Elliana, smiling softly, stared at the door. Then, with a gentle sigh, she slowly lay down on the bed and closing her eyes.
The scene shifts.
Ivan sits alone in a dark room, the only light coming from a glowing round object in his hand—a smooth, purple, glass-like orb. A flickering hologram projects from it, showing a figure cloaked in shadows. The figure speaks only one sentence:
"As you wish, my Lord."
The hologram vanishes.
Ivan's hand tightens, crushing the orb in his palm. Shards scatter across the floor as his red eyes glow with intensity.
"So," he mutters, his voice low and cold, "my dear sister-in-law has given birth..." A twisted smile creeps across his face. "Guess I'll have to pay my little niece and nephews a visit. And of course, I mustn't forget their gifts—very special gifts. For the whole family."
---
The next day, in the bright, polished halls of the Castle training wing, Aldric, Lyriana, and Draven step out of the training room, covered in a light sheen of blood and sweat after a spring session.
Draven turns to Lyriana.
"Lyriana, please get some food ready for Ele and Luci. They'll need it soon. And be quick."
Lyriana nods with a smile. "Right away, young master. I'll make sure it's just right for them."
Aldric raises an eyebrow. "Huh. 'Please'? I've never heard you say that to anyone besides your parents. Guess someone's really happy about becoming a big brother." He chuckles, shaking his head. "I remember being that happy when Lyriana was born."
As Lyriana heads down the corridor, Aldric and Draven continue walking together, both smiling.
Draven thinks silently, I need to clean up fast and go see my cute little baby siblings...
---
A while letter
Draven emerges from his room, freshly bathed and dressed. As he opens the door, he sees Aldric stepping out of his own room.
Draven glances around, eyes darting. "Where the hell is Lyriana?"
Aldric bows slightly. "Your Highness, she's already prepared supper for the little ones. She's waiting by the cradles now."
Draven mutters, "Tch... okay then, let's go."
As they walk down the hall, Aldric watches Draven with a curious glance. Why's he so worked up?
Draven, walking briskly, mutters under his breath, "Damn it... I hope she hasn't fed them yet. I wanted to be the one to do it."
Aldric finally understands. So that's the reason...
Draven continues walking, his thoughts spinning. What the hell is going on with me? Am I seriously pissed just because someone else might have fed them instead of me? What is this feeling...?