Much had transpired since the days following a faithful meeting with Nkiri and Derek Moonspeaker.
During that time, Firion and Kaida observed the unique dynamics and families of several interracial families in the area!
They first asked Lunaria monarchs about their family, and how their daughter fared growing up distinctly foreign.
To their surprise, Derek revealed that many yumboes actually live in the Lunaria providence since there union became known! While some may love their homes, others may seek opportunity elsewhere.
Yumboes that migrated to Lunaria were often educated on local terminology beforehand and were vetted for what they offered to contribute to the dukedom.
Many of them turned out to be farmers who excelled in cultivation with luxury exports. In addition to that, they ensured Fara would not be stigmatized with a blended community and allowing her a harmonious upbringing.
Others like Jaheim and his small family are another examlpe unique ancestry, as their blood carries that of a forest elf like Firion.
In the days that followed he took the young yumbo on his offer to meet his mother, Amadine, and his brother and sister. Kaida was amazed by her, despite dealing with the heavy heart of loss, she pushes herself everyday for her children.
Nostalgically, it reminded her of her own mother, Amara and what she had to struggled with from raising a child on her own and without the help of a spouse.
Jaheim also showed them some of the forest elf traditions that their family practices: one of them is marking a tree for every decade of growth of a child, and their family had a palm tree with many indentured marks with small writing, some of them were from 200 years ago!
("I'll ask Kaida later if she would be okay with us doing this for our children as they grow.") Firion mused to himself.
Next, Alima introduced her family, her shapely mother who is white fang deva lioness, and her father who is a yumbo from a prestigious family from the Junai capital of Simba.
Alima said her parents still practice some of the holidays from their old home, as such as paying homage Uthman. A pride male who was the father to a deva girl that formed the first union with an elf, and considered the spiritual grandfather to many yumboes, as a result they eat his favorite dishes on his birthday every year as a holiday to remember him.
Kaida pondered the concept of holidays. ("I wanna ask Firion about that later. Celebrating certain days of the year sounds interesting!")
Finally there was the enormous Ironearth clan, with Nkiri and Arafa describing how they managed their large family.
"Needless to say, I was more the voice of authority in the home, while Arafa was the more softer and emotional one for sensitive matters. I did the hunting, he did gardening, and we both made dishes for dinner to accommodate our growing brood and to let our children decide their diets in case they wish to pursue a certain life." Nkiri explained.
Then Arafa offered his insight. "One thing that every parent must understand, we should not force our children to exactly follow ourselves, but to choose their own path, their own livelihood. We are examples, but they may want something else in life."
This left Kaida and Firion a lot to ponder about during their stay.
In the weeks that followed, Derek departed Taraji, but not before having one last conversation with the forest elf.
"Before I go there is a little favor I need you to do for me....I need you to do deliver this letter with special directions for a friend of mine!" Duke Moonspeaker smiled brightly offering a red envelope. "Also, because its a private letter, please do not peak at its contents!"
Firion immediately became suspicious and was ready to refuse, but Derek already foresaw that. "If your thinking about refusing then I would advise against it. Considering the benefactor whose signature officiated all those documents to get you to Eurelca will be quite displeased at your lack gratitude!"
"What benefactor? Were you not the one who got the documents?" Firion's eyebrow furrowed.
Derek let out a cackle, "Oh I just delivered the papers, I didn't sign for them. Young archduke Magnus signed for them!"
Kaida almost spit out her tea when she heard the name! "Wasn't that not the man that emperor Cyrus wants to marry me to?"
"I understand your concerns with young Magnus, but despite the rumors of the ruling family I can assure you that the young elf is not his father in the slightest. He opposed the idea the moment he became aware." Derek continued as he revealed who Magnus Sunstriker really is.
He is actually a very sensitive and moralistic elf that is very concerned about his kingdom, and has been working away from his fathers gaze to also fix his homes flaws. He never approved for a young Kaida to specifically raised to be his wife, and was gonna arrange for her to be adopted into a abbey in the Izunai providence of Eurelca. As royal family members official seal is needed for any Aldenburg citizen to migrate without objection, he was the one who offered his signature for Firion and Kaida.
He only asked that Derek, who is one of the archduke's closest confidants, to make sure she was not taken forcefully, and since its obvious now she left on her own terms that he decided to approach them directly. His only selfish request is to deliver a letter with specific instructions when they get there.
Derek also left parting words for Firion. "I know your stigmas toward Aldenburg's elite did not disappear overnight, but I just want to inform you that Adan does speak for the rest of us."