I needed to execute my plans immediately. The first step was to decide which of the seven families I should infiltrate. It had to be one that was both wealthy and influential, ensuring my efforts would not be in vain.
After careful consideration, I narrowed it down to three options: the Dutch Royal House, the Badila family, and the IJzerhart family.
The Dutch Royal House was ruled out quickly—I wasn't ready for a confrontation with Maeve just yet. The IJzerhart family, while wealthy, derived their fortune from a company with an uncertain future. A misstep there could jeopardize my entire strategy.
That left the Badila family. Wealthy, powerful, and without the immediate risk of clashing with one of my sisters. It was the perfect choice.
The opportunity came the following Saturday when Benesha arrived at the laboratory with her parents, Kanda and Balela Badila. She was scheduled for tests and examinations, which meant the scientists would be too preoccupied to notice me slipping away.
I approached her parents with confidence, catching them in the waiting area. "Hello there!" I greeted, flashing my most charming smile.
Kanda turned to his wife, puzzled. "Who is this?"
"The prototype," Balela replied, her tone casual. "Remember? The one made from all our DNA samples."
"Ah, right," Kanda nodded. "I didn't realize the scientists had kept her. She's certainly grown."
"How are you both doing?" I asked, keeping my tone warm and friendly.
"We're fine," Balela answered politely. "And you?"
"Doing great, thank you!" I replied. "You know about me, right? My perfect stats, my exceptional qualities. My potential far exceeds that of Benesha."
Balela's expression cooled. "So what? You're not just my child; you belong to all the parents involved in this experiment. I prefer my own daughter over you."
Her words stung, but I kept my composure. "I understand. But wouldn't it be a waste to let another family claim me? Or worse, let my potential go unused? Surely, you could find a purpose for me that Benesha cannot fulfill."
Kanda tilted his head, intrigued. "Like what?"
I hesitated for a moment, but Kanda spoke again before I could answer. "She could marry Sansula in the future," he suggested.
Balela nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. Our son could benefit from having such a talented wife."
Their words caught me off guard. A son? I hadn't known the Badilas had one. If he were a homunculus, surely I would have heard of him, but it seemed he wasn't.
"I'd be willing to marry your son," I said with a bright smile, masking my surprise.
"Good," Balela replied decisively. "We'll take full custody of you and pick you up tomorrow. Prepare yourself."
I couldn't believe how smoothly everything had fallen into place. Tomorrow, I would leave the laboratory behind and begin my integration into the Badila household. The first step of my plan was complete.
The next day, I packed my belongings and moved into the Badila household. When I entered the living room alongside Kanda and Balela, Benesha looked utterly shocked.
"So we meet again, Ira," I said with a warm smile. "Please take good care of me, as my sister."
"Who is she?" Sansula asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A girl from Benesha's kindergarten days," Balela explained smoothly. "She was hospitalized for a long time and is also a distant relative. She doesn't have a family, so your father and I decided to take her in. She's also to be your future wife."
"My what?" Sansula blinked in surprise.
Ignoring his reaction, I kept my gaze down, feigning shyness.
"What's your name?" he asked gently.
"I wasn't given one," I replied, lowering my head in a mixture of shame and sorrow.
"Then can I name you?" he asked, his tone brightening with enthusiasm.
"Huh?" I looked up, startled.
"Maria," he said, smiling warmly. "Your name is Maria."
"What does it mean?" I asked hesitantly.
"It means 'wished-for child,'" he replied, his smile deepening.
"Maria it is, then," Balela interjected. "Relay the name to the government and municipality, Kanda."
I could hardly believe my ears. No one in my life had cared enough to give me a name—not the seven married couples, not my sisters, not the scientists, not even Zipporah. They had ostracized me, labeling me with the scornful name "Lilith" or reducing me to my codename, "Prima Optima."
But Sansula was different. He had accepted me the moment he laid eyes on me. He gave me a name, Maria—a name that meant "wished-for child." Though my parents had never truly wished for me, at that moment, I felt as though he had.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I ran to him and threw my arms around him. "I love you, Sansula!" I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Weeks passed, and one evening, I found myself alone with Sansula in his room. It was the perfect time to plant the seeds for the next phase of my plan.
"Sansula," I began, leaning forward slightly, "have you ever considered joining the Dutch Military?"
He looked at me, puzzled. "Why would I do that? What's the reason behind it?"
I smiled sweetly, tilting my head just enough to seem innocent. "Because I want my husband to be masculine and strong."
The idea lingered in the air between us, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. Little did he know how essential his future decisions were to my ultimate goals.