Engagements and revelations

Mortis left Edna, Marina and Leonie in the hallway while he went to the bathroom to calm down and freshen up. While he was thinking about how to proceed against an army, he suddenly received a quest. The quest was to kill only the nobles and representatives in the upcoming battle and peacefully persuade the people to retreat, sparing the citizens. Mortis grinned, as this seemed the easiest way and he had seen enough death. He was glad that Sinia took a big decision off his hands, but he still didn't know what to expect and what tricks the others had in store. Therefore, he decided to enter the shadow tower and ask Tenebris for help, as he could control his eye without showing him too many possibilities and thus he could proceed more concentrated.

After the pleasant bath, Edna was already at the door, next in line. She was sent by the other women to get rid of the smell of death and graveyard. Mortis smiled and said, "Why didn't you go with me? Then we could pick up where we left off." He walked past her toward the dining room.

In the dining room, an older couple sat with Jasmin, nervously waiting for Mortis. When Mortis entered the dining room, all three quickly jumped up and bowed, greeting Mortis, the count. Mortis was not sure what they were looking for here or who these people were, except for Jasmine. But when they stood back up, Mortis realized that they were Jasmin's parents. He walked up to them and extended his hand as he said, "Nice to welcome you to my humble home. What can I do for you?"

Before the parents could answer, the door was pushed open and all the women rushed into the dining room. Mortis looked at Jasmine's parents and said, "I'm sorry, I'll be right back, but I have duties to perform." He turned around to where his wives were already lined up to be greeted. Although normally civilized, they pushed their way forward, and to Mortis' surprise, Valeria was the first to be happy to greet him, followed by Kathrin, Lumina, Helga, Leonie, and finally Marina. Mortis was pleased and gave each of them a kiss and hugged them tightly. Each of them returned the greeting, even Valeria, enjoying the short time with him. Then he greeted the two girls, Zara and Nora, giving them a kiss on the forehead and caressing them lovingly, like a father who had returned from a trip.

When everyone was seated at the table, the women took their places. Helga sat to the left of Mortis and Leonie sat to the right, showing the position they held. Mortis didn't really care, but it was part of etiquette and they had to pay attention to that, since rumors spread quickly and servants are the biggest spreaders of rumors. When everyone was seated, Mortis turned his attention back to Jasmin's parents and asked, "Where were we?"

"Sir, there have been rumors that you want to make my daughter yours, and we wanted to ask if that was true, because there have been some interesting inquiries, and if it's not true, we would like to marry our daughter off," the father said nervously.

"I understand," Mortis said, thinking. Then he looked to his wives, especially Valeria, and asked, "What do you think?"

Leonie stood up and said, "I don't mind, but don't neglect us." Marina then stood up and said, "As long as the wedding is after mine, it's fine with me." Lumina said sitting down, "It's my turn next week. After that, you won't see our husband for two weeks. After that, she can have him for all I care." At that, she laughed mischievously. The other women wouldn't comment, although Mortis could see what she was thinking in Helga's expression, and he was already preparing himself for pain when he sat down next to her. Kathrin and Valeria said together, "She's our new friend, and we don't mind."

Mortis grinned and said, "Good, then there will be two engagements today." As he said this, the women's faces froze and they turned pale, for the door was opened and Edna came in wearing a white robe. Now Mortis didn't know all the more whether he should really sit down to dinner next to Helga, lest she get the idea of playing a trick on him again, and this time perhaps even jamming an egg off. But he didn't let on, took out a ring, got down on one knee and asked Jasmine to marry him. She had to stifle a laugh, but moments like that showed if she managed to get her love for him across, and Mortis was not disappointed. She even had tears in her eyes as she nodded silently and happily. "What an actress," Mortis thought, putting a ring on her finger. The father didn't know how to react, while the mother was upset and crying with joy. Mortis then took each parent in her arms and welcomed them into the family. The women clapped and looked at everything, only Edna didn't know what was going on and looked at the spectacle in shock. She even had a tear in her eye.

Mortis guessed that Edna was confused, and when she flinched and started crying, she wanted to leave the room quickly. But Mortis got down on both knees and firmly held her hand. Gently he said, "My brave dwarf, I didn't think you were built so close to the water. But I said I would take responsibility, and now I will." Mortis took out a ring with a brown stone and put it on Edna's left ring finger. Then he asked, "I, Mortis, ask you, Edna, you white-haired beauty, will you be my wife?" Edna breathed heavily and then jumped into Mortis' arms and sobbed loudly, "Yes, yes, I do."

Mortis smiled and lifted Edna up while she clung tightly to him. He sat her down and let her sit on his lap. But no matter what the mood, it did not lessen Helga's anger. When he sat down, within a very short time Helga pinched him about 20 times wherever she found skin. As she did so, she whispered in his ear, "Don't overdo it, or the hero will be castrated. Let everyone have their time with you, but when I'm done milking and my body is ready, you'll be mine for many nights." Mortis set Edna down, who shyly sat down next to Zara. Then he turned to Helga and whispered to her, "That's what I'm waiting for, my brutal priestess." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Jasmine and her parents seemed a bit lost, so Mortis told Jasmine to go sit with her new sisters, as well as her parents. After all, dinner was coming soon, and this moment should be celebrated.

After the meal, Mortis would have loved to leave immediately and use the shadow tower, but Valeria stopped him and sought to talk to him. "Honey, I want to talk to you. Things have been happening and I want you to know. Do you have time?" she asked politely, something Mortis was not used to from the normally fierce cat. But he didn't think it was bad either and pointed to an armchair. "Well, tell me what's on your mind."

Mortis sat down on an armchair, and to his surprise Valeria sat down on his lap and hugged him. Before he could say anything, she began to speak. "Honey, I want a child from you too. I always thought that I only liked women, but I realize that I really love you. I know you were mostly asking earlier, and yes, I don't mind Jasmine. I just have to restrain myself from going off on Kathrin or the others. But my love for you is real, and that's why I wanted to ask you what was going on with me, since I didn't want to tell Lumina." Mortis just grinned and said, "Well, my wildcat, it seems you are simply bisexual. But since you are beautiful, men have tended to put you off. But you're just capable of loving both sexes, and I'm glad you're telling me. That way I don't have to worry about this relationship torturing you." "It certainly doesn't," Valeria assured me, "and I promise to always put you first. Even though I admit to being curious about experiencing it with a woman, you're mine and Kathrin's tonight."

Mortis looked at the small black tower figure above the fireplace, but when Valeria gently kissed his neck and said, "Come, darling, Kathrin is waiting. You can start your journey tomorrow, too." Mortis took Valeria in a princess carry and went to his room, where Kathrin was already waiting naked under the covers.