The Archfae's Bride

liar smell instantly soothing her. Cedric Ravenswood, seated at his large oak desk, was humming to himself as he scribbled notes on parchment,

vis, cradling Marcelia as an infant, with her older brother Vincent, and sister, Willow, standing by her side. Even tho

familiar, wistful tone. "She used to say you were the perfect mix of the two of us. She'd joke that Vincent looked like a gender-bent version of

her. "And what about me?" she asked, even though she knew the answer.

just right," Cedric replied. "And those lavender eyes of hers, so striking. You even ha

ove hearing that story, Papa. But I have a feel

ow me too well, sweetheart. And you're right

ond the Moonlite Maiden's Forest, a young woman there is expecting twins, and her delivery will be risky without proper care.

her placed in her. "Of course, Papa," she said wit

g her forehead. "Mama Rellia has already packed two enchanted bags for y

n for her father and stepmother. "I'll make

rs for a moment longer before he let her go. "Be safe

nostrils, but now it was accompanied by the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread from the kitchens below. She smiled as she passed by the open

peared dazed, as if he were walking in a dream, his long strawberry-blonde hair a disheveled mess. His usually neat goatee had grown into a small beard, and dark circ

n concern, "What in the world have you been doing?

a. I was just... clearing my head." His voice was horse,

ed with the kind of gentle authority that only a sister could mus

g in on him. "There you are, Master Julius! We've been searching everywhere for you." She

they closed in on him like a pack of mother hens. Julius raised h

ulius began, but Marcelia cut

tting out of this. Yo

sigh as they began to drag him towards the baths. The sight of him being led off by the staff brought a small smile

rcelia called after him with a teasing lil

hered him down the hall, their chatter filling the air. Marcelia

uld take her to the courtyard, Marceli

rmar, Lady Rellia

re I am heading now." Marcelia loves the nickname he a

ug and continued t

ts of warmth were starting to break through. Budding leaves adorned the branches of the trees, and the occa

light brown hair streaked with silver, a quiet grace about her. She was inspecting an old sword-Theo's sword,

held out the sword, its hilt well-worn but still gleaming with care. "This was your Uncle Theo's. I want you to take it with you

terally and figuratively. Theo had always been like a second father to her.

He would have wanted you to be safe. It's not just a weapon-it's a reminder of his love for us all. And with

g it to her side. It felt comforting in a way,

rd, but for the love and care Rellia had always shown her. Though she wasn't her birth mother,

get back, we're planning a trip to the capital. The triplets have been pester

ght. "I'd love that. It wil

care of yourself first. Your father and I are so proud of the woman you've becom

with emotion. "I'll be

er ear. "Good. And Julius-well, I've already sent Maggie and the others to dra

saw him earlier. He looked

"He would lose track of time when he was deep in his studi

Julius before I le

girl. And remember-this journey is imp

her, Marcelia felt the strength and love that carried their family through

kissed her forehead. "Safe travels, my

n eye, Tawnie, the head mage of the Ravenswood family and Cedric's most trusted advisor, appeared. Her fiery red ha

elia greeted h

tch you and Rellia. Julius is all cleaned up, and lunch is ready

the manor, the comforting scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread grew stronger. The soft warmth of th

tly brushed, though the dark bags under his eyes remained, and his shoulders still drooped with the weight

them to sit. His tone was cheerful, but Marcelia

as always-herbed potatoes, roasted chicken, and thick slices of w

y prodded Julius. "So, Julius, how's the work going? Y

this translation is the end of next week," he mutte

ssary. "Demoted?! That's ridiculous. They've been taking credit for your wo

d quietly, voice laced with weariness. "Some of the knowl

ent in her voice. "Surely, you could find something safer then the

ine. He looked down at his plate. "No

elt her heart sink. She knew what he meant, and the pa

liant, compassionate, and brave. One day, you'll find someone who loves you ju

is voice bitter, "And what if Father Theo was still aliv

atch. Rellia's face paled, her eyes filled with

on his shoulders. "Don't you ever say that again," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Theo would have loved you

y tears. "I... I'm sorry. It's j

I know this world can make you doubt yourself. But you are not a bu

e, talking Julius's hand in her'

ng her arms around Julius from behind, whisper

ation lingered in the room, heavy but necessary. Cedric stood and kis

eep. She also knew that the love of their family was the only thing holding him together at this point, an

re she left. "Besides, Julius, you're way too brilliant

ghost of a smile crossing

Cedric, Rellia, and Julius walked her to the

ere, Marcelia," Julius said q

nd when I do, you better h

h earth and blooming life all around her. The warmth of her family's lov