Back at Leclair's home, chaos reigned in comfortable harmony.
Seraphina was braiding Aurelius's hair with glittery bands while Eira lectured them on Roman history from a book that was way too advanced for her age.
"Uncle Augustin says I should be the queen of a ruined kingdom," Eira declared proudly.
"That tracks," Aurelius muttered as his scalp was pulled.
Leclair sipped his coffee with a sigh. Augustin yawned beside him, arms full of plushies that Eira had designated for a 'royal tribunal.'
"I love our nieces and nephew," Augustin mumbled, "but I swear they're each descended from a different brand of chaos."
Leclair chuckled. "They're fine."
"They're planning a rebellion."
"They do that every Tuesday."
"I miss when they were babies and couldn't talk."
"You say that, but you screamed when Seraphina pooped on your new vest."
"That was designer!"
.
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