A few days later, we received heartbreaking news for my mother: my fourth and fifth brothers had passed away due to injuries sustained in their last battle.
I never got along well with them, but I still felt sorrow at their passing. They fought against death for a week, but in the end, neither managed to overcome it.
A special funeral was held in their honor, and they were commemorated as heroes.
After Basilis signed its surrender, peace returned to the country. The clan suffered more losses than expected, so my father issued an order for my brothers to consider the neutrals as the primary option for leaving descendants.
While living at the mansion, I noticed the harsh treatment those poor girls endured—girls with snow-white hair and clear eyes that sparkled like the open sky—all because of Samael. Surprisingly, Darcel wasn't as harsh with his assigned partner.
Meanwhile, Marcial is very happy with his wife, Alisa; she always has a smile when she's with him.
After a year, my mother became a grandmother for the second time, with Marcial welcoming a beautiful baby girl.
Curiously enough, just a few days later, I gave birth to a baby girl with sky-blue eyes—my second child, Astrid.
Both events brought great joy to my mother, who happily cradled both granddaughters with excitement.
Time went on, and although Darcel and Samael also became fathers, my mother never got to meet their children, as they distanced themselves from her after defending me against my father.
This situation wounded her heart even more, yet despite everything, she continued loving my brothers. Her sadness was evident, but she kept herself occupied by helping me raise my children.
My dream had always been to have a big, united family, so not long after Astrid's birth, I became pregnant again. Nine months later, my second little girl was born: Eleonor.
At first, Leonard refused to have another baby, arguing that it was too soon, but in the end, he couldn't resist my charms.
My father never met any of my children. He limited himself to studying the scrolls of recognition from the holy Church of Deus.
All my children were born with great skills and potential, with Alaric standing out the most, thanks to his legendary ability, "Hero." It was impossible not to catch my father's attention, but, to my surprise, nothing happened.
I want to believe that this is because none of them bears significant traits of the Fiammetta family. Alaric and Astrid, with their blonde hair, stand out in particular.
As for Eleonor, her hair was a light red, and her magical abilities were average.
The long-awaited day finally arrived. After three years, the construction of the mansion was complete.
While we were preparing to leave, Marcial and Alisa approached us.
"Mother, Sister, I know you're both very busy, but I need to talk to you," Marcial said in a serious tone.
"What's going on, son? You seem worried."
Marcial remained silent, and it was Alisa who spoke up:
"Mrs. Stella, Mrs. Fayna, Marcial and I would like to ask you to take our daughter with you."
Eleonor begins to cry, and I lift her from the crib to cradle her in my arms.
"Brother, I know you both love your daughter very much. Why do you want her to go with us?" I ask, confused, looking at Marcial and Alisa.
"Miss Fayna, our daughter wasn't born with any abilities or characteristics typical of the Fiammetta family. You could say she's a pure member of what you call the Neutrals..."
Marcial interrupts Alisa.
"Sister, we've talked about this for a long time. If our daughter stays in this house, she'll have no choice but to follow the Neutrals' path."
Both my brother and his wife bow deeply, pleading in unison:
"Please, we beg you to take our daughter with you!"
My mother and I exchange glances. We don't need words to know our answer.
"Raise your head, son; I would never refuse a request from you," says my mother, reassuring him.
"Brother, I swear your daughter will be safe and sound with me. I'll protect her as if she were one of my own children."
Alisa begins to cry as Marcial embraces my mother and me.
"Son, your daughter may feel abandoned. She may even come to resent you one day. Are you prepared for that?"
"Mother, if that's the price of her freedom, then we're willing to pay it," Marcial responds, holding Alisa tenderly.
With the conversation over, we return to our preparations. After a couple of hours, everything is ready in the carriages.
Before departing, Marcial and Alisa come to say their goodbyes, holding their daughter's hand.
"Alfred, please take good care of my daughter."
"I will protect her with my life, sir," Alfred responds, bowing deeply.
In the end, Alfred, the finest of the butlers, is the one accompanying us, along with the five youngest maids. They used to help me with various tasks and have grown quite fond of my children.
"Mother, Sister, have a safe journey!"
"May Deus bless your path."
Marcial and Alisa kiss their daughter.
"My little girl, I swear I'll bring you back one day."
"Never forget, your father and I love you." Alisa gently strokes her daughter's cheek.
Alfred takes the child's hand; as she sees herself moving away from her parents, she begins to cry and tries to pull free.
Step by step, Marcial and Alisa hold themselves together, but the sound of their daughter's cries breaks them: tears fall down their faces as they both struggle to regain their composure, but they fail—they cry even harder.
Seeing this, Alfred quickly lifts the child into one of the carriages, and, together with the young maids, they depart first.
Alisa collapses to the ground, and Marcial joins her.
My mother, my children, Leonard, and I board the other carriage.
I can't blame them for not saying a proper goodbye. If I were in their place, I would have lost my mind… They are stronger than I am.
Brother, Alisa, I will never forget my promise. I swear to protect and care for you, Avrora.