Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 1399  Sisterly Bonding

Inside Quinlan's soul realm, the air was still.

The land spread out in gentle rises and shallow clearings, grass soft underfoot, the sky fixed in a quiet, pale glow. At its heart stood a single tree, small compared to Rosie's much vaster domain, its trunk smooth and pale, its leaves faintly luminous. Roots curled protectively around the ground beneath it, forming a natural seat where a small figure waited.

Mimi stood there, blue skin bright against the muted greens, hands clasped in front of her chest. The other girls had gathered around without prompting, forming a loose circle, intending to chat the time away until Quinlan called for them.

Serika hovered at the edge. For a long moment, she only watched. Mimi tilted her head, large eyes tracking her with open curiosity, and still no sign of recognition from their long past.

She was, after all, the dryad born from Serika's dead sister's soul.

Serika took a breath and stepped forward.

The moment she was close enough, Mimi's face changed abruptly, lighting up. The little girl looked as though she had made a decision.

She bounced on her toes, then jumped, arms flinging wide. Serika barely had time to react before the small body collided gently with her chest, little hands grabbing at her cheeks as Mimi pressed her face against Serika's.

"You're back!" Mimi chirped, voice bright and needy. Her arms tightened, small fingers curling into Serika's hair as if afraid she might disappear.

Serika froze. "W-what?"

Then her arms came up, slow at first, then firm. She held the girl close, one hand bracing Mimi's back, the other cupping the back of her head. Her jaw tightened. Her breath hitched. Moisture gathered at the corners of her eyes despite her effort to keep steady.

Mimi had no idea.

The thought cut deep and soft all at once. The girl she had known for hundreds of years had lost all memory of that life. There was no shared past in Mimi's mind. No sisters. No nights spent curled together for warmth.

Only this pull. This feeling.

Mimi nuzzled closer, pressing her forehead against Serika's, her little hands sliding up to hold her face. "I missed you," she said simply, as if it explained everything.

Serika let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her fingers trembled as they brushed along Mimi's hair, smoothing it back again and again. Her eyes burned. Tears slipped free and tracked down her cheeks, soaking into the girl's hair.

Time passed.

No one interrupted. The others watched quietly as Serika lowered herself to sit, with Mimi still clinging to her. The dryad hummed softly, content, while Serika pressed her face into the girl's shoulder and breathed until the tightness eased.

Aurora was the one who finally spoke, her voice careful. "What happened, Mimi? Did you regain your memories?"

Mimi shifted, lifting her head to look around. She shook her head, hair bouncing. "No…" Serika's hand stilled for a moment, then resumed its gentle motion.

Mimi kept going, voice animated. "When the scary woman came and broke into the place, Mimi fought really hard. Mimi was very scared." She puffed her chest slightly at that, then softened. "After, Mimi slept a lot. Scary uncle helped Mimi wake up."

Vex and Ayame had to fight back laughter from erupting. Mimi was akin to the guardian and administrator of Quinlan's soul realm. And such a person called him a scary uncle…?

Unaware, Mimi's gaze drifted up to Serika's face. "While sleeping, Mimi thought about stuff. About how big sister Serika always stayed nearby, even when Mimi didn't remember her." She smiled, small and earnest. "It must've been hard, right…?"

Serika couldn't respond; her throat was too tight. "Mimi really missed you. A whole lot." Her fingers tightened against Serika's cheeks. "Sorry for not remembering."

Serika swallowed. Her voice came out low and steady only through effort. "You have nothing to apologize for." She rested her forehead against Mimi's hair and kissed the top of her head once. "You're here. That's enough."

Mimi beamed and hugged her again, squeezing with all her small strength.

Kitsara stepped closer and patted Serika's shoulder, her expression warm. "I'm happy for you," she said.

Lucille crossed her arms, a wide grin on her face. "Yeah. Good for you, Seri."

Serika looked up at them, eyes red, cheeks damp. She laughed softly and nodded. "Thank you, guys."

The others smiled back.

They watched a woman who usually carried herself with calm certainty and hard edges sit on the grass, holding a small blue girl like she was the most precious thing in the world. Her firm muscles were still there. Her posture still strong. But her hands shook just a little as she held on, and her expression was open in a way none of them saw often.

"But wait…" Serika drew in a sharp breath, eyes widening as a thought caught up to her. "Why now? I've already visited you many times since that nasty bitc— I mean, woman invaded the realm. You didn't say anything then."

Mimi stiffened.

Her eyes went wide, hands loosening their grip. She pulled back from the hug with a small gasp, then hesitated before carefully stepping onto Serika's open palm. The scale difference made her movements extremely delicate. She stood there with her feet close together, shoulders slightly hunched.

Her fingers found the frilled edge of her little dress. She pinched the fabric, rubbing it back and forth while staring at her toes.

"Because I was shy," she admitted softly. "Mimi had to gather bravery first."

She peeked up.

The look was devastating. Huge eyes, glossy and uncertain, framed by a hopeful tilt of her head. "Are you disappointed? Angry?"

"!" Serika didn't answer. Not verbally, at least.

She simply lifted her other hand and pulled Mimi in again, pressing the small body back against her. The motion was firm and immediate, leaving no space for doubt.

Mimi squeaked, then laughed, the sound light and bubbling as she wrapped her arms around Serika once more.

Ayame watched the scene with a flat expression, arms crossed. After a moment, she spoke. "Look at this. Two sisters reconnecting even through death. Still tied together after lost memories and a changed race." Her gaze drifted away. "And here I am, sold into slavery by my own sister. Life has a sense of humor."

Vex's mouth curved into a grin. "Kaede might be a…" Serika sent her a gaze, forbidding the Hexwitch from cursing. She gingerly continued with the family-friendly version. "Questionably desired sister, but aren't you forgetting something?"

Ayame glanced at her. "Hm?"

"You have a second sister, Miss Samurai Babe."

Ayame's eyes narrowed at once. "Only that arrogant guy gets to use dumb monikers on me. Understood?"

Vex snapped a playful salute. "Crystal."

Ayame's glare eased. She exhaled slowly. "Black Fang, huh…"

Lucille perked up. "Yeah. You could try reconnecting with her." She tilted her head. "Or connecting, I suppose. There isn't much to rebuild."

Ayame hesitated. "I think she's a decent woman underneath it all. But it's hard."

"Yeah…" several voices agreed quietly.

"Quin decided on a near impossible challenge, huh?" Kaelira asked with a little smile. The elf was already informed of some must-know harem gossip.

"Nothing is impossible for Master!" Blossom declared at once, chest puffed out, fists clenched at her sides. Her tail swished with certainty. "If Master thinks he can conquer Lady Black Fang's ice-cold heart, then he can! Blossom knows!"

The others laughed softly as the blonde dogkin beamed, utterly convinced.

"Never change, Blossom…" Aurora giggled fondly, liking how the dogkin remained still the same turbo-loyal girl she knew her to be from all those months ago. As the girls continued their chatter, waiting for Quinlan's call, something else was also happening in the soul realm.