The gentle breeze passed through people that spring. Classical music sounded making couples dance and have fun, conveying the elegance that only high society could convey. The decorated hall reflected the lights of the crystals that adorned a chandelier, and the flowers scattered reflected the season that began the courtship season.
It was the great hall of the Imperial Palace, which shone with a splendor that only Roveaven could display. The high nobility and foreign ambassadors were present, their elaborate costumes and lively conversations made up the show. However, there was someone in particular who seemed to steal all the attention.
"My goodness, who is he?" murmured a Baroness
"Wow... how beautiful." A lady was blushing behind her sharp fan.
The ladies blushed to see the man in dark suits passing. Of perfect posture reflecting his excellent education, the men smiled sweetly hiding his cunning. The suit he wore was expensive, this everyone realized. The dark color of his suit with patterns in light blue and silver accessories, reflected his high social status.
Each step of the men was a sigh given. And when he greeted acquaintances, there was a formality in his words that seemed poetry. Of course, he was perfectly able to hide the malice behind embellished words.
"I announce the entry of Their Imperial Majesties, Cadec Saint Richmond and Eugene Saint Richmond; and Her Imperial Highness, the First Princess, Meliara Saint Richmond."
The marble doors were opened, showing the three members of the Imperial Family entering the huge hall. The elegance and grandeur they exhibited was formidable and breathtaking. All the guests turned and bowed their heads as the three royals passed by.
Behind Cadec and Eugene, who always walked arm in arm, was a beautiful girl who seemed to have come out of a fairy tale. With long dark hair and blue eyes like the deepest sea, the delicacy of the only princess of Roveaven made the noble guests sigh in wonder.
"Tsk, bunch of idiots" Growled Kiana beside her parents "Should learn to lower your head when Meliara is passing."
"Daughter, please don't let your deepest thoughts leak out of your mouth so easily."
"That's right, Kiana" Magnus whispered behind the glass "Don't spill your thoughts, just say it loud and clear."
The Grimwood seemed to steal some of the scene when they were gathered. Kiana wasted no time and soon swept the ballroom with her eyes in search of some priest. More specifically, the poor person who would provide her with information about the High Priest. But Magnus wisely held, disguised, her dress preventing her from going far.
So the ball continued. The music played even more lively under the watchful eyes of the Imperial Family, who watched everything from their throne. The princess seemed discouraged, especially with her arduous task of running away from the young mens who wanted to woo her. However, her face lit up when she saw Kiana nearby.
Quickly she winked at her parents and went out in a rush among the crowd until she reached both.
"Kiana!" Meliara greeted, holding the omega's hands "Long time no see!"
"I see you've grown even more, huh?!" Kiana held the cousin's hand and smiled cheerfully.
"But of course! I said in the last letter that I would reach you."
"Ah, but still a little short."
Meliara was a lovely princess who loved spending time with her cousin. Of course, Kiana loved her too, especially because she knew that she was so openly admired. While they talked in their small world, it did not take long for the elders to retire to a reserved room.
Noticing the sudden change, Kiana held Meliara's arm and smiled cheerfully.
"What do you say we run away from these smelly alphas?"
"Eh?" Kiana did not wait for an answer, and pulled the princess through the ballroom to follow the elders "Wait a bit... Kiana!"
Kiana was trouble since she was little, everyone knew that. However, her beauty and joviality was attractive, especially when she allowed herself to be more sensitive next to her cousin. It was a vision so much that attracted the singles.
However, Kiana was not interested in anyone but a certain High Priest.
As soon as the two were the last to pass through the door, Kiana smiled at her father's intense look.
"Hehe, don't quarrel with me" She took a scroll out of her dress and walked to Cadec handing it over "I was about to forget, but my vice-captain asked for this."
Cadec raised the scroll, examining it briefly before nodding.
"Good job, Kiana. As always."
"I'm glad you're back safely" added Eugene, smiling warmly.
"The pleasure is mine, Uncle Eugene" answered the omega, lighter as it was embraced by the cousin.
"So, how was the war? I believe Geledel is behaving as their crown prince had promised" asked the new Emperor.
Thus, Kiana began to tell her experience on the battlefield. While they talked about it, and somehow relaxed with some drinks and snacks that the servants brought, it did not take long for the doors to be opened again.
All turned their attention to the young figure that appeared. He who was the subject among the ladies before, now passed through the doors accompanied by another men wearing a coat with hood. The second men took off his hood, showing his youthful features and introverted look.
"Kevin! Roan!" Meliara smiled going to them "How long ago!!! Oh, I thought Aunt Victoria would come with you."
"My mother is in her territory along with my father" said Roan, with his calm voice "I just came to accompany Kevin since I finished my mission."
"Hello, family" Kevin smiled.
Lucian and Magnus smiled at the boy with dark hair and eyes of diamonds. Who approached them.
"I see that you have managed to accomplish your task very well. Arrived earlier than you'd promised" Magnus praised him between the lines, making his son extend his smile lovingly "Unlike your sister..."
"Hey, hey, unlike Kevin I was on the battlefield. It's not fair to compare us, old man."
Magnus grumbled in response. Lucian, on the other hand, hugged his son and covered him with his scent — something he had made a habit of doing to his children since they were little. It was like a way to relax their subconscious and make them understand that they were safe at home. Notably the posture of the elegant Kevin relaxed.
"You came back too, dad. Was everything okay on the pilgrimage?"
"I was well looked after, there was no problem. But I'm afraid the High Priest will need a few days of rest."
"Now I understand why my sister is here, your toy did not come to see her."
"Don't spoil my mood by talking about that dove" ordered Magnus, slightly jealous, making Kevin laugh.
"Forgive me, father. Anyway, Aunt Dahlia answered my letter and said they are traveling east now. It seems that Geledel is having problems with the other side of the territory, which may give us some peace for a while."
Cadec sighed relieved, receiving comfort from his husband.
"Thank you, Kevin. But how do you get this information so small and fast? I don't think my sister would be able to report anything if she is on the high seas."
The alpha just smiled sweetly hiding his secrets. The Grimwood knew very well how he did it, after all, Kevin helped Magnus to rule the Underworld and gather information from his suppliers. Strategist like Lucian, manipulator with angelic smile and an excellent observer.
Unlike his older sister, who was more agile and strong to go fight on the front line, like Magnus in his youth, Kevin was just like Lucian, staying behind the curtains and manipulating people with the information he has. Maybe that's why Kevin got along so well with his uncle, Jesse, who also liked to do that kind of work and took him as his apprentice.
"Roan grew up well too" Eugene smiled at the other nephew, who scratched his neck without knowing how to handle compliments "I imagine that going out on missions with Kevin is tiring, but my sister-in-law always tells me how proud she is of you."
"Well..."
The family seemed gathered in that room, without worrying about the noble etiquette that asked them to go to the hall to socialize. They could use as an excuse to deal with secret government affairs, but they knew they were having fun there after being away for so long.
Lucian watched his children interact with Meliara, his niece. A heat spread through his chest when he realized that much time has passed since the events of his first life. Time was not generous when it passed quickly, but Lucian was able to enjoy every moment by the side of his children.
Holding emotional tears, he sneaked out of the room and went to the balcony where he could take a deep breath and recover. Despite seeking solitude, a certain omega embraced him from behind and kissed his neck making it clear that such space would not exist.
"Are you getting emotional after get old?" joked Magnus, sliding his fingers around Lucian's waist.
"I'm not that old, considering our recent activities."
Magnus let out a hoarse laugh and pressed the alpha against him. The warmth of his body and the smell of wine came back to snake Lucian, reminding him that it was always like this. He was always held hostage by Magnus Grimwood.
"We can still see how active you can be, even after all these years" The omega whispered, leaving another kiss behind Lucian's ear on his mark.
A shiver went up his body. Lucian looked over the shoulder of the husband and opened an innocent smile.
"More? I think you're trying to take advantage of me, honey. You didn't used to be like this when we got married."
"It's not my fault" Magnus held Lucian's hand and kissed his fingers "Just consider a reward for being such a devoted husband."
"Hey, can we go home now?" Kiana knocked on the balcony door, smiling satisfied to see Magnus growl for her "What was it? I ruined your moment?"
"You tick... go hell that damn dove and leave your father alone."
"I well wanted to, but he did not come" She pouted.
"Can we stop and reflect on my sister being chasing a priest of higher rank and who, moreover, is much older than her?" Kevin approached his sister.
"Can we stop and reflect on how lonely you are to the point of having a frozen heart?"
The two brothers were about to argue, as they had always done since childhood, but Lucian knew that deep down they loved each other. After all, they were Grimwood. Embracing Magnus' waist, Lucian sighed down and looked at the three members of his family.
"We should go home and pack. It's time to get back to the territory."
Immediately the brothers stopped arguing, turning to the alpha. Magnus just put out a crooked smile on his lips, crossing his arms with the immediate effect that the children had by knowing exactly what Lucian was referring to.
"After all... she must be missing us" Magnus pinned.
The brothers exchanged glances and blushed intensely, amusing Magnus who teased them. Immediately Kevin turned.
"I need to talk to Meliara about the dresses we ordered last time..."
"Maybe a teddy bear is the best gift" Kiana mumbled crossing her arms "But she likes rabbits.... ah I should hunt one and take it?"
Lucian and Magnus exchanged glances and laughed at the sudden change in behavior of those two.
Meanwhile, in the Grimwood territory, Cassander placed the dessert on the table and turned to the window where he could see his husband crouching next to a little girl, both picking flowers.