> Lara PoV

“Girls, your moms are calling you upstairs to their room. They have something important to tell you.” (Nano/Butler)

That’s not a good sign. I’d say that’s actually very bad. They wouldn’t let us see Mom ever since she fainted. If she got better there’d be hugs and laughs all around as usual. But Nano’s words don’t sound like there would be a lot of that!

Ack! Get it together Lara! You have to set a good example for your sister!

“Got it. Come on Sophie.” (Lara)

“...” (Sophie)

I grab her by the hand and lead her out of our room. Seeing that invincible and outrageous person suddenly get sick must have reminded her of our first house. Of our first mom.

Sophie’s shut herself completely inside herself, same as back then. It wasn’t until we were far away from that place that she would start opening up to the world. And it wasn’t until we were taken in by our current moms that she was finally able to laugh and smile like a flower in full bloom. My little sister is simply the cutest when she’s happy, I sorely miss that side of her now.

I reach the room that’s normally off-limits. Our moms’ bedroom. I open the door and walk inside, almost dragging Sophie behind me.

Mom’s too weak to get out of bed, just like Nano said... Ellie is there too, watching over her.

“Hey girls…” (Kira)

Wow, was that supposed to be a whisper?

“Hi Mom.” (Lara)

“MOOOOMMMYYYY!” (Sophie)

She broke away from my hand and ran up to the bed! Hey it’s a sick person so something like climbing up onto the bed is not permitted okay!?

“Oh… sweetie…” (Kira)

She gives her a big old hug… but Mom can barely stand up to receive it properly.

“*Sniffle* Please don’t leave us Mommy!” (Sophie)

Yep, it was that after all. Those painful memories... I had to put up a strong front back then as well.

“Shhh… I’m not… going anywhere…” (Kira)

She slowly wraps her hands around Sophie and strokes her back.

“Lara, don’t just stand there. Come greet your mother properly.” (Ellie)

“Right… Can… Can I get a hug, too?” (Lara)

If Sophie can be comforted, then I should be able to join in, right?

“Of course…” (Kira)

I walk closer to the bed. Sophie’s curled up with her head on Mom’s chest, crying softly.

“There, there… Let it all out… Mommy’s right here…” (Kira)

I climb up onto it and lie down next to Mom. I never understood why this bed was so big, but I’m glad it is.

“Lara… I missed you so much… “(Kira)

I lean over and hug her across the shoulders. I’m trying to be careful, you shouldn’t burden a sick person too much, right?

“Come on… what was that… don’t hold back…” (Kira)

An arm wraps around me and pulls me in closer. She kisses my forehead and then Sophie’s. Yep, that’s her alright. Even when sick she doesn’t hold back.

“You’ll get better, right?” (Lara)

I give her a serious look, because it’s obviously a serious matter. She smiles slightly and gently closes her eyes.

“Of course… Ellie promised… She’d make it all… better…” (Kira)

Wow, how can she be so at peace considering-

“Okay!” (Sophie)

Urk!

“Come on big sis! This is no time to mope around! Mommy, can I get you anything? Water? Some food? More hugs?” (Sophie)

No, Sophie, that complete recovery of yours is too sudden!

“Hugs… sound good…” (Kira)

“Yaay! Snuggles!” (Sophie)

*PLOMP*

“Gah!” (Lara)

She basically threw herself on top of me and Mom! I look up in a panic, but what I see isn’t the pained expression I was expecting! What greets me is that self-satisfied smirk she makes when she’s ripping someone off!

“Heee… Heee… there we go…” (Kira)

Why do I feel like we got pranked? Wasn’t she really sick? No, this is that mother of mine we’re talking about. Something like faking a sickness so she teaches us some 'valuable' lesson isn’t unthinkable!

…

“You’re not lying just to make us feel better, right?” (Lara)

“Big sis! Shame on you! Ellie promised she’d make Mommy get better you know!” (Sophie)

“No no no! Grown ups like Mom lie all the time to kids like us, Sophie!” (Lara)

“Oh yeah? Prove it!” (Sophie)

“Like when Mom-! Uhm… No, that was my own fault for misunderstanding… But… Huh?” (Lara)

Come to think of it, they never outright lied to us. I mean they don’t tell us stuff sometimes, but that’s normal right? I also have some things I can’t tell our moms. That’s why I tell Kelly or miss Ariel!

“See!? You can’t admit you were wrong so you’re just getting lost in her own head again!” (Sophie)

“Hoooh. Big words coming from a little sister that barely said a word while staring at the floor for two weeks!” (Lara)

“This and that are completely unrelated.” (Sophie)

Ah, she’s hopeless. She’s flawlessly picked up Mom’s self-delusional habit!

...

“Mom, you’ll get better, right? I need to hear it for myself!” (Lara)

“I promise… Sweetie…” (Kira)

“See!? When both of them promise then there’s nothing to worry about!” (Sophie)

“Yeah...” (Lara)

I would like to call that baseless confidence, but nothing stands in the way of our moms when they get serious.

“Girls. Things might get dangerous in a few days, so I need you two to keep out of sight and listen carefully to Nano, got it?” (Ellie)

“Yes!” (Sophie)

“Leave it to me!” (Lara)

She said something like that when they first met the big statue lady. It was a bit scary at first with all the shaking and screeching, but Nano and Kelly were nearby so it wasn’t that bad. Does this mean something equally outrageous is going to happen soon!? I wonder if they’ll split open the sky this time!

“Good. Now run along. We still have to speak with the others.” (Ellie)

“Awww… but snuggles…” (Sophie)

“Now, young lady!” (Ellie)

She climbs down from the bed with a disappointed look. There’s no need to be that devastated you know!

“You too, Lara!” (Ellie)

Ok, I take it back. I got cocky so please don’t separate me from-

“Waaah! Okay! Okay! I’m off! Put me down!” (Lara)

I was grabbed and dangled upside-down! This is child abuse, isn’t it!?

She puts me down on the ground and nudges me away from the bed!

“Sorry, but it’s important. Please don’t be mad, okay? You can visit again later.” (Ellie)

“I’ll hold you to that!” (Lara)

We leave the room and close the door behind us. Somehow I ended up getting mad, I have no idea what just happened!

“Humm ~♪ humm ~♫ humm ~♪” (Sophie)

Well, Sophie’s skipping along the corridor while humming, so at least she’s back to her cheerful self. She really is adorable when she’s like this!

Come to think of it, wasn’t Mom’s belly a bit bloated?

> Ellie PoV

“You’re sure you don’t want to tell them?” (Ellie)

“Yes… Too soon…” (Kira)

Kira rubs her belly while putting on a troubled face.

Since we’re not sure how or when we’ll convince that titan to help us, she doesn’t want them to find out yet.

Well, I agree with not burdening those two with the truth.

I’m still a bit worried how they’ll react to the news.

Hopefully they won’t be thinking things like we’ll throw them away or neglect them.

No, I suppose we’ve been neglecting them a lot recently.

“I hope… it’s born… safely…” (Kira)

“Me too.” (Ellie)

Draglael has given her word several times that it is indeed the product of mine and Kira’s love.

Nano can’t confirm such a thing since genetics played no part in this.

So I’ll just choose to believe in that fellow mother.

Nano seems to trust her, but I have trouble doing so.

I can’t read titan minds at all.

There’s no brain to read in that hunk of steel, it’s not surprising.

Hmm, does that mean there’s no brain in Zublos’s head, either?

No, I’m sure there is, but that sort of thing is not what I should be focusing on.

“Nano. Get Kelly and Ariel in here. They should know.” (Ellie)

{Sure, I’ll send them up.}

Unlike Sophie and Lara, those two are completely capable of understanding the gravity of the situation.

They’ll also be working with me to resolve it, so it’s good that they find out the stakes.

We already told Zublos since we had to ask for his advice.

Bringing that guy along proved unexpectedly good in a weird way.

As for Roel, he’s perfectly content being thought of as a sword, he doesn’t need any motivation to do his job.

I just wish he’d stop pestering me for sparring matches.

I’m very bad at holding back, you see.

No, perhaps I should agree and break a few of his bones so he’d leave me alone?

Ariel’s here so she can fix him right up!

Though that might be dangerous since he’s taken a fancy to me.

I really don’t want to deal with another Ariel...

Ah, but he’d probably demand I use my sword in a serious fight.

That’s something that will not end well.

My swordplay really isn’t as beautiful as he seems to thinks it is.

It’s an assassin’s blade, it’s meant for robbing life, not protecting it.

*Knock knock*

“Come in.” (Ellie)

“This one has answered your summons, Mistress.” (Ariel)

“Where’s Kelly?” (Ellie)

“This one believes Kelly is currently getting ready for something.” (Ariel)

Hmm?

But we’re just going to have a little chat, right?

Oh, there she is!

“‘Kay! I’m compl- *hic* completely ready for ya! Lay it on me!” (Kelly)

She stumbles into the room while reeking of alcohol.

What is she even doing at a time like this?!

“Why are you drunk, Kelly?” (Ellie)

“I’m just… just just… getting a head start. You four are about to spout something unbelievable at *hic* at me, right? This time I’m prebeered! I mean… prepe- p… I got wasted in advance!” (Kelly)

“Ugh…” (Kira)

Kira’s so disgusted she goes out of her way to roll her eyes.

I’m not sure if that’s something worthy of wasting her energy on...

“Mistress? Are you in pain?” (Ariel)

“She’s fine. Well, she’s probably getting a headache, but it’s unrelated to her condition.” (Ellie)

“And… if this unworthy one may be so bold as to ask, what is Mistress’s condition?” (Ariel)

I squeeze Kira’s hand while a smile floats to her face.

That’s right Kira, ignore the stumbling dwarf that’s about to throw up and focus entirely on the positive.

A healthy mind begets a healthy body!

No, wait that’s backwards, isn’t it!?

Aaaargh this is no time for that sort of thing!

This is the first time I’m saying it out loud, so I need to do it properly!

“Kira’s pregnant with my child.” (Ellie)

“... Nope. Nope. Nope nope nope nope nope NOOOPE NOOOPE NOOOPE NOOOPE!” (Kelly)

Kelly runs out of the room.

I guess she wasn’t as prepared as she thought.

“Ah! This one is overjoyed! Now this one can also pledge herself to Mistress’s rightful heir!” (Ariel)

And Ariel is focusing on some strange thing as usual.

“This… This must be a miracle of Enuri! This one-” (Ariel)

“Ariel!” (Ellie)

“Y-yes, Mistress!?” (Ariel)

“Some random incompetent titan had absolutely nothing to do with this. This child is entirely the fruit of mine and Kira’s efforts. If you spread such a lie around you will not be forgiven! Do I make myself clear!?” (Ellie)

“Hng! Yes! Mistress!” (Ariel)

“Good, now listen up. The problem is the child is not well and it’s affecting Kira. That’s why we’re going after this titan. We need to secure her co-operation to save them both. Now go prove your head isn’t just for decoration and make sure Kelly understands that!” (Ellie)

“At once, Mistress! Also, if this one may be so bold… Congratulations Mistress Kiressara, Mistress Ellie.” (Ariel)

“Thank you…” (Kira)

Judging from how her expression becomes even more peaceful, this must have been what Kira wanted to hear.

Ariel says some nice things when she wants to.

Maybe Nano’s behavioral therapy is finally showing some results?

“This one has received Mistress’s word of thanks! This one is unworthy! Surely this sin calls for punishment, yes?” (Ariel)

Okay, maybe not.