Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I’m Stuck as Their Baby! - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Unwanted Sibling Therapy
“We were worried when you left so suddenly. Is something troubling you?”

I sighed, meeting Mara’s wide, earnest eyes before glancing briefly at Elira. Both of my maids stood poised, alert, ready to offer me their boundless compassion and borderline obsessive care at the slightest hint of distress. I hesitated, briefly considering whether honesty was worth the potential disaster it might cause.

“Just wanted some fresh air,” I said finally, shrugging lightly in what I hoped was a convincingly nonchalant manner.

Elira raised an eyebrow subtly, giving me a look that plainly said she didn’t believe me for one second. Mara, however, didn’t even bother hiding her skepticism.

“Fresh air?” Mara echoed, hands on her hips as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Your Highness, with all due respect, you loathe fresh air. You called it ‘a useless distraction from my plotting’ just yesterday.”

My lips twitched despite my best efforts. “Maybe I’ve developed a sudden appreciation for nature?”

Mara tilted her head, examining me with careful consideration before exchanging a knowing glance with Elira. Ah, wonderful. The servants had officially formed a conspiracy theory about me. As if I didn’t have enough chaos to manage already.

Elira stepped forward smoothly, folding her arms with the effortless authority only she could project. “If this is about your mothers discussing a sibling, Your Highness, you can always confide in us. We understand how alarming such news must be.”

My eyes widened slightly. “Wait—how do you—”

She offered a gentle but self-satisfied smile. “Your mothers are many things, subtle is not one of them. The entire castle is already aware of their plans.”

I grimaced, my dignity plummeting rapidly. “Of course. I forgot that privacy is an alien concept here.”

Mara gently squeezed my shoulder, her eyes softening with sympathy. “Your Highness, you don’t need to worry. Even if you do get a sibling or two, or three no one could possibly replace you. You’re the future of the empire. And besides,” she added thoughtfully, “siblings aren’t so bad. They can be rather fun. Sometimes.”

Elira shot Mara a skeptical look, clearly doubting the sincerity of her words. “Only if one enjoys constant rivalry, stolen clothing, endless shouting matches, and attempted fratricide.”

Mara scowled lightly, elbowing Elira. “Must you always be so dramatic? We’re trying to reassure her, not frighten her.”

I stared between them blankly, my mind desperately trying to process the vivid imagery Elira had just casually provided. “Attempted…what?”

Elira shrugged elegantly, her expression impassive. “Sibling disagreements among the nobility are often quite intense, Your Highness. Though, I’m sure yours would be far less murderous. Probably.”

Mara sighed heavily, rubbing her temples as if battling a headache. “Ignore her, Your Highness. Family can be wonderful. A sibling would surely adore you, and you could teach them all sorts of things!”

I considered Mara’s words for exactly two seconds before the horrifying image of miniature tyrants chasing me through the castle hallways appeared in my mind.

[I see you’re picturing your inevitable doom already. Smart.]

“I’m not exactly eager for the responsibility,” I admitted, sinking down onto the bench beneath the willow tree once again, exhaustion pressing down on me like a physical weight. “I’m barely managing myself as it is. The idea of having to babysit a tiny me who could set the world on fire at any moment feels…”

I shuddered theatrically.

Elira nodded sagely, her expression grimly serious. “Apocalyptic?”

I snorted despite myself. “Something like that.”

Mara gently patted my head, a gesture she had grown bolder with over the years. “Well, I think you’d be a wonderful older sister. Just think of how adorable a baby sibling would be. Little chubby cheeks, tiny hands and feet, big eyes looking up at you with absolute trust…”

Elira interrupted smoothly, her tone dry as desert sand. “And the occasional attempted overthrow when they inevitably decide they want your throne.”

Mara shot her a glare, clearly fed up with her less-than-helpful contributions. “Stop it. She’s already stressed enough.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples wearily. “Honestly, you’re both terrifyingly accurate. My family is already insane. Add another tiny tyrant into the mix, and we might actually destroy civilization before I reach my teens.”

Mara chuckled softly, her gaze turning fond and understanding. “But you’d never be alone, Your Highness. You’d have a companion for life. Someone who understands exactly how weird and intense your family can be.”

I paused at that, genuinely considering Mara’s point. True, it could be nice to have someone who actually understood the bizarre realities of my life someone who could relate to the overwhelming expectations, the endless politics, and the constant threats of execution for trivial offenses. Someone who might even share my burden, rather than add to it.

But then again…

“You make it sound appealing,” I admitted slowly. “But knowing my parents, they’d spoil the baby rotten. And then I’d have to deal with a bratty sibling with godlike powers. No thanks.”

Mara chuckled softly. “Spoiled sibling or not, you’d still be the heir. They couldn’t overshadow you, even if they wanted to.”

Elira nodded, eyes glinting sharply. “And if they tried, I have no doubt your mothers would correct the problem swiftly. And violently.”

I winced. “You two really have a gift for making even the sweetest scenarios sound terrifying.”

Both women smiled innocently, as if I’d just complimented them.

“Maybe I’m worrying too much,” I finally admitted, shaking off the lingering anxiety. “My parents aren’t exactly subtle, but they’ve always made it clear that I’m their priority.”

Elira’s expression softened unexpectedly, the usual cold humor replaced by quiet sincerity. “Exactly. And nothing could ever change that.”

Mara smiled warmly, squeezing my hand in gentle reassurance. “No matter how many siblings you end up with, Your Highness, you’ll always be special.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head at their relentless optimism. “Fine, fine. I get it. You two win I’ll stop worrying about hypothetical siblings who don’t even exist yet.”

[For now.]

Ignoring the system’s sardonic input, I allowed myself to relax slightly. Maybe I had been overreacting. My mothers might be ruthless tyrants, but they genuinely adored me. No sibling, no matter how terrifyingly powerful or annoyingly cute, could replace me.

Or at least, I hoped.

I glanced at my two maids, suddenly realizing something. “Wait Elira, how do you know so much about siblings anyway? You’ve never mentioned your family.”

Elira hesitated briefly, her usual composure faltering for just a moment. Then, with a reluctant sigh, she muttered, “I have two younger sisters. Both unbearably competitive, insufferably entitled, and entirely convinced they deserve to rule the world.”

I laughed, startled. “That explains so much about you.”

She inclined her head gracefully, eyes twinkling with quiet amusement. “Indeed. It’s also why I have mastered the subtle art of surviving family feuds.”

Mara rolled her eyes, clearly amused. “And yet, you still provoke them whenever possible.”

Elira smiled slightly, a hint of genuine affection creeping into her expression. “Only because it’s entertaining.”

I shook my head in disbelief, unable to suppress my smile. “You two are impossible. But thank you.”

Both maids shared a warm look, turning back to me with identical smiles. Mara, cheerful as always, lifted her chin proudly. “We’re here for you, Your Highness. Whatever happens, siblings or not, we’ll always stand by your side.”

Elira nodded solemnly, though her voice carried a rare warmth. “You can always count on us.”

I exhaled slowly, feeling lighter than I had in hours. “Good. Because something tells me I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

After all, sibling or not, my life was already complicated enough.

And knowing my family, it was only going to get worse from here.