Neveen pulled a roll of parchment from his sleeve, it was stamped close with wax bearing the Blackstone main family emblem; a 6-pointed star magic circle with a dragon’s eye in the center. He opened the seal, unraveled the parchment and began speaking.

“From Lord Bruce Blackstone, Count of Jadieden, son of his Grace, Thomas Blackstone, Duke of the Obsidiae grand duchy”.

Miliana's face paled when she heard the sender's name.

Neveen continues, “‘I know you haven’t been reading my messages, dear Miliana. What unfortunate circumstances you have found yourself in. An unworthy husband who sacrifices his wife to bear more heirs. Tsk tsk. Had you accepted my offer such things would have never befallen you. It might be a bit too late… however, if you grovel before me and spread–’”

“If you wish to keep breathing I suggest you skip to the end”, Miliana interrupted.

Neveen looked up to see 2 pairs of glaring eyes. Had he continued, Miliana and Odeus would have killed him on the spot, damn the consequences.

Neveen cleared his throat. “‘I’m currently in the capital come see me to continue our discussion, I’ll be waiting’”, Neveen quickly read it and tossed the parchment aside, the document quickly caught on fire and vanished.

“Moving on”, said Neveen as he pulled a second sealed roll of parchment from his sleeve.

“From his Grace, Thomas Blackstone, Duke of Obsidiae”. Neveen smirked and continued, “‘See you on the big day… I’m dying to see how this turns out”.

Like before he tossed the parchment aside and a flame enveloped it leaving nothing behind.

“Hmph”, Neveen scoffed. He quickly turned, flicked his cloak to the side and exited the building.

Miliana stared at the door for a second then took a deep breath. She collected herself and took her family to tea as she had planned. Though the atmosphere was a bit bleak, Odeus did his best to cheer everyone up.

With every passing week, the day of her delivery grew nearer and it was putting everyone on edge. Miliana tried her best to make everyone forget but at this point, nothing was working. She even received a message from her brother saying that the emperor refused to get involved in a squabble between families and there was nothing else he could do if she did not flee and come home.

Eventually, the day came. It was a bleak morning even the weather was upset, the skies darkened and the wind was kicking up. Miliana was feeling pregnancy pains. Elder Margrett who frequently visited her sent for the wet nurse. The weather was getting worse, the wind was now howling, the rain swirling, a storm was upon them and Miliana was now in labor. It was a long and hard labor unlike her first. It was at midday when she started showing signs of giving birth. The wet nurse went to work and a little baby girl was born.

“We… we are naming her after you this time”, said Odeus as he began tearing up.

Miliana laughs. “Yes, I already had a name in mind too, it’s–”. Miliana was interrupted by a sudden pain.

Axel was walking back and forth by the door and so was Elias in his own way. Elias had become fully invested in the lives and well-being of his new family and was worried about the situation. Miliana yelled out suddenly which startled the ghost and his body.

Back inside the room the wet nurse quickly wrapped the baby girl and handed her to her father. The room was filled with the sound of the baby crying but the wet nurse rushed over to Miliana to see what was happening.

The wet nurse yells, “Another!!!”. 

Odeus who was being awkward and careful with his daughter froze, he was confused as to what was happening.

“Push!!!”, the wet nurse yells again.

“Uvera what is happening”, Odeus questioned”

“You're having another!!”, she yelled back.

“Eh!!!”, Odeus finally realized what was going on. He got lightheaded and it took everything from this giant of a man to not faint, he knew that if he did he would injure his daughter.

A few minutes later a baby boy was born. Miliana had twins. Odeus was still in shock, there have never been twins born into the Blackstone family since its founding. Miliana gathered her strength and sat up, she wanted to hold her babies. The wet nurse Uvera cleaned and wrapped up the children then handed them to their mother. She was so happy, she gladly welcomed the happy surprise. She could finally hold her children and get a good look at them.

The babies opened their eyes and looked up at their mother. The girl looked like her father but had inherited her mother’s eyes and the boy looked like his mother but had his father’s eyes. 

“If I had a girl, I planned to name her Mariana, a combination of Elder Margrett and my mother Anna. If I had a boy I was going to name him Aeric which sounds similar to Elder Ernis. But I was blessed with both”. Miliana began tearing up.

Odeus went and sat next to his wife and began comforting her. She called for Axel to come into the room and meet his siblings. He rushed into the room and saw that he had not 1 but 2 younger siblings to look after. Axel was happy and went to greet them.

Elias was also happy to have younger siblings, his family was growing. He knew that in this world where only the powerful had authority, he had to become a dependable big brother that could protect them.

The room was filled with happiness and laughter but that didn’t last for long. Odeus heard something approaching, it sounded like… footsteps and a lot of them. The door burst open and Neveen stepped in. Behind him were 5 guards and behind them were plenty more. Wendi who was trying to prevent Neveen from getting any closer to the Miliana was knocked aside by 1 of Neveen’s guards. She quickly got back up and looked like she was ready to fight.

“It’s fine Wendi”, yelled Miliana. “We knew they would come… although earlier than I thought”

“Hmph, Well!” Neveen smirked. “Who shall it–”. 

He was too shocked by what he saw to finish his sentence. It was twins.

“What!!”, yelled Neveen. “But this is…”.

“Don’t get any ideas. And remember this, no matter how many guards you bring, your and all their heads can go flying should step out of your place”, said Miliana as he handed her children over to Odeus and Uvera.

She got up from the bed and looked Neveen in the eyes. “Take the soldiers and wait outside”, she commanded. “I will be there within the hour”.

“What!. We shall leave this second”, said Neveen.

Miliana waved her hand to the side and so did Odeus. Neveen began trembling as a small slit on either side of his neck appeared. The 5 guards who had entered the room moved in front of Neveen and readied their swords.

“St- Stop. Let them say their goodbyes, it doesn't matter anyway”, said Neveen as he scurried away.

The soldiers left the room. With his daughter in hand, Odeus went to the window and watched as the soldiers gathered in front of the mansion; there were about 20 of them in total. He then returned to his wife’s side and handed the baby back to Miliana.