Chapter 10
Photo: ???
304 Years ago
Later Months
Southern Castle
The castle was bustling with activity, except for one individual. The team was diligently preparing for the arrival of the new baby, ensuring that everything was secure and suitable for the little one. Unfortunately, they neglected to consult Kira about her opinions on any matters. However, the princess wasn't concerned; her only wish was for a healthy child.
Kira was expecting her first child, and Lyne confided in her that it would be a girl. However, she hasn't shared this news with Akito yet, as she fears it might make him angry or distressed. Although she has considered telling him numerous times, she has not found the courage to do so.
The princess rested outdoors, nestled on the gentle grass beneath her beloved tree. She sought refuge in her garden, a place visited occasionally by others tending to the plants. With her eyes shut, she softly hummed a melody to herself. She aimed to maintain her tranquility, as she believed her baby felt most content when she was serene.
Akito entered the garden softly, his movements quiet and graceful, as he approached her with a sense of familiarity. In his animal shape, he made his way to her side, the warmth of the sun casting a gentle glow on his fur. He settled down next to her, feeling a sense of comfort in her presence. As he reclined, resting his head on her lap, he listened intently to her gentle humming, the soothing melody weaving through the air like a soft breeze, wrapping around them both in a cocoon of tranquility.
She lifted her eyelids slowly, allowing her eyes to adjust to the light, and gazed down at him with a mixture of concern and tenderness. “Is something the matter, darling?” she inquired gently, her voice a soft melody that wrapped around him like a warm blanket. As she extended her hand to stroke him tenderly, her fingers moved in slow, comforting motions, seeking to reassure him and ease whatever burden he was carrying.
He let out a soft purr at her caress. "It's nothing. I just wanted to be close to you..."
She chuckled gently. "I understand. It doesn't bother me," she replied quietly while caressing his smooth fur with her fingers.
As the months went by, the southern castle remained bustling, while Kira maintained her composure. However, no one was prepared for a baby of that nature.
In the initial days of Mars(March), Kira welcomed a baby girl whom she named Lyra. Lyra was a thriving infant, but she developed at an unusually rapid pace. By the end of two weeks, she appeared and behaved like a two-month-old. At just four weeks, she was already walking, and by six weeks, she could manage some speech. Although Kira recognized that the passage of time seemed unusual, she was unconcerned about the accelerated aging of her baby.
Every time Lyra took a stroll, exploring every room on the second floor, either Kira or Akito would trail behind her. Kira was the more cautious one, simply keeping an eye on Lyra to ensure she didn’t trip or injure herself. On the other hand, Akito posed a different kind of protection. When he accompanied his daughter, he would be in his fox form, growling at anyone who approached Lyra.
After assessing the second floor, Lyra made her way to the stairs. It took her an entire week to manage going down the steps. She would reach the halfway point before calling out for her dad or mom, which Kira thought was adorable, while Akito found it rather... irritating? No one could quite figure out Akito's feelings, as he would switch to being overly protective in an instant and then suddenly relax for no apparent reason.
After Lyra successfully made her way downstairs, she explored each room before settling on the Great Hall. There, she would either occupy Kira’s chair or dash around the expansive space while engaging with Akito or Hiro. The only instances when she would be absent from the hall were during Kira's meetings or when there was a party, as the Great Hall also served as a ballroom.
As time went by, Lyra spent her days in the Great Hall, frolicking with one of her mother's three guards. She paid little attention to the court or her mother's activities while she was absorbed in her play. The only moments that captured her attention were when her aunt came to see her. On one such occasion, Lyra had the chance to play with a boy named Ryan, whom she found amusing to tease. The adults found their interaction endearing, but the mages conceived an idea that would have repercussions in the years ahead.
Summer Time
Northern Castle
Once more, Kira found herself expecting, but this time she was residing with her sister while preparations were made at her castle for the arrival of her second child. Being in the initial stages of her pregnancy permitted her to travel north. Akito accompanied her, while Anaru and Hiro remained behind to keep the staff in check.
Kira was seated in the library alongside her sister, perusing a few books. However, to be honest, Kira found herself more focused on observing Akito than on the text in front of her. She sensed a torrent of irritated energy emanating from her mate, which almost made her want to laugh, although she refrained from doing so.
Lira glanced over and let out a gentle giggle. “Sister, there’s no need to keep it in,” she said quietly. She sensed her sister's energy and noticed that she was covering her mouth with the book.
Shiro's black fox ears perked up at the sound of his princess's laughter. He moved away from Akito and settled next to Lira. "What’s making you laugh, princesses?"
The princess with blonde hair chuckled quietly. "I apologize, but there's something amusing about Akito's irritated presence... and I can't quite pinpoint why."
The dark-colored fox blinked several times as the silver fox approached the gathering and settled next to his princess. "Do you believe it's the little one?"
"It’s possible, considering Lyra has a way of making Kira eager to be outdoors all the time," Akito remarked, irritation evident in his tone. He felt his ears twitch as Kira playfully tapped his ear.
“I’m not sure about that because I simply wanted to be outdoors. The castle becomes quite crowded when its leader is expecting a child.”
Lira offered a slight smile before glancing around. “Where could our little princess be?”
Kira and Akito let out a simultaneous sigh. "With Ryan," they both stated in unison. While Kira found the situation endearing, Akito felt a greater sense of irritation.
As the weeks went by, Kira was summoned back to her castle before it became too late for travel. However, Lyra expressed a desire to remain behind, which displeased Ryan. Despite this, Kira agreed to her request, wanting to avoid having a sulking child during their journey home.
The castle was prepared for another infant, complete with toys for the little one. Lyne decorated the nursery in her unique style, as Kira was aware but chose not to inform anyone, primarily to tease her partner. The room, designed for a girl, had a gothic ambiance because Kira believed the baby preferred to avoid an overload of pink, similar to Lyra's taste.
As weeks turned into months, by late Wicked(October), Kira welcomed another daughter, whom she named Mira. While Akito felt discontent, he also seemed indifferent. The fox had affection for his children, even if he didn’t express it verbally. Meanwhile, the other two were simply excited about the prospect of having another baby to play with.
Similar to her elder sibling, Mira quickly grasped new concepts, and by the age of two, she was enjoying playful moments in the Great Hall alongside her sister. The two girls engaged in delightful play, often pretending to chase after a fox or wolf during the mornings. Hiro was unfazed by their antics and eventually joined in the fun, responding with playful kisses or licks, while Akito let out a growl but did not intervene.
Though Lyra and Mira appeared to be twins at a glance, their personalities were quite distinct. Kira observed that Lyra had a mixed fondness for dragons, often teasing Ryan, while Mira wasn't particularly fond of foxes but cherished her time spent with her father. The Princess paid little mind to these differences and felt content to have two vibrant and healthy daughters.
Lyne approached Kira and let out a gentle sigh. "Kira, you’re the only person who has two…."
Kira let out a quiet sigh too. “Yeah, I'm aware. My sister isn't interested in having any children... So one of mine would have to take her place.”
"Indeed...but which one is it?"
"Me!" Lyne and Kira exchanged surprised glances as they turned to spot an energetic Lyra, with a drowsy Mira trailing behind her.
Kira gently smiled and crouched down. “Lyra, what made you desire to govern the Northern territories?”
Lyra chuckled quietly. “I’m not particularly eager to do this, but I’d like to spend more time with Ryan. If that means I can be close to him, then I’ll handle the north while Mira takes care of the south.”
Mira let out a gentle yawn and rested her head against her sister. "I’ll...handle the south..." she murmured quietly.
Lyne agreed with a nod. She was uncomfortable with the idea of separating the young girl from her mother and sister, and she was anxious about Akito's reaction. "I’ll speak with Lira about this and then come to see you again."
And she followed through with her intentions. Lyne engaged in a thoughtful conversation with Lira about the prospect of teaching the young girl, mirroring the earlier dialogue that Kira had with Akito. Lira, with her calm demeanor, expressed her willingness to embrace this new responsibility and guide the girl on her journey. In stark contrast, Ryan harbored reservations, and Akito was consumed by a dark desire to eliminate the mage before even considering the idea of cooperation. The tension between their perspectives created an uneasy atmosphere, as the fox struggled with his own conflicting emotions. Deep down, he knew he could never truly accept the situation as it stood, yet he found himself unwilling to engage in a fight over it. The complexities of their relationships and the weight of their decisions hung heavily in the air.
After a span of two years, during which time Lyra took the opportunity to journey to the Northern Lands, Mira chose to stay behind in the Southern Lands, finding solace in her familiar surroundings. During this time, Akito mysteriously vanished for a period, leaving Mira feeling quite despondent and pouting in her disappointment. However, this phase of gloom did not last long; she soon found herself uplifted and her spirits revived as Hiro, ever the caring friend, took the initiative to invite her outside for some playful activities, helping her to embrace the joy of the moment once again.
Chapter 09 * Start Arc 01