"You look beautiful, my dear," Renzor says, admiring his wife Aya's beauty.
"Thank you." She blushes, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She looks at her pregnant belly, and places her hand on it, smiling.
Renzor walked up to her and hugged her from behind. He kisses her neck, and she giggles. "You are making the baby kick." She says.
"They are strong." Renzor smiles and places his hand over hers.
"They are going to be great fighters, just like their father." She smiles, turning around and kissing him.
"And as beautiful as their mother." He smiles, caressing her cheek.
She smiles and leans into his hand and closes her eyes enjoying the warmth of his touch. "I love you, Renzor."
The warm touch gets cold and when she opens her eyes, Renzor is nowhere to be seen. "Renzor? Where are you?" She calls out.
I turn around and see him walking out the door. "Where are you going? Stay, please." She begs. "No, don't go." She cries, running after him.
As she walks through the door, she is not in her bedroom, but in the courtyard. She sees Renzor and runs to him, but before she can reach him, the ground shakes and cracks form, separating them.
"Renzor, No!" She screams, tears running down her face.
A figure in black appears in front of Renzor, it turns around and faces Aya. Its face is shrouded in darkness.
"Give him back." She says, her voice trembling.
The figure smiles and turns around and stabs Renzor.
"Renzor, NOOOO." Aya cries.
The figure pulls the blade out, and Renzor falls to the ground, blood flowing from his chest.
"This is your fault." The figure says its voice cold and menacing.
"My fault?" She says, confused.
The figure stands behind Renzor and places a knife on his throat. "Your fault." The figure says and drags the knife across his throat. Blood sprays and Renzor's head rolls to the side, his lifeless eyes staring at her.
"Noooo, nooooo." She cries, falling to her knees.
"This is your fault." The figure says and starts laughing.
"Nooooo, Nooooo." She cries, trying to hug her baby bump. But her stomach is flat.
"My...my baby." She looks up and sees the figure holding a bloody bundle.
"You lost everything." It says and throws the bundle on the ground.
"NOOOOOOO" She screams, waking up.
She sits up in bed, her face and nightgown soaked in sweat. She is breathing heavily and crying.
"Lady Aya, are you okay?" A maid runs into the room, worried.
"Renzor, my children." Aya sobs.
"It's alright, Lady Aya. You were having a bad dream." The maid says, holding her hand. "Look, the children are okay," She pointed to the other side of the room where the kids woke up and looked around confused.
"Mom, why are you crying?" Rex, her oldest son, asks.
"It's okay, baby. Mom is fine." Aya says, wiping the tears from her face.
All 5 of the kids jump onto the bed and Aya grabs them all and hugs them tightly, not letting go.
The kids squirm in her arms and laugh, "Mom, stop." Selena says, trying to push her away.
She loosens her grip and looks at them, her face serious. "Always remember, that mom and daddy love you very much. You are the most important thing in the world."
"We know that." All of them say in unison.
Aya smiles and holds them close, the warmth of their bodies and their innocent laughter fill her heart with joy.
The next morning, Aya walks into the dining hall and sees the kids playing with their breakfast.
"Boys, no throwing food." Aya scolds.
"Sorry, mom." The 3 boys say, sitting down and eating their food.
"Now, come on Rex, Kayden, Leo, Liliana, and Selena you have to finish your food to get stronger," Aya says, pushing a plate in front of them.
"Okay." All the kids say and start eating their food.
"Lady Aya, Duke Draven would like to talk to you today." The butler says.
"Alright, tell him to meet me in a few hours. At the training area." she sighs
"Yes, Lady Aya." The butler bows and steps away.
A few hours later, the kids have their martial arts lesson and Aya sees Duke Draven waiting.
"Father, how are you doing?" She asks.
"Good, they are 7 years old now, right? How are they doing with their training?" He asks, smiling.
"They are progressing well. All of them are natural and have learned how to handle their 'Beast Savage Form'." She says, nodding her head.
"Good, good. They are growing strong, I can tell." He laughs. "They are just like him, always full of energy, and eager to learn." He smiles.
"Yeah," Aya says, a sadness in her voice.
Draven looks at her, "Aya, the reason I want to talk to you is because-" Draven is cut off.
"You have found a husband for me." She says, looking at the floor.
"Yeah, he is smart, strong, and kind. He is a good man and will take care of you and the kids." He says, smiling.
"Who is he?" She asks, her voice trembling.
"He is the son of Wolf beastkin, Marchioness Nali Wolfheart, his name is Varrin Wolfheart."
"When do I meet him?" She asks, her voice shaky.
"The Wolfheart's will be coming tomorrow, to talk to you about the marriage," Draven says, putting his hand on her shoulder.
She shrugs it off, "I understand. I will prepare for the meeting." She walks away.
Draven watches her leave, his heart breaking. "Forgive me, Aya. I know this is hard, but it's for the best. You know he would want you and the children to be happy and safe." He says as a single tear falls down his face.
"Tomorrow, I will meet him," Aya says, taking a deep breath.
"Mom, look." Rex, Kayden, Leo, Liliana, and Selena say, running up to her.
"Wow, that was amazing." Aya smiles, the pain and sadness in her heart temporarily forgotten.
"I hit the target with my spell," Liliana says, excitedly.
"Me too," Selena says.
"You did well." Aya pats their heads.
"Me and Leo took out 5 training dummies," Rex says.
"Me too," Kayden says.
"Wow, you two are getting so strong." Aya laughs.
"Yeah, I'm going to be the strongest warrior ever. Just like dad." Rex says, punching the air.
"Me too, I will beat up everyone who tries to hurt you, Mom. Dad told us to protect you when is gone." Kayden says, flexing his small arms.
"Yeah, and I will be the strongest too," Liliana says, making a cute pose.
"Me and Leo will help too," Selena says.
Leo just nods.
Aya looks at them, her heart filled with joy. "I'm sure your dad is proud of you." She hugs them all. A tear falls from her eyes, 'Renzor our children are amazing.'
The next day, Aya is wearing a dress, and her hair is styled nicely. The guard opens the door to the drawing-room, and she walks in. She sees a handsome man in his 30s sitting in a chair along with Marchioness Nali Wolfheart.
"Lady Aya, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Varrin Wolfheart, and this is my mother, Marchioness Nali Wolfheart you two are acquainted." The man introduces himself and his mother.
"Nali, good to see you again," Aya says, bowing her head. "Verrin, it's a pleasure."
Aya has a seat, and the maids bring in some tea and snacks.
"Lady Aya, I have heard a lot about your achievements during the war. I would just like to say, it is an honor to meet you." Verrin says.
"Thank you, Verrin. You are too kind." She smiles, taking a sip of her tea.
"Aya, we are here to talk about the marriage between Verrin and you. Of course, it is up to you, but Verrin and I both agree, that this would be a good match. Everything will be discussed with both of you and the final decision will be yours." Nali says. "I can vouch for Varrin is an excellent man. He is a strong warrior and a wise leader. If you choose to marry him, I am sure you and your children will have a good life." Nali says, smiling.
"I have no doubt," Aya says. "Nali, if I may, can I speak with Verrin alone?"
"Ah... y-yess, Of course." Nali stammers, looking surprised.
"Thank you." Aya smiles, and Verrin and Aya are left alone in the room. An awkward silence falls between them.
"Verrin, I want you to know, I am still mourning for my late husband. Even after 2 years, the pain is still fresh." Aya says, looking at him. "But I want to move on, and live a happy life, for my children. That is what he wished for."
"I understand," Verrin says, nodding.
"If you agree to my terms, then I will agree to the marriage." She says.
"Terms?" he says confused.
"First, I am not a prize to be won. I will not be a trophy wife."
"I would never." He says with disbelief.
"Second, I will continue to train and serve the army."
"Of course." He agrees swiftly.
"Third, I will never ask you to take responsibility for my children. But if you do, please be a father figure they need."
"Yes, I will do my best."
"Finally, if at any time we are married and Renzor is found alive or returns, our marriage will end."
"I understand." He agrees hesitantly.
Aya takes a deep breath, "Verrin, please don't take these as disrespect, or insults. I just want to be sure we are on the same page. It looks like I am taking advantage of you. But I assure you, I am doing what is best for my family."
"I understand, Lady Aya." He nods, smiling. "I am well aware of the circumstances and the hardships you have been through. I only wish to ease your burdens, I will not ask for anything in return. Renzor has been a friend of mine since childhood. I owe him a lot, by showing him my appreciation. I want you and the children to have a good life, that is all." Verrin says with sincerity.
"Thank you, Verrin." She smiles, and they continue to talk and get to know each other.
Later, Verrin and Nali leave and Aya meets her children.
"Kids, I have something to tell you," Aya says.
"What is it, mom?" Rex asks, the other 4 kids paying attention.
"I will be getting married soon," Aya says, her voice shaking.
"What do you mean?" Rex asks, confused.
"I will be getting married to Verrin Wolfheart," Aya says, smiling. "He is a good man and I am sure you all will like him."
"No, we don't agree with this," Liliana says in anger.
"Yeah, I agree with her," Kayden says.
"Me too." Rex, Leo, and Selena say in unison.
Aya looks at her children, their faces filled with concern and resistance. She takes a deep breath, understanding their feelings.
"I understand that this might be difficult for you all to accept," Aya begins, her voice gentle yet firm. "But I want you to know that I wouldn't make this decision lightly. Your father Renzor, loved us deeply, and he would want us to be happy and safe. Verrin is a good man, and I believe he can bring happiness and stability to our lives."
The children exchange glances, their expressions still uncertain and uneasy.
"Mom, we miss Dad," Selena speaks softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We don't want anyone to replace him."
Aya's heart aches at her daughter's words. She understands their pain all too well. Renzor's absence has left a void that seems impossible to fill.
"I miss him too, Selena," Aya replies, her voice filled with empathy. "No one can ever replace your father. Verrin understands that too. He's not here to replace your dad, but to support us and help us move forward."
"We don't want a new dad," Leo pipes up, his brows furrowed in defiance.
"You don't have to think of Verrin as a replacement for your father," Aya reassures them, her tone gentle yet resolute. "He's going to be a part of our family, someone who cares for us and wants to see us happy. But you'll always have your memories of Dad, no one can take that away from you."
Rex, the oldest among the siblings, speaks up next, his voice tinged with a sense of protectiveness. "Mom, are you sure about this? What if he's not good to us?"
Aya reaches out to her son, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I understand your concerns, Rex. But I've spoken to Verrin, and I believe he's sincere in his intentions. We'll take things one step at a time, and if there's ever anything you're uncomfortable with, you can always come to me. Your happiness and safety will always be my priority."
The children exchange glances once again, their expressions softening slightly as they take in their mother's words.
"Mom, we trust you," Kayden says finally, his voice filled with a newfound sense of understanding. "If you believe that marrying Verrin is the right decision for us, then we'll support you."
Aya's heart swells with gratitude as she looks at her children, each one of them offering her their unwavering support.
"Thank you, my darlings," Aya says, her voice choked with emotion. "I promise, no matter what happens, we'll face it together as a family. We'll always be there for each other, just like your father would have wanted." With tears glistening in her eyes, Aya gathers her children into a warm embrace, feeling the strength of their bond as they hold onto each other tightly.
As they stand there, surrounded by love and understanding, Aya knows that no matter what challenges lie ahead, they'll face them with courage and resilience, united as a family. And in that moment, she feels a glimmer of hope for the future, knowing that together, they can overcome anything.