Demonic Witches Harem: Having Descendants Make Me Overpowered!-Chapter 117: Forgotten Memory & Desperation

Claude sighed in quiet relief. This wasn't ideal—far from it—but it was better than watching her break again.

He knew repressed memories born of trauma could resurface later, and when they did, the damage might be even worse.

But for now, she was stable. That was all that mattered.

Still… he had to be sure.

"Do you… remember your daughter?" he asked gently.

Sophia's eyes widened, then slowly drifted downward. Her hand clutched her chest, as if something sharp had pierced it.

"Daughter…" she murmured, voice unsteady. "I think I had one… a long time ago… but I can't remember her face."

Her gaze lifted to Claude, seeking comfort—answers. "What actually happened to me?"

Claude didn't skip a beat. "It's alright. You must've hit your head hard when you fall in this room… Your memories are a little scrambled, that's all."

Sophia's eyes widened with alarm. "Really? Is my baby okay?"

Her hand moved protectively to her belly, still flat and barely beginning to swell with life.

Claude nodded with a reassuring smile. "Yes, both of you are safe. Though, you bleed a lot but the doctor said the baby is fine."

He took her trembling hand and gently rubbed her palm, his voice softening.

"You just need rest. I'll call Aubree to transfer some of her mana to help you recover faster."

Sophia nodded, though her eyes drifted toward the window, lost in a haze.

"Have I… been in this room before?" she asked, brow furrowed. "It feels familiar. But also… wrong."

Claude hesitated. A pause stretched between them before he finally answered.

"I don't think so. It just looks a bit like your room—without all the decorations. That's probably what you're feeling."

Sophia gave a faint nod. "Ah… right. Maybe that's it. Still… it makes me uneasy. Can I move back to my room?"

Claude chuckled softly, standing up with ease.

"Why ask permission? Of course you can."

With Aubree's help and the doctor's approval, Sophia was moved back to her room.

But even as she lay on fresh sheets and breathed in the familiar scent of her space, her eyes often wandered back toward the direction of that other room.

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

There was something about it.

Something that called to her. A warmth… and a sorrow.

As if someone was supposed to be there. As if something had been lost.

And in her chest, that phantom ache returned—wordless, hollow, aching like a forgotten lullaby.

***

A couple of days had passed since Claude's return to Elysium, and already the weight of leadership pressed heavier on his shoulders to the point he forgot some personal matter.

Reports, scrolls, and strategies stacked around him like miniature towers—especially the protocol draft meant to curb the spread of the Red Slumber plague.

He scribbled away at his desk, eyes glazed with exhaustion, until a knock rapped sharply against the door.

"Your Majesty, Rene wishes to speak with you," came Sun's voice from the other side.

Claude lifted a brow. "Rene?"

'The hell is Rene?'

Sun hesitated. "She's… one of the witches you brought here."

Sun was careful when it came to his lord's personal matters, especially those involving revenge, as the court of Elysium still wasn't stable—even with Claude making progress toward a better future for the kingdom.

Matters like these could easily be twisted to criticize him.

Claude blinked, then snapped his fingers. "Oh. That one."

He stood and stretched looking at Llyold and William before saying, "Alright. I'll be right back."

Sun followed as they walked into the adjacent chamber. Inside, a woman and her baby sat quietly on stiff chairs.

The child was emaciated, bones sharp under her skin, and the mother didn't look much better—her dress more ragged than what a maid would wear.

The moment Rene saw Claude, she jumped to her feet and bowed deeply.

"Y-Your Majesty!"

Claude gave a nod before seating himself across from her, expression unreadable.

Though he'd nearly forgotten her entirely, Sun hadn't. He had monitored Rene's movements carefully, documenting everything and sending the reports to Enzo.

'Speaking of Enzo… I should check in on that bastard soon,' Claude mused with a crooked grin before turning his full attention to Rene.

"What do you want?" he asked coolly.

To Rene, the question struck like thunder. His voice was void of warmth—imperial, detached, frightening.

Her breath caught. "I-I'm sorry for calling for you!" she stammered. "I just… I…"

She swallowed hard, trembling, before finally blurting out, "Please… make me your concubine."

Silence.

The room turned silent as the weight of her words hung in the air. A moment later, Claude burst into laughter—loud and unrestrained, as if he couldn't stop himself.

'Who would've expected she'd say something like that?'

He thought, already picturing the stunned expression his father might've worn, knowing his precious wife had once chosen Claude over him.

The betrayal, the humiliation—it all fed into Claude's grim satisfaction.

He finally calmed, wiping an invisible tear from his eye. Then his smirk returned.

"And what about your husband?" he asked slowly. "Willing to toss him aside just like that?"

Rene's gaze dropped to the floor. Her pink hair shifted like a veil as her fists tightened around her dress.

"I… I don't have a choice," she whispered.

"My baby is starving. I've tried everything. But if I become your wife… she'll have food. A room. Water. A future."

Claude widened his eyes, still amazed by a mother's love for her child. Even after humiliation and suffering, the only thing she could think about was her daughter.

His gaze flicked to the girl—silent, frail, staring blankly at the floor. She looked too small for her age. Too quiet.

'Right, I shouldn't drag children into adult matters. If not, what makes me any different from Enzo?'

Rene stood and bowed again—lower this time, voice quaking.

"Please, Your Majesty. Reconsider. I'll do anything. Anything."

Her voice cracked. "I'll kneel. I'll carry your heir. I'll serve however you wish. Just give my daughter a chance to live."

Claude tilted his head, eyeing her with something between admiration and pity.

"Quite the spirit," he murmured. Then leaned forward, smirk deepening.

"Very well. I'll agree… but on one condition."

Rene's head snapped up, her wide blue eyes glittering with fragile hope.

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

Claude's smile curled like a blade.

"You'll spend your first night with me… in front of your husband."

And just like that, her expression shattered. The light drained from her face, replaced by a frozen mask of horror.