—— Pangaea West Ward, Eastern Badlands, Trillwolf Villa
The smell of salt water and sandalwood wafted through the air as a low conversation hum ran along a hidden oasis's walls. Hidden behind a concealing barier deep in the swamps of the Eastern Badlands, it was an exclusive getaway for royals and those of high status. This came courtesy of the medjay house, House Trillwolf.
The expansive 30-mile radius encompassed elegant buildings made from a peculiar stone, their tall spires reaching into the sky like needlepoints. In the center was the grandest of all—a magnificent palace with exquisite paintings and priceless collections lining its lavish halls.
Directly opposite this room, a large group had gathered. In their midst stood a young lord, his pacing unrestrained and worry written across his handsome face. With no sign of wrinkles between his brows yet, one could still catch a glimpse of youthfulness exuding from him. He had changed into a golden robe made of some unknown fabric, silver lining along its hems, and white cloth armor beneath that added to his regal bearing.
Diamond ear gauges in the shape of large crystal wolf fangs hung from each of his ears while a gold chain around his neck held a small wolf head pendant with eerily glowing eyes. He had several intricately crafted rings on his fingers, colorful gems, and strange symbols adorning their surfaces. His expression was stern, but his eyebrows were drawn together tightly as if he were trying to decipher a difficult equation.
Ten feet from the entrance, a group of more than twenty people ranging in age from young to elderly stood obediently in line. A few dignified-looking elders stood at the front, their faces wrinkled and lined with white hair. Despite their advanced age, their eyes sparkled with intense golden lights that sent shivers down the spines of onlookers. They all held artifacts adorned with distinct patterns – a cane, a puppet, and many more – emitting a fierce ambiance far more significant than one would expect from such elderly individuals.
The remaining crowd members consisted of people aged thirty to forty, who emitted a slightly less intimidating vibe.
Most of the men exhibited normal eyes and rigid postures resembling those of seasoned soldiers, although several of them glowed with a faint gold hue similar to that of the elders. It was pretty evident that this was no ordinary gathering.
A woman's muffled cries could be heard from within the room.
"Keep pushing, my lady, keep on. The baby is almost out. You're almost there." An elderly voice spoke in a calm and gentle voice behind the door.
Anyone hearing the sound could tell that this was an older woman working as a midwife.
Outside the room, the young man in gold was still pacing anxiously. Before, while fighting that trickster, he was valiant and dauntless. Now, however, he was nearly shaking in his boots. The contrast was difficult to bear.
"Can someone remind me how long it takes to have a baby?" asked the young Lord to no one in particular before grabbing a man with white dreadlocks by the collar. "We've been here since yesterday morning. Could Isis be in danger? Could there be foul play? Damn it, I never trusted that wet nurse! What are you doing? Answer me, Ke Si!"
"My Lord, you surely worry much too much. Our lady Isis will surely deliver a healthy child. There is no need to fret, my liege." Ke Si, the older man with white dreadlocks down his back, spoke confidently, but his eyes stayed glued to the door before them.
A trace of worry hid in his eyes as he tapped the cane-type artifact in his hands.
"How could I be too worried! That's my wife!"
The Lord was clearly hysterical.
"Sage nephew, please relax. You are far too tense," A large and majestic middle-aged man placed his hand firmly on the Lord's shoulder.
He had a black beard checkered with white and wore regal black jackal armor. His shoulders carried a mantle that was long and flowing. Everyone in the room was submissive to this figure, even more so than the Lord himself.
The young Lord sighed, "It is best if I am too worried, lord messenger…"
"Do not forget, Osiris. We are family. Outside our official status, I must still look up to you."
"I don't dare, Saint. It's just..." Osiris sighed again repeatedly.
His anxiety had not been decreased by Ke Si's words whatsoever. Even his royal nephew's words barely made him happy. Why was Ke Si so bad at consoling people? Why did he have to focus so hard on what should be hidden and what shouldn't, even during stressful times like this? The Lord sighed again. After those in attendance grew exhausted from watching the lord pace back and forth for a couple of hours, an old voice filled with excitement and clambering sounds could be heard from within the room.
"Lord! My Lord! Lady Isis has given birth!!"
Upon opening the door and seeing the slightly deranged glint flash in the Lord's eyes, the elderly woman quickly added, "The boy is well, as is my lady, my Lord. Please don't worry."
The emotion in her voice caused a wave of excitement throughout the mansion. The birth of a boy in this scenario was indeed exciting news. Lady Isis was the Lord's legal wife, after all! The First Lady of the House.
This was a legal heir!
One must know that this was a society where polygamy was not rare, and all-powerful men would have many women. Usually, the bloodline's survival was on these individuals' backs. Thus, many women were necessary. Finding an extraordinary man with only one woman or no women at all was considered more unusual. As Lord of the estate, it was required to have a powerful heir.
The young Lord had a soft spot for this woman, yet he knew she might never truly be his wife.
They had an arrangement. Even this bundle of joy was an accident.
Nonetheless, upon hearing her words, the Lord's conflicting emotions were evident on his face. He felt joy and fear as her words registered - another son! The idea of having a new addition to his family filled him with great excitement...yet uncertainty and anxiety still lingered.
The elderly woman saw the lightning speed with which Lord Osiris entered the room but had the misconception he had been there from the start. His agility and strength were unparalleled by anyone else in the town.
An instant after moving, he was already kneeling at the bedside. His tone rang out with concern and apprehension as he said, "Icy, my love, are you well? Do you feel any discomfort?"
Though he wanted nothing more than to express his joy upon hearing her news, he still couldn't shake off the worry deep within him.
Though anxious, he still spoke to her gently and passionately.
The woman on the bed looked to be around twenty-two years old. Her appearance was outright startling. She had a face that could ruin a man, even in her pale and exhausted state. Deeply tanned skin with a bit of sweat gave her an angelic glow, glistened like wet amber under the light; its youthful shimmer was impossibly alluring. Her mouth looked as if painted with fruit juice by a daring painter. Her eyes were like deep blue sapphires with soft golden lights flowing within, clearly reflecting her kind heart and warm soul.
One might not look away from their depths once they have stared into them for too long, considering what other wonders lay beyond in her heart.
The tired look in the woman's eyes vanished when she laid eyes on the man by her side. Her eyes reflected many complex emotions, but eventually, she smiled as she said, "Osiris, my love. I am… mhm, it's fine. Less of that, tell me where is my heartbeat? Will you please return him to me?"
"Ah, yes, of course! To return the beat to my heart, yes," The young Lord Osiris smiled from ear to ear as he turned around to ask the midwife for the child.
However, the midwife's attentive gaze on the bundled-up child was not quite right at that moment. Her brow was furrowed as she muttered to herself. The young Lord's face turned solemn for half an instant, but he quickly returned to his smile as he looked at his wife.
Osiris felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of his wife's smile. He knew he had been worried sick, but now all his fears and anxieties felt like distant memories.