Episode 61. The Happiness Given by Family

By the time I finished spending some intimate time with Cecilia, night had already fallen ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and it was past midnight.

The children, who seemed to have grown closer while playing together in the meantime, came scurrying over looking quite friendly with each other.

"You're back? Mom."

"Did you have a pleasant time, Mother?"

"Oh? You two seem to have gotten closer? Did something happen?"

"Hmm... Well, we just played around with our bodies a bit♥"

"Yes... Thanks to Camellia unnie guiding me well, even someone clumsy like me could enjoy playing."

...Seems like something happened between them.

Though I'm reluctant to check someone else's status window without permission, I'll take a quick peek just this once.

- - -

<Familiar Lycoris Mailly's Information>

Name : Lycoris Mailly

Race : Half-blood Demon Tribe (Succubus + Human)

Gender : Female

Age ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠: 1

<H Status>

Lust Level : 27 / 999

Virginity Status : Virgin

First Experience Partner : None

Pregnancy Status : Not Pregnant

Experience Count : 1

- - -

Really now, Camellia... As expected, caught red-handed.

Seeing Lycoris's Experience Count increased by one made me click my tongue.

I wasn't sure whether to scold her for laying hands on her sister or praise her for playing with her - it was quite a dilemma.

It didn't seem forced, and well... I guess I'll have to call her aside later and admonish her.

"...Good, I'm glad you both had fun."

"Yes! Hehe- Ah, I'm hungry now."

"Huh? You're hungry? Now that you mention it, the time..."

Though Camellia's hunger seemed like an obvious excuse to change the subject, I decided to let it slide since it was indeed dinner time.

"Alright. Let's all get ready for dinner, can everyone help with preparations? Let's work together to get it done quickly."

"Yes! Mom!"

Camellia answered brightly and dashed to the kitchen first.

Probably relieved thinking she successfully dodged suspicion. Heh, how cute.

With the whole family pitching in, the kitchen soon filled with the warm aroma of cooking.

Cecilia saw the remaining ingredients and used them all to make an abundance of dishes.

We can go to the market early tomorrow... Not sure if four of us can finish all this food though.

As the completed dishes were placed on the table, we all gathered to begin a harmonious dinner.

"Let's eat-

"Let's eat!"

Chomp chomp.

Munch munch, gulp.

...Hmm, their eating habits really show their different personalities.

I mainly ate hearty meat dishes and my favorite potato recipes.

Cecilia, true to her frugal priest nature, mostly ate soup. Though it had plenty of ingredients, I worry her usual meals might be lacking.

Lycoris ate everything well-balanced, while Camellia - contrary to expectations of her liking meat - surprisingly only ate bread.

Unlike half-succubus Lycoris, pureblood succubus Camellia doesn't need food for sustenance, so she seemed to only eat bread for its soft texture.

Bread, hmm... Bread... Bouncy...

"...Boing...?"

"Triae? Want some bread? But why are you looking at my chest while saying that?"

"Huh? Ah, no. Nothing."

Ahem, my gaze slipped unintentionally.

Not understanding my meaning, Cecilia just smiled and handed me bread, which I buttered and bit into.

"Ah, that reminds me."

Cecilia seemed to remember something as she clapped her hands and brought something from her room.

"A letter?"

"The reply from the Saintess came today - for the letter I sent to Religious Order headquarters before."

"What? Really?"

When I responded in surprise, she pulled out luxurious stationery from the opened envelope.

Unfolding it, she began reading aloud in her beautiful voice.

"Um, well. 'May Iereph's blessing be upon you' blah blah. Let me skip the greetings and get to the main point..."

- - -

Our Religious Order understands Sister Cecilia's situation.

We believe you are trustworthy, and that your family member who became a demon still retains a human heart.

I wish I could come directly to help, but as the Saintess, I cannot leave the temple.

Therefore, I've decided to do what I can from here. I sought advice through an Oracle from our Goddess.

Lady Iereph answered my prayer, granting an Oracle that said: 'Should Lady Triae come to where the Saintess resides, she shall convey her words directly through me.'

Though I cannot fathom the Goddess's intentions, She surely means no harm. For Lady Iereph is the noble Goddess of Purity and Love.

I shall await your arrival for as long as needed.

- - -

"...That's what it says?"

"What, so there's ultimately no way for me to return to being human?"

"Triae, do you want to become human again?"

"Hmm, not really. But getting this reply is just surprising."

Reading a letter personally replied to by the Saintess of the Religious Order, I felt both wonder and confusion.

Until now, I'd thought Saints were fantastical beings that only existed in fairy tales - noble and shrouded in mystery.

That such a Saintess personally replied felt honorable, yet slightly shattered my illusions.

Exchanging letters with someone I thought was untouchable made me realize Saints aren't so different from us after all.

"Still, shouldn't we go? With this reply, not going might seem suspicious."

"That's... true. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It's practically an invitation from the Saintess herself."

"With an Oracle involved too, we can't back out now. Was this all part of their plan?"

"Not sure about that, but going seems safest. Kids, what do you want to do?"

"I love trips!"

"Wherever Mother goes, I shall follow..."

As everyone's opinions leaned toward going, we changed topics to begin discussing travel plans.

"Walking would take... about a month at a leisurely pace. With horses or a carriage, maybe a week. Money isn't an issue, so should we travel leisurely?"

"Ah, Ceci? Now that I think about it, can you really leave the Church that long?"

"The Church building is public space except our living quarters, so villagers will maintain it while we're gone. Plus your slave believers are there."

"So we only need to worry about the journey. Good."

We earnestly yet excitedly made plans as if ready to depart immediately.

Apparently both Cecilia and I were more excited than expected about our first real trip.

Though I've traveled more than Cecilia, it was always for work - hardly counted as tourism.

So this would be my first proper vacation-like journey too.

"Um... Mom? Wait a second."

Just then, Camellia who had been sitting quietly raised her hand.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your happy discussion... But isn't there still someone who hasn't arrived? Isn't deciding to leave already a bit premature?"

"Someone missing? Who?"

"Goodness... Ms. Rita, I mean!"

Ah.

I realized I'd completely forgotten about Ms. Rita in my excitement.

How embarrassing. Ms. Rita is family too, yet I excluded her from the discussion.

I guess you only become family through living together. When someone's not physically present, your thoughts about them tend to drift elsewhere.

Lately I've been feeling apologetic toward my wives too often. Ugh, I really need to control myself.

"You're right. I almost left out Ms. Rita. Thanks for reminding me, Lia."

"Lia...? Ah, yes! Lia is my nickname, yes! Call me Lia!"

When I affectionately used her nickname, Camellia couldn't hide her emotions and beamed with extreme joy.

Seeing her so happy over a simple nickname makes me think ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠happiness isn't complicated at all.

We postponed departure plans and finished dinner. Everyone helped clear the table and wash dishes, then ended the day peeling fruit for dessert.

Ah, this peace feels wonderful. Is this the happiness of having family?

As my family grows, so does the happiness they bring - and what I gain increases too.

If I embark on this adventure to meet the Saintess, might I gain even more family?

Perhaps even the Saintess herself could become part of my...

Ah, no. That's going too far.

I'm the Succubus Queen, and she's a noble priestess who's lived her whole life in purity - such a thing seems unlikely.

I could force it if I wanted, but that would make the whole world my enemy. Most importantly, if I truly wanted her as my vassal, I shouldn't use forceful methods.

Ah, I wonder what she's like. The Saintess.

I hope she's cute, with a nice figure and pretty...