Urgently, Leonard and I headed to the Fiammetta mansion a month after Alaric's birth. It was impossible to keep it a secret, especially after they noticed the hospital bill.
When we arrived, my parents and siblings were waiting for us in the back garden.
"Fayna, are you out of your mind?" Darcel stormed over, shouting. "How could you have a child with someone outside the clan?!"
The man with long crimson hair, glaring at me with those fiery red eyes and the small mole under his right one, is Darcel, my second-oldest brother.
"You're a disgrace to the clan, sister." He turns his head away, crossing his arms.
That would be Samael, my third brother and Darcel's twin. If it weren't for the missing mole, I'd easily mistake him for Darcel.
Both of them inherited features remarkably similar to my father's, which, unfortunately, has led to a superiority complex that contrasts with their abilities: they're the weakest in terms of magical power.
Marcial steps in and pulls Darcel back from me.
"She earned the right to do as she pleases! Compared to what she's accomplished, we're nothing but dead weight."
As always, he's the only one who defends me.
I glance around and notice that my fourth and fifth brothers are absent, and I feel a wave of relief—things would only be more intense if they were here.
At least my mother looks delighted as she holds Alaric. Unlike her, my father, as usual, remains completely unmoved.
"You disgust me, Fayna," Samael says, frowning.
His words sting, but I refuse to give in—I won't go back to being that tearful little girl, and I won't falter in front of my son!
I clench my fists and step forward.
"Father! I beg you to accept my husband and your grandson."
Those unshakable red eyes of his now cut through me with a sharpness that makes me tremble. Leonard steps closer, gripping my hand firmly.
That simple gesture calms me. I'm not fighting alone anymore.
"Fayna, do you really think I would accept this man?" My father crosses his arms. "Not only did you marry someone outside the clan, but you had a child without even truly knowing him. Shameful."
"He's right, Father! She should be expelled from the clan!"
"Better yet, kill the child! That's the only way she'll pay for her sin!"
I knew things would be difficult from the start. Darcel fully supports our father, but hearing Samael spout something so atrocious makes me want to turn him to ashes.
Unfortunately, Leonard and I are bound here—making a wrong move now would be disastrous.
As for Alaric, as long as he's in my mother's arms, I know he's safe.
I have to hold on. These are the consequences of rushing things... But if I hadn't made this decision, I would have been forced to find another Fiammetta or, in the worst case, a neutral to preserve my abilities. I never would've accepted that!
"Are you all idiots?! You're talking about your own nephew!"
"That bastard is no neph—"
Samael didn't get to finish that vile sentence; Marcial knocked him nearly unconscious with a single, forceful punch. In response, Darcel struck Marcial across the cheek. Though the punch landed, it didn't knock him down; Marcial sent Darcel flying back with a powerful kick.
My father seems unfazed by the fight; he continues to glare at Leonard, who stands firm, showing no sign of weakness.
All this commotion causes Alaric to start crying. My mother comes over, hands him to me, and I try to soothe him.
Then she turns around, her pink eyes blazing intensely.
"Are you all done making fools of yourselves?"
That look could kill anyone who dared to move—its sharpness rivals the finest swords in the country. I never thought my mother was capable of that kind of expression; even my father looks tense.
"Marcial! You know fighting between siblings is forbidden!"
"But, Mother…"
"Silence while I'm speaking! I know you want to defend Fayna's son, but what you did was excessive," she says sternly, directing her words at Marcial. "And as for the rest of you, I don't recall raising shameless children. I am very disappointed."
Samael, visibly afraid, replies, "It's Fayna's fault…"
"I don't want to hear another word!" my mother cuts him off with a wave of her hand.
My brothers exchange glances; both Darcel and Samael get to their feet, while Marcial moves to stand by my mother.
After reprimanding my brothers, she steps in front of my father and, without hesitation, gives him a resounding slap across the face.
"How dare you speak that way to your daughter?!"
"She should never have done what she did; it was reckless."
My mother glares furiously into my father's crimson eyes, which remain impassive.
"Why don't you try being honest for once?!"
"I'm not leaving my daughter to some nobody," my father says, stepping closer to her face.
"That 'nobody' ended a war before any of us did, and besides, he's the one Fayna chose."
As my parents argue, Leonard lets go of my hand.
"Dear, I'll put an end to this, once and for all."
Before I can respond, he unsheathes his sword and approaches my father.
"Excuse me, Mr. Belial, but as a father and a knight, I can't keep tolerating these insults. I challenge you to a duel of honor!" He points his sword at my father. "If I win, you'll accept my relationship with your daughter—and your grandson."
My father steps away from my mother and looks at Leonard with indifference.
"Do you really think you're in a position to demand anything?"
"Oh, darling, are you afraid of a duel of honor?" She covers her mouth with her right hand. "I thought you were a real man."
I'm sure my mother's words struck a nerve in my father.
"And what if you lose?" my father responds with a faint exhale, barely showing interest.
"I'll kill my own son and then take my own life."
Hearing this, I can't keep quiet any longer.
"Leonard! Are you insane?! Why would you—?"
"Daughter, for once in your life, just stay silent," my mother says calmly.
Mother seems confident, but… why? I know how strong Leonard is, but he can't win; no one can beat my father…
My parents lock eyes, and after a few seconds, my father responds:
"I accept." He unsheathes his sword.
We all step back a few meters to give them space. Both Leonard and my father take up defensive stances.
"Finish off that trash!" Samael glares at me with contempt.
"Do it for the good of the clan!"
Darcel and Samael seem certain Leonard will lose. I can't stop trembling; his defeat would mean the end of my family.
"Daughter, don't worry."
"Sister, without magic, our father can't win." Marcial smiles at me.
I understand his calmness the moment I take a closer look: Leonard looks confident, ready to take the first strike. Meanwhile, my father, even though his crimson eyes are blazing with intensity from his unique ability, doesn't move at all.
"Stella, you've outplayed me this time." My father casts a sidelong glance at my mother, frustration and anger mixing in his expression.
"Oh, I thought you'd already realized that we're not invincible. Unlike us, who just ended our war last week, they ended theirs a year ago." My mother gestures toward Leonard. "He's the one mentioned in those reports."
My father sheaths his sword.
"I know that, Stella." He turns his back on Leonard. "You win."
Leonard, looking just as confused, puts his sword away too.
"Fayna, although I disagree with what you've done, I'll keep my promise."
"Thank you, Father!" Leonard and I bow in respect.
"Father! Are you really okay with this?!" says Samael, pointing at me.
"I won't hear another complaint from you. If you don't like it, challenge him to a death match. When you're gone, I'll see you on the other side." My father's words are final, and both Darcel and Samael fall silent. "However, Fayna, this agreement only protects the child you're holding now."
Noticing this, my mother starts playing with her violet-red braid, her tone turning playful.
"Belial, as for that, I have a proposal for you."
My father narrows his gaze.
"I'm listening."
"If you accept each child Fayna may have and let her live her life freely, in return, I'll give you complete control of the clan, including the family's relic."
"Are you really willing to go that far?" He brings his right hand to his chin.
"In the end, she's our only daughter."
My mother gives him a sweet smile. My father looks down, as if debating within himself. After a few seconds, he speaks again:
"This will only hold as long as you're alive, and if her children prove useful to the clan, I'll take responsibility for them."
"Mother, that's crazy! You know how important you are to the clan!"
"I accept, but no future rule will apply to Fayna or any of her children, whether you're alive or not."
"That's fine by me."
Without another word, my mother wraps my father in a warm embrace, and he welcomes her with open arms. Gently, he brushes a stray lock of hair from her face, caressing her cheek lovingly before sealing the moment with a kiss on her lips.
I'll never be able to understand them...
Without breaking eye contact, they slowly part.
"Belial, I'll arrange for a mansion to be built on the outskirts of Interra, where Fayna and I will live. I'll also bring some maids and a butler."
"I trust your judgment, Stella. Children, we're leaving."
Marcial hugs my mother.
"See you, Mom."
My father and brothers leave the back garden.
"Thank you for always taking care of me, Mom!"
Sobbing, I hug her tightly, and she gently strokes my hair.
"Thank you so much, Mom!"
Noticing this, Leonard steps back to give us some space, holding Alaric in his arms.