I'm a villainous in a Otome Game?!

Chapter 18

“Ehh? But I prefer 'Mother,' though…” the brown-haired lady said with a pout.

“M-me too!” the woman with dark blue hair stammered. What in the world is going on!? I quickly stood up and turned to face my mother.

“Mothe—”

“Let’s have a seat first, Martina.” Mother gestured back to the dining room table and gracefully took a seat. Her expression was calm, but I knew better. I glanced at Shikari and Asuka to make sure they were holding up well.

I approached them, extending both hands to hold theirs. I pulled them along with me to sit. Mother’s face turned serious as we all settled down.

“So first, why are you home, Martina?” Mother asked, her brow arched in question. I pouted and drummed my fingers on the table.

“Answer my question fi—”

Mother's expression darkened into a glare. I flinched and swallowed nervously.

“U-um… Our acade—I mean, school gave us a one-day holiday,” I stammered, feeling my nerves tighten. She doesn't know about the fake resignation letter… right? Mother tilted her head, her expression growing more puzzled.

“Aaaand… why would they do that?”

“Well, um… I just saved the school from a… bug.” I dusted off my slightly soiled dress, avoiding her gaze. She raised an eyebrow before grabbing a cookie and taking a bite.

“They… were scared of a bug?” Mother’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. I had to come up with an excuse, anything to not get caught about going to an academy instead of a normal school.

Mother’s eyes then glanced at my arm, and she shrieked.

“What happened to your arm?!” she shouted, her eyes wide with horror. I flinched, my heart skipping a beat. Oh no, I forgot about the scars! I quickly tucked my arm behind my back, trying to play it off.

“Tch! Did someone at school do that to you?! I’ll lock them up in our jail basement!” Mother slammed her hand against the table, the force of it making the dishes clatter. She’s changed a lot, but I wasn’t sure if we could even do that anymore.

Mother glanced back at Asuka and Shikari, arching an eyebrow with a sly grin.

“And who are these girls?” she asked.

“Oh, these are my friends!” I beamed. It made me happy that they could see my mother, and she could see them too. Shikari caught Mother’s eye and… did she just wink at her? Huh?

“Well, I thought you were engaged to Takashi? Already finding new partners?\~” Mother teased with a smirk. I blinked in confusion. What did she mean by that…?

“Ah! Can you finally answer my question?! Why do I have so many fathers!? And why are they all women!?” I exclaimed, pointing at the group of stunning women.

Mother chuckled, patting the brown-haired lady on the head.

“Well, let’s just say I have many wives…” she replied casually, her hand still ruffling the woman’s hair.

“But… you’re all women! Am I adopted!?” I shouted, clutching onto Asuka for support. Have I been adopted all this time?!

Mother and her wives exchanged amused glances before she shook her head.

“No, silly. You’re our daughter. You came out of Rikaris’ va—”

One of the white-haired triplets tried to explain, but the other two clapped their hands over her mouth.