Chapter 8: 7. My Blood Isn't Different

Mass release, August 11th, part 5/5.

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When we got back to where the others were, I felt pressured by their gazes. Like a rabbit in front of a bunch of lions. "We'll treat you well, Lily," aunt said, and I looked at her while biting the inside of my cheeks. "Me and your uncle have some political things to deal with, but the concubines will look over you while you spend time with the boys. Your Knights will also be around, so feel at ease," now that makes me feel better. "And your things are already in your chambers. I don't know if my sister told you, but you will be staying in my castle," yes, I know. "When you feel tired and need to rest, just tell your Knights, they already know the way!" Do they?

My eyes met them and they nodded, giving an assurance.

"And don't even think of saying you are tired now," but I kind of am. "Spend the day with the boys, remember our agreement, okay, Lily?" She came closer and put my hair behind my ear. "You are an amazing girl in your home, everybody loves you, so, be that girl here as well, alright, Lily?"

Why do I feel like there's a darker meaning behind my aunt words? "Yes, aunt!"

She smiled at that. "Good girl," damn, I feel like a pet.

Turning to her husband, she held his hand and they left. I kept staring at where they left for an entire minute, not prepared to be alone with all of them. Like in the game, the concubines are identical to their sons, both in appearance and in personality as well.

When the moment passed, I took a deep breath and turned to them, then bowed, "I'll be in your care!" And when I got on my feet again, they were smiling at me. "I... Hm... You can call me Lily too," maybe I should respect them like I respect my aunt. "And I... I hope you don't hate me!"

"Why would we hate you, Princess Lily?" It was Valentin's mother, with those blonde locks.

"Because you avoided our sons for years?" Of course, it would be Benjamin's mother to say that, and her tone was very bitter.

"Yes!" I was honest and she seemed shocked. "I did avoid them as much as I could. Now that I have to interact with you all for a week per month, I won't be able to spend so much time with my family as I wanted to, because I'll be here. Look, if I'm being honest," I turned to Erik and Benjamin, "just as I told them minutes ago," then back to her, "being here means I'm their fiancee until one of them is chosen as the Crown Prince. Which also means I'll be Queen, and that is precisely what I do not want. So, yes, I avoided them because that would mean postponing the responsibilities and the burden that's on my back now. I just wanted to like a peaceful childhood with my family, but I can't do that anymore because I was sold off to your sons!" I burst.

The only ones who weren't shocked by my words were the two who had already heard this from me. It's so tiresome. I just hope that this road I'm deciding to take won't get me killed before the deadline of the game.

Sigh. "I'm just eight. I can't take all of this. I'm still a child," I turned to them, "we all are!" Then back to their mothers. "And I know we have responsibilities. Them for having the King as their dad, and me for being my mother's daughter. Our fate is intertwined as much as I don't like it. I'll do my best to deal with all this. But I don't want to lie to any of you by saying that I'm happy to be here, because I am not. This is the most dangerous place on the world for me, and you know why!" The concubines looked at each other than back to me, but said nothing. "I'll still try, regardless. And as long as your boys don't mistreat me, I do my best to at least befriend them, and to not make our moments together unbearable!"

Erik's mother stepped forward, with the same strong aura as her son. And she was tall. Taller the my mother and aunt, and that made her even more beautiful, like a model. "They said you were extremely spoiled by your parents," and I was. "That made me think you would be one of those kids that throw tantrums at everything, and that doesn't accept a 'no' as an answer. I also thought you would look down on the boys for not being your aunt's sons."

When she stopped talking, I realized she was giving me the chance to speak. "I was spoiled. But I'm not one of those insensible kids who thinks the world spins around them. And I would never look down on them for that stupid reason, they are still the King's sons, and I understand why my aunt can't have children. Not to mention that if they were her sons, they would be my cousins, which would make our marriage disgusting, so it's better this way."

The women all giggled at that, and Erik's mom, who seemed to be their spokesperson, smiled at me and petted my hair, "You have a point, Lily. But are you really scared that they will kill you in the future?" Of course, the boy must have told them, how annoying.

"Yes. That's the main reason I avoid them," they already know, so there's no reason for me to lie. "However, I do not think that will happen now." I looked at them and bit my lip anxiously, then back to her. "But that doesn't make my fear disappear."

She chuckled softly and caressed my cheek, "You must have an older soul to have such a mind at this young age, Lily!" She doesn't know how right she is. "The boys thought you would look down on them, but I'm glad that's not the case. And you rather overestimate them," why does she look so amused? "I can see why the Queen said you are special, kid." She inhaled deeply. "I and the girls live in the King's harem, it is the last castle in the palace, while each of the boys has their own. If you need anything while you are here, just come to us."

"Can I call you 'aunt'?" They all seemed to enjoy that.

"Of course, you can," Kaleb's mother said with a proud smile. "As you mustn't know our names, let us tell you. My name is Irene!" It kind of suits her.

Then Valentin's mother, the first one who talked to me, came forward, "I'm Cornelia," fancy.

Benjamin's mother seemed to be calmer now, "Amber!"

"Denise," Nathan's mother said with a big and contagious smile.

And lastly, the spokesperson, Erik's mother, "And I'm Victoria!" Also a strong name.

"Those are beautiful names. You know mine already, Amelie, but call me Lily. It's what my family calls me," then I turned to the boys. "But you don't have the privilege yet. So, call me Amelie for now." I heard their mothers giggling, and when I finally focused on the boys, they were all staring at me with strange expressions.

Aunt Victoria touched my shoulder and I turned to her, "You will spend seven days here, starting today. So, to get to know them in a better way, the Queen decided to divide this time. Today, you will spend the day with all of them, then in the five days that follow you will spend a day with only one of them to strengthen your bonds separately, and on the seventh day, you will stay with all of them again." That's not good.

And by how the boys reacted, I take that they didn't know that either. "It'll always be like this?"

Kaleb's mom approached me and caressed my forehead, "Yes, Lily. That's your aunt's decision, and as the King agreed on it, no one can change it. You must know her better than we do."

"I wouldn't say that," I muttered, remembering of the ominous aura minutes ago. "But I know her enough to know how stubborn she is when she decides on something. And I promised my parents I would do everything willingly," sigh, "and I never break my promises. So, be it. If that's how they decided, it's how it'll be."

Aunt Cornelia smiled and held my chin, "You are really similar to your mother!" I didn't know my mother knew them so much besides seeing them when coming here. I guess I was wrong. "I can sense the Mhorgain blood in you!" Oh?

"Cornelia!" Aunt Victoria reprimanded, as the other woman glared at her.

"It's okay," I exclaimed. "It's only normal for you to react like this. And I don't really mind it. Yes, their blood flows in me, and it's not that good, believe me. But it isn't that different from everybody else's, it's still red and normal."

"Is it?" Aunt Cornelia asked and I thought it was a joke.

Laughing, I nodded, "Yes. I can't cut myself to show you, of course, but," I turned to where Andy and Gustav were standing and made a sign for them to come to me. When they came, everybody stared at them. "Those are my Knights, Sir Andy Wallace, and Sir Gustav Cunningham, they have been taking care of me since I was a newborn." I looked up to them, "Boys, what color is my blood?"

"Red, Princess!" They said together.

"See? Same as everybody else," I smiled but they seemed to be tenser than before. "You can go back to where you were, boys. It's okay. No threat to my life," then they backed away and I turned to the women. "Don't worry, they won't do anything!"

I sensed two hands holding my wrists and when turned around, I saw all the boys behind me, while Nathan and Erik held my arms. "Mom," Erik spoke, "you can go with them to the harem. We require Amelie's attention now."

His mother seemed to clench her teeth and then turned to the other concubines and told them to follow her. I didn't understand what was happening, but I decided not to butt in. It seemed like a personal problem. "Your mothers are really cool!" I said and they stared at me, worried. "What?"

Benjamin sighed, "Avoid spending time with them, Amelie. We love them and they are all to us, but as gentle as they seem, they are very against you," what?

"But they were so fine just now," I really can't understand this, after all, their mothers were just briefly mentioned in the game, and the bastard who created them didn't give much information on them.

"Ben's right, Amelie!" Valentin exclaimed. "Stay away."

Sigh, "Alright, you know them better than I do. If you are telling me that, then they mustn't like me. And I should stay away, right?" They all nodded, even Erik, so I chose to believe them on this.