Chapter 40: Adopted by a Numen…

(Marinkia’s POV)

Clare was struggling to ask me whatever was on her mind, or explain what this conversation was going to be about. I didn’t mind waiting for her to think it through. I was a good girl, after all.

Clare: “Are you fine with being my daughter?” She asked nervously.

Marinkia: “How long do Numens live for?” I reply.

Clare: “Practically immortal. It is rare for one of our kind to ever die. As for mates, though they’re weak, their lifespans are unending as well.” She answered, even though I ignored her question.

Marinkia: “Is this a fling, Clare?” I ask.

Clare: “A fling?… What do you mean?” She replied with a confused expression.

Marinkia: “If I accept being your daughter, will this relationship last forever? If not, even if it lasts for over a hundred years, I will not agree to become your daughter.” I explain.

Clare: “I swear that it will last forever. I swear upon the honor of my people, and the honor of our Queen.” She swore with a serious tone and expression.

Marinkia: “…Then I accept.” I say with a smile.

Rushing to give me yet another hug, I realized the weight of my decision. A relationship of a parent and child where each treats the other very well, is always something special. And one such relationship that would never, ever end, is even more special. At least, from all the entertainment that I’ve consumed…

Marinkia: “Is this rare? That is, a Numen adopting a mate, and a Numen adopting a mate that hasn’t evolve yet.” I ask with a curious tone.

Clare: “No. As mates are rare in our species, all of us wish to protect them. This protection can sometimes bloom into parental love. That is what happened here. As for one of our kind adopting a mate that hasn’t yet evolved… that is rare.” She explained.

Well… aren’t I just a very special girl, then? Am I really that special, though? I honestly don’t have enough information about these things to truly know if I am special or not.

Marinkia: “I see… Speaking of that, when will I actually evolve? It has been at least a month or two since Mai and Mercedes marked me.” I ask with a sigh.

Clare: “Where did they mark you?” She replied.

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Marinkia: “They both marked my neck.” I answer.

Clare: “Hm… That means that their virus should have already reached your brain by now. Which also explains why you’re so strong and fast, very much unlike a mate.” She said with a thinking pose.

Marinkia: “And the time until I evolve?” I ask once more.

Clare: “It is completely random. One mate took until she was old and gray before she finally evolved into a mate. Anna is still researching how to de-age her to this very day.” She answered.

Marinkia: “…”

I might end up as a granny!? Oh, fuck that noise! If it takes me more than twenty years to evolve, I might just off myself then and there… Wait, what about us not aging!?…

Marinkia: “Grant developed a cure for aging, though?” I say with a confused expression.

Clare: “That woman is many thousands of years old, Marinkia… Can I call you Kia?” She said, quickly dropping her reply.

Marinkia: “I guess so? My name is pretty long…” I reply.

Clare: “Thank you! And, that woman became a mate far before Grant took over the world. As for you… aging isn’t a problem. You should only worry about turning into a zombie.” She explained.

Marinkia: “Okay… Clare, if I do turn into a zombie, I permit you to eat me alongside Mai and Mercedes.” I say with a serious tone.

Clare: “I… I hope that it never has to come to that, but I am honored by the offer.” She said, struggling to not let her tears fall.

Oops… I seem to have upset her with those words. Oh, well. It is a daughter’s job to console their mother. Especially if they were the ones that upset them in the first place.

Much consoling Later.

I was currently having dinner with Clare. After spending over a month in this estate, the maids knew exactly what kind of food that I most preferred to eat. That was, mostly Asian food. As such, this meal was teriyaki chicken and fried rice.

Clare: “When Krul gets back, I will introduce you as our daughter.” She said with a smile.

Marinkia: “???”

Clare: “What a cute shocked expression… Anyway, sorry. I lied about my relationship with Krul. We don’t have mates because we’re wives. This is a secret from pretty much everyone.” She explained with a giggle.

Since a while ago, Clare always came back to eat dinner with me. On top of that, we always ate dinner in privacy. As such, there was no one here that could eavesdrop on this secret being spilled out to me at the moment.

Marinkia: “I’ll admit to being surprised… Do you truly not wish to be a mate?” I ask.

Clare: “It isn’t needed. Funnily enough, I would be what is called “gay” in our society. And Krul is as well.” She replied.

Marinkia: “That’s kinda funny.” I say with a laugh.

Clare: “Being gay, that is, wanting to be with a person that isn’t a mate, it isn’t taboo or ostracized. But my relationship with Krul isn’t something that needs to be known.” She said before taking a bite of her food.

Marinkia: “Anything else that you’ve lied to me about, Mom?” I ask with a teasing tone.

Clare: “…Say that again.” She asked.

Marinkia: “My question?” I say with a confused head tilt.

Clare: “No… what you just called me… Oh, I lied about my age. I was the first person that Krul even turned. As such, I am far older than 1000 years old.” She replied.

Marinkia: “Crazy… Anyway, Mom?” I reply.

Clare: “Again, please…” She pleaded.

Marinkia: “…”

Clare: “…”

Marinkia: “Mom, Mother, Moeder, Nene, Meme, Moeder, Aiti, Maman, Mana, Mathair, Madre, Okaasan, Mater, Ibu…” I reply with a smile.

Channeling more knowledge that I shouldn’t know of, I called Clare my mom and mother in various different languages. As you would expect, this caused her to burst into tears of happiness.

I guess that… Clare has been wanting to be a mother for a long time? I certainly feel her motherly love, that seems to be pouring out all for me and me alone. Will Mai and Mercedes be upset that I got adopted before they could marry me?…