It was already late at the time that Diane and Diego arrived back at the mansion. They got to the threshold, only to find Natasha waiting for them. "It was about time the both of you showed up." She said, tapping her foot on the ground lightly. "Do you realise how late it has gotten? I was wondering if I should dispatch a search party to look for you both." She wondered out loud. "I have my medallion though, you could just use that to find us." Diego said, bringing his out of his coat pocket. "And, you are well aware that the castle is a great distance away." He explained. "Which is why, I told you to leave sooner, but all you care about Is that precious work of yours." Natasha said, crossing her hands in front of her chest. "Certain priorities are important." Diego, tired of her bantering, walked into the house. Diane gave Natasha an awkward and apologetic smile, before both women followed suit. Regis, Theodore and Maria were also in the living room, worry plastered on each one of their faces. "Thank the heavens." Maria said, as she scurried towards them. "The both of you nearly giving me a heart attack." She said, as she touched both of their faces tenderly with her hands. "I don't understand why you all are so agitated." Diego said, as he rubbed his aunt on the back of her hand. "I am strong enough to protect the both of us, you know." He added. "I know." Maria said, withdrawing her hands. "But it is the imperial family, so.." She hesitated. "So what, aunt?" Diane quipped in. "What your aunt intends to say, is that the order of the crown is absolute." Regis joined the conversation. "If the imperial family decides to punish either one of you, for instance, or take you hostage, then not even all of the military might of our family we be able to save you." He said, with a grave face. "This current king is well versed, but his anger is unquenchable and he isn't that merciful." He added. "Oh, I understand." Diane nodded meaningfully. "So, How did it go?" Theodore asked, hopping over to Diane's side. "Now is not the time- both of you quickly freshen up so we can have dinner together." Natasha said impatiently, giving the bothbof them a slight shove on their backs. "You two better hurry up, we have news to share that will interest you both." She added, with a slight smile.
Soon enough, the maids began to lay the various dishes out on the table, with various side dishes and deserts being laid out as well. "Leonia, don't even think about it. Child, we haven't even had dinner yet." Natasha berated, when she saw that Leonia had set her fork into a large piece of chocolate cake. "But, it's not all the time the cooks make chocolate cake for dessert." Leonia whined, laying her head on the table, looking dejected. "Have a little bit of patience, if you eat the cake now, you wouldn't be able to eat the main meal, which is way more nutritious. Chocolate.. has a lot of calories." Natasha lectured. "Well, she has always been a sweet tooth, afteall." A familiar voice said. Natasha looked up, just in time to see Diego drawing a chair out for Diane, while he sat himself at the head, not too far from where she was. "Oh, good the both of you are here." Natasha said, seemingly gratitified. "Now that the both of you are here, we can dinner can finally begin." Theodore said, holding his fork in anticipation, while staring at the dish presented before him.
"There was no need for you to wait for us, you know." Diego said, as they dined. "Well, it has been long since we have had dinner with you and Diane, so why not?" Regis asked, a slight smile on his face. Actually, they were all smiling. "What is up with them?" Diane asked, leaning closer to her husband. "Did something good happen? Is someone expecting a child?" She asked, making Diego to choke in the food he was eating. "Which one among them, do you think will be expecting a child?" Diego asked, after drinking some water. "You are funny, Diane." "What are you two whispering about?" Maria asked them. "Well, Diane and I are wondering.. why you all keep smiling like idiots." Diego said sarcastically. "Your smiling faces are making is feel agitated, just tell us already!" Diane said, as she clenched both if her fists. Theodore turned to Morris, who was by his side. "Are you sure you don't want me to tell them on your behalf?" But he received a kick from Leonia, who sat across him. "He said he wants to tell them by himself, so let him." Leonia said, giving her cousin an angry glare. Diane turned to Morris immediately. "Morris, is something wrong?" She asked, a little worried. "It's nothing, just that" Morris began, fiddling with his food. "Sister, Diego, I awakened today."
There was much chatter on the table after that. Morris had an affinity for plant magic, which was second to healing, since some plants had healing purposes. "It occurred outside, fortunately. The children were having an argument, and Morris unintentionally turned Leonia's pen into wood." Theodore exclaimed. "The Good thing about it all, is the fact that he awakened without casualties." Maria nodded. "Now I am certain someone in Diane's lineage had magical powers. It would have made sense if it was just her- some people can randomly awake magical abilities, afterall, but her brother too." Regis analyzed. "Then it is a good thing that the crowned prince is looking into Diane's genealogy." Diego said, as he wiped his mouth. "You said what?" Theodore exclaimed. "The crowned prince himself.." He muttered. "Which reminds me-how did the audience go?" Maria asked, while slicing up her steak. "It went alright." Diane said. "Nothing eventful to talk about." Diego added. "I just wish I saw Lucille though." Diane said, still feeling dejected. "I still can't believe that Lucille is an illegitimate child, I was thinking.." "Lucille herself, told you that?" Theodore inquired. Diane gave him a nod. "Wow, the both of you are closer than I thought." He added, placing a piece of beef in his mouth. "Want to know more?" Theodore asked, ignoring the weird gazes the rest of the members thew at him. Diane's eyes lit up like stars, as she enthusiastically nodded her head. "Well, far down into the south, there is a family bearing the surname of Advegar. Does the name ring a bell?" Theodore asked Diane, of which the latter shook her head. "Well, anyone well versed in business will know what I am talking about." Theodore said, while arrogantly rubbing his nose. "Rotten ego." Diego muttered quietly, but spoke no further. "Lucille's mother is from the house of Advegar. Despite getting married into the house of Slovene, she still had an extra-marital affair with the current grand Duke, the one and only younger brother of this current king." He paused, to sip some soup. "But why would she do that?" Diane asked. Theodore shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? And at the time their relationship began to blossom, the current grand Duke already had a wife and a daughter. A serious case of infidelity." "And Lucille is as a result of that relationship?" Diane asked. "Indeed. After she was born, both lovers got into a heated argument. After the conflict was resolved, neither of them wanted to keep the child. She stayed with her father until she was six, and that was when the king made her his responsibility." Theodore concluded. "What about the mother? Did she return to the house of Advegar?" Diane asked. "I wish." Theodore scoffed. "Maybe the lord of the house of Slovene was blinded by the love he had for her, not only did he fail to divorce her, but he even had a child with her, through it is just another girl." He added. "And also..." "I believe you have said enough, Theodore." Diego called out from where he was seated, his voice strict. "That is more than enough confidential information you have revealed about Lucille. Diane would have to ask her herself, if she wants to know more." Diego said, glancing at Diane. He was expecting her to protest, but contrary to his expectations, she remained calm. "And here I was, thinking I was the only one who had childhood rough." She muttered incoherently to herself. "It is only when it comes to gossip that your mouth opens wide." Regis commented disapprovingly, while wiping his fork. "The least he could do was have some restraint." Natasha joined in. "But then, how did she participate in the war? And at such a young age too?" Diane asked. "You remember he Stated that the king took her under his wing from age six." Maria said. "She probably wanted to show gratitude by participating in the war." She added. "Why go into such extreme measures?" Diane asked, perplexed. "It was her choice to make. We should just be glad that she came back alive." Diego said. "Anyway, it Is getting rather late. Look at those angels, they are completely wasted." Natasha said, with a slight giggle. Everyone now understood the reason the children were silent for so long. Both of them- Morris and Leonia, their clothes and faces covered in chocolate, had placed their heads on the table, sleeping soundly even to the point of putting stains on the tablecloth itself . "I will inform the servants." Theodore said, as he stood up. Diane couldn't help but to feel pity for the servants that will be obligated to change them and wash their clothes.