Gardenia’s Heart

Walking through the palace corridors, Lily’s vision was filled with shades of purple and blue.

“This time, I got you!”

A lively voice rang out as a bluish tentacle slid around the silver-haired woman’s head, slipping behind her cloak and darting toward her leg.

“Hehe~” a teasing laugh followed. “Rose got impatient again.”

Suddenly appearing from beneath Lily’s dress, a purple tentacle firmly grabbed the bluish one. In just a second, the purple member coiled around the blue one, trapping it in an inescapable knot.

“And that makes another victory for me.” Placing both hands on her hips, Nia smiled triumphantly.

“That’s unfair! Mama Nia’s tentacle is way bigger than mine.” Pouting, Rose lifted Lily’s dark cloak, watching as the purple tentacle slithered around her mother’s body before striking from a blind spot.

“It was Rose herself who said last time that ‘using two was cheating.’” With her high heels clicking softly against the carpeted floor, Nia wagged her finger beside her face as she laughed. “One tentacle against one tentacle—I won fair and square.”

Watching her mother smile so smugly after her victory, Rose puffed up her cheeks. Grabbing one of Lily’s hands and squeezing it between hers, the little girl tried to win her mother’s favor.

“Mama Lily also thinks tentacles should be the same size, right?”

“Hm…” With a muffled, awkward laugh—mostly stifled by the tentacles still tangled around her face—the woman whose body had been chosen as the arena for the mother and daughter’s duel spoke with difficulty. “I know you’re both having fun, but could you untangle me first? It’s getting kind of hard to walk.”

Finally realizing Lily’s predicament, both girls quickly withdrew their tentacles and rushed to wrap her in a hug instead.

Although the tentacles were gone, Lily was still somewhat immobilized. Yet, now laughing softly, she looked down at her wife and daughter frantically apologizing with a fond smile.

“What am I going to do with you two?”

Pulling both of them closer, Lily couldn’t resist stopping to plant several kisses on each of their cheeks. As a mother and wife who knew her girls well, she knew exactly where to place her lips to draw out cheerful giggles. Within seconds, both Nia’s purple hair and Rose’s silvery strands swayed with the motion of their laughter and Lily’s affectionate kisses.

Only when she decided they’d received enough love did Lily end her little session of motherly affection.

“Mama Lily was the real winner this time.”

“Mhm… Yeah, there’s no way we can beat Lily.”

Exchanging glances while still holding onto the same woman, mother and daughter nodded in agreement.

Tilting her head, wondering when exactly she’d become part of the contest, Lily finally noticed they had reached the room they were supposed to go to.

“Is it okay if I go play with Cherry while you two talk?” Rose asked, still clinging to Lily.

“Of course. Just don’t leave the palace, alright?” Lily replied with a nod.

Because of the palace’s proximity to the World Tree, the range of Nia’s mana-location was greatly reduced. Even within such an enormous palace, they couldn’t monitor every corner—so Lily wanted to make sure Rose understood she shouldn’t wander off too far, to stay safe.

Waving to her mother in agreement, Rose dashed through the luxurious corridors at high speed.

Pleased to see the girl so energetic, Lily opened the door to the room, still carefully holding Nia in her arms.

Inside, illuminated by the soft light of chandeliers, a rectangular table stood surrounded by elegant sofas. Seated there, two sisters with pointed ears watched side by side as the pair of wives approached.

“Honestly, Lily, I’d rather not know what you were doing all that time behind the door.” Crossing her legs, a woman in an emerald dress and a golden crown finished the last sip of her coffee and set the cup on the table. “I thought you’d come right after Thelira gave the message—now the coffee’s gone cold.”

“I wanted to make sure Rose and Cherry had a proper dinner before we left. A child should never skip a meal.” Taking a seat on the sofa and laying Nia across her lap, Lily looked at the high elf. “Don’t you agree, Elarielle?”

Rolling her eyes, Elarielle let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, but…”

“Sis is just upset because, due to this sudden emergency, she couldn’t take Cherry to the bakery for sweets, and her beloved niece had to go alone.” Thelira lifted a hand to her mouth to hide a laugh, watching as her sister’s expression shifted from irritation to shock.

“I–I’m not upset,” Elarielle said, uncrossing her legs and trying to compose herself, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. “I just… also wanted to spend some time with my niece.”

Seeing the woman cross her arms with a mix of embarrassment and frustration, Lily chuckled softly before finally steering the conversation toward the main topic.

“So, what’s this emergency about?” she asked, running her fingers through her wife’s purple hair.

Clearing her throat, Elarielle turned to the women.

“As you know, unlike Anthus—the land of humans and demi-humans, ruled by a single race—this continent doesn’t have one central leader governing all territories.” Adjusting the golden crown on her head, Elarielle continued, “Every certain number of years, the three races that rule Phaea—the elves, the dragons, and the dwarves—gather for a council meeting. The next gathering has been scheduled. Athamas, the land of dragons, has been chosen as the host for this upcoming conference.”

“Dragons…” Lily murmured, her mismatched eyes widening slightly, unable to fully hide her excitement.

“This event serves not only to strengthen ties between races but also to discuss the future of the continent. The demon attack on the elves years ago is not something we can keep postponing.”

Unfolding a large map on the table, the queen traced her finger from the heart of the great forest eastward until stopping at the peak of a towering mountain, surrounded by ravines and ridges.

“Athamas lies at the highest point of the world’s tallest mountain, located in the Valley of Dawn.”

Beyond the barrier of the World Tree and further eastward, the Demon King’s mist grew denser. Though Lily knew her common sense wasn’t enough to grasp the entire world, she couldn’t help but be amazed that other civilizations could still survive in such places.

“So you’re going to the meeting, Elarielle?” Lily asked—but the answer didn’t come from the queen’s mouth.

“I will be the one attending the conference as the elven representative,” Thelira said, placing a hand over her chest and speaking with firm resolve.

“You, Thelira?” Lily asked, unable to hide her surprise.

“I understand what you must be thinking, Lady Lily, but given the current circumstances, this is the best course of action.”

Before Lily could question further, Elarielle’s cold voice filled the room.

“We’re walking on thin ice.”

Drumming her fingers on the map spread out on the table, Elarielle narrowed her eyes.

“Since I ascended to the throne, I’ve essentially taken on the role of every member of the royal family. While that isn’t necessarily a problem when it comes to internal affairs, it’s different when it comes to external relations. If I’m the only one attending every important meeting or political event, it will make it seem as though the elves rely solely on me as the foundation of their system—which would only highlight our current military weakness.”

The demon attack eight years ago had made it painfully clear how compromised the elves’ strength was after the war. Though Elarielle had done her best to train new soldiers and improve their weaponry, it would still take a long time before they could regain their former power.

“Even though she isn’t purely of elven lineage, Cherry was born with the essence of the Primordial Fairy within her, granting her the innate ability of precognition. Still, with only three high elves remaining, we can’t claim that Lampides could withstand any large-scale conflict right now.”

When Elarielle stopped speaking, Thelira continued her sister’s explanation.

“After inheriting the title of Sage, which once belonged to our mother—no, even before that—I never made a formal introduction of myself to other nations. So, although they know of my existence, I’ve never had any direct contact with them.”

Having been kept in isolation since childhood, the girl who spent most of her life ill had never participated in the war or met any political leaders from other powers.

While that might seem disadvantageous—since no diplomatic ties had been established— It also meant that they didn’t know much about her or how seriously ill she had actually been. This made the impression she created now the only image they would have of her.

This council meeting was the perfect opportunity to present Thelira to the world as the Sage, ensuring that the other races continued to regard the elves as a people of equal political standing.

“But isn’t it dangerous to send Thelira? I know she’s capable as a mage, but still…” Lily asked, keeping her voice low so as not to sound rude.

“And that’s where you two come in,” Elarielle replied brightly. “Do you remember why I told you not to go east of Phaea?”

Some time after Rose was born, the girls had set out to investigate the labyrinths whose locations Rhei had known. With only a few exceptions, nearly all had already been explored by the humans of Anthus. Even after thoroughly examining each one, they hadn’t found a single trace of Sylvan’s followers or any useful artifacts.

Deciding that they should expand their search for new labyrinths further east of Phaea, the girls were preparing to depart when Elarielle asked them to refrain for the time being.

Unlike when they first arrived in Lampides, they would have no mediator to help them enter another race’s territory without it appearing as an invasion. Just as they had been arrested by the elven army upon their first arrival in the city, they could easily face the same situation with other races.

Furthermore, as residents of the elven forest—and with their close ties to the royal family and the Primordial Fairy—any attempt to explore the lands of other races could easily be interpreted as an elven incursion if that connection were exposed.

Promising that she would soon provide them with a safe opportunity to travel east, and despite her concern over Nia’s continued need to absorb books, Lily decided it would be wise to trust the elf’s judgment.

And now, that opportunity had finally arrived.

“The representative doesn’t have to go alone. You can accompany her as escorts. While attending the conference, you’ll be able to gather information directly from the other races’ delegates about the locations of other labyrinths.”

Hearing that explanation, Lily couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

It was an offer for a direct path into another race’s territory—and the chance to investigate the remaining volumes of the book. Moreover, once they entered a new land even once, Nia could record its coordinates, allowing them to travel there safely whenever needed, whether they had that race’s permission or not.

Elarielle would ensure her sister’s safety while promoting the elves’ image, and Lily and Nia would gain a secure way to collect more information.

Turning to her wife, Lily watched as the girl gently rubbed her face against her thighs in agreement. Nia would do whatever her beloved decided.

“All right, we’ll go with Thelira.”

Caressing her wife’s warm cheek with tenderness, Lily turned to the elves and spoke with a smile.

“Thank you, Lady Lily.”

Bowing gracefully toward the two, Thelira expressed her gratitude deeply.

“Now then, about the details.”

Smiling, Elarielle turned her attention back to the map without delay. “Since the meeting will be hosted in another kingdom, there’s an unspoken agreement not to send too many people. We don’t want it to look like we’re declaring war by showing up with an entire armed escort. In the last several meetings, each race limited itself to three representatives, so that’s the number both we and the dwarves will be sending.”

“So it’ll be me and Nia?” Lily asked.

“What are you talking about? The Paper Eater won’t be part of the delegation—only you will go.” Elarielle’s playful tone and smile made Lily raise an eyebrow at her choice of words.

The girl immediately understood what the queen meant. Since Nia could remain inside her body, to any observer it would appear as though only one person were going. That meant there was still one open spot.

“Who do you have in mind?”

“At the last meeting, my mother took me and General Riari along. While it’s customary to bring members of our own race, that’s not exactly a strict rule. We also need to show that we’re not as isolated as before, in hopes of expanding our relations. But… honestly, I’m not sure who should go this time.”

Elarielle crossed her legs again, a faint crease forming on her brow as she thought.

“Rhei, will you come with us?”

Lily looked toward the corner of the room, where the tall, bee-winged woman had been standing silently from the start, both hands clasped behind her back in a posture of perfect etiquette.

“My king, I am deeply grateful for the offer, but I must decline. I would love to accompany you and my wife; however, I believe my presence there would not be beneficial.”

“What do you mean?” Lily tilted her head, curiosity shining in her mismatched eyes.

“Among the attendants of the dwarven representative… I’m almost certain that person will be there.”

“That person?” Lily repeated, one eyebrow arching.

“The Golden Hive and the dwarven kingdom share a very close relationship. So I’m confident someone from my race will accompany their representative. If she sees me, it will likely end in a confrontation. To preserve friendly relations during the meeting, I should refrain from going.” Lowering her head in a slight bow as if apologizing, Rhei spoke in her usual calm, monotone voice.

The answer made it clear she wouldn’t go into further detail. Even after all these years, though Rhei would cheerfully talk about her time with Sylvan and the other companions, she remained firmly unwilling to speak of her past in her homeland.

“Do you have any suggestions, Thelira?” Deciding there was no point in pressing the matter, Lily turned to the girl who bore the title of Sage.

“I’ve considered bringing Zaylin with us. She’s been training hard lately, and her fairy could be a great asset, but… this kind of mission isn’t exactly suited for her.”

Nodding, Lily brought a hand to her chin, thinking for a moment about what they should do—until an idea came to her.

“I think I have someone in mind.”

---

Dear Diary,

I’m sorry for going so long without updating you.

The past few years have been hectic, and unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to write.

I married three wonderful wives, and now we’re building a family together.

Thanks to a spell developed by Lady Gardenia, I managed to generate the genitalia of the opposite sex.

Incidentally, my sister learned it as well. Luckily, the magic didn’t depend on the user’s mana capacity, so even though it took her longer to master, my beloved sister Abelia succeeded… long before I did.

Perhaps because I’m a demi-human, compatibility with elves was a bit more complicated. It took some time, but after many attempts, we finally succeeded this year.

And so, our little family has grown even more.

Although I’m still not wealthy, I’ve been managing to support my three wives, along with my beautiful little babies on the way. However, just when I was at the peak of happiness, I woke up in the middle of the night to find a tentacle dragging me out of bed and into a portal.

Right now, I’m being carried by Lady Gardenia and writing this upside down. There’s a purple tentacle wrapped around my waist, and I have no way to resist.

Apparently, we’re heading to the dragons’ territory, and I don’t have the option to refuse. I didn’t even have time to pack my bags. With only a dress and my stardust brush hidden in my clothes, I’m setting off for unknown lands. I don’t know if I’ll return from this journey.

So now, my dear diary, perhaps you’ll serve as my will.

If anyone finds this, please make sure none of my wives discover the lesbian romance novels I secretly read in my study for educational purposes.

They’re under the false bottom of the third drawer, kept in a folder.

This part is important.

Absolutely do not look inside.

Got it?

Under no circumstances read about the kinds of fetishes I have.

Understand?

Don’t look inside!