章 38: I have a cousin now

Lucia walked quietly through the halls of the grand castle, Amara will arrive in 1 hr.

She had been watching Seraphina closely these past few weeks, noticing some changes within her the way she seemed more fatigued than usual, and how she sometimes pressed her hand gently against her abdomen. Lucia was no stranger to these signs; she had borne children herself and knew what they meant.

She decided it was time to confront Seraphina. As the matriarch of the Blackwood family and Ethan's mother, she needed to ensure that everything was in order, especially if it involved her son.

Lucia found Seraphina in the castle's private garden, seated on a stone bench among the blooming flowers. The younger woman looked up as she approached, her violet eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"Lady Lucia," Seraphina greeted her, her voice calm but with bit nervousness to see her.

Lucia offered her a warm smile, though her eyes were sharp with intent. "Seraphina, may I sit with you?"

"Of course," Seraphina replied, shifting slightly to make room.

Lucia sat beside her, taking a moment to admire the beauty of the garden before turning her full attention to Seraphina. "You've been avoiding me lately, both me and my son" she began as gentle as possible

Seraphina's hands fidgeted in her lap with her unease. "I... I've just been tired, Lady Lucia. There's so much to do around the castle..."

Lucia shook her head, her expression softening. "Seraphina, you don't need to pretend with me. I know you're carrying Ethan's child."

The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Seraphina froze wiht her face draining of color as she quickly looked away as she is trying to catch her breath.

"No, I—" she stammered as her voice trembled. "I'm not... I couldn't... I'm sorry, Lady Lucia. I didn't mean for this to happen..."

Lucia reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Seraphina's. "There's no need to be afraid, my dear. You are bearing the child of a great man, a man who will one day be king. You should be proud of that, not ashamed."

Seraphina's eyes filled up with tears, her emotions overwhelming her. "But... I'm not worthy... I never thought... I didn't want him to be troubled when he was busy with the noble meet...he might stay in the castle if he heard about this" She said while grazing at her stomach.

Lucia's gaze softened even more as she gently lifted Seraphina's chin, forcing her to meet her eyes. "You are not a burden, Seraphina. You are carrying the future of our family. This child will be a blessing, not a curse. You, are a mother "

"Do you accept me as Lord Ethan's wife? " She asked as she realized how protective lucia will be towards her son

Lucia's eyes softened with a warm with maternal glow as she leaned in closer, her hands gently resting on Seraphina's shoulders. "Seraphina, as the mother of this child, you are already a part of this family. There is no need to ask for acceptance, for you have it already. You will be accepted as my daughter-in-law, as Ethan's wife," she said with a decisive tone.

Seraphina's tears spilled over, her shoulders shaking with the force of her emotions. She bowed deeply, her forehead nearly touching the ground with full of relief. "Thank you, Lady Lucia! I... I don't know how to express my gratitude... I'm so happy... I'll do my best to be a good wife, to support Ethan... I love him dearly, despite everything..."

She paused, her grip on Seraphina's shoulders tightening slightly. "Ethan is not an easy man to understand or love, but you've shown a strength and devotion that few others have. That's why I'm willing to accept you as my daughter-in-law. Not because you carry his child, but because you love him in a way that makes you worthy of that title."

Lucia's voice softened as she continued, "But know this, Seraphina—I will always watch over my son. I will be there to protect him, and I expect you to do the same. Love him, care for him, and stand by him, no matter how difficult things might get. If you do that, you will always have my support and love as well."

Seraphina's tears welled up again, but this time they were tears of relief and gratitude. "I promise, Lady Lucia. I'll protect him with everything I have. I'll be the wife he needs, and the mother our child deserves. I won't let you down."

Scene: The Meeting

Later that day, Ethan was summoned to Lucia's private chambers. He had barely caught his breath from the intense training session with Chloe when a servant informed him that his mother wished to see him immediately. He made his way to her quarters.

As he approached the door, he heard voices inside. One was his mother's, but the other... He hesitated before opening the room and going inside.

To his surprise, standing in the room with his mother was his Aunt Amara, Lucia's sister, along with a little girl by her side. The girl had her mother's striking features, with long, flowing hair, she looked small.

Lucia, who was speaking with Amara, turned her attention to Ethan as he entered. "Ah! Ethan, you're here. Come in, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Mother, Aunt Amara," he greeted them nodding to each in turn. His eyes then fell on the young girl. "And who might this be? I have never seen her."

Amara placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, smiling warmly. "This is Elara, my daughter. Your cousin."

Elara, a small child of about five years, looked up at Ethan with wide, curious eyes. She curtsied clumsily, her voice soft and a little uncertain. "It's a pleasure to meet you, cousin Ethan."

Ethan smiled gently, crouching down to her level. "The pleasure is mine, Elara."

Ethan nodded, smiling at her. "The pleasure is mine, Elara."

Lucia, who had been watching the exchange with a keen eye, stepped forward. "Amara and Elara will be going to the noble meet. I thought it would be good for you to get to know your family better."

"Mother, Aunt Amara, why wasn't Elara introduced to me before now? We've been family all along, yet I never knew she existed until today. Is there a reason for that?" Ethan asked the most obvious question.

Amara's warm smile faltered slightly with her expression becoming more somber. Lucia exchanged a quick glance with her sister before addressing Ethan's question.

"Well" Lucia began with her tone measured. "Elara was kept away for her safety due to her special circumstances."

Amara nodded, taking over the explanation. "Elara's existence was kept a secret from most because she was born under... difficult circumstances. She can be easily targeted due to her ability. To protect her from being exploited or targeted by those who would seek to use her for their own gain, I kept her hidden, away from the public eye, and even from much of our family."

Ethan frowned slightly, processing the information. "But why now? Why reveal her presence to me now and bring her here? If you want her to be hidden why not hide her forever" Ethan said asking for the information.

Lucia stepped forward, her expression softening and she was to ready to reveal it. "Well, I have been informed by Freya that certain assassins have been hired to kill both of you and I intended to take you closer to me to the nobel's meet along with me. With me and Amara you both will be safe. "

"Who is Freya " Ethan asked confused and unfamiliar with her name.

"For god's sake, Ethan. She was my maid, I have been introduced to her like 4 times and you keep on forgetting her. I also heard how you fought with naix members " Lucia facepalmed remembering her son almost got himself killed.

"Well somehow I feel bad for forgetting " Ethan replied while scratching his cheek.

Before Ethan could respond, the door opened again, and Kimora walked in with a smirk on her face. "Ah, I see the family reunion has begun without me."

Lucia chuckled, gesturing for Kimora to join them. "Not at all, Kimora. You're just in time."

Kimora sidled up next to Ethan, leaning against him slightly. "So, what's going on? Introducing more potential brides for our dear Ethan?"

Ethan shot her a look, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Don't start."

Amara had smiled mischieviously. "Not quite. Elara is Ethan's cousin, Kimora, though I'm sure she'd make an excellent daughter-in-law for Ethan though."

Lucia laughed softly, though there was a slight annoyance in her fac. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Amara. Ethan is still young."

Amara nodded, her expression turning more serious. "Of course but Elara is even younger that's not stopping any shipping wars though. But it's important that we all get to know each other, especially now. Our family needs to be strong, united. For the sake of the future."

Ethan felt the weight of his mother's words and nodded. "You're right Aunty. I'll do my best to be the man this family needs."

"Aunty? I like the sound of it My dear nephew. What a fine man " Amara said as she gave her nephew a quick hug as she shoved her well endowed chest near his face.

Lucia smiled, reaching out to touch his cheek affectionately away from Amara as well as ignoring her with a malicious air in her stopping Amara. "I know you will, Ethan. I have complete faith in you."

"Ethan, darling," Lucia called out, her voice light and teasing, "you should change as well. We have a noble meet soon, and you can't be in those simple clothes all there."

"Eh? "Ethan blinked, suddenly realizing that he would have to change in the same room. To be fair he had not thought a head. It sure looked like a wet dream, but it was a wet dream he wasn't prepared. So it made him quite awkward. He tried to keep cool