Chapter one
The night air was cool and gentle, a soft breeze carrying the faint scent of salt from the ocean, whispering through the trees nearby. The moonlight bathed everything in a silvery glow, casting long shadows across the porch where Lady Nella sat, her body propped up by a rocking chair that swayed gently beneath her. The rhythmic creaking of the chair matched the soothing lull of the waves crashing against the shore.
Nella rested her hand on her round belly, her fingers rubbing tender circles as though comforting the child growing inside her. Her eyes were half-closed, her face flushed with the quiet exhaustion of the late hour. The pregnancy had taken its toll, but she found peace in the soft sway of the chair and the rhythmic sounds of nature around her.
Beside her, Adrielle, the youngest of her daughters, sat quietly, her wide eyes studying her mother's every move. She noticed the subtle frown on Nella's face as she rubbed her stomach, and concern tugged at her small features. She tilted her head, her little voice breaking the quiet night.
"Mama, is the baby in there—" Adrielle gestured to her mother's stomach with a furrowed brow, "—making you feel tired?"
Nella smiled, her lips softening. She nodded slowly, not wanting to worry her. "Yes, sweetling," she murmured, her voice with affection "The baby makes me tired sometimes, but I'm fine, truly."
Adrielle seemed satisfied for the moment, her expression softening as she settled closer to her mother, still eyeing her with curiosity and concern. She rested her head gently against her mother's arm, and Nella let her fingers trail through her daughter's hair, the simple act comforting her as much as it did Adrielle.
Meanwhile, Isolde, the second daughter, was seated a little farther off, her hands busy with an assortment of fishing scraps—pieces of rope, small nets, and driftwood. She was entirely absorbed in her task, her brow furrowed in concentration as she tied knots and threaded bits together, working with the efficiency and focus of someone used to making do with whatever was at hand. The moonlight caught in her hair, turning it silver, but her attention never wavered.
Not far from them, Selena, the eldest, had her hands kneading a small bundle of cloth. She paused to glance over at her mother, her soft expression filled with care. When the cloth had been worked into the shape she wanted, Selena leaned forward, holding it out to Nella with a proud smile.
"Mama," she said softly, her voice filled with the quiet confidence of a daughter who knew her mother's approval meant everything. "Look, it's almost finished."
Nella looked at the small items in Selena's hands—delicate shoes, tiny swaddling cloths, and a few little garments. She let out a soft sigh, feeling a wave of emotion at the sight. "Oh, Selena," she whispered, reaching out to gently touch one of the pieces. "They're beautiful, darling."
Selena's smile grew, her heart swelling with pride at her mother's words. She then revealed a small outfit she had crafted, one meant for the unborn child. "This one is for him," Selena said, a gleam in her eye as she spoke. "I think it will be a boy."
The moment seemed to hang in the air, the breeze pausing as if waiting for a response. Adrielle's eyes widened with excitement. "A boy! Mama, is it a boy?" She jumped up eagerly, her face lighting up with joy.
Nella laughed softly, the sound of it rich with love and affection. She glanced over at Selena, who was watching her closely, awaiting her reaction. "It might be," she said with a tender smile, her voice soft with the hope and wonder that filled her heart. "But we'll know soon enough."
Adrielle bounced on her toes, grinning. "If it's a boy, we could name him... um... Arthur? Or maybe James?" Her hands moved excitedly as she spoke, her small voice bubbling with possibility.
Isolde didn't look up from her work but mumbled quietly, "Arthur's too common. James is better."
The youngest daughter shot her a curious look but shrugged, already lost in her thoughts.
Nella's smile widened as she listened to the girls banter, her heart swelling with love for each of them. She took a deep breath, the cool night air settling into her lungs, and for a moment, she simply let herself soak in the calm.
As the sisters' laughter and chatter filled the air, Lady Nella's gaze drifted toward the path leading to their home. She smiled, anticipating the return of her husband, Regent Cormac. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and the rustling of leaves announced his arrival.
The sisters, sensing their father's presence, turned toward the path, their faces lighting up with excitement. "Papa's home!" Adrielle exclaimed, dropping her doll and rushing toward him.
Cormac smiled, his eyes twinkling with warmth as he opened his arms to receive his daughters. Selena, Isolde, and Adrielle swarmed around him, hugging his waist and legs, vying for his attention.
Lady Nella watched as she smiled, feeling grateful for this moment of peace, surrounded by her loving family.
He chuckled, handing out small treasures he had collected during his inspection of the canoe repair. "I brought you some goodies, girls," he said, producing a handful of shimmering shells, a piece of driftwood shaped like a mermaid, and a few strands of seaweed.
Selena's eyes widened as she accepted a delicate, pink shell. "Oh, Papa, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed.
Isolde grinned, taking the driftwood mermaid. "I'll use it to decorate my basket," she said, already thinking of ways to incorporate her new treasure into her craft.
Adrielle squealed with delight, clutching the strands of seaweeds. "I'll make a crown for the baby and one for me, Papa!" she exclaimed, already starting to weave the seaweeds into a makeshift crown and tiara.
As the sisters chattered and laughed, Regent Cormac smiled, watching them with pride and affection. He glanced at Lady Nella, his eyes meeting hers in a warm, loving gaze.
"How was your day, my love?" Lady Nella asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Her husband's expression darkened, his brow furrowing with concern. "The canoe is almost repaired, but I have some concerns about the fishing nets. We need to replace some of the worn-out ropes and weights," he said, his voice laced with a hint of unease.
Lady Nella's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze intensifying as she sensed the gravity of her husband's tone. "What's troubling you, my love?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.
Cormac hesitated, his eyes darting toward their daughters, who were busy chattering and laughing as they played with their treasures. He leaned in closer to Lady Nella, his voice barely above a whisper. "I saw Marcellus meeting with some unknown individuals. I couldn't overhear their conversation, but I have an ill feeling about it. The way they were speaking in hushed tones, the way Marcellus seemed... secretive."
Lady Nella's expression changed from concern to alarm, her eyes widening slightly as she processed the information. She glanced at her daughters, ensuring they were still distracted, before turning back to her husband. "That doesn't sound good. I hope he won't put us in trouble with his ambitions."
Her gaze locked onto her husband's, a sense of foreboding settling in her chest. Suddenly, a faint rustling echoed through the darkness, making them all turn toward the sound.