Meanwhile, the grand drawing room in the Aethelstan castle with towering ceilings and walls lined with the portrayed silver-hair and red-eyed ancestors was usually lively that afternoon. The current matriarch of the main Aethelstan branch sat across from her eldest son Silas, and new wife, Giselle, who was comfortably nursing her baby Eira.

Daphne Aethelstan’s hair is cropped short, her bangs curling on her forehead. She was a pretty girl her prime and age had just enhanced said beauty. However now, instead of staring down her enemy in battle, her sharp red eyes assess the couple in front of her. Her voice is clear, authoritative, and aimed at her son Silas. “Silas, while I understand the urgency, proposing marriage with a contract? It’s hardly romantic! You could have at least added some flowers or a poem.”

Silas, who mirrors her stoic demeanor cracks a small and lets out a small chuckle. “Mother, I’ve never been one for things like that. I thought Giselle would appreciate the straightforwardness.”

Giselle who had been quietly rocking back and forth is flustered to see she’s the subject of discussion. “Well, the contract was certainly…direct.” she shifts Eira in her arms. His eyes meet hers, then as he’s taking the scene in front of him,  he looks as if he’s lost in thought.

Silas was much younger, stood by a window–to his right is a woman nursing a newborn. The soft, morning light spills over her mousy brown, shining against her gentle smile.

“Look at him, Silas, he has your eyes,”

His face breaks into a rare smile as he looks down at the infant. “And your hair, my love. He’s perfect.”

“We’re a family now. It’s such a strange thought, isn’t it? From two to three, just like that.”

The Woman laughs, her voice chimes against the wind. Her dark brown eyes sparkle like the night sky. She’s a beautiful woman, one that he fell for years ago. She reaches out for his hand. “It changes everything. I had always been alone but…I never knew a heart could be so full.”

“Silas?” Silas  blinks and looks back at his mother who’s holding Eira while Giselle looks over his face, she  holds his face, and he feels himself tear up.

“Silas!”