Sending them back

The Night Before – Arcea Villa

The night air carried a rare peace, and for once, Canute allowed himself to savor it. At the Arcea Villa, laughter echoed through the halls. Despite the exhaustion clawing at him after recent affairs with the Alchemist Tower and the pressures of war, just the sight of his wife and children lifted the weight from his shoulders.

"Daddy, lift me up too!" cried one of his children, arms outstretched with infectious enthusiasm.

Akari had given birth to triplets—two boys and a girl. Their daughter, Rubiluneia, was the most mischievous of the three. She was a mirror of her mother, with gleaming white curls and ruby eyes that sparkled with impish delight. Canute adored her without measure.

He had just set down Seirvahn, the eldest of the trio, when Akari entered the room.

"Mama! Pick me!" Luna squealed and sprinted into her mother's arms.

"Luna, Vahn—you should be in bed," Akari scolded gently, her voice touched with fatigue.

Vahn glanced up at her with pleading ruby eyes—eyes that matched hers, framed by a mop of tousled deep-blue hair he'd inherited from Canute.

"No excuses. Where is your nanny? She'll be grounded along with you two," Akari muttered, clearly at her limit.

The children shrank back, sensing their mother's seriousness.

"Akari, don't be too harsh on them—" Canute began, only to receive a sharp glance.

"And you! You're spoiling them far too much!" she snapped.

Canute raised his hands in surrender. He knew better than to provoke her temper—it was formidable, and rightly feared.

"Papa got scolded too!" Luna whispered dramatically.

"Luna!" Akari warned, rubbing her temple.

Just then, their nanny entered from the adjoining room. "Madam, young Lord Eliondras is asleep."

"Tana, where were you? Why aren't these two in bed yet?" Akari demanded.

"I—I apologize, madam. The young lord and little lady insisted on spending time with their father."

Akari sighed, weariness replacing her earlier ire. "Spare me the excuses. Get them ready for bed."

"At once," Tana said, hurriedly ushering Luna and Vahn into the bathroom.

"Goodnight, Mama! Goodnight, Papa!" the children called as they vanished down the corridor.

Canute and Akari returned the wishes in unison.

As silence reclaimed the room, Akari let out a long, tired sigh. Canute stepped behind her, wrapping his arms gently around her waist.

"Something's bothering you," he said softly.

"It's nothing serious," she replied, placing her hand over his.

"Then why the long sigh? You always do that when something's on your mind. You get angry easily, pout like a rabbit, and throw tantrums like a child."

She turned her head slightly to shoot him a narrowed glare. "Are you trying to comfort me or mock me?"

"You know me," he chuckled, kissing the top of her head.

"Talk to me," he coaxed after a pause.

Akari fell silent for a moment before her voice returned, low and uncertain. "Your father's recovery is slow. The tower... it was too much while you were away. And now the western cities are demanding another portal be opened. The risks are high. The people are impatient. I'm afraid... afraid this tension might escalate into something we can't control."

Her voice trembled. "I don't want another meaningless war, Cae. I can't—" Her words broke off.

Canute turned her in his arms and held her close. "Nothing will happen, Ari. I swear on everything I am."

They stood there in silence, the calm embrace briefly shielding them from the world's burdens. Then, Canute brushed his lips against the curve of her neck, warm and teasing.

"Cae?" she asked, startled, turning toward him.

But he tightened his grip, grinning like a boy with a secret. "Should we try for another pair?"

"Knock it off. No more kids," she groaned. "Motherhood is already eating me alive."

"But you're doing it beautifully," he said, smug.

"And whose fault is that?" she retorted, pulling at his cheeks.

"Ow! Ow! That hurts!" he yelped, though the pain was clearly exaggerated.

A knock at the door interrupted their playful moment. Akari quickly slipped out of his embrace, smoothing her dress as Canute straightened himself.

"Brother, it's me," came the voice from the other side.

"Oh, Neli. Come in," Canute called.

Cornelius entered, eyes glancing between the couple. "I came to report on the portal discussions."

Instantly, Canute's demeanor shifted. Gone was the teasing husband; in his place stood the Grandmaster, sharp and composed.

They seated themselves near the war table, strewn with scrolls, blueprints, and arcane maps. Akari quietly excused herself at Canute's gentle urging.

Cornelius smirked. "Still worried about her?"

"Any man who's seen his wife struggle between life and death in a birthing chamber would never stop worrying," Canute replied, eyes never leaving the papers.

"It's been three years."

"You'll understand soon enough."

Cornelius raised an eyebrow. "I hope it's not anything I'll regret."

"How are the wedding preparations going?" Canute asked, changing the subject.

"Ah... well… they're going," Cornelius replied with a sheepish laugh.

"You're hopeless," Canute sighed.

"And Her Highness?" he asked, referring to Aria.

"She hasn't even picked the flowers yet, and you're asking me about her?" Cornelius grinned.

Canute raised a brow. "This isn't just any wedding. Two great houses— that are at parallels—are finally joining. That's not something to take lightly."

"Here we go, like an old geezer" Cornelius muttered under his breath.

"Who're you calling old, you little rascal?" Canute reached out and gave him a sharp flick to the forehead.

"Ow! That hurt!"

"Be grateful this alliance was granted. Any other match would've had the cabinet and the temple elders tearing it apart."

"They should all be retired by now. How did war not take them?" Cornelius grumbled.

"Because they sat behind walls while boys died at the front," Canute said bitterly.

He handed a series of scrolls to Cornelius. "Here. Study these."

Cornelius skimmed them, then looked up with a frown. "You want me to connect these portals to the other realms?"

"They're stable—enough to transport small divisions. The rest are too volatile. We avoid them until a better solution is found."

"And you're not coming?"

"The Grandmaster has other matters to attend," Canute replied with a sly grin.

"That's called abuse of authority."

"Call it whatever you like. Now go."

Cornelius rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'd better be off to work then."