Raina went inside with a bounce in her step that translated to her entire body. She seemed to almost glow as she walked into the dining room. Her father was already at the head of the table with two other people that she had not expected to see. Raina marked this as one of the best days of her life as she ran over and threw her arms around her uncle's neck.
The prince of Shadow Veil picked up his niece and hugged her back with a hearty laugh. Mordrin was a rather imposing figure. Tall and built and toned for war, with bright crimson hair and deep golden eyes strikingly beautiful but also very very cold. He has been known as a very strong king and somewhat cruel, but when it came to his little niece, his heart of stone melted similar to the way it did for his darling wife who had introduced him to a family lifestyle, or at least one he wanted to be apart of.
"My, My how my little peach blossom has grown! It's only been a few months child." Mordrin teased her, setting her in her seat beside him. Raina smiled and stood up walking over to hug Vella.
Her aunt was a jewel of the family. Long brown hair falling in lovely curls down her back and around her shoulders. The front sections carefully gathered and woven on top of her head so the hair pin and the decorative comb could be secured into her hair. A gentle face and loving blue eyes, nearly silver in the low light. Her tummy was slightly round with child now, and her arms circled her niece in a warm hug. "I missed you, Raina dear." Vella greeted kissing the child's hair.
"Mmhm I missed you too!" Raina assured her, before taking her seat beside her uncle. Clovis watched slightly jealous as the guests got all of his little girl's attention, but he had expected it. His sister's visits were few and far between. Their happy chatter soothed his heart as Vella and Raina began talking about a new flower Vella was growing.
"The bruise on her cheek. Is that the slap you were talking about?" Mordrin asked glancing over at Clovis, speaking too low for the girl's to hear. The light traces of yellow on her fair cheek were only noticeable to a keen eye under the white powders.
"Yes. I told you they are crossing my bottom line or I would not have asked." Clovis replied softly. Anger still churned in his heart any time he thought of his daughter's fair cheek swollen and red from his brother's hand. A similar anger rose in Mordrin as well.
"And Mother in Law?" Mordrin asked knowing there was a reason she had not joined them at the table. Though Eve was a quiet and reclusive person, and far too mild for his liking, but she did give him his greatest treasure. His soft golden eyes traced his wife's face as she talked so animatedly with her niece.
"She was caught in the schemes as well. They started with slapping Raina and then got Mom thrown in the Cold palace until she lets Queen Fae slap her. Mom tried to defend Raina." Clovis explained quietly also watching the girls. Mordrin's frown deepened.
"And she sent me the letter thinking I would come support them because you threatened to make a war with me?" Mordrin asked scoffing as his eyes met his brother in laws. Clovis grinned at him, eyes sparkling a bit with dark humor.
"Yea… I never said they were smart." Clovis replied sipping his drink. The pair smiled together.
"So you're going to be Emperor?" Mordrin asked before draining his cup and flipping it over so it couldn't be refilled. Clovis sighed nodding as his mind churned over everything that silver and blue Robe meant. Does he want the responsibility? Can he handle the pressure and the decisions? Does be have a choice? The answer was all to clear as he looked at his daughters yellowed cheek and his mother's empty chair.