Hope Falls

“You are being arrogant. Assuming that I do not use what I have to the best of my abilities. Saying I make excuses? As if I have not lived in my body with my capabilities my whole life. As if I do not try to make the best of them. In my job withholding ourselves most certainly means the people I tend to are not receiving proper care - you are implying I am making excuses so I do not have to work and take care of them. It is sheer male arrogance. Especially after I displayed the full extent of what I can do - it is almost mocking for you to declare I can do better and make excuses not to do so. So good day, try to avoid presuming you know things in any future meetings we may have.”

"Do not compliment what you can do, understood." Rohan scoffed. "You people are difficult. Always jumping to misogyny."

Lily made no attempt to reply as she reached the end of the corridor and disappeared.

3 months later

---

The great hall of Isolde’s castle was packed to the brim with Hiraeth Fae, foreign dignitaries and families, allies and neutral parties alike to witness Kael’s coronation and the pass of power from a mother to her son. The sun crested high and shone through the windows as it turned midday - signalling the end of the coronation ritual itself - following a procession through the city, a sacrifice and offerings made for the ancestors, and many words of prayer and ritual.

Isolde stepped from behind her son on the dais in a simple yet intricate green gown - her hair in her signature singular braid down her back, loaded with flowers woven into her hair by her husband. She lowered her arms from where they had been raised to weave the new traditional simple crown of branches that now sat atop her son’s head. Her own crown having been taken off moments before crafting his in a symbolic show of power transfer. Making slow steady movements to the bowl of blood on the altar beside them - the bowl almost empty now as the remainder of the contents had already been used on Kael’s council. Taking her fingers and dipping them into the bowl to coat them before handing it over to Aodhän, who would be performing the same ritual on Daphne in tandem with Isolde and Kael. Resting her palms on Kael’s cheeks to bring him down to her level - with a soft laugh at the height between them only he would have been able to hear - she placed a kiss on his forehead before placing her fingers on the same spot and dragging her hand down his face to draw lines to his chin. “I am so proud of you my boy…”’she whispered, almost choking on the words with how thick her voice was. Taking a step back from Kael before doing the one thing that only the oldest Fae in the room would have ever seen her do before her own coronation - bowed before her King, now at the mercy of his command to be able to rise.

Indira stood on the front row as she faced up at the dais - bloody lines on her face matching the new King and Queen and her fellow council members. Wearing clothes in the style of her home country, though had adopted a new pattern of florals and greenery to show her assimilation. A similarly dressed Idris on her hip and leaning against his mother’s shoulder tiredly - the long day from the morning having already wore him down - Idris being the only child of his age present, as the rest brought along had been assigned off to Nannies and governesses to be looked after until later on. Though once Isolde moved and Kael’s face was in sight once more he perked up, waving happily at his father and clamping his hand over his mouth with a quiet giggle after repeatedly being told to hush in gentle reminders from his mother and family throughout the ceremony. Head beginning to crane around, and lighting up with glee when he spotted Ishaan and Kiaan in the crowd along with Zoya. “Auntie!” He whispered harshly in Baldruunian to his mother, smacking her arm for her attention.

Kiaan laughed softly as he saw his nephew, though tried to avoid eye contact so he did not set the toddler off into any kind of shouting or screaming. The Razi family having decided last minute to make the journey across the sea - the ship docking in the night, and a tired scramble to get from the port to the castle in time. Missing the parade through the city, though managing to make it to be seated in time for the ceremony in the castle.

“You can go to your Aunt Avani soon, shush.” Indira whispered almost silently as she bounced the toddler - the Baldruunian word being used having her assume Avani was being requested rather than Mor.

Lucian sat on a chair in the crowd - a cane resting on his knee which he now used to walk when making short trips. His wheelchair still remaining at the entrance of the hall, ready to be called upon when needed. To fulfil Kael’s own amusement and comments made the last time they drank over his pirate past he looked less like an Angelic Prince when seated in the company of his family, and more like a wayward pirate with his eyeliner and over stacked gold jewellery. The Prince gave a glance over to Magnus with a wicked grin as the crown was created upon their friends head, before taking a quick glance at the rest of the crowd.

Karina sat comfortably beside Lucian, watching the proceedings with a hawk-like gaze, it being a consistent struggle to let her guard down since they had all stepped across the border into the Fae's lands. Her thumb brushing against his thigh, revelling in the joy that he could now feel such a touch.

Magnus nodded his head as he csught Lucian's eye, his amused chuckled catching into a clearing of his throat as he tried to hold it back and stay quiet amongst the crowd. Turning his attention quickly back to the dias to watch the royal family, to make himself behave as opposed to show interest, his hand resting ever so gently atop of his wife's.

Rohan, sat amongst the crowd, twisted in his seat when he heard his nephews excitement. His eyebrows raising in surprise, before the joyous smile broke across his face. As excited to see his family as Idris was, edging to the tip of his seat though digging his heels into the floor to prevent himself from standing.

"Oh, oh look at her." Zoya breathed in wonder, her hand gripping Ishaan's lower arm though her body leant more towards Kiaan to whisper in his ear. Gaze fixed upon Indira in the front row, "She sticks out like a sore thumb here, sticks out but blends in and.. goodness. Where is Avani, do you see her? Do you see her new husband, if he is so easy to spot in a crowd? There are so many people here."

Agatha sat in the second row, her shoulders set, back straight and hands folded delicately upon the fabric of her own dress dress, having only negated her style slightly to appear polite - mild decoration on the waist, slightly loose sleeves and a slightly lowered neckline. A small dimple on her cheek from where her stoicism was failing her and pride was taking over, overriding, even, the discomfort of what she had to wear.

Kael lifted his hand, upward, towards the bark on his arm. Stopping himself with a slow breath before he could complete the action, and instead casually readjusted the sleeve of his Coronation clothing. His gaze flitting briefly to his side, towards his wife and then his father whom was already bowed in front of the new Queen. Whispering, to all three of them, holding back his laughter, "This feel unnatural."

“All of this completely natural,” Isolde assured with a soft laugh as she glanced between Kael and Daphne, before stealing a glance toward her own husband.

Daphne used one arm to reach across the short gap to take Kael’s, the other moving to cradle her huge baby bump that wasn’t concealed one bit by her dress. “You may stand, Prince Aodhän.” She said gently, looking to Kael as they waited for him to release the Queen from her own stance.

“Our sister, a Queen. Growing the future Prince. Our parents would be so proud.” Iskra grinned as she turned to her sister for a brief moment.

“The one she married is not beside her. If he is a guard he may be in uniform. I only see our nephews and Rohan at her side.” Kiaan almost squinted as he looked, before nodding at her words. “Our sisters make the rest of them look like pale ghosts, their beauty outshines all… But they both look happier than they did when they came to us last… the spark they lost has returned; for whatever reason.” He added, giving his twin a mischievous smile and tip of his fingers as he met his gaze.

“Auntie!” Idris insisted in a loud whisper, reaching over to grab for Rohan then in the row behind his mother, pointing behind at where the rest of his family were in the back row to draw attention.

Lucian took Karina’s hand and gave it an assuring squeeze as he returned his attention back to the new King.

Thea’s eyes hadn’t moved from Isolde even for a second, sat stiff and proper in her seat, ever dressed in black, with only a few gilded flowers on her dress to show any sort of attention to a theme. The pair childless for the festivities, as Thea had flatly refused to bring their children into Isolde’s territory for even a second whilst the Queen was present.

"Entitely." Aodhän laughed quietly under his breath, wiping down his own Plain clothes to try and remove their creases as he rose to a stand position. Offering his hand out towards Isolde as Kael gave the word for her to stand, subtle enough that he hoped the crowds wouldn't notice it.

"You may stand, mother." Kael hummed loud enough for the crowd to hear, his hand reaching across to rest it on top of Daphne's. Whispering to them all, "I am going to do this now, what I have said I will always do. She is going to be stuck here a moment longer."

Agatha nodded her agreement, voice warm, "They will be crying with joy, if they are watching us somehow. If they have been granted such a luxury. It is a good day, a tremendous day."

"We know, we know. Sshh, Idris, watch your father." Rohan reprimanded as his nephews yells dragged his attention away from his family. Moving his finger to his lips for the 'sshh'.

Ishaan hummed softly to show he was half-listening to the conversation, not watching any of the proceedings with too much interest. His gaze flitting from Indira, to the guards along the perimeters. Struggling to relax.

"Ishaan if you tense up anymore you shall turn into one of their trees." Zoya reprimanded quietly. "No one is going to harm you."

Karina eventually leant in towards Lucian's ear, whispering, "Shall we take bets on how many of these young dignataries and Lords Eden is going to try and chat to? Or how many drinks it will take her before she needs sending to bed?"

Magnus lifted his hand from hers, stretching so his arm natural slid behind his wife's back instead. Guiding her closer into his side and gripping her waist tightly, a silent attempt to comfort.

“You are King, what you do now is all up to you.” Isolde smiled proudly as she stood, moving to stand beside Kael on his free side to face the crowd.

“The crown is atop her head and soon she’ll be mother to the heir. The power she wields will be second only to her husband - she has done incredibly well. We will move to the top of the marriage list for people I am sure, who doesn’t want to be in laws with the King and Queen mm?” Iskra grinned as she took a glance around the attendants.

Idris stuck his tongue out at his uncle and waved happily at Zoya before putting his thumb in his mouth and moving to lean against his mother’s side once more.

“Making peace with Idris’ father is the way forward for all of us, we agreed. It is allies we need. Indira has given us a gift, as has Avani, by getting into these peoples hearts.” Kiaan murmured almost silently to his brother, before adding so lowly that only Ishaan would be able to hear: “We need Kael if we wish to release Mehan’s grip on your neck, on the throne. We need these people if you wish to see your sons grow into adulthood… we can do this.”

“As long as none of them are closer then tenth in line to any throne she shall have no issues.” Lucian chuckled, leaning over to kiss the top of Karina’s head. “Fae wine is more potent than anything we possess, we shall have to keep an eye on her intake.” He agreed.

“What a shame part of the coronation is not making sure the old monarch cannot rear its ugly head again.” Thea muttered as she saw Isolde’s face turn to the crowd, bristling with instant anger she failed to quell.

"The last time I was here she was pleasant, more than pleasant, her and I had conversation that were more than politics and trade deals. All I hope for is that she apologises to your face too, not just to mine. I don't expect you to accept it, not in the slightest, but it will show if she was being honest to me."

"A coronation is certainly not the place for her to embarrass herself, she'll never live it down. I stoll torment myself for the first sorry state I found myself in." Karina chuckled lightly, closing her eyes at the kiss. "I was younger than her though."

"I don't believe Kael is going to be the problem on this visit. Can't you feel it, Kiaan? Can't you feel their eyes on us... I killed the colleagues of these men the last time I were here. I - The last time I was here..." He craned his neck to look up over the crowd behind them - towards the scorched mark where no grass grew, and his brother had died. "You have to tell Kiaan of our change in strategy, when you see him privately."

"Perhaps today is the day we have been waiting for. It is certainly the day that we are expected." Agatha breathed, going quiet as Kael turned. Lifting the hand he had interlocked with Daphne's to raise towards the crowd and signal for silence.

“Aesira may be able to keep her under control, it is something we shall keep an eye on, do not fret.”

“I don’t need an apology from her, I need her dead.” Thea replied quietly, “I will never forgive her for what she did to me, and I am only here to show her I am not cowed. Not afraid of her. But if she approaches me I shall be reminding her that the only time I will smile in her presence is when I am dancing atop her grave.”

“And yet you are here, as King. You have come back here with not only yourself but your wife and your son. You put yourself entirely in the hands of this new King, to ask for forgiveness, mercy… friendship. These men would lick the soles of Kael’s feet if he allowed it. If he says that we are no longer considered enemies to the country then they will have to deal with it. And then we work on making him an ally to our cause. As I said - our sisters have gifted us something great by jumping into bed with powerful men. Look at how Idris is dressed. Not as the son of the King of this country, but as your own son will once dress. Indira makes it clear he is a son of Baldruun and Kael will be wise to honour it. The plan will work, brother. It is not a quick one but we know that.” Kiaan assured, patting his arm. “I will fill Rohan in when we get a chance to talk without being overheard.”

Daphne’s arm tightened around her abdomen as she watched Kael. A brief glance to her sisters in the crowd and a nod of recognition before focusing her attention back on her husband.

Kael waited, silently counting his breathing as he prepared the speech he, Daphne and the advisors had spent the last several months crafting. Hoping the nervous shift from one foot to the other was unnoticeable as he waited for the crowd to quieten. Moving his and Daphne's hands back to their sides as he took a step forward and projected to the masses:

"Today, I - we..." A warm glance to Daphne, ".. stand before you not just as a rulers, but as a servant of this great land, of the ancestors, humbled by the trust you have placed in us. It is a great honor that we take the mantle from my mother, who has been such a powerhouse and led you all through so much hardship over the years. Your new Queen and I, know full well that the crowns we wear are not a symbol of power alone, but of responsibility.

We have not come to rule over you but to stand beside you—shoulder to shoulder—as we face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the days ahead. Our kingdom is built not by the hands of one, but by the hearts and efforts of all who call this land their home.

In every corner of our realm, I see greatness. In the fields where our farmers toil to feed the nation, in the towns where craftsmen build the foundation of our prosperity, in the hearts of our soldiers who stand ready to defend us from any threat—there is strength, resilience, and hope. It is your dedication, your courage, and your dreams that we are here to serve.

We are a kingdom rich not only in history but in potential. Together, we will build a land where justice reigns, where opportunity thrives, and where every voice, no matter how small, is heard and respected. Together, we will grow stronger, through trade, wisdom and unity with each other, those who we share our continent with and our family and friends in the East.

There will be trials. We will face storms we cannot yet foresee, even Caiomhe and her girls do not know all." Another pause to grin, nod acknowledgment to the Seers in the crowd, "But know this: we will face those storms with you. We pledge to lead with honor, to listen with humility, and to govern with wisdom. I will seek counsel not only from those closest to me but from you, the people, whose hopes and hardships are the lifeblood of this realm.

Let us, together, begin a new chapter—one of promise, of growth, and of glory. Let the stories told of our time be ones of courage and compassion, of justice and unity. Let the generations to come look back on this day and say, 'Here stood a people, bound by trust, and moved by the same desire—to build a future that is bright'

It is within that vein, the vein of bringing peace that I wish to invite Princess Indira Razi up onto the dias with us to receive a honour further to the one she has already received. One I wish for all of you to see."

With his other hand, he gently offered his hand down and out to Indira with a reassuring chuckle. Voice quieter as he directed at her, "Don't appear worried."

Zoya's shoulders tensed, leaning forward in her seat. Hissing towards Kiaan, "What is he up to?"

"If he hurts her, we do not hesitate." Ishaan informed quietly. "The guards have weapons, we disarm them and storm that dias to make him pay. To bring her home, to run."

Avani reached her hands out and forward, too focused on her sister to have even noticed her family behind them. Offering to take Idris from her sister.

Isolde raised her eyebrows briefly at the mention of the Seers, shifting not a muscle in her body as she side glanced toward Aodhän.

“She does not appear concerned… relax, brother, sister. Not a hint of panic from either of our sisters… And I do not think he would harm her in front of her son. The letters our brother has sent back from here - even he has seen that Idris is loved by his father, however we believed he was conceived.” Kiaan assured, though he had leaned forward in his seat to get a better view.

“See, auntie.” Indira whispered as she kissed the top of her son’s head, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before handing the boy over to Avani. Squeezing his shoulder gently before moving from the crowd and up onto the dais, taking Kael’s hand as soon as she was within reach. Bowing her head when she came to stand in front of him. “Your Majesties…”

“Does he know no end to embarrassing our sister?” Iskra narrowed her eyes, seething. “She is up there cradling his child in her womb and he is making a public display toward his mistress?! This is - there are no words!”

Kael grinned, keeping a steady gaze on Indira as he continued to announce to the people, "As you are all aware, the past has been challenging for us as a people. The wasting blighting our home, followed by various wars and then the deceit, the siege that followed. I have no interest to linger too much on it, I only bring it up to begin with to emphasis to you all and to our visiting guests that the choices my mother - your previous Queen - made were purely out of ensuring the safety of our people. Now is a new dawn though, a new age and Princess Indira Razi has proven herself a very loyal friend to me, a vastly intelligent woman. Her story is one of resilience. She remained steadfast, strong, and unbroken. She is not only my friend, but the mother of two of my children, a bond that transcends any struggle, any divide.

But today, the shadows of the siege are dispelled by the light, and the blessing of the ancestors who have always affirmed to me that our nation and that of Baldruun will be linked. Therefore, with our first act..." He squeeze Daphne's hand, looking to his wife before his gaze moved from Indira to the rest of the crowd, "I am proud to announce that Princess Indira Razi, from this moment is free.

Let me be clear—this is not merely the release of a prisoner, but it is a symbol of our kingdom’s new path. A joining of the nations. Our friends from Baldruun, our family, our visitors and traders are now all to be welcome here. They shall no longer fear stepping into our streets and taverns, they will no longer be faced with sneers and unkind words yet alone physical violence. I understand it is a big step, and that we have all suffered lose. I am not asking you to forget, I am not asking you all to forgive, I am only asking you all to trust me in this choice. I am asking you to treat these people with the same respect that we will expect them to show to us. It is time for peace... Let us enjoy it."

“Thank you.” Indira swallowed thickly, squeezing Kael’s hand tightly to stop herself from shaking, her eyes welling with tears as her free hand went to her chest. “You know this means everything to me… Thank you…” she pulled herself up to stand properly, facing the crowd. Letting out an audible gasp when she first spotted Zoya and then her brothers in the crowd of people.

Isolde looked across the crowd, and before she gave them time to voice their discontent she began with a progressing round of applause. “Long live King Kael, first of his name!”

"Clap, clap." Avani encouraged Idris in Baldruun, gently taking the boys hands in hers to guide them. So the two of them were clapping together. "Clap for your mother and father, you can be as loud as you would like for a minute or two. Enjoy it."

"He done it," Zoya breathed, trembling as she lifted her hand up and gaze Indira a wave of greeting as her friends eyes fell upon her. "He promised. H- He promised countless times but I never thought he would do it. Especially not so soon, not mere seconds after the crown fell upon his head."

"Mm, his people may not feel the same as him. An official declaration of her freedom is wonderful but it is not just him that dictates it, not really." Ishaan swallowed, side stepping so that Zoya's shoulder touched Kiaan's. So his wife was flanked entirely by the two of them and away from the glares and mutters that could be heard beneath the applause.

"This is..." Agatha bristled, stammering, unsure what to do with her anger as it raged within her. Focusing purely on Daphne, "Look at her, she is being completely disregarded and - and - ..."

"Razi's, join us. Agatha and Iskra Drivas, you come aswell. Take sparkling wine from the staff as you step up. We are three families, now all one. Three kingdoms, forever joined." Kael continued, one hand extending towards the Drivas' as the other went towards Indira's family. Staff descending on the crowds, and up onto the dias too, to ensure that everyone had a drink to hand.

"Very bold," Magnus mused quietly to his wife, though happily accepted the drink that was offered as they offered. "Smart, stupid, brave, bold. All four. He has had one too many evenings with me, I believe, with the showmanship."

Idris lit up as he was told to be noisy, enthusiastically clapping as hard as he could and laughing brightly.

“The bastard and its mother need to go. I do not care how we do it. I do not care how we get people onside to our cause. But the bastard and its mother need to be gone before we wed and leave Daphne behind. We cannot leave her in this.” Iskra bristled as her name was mentioned, plastering a neutral smile on her face - unable to falsify a smile as she stood, taking a glass and making her way to join her elder sister on the dais.

“I cannot tell if his people will laud this as the moment they realised he was the greatest King of all time, or if it is the moment the books will pinpoint as his downfall.” Thea mused quietly, taking her own glass.

“This is a good sign, an excellent sign. We can do this, Ishaan. A bold, brave face, as we discussed. We can do this. We build up the relationship we have with him and eventually… we can get you safe.” Kiaan assured, reaching around to clap his brother on the shoulder before offering Zoya his arm to escort her to stand with his sister.

"Rahul, Arnav, come." Avani encouraged her eldest sons as she lifted Idris up into her arms and took a step out of her seat and towards the dias to join her sister, picking a soft drink as opposed to anything alcoholic. Rohan, on the other hand, waiting until Kiaan, Zoya and Ishaan got to him so he could clasp his twins shoulder as they stepped up.

Arnav frowned, looking between the adults. A small noise of frustration escaping his lips as Rohan too moved. Begrudgingly following behind.

Agatha slowly rose to her feet, taking a large sip of the drink she picked up as she followed behind her sister. Heading bowing in respect to Daphne as they came face to face, "Congratulations, sister. You look the perfect picture of a Queen,"

"To our people, to the future of our Kingdoms, to us all." Kael grinned, lifting his glass up to the crowd for the toast.

“As your Queen I command you to accompany me to sit down as soon as it is acceptable.” Daphne jested quietly, “I can no longer feel my feet.” She added, moving to affectionately brush some hair from Agatha’s face. “You both look wonderful… thank you both for being here.”

“Hello my sweet boy.” Indira grinned as soon as her son was in arms length, reaching over to touch his arm, a habit of assurance. Her eyes flitting from her son to the drink in Avani’s hand and noticing the lack of bubbles, simply raising her own glass to tap her sisters with a knowing grin before raising her glass to join in the toast Kael had begun.

“Keep your wits about you.” Rahul warned Arnav as he followed his mother.

“Our sisters look well, very well. As do the boys. You have kept them safe, well done brother.” Kiaan complimented as he wrapped an arm around his twins shoulder and leaned into him for a brief moment.

"We must speak later, about all of this. All that was said, all that wasn't." Agatha whispered, lifting her glass up half-heartedly when she felt Kael's eyes upon her to join in the toast. A sweet smile that didn't meet her eyes plastered upon her face.

"And to us, being able to finally retire," Aodhan hummed softly in Isolde's ear as he lifted his own glass. "Something we have very much earned throughout the years, I believe. I can't imagine anyone could ever argue otherwise."

Avani raised her eyebrows at Indira, silent confirmation, though shook her head to indicate it wasn't to be spoken about as of yet. Having a sip of the juice in her glass before raising it.

"They are lining us up to shoot us with arrows. All next to each other, a mass execution." Arnav whispered so only his brother could hear. Staying as close to his side as he was able.

Zoya pulling Indira into a hug as soon as she had stepped up beside her, unable to stop the joyous laugh that escaped her lips. "I have missed you! It has already been too long since we last spoke to one another. It - Oh," she grimaced at Ishaan's gentle tut. Merely grinning at her friend as she pulled away.

"It has been exhausting." Rohan whispered as they walked. "Hard to keep on track of everything, as well as search for any proof of... anything at all really. There are one or two things of interest, not groundbreaking."

When everyone was ready, Kael hummed, "Now we celebrate properly. Dance, drink, eat. The musicians shall play all night, the food is without cost. To a new age."

“Oh you are here… you are all here!” Indira exclaimed, moving to wipe at her eyes. “I am so… you are here!” She grinned, only able to hug her friend back for a moment before they parted.

“Auntie!” Idris shouted once again, gesturing wildly at Zoya.

“Oh… oh!” Indira laughed as she realised. “You spotted her first didn’t you? My clever boy.”

“He freed a prisoner. Even father would agree entering a reign with prisoners from the previous one only carries across old grudges… let us not devolve this further, sisters.” Daphne almost pleaded, taking Agatha’s hand. “I love you, and your concern… but all this noise will not matter very soon once your nephew is here.” She assured.

“We are just sad to see you disrespected, Daph… you are our sister. We wish to see you upheld.” Iskra frowned sadly.

“Protect mother at all costs, if they attack. Mother and Aunt Indira. Our uncle can look after himself.” Rahul organised, eyebrows raising when he turned and saw the rest of his family present.

“We have come up with a plan, to keep Ishaan safe.” Kiaan informed his brother quietly, glancing over his shoulder toward the main part of the hall where guests were beginning to stand as the chairs were cleared out to the side of the room to be met with tables as a dance floor was created. “We shall discuss later when we are less likely to be overheard… but we think we can truly have it so Mehan cannot harm him.” He grinned before adding. “Our youngest nephew is upstairs with his nursemaid sleeping, Ishaan has been very excited for you to meet him, for all of you to meet him. He dotes on the lad.”

“Do I have to call you King instead of brother now?” Mor asked her brother with a mischievous giggle as she approached him, bowing deeply in jest.

“Tonight will feel so very different, even though we will be climbing into bed together as always.” Isolde mused, leaning into Aodhän heavily. “Our time has come, my love.”

"Only when you want something," Kael chuckled, putting his drink to the side so he could crouch down and pull his sister into a tight hug, closing his eyes. "Hello Morfydd, I have been wanting to hug you all night. You behave yourself this evening, mm? As soon as you are tired go to bed, don't exhaust yourself for tomorrow."

"Youngest, oh." Rohan breathed. "I know you said the baby arrived safely but I did not expect you to bring him on such a long journey. I did not expect any of you here at all, none of us did. What - Why have you made the trek? Who is watching the Sharma residence, the Palac-" he grunted as Avani pushed him away from his twin. Avani's arms wrapping around her brother in a tight hug, spilling the liquid that was in her glass, "Kiaan! Oh, Kiaan. This is unexpected."

"I have your baby cousin, settled into a room in your home." Zoya hummed as she leant down to pick Idris up into his arms. "I am sure later on you can meet him, if you wish to, little Prince."

"Rahul," Ishaan greeted, offering his hand out to his nephew for a shake. "I apologise, for the lack of birthday message sent to you. You look well, you look much more like a man then you did when we parted ways. How have you found it here?"

"We will stay silent on the matter for this evening, we need to make use of this time to mingle. To try and find ourselves prospects but tomorrow we need to sit down and have a discussion about it all." Agatha whispered.

"Everyone seems... pleased."

“What is there to discuss Aggie? Nothing. He made good on his word that he would free her. Something he promised her since before we even met… She is free, it changes nothing.” Daphne patted her sisters hand. “Now, please - “ she winced as she stepped forward. “Help me find somewhere comfy to sit and perhaps discreetly put my feet up? I truly cannot feel my toes.” She laughed a little.

“Hello, sister.” Kiaan breathed, holding onto Avani closely, mouthing “Later.” Over her shoulder to Rohan as he held her close. “Congratulations. We have brought gifts, they are in our rooms upstairs I imagine, with the rest of our luggage that was taken up. As well as the newest member of our family, the heir to our country’s throne.” He added, kissing the top of her head. “You look well.”

“You being here works out well. I can sail back home with you so I don’t have to stay in this shithole any longer. Arnav too. We are ready to come home, take our fathers lands, Uncle.”

“We all need to meet him. I cannot - I cannot believe you made such a journey with such a small infant, to come all this way here for us.” Indira swallowed, moving to wrap an arm around her friend once again. “But I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you here… how much joy it gives me.”

Idris nodded at Zoya’s words, moving his tiny hands to play with her necklace.

“I always behave myself!” Morfyyd assured as she squeezed her brother back, tightly. “I know how to act good as your heir I promise!”

“This is a good thing, for us, for the people… for all.” Isolde leaned to brush her lips against Aodhän’s gently. “It is not such bad form now that I am the dowager, mm?” She grinned. “Daphne is now the one to contend with improper affection. We can indulge.”

M

"Lord Hawk," Florence ducked into a low curtsey as the crowds peeled away from their set groups and now into their social ones instead, a playful smirk on her face. Grinning up at her mate, avoiding to look at the blood that smeared his face. "Why, now it is an honour to be under the good grace of such an important title."

---

"Prince Lucian! Or, do you come today as Captain Luca." Magnus hummed a cheerful greeting as he moved from his seat across to see the Zaretsky's side of the room. "The make-up and jewels are refreshing, I am sure our friend Prince - King Kael shall be very amused by them too. You are feeling confident today?"

"He looks ridiculously good," Karina hummed her agreement, resting her palm then against Lucian's chest as she leant in to kiss his cheek. "I keep telling him enough for the world, his head is going to growing large again soon."

---

"I read in a book somewhere that the larger you become, the more the babe hurts your feet the more likely they are to be successful, healthy and ambitious." Agatha whispered, squeezing her sisters hand as she began to move slowly with her towards a small seating area that had been set up in a private corner of the room for the royals and their closest friends and family. "Here shall do, yes? "

---

"I am well, I am... very well." Avani breathed, leaning back to take his face in her hands. "I am excited to meet him, as I am excited for you to meet my beloved. He is working this evening, watching us I am sure. If I gesture to him, it shall distract him so it is better we pretend he is just absent for now and then begin with introductions when the crowds begin to disperse."

"We are wanting to forge relations, alliances. We all missed you. We all wanted to be sure that Kael would stick to his promised and would deem you your basic rights of movement. Though, to do it so publicly was something that we didn't expect at all. It was quite a statement."

"Now, now. We can't be saying such things about a place that has housed and fed us for months. Your mother is married now? That must have been... challenging for you."

"She is a traitor." Arnav grumbled, staring at the floor. "She does not care for any of us."

---

"How will you act good?"

---

"Indulge in public?" Aodhan breathed, eyes fluttering closed at the kiss. "I don't know if I have ever known how to do that."

“We have never indulged in open affection. Nothing more than hand holding. Only one dance at balls to be proper… Not anymore, my love. You are no longer below me in public, always having to stand one step behind. We are now equal in every way.”

---

“She flatters me for me to take heed of you poking fun at me.” Lucian grinned at his friend, leaning against his cane as he held Karina back tightly.

“It is lovely to see you upright, Lucian. Incredibly so.” Thea remarked with a nod of acknowledgment.

---

“My husband is the size of a tree, I think his son was always going to be large even if he turns out to be a gluttonous, lazy wretch.” Daphne chuckled as she moved into the seat with Agatha’s help. “Thank you…” she almost moaned in relief as she sat down. “That feels so much better.” She sighed softly, leaning her head back in peace.

“Mother never carried quite so large, so you may be correct. But still, I enjoy the idea Agatha professes, that our nephew is to make great things of his life.”

---

“I am sad I could not make it to your wedding, but we shall have some time together at least before we depart. I have missed you all.” Kiaan moved a hand to brush against her cheek. “You promise me he treats you well? That you are happy?”

“It made sense as soon as I learned of the man’s existence. Why she did not allow us to respect father properly, mourn him at home. I shall be leaving as soon as possible, Uncle. It’s wretched.”

“Kael and I are… in a very good place, at the moment.” Indira smiled warmly. “I had not one doubt he would release me as he said… not one doubt. He released me, granted me a position in his council. I even have lands now, as befitting my new position. New rooms are being renovated for Idris and I - he is having a balcony added for me Zoya, he knows just how much I missed the one I had at home… Idris is happy, Kael has always been an attentive father but the last few months our boy has rarely left his sight… things are good, very good.”

---

“I will do as I am told! And be polite! And do as you ask!”

---

“Ah now now, I warned you about Lord. Stand up.” Wyatt chuckled awkwardly, “You of all people should not be bowing to me.”

"Anything I ask? Anything at all?"

---

"Or you can stay." Avani whispered, "What do you have to go back for? Ishaan has his heir now, I have no doubts that my eldest boys will flee as soon as they possibly can. Rohan is getting on well here, talking to one of the healer girls. You can be happy here too, I know you can. You are needed here, with me and Indira."

Ishaan frowned, assuring quietly, "Your mother means well." as he pulled the boy into a hug. "Your Uncle Rohan have sent us plenty of letters. I would say you have learnt all you can here, you are welcome to come home if you wish. Begin the transition to your fathers lands."

"Rarely left his sight? What has prompted the change of behaviour?" Zoya frowned then, peering over her friends shoulder to watch Kael with his sister, before her eyes went to the drink that was in Avani's hand. "She is not drinking. We heard about her wedding, are they... is there news?"

---

"No one will see you having to rest here."

---

"Mhm," Florence hummed softly, moving to an upright position and then stretching further, arms raising up to drape loosely around his neck. "Congratulations, Wyatt. I didn't think it were possible to be anymore proud of you. You deserve this, all it brings. You've worked so hard. Though how long do you have to have that blood on your face before you can wash it off?"

---

"I have never felt as if I were beneath you, Sol. Not once, we have always been a team, there were just rules on occasion. Professional rules, to make sure you maintained your power. I always wanted you to be forefront, never wanted for them to assume that I played any hand in your genius. I never felt like I was beneath you."

---

"Mm, lazy sod needing to have a sit down for years." Magnus jested. "Good to see that you have finally had a long enough break of doing nothing."

Karina frowned at Magnus, unable to keep the irritation from her expression despite the clear jest. Attention turning onto Thea to whisper, "Shall we let the men be silly, find some more for us to drink near by in case we are needed but far enough to have our own conversation?"