After having a private discussion with my family, we all went back to the throne room. This time, Mom, Big Sis, Iris, and Sophia joined partly because they wanted to see the spirits in person. But the most important reason was that they could personally join the audience.
We chatted for a while, finalizing the terms, before we summoned the three tree spirits again. I could hear the gasps my family made upon finally seeing them for the first time.
"Wow... They look so human, but they feel so surreal."
"And they are all pretty stunning."
Sophia and Iris gave their remarks to the tree spirits, respectively. The tree spirits were surprised to see the increase on our side too.
Just like before, Aesfen, Fyr, and Gron promptly kneeled down before the queen without waiting for our words. That was pretty respectable of them, I guess, if I had something to say. With that being said, Mother then reinitiated the audience, but we had to check on them first.
"We, the people of the Queendom of Raevender, are welcoming you once again, tree spirits of the Great Forest of Darkness. Before we can proceed with our unfinished business, can I ask if you enjoy your break?"
"We are delighted, Your Majesty," Aesfen said with a gentle smile. "The service we have received in the palace is excellent. We have a great time."
"We are pleased to hear your thoughts. You are our special guests, and you should have the best treatment."
"I greatly appreciate your efforts." Aesfen nodded once, and then she scanned the people nearby the queen. "It seems like you brought some people with you, Your Majesty."
"Ah, yes. These people are my family as well as the future ones. Here's one of my queen consorts, Claire. Then, my eldest daughter and the crown princess of the queendom, Louise. And then these two young ladies are Iris and Sophia, two of the future wives of my son, Raphael."
Once Mother introduced our members one by one, my family exchanged greetings with the tree spirits. Afterwards, Mother explained to them why the other queen consort, Gabrielle, could not attend the meeting today, which they understood.
Well, although Gabrielle was kind of sensitive these days, she was quite active in bed every night. She would probably continue doing the deed until she gives birth, but I would stop doing it for her once her baby bump was visibly noticeable.
There were times when I solely enjoyed her in bed, a single time during her pregnancy, and she did not mind if I filled her womb with my essence. Personally, I preferred doing it with Gabrielle than my other female clones. Not only was she a fragment of myself, but also my lover and my third mother.
Anyway, after the greetings, Mother cleared up her throat before she continued the audience. The air in the throne room eventually got serious, and the tension began to feel heavy.
"What...? Did I hear it right? Did you say that you would hand the authority of the tree to us?"
"That's right, Your Majesty. We are offering the tree in exchange."
"But why? Isn't the tree holding so much value in your very existence? You could not just entrust something that important to someone you barely know."
"I know we just made a risky move, but the safety of our mother is what matters to us the most. By entrusting her to your nation, we can assure that she is in safe hands."
"Oh-kay." Mother fully leaned her back on the throne for a second. "That's too much faith you got there. Are you sure that is your offer? We are not going to let that opportunity pass, you know?"
"This is what we have decided, Your Majesty, our final resolve."
"That's it."
Suddenly, Mother stood up from her throne and walked toward the three ladies, who were seemingly baffled by her action. Mother eventually stopped before them and stood proudly on her spot.
"Rise yourselves, our special guests. I cannot shake my hands with you if you remain in that posture, you know?"
"Shake hands? I apologize, Your Majesty, but I am not quite familiar with human interactions and gestures."
"I should have known this." Mother left out a sigh. "What I meant is, we are going to have a deal. We will be accepting your request."
"Is that true?!"
"Yes. So please stand up so that we can seal the deal."
"We understand, Your Majesty."
With a handshake, the Queendom of Raevender and the tree spirits of the forest had formed an alliance.