Everyone finished putting up the saddles and returned to their usual activities. Zack was walking towards Naomi's house while passing around a picture. When it reached Helena's hands she admired the picture of Elaine.
"Where's your momma, and papa?" Helena asked.
"I didn't get to meet them," Zack replied.
"Who took care of you?" Helena asked.
"The dolls took care of me." Zack waved at Naomi.
"Did you get lonely?"
Destiny rested her hand upon Helena's shoulder. Zack kissed Destiny on the cheek to signal it was okay.
"Only for a little then Lauren came around, and after her, I met the others." Zack smiled at the women around him.
"Seems you've been working hard today," Naomi stated.
"Just making up for my absence, and planning ahead for the others. Hope it didn't bother the little guy." Zack replied.
"There's been no sleeping to interrupt." Naomi approached while rocking Ezekiel.
"We didn't wanna bother you, but you're the best chance for answers," Zack told Naomi.
"Did Haruna send you?" Naomi investigated.
"Not sure what she wants, but I'm curious about this." Zack nodded at Helena.
She approached Naomi with the picture of the couple. Yuki offered to take Ezekiel in a blanket while she examined the picture. After the exchange, Helena had more interest in the baby and desperately tried to stand on her toes.
"What am I looking for?" Naomi asked.
"You don't know him?" Zack investigated.
"I've never seen him before." Naomi offered the picture back.
"Who is it?" Naomi asked.
"I thought it was my father," Zack replied.
Hearing this Naomi took the picture back, and glanced once more. No matter how much she focused the face was unfamiliar. The person in the photo seemed like a genuine human.
"Wanna try?" Yuki asked Ren.
"I'm o-okay." Ren crossed her arms.
"You have to learn at some point...From the looks of it sooner than you think." Kaya teased.
They all expected Ren to retort, but she turned to Naomi. After a nod of approval, Ren carefully took Ezekiel in her arms. She was worried the baby was held the wrong way and considered handing it back when Ezekiel gripped her finger.
'Those eyes are just like Helena, and Zack's. I wonder if all of them have blue eyes.'
"No matter how hard I try nothing comes back. Some parts of the palace are off-limits, but I still should've seen him during the war council." Naomi handed it back.
"Thanks for trying," Zack replied.
"Are all of them this small?" Ren asked.
"Most of them are," Yuki replied.
'He hasn't fussed a bit. Maybe he's tired of the house already.' Naomi approached Ren.
"Did you want him back?" Ren offered.
"Only if you're done. He seems to like you more than me." Naomi stated.
"No way that's true." Ren looked down at Ezekiel's peaceful face.
Zack approached Ren and put his arm around her waist.
"You're gonna do great." Zack kissed her cheek.
"We could watch him for a little if you want a break." Yuki offered.
"Are you sure?" Naomi asked Zack.
"Go ahead. We need the practice." Zack replied.
Naomi didn't have to be told twice about taking a break. Naomi rushed off to bathe while Zack and the others found a nice spot in the garden to relax. Ren began overthinking the baby in her arms and was afraid to move. She was worried the slightest change in her grip could harm the baby.
Sensing the issue Zack offered to hold Ezekiel, but this transition brought its own problems. Ezekiel had no problems with the change, but it had an effect on the others. Observing Zack with a baby in his arms was flipping switches for the others. Those without an interest in conceiving began to reconsider.
'Lilith has problems due to their conflicting natures and we're in a similar boat.' Madison examined Cassandra's reaction.
Cassandra was hovering over Zack's shoulder with Yu. Madison knew right away that her sister was considering the same thing. Producing a child would present its problems, but it was far from the biggest one.
'The council has always been hard to read, but no matter how many times I play it out things go bad. We'll know more after they get married. He needs to visit more.'
"Could you do me a favor?" Madison requested.
"You only need to ask." Aida smiled.
"I've heard your voice a few times with the others, but does something like that work long distance?"Madison asked.
"Yes ma'am," Aida replied.
"Could you send one to Stormhaven?" Madison requested.
---
Outside of Stormhaven, one could see fields being manned by humans and centaurs. Along the walls was a thriving market stopping at the gate only to continue on the other side. As their knights returned from their border patrol lizardmen stood at the gates to greet them.
The district outside the city is a result of its core becoming fully functional. After two months of altering the space inside the walls reached its limits. Typically those outside the city would have a subpar life, but everyone was prosperous. If the homes were found within the walls one would assume they belong to nobles.
Admiring the buildings from their wagon were leaders residing in Emilia's territory. Their trip into the city was to give the yearly tributes and a simple formality to most. Rolling through they observed the thriving environment, and the species mingling openly. This puzzled them for Stormhaven had a long history of xenophobia.
With no signs of conflict, they believed it was theatrics, but this changed when a couple exited their home standing at the threshold. They witnessed a human member of the guard preparing to start the day as he kissed his kakuen wife goodbye. The child being rocked in her arms grabbing at her father's hand refusing to let go was no charade.
They entered through the gate believing nothing could surprise them at this point. Crossing the bridge to the castle they witnessed Queen Emilia with Arthur at her side. By now the news of her wedding has begun spreading through the land.