A joyful noise filled the estate as King Eldarion, Concubine Coriel, Governor Nari, and Kazi's entire gaggle of sisters - Ife, Adanna, Asha, and Tanisi - arrived for a long-awaited visit. The air was alive with light-hearted banter and the warmth of reunited families. Kazi and Azrael, their love as strong as ever, were the focus of attention. Their playful jabs, stolen glances, and shared laughter created a clear picture: theirs was a love tale filled with excitement.
One afternoon, Kazi found herself in the study with her sister Ife, engaged in a heated conversation over the newest political scandal. A sudden cough escaped Kazi's lips.
"Are you alright, Kazi?" Ife asked, "You sound a little... rough."
Kazi waved a dismissive hand. "Just a tickle in my throat, nothing more. Do not worry about it."
Later, as Kazi strolled through the gardens with Adanna and Asha, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She gripped the nearest bench, momentarily closing her eyes.
"Kazi, are you feeling faint?" Adanna's voice was filled with concern. Asha mirrored the concern.
"Just slightly dizzy," Kazi murmured, attempting a smile. "Probably have not been drinking enough water."
The questions, however, began to mount up. As Kazi rumbled through the bustling Niamedan market with Concubine Coriel and her father, she felt a twinge of self-consciousness.
"My dear," Coriel said, her gaze moving across Kazi's physique. "You appear to be carrying yourself differently nowadays. Maybe you are gaining some weight?
Kazi's stomach lurched. This was the third time in a day someone had mentioned pregnancy symptoms. "Oh, no, mother," she muttered, a hint of dread in her tone. "I have actually been... well, I am on my cycle right now, so..."
Coriel exchanged a surprised look with Governor Nari. A silent question hung in the air.
Back in their chambers, Kazi threw herself onto the bed. "Azrael," she began, her voice laced with frustration, "everyone keeps asking me if I am with child!"
Azrael, who had been reading a scroll at his desk, looked up, a humorous smile replacing his earlier concern. "Funny you should mention that" he laughed, "because it seems everyone has been asking me the same question too."
Kazi sat up straight and her eyes widened. "They have?"
Azrael nodded. "Your sisters, your father, even my mother!" he exclaimed, a hint of panic in his voice. "They have all been asking about it. It is like everyone forgets we have only been married for two months."
Kazi grumbled and sank back into the pillows. "But this is simply not true! I have been taking the tonic as usual, and I have not missed any..."
"And you are sure you have not missed a cycle recently?" Azrael asked gently.
"I am currently on my cycle, and I have not missed any," Kazi insisted.
"Well, then," Azrael mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "perhaps we should have a little... family talk. Let them know we appreciate their enthusiasm, but starting a family is not quite on our immediate agenda."
Kazi's face lit up. "Brilliant idea! Maybe then they will stop bombarding me with questions."
Azrael squeezed her hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Consider it done, my love. Though," he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "there are other ways we could keep the family guessing..."
Kazi swatted him playfully, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Azrael!" she exclaimed, a smile betraying her feigned annoyance. "Maybe we should just focus on surviving this visit first."
Azrael chuckled, pulling her close for a kiss. "As you wish, my love. But rest assured, once this family issue subsides," he murmured against her lips, "we can get back to our own... more delightful ways of keeping each other occupied."
Kazi laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Despite the worries and questions, it was nice to have Azrael by her side, teasing and reassuring her.
Despite the worries and questions, it was nice to have Azrael by her side, teasing and reassuring her
Silence filled the room as Kazi cleared her throat, fidgeting slightly behind Azrael. "Ahem, we all have something we would like to discuss," she began, then nudged her husband in the side. "Perhaps you should start?" she suggested with a mischievous smile.
"O-oh right," Azrael stammered, glancing at his wife for a moment before returning his gaze to the assembled family. He cleared his throat and began, "We—"
Before he could continue, Concubine Coriel, blurted out, "Are you with child?"
"Absolutely not!" Azrael replied, taken aback by the blunt question.
A collective sigh of relief went up from the assembled family, followed by a round of chuckles. Kazi, taken aback by the relieved reactions, furrowed her brow. "What is going on here? Why is everyone so… relieved?"
Kazi's father chuckled, "Well, we all just assumed you and Azrael wouldn't be ready for a baby quite so soon."
Kazi's jaw nearly dropped. "Ready? Why would we need to be ready?" she demanded.
Adanna chimed in, "Honestly, Kazi, you both act like children yourselves half the time. How could you possibly handle one?"
Azrael, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he watched Kazi's confusion, gently took her hand in his. "Well, fear not, dear family. While your concern is... touching, there is no need to worry about such matters. As you can see," he gestured between the two of them.
A wave of calm washed over the family. Kazi, however, felt a flicker of annoyance. "Hold on a minute," she interjected, "Did Nia not tell you?"
"Tell us what?" they all demanded, leaning forward eagerly.
"I and Azrael are not having children until at least seven years from now," Kazi announced, causing a ripple of surprise to run through the room.
The room erupted in a cacophony of shocked gasps and murmurs. Even Azrael looked surprised by Kazi's announcement.
"Seven years?!" King Eldarion exclaimed. "But that's too long! You can't possibly wait that long to give us grandchildren!"
"Azrael and I have a lot of life to live together, adventures to have, and memories to make before we even consider starting a family," Kazi explained, her expression firm. "We have discussed it at length, and this is our decision. We hope you can respect that."
"Kazi, that's simply outrageous!" Governor Nariador exclaimed.
The room erupted in a cacophony of protests. Kazi, however, seeing the amusement dancing in Azrael's eyes, grabbed his hand and marched towards the door, effectively silencing everyone.
Outside the room, with the sounds of their bewildered family fading behind them, Kazi finally turned to Azrael. He was still grinning ear to ear, clearly enjoying the commotion they had caused. "You knew they'd react like that, didn't you?" she accused him.
"Well, dear wife," he replied, feigning innocence, "it was only fair that I give you the chance to explain our decision in your own words. I might have known they'd react so... dramatically." He chuckled.
Unable to contain herself, Kazi burst out laughing too. "Oh, Azrael," she said, shaking her head but a smile playing on her lips, "But...is seven years too long? I mean, I know we've only been married for a few months, but..."
"Indeed, my love," Azrael replied, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Seven years is enough time for me to have you all to myself. And then, when we are ready, we shall have as many children as you desire."
Kazi smiled up at him, feeling her heart skip a beat. "That sounds perfect," she said softly. "Just you and me, for seven years. I cannot wait."
Their gazes locked, and the air between them seemed to spark with an electric current. The hallway outside the great hall faded into the background as they were consumed by their intense connection. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Azrael leaned in closer, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle kiss. As their kiss deepened, their hands found each other, entwining in a dance of passion that spoke volumes about their love and the shared future they were building together.
"I cannot wait either," he whispered against her lips. "Seven years may seem like a long time, but to me, it's nothing compared to the lifetime I intend to spend loving you."
Kazi felt a shiver run down her spine at his words. She could feel the heat rising between them, their connection growing more intense with each passing moment. With a soft moan, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, her tongue dancing with his as their bodies pressed together.