Demonic Witches Harem: Having Descendants Make Me Overpowered!-Chapter 157: The Gathering Of Concubines

The sky was a clear, serene blue—perfect for the royal picnic arranged in the special garden, the only garden with lively flowers and plant in Elysium.

Sunlight poured through the tall trees, warming the soft grass and coaxing blooms from the flowerbeds.

It was an ideal day, especially for the children who rarely had the chance to enjoy the open air.

Blankets were spread across the garden's open clearing, each one hosting the high-ranking concubines—those currently pregnant with Claude's children or already mothers to his heirs.

Their laughter mixed with the soft giggles of babies nestled in woven baskets or cradled in their arms.

"Honey, this is a flower," Dalia said sweetly, holding out a vivid hyantich blossom to baby Lyra.

The child's little hand reached out with a joyful squeal, grabbing at the petals.

"Smart girl," Dalia cooed proudly, pinching her daughter's cheek as Lyra giggled.

"Thank you for allowing us to use this garden, Lady Dalia," Layla said with a soft smile.

In her arms, baby Vega waved his hands excitedly at a butterfly fluttering nearby.

"There's no need to thank me," Dalia replied kindly. "You're welcome here anytime."

"They're growing up so fast, aren't they?" Aubree mused, brushing a hand over Vega's tiny fingers. He clutched her hand in return, causing her to chuckle.

"It's only been a month and they already look like they're five months old."

"It must be because His Majesty isn't a typical daemon," Lilac chimed in, clapping her hands as she called out, "Lyra, come to sister!"

Layla chuckled. "Sister? Aren't you technically her aunt?"

Lilac elbowed her lightly. "Hush! I look like her sister, and that's what matters."

Laughter erupted around the garden—even Lyra seemed to giggle, reaching toward Lilac. Dalia hesitated at first, but seeing how eager her baby was, she gently placed her on the grass.

Lyra immediately crawled toward Lilac with surprising speed.

"Aww~ You beautiful baby," Lilac crooned as she scooped her up, rubbing noses with her playfully.

"But won't it be lonely when they grow up too fast?" Aubree asked, rubbing her rounded belly with a nostalgic sigh.

"I miss when Aurelia was a baby and all she cared about was me."

Dalia's smile softened. "You're right… I'll miss those moments too." She paused, then grinned mischievously.

"Did you know Claude used to make the most ridiculous pouty face when he was a baby? Like a round, grumpy frog!"

"Wait—really?!" Lilac gasped, her eyes gleaming. "Now I have to see that!"

Everyone burst into high-pitched laughter, the image of a baby Claude sulking like a fat frog too amusing to resist.

Dalia continued, animatedly recounting baby Claude's mischievous childhood—how he learned to crawl fast, loved to pee on his father at every opportunity, and found spitting at him hilarious.

The women were laughing so hard they didn't notice the approaching footsteps until a familiar voice cut through the mirth.

"What are you all talking about? Your laughter echoes through the entire hallway."

They turned to see Claude himself standing at the edge of the garden, baby Antares nestled comfortably in one arm.

Beside him, Sophia stood with a soft smile tugging at her lips, while Renee lingered just behind them, nervously wringing her hands.

A hush fell over the group at the sight of the king, but it didn't last long.

As soon as they caught a glimpse of Claude's naturally stern expression, their suppressed laughter erupted again—imagining his frowning face as the infamous frog pout they'd just been teasing about.

"Oh my, Claude! I didn't expect you to join us today," Dalia said mid-laugh, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

Claude raised a brow, already suspicious. Just moments ago, he'd felt a sudden urge to sneeze—a sign in his old world that someone was gossiping about him.

He never imagined it would be his own concubines.

"Mother... What exactly were you all talking about?" he asked, voice dry with mild dread.

Lilac patted the empty space between herself and Dalia. "We were reminiscing about your younger self, of course. Come, sit."

He obliged with a sigh, settling down beside them, while Sophia and Reene quietly took spots between Layla and Aubree.

Claude leaned back, shifting baby Antares to sit beside the others. "You know, when I was around nine—or maybe twelve—I already tamed my first cacodemon. I was quite impressive even back then."

The women chuckled.

Lilac rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder lightly. "We weren't talking about your 'cool' years, Claude. We were talking about your frog face—the one you made when you pouted!"

"What?!" Claude stared at his mother in disbelief. "Mother! Why would you tell them that?"

Dalia gave an innocent shrug. "Why not? You were adorable back then. It'd be a crime to keep that all to myself."

Claude groaned and covered his face with one hand. It was bad enough that he had embarrassing childhood habits—but knowing that his soul was twenty-five during those years made it even worse.

Cringe didn't begin to cover it.

"Oh! Speaking of childhood," Aubree suddenly exclaimed. "Claude was a pervert even back then. I remember you slapped my ass when you were barely up to my waist!"

"What?!" Claude choked. "That was years ago!"

Layla shook her head in mock disappointment. "As expected from Claude."

"Please," he muttered. "Not in front of the kids. They understand more than you think."

Their attention to the babies as baby Lyra clapped her hands and shouted, "Da! Da!"

Everyone froze in stunned silence. Then gasps erupted all around them.

"She… she just said 'Da-da'?" Lilac whispered.

Claude blinked, startled, before his face split into the most genuine smile they'd seen in a while. "You called me, Lyra? My good girl!"

He lifted her into the air and spun her gently before catching her in his arms again, her giggles bubbling with joy.

"Our little princess is so smart!" Lilac beamed.

Dalia, however, gave a dramatic sigh. "I raised her for months and she calls you first? I'm heartbroken."

Claude grinned. "It's fine, Mother. She'll call you soon. She's just showing off for her handsome father today."

The other babies, not to be outdone, started mimicking Lyra, babbling "Da-da" in their own little voices.

Cheers and claps echoed through the garden as the concubines celebrated this milestone in their children's development.

Yet, not everyone joined in the joy.

Sophia stared blankly at the scene, her expression distant, eyes clouded by something unspoken.

And Renee… her smile was tight, her fingers clenched in her lap. Her gaze lingered on the children, then drifted to Claude.

How much longer? she wondered.

How much time does she have before her turn to fulfill her duty as a concubine… and sleep with the king?

***

Claude sipped his tea in silence, his gaze resting on Reene, who sat beside him with stiff shoulders and tightly folded hands.

Across from them, Sophia was gently trying to coax a smile from her baby, speaking to him with a soft voice that belied the hollowness in her eyes.

He'd insisted she come out today, to spend time with her son. It was the only moment she was allowed to be with him freely—though even then, Claude stayed by her side, watching closely.

His focus returned to Reene. He even forget about his revenge somehow since he was really busy. But now, he was ready for another round.

To Reene's right, Iris sat happily munching on sweets, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. The girl had grown so much—healthier, stronger than the last time he'd seen her.

"Iris is four now, isn't she?" Claude asked suddenly, his voice calm but deliberate.

Reene jolted slightly, clearly startled by the unexpected question. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty. She turned four this year."

He nodded slowly, watching Iris chew with childish delight. "She looks well-fed. Much better than before."

Then his gaze swept over Reene again—from head to toe—quietly assessing the tension in her posture, the strain behind her polite smile.

"Well then," he said smoothly, "I suppose it's time you fulfilled your duty, hmm?"

Reene's spine stiffened. Her hands gripped the edge of her seat, but she managed a nod.

"Yes, I will do whatever you wish."

Claude's expression shifted—calm, unreadable—as he lifted his cup again. "Tell me… do you ever wonder what your husband is doing right now?" he asked, casually sipping his tea.

"Or perhaps… do you wish to see him again?"

The question landed like a thunderclap. Reene's hands trembled in her lap, lips parting slightly—but no sound came out.

Of course she wanted to see him. She loved him. But how could she? After everything?

Claude's lips curled into a faint smirk. "It's alright if you don't," he said smoothly, then turned toward Iris.

"And you, Iris? Would you like to see your papa?"

The girl paused mid-bite, blinking. "Papa? I want to see Papa!" she said cheerfully.

"Iris!" Reene snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

The little girl flinched, her smile vanishing as tears welled up in her eyes. She started crying, burying her face in her hands.

Reene panicked. "No, no—don't cry, sweetheart," she whispered frantically, reaching for her daughter and gently patting her back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell."

Claude only watched the scene with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Well," he said, rising to his feet and dusting off his sleeves, "It's fine if you don't want to see him, I won't force you."

He turned away, signaling for Sophia and baby Antares to follow. As they left, his voice drifted back over his shoulder:

"Tonight, I'll visit your chamber. Prepare yourself."

The words lingered in the air long after he was gone.

Reene sat frozen, her arms wrapped protectively around Iris as the girl sniffled softly into her chest. Her eyes burned, her fists clenched.

"It's fine… I can do this," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "For my baby… I'll endure it."