The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 116 - This Chubby Child Can’t Understand Her Uncertainties!

Chapter 116: Chapter 116 - This Chubby Child Can’t Understand Her Uncertainties!

She adjusted her hold as an illusion of a simplified figure, that bore a strikingly colorful resemblance to Qatrand, fought majestically with a brute of a man slinging crystals at her visual story’s hero. Unblinking and wide eyed, her chubby arms reached out for the softly shimmering forms.

The miniatures used her moving limbs as obstacles to dodge while continuing their fight. The illusionist generally did not like using or revealing her ability to simulate the sense of touch, but for her sister... she was perfectly willing to emulate the soft pokes ’pummeling’ the skin of her arms as illusive feet danced their combat footwork.

When Onya’s arms raised vertically, the characters in her little play hung on for dear life. She left the Crystal Element user for the child to squish and marvel at while her fingers reached out and plucked the ’swordsman’ from certain torture. A bitter pang in her chest struck as she dispersed the figure, remembering the last ’inaccurate’ representation of Qat.

’At least I didn’t make this one able to talk and tell too much about myself.’

The memory of how she adjusted and stored *that* particular illusion brought to mind the spirit fragments she and Qat carried of each other. The small physical weight in her arms felt abruptly heavier. She imagined for a moment that she was holding a different child - one with Qat’s goodness and her own cunning... even if there was plenty of cause to believe offspring can develop to be quite unlike their parents.

Cradling her sister close, who was shaking the little ’not Ondua’ like a rattle, the ancient cultivator found herself speaking once again in her usual monotone.

"You know, you might have nieces or nephews someday. Not too soon, but... someday. If so, they should be born before the Descent after next."

The words hung in the air as Onya blinked up at her, uncomprehending but babbling in response. Elua’s dull eyes gained a sheen of determination. The Goltbreds were already a small family... growing it was something they would build together. She would make that future and any which her husband-wife wanted a reality.

For Onya as well - and to a lesser extent, her own parents.

"It’s strange. I’ve guided many disciples, led a few small armies, loved deeply and lost cruelly... but the thought of raising my own? It’s both terrifying and exhilarating, all at once."

She gently bounced the girl in her arms, while stuck in her thoughts.

"I wonder if they’d feel like this - like you do to me. Or would it be different? A piece of my heart outside my body, but... more. Born from the love Qat and I share."

The small illusion in the child’s hand broke apart into motes of light. Brown eyes looked up at the mint ones... understanding only that these odd and wonderful things only happened when this person was around. Before the loss of her ’toy’ could distress her too much, the voice speaking relative nonsense at her drawled out again.

"Would I be a good mother, Onya? Could I love them as fiercely as I love Qat? Will I treat them well? Or will the problems and habits of my last life get in the way..."

As if sensing her elder sister’s turmoil, the child gurgled and patted the reincarnator’s cheek much more softly than before. The simple, unconditional affection in the gesture overwhelmed her... and the barrier around the room cracked before being replaced. It was rare in her long existence that her control ever slipped not from anger or due to the person she loved most.

"Is that the key, dear? To purely love them without schemes or facades. To be as real with them as I am with you, at least in this moment..."

The heiress pressed a gentle kiss to Onya’s forehead to seal an unspoken promise to herself. When someday children of her own found their way into her arms, she would face them with at least the same openness and love she felt right now... while cradling her first and only sister in the quiet of her nursery. The child’s eyelids started to droop, the excitement of their play - on top of however long she was already crawling around - made her drowsy.

The brunette gently placed the reddish-blonde back in her crib before creating one last illusion. The mobile she crafted lit up with soft glows of so many colors as silver flowers reminiscent of the Starbloom ceremony ’grew’ from it. Her hands found the Ogre doll in the corner of the bed and shifted it closer.

The thought of doing similar little gestures in the future lingered. Not just using her illusions to amuse and provide wonder, but every little act in reality that would help and comfort. A bit of honest anticipation finally surpassed the in-built trepidation in her spirit wrought by centuries of doubt and distrust.

Yet, as she watched her young sister drift off to sleep under the ’light’ of false stars... the schemer’s mind began to shift gears. The sentimental moment had passed - not without effects. She smoothed her shortened hair while bringing her facade back.

’These things are not important for over a decade. There are more pressing matters at hand.’

The surgical tools were a sword overhead, though she was perfectly willing to dance around the incoming strike and wait for Qat to defend her. The upcoming competition needed her to make some movements as well, in regards to her Guild. Then the potential threats revealed at the wedding demanded her attention.

With a last glance at the steady breathing Onya, the teenager dispersed the now unviewed illusion and stepped out of the room. She informed the servant about the child’s state and strode down the corridor. It was time to meet with her waiting parents... and probably discuss a few of her plans.

Shifting through potential scenarios and strategies, she particularly focused on how to track down the gift ritual saboteur. While traveling through the estate, her steps were light - more comfortable with facing problems than people. The warmth that she had piled up in the nursery was pushed towards the center of her spirit for safety, covered by the colder calculation that had served her for millenia.

But a tiny part of her refused to bury the memory and feeling of Onya’s chubby hand against her cheek - and it fueled the smile on her face as she entered the hall in view of Yatrel and Ondua. A familiar chuckle met Elua... and the woman who had been waiting to tease finally had her chance.

"I see now who is the second most important. I guess I’m third, now... and your father must be..."

"It’s probably better for him that I don’t answer that, mother."

Her face looked perfectly ’innocent’ as she stared at the man, before breaking into a smirk of ’mischief’ and hopping over his way. She clutched onto his side to deliver a hug. While it might be true that he wasn’t in her top 5, he was absolutely her favorite father! Ondua laughed awkwardly before his eyes crinkled warmly.

"Welcome home, little daughter. I’m sure you are tired of hearing it, but the ceremony was beautiful. I’m sure you were happy with it?"

The brunette nodded while breaking away. She stepped quietly before settling into a chair across from her parents. The unexpected surge of Divinity during their vows and what it might mean if *not* a direct intervention came to mind, but she kept her expression neutrally ’sweet’.

"Thank you. The wedding was... memorable. I believe it was a good first step in our marriage. Though there is still a lot to deal with after it."

"The gifts have been brought back. Including that tea set you sent with me. It’s all in your room, as requested."

The Dame Goltbred still thought the box she brought home held something other than a tree. Part of the heiress wanted to tell her the truth, but there was still value in keeping her true Astralism as secret as possible. The acceptance that her ’fortress’ showed her despite having such a potentially inciting ability... was not a precedent to bet everything on.

"Speaking of gifts, there’s a matter we need to discuss. Those tools-"

Elua interrupted the brunette man as he leaned forward with a serious expression on his face.

"Ah, yes. Qat and I are aware of the significance. We plan to handle the matter together on ’his’ return."

The reddish-blonde frowned at her eldest.

"Dear, this isn’t just any gift. It certainly wasn’t one to send anonymously or at a wedding. Sending such a regulated substance-"

"I’m aware of the implications. But Qat specifically requested we deal with this as a couple. I intend to honor that."

’Rather, she immediately wanted to deal with it on her own... and I am very intrigued why!’

The tension in the room rose as the silence in it draped across. Ondua and Yatrel exchanged worried glances. Both of them just wanted to protect their daughter and son-in-law, but arguing back didn’t seem promising against their rather independent eldest.

"We’re just concerned for your safety, so at least do not think you cannot seek our help. Both of you. After all, the Yecine family did not seem as welcoming or pleased after the ceremony as I would have hoped."

A pair of mint eyes hardened and dulled slightly at her father’s stressed words. She could feel the ’regret’ and ’hurt’ in his spirit. For someone so capable of rebounding his mood, seeing this bothered her. Especially if whatever caused this came from the source that she thought it did.

’My father-in-law wasn’t content to tuck his tail, I see. Though I suppose my father probably tried to pet him until he bit, as it were...’