Cherreads

Chapter 143 - Chapter 133 - The Road Ahead

The front of Queen's palace was bustling with activity. People moved in and out, their voices overlapping in excited chatter that filled the air with energy. Zack walked directly inside to the private area, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor of the hallway. When he entered the room, he saw everyone was already waiting for him, along with some extra people mixed in. The table was laden with food. Plates piled high with various dishes covered the surface, and everyone was enjoying the spread, talking and laughing together in the warmth of companionship.

Zack came in and nodded to everyone in greeting, his eyes scanning the room to take in who was present.

Subordinate Woman also bowed respectfully, her movements careful as she showed her regard for those gathered.

Everyone was stunned at her sudden change in aura, before when some of them saw her she was like a scared little shy animal with some negative vibe radiating outwards but right now she is beaming beautifully!!! They smiled at her warmly, welcoming her into the fold with warm acceptance.

Subordinate Woman gently guided Zack to sit down, her hand light on his arm, then quickly went to bring a first aid kit.

"Hmm, Zack?" Sasha's eyes went to her brother as she noticed him struggling a little, his movements stiff from obvious pain.

Her eyes immediately filled with worry, and she was about to move toward him when Rugged Woman had already rushed over. She checked his wounds with swift efficiency and brought him to the side, making him sit a little away from everyone eating. She carefully examined his injuries, her fingers moving over his wounds to assess the damage, until Subordinate Woman returned with the first aid kit clutched in her hands.

Then Sasha watched as Subordinate Woman leaned down toward Zack, pointing toward the food spread on the table, silently asking what he wanted to eat. Zack said something quietly, his voice too low for Sasha to catch, and Subordinate Woman nodded enthusiastically, her face lighting up with pure joy at the simple task. She came toward the food table and started putting everything that Zack liked onto a plate, moving with clear purpose to make Zack happy.

Sasha smiled sweetly and came up beside her. "He also likes these," she said softly, pointing to a few dishes. "He doesn't know it, but he does.... especially when mixed with those."

"AH! Big Sister, really?" Subordinate Woman asked in surprise, her eyes widening as she looked at Sasha for more guidance, eager to learn about Zack.

"Yes! Also, that one, that one too, and this one," Sasha happily told Subordinate Woman as she took a mental note of everything, her mind working to remember each detail.

"Zack doesn't know many things about what he likes, but his actions speak louder than words. So, keep that in mind," Sasha spoke gently as she helped her fill the plate with care.

"Ah, yes! I figured that out recently. Hehe." Subordinate Woman smiled warmly, her expression full of affection. She explained how Zack liked to play with her hair subconsciously... that's why she let it stay open despite having trouble with it while out in the open as the strong wind make it harder for her to manage it. She chose to keep it loose like this because Zack liked to touch her hair from time to time, running his fingers through the long strands whenever they were close.

Sasha smiled hearing this, her heartwarming at the thought of Zack finding such simple comfort. She talked more with Subordinate Woman about Zack's antics... the little quirks that made him who he was, the habits he didn't even realize he had, the small things that revealed his true nature.

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"Ow! Easy there!" Zack grunted a little in pain as Rugged Woman worked on his wounds.

"Boss, don't be a baby," Rugged Woman laughed as she gently restitched his wounds with steady hands, threading the needle through his skin with focused attention.

Zack smiled at her teasing. Then suddenly, he reached up and patted her head affectionately, his hand warm on her hair. "Thank you for saving her, despite her not being good to you."

Zack's sudden movement made Rugged Woman tremble violently. She barely stopped herself from poking him with the needle, her whole body reacting to his touch. "BOSS!!" Her face flushed bright red as embarrassment washed over her, heat rushing to her cheeks in an instant.

Zack just ignored her reaction and looked at her wounds instead, feeling sorry for what she'd endured. He saw her face, which had several cuts marking her skin from the earlier fight. He brought his hand up slowly and gently touched the side of her face, his fingers grazing from her cheekbones to her ears with feather-light pressure, exploring the injuries with tender concern.

"KYAAA!!" Rugged Woman cried out.

"OWW!" Zack's hand brought shivers racing through her whole body, the sensation overwhelming her senses, and she accidentally poked him with the needle in her distraction.

"Hey! You'll kill me!" Zack laughed, seeing her reaction, his eyes sparkling with amusement at how easily she was affected from the touch right there.

But he didn't let go of his hand. He kept it there, warm against her skin, testing her reaction.

"Boss, your hands are dangerous! Don't touch me like that!" Rugged Woman spoke breathlessly as she felt her face getting hotter with each passing second. Her thighs fidgeted while she sat, pressing together as if trying to contain the sensations flooding through her body.

"Hmmm, you girls sure are sensitive. Even Subordinate Woman was also like this. Are all girls like this?" Zack tested his theory again, genuine curiosity coloring his voice.

He moved his hand slowly, grazing her face from the top of her ears down to the bottom near her lips. His thumb traced over the cuts on her cheeks with gentle care, examining each one as if committing them to memory.

"Aah! Boss, stop it!" Rugged Woman moaned slightly, her voice trembling with barely controlled emotion. Her face felt so hot it might catch fire at any moment. Her fingers were shaking, barely able to hold the stitching tool steady enough to continue working.

"It's because we love you, Boss! That's why!" she managed to say with her trembling voice, the words coming out in a rush. "So stop teasing us!"

Zack just smiled, leaning in closer to her. He whispered near her ear, his breath hot against her skin, sending new shivers down her spine. "Weren't you playing with me before?"

Smirking wickedly, he brought his fingers behind her ear and stimulated her soft zone... that sensitive spot he'd discovered earlier.

"Ufff...!" Rugged Woman quickly used her other arm to bite down on, making sure she didn't moan out loud and gather everyone's attention to what was happening between them. She could feel something wet leaking in her pants, warmth spreading between her thighs as her body betrayed just how much his touch affected her.

Zack, still smiling, finally let go. "Just a thank-you gift for what you've done for me and Nat."

"Huff... huff... Boss, you are a devil!" Rugged Woman breathed hard, her chest heaving as she poked him slightly in retaliation, trying to regain some composure.

Both of them laughed together, enjoying their time, a comfortable warmth spreading between them despite the teasing.

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"Big Sister, the more I hear, the more I feel you're amazing!" Subordinate Woman's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at Sasha.

"Huh? But I was telling you about Zack. Why are you becoming my fan?" Sasha shook her head while laughing, genuinely confused by the shift in attention.

"It's because Big Sister single-handedly made Boss the way he is now. So I think all the credit has to go to you, Big Sister." Subordinate Woman spoke genuinely; her voice filled with sincere appreciation. "If you weren't there for Boss, then I don't think he would have grown up to be such a good man. So thank you, Big Sister!"

"Don't speak nonsense!" Sasha got embarrassed with the sudden praise, her cheeks flushing pink at the unexpected compliment.

She looked down at the plate Subordinate Woman was filling with the last bits of food, then glanced over at Rugged Woman taking care of Zack on the other side of the room. She smiled sadly and said quietly, "Go away now. That much food is enough."

She turned around and was about to leave when Subordinate Woman spoke up behind her.

"Big Sister, where are you going? I'm putting your portion also. Come and treat Zack while I finish the preparation." Subordinate Woman spoke while looking at her with hopeful eyes, wanting her to stay.

"Huh? No need for that. Go... I don't want to be the third wheel between you guys. Rugged Woman is doing great. Let them be." Sasha shook her head, trying to dismiss the offer with a forced casual tone.

"Third wheel?" Subordinate Woman tilted her head, confused by the concept. "Big Sister, first of all, I don't trust Rugged Woman... look at her playing around." She gestured toward where Rugged Woman was laughing with Zack, clearly distracted from proper medical care. "And second, aren't we all family here? What's with 'third wheel' and all? If anyone is the third wheel, it's us... barging in between you and Boss."

Subordinate Woman smiled sweetly as she started arranging another plate with care, her movements showing she expected Sasha to stay.

Hearing this, Sasha's eyes shined a little, a meaningful happiness flickering in them. She asked casually, but with a slight tremor of hope in her voice, "Oh my, don't you want to spend more time with Zack? What if I took all your time?"

"Hmm, Big Sister, sorry, but I don't understand what you're trying to say." Subordinate Woman chuckled softly, genuinely puzzled. "Whether I spend alone time with Boss or with his sister, everything is equal to me. My love for Boss or for his loved ones would not get less due to so-called 'spending time.'"

She continued filling the plates, laughing at what she considered a silly question, as if the answer was obvious.

"Hmm, then what if I say you can't spend any time with him for a year or so?" Sasha asked, a little more seriously this time, testing her.

Subordinate Woman just smiled and said, "It's okay. I'm fine with that." She kept filling the plates without hesitation, her answer coming easily.

Sasha pressed on, her voice probing deeper. "What if five years?"

"Hmm, it's okay."

"What if ten years?"

"It's okay."

Sasha's voice dropped lower, more serious now, the question weighted with real emotion. "What if I don't want you to be in his life at all?"

Subordinate Woman stopped filling the plates. She stood up straight and looked at Sasha directly, her eyes shined brightly without a trace of deception. A soft smile curved her lips as she answered. "As you say, Big Sister. Hehe."

Sasha's eyes suddenly got teary, emotion overwhelming her defenses. She ran forward and hugged Subordinate Woman tight, pulling her close against her chest.

Subordinate Woman was surprised, barely managing to hold the plate in one hand while being embraced so suddenly.

"Why do you say it like that?" Sasha asked, her voice breaking with emotion. "What if I truly say that? Can you live without Zack?"

Her eyes got foggy with unshed tears that threatened to spill over.

"Big Sister, you are the most important person in Boss's life. You're like his mother." Subordinate Woman spoke softly, her voice was filled with truthfulness. "And if a mother asks something, then I will blindly follow it. My love for Boss... it's not just his body, but his soul. I could live my whole life without him, living in just the memories, the only thing I need is Boss validation. It may look a bit selfish but to compensate that I will love boss with all my heart and soul even if boss never accepts me as his women, I will always love him and keep giving him my love for his trust, his faith and his respect for me."

Sniff... sniff... Sasha's tears finally spilled over, rolling down her cheeks. "How can you both girls love him so much in such a short period of time that you're willing to give your life and soul for him?"

"Hmm, Big Sister, it may not seem so important in the eyes of others, but Boss chose both of us without even batting an eye. And we could see his honesty in his actions." Subordinate Woman's voice was gentle as she explained, patient in her answer. "When I first met him, I was thrown away by non-other than Rugged Woman heheh…... But Boss, without asking anything, just decided to save me from the others and told me to be his Subordinate Woman. His blind trust in me made me fall for him."

She paused, gathering her thoughts carefully before continuing.

"And trust me, I have observed many people, not good as Rugged woman but still I can see that there is always a tinge of hesitation, a tinge of doubt in their eyes when they say things to others. But Boss's eyes were always crystal clear... no shadows, no lies hiding beneath the surface. And that is why I and Rugged Woman fell for him!!! We decided to give everything to Boss. Even if he doesn't accept us, we will always be Boss's Subordinate and Rugged Woman. Hehe."

Subordinate Woman spoke softly as she gently placed the plate on the table and patted Big Sister Sasha's back with comforting strokes, soothing her.

Sasha nodded with every word, hugging her tighter as the understanding sank in. She thought in her mind, "Nat, love is not only about getting... you have to give it back. I was worried that one day Zack would burn out by giving too much to you. But now I hope these girls can show you the way on how real love works. Zack subconsciously attracted towards them because of these girls' honesty and them giving him love in return for his care and respect!!! I hope you could clear your mind and come back to him, because he can't live without you, and neither can you."

Sasha took a deep breath and cleared her mind. She stopped hugging Subordinate Woman and grabbed her cheeks with both hands, squishing them gently between her palms.

"I have decided... you girls can have him!" Sasha smiled beautifully, her eyes sparkling with joy at the decision. "Go love him as much as you can, and marry him in the future, and give me beautiful kids with beautiful hair like yours! Hehe."

Subordinate Woman's face registered surprise. She suddenly didn't blink, her expression frozen in shock. Her body stood motionless... even breathing seemed to die down.

"OYE! Wakey wakey! Are you alive?" Sasha waved her hand in front of her eyes, laughing at the reaction.

"Heheh, such a cutie!" Sasha hugged her again and played with her long, thick red hair, running her fingers through the wavy strands with affection.

"Huh? Baby? Boss, what, what... KYAAA!!" Subordinate Woman's mind was a complete mess as she woke up from her daze and fidgeted in nervousness, her face burning red with realization of what Sasha had just said.

"Hahahha!" Sasha laughed hard and played with her more, teasing her relentlessly as she enjoyed the flustered reaction.

Slowly, Subordinate Woman calmed down on surface, and together they walked over to Zack.

.

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Sasha and Rugged Woman treated his wounds with focused care, their hands working together in rhythm while Subordinate Woman sat beside him, her presence bringing comfort.

"Umm, here, Boss. Eat while you can." She tremblingly raised her hand to feed Zack, her neck getting red from embarrassment that crept up from her chest.

Zack, seeing this, smiled gently and just ate from her hand without hesitation. "It's good. Thank you!"

As he chewed, his hand subconsciously slipped into Subordinate Woman's thick reddish orangish wavy bouncy hair, his fingers tangling in the soft strands, finding familiar comfort there.

She smiled seeing this, her heart fluttering inside her chest, and she kept feeding Zack with careful attention, making sure each bite was the right size.

After finishing the treatment, Zack raised his hand with food in it. "Here, eat. And thank you for everything."

He offered the food to Subordinate Woman. Her eyes got a little teary as she nodded and ate it happily, savoring the moment more than the taste itself.

"ME! ME!" Rugged Woman also brought a chair over and sat in front of Zack eagerly, not wanting to be left out.

"Fine, here's one for you!" Zack gave her food as well, amused by her enthusiasm.

"Now eat with your own hands!" He waved them off playfully.

Both girls laughed together, their voices filling the air with brightness.

"Here, Big Sister." Zack fed Sasha with his own hands, not stopping at one bite but continuously feeding her, making sure she ate well.

Sasha smiled softly and hugged his arm, pressing close without the slightest hint of discomfort at being between them. Her body relaxed against his side completely. The tension she usually carried melted away into nothing. For the first time in so long, she felt truly calm... truly at peace. Before this moment, whenever Natalia was with Zack, she was always on edge. Her stomach would twist with uncertainty, never knowing whether she should stay and risk being in the way or quietly step away to give them the space they might need.

But this time was different. Something fundamental had shifted inside her talking to both the girls.

Seeing the sincerity in both women's eyes, their actions completely unguarded toward her, Sasha felt an unexpected peace washing over her. Sitting beside Zack no longer felt like an intrusion into something that didn't belong to her. It didn't feel like she was stealing time that should have gone to someone else. It felt... just right. As though she truly belonged with them, no doubt clouding her mind, no restlessness pulling at her heart, just her sitting with her family where she was meant to be.

"I think I can now stop sticking with him too much, but once in a while is fine, I guess, hehehe" Sasha muttered happily as she tightly hugged his arms, holding onto him with genuine contentment.

She stayed there, smiling sweetly, her heart light with warmth that spread through her chest and filled every corner of her being.

"Ah! Big sister, there's something I have to tell you!" Zack spoke up, his tone shifting into seriousness. He explained how he wanted both girls to stay with them... He explained that Rugged Woman and Subordinate Woman needed a place to belong because of their difficult circumstances and everything they'd been through.

"Hmm, fine. You girls can stay with us," Big Sister Sasha nodded in approval, her voice carrying warmth that made the invitation feel not force. The two girls gratefully thanked her, their eyes shining with relief that flooded through them, bowing respectfully to show their appreciation.

"And I have something for you, Rugged Woman," Zack smiled and glanced at Subordinate Woman, who nodded immediately and ran somewhere quickly, her footsteps echoing against the floor. She returned moments later carrying a bag carefully in her hands, protecting whatever was inside.

"Here, I've chosen something for you... a small gift," Zack spoke while looking at the stunned Rugged Woman, who hadn't gotten out of the surprise that she would be living with Boss yet. Her heart was jumping around wildly in her chest, beating so hard she could hear it pounding in her ears, that's when suddenly Zack showed her the bag.

"Huh? Boss, this? And your home? Why?" Rugged Woman asked in complete confusion, her voice cracking slightly with emotion she couldn't control.

"What, you don't want to live with me?" Zack smirked while asking, raising one eyebrow playfully.

"NO, I WANT TO!" Rugged Woman nodded heavily, her head bobbing up and down with such enthusiasm it might fall off. Then she took the bag from Subordinate Woman's hands, their gazes meeting for a moment as they smiled at each other with genuine happiness reflected in their expressions.

"I'll wear it right now, Boss! Wait a minute!" Rugged Woman's excitement bubbled over, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I was jealous that you only gave her a dress earlier, but I'm sure you've chosen an even better one for me!" She poked her tongue out cutely and teased Subordinate Woman, her eyes dancing with mischief. In reply, Subordinate Woman just humped, crossing her arms and declaring that hers was way better anyway, her chin lifting with mock superiority.

Big Sister smiled warmly and stood up, leaving Zack's arms behind. "I'll help you get changed. Let's go."

Sasha happily grabbed Rugged Woman's arm as both laughed and talked with each other animatedly, their voices overlapping as they headed inside to one of the rooms.

Zack and Subordinate Woman didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, Rugged Woman came running back while dragging Sasha along, her face absolutely glowing with joy that radiated from every pore.

"BOSS!!" She practically shouted as she came directly beside Zack and sat beside him, then hugged him tightly with all her strength, pressing her face against his shoulder with desperate affection. "BOSS! I LOVE THIS OUTFIT! THANK YOU, BOSS! I LOVE YOU, BOSS! THANK YOU FOR THINKING ABOUT ME, GIVING ME ALL THE CARE AND RESPECT! I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, BOSSSSS!!!!"

Rugged Woman spoke directly in Zack's ear with some sobbing sounds breaking through, her voice thick with emotion that threatened to overwhelm her completely. Tears were gathering in her eyes, pooling at the edges, threatening to spill over at any moment.

Zack felt a little embarrassed by the public display of affection, his ears turning slightly red from the attention, but he sighed gently and patted her back in slow, comforting rhythm. "I heard you. Now why don't you let us see how you look properly?"

Zack spoke gently, his voice carrying understanding. She nodded eagerly, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, and left Zack's embrace reluctantly. She stood up and positioned herself in front of them all, taking a breath to steady herself.

Rugged Woman stepped into the light streaming from the long windows. The outfit she wore screamed don't mess with me but somehow still felt effortlessly beautiful at the same time. She had on a snug white strapless top that hugged her chest perfectly, the fabric clinging to her curves, leaving her beautiful upper chest and naked shoulders completely bare. Her gorgeous brown skin gleamed in the natural light, catching every ray beautifully, making her look almost radiant. She stood there nervously, fidgeting slightly while making sure her perfect figure was seen properly by Zack, wanting his approval more than anything.

The bare top was balanced by dramatic puffed sleeves strapped at her arms, creating an interesting contrast. A sleek black choker wrapped her neck, the accessory looking sharp against her skin, drawing attention to her collarbones that stood out elegantly. Long gold earrings brushed against her jaw every time she moved her head, catching the light with each subtle motion, creating little flashes of brightness.

Her high-waisted black pants fit her form perfectly. Tight material that looked almost like armor, glossy in the right light, detailed with subtle gold accents running down the sides. The pants tucked neatly into pointed boots that looked made for both walking away from trouble and standing your ground when it came knocking. Her messy short brown hair framed her face perfectly, wild in a way that suited her personality. Her eyes glowed with quiet confidence that hadn't been there before today. She didn't try to look cool or beautiful... she just was. The outfit transformed her completely into someone new while still being herself.

"Hmm, truly you are just beautiful," Zack spoke admiringly, his eyes taking in every detail with genuine appreciation that showed clearly on his face.

"You're looking so cool!" Subordinate Woman smiled happily, clapping her hands together in delight, seeing her partner so genuinely happy brought her joy.

"Yes, I was shocked when I saw her," Sasha added thoughtfully, taking in the transformation. "She has a beautiful body... she's just been careless and wearing dirty clothes all this time that hid it completely. I look forward to both you girls' babies in the future! I'm sure they'll be quite amazing. And don't worry, I'll make sure you two becomes a proper lady in the future."

Sasha spoke her mind aloud without thinking, her tone completely sincere in a way that made the statement even more shocking.

TWITCH TWITCH.

Zack's eyes twitched hard at the sudden mention of babies, his composure cracking under the unexpected topic.

"KYYAA! KYYAA!!" Both girls' minds went completely crazy, and they got embarrassed immediately, their faces turning bright red as the implications hit them all at once. Rugged Woman covered her face with both hands while Subordinate Woman turned away completely, steam practically rising from her ears.

"Ahm! Anyways, things have settled now. You girls will be living with us, I hope you girls take care of yourselves and live a good life in the future," Zack spoke quickly, trying desperately to mend that topic and move past the awkwardness that filled the air.

"Yes, Boss!" Both women smiled happily despite their lingering embarrassment as they stood together and talked with each other, checking each other's outfits and bickering playfully about whose outfit was the best. Their voices overlapped as they pointed at different details, laughing and teasing each other relentlessly.

Sasha came and sat beside Zack again, hugging his arm back and pressing against him comfortably, finding her place next to him. She spoke quietly, her voice warm with sincerity. "I like these girls. They're good girls with kind hearts. If you want them, my blessing will be with you."

"Huh? You took so much time to approve Nat, and now you're accepting them so fast? Did I miss something?" Zack asked in confusion, his eyebrows furrowing as he tried to understand the sudden change in her attitude.

"Hehehe, not telling you! It's a secret between us girls, right?" Big Sister Sasha spoke loudly, turning to look at the other women with a conspiratorial smile spreading across her face.

The trio of girls looked at each other, their eyes meeting with perfect understanding that needed no words. "RIGHT!! HEHEHHE!" they responded in unison, dissolving into giggles that filled the room.

They talked and laughed together, sharing food and stories as the lunch dragged on pleasantly. Warmth spread through the group, filling every quiet space between them with comfort. It wasn't just happiness flooding through them... it was belonging. A sense of family wrapped around them, soft in a way that made everything feel safe, and for that moment, nothing else in the world mattered to any of them. No past pain haunting their memories, no future worries clouding their minds... just this perfect present moment together.

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After quite a while when everyone ate and rested enough, they gathered together in the main area.

"Ahem! Now, everyone, let's start the road ahead!" Zack announced, his voice carrying authority that commanded attention.

After eating, Zack and the others sat together and started forming a new plan for what needed to happen next. Zack looked around, seeing everyone present, his eyes taking in each face gathered there:

Sasha and her researcher colleagues, Gloomy, Alfie, Sio, Little Princess, Oliver, Mother Silja, 2nd Rock Leader Remek Barret, Mother Ariana, Queen Mother, Mother Isafold and her three husbands, Rugged Woman, Subordinate Woman, three Miss Expert Sisters out of four, 3rd Rock Leader Vali Sverrisson and his wife Laoise Sverrisson and their outgoing kid, 4th Rock Leader Mikaela Larents, Miss Evangeline Wilson, Kyra Mills, Chieftess Anihoa Mora and Maid Nima, Stein Mateo the Tool Guy, Miss Phoebe MacManus, and several other important figures of Queen's committee.

The room was packed full. Family members sat alongside figures of power, people capable of shaping the city's future with their decisions.

"YEAHH!!"

The cheer rose in unison, voices crashing together as heads nodded in firm agreement throughout the crowd.

The air buzzed with energy, thick with hope filling every heart in the room. In that moment, they weren't just allies or relatives anymore... they were united, ready to face whatever lay ahead on the difficult road before them.

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END OF CHAPTER

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Author Blabbering

What is your guys fav sports to play? not watch!! I can watch many games but I don't enjoy playing and I enjoy many sports playing but not like watching! But the more we get older the more we couldn't find people to play, life sure gets right?

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