(AN: The old cover is back on and will stay up until next Wednesday. Fingers crossed lol!)
---Evening, Holfort Kingdom---
Lounging in the living room, I patiently waited for Angelica and Deidre to finish getting ready. Anxious to hear the news, their parents strong-armed my wives into moving up the meeting. Without consulting me, they scheduled the meeting for tonight and only chose to tell me hours ago.
"It is good to hear your voice again, Luxion.", I remarked, happy to have my companion back again. "With the completion of several objectives close at hand, I wanted to put what remained in writing. Could Jarvis and you please review it to see if I am missing anything?"
Agreeing to my request, they accessed the document and began to review it.
Assist Tali'Zorah vas Neema with AI Uprising troubles Attempt to liberate Zephrim If unsuccessful, end life mercifully Banish Nemesis from our universe Carry out hostile takeover of Dahl and Hyperion Confirm Dahl Corporation leadership has been eliminated Establish communication with Angel Establish stronger ties with the Citadel region Find suitable noble partners within Caspiel Empire and Imperium of Man Implement Mass Relay System within the Imperium of Man Locate and secure all six Infinity Stones Rebuild relations between Caspiel Empire and its regional neighbors Refine control of Sorcerer Supreme powers and Warp Abilities Rescue Angel Secure lasting peace with the Tyranids/Zerg If unsuccessful, use replication nanite bomb to eliminate Visit and Rebuild Prime Earth Visit Ryloth Visit Shili
Usurping control of Luxion, Doctor Doom demanded to know why marrying Valeria wasn't on my to-do list. Instantly assuming I found his goddaughter lacking, he launched into a tirade about me being softened up by inferior women. Enraged by the insult, I gripped Luxion's metallic body and glared directly into his camera lens.
"You are free to berate me to your heart's content, but my family is off-limits. Utter another insult about them, and I will not hesitate to throw your space station into a star.", I growled, "I didn't add any marriages because I will not relegate my partners to an item on a to-do list. They deserve infinitely more respect than that."
My raw, explosive fury caused Doctor Doom to pause, his connection flickering within Luxion's chassis. Silently weighing my words for a breath, he conceded his assessment was incorrect and retracted his statement.
"While Valeria is a beautiful woman, I refuse to marry her just because you ask me to. She should be afforded the opportunity to decide for herself if marrying me is what she wants. I will not force her hand, and neither should you.", I remarked. "While she may not be related to you by blood, Valeria inherited many of your traits. Trust that she knows what is best for her."
Doom, proudly agreeing with my statement, reiterated that he expected such behavior from his goddaughter. With a final, curt dismissal, he disconnected from Luxion, relinquishing control back to the AI. Just as Luxion's systems began recalibrating, Angelica and Deidre finally emerged from the bedroom.
"We need to leave now if we are going to make it in time.", Angelica spoke, hurrying down the stairs in her frilly red dress. "Next time, we only listen to Clarice, Mylene, and Olivia's opinions. There are too many people to please…"
"Come on, trying on fifty different dresses wasn't that bad.", Deidre laughed dryly, following her in her plain, white satin dress.
The moment they reached the living room, my wives came to an abrupt halt. Their eyes immediately fell upon the screen before me. With an exasperated glare, they placed their hands on their hips.
"Damn it, Victor. You promised no work stuff tonight.", Angelica huffed.
"This is not work; it's my to-do list.", I explained, rising from my seat to show them. "While I was waiting on both of you, I made some minor adjustments. Jarvis, Luxion, and I were just going over it when- "
"Hmm…", Deidre remarked, her eyes fixed on the bottom two items on the list. "Everything looks fine except these two items. I was wondering, could you please share your reasons for wanting to visit Ryloth and Shili?"
"I want to visit Shili so I can meet with Ahsoka's parents. As my intention is to take her as my wife, it is only right I ask them for their blessing.", I said in a hushed tone. "Ryloth… Well, I want to see for myself what the Twi'lek homeworld is like. My goal from the onset of our space adventures was to experience everything the universe had to offer."
Despite their clear skepticism, they quickly exchanged a look and dropped the subject. The moment the kitchen clock began to chime six, Angelica's face tensed. We were officially late. Scrambling for the door, I scooped my wives up and teleported us to Duke Redgrave's manor.
---Redgrave Manor---
Angelica immediately rapped on the door and released a sigh of genuine relief as the head butler, with an excited smile, opened the door and welcomed us inside. The old man, who had faithfully served the Redgrave family since the birth of Angelica's eldest brother and viewed the two of them as his grandchildren, already suspected why we had asked for this dinner tonight. To validate his conjecture, he led us to the dining hall, moving as quickly as his arthritic legs allowed.
"My lord, Lord Stark, Lady Angelica, and Lady Deidre have arrived.", the head butler announced, breathing heavily from exertion.
"Thank you, Sebastian.", Duke Redgrave acknowledged, able to see the excitement in his butler's eyes. 'It appears I am not the only one who suspects that is what they want to tell us.'
Duke Redgrave and Earl Roseblade immediately rose from their seats, rushing over to embrace their daughters. They hadn't seen them in quite some time, so both men visibly strained to keep their emotion from going overboard. Reluctantly satisfied, they finally stepped back, their eyes scrutinizing their daughters carefully.
"Is Victor treating both of you well?", Earl Roseblade questioned with a playful smile.
"Of course, he treats all of us like royalty.", Deirdre giggled, giving me a mischievous look. "That said, there are times when he shows clear favoritism toward his childhood friend, Roxanne. While it is frustrating, we all knew what we were signing up for. Lucoa, Roxanne, and Victor share a special bond that we will never be able to compete with."
At a subtle nod from Deidre, the overprotective fathers whipped their harsh gazes toward me. I wanted to defend myself, but Deidre was partially right. While we certainly shared a special bond, that didn't elevate my love for them above any other member of my harem.
"Calm yourself, Father. Deirdre is only joking.", Angelica stated, knowing her father might do something he'd live to regret. "He spoils all of us equally. No one is more important than the others in his heart. Well… Except for maybe the children of course."
"CHILDREN!?", the men gasped as I provided photos of their adoptive granddaughters.
The two noblemen immediately began gushing over their granddaughters, eagerly passing around photos of Kanna and Nuelalla. When the men asked to meet their granddaughters, my wives sheepishly requested they wait for the others to arrive. Nervously placing a hand over their stomachs, their fathers carefully maintained composure shattered. Embracing their daughters once again, they began to sob uncontrollably with sheer joy.
"I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDPA!!", Earl Roseblade howled with tears streaming down his face. "With this, our family line is secured. All that is left is for your mother and me to spoil our grandbabies. If only she were here to revel in this wondrous news tonight… blasted!"
"I… I wish your mother were still alive to share in this momentous moment. Knowing her, she'd hyperfixate on making their arrival as special as possible.", Duke Redgrave laughed, recalling fond memories of his late wife. "Now, if only your brother would hurry and find himself a wife. Your mother will berate me if he doesn't…"
"Father, do not drag me into this!", Gilbert complained, looking at him with exhaustion. 'I am doing my utmost, but there are just so many trashy women. All I want is a kindhearted woman with a good figure; instead, I get arrogant women who want a subservient husband.'
After some time, the two fathers released their daughters and extended warm handshakes to me. Congratulating me on becoming a father, they inquired if I had spoken to my parents about this development.
"No, I have not.", I stated, unsure if I wanted to involve my father in my children's lives.
While I had forgiven my father for his past transgressions, I refused to let our relationship be anything more than cordial. He hadn't changed; he was still the same cowardly man I remembered from my childhood. I had put the highest levels of protection around my children, but the thought lingered: if anything were to happen to them while under his care…
"I understand your father and you have a strained relationship, but won't you at least consider telling them about this special event? Your parents ask about you every chance they get. Balcus is racked with guilt about failing you, and your mother, Luce, is trapped in the middle of it.", Duke Redgrave spoke with sadness in his eyes.
Turning their gazes toward me, I could see Angelica and Deidre felt the same way. That said, they would not ask me to see him, as they respected my decision.
Accepting the wisdom of my elders, I agreed to visit my parents tomorrow morning. Happy to hear this, Duke Redgrave motioned for us to join them at the table. Once everyone was seated, he raised a toast to good fortune and health for our unborn children. Glasses clinked, and the six of us settled in for a long night of celebration.