Chapter 16

The day came.

Nobara was even stunned that it happened so fast!

She was kept on the other side of the village, away from Suiryu. Maki was her maid of honor and was just fixing her hair. "To think, you and him ended up together huh?"

She forced a smile but then paused. "What about you?" she asked.

Maki was a little silent, however a smile came over her lips. "Well, I just have to find him… as well win him over. But that's besides the point…"

She was rather surprised that she had someone in mind. "Do I know him?"

She paused and then giggled. "Uh, how do I explain it… he's already taken but I got to fight a shikigami named Rika…"

"Really? HIM!?"

She nodded. "I… asked Suiryu and Yuuji if they could look for him on my behalf, ever since we bailed. I don't know if he got wind of our plan, or if…"

"They won't get rid of him that easily." Nobara said in a reassuring tone.

"Yeah, I know… you look amazing by the way…"

Nobara's dress was a beautiful snow white, but it glistened like fresh snow. Archie the designer said that there was a special feature to this dress, but, didn't elaborate farther besides stating she needs to stay away from anything that gives off a lot of heat.

She didn't what he was referring to, but he insisted she will know it when she sees it.

"Do you think Suiryu is peeking?" she asked.

"Fat chance, his mother is here, and he has his hands full with not just little siblings… Before I came here, I found out, he has nine older sisters too!"

Nobara froze. "Nine?" she asked with amazement.

"Indeed, he has to introduce himself to them, at the same time, it's rather odd. I think Lady Tiamat is trying to hook them up…"

"Her daughters? Who would she want to date her daughters?"

#

"Ugh, really mom?"

"Mind your manners!" she scolded. Lady Tiamat turned to the gentlemen who would be escorting the sisters. "I do apologize for their tongues…"

"It's rather understandable, at the same time, are you certain about this?"

"Of course I am Choso. I have nine daughters, and there are nine of you. It works out perfectly!"

She didn't want to startle the brothers, however the day before the wedding, she asked of them to look after her guests coming to the wedding. None of them knew they were her daughters.

"They are Ryujin's sisters, and I made certain they came here to see their little brother get married."

"You mean the freaks?"

"HUSH!"

The ladies jumped but fell silent.

Apparently they did not like the fact they got new brothers after Ryujin passed away, but the newer siblings… they were still uncertain of. "Mother, I don't think this is wise, they are not strong the least bit." Her eldest said with a sneer.

"You have been blinded by the notion of strength for far too long child. Power is not everything either, these young men took very good care of me when I was expecting your little brothers Suiryu and Yuuji. They know how to be proper gentlemen."

The brothers bowed to her. "We will respect their wishes, if they are uncertain around us, we won't force them to accept our company." Junpei said.

She turned to her daughters, they were suddenly taken aback by this gesture. "But, you're males, we're denying you!" the youngest said with her arms crossed.

"You have the right to refuse," Noranso said gently. "I mean, we aren't fully human or sorcerer ourselves, we are also part curse too. It can be rather… unsettling for people to be around us. We understand…"

Their stances suddenly… lightened.

"Mother, what trick are these males playing?" the oldest whispered.

"No trick, child. They speak to you as equals, they are respecting your boundaries. It's how a male SHOULD act around a female, not how your uncle encourages the others to do." She said gently.

She saw their tense state lower, but soon, they were at ease the moment the brothers excused themselves and returned with a small plate of snacks. "By the way Lady Tiamat, I appreciated all the help today and thank you for the extra assistance so I can attend this in person." Eso said.

"What do you mean?" one of her daughters asked.

"Eso here made all the food." Tiamat explained. "He has spent the past few days preparing everything, we found a way to make it ahead of time so he wouldn't be stuck in the kitchen. Suiryu is his brother too, he wants to be there to support him."

They froze once more. "He… made the food for everyone?"

"Indeed, and they are some of the best snacks I have ever had. Eso will always feed you well." She decreed. The brothers continued to keep their distance until Tiamat realized, no one has been properly introduced yet!

"I am so sorry where are my manners. Girls, meet the brothers. From youngest to oldest according to them. Junpei, Eso, Choso, Shouoso, Kotsuso, Noranso, Sanso, Tanso and Shoso… you can call him Sho." She said.

The brothers lowered their heads respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you,"

Once more, the girls were taken aback by their polite tone. "Gentlemen, these are my daughters, youngest to oldest as well. Nuwa, Melusine, Cailleach or Caille, Hecate, Rhea, Morthan, Ryusan, Ouida and Vyara."

The ladies returned the gesture. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Now then, ladies, can the brothers escort you tonight? They will show you around since they are also aware you are not use to this sort of setting." Tiamat explained.

They shied away at first, but nodded to her. The brothers then, oddly enough, spaced themselves out. It stunned the girls. "What are you doing?" Rhea asked.

"Well, we are not going to impose ourselves on you. Please speak with us and see who you wish to spend your evening with. You may consider my brothers to be more fitting than me as your company." Choso explained.

Tiamat swore a flush of red came over her daughters. "I wish to take Choso as my date," Rhea announced.

Some of her sisters appeared rather upset. They wanted him too! But he graciously accepted and began to show her around. The ladies did pair off eventually after a few brief discussions with the brothers.

Callie chose Noranso, Melusine went with Tanso, Nuwa chose Junpei, Hecate went with Sanso, Morthan chose Sho, Ryusan picked Kotsuso, Ouida went with Eso and Vyara with Shouoso.

"That went over better than I thought…" Tiamat said with a proud grin. She turned to see who else was here, however, she paused as someone stared at her with a look of utter shock and horror upon their face…