l and light, and his eyes twinkled with his mischievous glint. Marcelia followed behind him, feeling her face warm as she caught sight of the villagers turning th

cried out, running ahead to a

home, smiling and waving at the approaching pair, their eyes filled with mirth. T

ner?" one of the older men called

hed from her stall. "Looks like someone'

le!" he said, grinning from ear to ear. He glanced over his shoulder at Marcelia with a twinkle in his eyes.

red. She wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. She wasn't us

rkling with amusement. "Well I'll be! Didn't think I'd see

't panic"-he shot Marcelia another playful look-"we're calling it Fiances, just to ease her mind." His voice

tight smile, unsure of how to respond. The villagers, however, took it in str

ow," an elderly woman chuckled, pat

"Lucky me," she muttered under her breath, casting a sideways glance at Rayner, who seeme

One particularly bold girl stepped forward. "Are you really gonn

r cheeks were still flushed. "I don't think I'm princess mate

be more than a princess. She'll be the clevere

yner a glare over her shoulder. He only wi

g glances at the pair. Marcelia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself now that the excitement had died dow

y tasks, Marcelia turned to Rayner, her voice low and

heart. "Why I was just sharing the truth with ou

top the small smile that tugged at the

ng closer to her. "Th

ting. As much as she hated to admit it, Rayner had a way of making even the most awkward situati

away from him. "We're here to

ievous grin didn't falter, "Wha

s she prepared herself for the task ahead. The village may have been calm and welcoming, but Marcelia

ge nestled near the edge of the village. The place exuded warmth and comfort, the kind of home where stories were told by the fire and visitors were

could comment, the door swung open, revealing a man in his late twenties, with dark brown hair and deep green eyes that immediately put he

an on the shoulders, "How's my favorite cr

with an exaggerated flourish: as thoug

Marcelia with a bemused expression. "So, the he

. It seemed like everyone in this village

d cheerfully, "She's

s. "Did she accidentally propose marriage to you?

turned an alarmi

d?" His grin spread across his face. "Damn! Now you're going to have to prove that you're worth

prospect. "Oh, I'm not worried. Marcelia

ric's reaction. He's not the kind of father who lets things slide easily-especially when it comes to his daughter

t it's pray. "I've got nothing to worry about.

comforting about the benter between the two men despite Rayner's mischief, there was a sense of fa

t them in, "come on in. Lucillia's in the

sation. She followed Edward inside, taking a deep

than the awkwardness of the earlier conversation. "Alright," she began, her tone bec

mode. "She believes she's showing signs of pre-eclampsia. She's been doin

That's a serious condition. We'

a slight furrow of confusion on his bro, finall

d encountered such a term. She searched for a way to explain it that would

imes, if the strain becomes too much, it can cause problems with her blood pressure. Pre-eclamsia happens when that blood pressure gets too high and s

mischievous gleam in them dimming a l

"but we have to treat it seriously, especially wit

ng the information. "So what

an eye on her blood pressure. Edward's been helping by making sure she rests, which is crucial. If we can keep her calm and

ything she can, but its getting harder fo

placed a hand on Marcelia's should

hand. "Alright, let's not waste any more time. I'

air was warm, filled with the faint scent of herbs, and the decor was charmingly

over the sides of her head, and her fluffy tail twitched slightly as she adjusted her position. Despite her clear exhaustion, Lucillia looked as regal as ever, with the lower half of her legs covered in fur down to her paw

as recognition dawned. "I haven't seen you since the day you g

th warmth and fondness. "Little Songbird!" she exclaimed, using the affectionate nickname she had

ftly and nodded. "T

ed at Marcelia. "You've grown beautifully. I knew you'd turn into a

it looks like yu've been doing just fine yourself." Her gaze brie

that's for sure. But I knew when things started getti

crept across her face, the kind she only used on those she loved to torment. "Oh, Twig Boi," she sang, her voice

r Lucillia's teasing. "N-n-no ma'am," he stammered, practically tr

ad as he set a tray of freshly baked bread on the table. "You're supposed to be rest

twitching as she shrugged. "

ce. "Please tell me that bread I smell was made by you, Edward." His vo

r, and I made spinach puffs

sank into the chair next to Lucillia. "Who would have guessed accidentally proposing to

crept onto her face. "Did you forget, li

her hands hovered gently above Lucillia's belly. Her magic whispered the results of Lucillia's vitals to her blood pressure elevated, oxygen levels stable, temperature within

g that sugarcoating wouldn't work with her

d with sadness. She hesitated for a moment, her voice quieter th

o miscarriages. Marcelia's heart clenched as understanding dawned. Lucillia's anxiety wasn't just about

"I try not to think about it, but it's hard, you know. Every

e warmth of her magic extending like a gentle embrace. "We're going to make sure everything is o

but filled with gratitude. "Th

g energy filling the air. Rayner, with a sheepish look, wedged himself between Marcelia and Lucillia on the couch, ignoring any protests as he gently laid his ear on Lucillia's belly. Marcelia was about to say something when she felt the shift in the room-the stress that lingere

a whisper, murmured, "Shush, I'

oom felt wrapped in a peaceful stillness, the magic of the

you realize," Rayner's voice was like a gentle embrace, soothing in it's tone. "

s a water birthing room?" Her tone w

be slightly terrified of Lucillia, but I respect her deeply." He glanced foundly at Lucillia, then back to Marcellia. "So wh

ged at the corners of her mouth. "You know how

uldn't find my way home. The villagers were there for me... they treated me like one of their own."

figured he would tell her more when he was ready, as thei

eft to purify the water, disappearing into

raxton Hicks contractions, a subtle reminder

and hurried movements. Rayner, to everyone's surprise, became a valuable asset, his presence more than just a hovering bystander.

trailing above the surface, keeping it at the perfect temperature. "How do you do that so effortlessly?" Marcelia ask

im light. "I was born with it," he said with a slight air of ch

umor in her voice. "Easy for you to say-you're not

t Marcelia. "I think I'd rather fi

Rayner. I've seen her take down a wild boar without breaking a sweat. This-" he nodd

ing at the lightheartedness. "Rem

nd Marcelia to monitor the situation, moving swiftly but with practiced calm. As another

oud noises," Lucillia teased betw

he flowers blooming on his horns shimmered softly, rel

oice soothing as she placed a comforting hand on

the firstborn into Lucillia's arms-a girl named Elliot with a full head of jet-black hair. "Well, would you look at that!"

miled weakly but radiantly. "I

Both babies looked entirely human, except for their floppy bunny ears and small fluffy tails,

a nod. "Told you they'd be ready," he said quietly, his usual playfulness re

nts adjusted to the new changes. Edward, despite his tough demeanor, quickly melted under the twins' gazes. "I think they alr

s bright with love as he rocked them gentl

bed. "We'll be fine," she said, voice soft bu

st... purify the water again. You know, to be sure." His eyes darted betwe

s he pretends, is he?" Luci

ou," Marcelia replied,