The silence of the night reigned over the family estate. The air, still warm, gently infiltrated through the high half-open windows. In a wing of the building reserved for patriarchs, a large room bathed in calm, illuminated by the pale glows of the moon, welcomed the peaceful sleep of the young prince.

In the centre of the room, a large white cradle rested a few steps from the bed. Inside, Lucas slept soundly, his breath peaceful and regular. Ariane, leaning over him, tenderly stroked his hair before placing a light kiss on his forehead. Then she stepped back in silence, adjusting the top of her cream silk pyjamas.

On the other side, Raphael stood alone on the private balcony, still dressed in his white uniform with golden embroidery. His cape, now removed, rested on an armchair near the door. He contemplated the stars in the sky, lost in his thoughts.

Arianne approached with slow steps. Without saying a word, she put her arms around him from behind, gently placing her head against his back.

"He's finally sleeping," she whispered.

"So much the better... He doesn't stop swaying as soon as I take him," he replied, smiling, without looking away.

She remained like this for a moment, against him, before releasing him and coming to stand by his side. Both looked at the silent horizon, lulled by the night breeze.

"Tomorrow is the big day..." breathed Arianne.

"Yes. It's an important day. For Lucas, just like for us." Raphaël replied calmly.

She stared at him for a moment.

"Are you nervous? "

"No. But you know, after so many years of war... I wonder if I'm still up to it, because I couldn't stop our children from being born in the middle of a war."

"You are up to the task Raphael. And you always have been." replied Arianne with a smile on her lips.

A silence settled, soft, complicit.

"You know," Arianna continued,
"Each bloodline organises its own ceremony, but tomorrow's is not a normal ceremony. It is a revelation and the beginning of the life of an Ingriss. "

He nodded slowly, his gaze immersed in the night.

"You're right. Thanks to this ceremony, the whole family, who is separated most of the time, gathers in one place. "

"You're right, I remember Layna's ceremony." added Arianne smiling.

"Indeed, it was the first time you met my brother Andy, and you kept arguing," said Raphaël, while letting a little laugh escape.

Arianene sighed, and turned to him.

"I still don't want to see him again. He will still want to force you to do stupid things while I have my back turned. "

Raphael burst out laughing, sincerely amused.

"You're exaggerating... He's just... a little too energetic. "

Arianne raised an eyebrow, falsely offended.

"Energetic? Last time, you posed as mercenaries just to test alcohol. "

"It was a social experience," he replied with a mischievous smile.

She gave him a small pat on the shoulder, holding back a laugh.

"If you do this kind of thing again while I'm watching Lucas, I'll let you sleep on the balcony. "

"Deal closed. Provided that you come to join me. "

They looked at each other for a moment smiling, their eyes shining in the moonlight. Then silence returned, gentle and complicit.

Ariane ends up breaking the calm.

"You know... I was thinking about it earlier. In a few months, Dayvon will have to come here. "

Raphael nodded slowly.

"Yes. At the age of ten, he will have to come here to spend the awakening ceremony. "

"It's not a simple revelation ceremony like tomorrow. This is a much more important step for an Ingriss. "

Raphael had his eyes lost in the night.

"It is at this ceremony that we unlock the last two stages of family power, and from there, we can begin to reach new levels of power. "

Arianne stared at him, more seriously.

"Do you think Dayvon is ready? "

"I think it will be. He has the will, and is already doing everything possible to be ready for this fateful day. "

A silence enveloped them again.

Then Arianne got a little closer to him, placing a hand on his cheek.

"You're a good father, Raphael. And a man I admire every day a little more. "

He slowly turned his head towards her, touched. His gaze became more tender.

"And you, you are the light of this family. I could go through a hundred wars... but as long as you are there when I will always come home. "

She sketched a shy smile, lowering her eyes for a moment.

"You're getting romantic now? "

"I've always been romantic. It's just that you stole all my beautiful sentences since we got married. "

She laughed softly, and Raphael took the opportunity to pull her into his arms. He kissed her tenderly, for a long time, before gently lifting her.

"You weren't going to sleep alone tonight, were you?" He whispered with a corner smile.

Arianne put her arms around his neck, smiling.

"I'm not against you companying me tonight. "

Hearing this, Raphael smiles. And together they left the balcony, closing the door behind them. That night, there was no responsibility or strategy to be expected... just a couple passionately in love.


                                                                         To be continued...