"Ah, well, I'll tell him eventually." Dirthin said.
"I will if you'd like." Snow offered. "That way you can take your time figuring things out."
"Haah. You know, normally I'd pass on such a thing, but given the circumstances, I think I'll graciously accept." He said.
She went and grabbed a couple more books and handed them to him. "If you end up needing help, say so, Vexie."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks." I said.
Dirthin opened one of the books and started reading. I noticed the little girl glancing towards us curiously, while Isarial's eyes seemed weary. Snow left the room to go speak with her husband.
"Uncle, is everything alright?" Isarial asked.
"Everything is fine... I'm just learning how to.. take responsibility." Dirthin replied.
The boy blinked, processing. Then looked to where the books came from. "You're- you- she-" He stopped, took a breath. "Well, congrats."
"Thank you. It was.. very unexpected." Dirthin replied.
".. I should put in portals that would allow her better access to get here or to Hearthstone." Isarial said.
"I would ask her before you do all that. She may not want it." Dirthin said.
Isarial raised an eyebrow. "I understand your enemies will find out about your newly found weakness. I've already heard rumors of people attacking her in Dueling Rivers. It would be good if she had escape routes."
"Trust me. I believe it's a good idea." Dirthin said.
"Dad wouldn't even let her out the house if it were up to him. But Dad over does things sometimes." Isarial said, then he looked at me. "Installing the portals has already been requested of me for your town. You can easily choose where they go."
"I understand. I already lost the choice to not get involved with Dirthin's family." I sighed. "There are rooms near mine that would suffice for portals to be put in."
"Alright. Now I just need to obtain permission to go." Isarial said. "I'll worry about doing so in a month."
"I will make the time to take you there." Dirthin said.
"It'll be alright, Uncle. You don't have to stress yourself. I can go with Ru- er, Trevor when I get permission." Isarial said.
"Why do you keep calling this thing Rusty? Though I suppose that is more fitting than an actual name." Dirthin said, looking up from the book.
"In my past life my group and I went to that run down place and found him there. I put the fire in his chest that woke him. The girls named him Rusty and after the trip to the Fey where he 'woke up' he decided he liked Rusty better than his name in life. I never knew his real name." Isarial explained. "That's also why I know where Vexie has been staying."
"I'm surprised you aren't saying we should take him to the fey and wake him up then." Dirthin said.
"I'd like him to be. He's just really heavy and will have to be dragged back. Plus I had been grounded and we have all been busy." Isarial replied, looking at Trevor. "Taking him to the Fey will flood him with magic and deactivate him until he's brought back out."
"Hmm. Yeah, he does seem rather heavy." Dirthin said.
"You could do it, Uncle. I did." Isarial shrugged. "Was sore after."
"Oh, no, I'm sure I could carry him. Once things calm down a little bit we could get it done." Dirthin said.
"Professor Hugh is a bastard." Isarial sighed, turning away from Trevor. "Anyways, it's pretty amazing that you made that place safe to traverse."
"Professor who?" I asked.
"Professor Hugh. It's his mansion you live in. He made Ru-Trevor." Isarial said.
"Oh. Trevor volunteered for it. He wanted to be of help, but was too weak. Bibs knew him." I said.
The boy looked stunned. "Huh. Weird."
"What's weird about it?" Dirthin asked.
"Rusty didn't remember that part.. choosing to become this. He was narcissistic and trying to make a cult to himself." Isarial said. "Though I thought it was funny and just let him. Everyone just kinda humored him like a weird uncle no one talks about."
"I feel offended." Dirthin said.
"You'll be fine, Champ." Isarial said cheekily.
Dirthin sighed with annoyance, Zeraldinria burst out laughing, and I tried to conceal my snickering. "Ooh, got you..!" The girl said.
Snow came into the library and said, "James is dying to have a word with you, but conceded to give you some time."
"I'm amazed." Dirthin said sarcastically.
She patted his shoulder. "Wanna hold Jasper?"
It took me a moment to realize she was talking to me. "Oh, uh, no.. not right now. He is very cute, though."
She grinned and said, "You didn't offend me. You'd have to actually try to. I'm a bard, you see. It's the men in this family who are easily offended. Right, Zelda?"
Zeraldinria nodded and said, "Yup."
I listened to Snow and Zeraldinria talk, with Isarial chiming in from time to time until I dozed off. I'd not even realized I had until Dirthin, who'd been reading, moved. I jerked very slightly, opening my eyes.
He looked at me, "Should we get you home?"
"Mm.. yeah.. Enres has probably had a stroke by now." I commented. We went back using his door, as he seemed to prefer it. I chose to attempt to find my uncle first. "Isarial isn't the least bit afraid of you, is he?"
"Not in the least little bit." He answered.
"That's actually super attractive." I said.
"Oh? How so?" Dirthin asked.
"Kid's are only afraid when they've been shown that they should be afraid. Even the guards were afraid of you in Winter's Halt." I shrugged.
"Listen. I am a big scary man, alright. Just because one child doesn't fear me doesn't mean most don't." Dirthin said, mumbling 'dammit.'
I laughed. After checking my uncles room, and the common rooms, we went outside to find him, and spotted him sitting on the edge of the courtuard's pool, Enres to his left as he regaled the guards and some workers with tales of his adventures.
I nudged Dirthin, knowing how the current story would go. I started moving towards Enres, signaling anyone who'd see me to remain quite. I cast Pass Without a Trace to further help me creep towards him without him noticing. Which Uncle also didn't notice.
Right at the peak of his story where he had to jump into the ocean from the cliff, I knocked Enres into the pool, he shouted in alarm while being knocked over. He stood up sputtering. And my uncle incorporated it into his story, saying that he surely fell more gracefully.
Dirthin was laughing, along with a few others. Uncle finished his tale by the time they recovered. He then looked at me, before turning and looking at Dirthin. "This one's a live wire. She's always finding some mischief."
"And here I just thought she liked trees." Dirthin said.
"I do like trees. I thought you could tell." I said, giving him a sly wink.
"I'm sure several nearby trees could tell." Dirthin said.
Enres climbed out of the pool and said, "Very funny, My Lady. Master Barak has been entertaining everyone, but you do have guests."
"Alright. Where?" I asked.
"Need an apt description before we go in there." Dirthin said.
Enres frowned and said, "An apt description? One is a female cheetah tabaxi, and two human males. I believe they mentioned someone named Jaden."
"People you know?" Dirthin asked looking at me.
"Nope. But Jaden did say he was gonna send cooks here to learn." I noted.
"Well, let's go check out these new potentials." He said.
I reached out casually towards Enres and pushed him gently, but firmly, back into the water. "Alright."
He sputtered when he stood up, "My Lady, that behavior is beneath you."
"Heh. Now you are." I said.
"Did he annoy you, Sevexine?" Barak asked.
"No, not really. I'm probably.done harassing him." I replied, taking Dirthin's hand and heading back to the mansion.
"I wonder if any of these cooks are going to be competent.. or if he just sent new ones." Dirthin said.
"I dunno. Did I tell you what I did to him?" I asked.
"No, I don't think you gave the actual details." Dirthin replied.
"Mm. I used the tree branches to watch him while he looked around here. I used that branch over there to drop onto him. I was expecting him to fall, he did not. But I definitely surprised him. Broke a magical defense he had on him in the process." I explained as we went inside. I noticed Entes had followed us.
"So he had magical defenses on him, huh? And your impact alone broke it?" Dirthin asked.
"Yeah, I wasn't trying to hurt him, I was just gonna bully him for being oblivious." I said.
Enres went ahead of us, "They are this way."
"Somebody seems a little impatient today." Dirthin said.
I shrugged. "He doesn't like it when I don't act my station. He also doesn't really like people. That's why he is the treasurer. He didn't have to deal with anyone he didn't want to and he got to manage the funds."
"Ah. Sounds like it suited him properly. Maybe I should hand him some coins he can go count." Dirthin said.
"Only if you wish to not see them again." Enres responded. "I'll throw them into Her Highness' Treasure Room."
"Do not mess with me, I have quite a lot of coins and I will scatter them everywhere. I will leave a note saying how much there is... but it won't be correct." Dirthin told him.
"Be my guest. Just keep my words in mind of the rest. Also, I never trust the amount others tell me. I have to count it personally." Enres said.
"Perfect." Dirthin replied.
Enres tapped on the door, "Speaking of, My Lady, I recommend staffing your home. At least with a butler." He opened the door, bowing very slightly, "Your guests are within." He looked at them after I entered. "This is her Highness Vexie Silver. My Lady, these people are Dan, Wisp, and Nick."
Dirthin chuckled and gave a little bow, "My Lady."
I slugged his arm. Then aggressively grabbed his shirt, stretching to whisper to him, "You have been inside me far to much to bother with that type of play."
He chuckled. After some brief words, I took them to the kitchen and began teaching them the process of how to make the desserts I'd make. The tabaxi, Wisp, kinda seemed like a jealous ex lover by how bothered she was with Jaden having sent her to learn the recipe from me.
Once I finished making my version of the Panna Cotta, I gave some to the cooks to try, then gave one to Dirthin, being firmly aware of his sweet tooth. I coupled his with a caramel glaze.
He looked at me, "Ah, you spoil me."
"You deserve it." I responded, while the cooks tried the Panna Cotta. The men were complimenting it, Wisp remained silent.
I went over a couple more recipes with them, giving Dirthin his own to try. The cooks results weren't terrible. They were relatively well trained. I let them have a bag of rice to take for Jaden. Then I informed them that was all I was teaching them for now. Wisp made a round about comment suggesting it was all I knew.
I ignored it. Her bullshit had little to do with me. I gave Dirthin a hug after they left, "I'm tired."
"Shall we take a nap then?" He asked.
"Mm. Are you also tired?" I asked.
"No, but I enjoy napping with you." He said.
"Why is that?" I inquired.
"Comfortable. And I can mostly expect to wake up untouched." He answered.
"Is that a big concern?" I asked.
"It was for one of the women. She had literally tried to kill me." He said.
"Eh. Give it around five months or so. I may try and kill you." I replied.
"Well, that would be unfortunate." He said.
"Yeah. Then you wouldn't be able to continue training me, though we've mainly not been doing that." I noted.
"Fair. After our nap, I'll train you again." He said.
"Promises, promises." I said, heading for my bedroom.
Dirthin came with me, though as we neared the entrance to go up the stairs, my uncle entered the house. "Hey there. Hold up. What's wrong? You look exhausted..." He looked at Dirthin, "Give her a break, young man. Island Tigrine don't have the stamina Leonin do."
Dirthin looked at him, ".. I don't know how to respond to that."
I started laughing. "Uncle Barak, make your way upstairs for a moment." I said once I'd calmed down.
He followed us, slowly. Then hesitantly entered my room when I told him to. "Alright. Out with it then, what do you want to say?" Barak asked, gentling his voice.
"I'm tired because I am pregnant, not because he is riding me." I said bluntly.
He smiled, "A most welcome surprise."
"It is a secret for now, Uncle Barak, until I can't hide it." I said firmly. "We both have enemies, and I want to give my cub a chance to be born."
Dirthin shrugged. "If it gets bad enough you'll just have to live in the office. Not an outcome we would prefer, but one if necessary."
"Information is a battle. The one with all the information is the victor. Bringing in specific people would be good for upping your safety." Barak said, sounding more present than he had in years. "Though, for how Tigrine work, that's the opposite to what you'll like. I'll handle people for you."
"You want some spies." I noted. "Go ahead, I won't prevent you. So whatever you'd like to make our home secure."
"Alright. Now get some rest, Sevexine." Barak said, before leaving the room.
Dirthin said, "I have access to an entire spy network.. but another wouldn't hurt."
I sat on my bed, "I already accepted your help with saving my Uncle's life. I don't want anything from you. Not money or connections, or for you to kill my enemies. The only thing I want from you is companionship."
"It just feels like I'm half assing things if I don't at least offer." Dirthin said.
"Mm. You seem bothered when I decline something you offer." I said.
"Eh, I'm just not used to it. People usually want everything I have." He said.
"There we have it. Come here." I said, laying back and getting comfy, opening my arms for him. "I don't want anything from you or your family. But I will accept help with our cub, alright?"
He laid down with me, "Alright. I'll try to stop offering." He said.
I started petting him. "It's ok, Kitten. Just try and stop being bothered when I decline."
"Alright, I'll try." He said.
I had an idea about something, started to tell him about it, but drifted to sleep instead. When I woke, it was to the protective glyphs activating. Within seconds the adventurers arrived and were taking care of the issue. I was groggy and barely aware of what happened.
"Well, I wonder what's going on out here." Dirthin said, getting up and getting dressed.
"Someone hostile tried to come in." I mumbled. "Feldra put the warning glyphs in."
"Wonder how hostile someone needs to be to activate it." Dirthin said.
"I don't know." I said curling up.
"Hm. Maybe we'll have to test that out sometime." He said.
He headed out to go check on what was going on. I got out of bed and went to have a bath. I let myself have a soak, being alone for the first time in a few days. Only I supposed I wasn't really alone since I was growing another person. I shuddered. I didn't want this.
Eventually I got out of the bath, dried off and fetched some clothes. I could see from the view out the window that the sun would be setting soon. So I headed downstairs and started getting things together to cook. Once I had everything ready, I began making the meal.
I started wondering how our cub would look. Would it match us? Or would it look more like a leonin? Or a tiger? Would they even be striped? Would they have baby spots like a Leonin? As I pondered on this, I got more curious about what our cub would be like. Wasn't curiosity a neat thing?
Dirthin came in and began helping me. With his help I was able to speed up the process. That means we were able to set the table and eat a lot sooner than originally. My uncle commented that he couldn't believe what a good cook I'd become. Enres commented that I'd learned a great many life skills from a young age.
After dinner Dirthin kept his word and trained with me. I kept up with the training for hours before I got dizzy. He'd noticed before I had and checked on me. We were going to start again after I rested for a minute, but I fell asleep. In the morning, I woke up tucked up next to Dirthin.
I waited for him to wake up and kissed his face. We went out of his office, to my kitchen where I made the fluffy omelets and fried rice for breakfast. We had our breakfast with everyone else arriving after we were finishing up. He decided he'd talk with his brother today, and headed off to do so.
I wondered around outside after my guards finished their food. I helped the workers in various places throughout half the day before I started getting very tired. Had there not been so many people around, I would have gone to sleep where I was. I made my way back towards the mansion, with the guards noticing a change in my demeanor.
Their concern was quite evident, and whereas I had wanted to keep my condition a secret, but evidently I had to reveal it to them. My safety was their priority, after all. So I informed them that I just needed a nap, and I'd be fine, my pregnancy was just making me very tired. And that I was trying to keep it secret, so people can just think I'm sick.
Carson ensured me that they weren't here to spread information, but just to protect me. The others congratulated me on my pregnancy. I took a nap, and when I got up. I went to the kitchen and started making candy and desserts. I made fruit daifuku, the rainbow box I'd mentioned, and dragon's beard candy. I packed them up, and told my audience I'd take them to Bibs and Kershka in the morning.
I placed them in my bag of holding for safe keeping. Then I made dinner and went to bed. The next morning, I made a good breakfast and Enres informed me that he hired a suitable person from Hearthstone for the position of butler and he'd be there later today. His only complaint was the man is a human. I shrugged and told him humans are a majority here.
After breakfast we went to the Capital to use Hearthstone to get to Dueling Rivers. With the guards with me, I didn't have to be on edge, though I was. Straight up to the point where I snuck up on Kershka, and lounged against him looking over his shoulder at what he was doing.
"Hello, Furry lady. Kershka has something for you." He said.
"Oh? What is it? I have something for you, too." I replied.
He pulled out a lovely wooden tiger figurine, and held it up to me. I sat next to him, looking it over, and marveling at how the stripes were random, and yet uniform, just like how they'd be in the wild.
"Did you do this? It's amazing, it looks so real." I said.
"That is not all." He said, pressing his finger on top of it's head, between the ears. The tiger stood up it's full length into a Tigrine.
I felt like a child discovering something fantastical for the first time. "Ooh, wow! How'd you do that?"
"Very fine detail. The stripes are the key." Kershka said.
"Are you really giving me this?" I asked.
"Mhm." He nodded.
I gave him a hug, "Thank you, Kershka. It's beautiful."
"You're welcome. Are you here to see Bibs?" He asked.
"I'm here to see you both." I said, taking the fruit daifuku container out of my bag and offering it to him.
"Hm? What's this?" He asked.
"Daifuku made with fruit. It's a sweet." I said, taking out the dragon's beard and also offering it, too. "This one is really painstaking to make. It's called dragon's beard and is stretched twenty times making a million strands."
"It sounds very had to make hair. I don't think I've ever met a dragon with a beard." He said.
"It's candy. It's just what it's called." I laughed.
"Ah, ok. I can try it." He said, and did. He seemed to like the fruitiness of the daifuku, but liked the meltimg away texture of the other.
He opened the door. "Bibs may like these, hard to tell." Though he put a hand out for the guards, "Bibs doesn't like too many people at once." He motioned to allow me in, but stayed outside.
Bibs was at his desk when I entered, thanking Kershka with a light headbutt, as I went around him and through the door. I held the tiger figurine in my hands still, unwilling to put it away.
"Welcome. How is that group working out for you?" Bibs asked.
"They are pretty competent and steadfast in their reasoning. I must thank you for sending them. I have learned that I'm in a vulnerable condition." I said.
"Hm, not something to do with that poison, I hope." Bibs said.
I took put the box of candies, offering it to him. "I am pregnant. Your prompt treatment of the poison saved the cub."
He took the box and said, "Ah, well. I am glad I was able to deliver such prompt treatment, then."
"I hope you'll like them. I assure you that they are candy." I said.
"Alright, well, let's see here." He said, opening the box. "I- did I get the right box?"
I giggled, "Try a small one."
"You want me to eat a rock. I am a goblin, but I don't eat rocks." He said.
"I made them yesterday. It's candy." I insisted. "I promise I didn't leave any real ones in. They are a favorite for the Southern Emperial Princess."
"So is this a bite and chew kinda thing or just melt?" He asked.
"It's hard candy. I think it's up to you, but I prefer to not bite them." I said.
He took a small orange one and popped it in his mouth, rolling it around. "It truly does feel like I'm sucking on a jewel, but I can taste oranges."
I grinned. "It's actually really hard for me to combine the flavors with the candy. If it is too hot it burns away the flavor, and if it's too cold the look of it gets clouded. It took me several tries yesterday."
"Well, if this was the result then, I'd say it was worth the effort." He said.
"The colors should all correlate with different flavored fruits." I told him, playing with the figurine. "It's called a rainbow box."
"I believe I can understand where the name came from." Bibs said. "Have you ever seen a stained glass window?"
"Yes. At the church of Sune, the goddess of beauty." I answered.
"Ah, good. Many around here have never seen one." Bibs said. "These candies sparked that memory."
"Oh, thank you. The stained glass was beautiful." I said.
"Indeed. Stained glass can be a beautiful work of art." Bibs said.
I nodded, "Kershka is amazing." I commented turning the figurine about.
"Oh? How so?" Bibs asked.
I showed him the carved tiger, and how it turns into a tigrine. "It's marvelous."
"He has always had quite the skill with wood working." He said.
"I'm gonna pester Kershka some more." I said, "I am glad you like the candy."
"I certainly do. I can't wait to try the rest of the. But I will do so in moderation. I'm sure Kershka will appreciate the company." Bibs said.
"I can make more, just tell me so." I said, heading for the door. Kershka opened it before I got close.
"I will certainly tell you when I am running low. Is there a particular time these go bad?" Bibs asked.
"Mm. This time next year." I replied.
"Then I think I have a little while." He noted.
"Yup. Now I'm gonna bully Kershka." I said jokingly, sticking my tongue out at the goblin, and poking the Kershka in question.
"How are you gonna bully me?" Kershka asked curiously.
I walked past him, getting on the bench next to him, and flopped my arms over his shoulders, placing my chin on his head. "The same way any cat would."
"You're going to lay on me?" He asked confused.
"Yes. Isn't it annoying?" I replied.
"No. Kinda warm." He answered.
"Oh." I said. "It annoys everyone else." I started looking at the figurine again, following the fine details without using my claws. I looked briefly at my guards, "You all can probably play around town for a bit if you want. I'm gonna harass Kershka."
Confident in Kershka, they accepted the freedom, and I gave them some money to get veggies, meats and such for the villa, we were running low. I also told them if they wanted me to cook something specific to get it, too. Ten minutes after they left, I started getting sleepy.
"Is it time for a nap?" Kershka asked.
"Guess so. And I didn't even do much today." I said, snuggling my head against his.
He petted my head and said, "You can sleep."
I tucked my arms between his body and mine and said, "Ok. I really like this tiger."
"Thank you. It was fun to build." He said.
I snuggled up and fell alseep. When I woke, it was after a couple hours. I was tucked behind him with my arms around his neck and my tail tucked around him. My head was against the back of his neck. It took me a moment to unwrap myself from around him, I sat next to him on the bench, straightening up my clothes.
"Sleep good?" He asked.
"You are far too patient." I said.
"Kershka is like the stone." He said.
"I treated you like when I sleep in a tree. That didn't bother you?" I asked.
He pointed at his knee where a tree critter slept, "You would not be the first."
The tiger figurine had ended up tucked in my shirt. I took it out and looked at it again. "I'll find you some good jungle wood."
"Mm. Haven't worked with that in a long time. It could be fun." He said.
"I'll bring it next time I visit. And some cheesecake." I said. "Ooh, cheesecake does sound nice."
"I have tried a great many things, but cake made of cheese does not sound good sounding." Kershka said.
"Oh, it's sweet and savory. You may like it. We can see." I said.
"I may regret it, but I will try it." He said.
I smiled at him and said, "Thanks for your bravery."
"What did I do that was so brave?" He asked.
"Trying new foods." I said. "Not everyone will."
"I have strong stomache." He said.
I grinned. "You're cute."
"Thank you? You're cute, too." Kershka said.
My guards returned a short time later while I watched him work on a piece of wood. I gave him a hug before leaving with my guards and heading home. I helped them put the food stuffs away that they'd purchased. They did not have a specific thing they wanted made. Which was fine, but I started making cheesecake.
Once it was done, I let it cool and shared it with my guards and uncle. Later I made dinner before retiring to my room for the night. I put my tiger figurine on the night table near my bed. In the end, I contacted Raiden. It was most certainly not something I liked doing, but I could at least ask him for help from time to time.
"Raiden, it's Vexie." I said.
As grouchy as ever, he replied, "What princess?"
"Can you get for me some fine jungle tree wood for carving? Along with some rare samples?" I asked.
"For what?" Raiden asked.
"I made a friend who would appreciate it. You know I'll pay you." I replied.
"Where are you?" He asked.
"Asmodeus' favorite continent." I replied.
"Why the hell are you there? Of all places." He asked.
"My aunt and Shere had me kidnapped." I answered.
"Should I come get you?" He asked.
"You may come. But I won't go back to live there." I said.
"Just some hunks of wood?" He asked.
"Yes, please." I agreed.
"Fine." He responded.
I understood from his curt response that he was done talking. So I ended the connection and got ready for bed. I was already in bed and snoozing when I heard Raiden's voice again.
"Are you safe?" He asked.
"Relatively." I answered.
"We are investigating the situation, but Shere and his siblings have been arrested. Your aunt is dead. You are the de facto ruler. If you want to pay me, take your place." Raiden said.
"Won't that mean marriage?" I asked.