29 Welcome to the Family

~~ Author Note ~~

https://discord.gg/6PBf4ccNCT

Hello, readers.

I'm going to try something new for my writing. The beginning of this chapter will be a first-person monologue, and the perspective of a new character to be introduced. I'll denote the end with '***,' just like a scene change. Let me know what you think. If it is negatively received, I'll not do it again.

As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

~~ End Author Note ~~

***

I hate people.

If it weren't for those evil beings, my mother and father wouldn't have abandoned me. I'd still be living happily with my family. Sure, they gave me strange glances sometimes. But, I could tell that they loved me. At least, I thought they did.

However, those stupid people kept claiming that I was a cursed child. They brainwashed mother and father into believing their lies. I told them that the demons didn't attack because of me, but they didn't listen to me. Instead, I was given my first scar by none other than my own father.

It's been two years since I've been abandoned, and I've understood that I can't trust anyone. Humans attempt to beat me and call me a monster. Demons are no better either. In their eyes, I'm nothing but food. I'm left with no one to turn to, no one to rely on, except myself.

It's not all bad, though. I've managed to keep myself alive so far. I can sneak into villages and sell spoils I've stolen from corpses and battlefields by fully covering my body and face. The money isn't much, but it occasionally allows me to eat a decent meal.

I've also discovered how to deal with demons. Most of them aren't very smart, at least not the ones I've encountered. They are relatively easy to trick if I use the right bait. It doesn't always work. Sometimes I get injured when I run away, but I am at least still alive.

When I was younger, I always dreamed of being a bride. However, that will probably never happen now. I have many scars and burns from trying to survive. No one will want a disfigured girl as their wife.

What I've learned and want to do will no longer matter. Because of my hunger, I foolishly got caught by three demons. I'm sure they'll kill me.

***

"So why'd we capture this brat?" Hitomi asked while pointing her thumb towards the silent girl.

"My instincts are screaming at me that she possesses what our husband is looking for," Ui answered.

Eruza nodded along. "My instincts are saying the same thing."

"Then why don't I feel anything?"

Eruza snickered behind her hand. "Oh please, as if a musclebrain like you would notice anything. Your mind solely revolves around fighting."

Eruza attempted to get a rise out of Hitomi, as per usual. Contrary to her expectations, she didn't immediately snap. Instead, Hitomi smiled condescendingly at Eruza.

"At least my instincts are better in bed. Not like a certain someone who couldn't last more than one round."

"What does that have to do with this!" Eruza angrily shouted. "How did you even find out about that anyway?"

"You forgot my room is right next to yours. Dianthus didn't soundproof the room either. I could hear you whining the entire time."

Eruza's face grew red. "I'm not bad in bed, nor was I whining. My body is just more sensitive than others."

"Umm..." Ui's voice interrupts the two girls. "Don't you think we should contact Dianthus and have him check if we were right? We can't bring her into his realm without his or Semiramis' help."

"Wasn't he busy helping Kikyo adjust to her newfound powers?" Hitomi asked.

Eruza shrugged. "He said to contact him if we needed him when we left. I'm sure he wouldn't mind, especially if this girl does have a soul fragment."

Her words made sense to the other two, allowing them to decide a course of action. Immediately, Ui used the communication function of the flower she had received. She briefly asked Dianthus for his help, to which he responded by saying he'd finish up and head over shortly.

While waiting for their husband's arrival, the three girls began to chat. Their main topic happened to be their experience in bed with Dianthus.

Unbeknownst to them, the girl they believed to be unconscious had woken up some time ago. She reluctantly listened to their conversation. A blush adorned her cheeks hidden beneath her sōmen as she heard two of the yokai talk about their husband's large rod.

Luckily for the girl, Dianthus didn't take too long to arrive after being contacted. Upon his arrival, he overheard the three women's lewd conversation. With a light cough, he notified them of his presence.

"Don't you think that topic is a little too mature for that young girl?"

The three women turned towards the girl tied to a tree. Upon closer inspection, they noticed her uneven breath, signifying that she had awoken at some point during their conversation.

Hitomi's face reddened upon realizing she had described her sexual experience before a stranger, let alone a child. Ui had no reason to be embarrassed as she had yet to have sex with Dianthus, much less outwardly speaking of her experience. As for Eruza, she didn't care all that much.

Eruza rushed over to Dianthus and wrapped her arms around him. She mustered the most pitiful look she could while looking into his eyes. "Since we only went at it for one round, Hitomi made fun of me."

"What!" Hitomi cried out. She couldn't believe that Eruza ratted her out immediately. Not only that, but Eruza had started by trying to bully her first.

Dianthus could tell what had happened just by seeing Ui's wry smile. Even though he could tell that Eruza was attempting to undermine Hitomi, he thought it would be enjoyable to play along.

"I see..." he mumbled while rubbing his chin. "That's no good. I suppose she'll have to be punished. What do you think is most suitable?"

Disbelief flashed across Hitomi's face. How could he believe Eruza without any doubts? Eruza also had a brief moment of shock, though she stopped it from showing on her face.

"You should punish her in the bedroom, of course!" Eruza exclaimed with a bright smile. "I'll help as well. We'll make it so she can't move for a week this time."

"Hmmm, that sounds like a suitable punishment." Dianthus tilted his head and looked at the disgruntled Hitomi. "You hear that? I'll need your help in the bedroom to punish Eruza for attempting to take advantage of me."

An evil grin crept its way onto Hitomi's face. "You can count on me!"

Eruza looked between the conspiring smiles on the two's faces and shuddered. "Wait! This isn't how it was supposed to go."

"You brought this on yourself," Ui said while shaking her head.

"How about I apologize, and we call this off?" Eruza attempted to grasp at any hope of avoiding punishment.

"No can do," Dianthus denied. "This will also make up for the punishment you escaped last time."

He saw a mixture of terror and excitement flash through her eyes. "Don't worry; it won't happen yet. I still have yet to spend time with Ui. Also, we should take care of why you called me here."

Ui pointed toward the girl tied to a tree. "Our instinct says that this girl is what you are looking for."

Dianthus looked closer at the girl upon hearing Ui's words. Despite hiding her face under a mask and having her hair cascading over the top, the girl felt naked under the man's chilling gaze. She cautiously let her eyes stray up to meet his. The girl watched as he covered his face with his hand and trembled.

Eruza lightly touched his arm and spoke in a small voice. "Were we wrong? If so, we didn't mean to make you upset."

The other two watched him with bated breath. The young girl believed herself to cause the man distress. She mentally shuddered upon thinking of her impending doom.

Contrary to their thoughts, Dianthus was anything but upset. He broke into a fit of riotous laughter, surprising everyone present. He grabbed Eruza since she was the closest and hugged her tightly.

"I can't believe how lucky you three are!" Dianthus exclaimed, unable to hide his amazement. "I've been searching for nearly a year to no avail, yet you all found one of the two fragments immediately."

The girls smiled wide. They were happy to be able to help the man they loved. Seeing the grin plastered to his face meant the world to the three of them.

Dianthus walked over to the young girl and knelt in front of her. He moved his hand forward and brushed her matted hair back. She flinched upon feeling his touch but returned to carefully observing him when he pulled his hand back.

"Little girl, you have something I desire." The same cold gaze as before bore into her. "Unfortunately, I can't take it from you at this moment without killing you."

She audibly gulped at the man's words. She still wished to live even if it wasn't a pleasant existence. She desired to live on if only to spite those who claimed her as cursed.

"As I'm not entirely evil, I'll offer you three options. First, I can kill you here and now. I'll ensure it is both quick and painless. Option two, I lock you away until I can safely take what I want. At that time, I can release you."

The girl frowned under her mask. To her, both options were equally dreadful. Though, if she had to pick one, she'd choose option two. At least she would live, albeit in a miserable capacity.

His cold demeanor melted. In its place, a gentle smile took form. "Or, you can become my daughter and live comfortably instead."

His offer didn't seem to register with the girl, not any of the women present. Eruza, Hitomi, and Ui were shocked as they didn't expect him to be so kind. For the three of them, they had to work hard to gain his attention and maintain a positive relationship. The three young girls only received his help because he missed his daughter, and they reminded him of her. Their closest friend, Rina, was nearly killed. Even now, Dianthus displayed negative sentiments toward her.

The girl wearily looked at the man in front of her. For the first time since she was captured, she spoke. "Why would you want me as your daughter? You know nothing about me."

Her raspy voice tickled Dianthus' ear. He could tell that it had been a while since she's spoken to anybody. He looked into her eyes that harbored suspicion toward himself.

"I understand that it's hard to trust a stranger like myself. Especially if said stranger holds your life in their hands." His hand landed on her head, lightly ruffling her shaggy hair.

The girl surprised herself when she didn't flinch at his touch. Instead, his hand felt comfortable and warm. It reminded her of her father before the incident with the village.

"I may not know much about you, but I can learn as you become more comfortable around me. All I see in front of me is an awkward little girl who desires a source of warmth and comfort. I'm willing to become that source."

To the amazement of the others, the seemingly emotionless girl began to shed tears. Though they couldn't see her face underneath her mask, they could still make out the muffled sobs and glistening tears next to her eyes.

Dianthus ripped the rope apart with his hands and pulled the tearful girl into his arms. The quiet whimpers slowly became a constant wail as the girl released her pent-up emotions.

After some time, the girl began to calm down and sniffle. The realization of her current position hit the girl hard when she stopped crying. Her face blushed crimson in embarrassment underneath the sōmen. She pressed her hands against the man's chest and pushed in an attempt to leave his hug.

Dianthus noticed her struggle due to embarrassment and chuckled. He released his hold on the girl. "So, which option will it be?"

"The third one," she mumbled under her breath.

Dianthus smiled and scooped up the girl into his arms. She fought back briefly but stopped as she felt comfortable in his arms.

"You better get used to the attention. I love to dote on my daughters."

The girl looked away from Dianthus and looked at the three women. They all nodded along to his words, affirming what he said to her. She returned her gaze to the man's face upon hearing him speak again.

"You don't need to show me your face yet if it makes you uncomfortable. However, I would at least like to know my new daughter's name."

The girl sighed in relief. She didn't wish to lose the warmth she was receiving from the man in front of her. She feared that it would disappear upon him seeing her face.

"My name is Sylvie."

Dianthus smiled warmly at her. "Nice to meet you, Sylvie. My name is Dianthus. As for the three behind me, they are my wives."

"I'm Ui. Sorry about tying you up earlier."

"I'm Eruza. Sorry bout that."

"Name's Hitomi. Sorry, I guess."

Dianthus spoke once again. "Welcome to the family, Sylvie."