Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I'm Stuck as Their Baby!-Chapter 123: Of Secrets, Kisses, and Traumatized Best Friends

Breakfast continued in a comforting, noisy blur filled with laughter, teasing, pastries flying across the table, and my mother's subtle threats toward Riven every time he reached for more food.

By the end of it, Aria was thoroughly charmed by my family, Aeris and Arion had practically adopted her, and Riven had only narrowly escaped murder-by-breakfast-fork at the hands of Verania. All in all, it had been a surprisingly peaceful start to a day, given recent events.

Eventually, Aria glanced up at me, a slight shadow of worry flickering briefly in her soft brown eyes.

"Elyzara," she murmured hesitantly, "do you think Mara and Elira are awake yet? I'd really like to see them…to thank them for protecting us."

Riven straightened immediately, brushing pastry crumbs from his shirt. "Yeah, same. We owe them."

"Of course," I replied, pushing away from the table. "Let's go visit."

Aeris perked up instantly, eyes glittering with pure mischief. "Oh, they're definitely awake! They're probably busy kissing again."

Aria flushed deeply, eyes widening slightly. "Kissing?"

I waved her off dismissively. "Ignore my siblings. They've developed a sudden and dramatic obsession with romance. Mara and Elira are probably just resting."

Arion looked scandalized. "We're not making it up, Elyzara! We saw it. With our eyes."

"Sure, Arion," I sighed, shaking my head as I led Aria and Riven toward the infirmary. "Whatever you say."

As we made our way through the winding corridors of the castle, Riven glanced warily over his shoulder. "Your family is terrifying," he whispered. "I genuinely think your mother might murder me in my sleep."

I smirked lightly. "That's because she might."

"Thanks," he drawled. "That's very reassuring."

We reached the infirmary door, the familiar carved oak polished until it gleamed gently beneath the enchanted lanterns. Soft voices murmured faintly behind the thick wooden panels, drifting gently toward us. I raised my hand, knocking politely then pushed open the door without waiting.

"Mara, Elira, we have—" My voice cut off abruptly, my eyes widening in stunned disbelief at the scene before us.

Mara and Elira were, in fact, awake. And they were, indeed, very busy though resting definitely wasn't what they were occupied with.

They stood near one of the large windows, sunlight washing gently over their entwined forms, their lips pressed firmly together in a passionate kiss. Mara's dark hair spilled loosely around her shoulders, Elira's copper curls tangled softly between Mara's fingers. Both were so absorbed in each other that they hadn't even noticed our dramatic arrival.

Behind me, Aria gasped softly, hands flying to her mouth in shock, cheeks flaming crimson. Beside her, Riven stared, eyes wide, mouth hanging slightly open like a stunned fish.

I simply stood frozen, a strange mixture of horror, disbelief, and mild fascination rendering me temporarily speechless.

"Oh," I said faintly.

The sound startled Mara and Elira apart immediately, both turning sharply, eyes wide in matching expressions of panic and embarrassment.

"Elyzara!" Mara squeaked, hastily smoothing her hair. "We—we didn't hear you knock!"

"Clearly," Riven drawled dryly, still looking thoroughly traumatized. "You seemed a bit preoccupied."

Elira blushed fiercely, hastily straightening her gown. "We were…um…discussing strategy?"

Riven raised one eyebrow skeptically. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

Aria made a soft, embarrassed noise, still hiding behind her hands. "I'm so sorry! We didn't mean to intrude!"

I crossed my arms lightly, raising one eyebrow in mild amusement. "I suppose Aeris and Arion weren't making it up after all."

Elira sighed deeply, pressing a hand dramatically against her forehead. "They saw?"

"Apparently," I replied dryly, lips twitching faintly with amusement. "They've already started designing your wedding invitations."

Mara groaned, burying her face in her hands. "We're doomed."

A long, awkward silence settled gently between us, broken finally by Riven's hesitant voice. "So…you two are…?"

"Yes," Elira admitted softly, cheeks still flushed warmly. "We're…together."

Mara smiled faintly, reaching out gently to take Elira's hand. "Officially."

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Aria dropped her hands, eyes suddenly shining with genuine delight. "That's wonderful!"

I nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "Surprising but wonderful."

Riven sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Now I owe Aeris money. She bet me three pastries you two would end up married by next month."

Elira laughed softly, eyes sparkling faintly. "Maybe not married quite that fast, Riven."

"Yet," Mara murmured softly, eyes warm as she gazed at Elira, clearly forgetting we were still in the room.

"Gods, get a room!" Riven groaned, throwing up his hands. "Somewhere else!"

I elbowed him gently, smirking. "We literally walked into their room, Riven. We're the intruders here."

He rolled his eyes dramatically, muttering beneath his breath about emotional scarring. "I'm never knocking again I'm bursting in shouting from now on. It's safer."

Aria laughed softly, eyes warm with affection. "I'm truly happy for you both. And thank you, so much, for everything. You risked your lives to protect us."

Mara smiled gently, expression softening. "We'd do it again without hesitation. You're all precious to us."

Elira nodded firmly, eyes fierce with quiet determination. "We'll always protect you all of you."

I sighed softly, warmth spreading gently through my chest despite my mild embarrassment. "Thank you."

Mara's eyes softened gently, smiling fondly at me. "You're very welcome, Elyzara."

Riven scowled faintly, clearly still deeply uncomfortable yet reluctantly touched. "Alright, sentimental moment acknowledged. Can we please leave before they start kissing again?"

I rolled my eyes dramatically, gently nudging him toward the door. "Fine, Riven. Let's spare your delicate sensibilities."

Elira laughed softly, eyes sparkling with mischief. "We'll try to restrain ourselves around your fragile heart, Riven."

Mara grinned, lightly squeezing Elira's hand. "No promises, though."

Riven groaned loudly, retreating swiftly toward the safety of the hallway. Aria giggled softly, bowing slightly in farewell. "Congratulations again."

We stepped quietly out into the corridor, the infirmary door closing gently behind us. Riven immediately slumped dramatically against the wall, exhaling loudly.

"I'm emotionally compromised," he declared mournfully. "I may never recover."

Aria rolled her eyes fondly, gently patting his arm. "You'll survive."

"Will I?" he demanded dramatically. "Will I truly?"

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Yes, Riven. Unfortunately, you'll survive."

He scowled faintly, but his lips twitched gently in reluctant amusement. "You're all heartless."

"And yet," I replied dryly, looping an arm gently through his, "you're stuck with us."

Aria smiled brightly, slipping her arm through my free one. "Forever."

Riven sighed dramatically, finally smiling faintly despite himself. "Lucky me."