Meanwhile, in the capital , the queen of Eldraeven ,Rinwell Valen was dressed in simple, casual clothing ,loose sleeves rolled up, soil staining his fingers as he carefully tended to a bed of herbs in the inner garden.
He preferred this.
The freedom of movement, the lack of heavy embroidery and stiff collars. Royal attire was beautiful, yes ,but impractical, suffocating, and utterly useless when one needed to kneel in dirt and trim roots without ceremony. Here, surrounded by the familiar scent of leaves and earth, Rin was at ease.
A soft rustle sounded behind him.
Rin didn't even look behind.
"You three," he said calmly, pinching off a wilted leaf, "I told you not to try sneaking up on me."
There was a pause.
"…Tch."
"You're no fun, Papa," Rhen complained, stepping out from behind him with a pout.
Rin finally turned, raising a brow. "You need to be quieter if you want to surprise me." Without hesitation, he flicked Rhen's forehead with two fingers.
"Ow!" Rhen grumbled, rubbing the spot dramatically.
Behind him, Alaric and Riven failed miserably at hiding their laughter, giggling softly as Rhen shot them an indignant look.
"And you," Rin added, eyes sliding toward Alaric, sharp but amused, "Your Majesty,don't spoil them too much. And are you certain it's wise to leave your workspace again?"
Alaric smiled warmly. "My love, I told you not to call me that. It makes you sound distant."
Rin snorted. "That's the point."
Alaric merely laughed, unbothered. "Also," he added gently, "it's almost time for lunch. You're so immersed in your herbs again that you've lost track of time."
Rin glanced toward the sun, then clicked his tongue. "…Fine. My fault."
The twins exchanged victorious looks.
Lunch was lively, filled with chatter and the twins competing over who could finish first. Rin, of course, noticed immediately.
"Slow down," he warned flatly. "Do you want to choke?"
"We want to see Shelly!" Riven protested.
"You'll see her together," Rin said, unimpressed. "After eating properly."
The twins groaned but obeyed.
While they ate, Rin glanced toward a maid standing nearby. "Where's Shelly?"
The maid bowed slightly. "The nanny took Princess Shelia for a stroll after her meal, Your Grace."
Shelia Valen—the youngest of the family, just over a year old. Rin had given birth not long ago, and despite his sharp demeanor, his gaze softened whenever her name was mentioned.
The twins brightened instantly.
"We'll eat faster then!"
"Still slowly," Rin repeated.
After lunch and a short rest, they headed to the garden where the nanny had taken Shelly. The twins ran ahead, laughter echoing as they spotted the nanny and the small figure toddling among the flowers.
"Shelly!"
"Sister!"
Shelly squealed happily as her brothers rushed toward her.
Rin and Alaric followed at a slower pace, enjoying the scenery - the sunlight filtering through leaves, the distant sound of fountains, the warmth of an ordinary moment.
Then—
"Your Graces," the butler said, appearing with a bow. "A letter has arrived."
Rin accepted it, eyes narrowing slightly when he recognized the seal.
"…It's from Sion."
They sat on a nearby bench, not far from where the twins were already crowding around Shelly and the nanny.
Rin unfolded the letter. Alaric leaned in beside him as they read in silence.
"Increase the dosage?" Alaric murmured.
Rin's expression darkened. "Something must have happened again."
"I thought he'd dropped that idea," Alaric said softly.
Rin shook his head. "He's not born as an omega to begin with. It's probably becoming unbearable."
He exhaled slowly. "Come to think of it, we did plan to send the suppressants by someone anyway."
Alaric looked at him. "So… what's your decision?"
Rin leaned back slightly, eyes half-lidded in thought. "I'm not a physician. I know increasing the dosage is dangerous." He paused. "But as an omega who experienced irregular heat after giving birth without an alpha by my side even as a dominant… I know how hard it is."
Alaric's hand tightened unconsciously.
"So," Rin continued, voice steady, "I'll send both. The regular dosage and the higher one. Since Someone will deliver it personally, they can observe the effects if he takes the higher dosage."Rin added, glancing toward the twins who were now crouched beside Shelly, making ridiculous faces while the baby laughed delightedly.
"What do you think?" Rin asked.
Alaric didn't answer right away.
Rin noticed the shift instantly. "Is something wrong?"
Alaric smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's a good idea," he said honestly. "Just… thinking about you suffering without me by your side back then,it still hurts."
Rin clicked his tongue softly. "I told you not to dwell on that. It's in the past."
He reached out, taking Alaric's hand firmly. "I'm here. You're here. That's what matters."
Alaric looked at him, visibly touched. "My love…"
He leaned in, clearly intending to kiss him.
Rin shyly pushed his face away with two fingers. "Many people are watching."
Alaric laughed. "It's fine. They're used to it."
Indeed, nearby servants and guards merely smiled, some even chuckling. The twins glanced over and groaned loudly.
After a moment, Rin straightened. "We still haven't decided who will accompany them and serve as guard."
Alaric's eyes lit up and smirked . "I think ... I have just the right person."