The grand wedding and news

The tall stained glass windows of the High Council chamber filtered in fragmented sunlight, scattering the room with gold and crimson hues. The table was long, carved from ancient cedar, shaped into a crescent that faced the throne where Luciana now stood beside Helios—not seated, but standing, resolute. Behind them, the sigil of Mircéa hung in silence.

She was robed in a deep sapphire gown with fur-lined sleeves, her hair coiled in intricate braids threaded with modest silver pins. Her expression was firm, her eyes sharper than the cold outside.

"This winter has already claimed three outer settlements, in the west" she stated, her voice carrying without force. "We have until the next full moon to bring those remaining into the safe zones. The Olestreon border is no longer secure of the harsh mountain winters considering the foods supply for the displaced, and our scouts report disturbances in the lower valleys."

The nobles murmured. Some nodded in concern, while others frowned, calculating their own losses.

Lord Kyma , seasoned and draped in emerald velvet, leaned forward. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the capital's stores are not infinite. If we welcome all displaced citizens, we risk starvation before spring thaws the roads."

Luciana turned her gaze on him—sharp and unyielding. "If Olympus cannot protect its own people, then it is unworthy of being called a part of Amanécer."

The silence that followed was heavy. Only the soft scratching of a scribe's quill could be heard.

"We will convert the merchant halls into provisional housing. The Temple Quarter will be opened for temporary lodgings. Grain stores allocated to ceremonial houses will be redistributed." She looked at each noble in turn. "His Majesty has personally approved that the imperial family's personal stores will be among the first. If you believe in Olympus, you will match that donation in kind."

There was a pause. Then, slow nods. Reluctant, but accepting.

A young noble whispered, "She governs like a queen born for war."

But Luciana did not rule through dominance. She ruled with conscience sharpened into steel.

Outside, the wind howled across Olympus—but within, her command held firmer than stone making Helios proud as he let her take up with the command.

"Up next the Alchemist tower will explain the details." Luciana gestured a nod glancing at Canute who efficiently took over the rest of the council discussion about various other topics.

---

Three months gradually passed by as the condition of Amanécer stabilized most of which depended on Erebus' victories making more areas safer for travel.

He carried out countless battles at a violent speed that every news of his victory incurred both relief and terror within the hearts of the people.

The army was soon known as the indestructible force wiping out every foe in sight instantly.

While he won victories, Helios too became insecure and much worried to think about Erebus' desperation to claim his daughter completely.

Sitting in the gardens alongwith the company of stewards, Luciana and Melody had come to meet him.

"Grandpa!" Nemesis ran to Helios.

Helios' worries were immediately washed away by looking at his grandkids. Most of his days Nemesis wouldn't leave his side since Erebus' departure.

"Nemesis and Hades come here my boys." He beamed in delight as if he'd reverted into a young boy of Nemesis' age.

"Good morning Father," Luciana and Melody greeted him and kissed him on his cheek.

"You two look like descendants of heavens." He showered them with compliments.

" Your praise always makes us shy father." Melody blushed.

Right behind Helios stood Lucerne who felt heat creeping up his ears. Luciana noticed and smiled knowingly. He felt flustered but bowed maintaining his composure.

"Ari's wedding day..." He let out a long sigh.

"You're thinking how wonderful it could've been if mother was alive at this moment." Luciana interpreted his thoughts.

Helios chuckled wanly.

"My Luci is observant as ever." His eyes held the hollowness.

"Ba?" Hades looked at Helios.

"He's comforting you." Luciana placed Hades on Helios' lap.

Helios lifted the infant up midway as he used to with them.

"Lynn." He suddenly said as tear left his eye.

Melody and Luciana felt apang in heor hearts as the memories of their youngest dead sister resurfaced.

Luciana placed her hand on his face wiping his eyes.

" With every life departed, a new life descends." Luciana smiled tenderly.

"That's what father used to tell us." Melody said in a dry voice yet shaken.

"My daughters really have matured so much while I was busy somewhere else." He regretted not giving them enough attention after Aphrodite's death.

"She's in gardens of Eden." Luciana reassured.

" So please don't isolate yourself from the rest of the world. We still need you. We still rely on a father who's still bearing the realm's fate on his strong shoulders." Luciana kissed his forehead just like Helios did.

Helios returned her a kiss on her forehead.

" Luci....I always wanted to ask for your forgiveness....for not being able to protect you...but...I could never being myself to do it... I know well I don't deserve it -"

" I told you father....and I will keep saying this many times. I forgave you the moment I learnt your intention. Maybe this is what God decided for me. For us. And I could never have become a mother to such precious children." Luciana reassured him as Nemesis ran towards Luciana and hugged her.

"Mama aunt Aria's wedding will start soon. I wanna see her." His eyes sparkled free if any worries or grief.

"Let's go now, father." Melody squeezed his hand and smiled.

They left as the servants lifted up the palanquin on which Helios was seated high.

He could no longer walk. The healers from across the realm tried every solution alongside the alchemist tower. But the only solution that was recommended by a person they never thought could suggest it was Tiberius who recommended a mechanically functioning prosthetic leg.

Though few from the temple raised their concerns but Helios ordered it to be carried out in secret.

---------->

The Temple Gardens of Olympus had never shone brighter.

Lanterns floated in the air like soft stars, enchanted with gentle magic that changed color with the hymns sung below. Petals rained down from the carved arches, scattered by the temple maidens. Marble fountains danced with golden light. Every stone path was lined with musicians, their flutes and lyres weaving a song that felt like spring had returned early.

Luciana stood at the center of it all, regal yet quiet. Her gown was a flowing cascade of midnight silk embroidered with the sun-wolf sigil. Nemesis held her hand proudly in his miniature formal attire, a silk sash strung across his chest. Hades rested peacefully in a silver cradle beside her, watched over by his nursemaid.

But it was Aria who stole the garden's breath.

She stood beneath the temple's white archway, clothed in a wedding trailing draped dress of rose gold silk that shimmered like dawn. Her eyes, wide and hopeful, glistened with unshed tears. She smiled when she saw Luciana, a soft, private look only sisters could share.

Cornelius, tall and gallant, took Aria's hand and kissed it before the ceremony began.

Luciana watched them and felt an ache beneath her joy. Aria had the kind of wedding she never did. There were no fears, no treaties in the shadows, no trembling hands clutching hidden glass shards under gowns.

As vows were exchanged, Luciana felt the quiet press of eternity in the air. Her fingers curled around Nemesis's hand.

This is peace, she thought.

Even if temporary… it is still peace.

The celebration was rapturous. Music echoed across the halls of Olympus, and drinks poured freely. Dancers moved in spirals like wind-caught silk. Nobles laughed, reunited in something resembling joy for the first time in months. Even Luciana allowed herself a sip of spiced mead, reclining slightly on her cushioned seat as Nemesis sat beside her, devouring honeyed fruits.

But something felt… off.

She had been feeling faint spells of nausea for days. Her appetite had dulled. The scent of roses—once pleasant—now made her stomach turn. And her gowns, expertly tailored, now sat tighter around her midsection than before.

She had ignored it, blaming stress. The cold. Fatigue.

Her gaze shifted from Aria to her father who was recieving nobles and other subjects. Then she saw Melody and Lucerne together.

Lucerne, though the minimal rights of the Caelus house were transferred to him, he was still demoted from the high ranking Centronus to Helios' page.

Octavius was nowhere to be found. But Aurora despite her solemn expression tried not to stray from this joyous occasion and sat with Naila and Akari chattering and admiring the newlyweds.

Leila went out in the terrace when Apollonia felt agitated among the crowd of guests.

Hades was with Augusta enjoying in his own little world.

She tried to ignore the feeling once again.

But as she rose to greet an envoy from the Eastern coast, her hand instinctively went to her stomach again. A flutter, not of nerves—but of memory.

Her heart slowed.

She remembered this feeling. The warmth, the deep pull within. Not pain. Not illness.

Life.

She turned suddenly, motioning for her trusted maid Irenia to follow her into the stone alcove near the temple vestibule. Away from the revelers.

"I need you to confirm something," Luciana said quietly. "Tonight."

The older woman's eyes flicked downward. Her silence said everything.

Later, as fireworks cracked above the towers and guests toasted the union of Aria and Cornelius, Irenia returned. Her hands trembled slightly as she bowed low.

"It is confirmed, Your Majesty. You are with child. Nearing your third month."

Luciana's breath caught.

She looked out across the garden, where her sister danced with Cornelius beneath a halo of falling petals.

She placed her hand gently over her stomach.

A strange, fragile joy filled her chest—and dread alongside it.

He doesn't know. And I don't know when—or if—he'll return.

Yet the life growing within her, silent and unseen, was the strongest declaration she'd ever made.