While neither you nor your wives suffered from a broken sleep, the exertion from yesterday's travel still lingered. This didn't help the fact that Bertha once more came down with a smothering of morning sickness. The warrioress even joked with your foxgirl that "I must've caught your Bad Luck, don't you think?" as said vixen prepared to depart.

As a small chuckle was shared you decided to schedule the day out before Ayane split off. You'd already shared the plan of attending the Academy's lectures, and your present wives all unanimously wanted to come with you. Though you feel like Ruby would've liked to hear the lectures, and your Mastermind was in fact very tempted to leave everything behind in the estate and come with you to do just that, she seemed rather insistent on helping with the surprise— likely wanting to take credit for and place her own spin on the celebration Herta was planning for you.

Anyway, Ayane mentioned how she wanted to meet up with you in the Academy again before the lectures started, and you in turn told her how you planned to meet with your kitsune in-laws later today as well. You assured Ayane that if there were any changes in the plans you'd try your best to contact her about them.

The small goodbye kiss you shared with her turned deeper, ending as she gasped for air, leaving a very content Ayane to bid you farewell. While seeing her leave, you recall the promise you made to a certain-fluffy tailed niece of yours. While you did want to visit Ryko again, there were still much more pressing matter that took urgency. Specifically, the feelings of a certain elf. You'd be lying if you denied how curious you were about Aila after she'd practically confessed to you by letter.

Your slaves, wanting to be useful, decided to help you. If nothing else, your wives proved to love you; Bertha could provide some muscle, as Ruby Rose would so aptly describe, and Herta would help you out in one of the few specific things she was really good at doing.

However you still ran into a few hiccups as you attempted to enter the Academy— apparently recent rules were stricter with guests.

"Halt." Said one of the guards, as he and his cohorts crossed their spears in front of you and your slaves. "None are allowed to pass."

"Alright, look," You began. "We've been through here before, and Todred assured us we could-"

"The former provost is currently busy assisting the organization of the lecture halls, and thus won't be available." The guard cut you off.

"Don't interrupt Master!" Herta demanded.

"Are you guys seriously gonna try to push around Master?" Bertha looked exasperated. "Again???"

"There's nothing we can do, ma'am." The guard continued. "We have our orders to protect against suspicious activity-"

"Suspicious?!?!" Bertha repeated.

"Hmm." Herta thought about it for a second. "Would you guys let us through if we gave some gold?"