Natalia nodded as Joseph went out, closing the door behind him. He must have met Beth and Julia in the corridor, because they entered a minute after he left. They came in and began playing with the baby.
Beth looked at her mother, "Mom, what's her name?"
Natalia smiled to assure them, "We have not decided yet. But it will be decided by the time you wake up tomorrow. It's your bed time now. Go." Beth and Julia begged to stay for a little while and she agreed. After some time, their personal maids took Beth and Julia to their respective chambers.
Natalia sighed and looked at the sleeping baby in her arms. "Christopher Welson. Her father-in-law. The king of fire empire. Very disciplined and strict. How she hoped he would not take any drastic decision."
Se remembered her other two daughters. Beth Welson, 4 years old and Julia Welson, 2 years old. They were both born with beautiful dark red eyes, and lived happily with them. Oh how Natalia wished that this girl did not have black eyes. What would happen to her?
As she was contemplating these things, Joseph re-entered the room. She looked at him nervously and was relieved to see that he was smiling. He came, sat beside her and kissed the daughter in her hands. He said, "He agreed. He also does not know what black eyes mean. So he is willing to let her stay. And nothing will probably happen until she is five years old. So we have five years to figure something out."
Natalia: "That's relieving. Oh yes. Beth was asking about her name. We have not yet decided on one. What should we name her?"
Joseph looked at the sleeping baby with tenderness in his eyes, "We will call her Aria."
Natalia also looked at the baby, "Aria. That's so beautiful. And I don't know why, but the name fits her so perfectly."
Joseph smiled and kissed Natalia on the forehead, "Sleep now. Tomorrow will be the celebration for her birth. It will be a big day."
He took the baby from her arms and put it in the crib beside her bed. Then he also kissed her forehead and mumbled, "I will accompany you tonight. Let me just go and say goodnight to Beth and Julia."
Natalia: "No need. I'm so tired that I'll probably sleep like a log. You go into our chamber. You also need the rest."
Joseph made no reply. He only smiled and left the room.
By the time he returned, Natalia was fast asleep. He sat on a chair near to the bed and the crib and said, "My two of the four treasures, sleep peacefully. I will protect you both to the best of my abilities." As he turned to touch Aria's little fist, she grabbed his finger. Joseph smiled and stayed in the same position for the whole night.
The next day, a big celebration was held for the birth of the third grandchild of his highness Christopher Welson. It was attended by many important people.
(But none of them knew that this little girl, sleeping in the crib, would do wonders one day.)