______
Lucina
Five Years Later…
Five years. Five years had passed in a blink, and yet, they felt like an eternity of peace I never thought I'd be granted.
The carriage jolted gently, pulling me from my musings. I glanced out at the lush, green landscape as we arrived at our secluded picnic spot. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of rich earth and new blossoms. Turan and his men immediately took up their posts, their silent diligence providing a comforting blanket of security.
Stepping out, I took a deep, contented breath. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground in a mesmerizing pattern. "What wonderful weather," I murmured, sinking onto the picnic blanket laid out beside my husband.
He was already there, dark, powerful, and utterly captivating, with his long black hair and the intricate tattoo adorning his arm. He offered me a cup of tea, his eyes full of warmth.
"I'm glad we took time out to come here," I said, sipping the warm, spiced brew. It had been too long since we'd allowed ourselves a day like this.
But as the silence settled, a small worry crept into my mind. "But I haven't seen Martha for a while."
He smiled, a slow, sensual curve of his lips that always made my heart skip a beat. "Don't worry, Turan and his men are guarding this area. She's fine. We should be grateful that she's having fun by herself," he said, leaning in close, his voice dropping to a low rumble that vibrated through me.
"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, pretending to be concerned about our little girl, but already distracted by his nearness.
He took advantage of my hesitation, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Huh? Why?"
Before I could answer, he closed the distance. "We haven't been able to kiss recently and she's not here right now." His voice was a seductive plea.
My heart began to race—BA-BUMP, BA-BUMP—a wild rhythm only he could incite. His hand, strong and calloused, gently cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over my temple.
I felt myself melt toward him, every nerve ending tingling in anticipation. "Oh, you..." I whispered, a helpless, breathless surrender.
Then his lips met mine. It wasn't a demanding kiss, but a slow, sweet exploration, full of the tender longing that had grown between us over the years. The world around us faded, leaving only the warmth of his embrace and the BA-BUMP of our intertwined hearts.
The moment was shattered.
"DASH—"
A frantic rustling sound, and then a small figure burst through the undergrowth.
"MOM, DAD!"
My husband and I sprang apart, staring in surprise at the sight of our daughter.
"Martha?"
She looked a little wild, her dark hair a mess, but she was beaming. She ran up to us, holding something up triumphantly.
"TA-DA! LOOK WHAT I CAUGHT!"
I stared. My sweet, beautiful daughter, her eyes sparkling with pride, was holding a snake. A bright, living, wriggling green snake.
My blood ran cold. My breath hitched in my throat. "NAAAHHHHHH!"
My husband, completely unfazed, simply raised an eyebrow. "Your first catch as a hunter is a snake, huh?"
He looked at the little girl, a fond, yet challenging, smirk playing on his face. "I remember catching a tiger when I was ten years old."
His pride was a stark contrast to my sheer terror. I scrambled back, pulling my husband's shirt. "GET RID OF IT, MARTHA!"
The snake was not part of the peaceful picnic I had envisioned. I felt faint. Five years of peace, and my daughter was threatening to bring it all crashing down with a reptile.
---
"GET RID OF IT, MARTHA!" I shouted, my voice cracking with panic.
My husband, Hakan, calmly held his ground as I stumbled back. He bent down to Martha, whose face was still shining with accomplishment. I took a shaky breath and tried to sound stern, pointing a trembling finger at the reptile. "That snake could've poisoned you."
Hakan, of course, chose this moment to impart his warrior wisdom. "But there are several ways to treat yourself even if that happens. That way, you can regain your energy on a desolate battlefield..."
The sheer absurdity of his lesson snapped my temper. A fiery heat rose in my chest. "LOOOM... She's only five years old, Hakan!"
He chuckled, sweat beading on his brow from the sheer effort of keeping a straight face while I was clearly on the verge of a breakdown. Martha looked up at him, her eyes wide. He finally relented, giving her a gentle head-pat.
"Listen to your mother, Martha," he said with a wry smile, clearly trying to mediate the situation. "We won't go to war again anyway."
Martha pouted, but she was a reasonable child. She tossed the snake into the tall grass. "Okay..."
I immediately jumped on the opportunity for a distraction and reward. A large piece of bright, delicious layer cake was quickly brought out. "In return, you can have as much cake as you like today—!"
The sight of the perfectly layered cake, however, was suddenly too much. A wave of nausea, sharp and violent, washed over me. I slapped a hand over my mouth, eyes watering, struggling to breathe.
Retch.
Hakan was instantly on his feet. "LUCINA!"
He scooped Martha up with one arm and hurried toward me, his face etched with concern. I covered my mouth again, sighing deeply to try and quell the churning in my stomach.
Sigh... "M-maybe I just haven't gotten over the shock of seeing the snake."
Hakan stopped in his tracks, looking utterly serious. "Are you sick, Mommy?" Martha asked, her voice small with worry in Hakan's arms.
Hakan didn't wait for my answer. "Let's go back to the palace and call the cleric."
The next thing I knew, we were back in our opulent royal bedchamber in the palace, surrounded by the golden light filtering through the windows. I was tucked into the sprawling bed, a maid fussing with the covers, while Hakan knelt beside me, his arm resting protectively on the mattress.
"Mommy..." Martha leaned against her father's shoulder, her gaze fixed on me with deep worry.
Hakan looked up at someone entering the room. "How is she?"
The cleric—an imposing figure in red, wearing a bizarre skull-like mask—stood at the foot of the bed. He must have just performed his examination. He stepped back, a shocking statement echoing in the quiet room.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!"
---
The cleric's declaration, muffled behind his strange skull-like mask, stunned the room.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!"
Hakan and Martha watched him in utter suspense as I lay in bed, waiting for the verdict.
The cleric bowed slightly, an ancient, solemn gesture that somehow felt incongruous with the joyous news that followed. "Congratulations."
"Huh?" I breathed, still completely bewildered.
Then he announced it, his voice ringing with power. "Her Majesty has fallen pregnant again."
I instinctively clapped my hands over my mouth, a rush of disbelief and wonder washing over me. Pregnant? The nausea, the sudden aversion to the rich cake—I had immediately dismissed it all as the shock of the snake, but it had been the familiar signs of life taking root within me.
Hakan immediately went pale, his brow furrowing with concern as he held Martha close. He asked the cleric, "Are you sure?!"
The cleric adjusted his mask, his voice taking on a more technical, cautious tone. "I need to monitor her a bit longer, but I think she might be expecting triplets..."
Triplets?
My eyes widened in utter shock. Triplets?! Martha and Hakan had similar, wide-eyed expressions, though Martha was mostly just confused.
The cleric stepped forward and offered a small, wooden bowl into my hands. It held three wrinkled, brown nuts. "Once I leave, you need to crack them open and have them all to yourself," he instructed. "They'll help you give birth to a beautiful baby."
I looked down at the nuts, a quiet realization dawning. Could it be...?
Hakan took the cue to wrap up the consultation. "Thank you for your help. You may leave." He placed Martha down, and she watched wide-eyed as the strange, masked man bowed and left the chamber with a quiet PLOP of his strange footwear.
Hakan turned back to me, looking utterly dazed. He moved over to a shelf, running a restless hand over a volume of ancient texts. "It's great news but... triplets..." he muttered, almost to himself. "And not just any triplets, but three Draconian children..."
He rushed back to my bedside, gently taking my hand and giving it a soft SQUEEZE. "How are you feeling, Lucina? I'm worried they might be too much for your body."
I smiled, squeezing his hand back. Despite the initial shock, a deep warmth of joy was spreading through me. The morning sickness was unpleasant, but the feeling of new life was magnificent.
"I'm fine, Hakan. Other than the morning sickness, I don't feel any different," I reassured him. I pulled his hand toward me, pressing it against my cheek. "It makes me so happy to think that I'm carrying three of our children."
He leaned down, his eyes dark with devotion and a hint of overwhelming awe. "Lucina..."
A small, confused voice broke our intimate moment. Martha stood by the bed, craning her neck. "What are you two talking about? I want to know too!"
Martha stood by the bed, her dark eyes wide with curiosity. "What are you two talking about? I want to know too!"
Hakan and I exchanged a warm look. This was going to be a memorable moment.
Hakan gently reached out and stroked her head, a loving gesture that always calmed her. "You're going to have three younger siblings soon."
"Really?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, processing the unbelievable news.
I smiled and leaned forward, stroking her hair as well. "That's right. What do you think about having younger siblings?"
Martha paused, her expression shifting from confusion to a rising tide of pure delight. Then, she launched herself into a spontaneous, fierce hug.
"I... am so excited! I can't wait for them to be born!"
Hakan and I embraced her tightly, a shared moment of overwhelming happiness. Then, as she pulled back slightly, her eyes shone with a new, mischievous determination. "I want to teach them how to catch snakes too!"
I had to suppress a groan. Of course, she did. Hakan let out a low chuckle, his eyes full of affection for our eccentric daughter.
His laughter died down, replaced by a profound seriousness as he looked at me. His grip tightened on my hand, his thumb sweeping gently across my skin.
"I wasn't always around to protect you, Lucina," he said, the memory of our early, tumultuous life and the danger I had faced etching a dark shadow across his features.
His gaze was intense, a deep promise held within its dark depths. "This time, I swear I'll stay by your side."
"Hakan..." I murmured, my heart swelling with love. The future was uncertain—three Draconian children would bring unimaginable change—but knowing he would be with me, committed and protective, was everything.
I pulled him closer, sinking into his embrace. The warmth of his skin against mine was a solace, a silent confirmation of his vow.
He held me, his chin resting against my temple, and I knew that no matter how difficult the road ahead became, we would face it together.
Hakan then looked at Martha, who was watching us with earnest, five-year-old eyes. "I'll protect all of you," he declared, his voice strong and unwavering.
Martha puffed up her chest proudly. "Me too! I'll protect everyone, too!"
We laughed, the sound mingling together, filling the sunny, opulent room with joy. HA HA.
A Few Days Later…
Life, it seemed, was already shifting.
A few days later...
I spent my days tucked away, pampered and monitored. The rustling of leaves outside the window of my royal chamber was one of the few sounds that disturbed the quiet peace, a sound that oddly reminded me of the grass where Martha had found her snake—the very event that had led to this incredible discovery.
My family was expanding, and so was my world. I looked down at the three little nuts given to me by the cleric. Three lives, three tiny miracles.
It was time to crack them open.
Absolutely! Here's the fully expanded
A few days later, my morning sickness had eased slightly, allowing me to receive visitors in my private sitting room. I had just settled onto a lavish velvet sofa with a cup of tea when the door opened.
"Hakan!" I exclaimed, surprised and immediately warmed by the sight of my father, the King of the White Sands, who had arrived with an entourage.
My father sat opposite me, his expression grave with concern. "How are you feeling?"
He leaned forward, his golden hair catching the sunlight. "It must be a lot more exhausting to be carrying triplets than it was when you were pregnant with Martha."
I smiled, holding my teacup. "It doesn't feel too different apart from the morning sickness, so it's actually quite strange," I admitted.
We discussed the incredible news for a while, and my mind drifted back to the peculiar gift from the cleric.
"Father," I asked, "do you remember the letter you sent me five years ago about how the forest spirit gave you three walnuts?"
"Yes," he replied.
I held my breath, waiting for his explanation.
He smiled, a gentle, wise expression. "I think they contained faith, hope, and love." He paused, his gaze resolute. "With those three things, there's nothing you can't overcome."
I knew it... The nuts the cleric had given me—they were the manifestation of these virtues, a spiritual strength to help me carry my three Draconian children.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud CLACK and my husband, Hakan, strode in, followed by one of his panting attendants. He was bare-chested and covered in a fine layer of sweat, his dark eyes fixed entirely on me.
"Do you mind if I join you, Father?" Hakan asked, looking at my father.
My father's formality was impeccable. "Of course, please come in."
Hakan ignored the offered seat, still panting slightly. "I didn't want to disturb you, but I really wanted Lucina to have some passion fruit while they're still fresh!"
In his hands, he carried a large bundle wrapped in cloth, FULL of the exotic fruit. His attendant, meanwhile, looked absolutely exhausted, hunched over and struggling to breathe.
I looked from the attendant—whose face was a picture of sheer agony—to my husband, who was grinning proudly.
"Where did you get all of these?" I asked, astonished by the sheer quantity.
"It's not a big deal. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you," Hakan declared dismissively.
The attendant, however, found his voice, transforming into a gray, furry monster with sharp teeth and a snarling face—a half-human, half-beast warrior.
"NOT A BIG DEAL, MY FOOT!" he roared, letting out a primal GRRRR.
The poor man looked utterly savage, clearly pushed past his limit in the service of Hakan's extreme pampering of me. The dragon king's love might move mountains, but it was apparently exhausting his staff.
I closed my eyes, a tiny groan escaping my lips. Three babies, and two wildly protective men. Life was certainly never dull.
My father left soon after, wishing me well, and Hakan and I finally had a moment alone. I sat at my vanity, carefully cracking open the three nuts. As I did, Hakan approached, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Dig in, Lucina." He watched me, a possessive glint in his eye as he leaned in close to my father. "You didn't steal them again, did you?"
My father, who was still close enough to hear, chuckled softly. "How cute." Hakan's jealousy was often ridiculous, but it was also incredibly endearing. I swallowed the final nut, hoping the 'faith, hope, and love' within them would strengthen me.
That night, I woke up to a gentle GROAN.
The moonlight filtering through the intricately shaped window cast the room in a deep, cool blue. Hakan was beside me, sprawled out on the bed, murmuring in his sleep. Even my little Martha was tucked in beside him, sound asleep, letting out a soft SNORE.
I smiled, watching my two precious dragons sleep. Hakan was shifting restlessly, letting out another deep groan.
"Ugh... Ugh..."
I reached out my hand and gently stroked the dark hair from his forehead, my fingers trailing down to his strong jaw.
This reminds me of the past.
I was instantly transported back to the night my life changed forever.
The moon was shining brightly that night as well. I remembered standing before him, his armor glinting in the light, his massive figure dominating the snowy landscape. He had been a fearsome figure, but his question then was the most terrifying and hopeful thing I had ever heard.
"Do you want to become my bride...?"
That was the night everything changed. I had agreed, and in that moment, he had made a promise that has anchored my existence ever since.
I remembered his words, spoken with the deep conviction of a Dragon King, and I could feel them now, warming me against the cool moonlight.
"Just like the moonlight that shines through the darkness, I'll follow you wherever you go and light your way... ...Forever**!**"
Back in the present, I lay beside the man who kept that promise every day, my daughter curled up next to him, and three more lives growing inside me. The weight of his presence, the warmth of my family—it was the greatest comfort and the brightest light.
I kissed his cheek, a soft, loving acknowledgment of my love for him.
I closed my eyes, ready to sleep, feeling truly safe and happy.