Chapter 56. Siblings Are Born to Fight Each Other
Chapter 56. Siblings Are Born to Fight Each Other
Slurp slurp.
Slurp slurp.
Camellia and Rikoris, my two daughters, were competitively suckling at my breasts.
For some reason that struck her last night, Rikoris had actively acted cute to claim the spot next to me.
Though her affection felt dry and emotionless due to her lack of expressions, seeing the typically unaffectionate Rikoris behave this way felt refreshing.
In response, Camellia-perhaps sensing a threat to her position-declared that since she'd lost her virginity, she was now a proper lady who would obtain vital energy herself, then clung to my breast and ignited the competition.
"Mother. Rikoris says she's full now, but I'd like to stay in your embrace a little longer. May I?"
"Huh... Mom? You're not going to treat the lady you brought into your bed last night shabbily, right? Hmm?"
"...Rikoris is a baby. She's still at an age requiring care. Rikoris needs Mother Triae's care more than Camellia unnie does."
"Ugh...! I'm, I'm still a baby too! Hey, I was born first so know your place!"
"Camellia unnie, the choice is Mother's. Even if you act so unreasonably toward Rikoris, there's nothing I can do for you."
"You started wagging your tail at Mom first...!"
...Should I, sigh, be pleased with this situation where two peerlessly beautiful girls are fighting over my attention?
The two pressed tightly against me while shooting fierce glares at each other.
Camellia visibly bristled, focusing more on attacking her sister than attracting my attention, while Rikoris maintained a contemptuous expression without showing outward anger, further provoking her sister.
As tensions escalated dangerously, Cecilia and I each took one girl and separated them.
"Now now, calm down. Camellia, shall we talk privately for a moment?"
"Rikoris, family shouldn't fight. Come here, you need a scolding."
I took Camellia while Cecilia took Rikoris, each entering different rooms.
My reason for choosing Camellia? Well, after last night's intimacy, failing to take her side would wound her deeply.
"Why did you get so angry, Lia?"
After seating Camellia on the bed, I pulled up a chair to begin our talk.
Perhaps sensing some fault in herself, she answered with a sullen expression.
"My sister... she's trying to monopolize you."
"Mother tried to love you both equally. That you still fought means I was lacking."
"Huh? Wha?"
"I'm sorry. As this is my first time raising children, I'm still inexperienced. If I've been lacking, I'll improve. So..."
"What are you saying, no. I was wrong. I'm sorry, truly sorry. I won't fight with my sister anymore...!"
Though slightly guilty, I'd employed a strategy to stimulate her sense of responsibility.
Camellia surely hadn't fought out of hatred. Obsessed with hierarchy as she is, she likely panicked fearing her sister might steal all her mother's affection.
But what happens when a hierarchy-obsessed child hears her queen mother say "I'm sorry, it's all my fault"? Especially when that mother is the Succubus Queen?
Camellia's face turned completely pale as she began desperately apologizing.
In the Demon Tribe's hierarchy-obsessed society, a ruler apologizing to a subject is absolutely forbidden.
"I'm sorry, I'll never fight with my sister again. Okay? Please forgive me..."
"Camellia, family can fight when opinions differ. You can grow by reconciling and forgiving each other. But your fight seemed like you twisted your opinions just to provoke each other."
"Urk... Yes... You're right..."
"Rikoris is precious family who'll be with us forever. I don't want to see meaningless fights that only hurt feelings."
"Uuu... I'm sorry..."
I repeatedly emphasized how pointless post-fight tension was, instructing Camellia to apologize first and reconcile with her sister like a proper elder sister should.
Camellia nodded, and I smiled contentedly.
Feeling like I'd grown as a mother filled me with profound satisfaction.
* * *
This is Rikoris. I'm currently confused by a feeling I'm experiencing for the first time.
After long contemplation, I've identified this emotion as sorrow.
Yes. Being scolded by Mother Cecilia has made me feel sorrowful.
Yet I wasn't that sad. Because Rikoris achieved her other objective.
Truthfully, Rikoris had planned several experiments. Tests to verify her Future Sight Ability.
Before instigating the situation, Rikoris first observed the future.
In the original future, Mother Triae would have noticed Rikoris quietly reading and come to care for her.
Camellia unnie, displeased by this, would have picked a fight leading to an argument.
But this time, Rikoris deliberately provoked Camellia unnie by actively clinging to Mother Triae first.
To test whether she could change the future, Rikoris intentionally acted differently from her vision. She'd hoped this might yield different results.
Yet the outcome-fighting Camellia unnie-remained unchanged. Sadly, this confirmed Rikoris lacks the power to alter futures.
But when Mother Triae intervened, something incredible happened.
The future changed.
Originally, Rikoris would have been slapped twice and severely reprimanded for daring to fight before the Queen.
Instead, Rikoris received only mild scolding. Subsequent future observations revealed an entirely new timeline.
This confirmed Rikoris's belief-Mother Triae possesses power to defy predetermined futures.
Ah, I'm so happy I could laugh. My mother isn't just great but wields tremendous power-what joy.
What to do? Having just been scolded, laughing would seem strange.
Rikoris lightly slapped her cheeks to adjust her expression before quietly exiting the room.
While pondering how to convey these astonishing discoveries to Mother, Rikoris encountered Mother Triae waiting right outside.
As if already knowing Rikoris's thoughts, she smiled warmly and said:
"My daughter, shall we take a walk together?"
* * *
I took Rikoris for a walk toward Hush Village.
Despite their 9-10 year old appearances, both Camellia and Rikoris are less than a month old. They require delicate handling.
Nothing's more dangerous than powerful pure-hearted children. As their mother, I must properly guide them from straying down dark paths. Right?
"Feeling better now?"
"Rikoris isn't particularly upset."
"Meaning you're not happy either."
"Rikoris isn't angry or sad. Provoking unnie's anger was my fault. Therefore, being scolded was appropriate."
"But don't you feel wronged? As my child, wanting to monopolize love is natural."
"Rikoris has already experienced everything. Thus 'I' am fine. I don't want to taint that initial wonder with greed."
Ah, I suddenly understood Rikoris's meaning.
Having seen countless futures, Rikoris indirectly experienced them all.
After vividly experiencing realities indistinguishable from dreams, even her current reality feels suspect...
How could a child who knows all future joys and sorrows find meaning in the present?
"But still, if you hope... Might you someday discover unprecedented happiness while living?"
"..."
I sincerely wished for the day this child would naturally smile at small happiness.
As if answering my wish, Rikoris slightly lifted her mouth corners.
"Mother... I feel you could truly make that happen."
Her doll-like stiff smile didn't reach her eyes, but her parents' beauty shone through her lovely face.