Chapter 42 - A Dragon's Heart

---Orario, Late Afternoon---

"Thank you Mister Mael!!", the children at the Orphanage shouted out from the doorway to their home.

Having taken the day to take them out for food, toy shopping, and clothing shopping they had enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Each of them got three new toys, and several outfits to wear whenever they wanted too. Freya had mentioned in passing that the Orphanage was tight on funds at the moment so I decided to help them out since I was overflowing in cash. Being a Merc For Hire in Orario, a S-Rank Wizard Saint on Earthland, and third in line for the throne in the Fire Nation meant I had no shortages making money. Giving some back to those in need was the right thing to do in my mind so I was happy to put a smile on their faces.

Heading back to the Hestia, Ristarte, and Aqua's home I found the stonemasons finishing up the structural repairs to the building. Having paid to renovate the building to be a proper home, I kind of went overboard and spoiled the three of them a bit. Of course I got some perks too as I never woke up alone in the mornings. Like cats the three of them would wander into my bed, drawn to the heat I naturally radiated.

"Looks good, doesn't it?", I asked stepping inside.

"Yeah it does!", Hestia agreed, "I never thought I would get to have such a luxurious home!"

"Agreed, I thought we'd wake up one morning buried under the ruins of the church.", Ristarte laughed.

"Hehe, I am so happy to have our own beer on tap!", Aqua laughed looking at the different options.

"Just so you know, I will only refill the kegs once a week. Drink moderately to stretch it out...I don't want to keep cleaning up your vomit either.", I sighed.

Paying me no mind, she was rubbing her face on the keg saying she couldn't wait to drink it empty. Dropping off some groceries for them, because the three of them sucked at shopping, I said I had plans tonight and wouldn't be back till tomorrow.

"Are you going off to see Ishtar, Freya, or Loki?", Hestia questioned narrowing her eyes.

"Not tonight, I have dinner with Ishtar tomorrow night.", I told her.

"Seriously!?", Ristarte sighed, "What do you see in that bimbo!?"

Quite frankly at the moment I was testing the waters here in Orario to see who I should pursue. Many Goddesses had expressed interest in getting to know me, and a few like Ishtar were more than willing to get in bed with me. Right now, I was focused on getting to know them well enough that I could make the decision on who to court. Aqua and Freya were already on my approved list, but that was about it. Hestia and Ristarte were coming around to the idea, but they weren't keen on sharing me with Freya, Loki, or Ishtar. It would take some convincing though that didn't matter as I had all the time in the world.

"If you must know, I have dinner plans with friends tonight.", I stated, "Friends of the non-divine type."

"Have fun!", Aqua said pouring herself a drink.

Telling them to have a goodnight, I headed to Earthland for dinner.

---Crocus, Earthland---

"Mael, over here!", Lucy shouted from our table.

Tonight was a big night for the girls, Sorcery Weekly had written an article about the women since readers wanted to know more about them. The story was written by Lucy herself, and it had won a few company awards for her. We were out celebrating their success as well as marking the last child clothing gig for them, moving forward they would all be in the teenage section which came with a hefty pay bump.

Taking my seat at the table, I couldn't help but smile at them. I was literally surrounded by some of the most beautiful women on Earthland, who wouldn't be happy to be at this table. Unbeknownst to them, I intended to ask them out tonight as now was the best time to do it. Having spent years with them at this point, I knew they would be onboard with my harem plan. Not only that...the male models were getting a bit too enthusiastic for my liking. No one was going to cuck me, I was one complaint away from scorching them. It wasn't that I didn't trust the girl, I didn't trust those rat bastard men.

'Most of them like to sleep with a girl, and dump them after they have their fill.', I thought, 'Moving forward, I want them to understand clearly that these women are spoken for.'

"What do you think?", Juvia asked me as she motioned to their dresses, "We spent some time planning for this."

"Honestly, I think all of you are breathtaking. I am a lucky guy to share a table with such beautiful women like yourselves.", I replied with an honest answer.

Seeing their faces turn red, it appeared they were happy with the comment. Placing our meal orders, Mirajane was the first to speak up.

"So Mael...what would you say if we asked you to model with us?", Mirajane inquired.

"I don't necessarily have an issue with it.", I replied with a smile, "Your Mangers still hassling you about it?"

"Yeah...they won't drop it.", Brandish sighed, "If you don't...they will have to pair us up with other male models."

"I see, that would be very bad.", I admitted, "I couldn't put my girlfriends in such a tough spot."

"Yeah, it would be bad for your...girlfriends!?", Millianna shrieked almost spilling her soda on herself, "Wh...where is this c...coming from!?"

Not only her, all the girls did a double take when they realized what I said.

"Yes I want to make my intentions clear, I want to date all of you.", I stated laying it out for them, "All these years I have grown close to every single one of you. We have gone on many adventures and suffered through many hardships, but we have always come out on top. Having taken the time to reflect on it all, there is no way I can see a future without you in my life."

Seeing them fidgeting around in the their seats, it looked like no one wanted to answer first. After five minutes of silence, Irene had enough of it and spoke up for the younger girls.

"They would be more than happy to date you. Just realize, you have to deal with all their craziness.", Irene snickered.

"Mom!", Erza huffed, "We are not crazy!"

"Dear...I don't know many people that use their weapons as body pillow, you are weird.", Irene laughed, "Lucy has a scrapbook of photos she has taken with everyone here, she especially has a lot of pictures of Mael with his-"

"Don't say it!!", Lucy pleaded.

Lucy had secretly been taking pictures of me with my shirt off. I knew she had been doing it as she had left the negatives in the Dark Room, Juvia had copies of every single one in a box under her bed too.

"Ahem...", Minerva said clearing her throat, "Are you sure you want to date all of us? I mean there are nine of us, that is a lot of work."

"First of all, it's not really work if you enjoy it.", I chuckled, "Secondly, I wouldn't have it any other way. You always put a smile on my face, and I want to continue to be with all of you."

"Juvia accepts your proposal!!", Juvia stated hugging my arm, "When do we hold the wedding ceremony?"

"Hold up, wait a minute!", Sorano spat, "He didn't propose marriage, he asked us to be his girlfriend!!"

"Juvia doesn't see the point in waiting, we are in love and that's all that matters!", she giggled with smile.

Chuckling at what she was saying, I told her we had to wait till we were older before we could make plans like that. Agreeing to wait for the time being, she was satisfied with the title girlfriend for the time being. Receiving a yes from all of them, the nine of them splurged and ate till they couldn't anymore. As we ate, I noticed that Irene looked a little deflated after I asked them out. She had told me she wanted to wait till I was older, but that may have changed over the past few years.

---Home---

Helping the girls to bed, they plopped onto their beds groaning in pain. Having overeaten, they were about to pop at the moment so after I gave them some medicine they got ready to sleep. While they were getting ready, I had a moment to speak with Irene alone in the kitchen. She was washing some dishes from breakfast, deep in thought about something.

"You sure you want to wait that long?", I asked her with a playful smile, "I think part of the reason they hesitated was because of you."

"Who knows, maybe they thought you were crazy.", she teased me.

"That could be it too.", I admitted, "Still though, I can't help but feel you are getting left out."

Knowing what she had been through, I knew it was going to take more than words to convince her. Carefully wrapping my arms around her waist, I pulled her back against. Even though my hormones were saying to take her now, I knew better than to ruin this moment. Her husband disowned Erza and her when the nasty side effects of Dragon Slaying Magic took hold of her. He had her chained up and beaten like an animal...all over something she did to protect her people.

'To be tossed aside by the people who were supposed to love you...I know that pain very well.', I thought, "Irene, I know you are skittish about getting into a relationship. I want you to know that I do care for you far more than just physically. You are a wonderful woman, a one of kind strong, proud woman with a big heart. I promise you that if you just give me a chance, I will show you that I am not like the rest of the men you have met."

"I...", she said sheepishly.

"Come on Mom, don't back out now.", Erza snickered walking into the room, "You have been waiting on him too, a lot more than we have. We have been around him now for almost seven years now, he hasn't once shown himself to be anything less than considerate and caring."

"Erza...it's not that simple.", Irene replied.

"Yes it is Mom, I know that whatever Dad did to you was terrible. When we were working the Mines, on many nights I heard you crying out in your sleep for someone I didn't know. You pleading for him to recognize that you were his wife, and that you were carrying his child. I saw the tears you shed those nights and knew that my father was a scumbag.", Erza said with a serious look, "Mael isn't that kind of guy, you can trust him."

Looking at her daughter for a minute, Irene let out a sigh of surrender.

"Fine...I can't keep fighting it forever anyways.", she said turning around, "I will give a chance Mael because I trust you with my life. You know my deepest secret, about who I was several hundred years ago and haven't ever held it over my head for anything or any reason. While I may tolerate the boys that lived here, and care about you...I despise all other men. After what I went through...I never wanted to let myself be tricked into loving another man."

Telling me to be careful with her fragile heart, she gave me a hug and said this would have to suffice for now. She was only comfortable with this much, but it was a start. Holding her tightly, I swore she wouldn't regret it.

"Hey everyone, Mael is dating Irene as well!", Erza shouted as she ran upstairs.

"Damn it Erza, you shouldn't go blurting things out like that!!", Irene spat breaking out of my arms and running after her, "Get back here so I can kick you ass!!"

"No!! I don't want another beating!", Erza screamed running away from her.

"Haha!", I laughed hearing them tussle around upstairs.