The house felt different after battle.
The walls had always been strong, stone laced with charms, beautiful interior. But the next morning, as Allison settled into the long dining hall with her family, the air itself seemed softer. No howls of ghouls, no clashing of steel, no scent of smoke. Just the crackle of fire in the hearth, the faint clinking of dishes, and the low murmur of voices.
The vast estate felt like a home.
Allison lowered herself into a cushioned chair at the head of the long table. Lucian was already beside her, close enough that his hand brushed hers under the table every so often. He had been strangely clingy since the battlefield, never letting her out of his sight, and while it made her cheeks warm, she understood. The war had taken enough from them. He would not allow it to take her too.
Alexa hummed as she swept into the room, hair damp from a quick bath, wrapped in pale silks that fluttered with every breeze she conjured. "Well, don't we all look charming tonight. A battlefield one moment, a banquet the next. Mother would say that's the way of our bloodline, wouldn't you, Mama?"
Yevana raised her brows, her lips curving in faint amusement as she adjusted her shawl. "Our bloodline endures, Alexa. Even through wars. That's why we gather like this after every battle to remind ourselves what we fight for. It wouldn't be bad if we gather every day". She ruffles Tianlei's hair as she walked to her seat.
Lucian, who had been pouring Allison a glass of warm milk, glanced at his mother with a rare softness. He didn't speak, but his eyes lingered on her longer than usual.
The food was simple tonight, but comforting. Roasted pheasant, seasoned potatoes, fresh bread steaming from the ovens, and bowls of vegetable stew. Nothing extravagant, but hearty nourishment for bodies still stiff with exhaustion.
Allison picked at her plate at first, her appetite still dulled from battle, but soon Alexa swept behind her and without asking, placed firm hands on her shoulders.
"Sit up, darling," Alexa murmured, her fingers beginning to work gentle circles into Allison's tense muscles. "Your shoulders are tighter than iron bands. I swear, you carry more than the Flame itself on your back." She chuckled as others laughed too.
Allison flushed, her fork pausing halfway to her lips. "Alexa—"
"Hush. You'll thank me." Alexa pressed into a knot just under her neck, making Allison nearly melt against her chair. "See? Already you're not so stiff. Lucian, you could at least try this once in a while instead of glaring like an overgrown wolf at anyone who comes near her."
Lucian's jaw ticked. "My hands aren't for kneading shoulders. They're for protecting her."
Allison bit back a smile. "He means his hands are too clumsy."
Lucian's silver eyes snapped to hers, sharp enough to cut, but the faint flush at his ears betrayed him. Alexa cackled behind them.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Beatrice was fussing over Tianlei, who had stacked two rolls of bread into a precarious tower.
"Sweetheart, eat properly," Beatrice said, nudging the plate closer to him. "You've barely touched the stew."
Tianlei pouted, shoving one roll into his mouth just to prove her wrong. "I'm not hungry, Mom. Stop hovering."
Beatrice frowned. "I'm not hovering, I'm caring. You're still so small—"
"I'm eight." Tianlei protested, cheeks puffed with bread.
Ren, who had been silent until then, leaned his chin on his hand and said casually, "He's right, Bea. You're smothering him."
Beatrice turned, startled by his tone. Ren rarely spoke at the table. He usually brooded in silence, watching the room like a hawk. But tonight his eyes weren't scanning everywhere. They were locked on her.
"You think I shouldn't care about my own son?" She asked, her voice tightening.
"I think," Ren replied slowly, "that if you hold him too tight, he'll only pull further away." His gaze flicked to Tianlei, then back to her. "You don't want to lose him, do you?"
The room went quiet for a heartbeat. Beatrice's lips parted, then closed again. Her hand, which had been reaching to fix Tianlei's collar, stilled.
Allison, sensing the tension, quickly cleared her throat. "Beatrice, actually… I meant to ask you something."
Beatrice looked up, grateful for the change of subject. "Yes?"
"You're three weeks gone now, right? Confirmed?" Allison's smile softened as her hand brushed her own belly, the swell beneath her gown was very obvious. "I was thinking we could schedule an ante-natal checkup together. For both of us. It might make it easier, less scary, if we go side by side."
Beatrice blinked, her lips parting in surprise. "Together?"
"Of course." Allison's voice was warm, steady. "You're not alone in this. We're family. We'll both be mothers soon… again, in your case."
Beatrice's eyes grew misty. She nodded, quickly brushing at her lashes before tears could fall. "I'd… like that. Thank you, Allison."
At that moment, Tianlei popped his head up, crumbs still clinging to his chin. "Wait, checkup? For babies?"
Allison laughed, her free hand stroking her bump. "Yes, sweetheart. To make sure they're healthy."
Tianlei's eyes widened. "So… when they're born, what are you gonna name them?" He bounced in his chair, leaning so far forward his stew nearly spilled. "Mom, what are you naming my baby brother or sister? And Aunt Allison, what about you?"
Beatrice laughed softly, shaking her head. "I don't even know yet. It's too early—"
"Nooo," Tianlei groaned dramatically. "You can't wait too long. What if the baby gets sad because it doesn't have a name?"
Everyone chuckled at his logic, even Yevana hiding a smile behind her hand.
Allison tilted her head, pretending to think. "Well… what names would you suggest, Tianlei?"
He brightened instantly. "If it's a boy, you should call him… Thunder. And if it's a girl, Lightning."
Lucian groaned audibly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We are not naming any child Thunder."
"Yes we are." Tianlei shouted, giggling now.
"Thunder Lucian?" Alexa wheezed with laughter, clutching her stomach. "Oh, please. That's priceless."
Allison's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter, her hand covering her mouth. Even Beatrice, cheeks pink with laughter, reached across to ruffle her son's hair.
"I like Thunder," she teased. "At least he's creative."
Ren, however, only smiled faintly, his gaze still lingering on Beatrice as though he saw something in her laughter that no one else did.
The meal stretched on, light conversation weaving between them about the markets reopening in town, about Yevana's insistence that Lucian needed to eat more greens, about Alexa's shameless complaints that no man could keep up with her temper.
Later, when dishes were cleared and wine was poured for those who wanted it, Lucian slipped away with Allison back to their bedroom.
Allison sighed as she lowered herself onto the bed, cradling her bump. Lucian followed, settling beside her with tenderness.
"You looked… happy tonight," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
She smiled softly. "It felt normal. Like we're just… people. Not warriors, not leaders. Just family."
"Hmm," he nodded as he tucked her in.