to make the announcement and include the new order under the Jade harem. It was the perfect time to tell the land that things had been reorganized and the harem was now the center of power.
They discussed the idea for a few more minutes until tiny voices went up in song as the fairies danced around Gisley. The sight was so cute that they all stopped to watch the display as the tiny girls fluttered around the fairy queen, singing to her sweetly.
They wandered off a little later, with Umtha asking if she could try on her dress for the wedding day. Gwen suggested they all come to the castle to try them on and make the day a family event. She would arrange a meal in the garden, and the girls could talk about their impending wedding.
They agreed and headed off, walking to a hidden magical forest portal triggered by walking between two trees. They came out near Hannah's tower in the swamp that was now beautifully decorated with colorful trees and climbing flowers. As part of the changes, the road before the tower was now part of the Lovewood, stretching all the way to Quinny's forest.
Gwen commented on how beautiful the tower looked, with carpets of colorful flowers hanging from every ledge. The tall blue and pink trees were also a nice touch, lending a magical quality to the area. They entered the tower and used the magic doorways, rapidly transferring to the castle. In minutes, the girls were given rooms in which each had a dress waiting. Hannah's was the same she had worn before, with a change made to accommodate her tail and four bands of color to symbolize her four wives.
She dressed in her gown and spun in the mirror to flare her lacy skirt. She slipped into some beautiful shoes adorned with red crystal flowers and headed into the hall. She reached the next door to peek inside and saw Quinny sitting on the bed, her dress on her lap, crying profusely.
Hannah felt her heart sink and silently slipped into the room, shutting the door behind her. Quinny didn't realize she was there until Hannah wrapped her in a hug and refused to let her go.
“Quinny, please tell me what is hurting you,” Hannah begged as the poor woman returned the hug, clutching at Hannah tightly.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Quinny sobbed into her shoulder.
“Sweetheart, I can’t bear to see you hurting like this. There must be something I can do to help,” Hannah insisted.
“You can’t help,” Quinny said as she sniffed. “Nobody can.”
“I can break any system in his silly world,” Hannah stated. “I am sure I can find a way to fix whatever is hurting you. Please, if you love me, tell me what it is.”
“I never had any parents,” Quinny cried, hiding her face in Hannah's shoulder. “I grew up in an orphanage and never had a family. I never had anyone to care about me or look forward to my wedding day. I just want to have a mother like you do. I want somebody to care about me and call me her daughter.”
Hannah winced at the pain in the woman's voice. Now she understood why this wedding was so important to her, and it had nothing to do with being a princess. Quinny wanted a family and, most importantly, a mother. Hannah pulled her in tightly, assuring her that Gwen would be her mother in a few days. That brought a new wave of sobs as Hannah stroked her back, rocking the poor woman. She desperately sought a way to make things better and do something to soothe the terrible pain the woman was under.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“I'm sorry,” Quinny sobbed. “You're right; I should be happy. Gwen will be my mother-in-law soon.”
“But that isn’t enough,” Hannah said with her arms around her sweet dark angel. “Quinny, I love you, and I want to make this better.”
“I will be fine,” Quinny said. “It’s just some days are worse than others.”
“Is this why you act so silly sometimes?” Hannah asked. “You're trying to hide the pain?” She was answered by renewed sobs, and Hannah now knew it was true. She asked Quinny if she had ever been adopted, and Quinny said no. She grew up inside the system, a girl nobody wanted, and hid in video games to avoid facing the world. When she was eighteen, she was looking for a place to go when New Eden became an opportunity. She ran for the chance to start over and try to escape her pain, but all she found was another life where she was all alone.
“I am so sorry,” Hannah whispered. “Sweety, Frank and I will be your parents if you want. I will mother you to death.”
“No, I want to marry you,” Quinny said as she leaned back. “At least I can have a good husband and a wife who honestly and truly loves me.”
“You are breaking my heart,” Hannah said as tears filled her eyes.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you,” Quinny said. “It’s my problem, not yours.”
“You are never a problem,” Hannah insisted as she cupped Quinny's face. “And I am glad I know the truth.”
“But you can’t do anything about it,” Quinny said. “What’s done is done.”
“Quinny, when have you ever known me to accept that I can't do something?” Hannah countered. That got a smile out of the woman, and Hannah pulled her in tight, sighing as she put her mind to work. What Quinny wanted more than anything was a proper mother, somebody to care about her. Sure, she would marry into Gwen's family, but was that the same? She considered asking Blackbast to be the girl's mother, but they were about to marry Blackbast. How would they explain Blackbast being her mother and wife at the same time?
Roric and Chandice came to mind, but they weren't suited to the task and had both been intimate with Quinny in the past. That also meant the entire harem was out, but what about Lydia? Hannah pondered that thought for a moment, then dismissed it. As much as she wanted Quinny to have a mother, she sure didn't want it to be Lydia. The vampire woman wouldn't take the task seriously, and Quinny needed a woman committed to seeing her as her daughter. Once again, the only option left was Gwen, but was a mother-in-law special enough?
“Does it have to be a mother-in-law, though?” Hannah said.
“What?” Quinny asked as she looked up.
“Oh, sorry, I was just thinking out loud,” Hannah said as the idea began to blossom.
“You are thinking about me?” Quinny asked as she wiped her eyes.
“Sweetheart, I love you and think about you a lot,” Hannah said as she helped brush the tears from her cheek. “I think of you as my creative little free spirit who loves to build entertaining events. You are so gifted with a magical skill to build silly adventures that everybody loves, and you are braver by far than me.”
“You went after that sand demon,” Quinny pointed out.
“Trust me when I say I was terrified of that,” Hannah said. “I was sure I was about to make an absolute fool of myself and die while you all watched. And I wouldn’t have done it if my family hadn’t been in danger.”
“I love it when you call us your family,” Quinny said.
“Quinny, you are my family,” Hannah insisted and took her hand. “You are a part of me now, and I can't face this life without you. Look at all the things we share, from clothing to kisses to fun adventures. You and I always fight over the cookies and battle for Frank's attention. It's always you and me, twined together, sharing our lives because we love each other.”
“I do love you,” Quinny insisted as she leaned in for another hug. “You have made me so happy.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Hannah said. “But there is something I need to do. Will you wait here for me?” She waited for Quinny to nod her agreement, then hurried from the room, rushing down the hall to burst into Breanne's room, where Gwen was inspecting her dress.
“It’s about time you got here,” Gwen said with a scowl. “Where are Quinny and Umtha, and why is your dress wet?”
Hannah sighed and took a firm stance as she explained her dress was wet because Quinny was crying her eyes out. She explained the poor woman's pain as Breanne wanted to run and comfort her.
“Please don't go yet,” Hannah said to stop her. “I had an idea and want to run it past Mother.”
“I seem to be the focus of a lot of attention today,” Gwen said as she glared at her daughter. “So what is it you need from me?”
“I need you to make Quinny your daughter,” Hannah said.
“I am doing that in three days,” Gwen replied with a curious expression.
“Not a daughter-in-law,” Hannah corrected. “But a full-blooded daughter. And I need you to convince her that you want to be her real mother.” The room was silent as Gwen sat back and pondered what had been asked. Breanne voiced her concern that trying to replace Quinny's lost family now might cause her more harm. Hannah had to repeat what Quinny said about wishing she had a real mother. All she wanted was one person to act as a parent and show her the love she never had. She explained how she offered for her and Frank to be her parents, but Quinny insisted she wanted to marry them.
“Well, Roric and Chandice would be the next logical choice,” Breanne said. “But I think that bridge is rather burned.”
“To say the least,” Hannah sighed. “I even considered Lydia, but I don’t think she would make a very good mother to Quinny.”
“I doubt that woman would even make a good friend,” Breanne scoffed. “She was perfectly willing to let her master of the hunt attack the poor girl.”
“I was grasping at straws,” Hannah replied, looking at Gwen. “So, is that something you can do?”
“Of course, I can do it,” Gwen replied while pacing a few steps away. “But have you considered the problem this poses? In three days, you will be marrying your sister.”
“Oh, that does sound wrong,” Hannah said as she winced. Her mind began to twist over the issue, going to logical places. Quinny wasn't really her sister, not in the traditional sense. Even if Gwen made her a daughter, it didn't change anything. Still, she cared about Quinny more than enough to see beyond the negative connotation.
“I don't care,” Hannah said. “I love her, and I want to see her happy.” Gwen didn't budge as she appeared to be considering a thought, then shrugged dismissively.
“We will have to postpone the wedding,” Gwen said.
“Why?” Hannah and Breanne said in unison.
“Because I will have to find a faith that allows blood family to marry,” Gwen said. “The local faith forbids it. If you truly want Quinny to become your full-blooded sister, you will have to find a more uncivilized priest who can perform the ceremony.”
“Why must it always be so hard?” Hannah groaned. “All I wanted to do was make her happy.”
“Your goals were noble,” Breanne said. “But we should move ahead with the wedding, and Gwen will become her mother-in-law.”
“It would mean so much more to Quinny for Gwen to be her true mother,” Hannah replied, looking to the window. “And I would do anything to make her happy.” She paused as she considered an option before turning to Gwen with a firm expression.
“I want to step down,” Hannah said. “I will step down and give up being your daughter, and you can make Quinny your daughter instead.”
“Don't be foolish,” Breanne quipped, but Gwen snapped a finger, calling her to silence.
“You would give up your title and position for her?” Gwen asked with a stern voice as her face hardened. Hannah sensed a hint of displeasure in the woman's tone. She certainly didn't want to upset Gwen and prayed that her mother would understand.
“Please,” Hannah begged. “It means so much to her. It means a lot to me, too, and I love being your daughter, but if this is the only way to make her happy.”
Gwen nodded and drew herself up tall. “Think carefully about this. Are you telling me you want to walk this path for her sake?” Hannah nodded, and Gwen let out a tired sigh. “Then no longer a princess will you be,” she said. “If it means that much to you, then open your panel and navigate to the social tabs. There, you will find a subsection for titles.”
Hannah trembled as she opened her panel following Gwen's instruction. Breanne attempted to protest again, but Gwen ordered her to be silent. Hannah was told how to open her status as a princess and see all the perks and advantages. She could see Gwen listed as her mother, but beside it was a button to make changes. A quick tap and she had the option to adjudicate, giving up all she had and her status as a princess in the kingdom.
“I love you, Quinny,” Hannah said as she tapped the button, and nothing happened. “What?” Hannah said as she pushed it again. “It's not working.”
“No, it worked exactly as it should,” Gwen said as she held out her hand, and her kingdom heart appeared in her palm. “You can't just give up a position like that so easily. All you did was send a request to me stating you wanted to end our relationship. When you became my full daughter and a princess of my line, I gained the final say in whether or not you could throw that away, and I refuse to allow it.”
“Please!” Hannah begged. “Oh, Gwen, I don’t need the title or the data in my panel to see you as my mother. I know you are my mother in my heart, and that means more than any silly line of text.”
“I agree,” Gwen said as she started to smile. “My silver princess.”
“Silver princess?” Hannah replied as she looked to Breanne, who could only shrug.
“Yes,” Gwen replied as she opened her interface and canceled Hannah’s request. She then tapped a few lines, and Hannah began to glow with a silver light.
“What are you doing?” Hannah asked as she looked at her hands.
“Promoting you,” Gwen replied. “As is my right as the Queen and by my level of power. Once a rulership class reaches a certain threshold, they can name a single person as their avatar. They can choose whatever name they wish, but I have chosen the name of Silver Princess. “
“What do you mean by Avatar?” Hannah asked, as she didn't understand what was happening. What was Gwen doing, and why did she seem so delighted? “What is going on?”
“You have proven you are worthy,” Gwen replied. “Worthy to be my daughter, my champion, and so much more. For your act of selfless love and desire to cherish your family, I am naming you my avatar. You will have a full kingdom heart and the right to sit on my throne with the same level of authority as myself,” Gwen replied. “I am also deeply moved that you didn't care about the title or the powers when it came to see me as your mother. All you really wanted was me.”
Hannah was speechless as Gwen dubbed her the silver princess, and a rush of power filled her body. She floated into the air as her skin tingled, then dropped to her feet a moment later.
“What did you do to me?” Hannah gasped as she curled her hands, feeling odd strength.
“You now share my power,” Gwen said as she stared into Hannah's eyes. “And I have a confession to make.”
“About what?” Hannah gasped as she reeled over what just happened.
“I lied about the marriage thing. The system doesn't care if you are sisters. It will marry you anyway.”
“You lied to me!” Hannah gasped. “I tried to give away everything to make her happy, and I didn't have to?”
“It was a test,” Gwen countered. “I wanted to see how badly you truly desired me to be this girl's mother. I needed to see how far you would go to love her, and I am most pleased with my daughter. I never dreamed I would find somebody I trust with my power as I do you.”
“I… I don’t know what to say?” Hannah replied as Gwen took her hand.
“Say that you will always cherish being my daughter,” Gwen replied.
“Mother, I never wanted this,” Hannah insisted. “I wasn't trying to prove myself. I just wanted to take this pain away from Quinny.”
“That is exactly why you are worthy of it,” Gwen replied. “Because you didn't think for an instant what you could gain from this. All you cared about was ending the woman's tears. Now,” she began and grabbed Hannah by the wrist. “Let's go see to ending those tears.” She tugged Hannah along as Breanne watched them go, unable to react to what had just happened.
Hannah was twisting with excitement when Gwen through open Quinny's door to find the woman half-dressed with new tears in her eyes. She looked up in shock and asked Hannah if she had told Gwen, and Hannah had to admit she had.
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me,” Quinny sobbed and went to throw herself on the bed when Gwen caught her wrist.
“I won’t have that kind of behavior from either of my daughters,” Gwen scolded. “Now stand up straight and listen well.”
Hannah bounced as Quinny did as she was told, looking like a lost lamb. Gwen made a very matter-of-fact announcement that Quinny was being inducted into her bloodline as a full daughter. From this day forward, Gwen was her mother and would be forever more.
“I'm what?” Quinny gasped and looked at Hannah, who nodded it was true. Hannah could see the sparkle in Quinny's eyes when Gwen told her that she expected Quinny to behave as a princess should. She presented Quinny with a lesser kingdom heart and then worked the magic that bound Quinny to her as a full-blooded daughter. The final moment came when Gwen produced a small crystal tiara to be Quinny's crown and placed it on the woman's head. Quinny fell to her knees sobbing, and Hannah had to run to her side, holding her tight until Mother came to the rescue.
“Now, child,” Gwen said soothingly as she scooped Quinny up and sat on the bed with Quinny in her lap. “You cry as much as you need. I will hold you until you feel better.”
Quinny did just that as Gwen smiled, holding her little girl to keep her safe. Hannah was overcome with joy for the wounded woman and sat on the bed beside them. Quinny couldn't get control of herself as Gwen went on to tell her about her new role as a daughter. She would be doted on and mothered until she grew sick of it, and then it would only have begun. Hannah laughed as Gwen promised to meddle in her life and give her unsolicited advice about her choices.
“But most of all,” Gwen said as she spoke softly. “I am here when you need me. I am here when all you need is your mother's warm embrace and a kiss to remind you that I love you.”
The sobs renewed as Gwen began to rock, humming softly as if to soothe a child. “Why don't you go and find the others,” Gwen told Hannah. “Take them to the gardens for lunch while your sister and I have a little time to ourselves.”
“Of course, mother,” Hannah said as she got up. She kissed Quinny on the back of her head and headed off, feeling better about it all. Gisley had her little fairies, and Quinny had a mother, making both women ecstatically happy. Soon, they would all be married and share a family made stronger and stronger by love. Hannah considered if New Eden was a prison or perhaps her own personal Heaven where love and family ruled over all.