I live for Granger's new Lightborn skin. Sugoi desu ne *Weeb fangirling noises* (●♡∀♡) I finna sell my kidney real quick jk
Granger enters the realm of deep slumber, where the only thing he could see is his precious Guinevere alone. No one else. Albeit it has been months of sending her letters. She hasn't sent one back, in which Granger unforgivably understands. Before he left the House of Baroque, Jane Baroque and Granger have sealed an agreement, though much to his dismay. He never liked her parents. Never will he. They were very much esteemed by Royals and Persons of high social statuses alike. They were living every one's dream, including his.
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Granger took one last look at Guinevere before continuing to climb the carriage. She was now walking back inside the castle with a swollen face ready to break down once again. How he wanted to run off and return her into his arms. It'll just make things worse for her, Granger thought in dismissal.
After Guinevere painfully left his sight, the Lady Jane appears from the other carriage which just arrived. Granger gave her a flat glare and she returns it calmly as she's being assisted out of the vehicle.
"Safe trip. Moreso, I'm glad you're finally leaving." The woman seethed, making the demon hunter roll his eyes in nonchalance and make his leave. Just as he did, he's yanked back out with a magical force.
He groans in complaint. Jane saunters over and opens her fan, hiding her face from the direction of the Palace. Guinevere might be watching, was what she suspected.
Her pupils shrunk as she spoke in a secretive undertone audible not even in a one-meter radius. "Let's make a quick but Royal deal shall we, boy? Guinevere gets to stay and be given the best care, including the baby until it reaches adulthood. It'll go to school and carry the Baroque title for its whole lifetime as Guinevere will have the same benefits. But there's a catch, of course, and it is to never see them ever again. Rest assured, I'll have guards and twenty-four seven surveillance on the two of them."
This lady is despicable. Granger emotionlessly stares at her outstretched hand.
"You have no choice. Either you accept this deal or accept death. I'll have you know there are mercenaries willing to assassinate you without hesitation the second you leave."
"I rather die than to live a life without Guinevere." The Death Chanter bellowed, leaning in fiercely.
"Oh?" The vixen of a woman pouted mockingly. "How would she react once she's heard of the news? Her child is going to be fatherless for the rest of her life, unless she remarries- oh wait, you aren't even married!"
She laughed malevolently. Granger gritted his teeth and rested his hand on his upholstered pistol. "I'll give you the rest of the week to think about it. Au revoir!"
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As much as he hated Jane, he agreed to her deal, the week after he almost got killed by one of her promised mercenary assassins. Granger imagines the fatherless life of his child. It would live to hate him. Guinevere would be depressed. The child hasn't been born yet and Granger was already mourning for its life.
Granger stared with a stone cold face at the ceiling as he laid on his unmade bed. Without Guinevere, sleep was shorter. Dreams were as though miracles now that he didn't have to wake up into a bird's nest of a red hair and cuddle with an Aphrodite incarnate. All he has is a dusted pillow and an uncleaned room that wreak of depression. Nothing is of significance to his happiness. He's also lost motivation to be a demon hunter. All he was now is a soulless vessel.
Granger stared at the red ribbon for a while. He brings it to his nose to smell the only remnant of her cherry blossom scent.
"I'm sorry." His voice broke as he immediately covered his eyes with his wrist. He's never cried of love in years; his heart has never been this broken. He never knew he even had a heart, metaphorically speaking. I love you so much it hurts. I'm sorry, Gwen.
"It's all right, Mr. Granger." A high-pitched voice replied from the hall and Granger's frown snapped into a scowl. "I forgive you." The voice said.
In a blink, Granger burst the door open and the girl fell on her back. She'd been sitting out all this time, this girl. But Granger kept his cool and was unarmed. She should thank they were in Monastery grounds or else.
Ruby felt her heart skipped a beat as she stared up at Granger's exposed face in curiosity. "You've invaded my privacy, kid. Are you a stalker or another assassin?! What the f*ck even is your problem, you little-?"
He's cut off once he looks down to see the girl has lunged and wrapped her hands around his legs. "Please adopt me, Mr. Granger. I want to be a demon hunter and be as good as you!"
"I-"
"Everyone here really likes you and I want them to like me too! So please, consider." She wailed.
Granger sighed and softly pushed her away. "Why me, huh? I'm not gonna be a good guardian. Heck, I don't even want to be one so you better be on your way now-"
Ruby lunged at his legs again and Granger almost lost control of wanting to squash her little head with his bare hands. "I know that you have no one. All you have to share your feelings with is yourself. All you have is yourself. But that isn't good. Sometimes, you know, it is good to trust someone. So trust me as your protege, even if you'll never consider me as an adopted daughter."
"Bleh." Granger visibly grimaced at her dramatic puppy eyes and her invasive need to hug him. "Listen, kid. I'm not suitable to be a parent. If I'm gonna be honest here, I already have a child ahead of me who I'll never get to see grow up so please f*cking sympathize with me and give me some space!" He slams the door hard, but somehow she stuck her hand in between. It must be so painful but she was stupid enough to do it.
Puppy eyes peaked through the small gap. Granger could care less if she was to tell him her sob story. All in all, this girl was poking his guts. Another poke and he was going to get his gun.
"T-Think about it, okay?" She whimpered, struggling, before she pulled her hand back and the door closed whole.
"Huh. That kid..." He sighed heavily as he pinned his head against the wall. This better be the last of it.
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"Ah!" Guinevere hunched over her dresser. She could feel the delivery coming soon. She was having frequent contractions ever since yesterday. It was no mistake. She was due tomorrow.
"Milady, everything's going to be well. Keep calm!" Her handmaidens were of no help. They were all virgins and had no maternal experience whatsoever. They'll never understand her pain no matter how much they comfort her.
"Step aside, girls! The Lady needs to breath for God's sakes." Had it really weren't for Gloria, Guinevere couldn't imagine herself still standing, though breathing with difficulty. Gloria insists that Guinevere should sit down and she does as told. As her legs relaxed, the contractions became agonizing, almost like thrusting punches to the gut. Guinevere was undoubtedly drenched of sweat and tears.
"Where's the midwife?!" Guinevere yelled, wincing in sheer unexplainable pain.
"She'll be here soon, milady. We've already sent the men to fetch her." Gloria answered. "So please hold on for a while. The baby will be out safe and well, I assure you!"
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After torturing hours of labor, Guinevere wakes up from her nap. She looks around her bed to see the handmaidens smiling at her as they hand her a very small and fragile little bald human wrapped in a towel. Nervously, she cradles it against her chest and examines it, trying to process what she was holding.
"It's a girl." One of the handmaidens said.
"And her bellybutton's an innie!" Another replied, making everyone laugh at her.
Guinevere and the midwife make eye contact. "What shall be her name, Your Highness?" Asked the midwife.
"Gwyneth. Her name is Gwyneth." Guinevere answered surely.
"Hooray for Gwyneth!" The handmaidens celebrated and Guinevere was crying tears of joy as she rocked her baby for the first time as it cried. Circa celebration, Jane enters the room with her female assistants.
"Where is my grandchild?" The Lady asked, her arrival unannounced.
The handmaidens make way for the woman as she brings herself up front. Hands on her mouth, she asked kindly if it was okay to hold Gwyneth.
"Why, yes, mother." Guinevere agreed and watched her mother embrace her daughter carefully as though it were her own.
"I always love the scent of babies. Don't you, Gloria?" Jane smiled as Gloria nodded in response. "This calls for a celebration. Tonight, we will invite all the nobles of the Land and have them know another Baroque has been born!"
Everyone applauded. All excluding for Guinevere. "It's much appreciated, Mum. But if I may. I would like to have a brief moment with my baby alone?"
Jane thought about it. Gladly she said yes and everyone leaves the room but Gloria, who Guinevere said will have a talk with for a slight minute. The door closed and Gloria hurried to lock it. "Milady, are you sure you're even fit to walk?" Gloria asked, worried, as she helped Guinevere scoot out of her bed. Gloria grabbed the lightest and most comfortable dress from the closet and helped her master change into it.
"I am, Gloria, and I will be fine." Guinevere said reassuringly.
"Oh, dear." The old woman gasped under her breath as she helped her master out of the second floor window. She gave her a medium-sized shoulder bag containing the main necessities for the baby. Guinevere was weak, but she was positive she can jump off a twenty-meter fall without injuring herself nor the baby. It'll be just like landing on a pillow and she have magic to thank for that. "Be safe, Guinevere and dear Gwyneth. I'll hope you'll find him soon." Gloria stepped away from the window as soon as Guinevere let go of the sill.
After landing like a feather on a feather, the redhead scans the whole garden for guards on duty. Gwyneth is sleeping in her arms, surprisingly. Guinevere smiled. She looked so much like her father already. Granger would be crying once he sees her and Guinevere will cherish the scene for the rest of her life. Already, she sees it. Him holding little baby Gwyneth with such affection. Their union, it is all Guinevere ever wanted.