Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I'm Stuck as Their Baby!-Chapter 118: Injuries and Other Inconveniences

As Verania and the grandparents quietly left the infirmary, silence settled once more over the peaceful chamber. For a moment, the only sound was the gentle whisper of curtains fluttering softly in the evening breeze, the faint hum of magic lanterns glowing warmly overhead, and the comforting rhythm of Elira's steady breathing.

Mara lay still, staring thoughtfully at the high ceiling adorned with intricate silver filigree that twisted and danced like frozen vines. Her body ached fiercely, every muscle protesting loudly at even the slightest movement, but her mind refused to settle, thoughts churning restlessly, memories replaying relentlessly.

Elyzara was safe. The thought filled her chest with warmth, a quiet pride mingling fiercely with lingering anxiety. Yet, as the rush of adrenaline faded completely, another sensation stirred slowly, gently pushing through exhaustion an awareness, warm and comforting, of the woman lying quietly beside her.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Slowly, Mara turned her head, gaze settling gently upon Elira's sleeping form. Her copper curls spilled loosely across the pillow, catching the soft lantern light like threads of living flame, her expression peaceful, vulnerable in sleep. Elira's slender hand still rested lightly atop Mara's own, their fingers loosely intertwined, a quiet reassurance of companionship even in dreams.

Mara's heart fluttered softly, a gentle warmth spreading steadily through her chest. It was always this way this quiet, simple feeling of comfort whenever Elira was close. She'd tried, countless times, to ignore it, to bury the dangerous emotion beneath duty and responsibility. But now, in the quiet stillness of the infirmary, vulnerable and exhausted, Mara found herself utterly unable to resist the quiet pull of longing.

"Are you going to stare all night?" Elira murmured softly, eyes still closed, lips curving faintly upward into a sleepy smile.

Mara flushed warmly, embarrassment mingling gently with relief. "Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you."

Elira's eyes slowly opened, their soft hazel depths gently teasing beneath dark lashes. "You didn't. Your staring was too loud."

Mara laughed quietly despite herself, shaking her head slightly. "Is it possible to stare loudly?"

Elira stretched carefully, wincing faintly as pain briefly flickered across her face. "With you, definitely."

Mara's expression softened slightly, eyes darkening gently with concern. "Are you alright?"

Elira smiled reassuringly, voice gentle yet faintly teasing. "Just sore. Magical swords aren't exactly pleasant."

Mara chuckled softly, rolling her eyes fondly. "Understatement of the century."

Elira's smile faded slightly, expression turning serious yet gently tender. "You scared me, you know. Seeing you fall like that—"

Mara's throat tightened gently, heart fluttering anxiously. "I had to protect Elyzara."

Elira nodded quietly, gently squeezing Mara's hand reassuringly. "I know. But I nearly lost you."

Mara's breath hitched softly, gaze locked with Elira's, tension crackling gently between them, charged yet comforting. Her voice was barely audible, hesitant yet deeply earnest. "You…care that much?"

Elira laughed softly, eyes sparkling warmly. "Mara, I've spent half my life pretending I don't care. It's exhausting."

Mara's heart raced sharply, warmth spreading fiercely through her chest, hope fluttering gently beneath anxiety. "Then…stop pretending."

Elira smiled slowly, beautifully, her voice soft and gently teasing. "Careful what you ask for."

Mara exhaled slowly, gathering courage gently, heart pounding fiercely. "Elira…I'm tired of hiding."

Elira's eyes widened slightly, surprise mingling gently with quiet hope. "What do you mean?"

Mara hesitated slightly, vulnerability flickering anxiously within her chest. "I mean…I'm tired of pretending that seeing you doesn't brighten my day. Tired of pretending your laughter doesn't make my heart skip."

Elira's expression softened tenderly, voice barely audible yet fiercely hopeful. "Mara…"

Mara pressed gently onward, heart racing nervously yet determined. "I'm tired of hiding how much I want to hold you how desperately I want to kiss you."

Elira's breath caught sharply, eyes widening briefly in surprise, then slowly softening warmly, gently teasing. "Well, that's oddly specific."

Mara laughed softly, flushing warmly. "I'm serious, Elira."

Elira smiled gently, softly brushing a stray copper curl behind her ear, voice tender yet playful. "Then kiss me already."

Mara hesitated slightly, heart pounding sharply, nerves briefly flickering anxiously then slowly leaned closer, ignoring the fierce ache in her wounded side. Her gaze drifted briefly to Elira's softly parted lips, a gentle invitation, a silent reassurance.

Slowly, their lips met softly, hesitantly at first, warmth spreading gently, sweetly between them. Mara's heart fluttered gently, anxiety swiftly replaced by quiet certainty, comfort, and relief. Elira sighed softly, leaning carefully closer, fingers gently tightening their grip upon Mara's hand.

The kiss deepened slowly, naturally, warmth turning to gentle heat, Mara's pulse quickening pleasantly as Elira's soft lips parted gently beneath her own. Elira's free hand lifted slowly, fingertips brushing softly along Mara's cheek, touch gentle yet electrifying.

Their breaths mingled softly, the kiss tender yet fiercely meaningful, lingering gently, neither quite willing to break the gentle connection. Finally, breathless and gently flushed, Mara reluctantly pulled back slightly, eyes slowly opening, heart still fluttering softly.

Elira smiled faintly, eyes sparkling warmly, voice gently teasing yet fiercely tender. "Not bad. I might request that treatment more often."

Mara laughed softly, eyes sparkling warmly, relief mingling sweetly with quiet joy. "Consider it a standing offer."

Elira sighed contentedly, slowly settling back against her pillows, gaze still gently locked upon Mara's. "It took you long enough."

Mara rolled her eyes fondly, gently squeezing Elira's hand reassuringly. "Sorry for being slow."

Elira laughed softly, eyes sparkling warmly. "It's alright. You're worth the wait."

Comfortable silence lingered gently between them, warmth and reassurance filling the quiet infirmary, tension finally easing gently. Mara relaxed slowly, quietly enjoying the gentle warmth of Elira's presence, exhaustion gradually pulling gently at her consciousness again.

"You should rest," Elira murmured softly, eyes already drifting gently closed, exhaustion clear in her voice.

Mara nodded slightly, eyelids growing gently heavy, warmth and comfort pulling her gently toward sleep. "Stay with me."

Elira smiled faintly, gently teasing even as sleep tugged gently at her voice. "I'm literally confined to this bed beside you, Mara. Where would I go?"

Mara laughed softly, smiling gently. "Just checking."

Elira's expression softened tenderly, eyes gently closed, voice barely audible yet filled with quiet affection. "I'll always be here."

Mara's breath hitched gently, heart fluttering softly, warmth gently pulling her toward peaceful sleep. "Good."