HPDBC Chapter 76 Taking All Thirteen As Wives (1)
Chapter 76 Taking All Thirteen As Wives (1)
the privy chamber was a grand room, usually reserved for matters of state and intrigue.
today, however, it was host to something far more perplexing.
the walls, lined with tapestries depicting valorous deeds of old, seemed utterly at odds with the absurdity unfolding within.
argider sat at the head of a long, ornately carved table, surrounded by a gaggle of women and children.
the women were murmuring among themselves, while the children fidgeted, some tugging at tablecloths and others munching on biscuits from a tray they weren't technically supposed to touch.
argider cleared her throat, attempting to command the room with all the gravitas of a seasoned monarch.
she had donned her finest attire for this occasion, a gown of deep blue velvet that somehow only made her feel more conspicuous.
beneath her composed exterior, panic churned like a stormy sea.
how in the world had it come to this?
"ladies," she began, her voice calm but loud enough to cut through the whispers, "and children. thank you for joining me here today."
one of the women, a stern-faced blonde with arms crossed tightly over her chest, raised an eyebrow. "as if we had a choice," she muttered. several others nodded in agreement.
"fair point. but i assure you, this gathering is for a purpose far more noble than it may seem."
another woman, a petite brunette cradling a toddler on her hip, piped up. "is this about you finally explaining why we're here? or are you just going to keep us guessing?" the toddler promptly spat up on her shoulder, adding insult to injury.
argider exhaled, steeling herself. this was the moment. the grand revelation that would undoubtedly change the lives of everyone in the room.nôv(el)b\\jnn
she stood, her chair scraping loudly against the polished floor, and placed her hands firmly on the table. "i've decided," she declared, "to take you all as my wives."
the chamber fell into stunned silence.
"how magnanimous of you," the blonde said dryly.
one of the younger women, who had been silent until now, raised her hand tentatively. "what happens if we don't want to be your... whatever this is?"
"then you're free to go, of course. i'm not forcing anyone to stay. this offer is for those who want the security and resources i can provide. if you prefer to chart your own course, i'll respect that."
the woman nodded, looking thoughtful.
"and what about the children?" another voice asked. "are you... claiming them as yours?"
argider hesitated. "in a manner of speaking, yes. but not in a possessive way. more in a... parental-support way. i'll ensure they have opportunities, education, and a future." she looked around the room, her gaze lingering on the children. "they deserve that much, at least."
for a moment, there was silence again, but this time it was different.
the confusion was giving way to something else: cautious curiosity, perhaps even tentative approval.
the blonde uncrossed her arms, and the redhead's frown softened.
finally, the brunette broke the silence. "well, i'll say this much: you've got a strange way of going about things. but if it means my little one here doesn't have to grow up worrying about where his next meal is coming from, i'll take it."
"as will i," said the redhead, though she added with a wry smile, "but i reserve the right to tell this story at your expense someday."
"fair enough," argider said, smiling despite herself.
one by one, the women began nodding, some more enthusiastically than others.
the children, oblivious to the weight of the conversation, resumed their biscuit antics.
argider sat back down, feeling a peculiar mix of exhaustion and relief.
she had no idea how this arrangement would work in practice, but at least for now, it seemed she had survived the chaos without causing a complete mutiny.