BXBX NOVEL Chapter 237: Seven Lifetimes [2/2]
"It seems that you are not convinced. Then let me go one step further. Say you marry them all. Suppose one of them is kidnapped. Would you leave six of your wives unprotected to save the one who was kidnapped?"
If such a thing really happened, it would be a hard choice. If I chose the six, I would be proving to Noelle that I didn't love the one who was taken. If I chose the one to be saved, it would mean that even six of the girls had less value in my eyes.
'Damn, it's not like I can bring up the fate of humanity here, right?'
The benefit of superior genes was the only advantage of having a large harem. However, history actually showed what would happen if I impregnated several women. Regardless of the value of my fortune, my successor and the others would never be equal.
This was why monarchies were often plagued by civil wars. The competing families of the mothers would force the children to fight each other to choose a new ruler.
Hell, even if the king only had one wife, bastards would show up and cause the same turmoil, even if the bastard was someone else's.
Unable to answer, I remained silent as I pondered Noelle's words. What she said was true. Technically, the girls would be happier in someone else's arms if that person loved them 100%.
But that was assuming the bastards 100% had more affection than one-seventh of mine. But common sense no longer applied to me, not since I became a reaper.
In the heart surgery example. I had {Rewind}. Giving seven hearts was nothing to me. Surprisingly, it was the Sirens who defended my argument.
"Ma, a week ago, Honey and I were strangers. But while the whole world said I should just die, he alone said the opposite. He gave me courage and the will to carry on. I have no intention of leaving, even if he chooses someone else."
"I can no longer live without Darling, Ma. In this world where voices threaten to drive me insane, only he can bring me peace. I would rather die than be separated from him."
"Ma, my possum is the only one who has accepted me for who I am. He taught me to love someone like me, and as long as he wants me, I am his."
"Husband saved me three times. In all those instances, he alone fought valiantly for my sake. From our meeting to our love story, we are fated. Ma, my destiny is to be with him."
"Master snatched me from the jaws of death, Ma. Everything I am belongs to your son. If I can use this life to protect and devote myself to him. I will."
"My reason is similar to what the others said. He is my beloved. I hope you understand, Ma, your son has already claimed my heart. I, who was shunned by my own people, have found salvation through his actions. My place is by John's side. I refuse to accept any other outcome."
"Ma, unlike my sisters, dearest, did not literally save me. But he recognized my efforts. He saw the ugliness I was desperately trying to hide and called it beautiful. His words saved my heart. While many claim to love who they think I was, only your son saw who I really am."
Noelle, Alana and Bless began to weep at the emotional confessions of the women behind me. My heart was about to burst from the outpouring of affection. I kept looking forward, knowing my will would break the moment I saw the faces of my women.
"Dipshit, what the hell! What the hell were you doing in your company? Such words are not to be taken lightly! How in the world did you manage to do that? It makes no sense!"
"Johnny, take care of everyone, okay! I will not forgive you if you make any of them cry!"
"Johnny. Don't mess up."
Noelle began to sob as she pulled out tissues like plucking feathers from a chicken. Earl tried to comfort her by rubbing her back. The big man still had nothing to say.
Finally, he let out a deep sigh and rubbed his head. He walked over to me and held out his hand. When I tried to take it, he avoided my hand before speaking.
"John, I raised you to know right from wrong. With such vows of loyalty. You do not have the luxury to be weak. Not with seven lives depending on you. Prove to them, to El and to me, that you can respond to such resolve.
"Work seven times harder, love seven times deeper, and protect them seven times better. Such women are priceless, and they all offer themselves to you. If you are a man. You know what to do."
Only then did he extend his hand back to me. Earl's logic was simple, if men worked for their wives and families, I would only be worthy of the Sirens' sacrifice if I did enough for seven men.
I had to love, care for, and protect them enough to take the place of seven husbands. His worry was unneeded as my will was already set in stone, so I grabbed Earl's hand and pulled myself up.
"I understand, Pa. I will become a husband worthy of them. This responsibility is mine. And I bear it willingly for the Sirens. I will see to it that I love them enough for seven lifetimes."
Earl then smiled as he patted my opposite shoulder.
"Don't let me down. If you make such lovely daughters of mine cry. Noelle won't have anything left to bury by the time I'm done with you."
The giant man then looked at the Sirens.
"As for the seven of you, remember to tell me and El if John bullies you. I will make sure he will breathe through a straw afterwards."
Noelle, who was a sobbing mess, then lunged at the Sirens and began to hug them.
"WAAA!! My poor little daughters! You've all had it rough, haven't you? Waaah! Appleboo! Dipshit finally has a woman!
And seven angels at that! I am so happy! Everybody give your ma a hug! Come here! Tell me if Dipshit screws up, okay? I will set him straight!"
The amount of familial love oozing out of my Ma and Pa was so warm that the sirens all chirped with happiness.
"Yes Pa! Yes Ma!" x7
Like a fan convention, the Sirens all rushed to hug Noelle. Alana and Bless joined in, throwing themselves into the human Siren pile.