As I made my way back to the house, satisfied with my first hidden gift to this family, I couldn't help but smirk to myself. The **Celestial Wellspring Orb** would take care of the land, nourishing it in ways they'd never suspect. A quiet gesture of my newfound commitment to them, and they wouldn't even know about it.
What I didn't realize was that I wasn't as secretive as I thought. From a shaded spot near the bathhouse, Hestia and Eldara had been quietly observing me the whole time.
Hestia nudged Eldara playfully, her emerald eyes twinkling with amusement. "Look at our cute grandson, acting all secretive," she whispered with a soft laugh, watching as I moved quietly across the field. "He's always been so quiet and distant from us, but now... it seems like he's finally awake, finally embracing us."
Eldara, ever composed with her platinum hair gently flowing in the breeze, watched me with a thoughtful smile. "What do you think he placed under that old tree?" she asked, curiosity piqued. There was an edge of excitement in her voice.
Hestia glanced at Eldara, her lips curling into a grin. "I think it was an artifact. Did you feel the energy it was emitting? It's subtle but potent. And from what we saw earlier... it seems like he created it."
Eldara's eyes widened slightly, her expression softening with surprise. "Wait... you mean our sweet grandson finally awakened his gift?"
"Yes," Hestia said, her voice brimming with pride. "I'm so glad we got to witness it. After all these years of watching over him, of seeing him keep his distance... it feels like he's starting to find his place here with us."
Eldara crossed her arms, a sense of satisfaction settling in her tone. "I always knew there was something special within him, but I never thought he'd start embracing his abilities like this. And creating an artifact, no less."
Hestia nodded, her eyes glowing with delight. "He's more like us than he realizes. He may be taking his time, but I can see it. Slowly, he's coming into his own."
Eldara chuckled softly, her gaze drifting to the ancient oak tree where I'd placed the orb. "I can't wait to see what kind of effect that artifact he created will have. Knowing him, it's bound to be something extraordinary."
"Indeed," Hestia agreed, her voice filled with affection. "He's finally starting to act like one of the family."
The two women shared a knowing smile, their hearts lightened by the sight of my quiet gestures. Though they chose not to approach me, allowing me my small moment of secrecy, their bond with me was deepening—unbeknownst to me, but just as inevitable.
As I reached home, the soft warmth of the evening sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow on the wooden walls. Rosalia had finished her chores, the scent of fresh herbs and flowers lingering in the air. She looked peaceful, her radiant pink hair cascading over her shoulders as she moved about, her work finally done.
I let out a deep breath and lay down on the large, comforting bed, the softness enveloping me. Moments later, I felt the bed shift slightly as Rosalia joined me, cuddling up close. Her body pressed gently against mine, her warmth seeping into me. She rested her head on my chest, her arm draped casually over my stomach.
There was a calm in the air, a stillness that made everything feel right. As we lay there in silence, the weight of the past, the tensions, the distance I'd kept from them all—seemed to lift. I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her a little closer, her heartbeat steady against me.
"Feels nice, doesn't it?" she murmured softly, her voice warm and soothing.
"Yes mom..."I said as my eyes began to shut.
Rosalia seeing how I fell asleep planted a soft kiss on my forehead and "Have a sweet rest my sweetheart".
Hestia and Eldara returned home, their familiar voices filling the space with a quiet energy
Rosalia gently shifted, careful not to wake me as she slipped out of bed to greet them.
"We saw him today," Eldara whispered, her tone light with amusement as they moved into the adjoining room. "Our grandson, acting all secretive."
Hestia chimed in, her voice barely a murmur. "He created something… an artifact, I think. We saw him place it near the tree."
Rosalia gasped softly. "He created it himself?"
"Yes," Hestia confirmed. "But we agreed not to say anything. Let him have his moment of secrecy."
They shared a conspiratorial smile, knowing that this was something special—a sign that I was finally embracing my new life here. It was a moment they would keep between themselves for now, choosing to respect the space I needed.
After the agreement, their conversation shifted to a more familiar, light-hearted topic. The room filled with quiet laughter as they began gossiping about the women of the village.
"Did you hear about Sienna?" Eldara said with a sly grin. "She's been spending quite a lot of time with the new blacksmith."
Rosalia giggled. "Oh, I'm sure it's not just about getting her tools fixed."
Hestia rolled her eyes playfully. "Honestly, she's so obvious. And the way she flirts… It's almost embarrassing."
The three women shared a knowing look, their laughter soft but contagious. As the night wore on, they spoke of village life, crops, and old friends, their bond stronger than ever as they enjoyed the quiet moments of gossip and companionship.