Conflict and Reconciliation: Love in Venice

Elara clicked her tongue and said slightly disdainfully, "My future one is so filthy." She turned away. Elysia, on the other hand, smiled and said mischievously, "That's great, then we'll have something to look forward to." She continued to tinker with her stack of papers. 

But suddenly a muffled scream sounded from the room and seconds later another. In the guest room Mortis had put Valeria over his knee and with the flat of his hand he had given her a swift blow, like a stern father he had reprimanded his 4 wives for being obstinate without him being able to prepare them, they had put themselves in danger and made him despair, now they would experience the consequence. 

Mortis, who gave vent and left the room disappointed and angry, was hardly looked at by the servants and other nobles. Not because they condemned him, but rather because they were afraid of feeling his wrath. However, Mortis did not feel like having any conversations and went to the battlefield to help out and vent his anger. 

At the battlefield, he then helped dispose of the bodies of the demons and helped with the burning, while also tending to the healers who were still tending to the injured. 

Mortis pondered what he could have done better, how he and everyone could return safely. But he knew that a war without casualties on his own side was pure wishful thinking. Not only that, but in a few days the main battle would begin - the final battle for the next 20 years against the dark hosts of the demons until peace could finally return. A battle that all nobles, including himself as king, would have to fight. 

After hours of plowing and calming, Mortis returned to the castle to recuperate. In a long, warm bath, he tried to forget his worries that were so omnipresent. 

Mortis barely closed his eyes and began to relax when the door to the bathroom quietly opened. One by one, his wives slipped into the large bathroom. Mortis smirked and peeked, pretending not to notice. Like shy cats, his women approached him, slowly groping their way in to test his mood.

But Mortis was not only angry with them, but also with himself. Their shy behavior, however, aroused a curiosity in him and brought out a playful side. As soon as they got close to him, he pulled them to him and pretended to nibble on them. He tickled them playfully, and soon the mood changed from tense to old familiar and humorous.

The women and Mortis laughed boisterously, tears of laughter shining in their eyes. In between fits of laughter, they apologized to him, but at the same time he apologized to them. They were all naked and playfully splashing through the warm water. As time passed, they became more relaxed and the laughter subsided.

In a moment of silence, Mortis looked deeply into the eyes of his wives and gave each of them a loving kiss. These kisses were a silent gesture that showed how much he loved them. Despite his discipline and the measures he had taken to educate his wives, there was always that deeper, loving core inside him that respected and cherished them. It was a moment of tenderness and love that swam between them while they were in the warm waters of the bathroom.

In front of the door, Elysia stood armed with a towel, wondering if she should enter. 

Lillia watched Elysia's reaction with an amused smile. "What are you doing here and then with bathing suits? Are you waiting to come in next? Or are you going to join us?" Her words were stern, but the mischievousness was in her eyes. Elysia looked shocked at her mother and hastily hid the towel behind her. "I ah, got lost, it seems. Did I accidentally go to the guest bathroom, but I'll uhh see you then, mother."

With a sheepish look, Elysia ran off while Lillia laughed heartily and shook her head. Then she turned and looked into a corner of the garden. "My other child should also wait until the wedding. After all, as a margravine, you have a reputation to lose." But there was no one to be seen, only quiet pattering that slowly moved away. It was Elara, who was also trying to sneak into the bathroom and get pampered.

Lillia, who was about to go on amused, heard sudden moaning from the bathroom. Curious, she turned around, but then she too was overcome by a shameful red face. She reminisced about old thoughts of what it was like in the castle when she and her husband bounced around the rooms.