“I will discuss it tonight with Mira over tea,” Aella took a deep breath, “But I would say yes. I can’t refuse her.”
Arad looked at them, “What are you two going to talk about if you already agreed?”
“Like how you won’t stop at the two of us, or how could she end up in a ten years pregnancy.” Aella smiled, and Mira gasped. “Ten years?”
Aella nodded, “Probably more, but we will discuss the details over tea. For now, let’s get the rooms ready. I want you to help with the house as much as possible if you can’t do half.”
“The Lord said I would get servants to deal with that.” Arad looked at them.
“That is for when the letter gets back from the king.” Aella looked at Arad, “For now, we two need to take turns cooking and cleaning. As well as set a schedule and divide the rooms.” Aella smiled. She seems to have a lot in mind to talk about with Mira.
“I see,” Arad smiled, sitting on the couch and closing his eyes. “Just get it over with quickly.”
“It might take us a long time. You better find a place to sleep in.” Aella smiled, taking two large mugs of tea and heading toward Mira’s room, “Lyla will sleep in our room.”
Arad sighed, “I don’t mind. Don’t we have some empty rooms?”
“Yes, but they are empty for now,” Aella replied as she and Mira entered the room.
Arad looked around, “I guess I will sleep here.” He looked at the couch he was sitting on.
Lyla smiled. “Ara. Isn’t the bed in your room sized for two people? We can both fit there.”
Arad stared at her for a second, ^Mom, what do you say?^
[The couch is better. You also don’t require sleep now. You can spend the time in the dungeon or out hunting.]
^I see^
He looked at Lyla, “Fine by me.”
[Oi! What did I say!] 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝘭.𝘦𝑡
^I mean. She’s a Mom as well.^ Arad stared at Lyla. She walked to the kitchen and poured two large mugs of tea. “Should we sleep? Or do you have something to talk about?”
Arad looked at her, grabbed the mug, and took a sip. He watched her beside him. “What do mothers do?”
Lyla blinked, “What do you mean? Being mothers?”
“They don’t just exist.” Arad looked at her. “I do have a mother, but I’m sure our relationship isn’t like that of a human mother and a child.”
“You want to know what a human mother is?” Lyla looked at him, confused.
“I believe knowing what a mother is, what she should do, and how I should treat her would benefit me, Aella, Mira, and everyone else in the future.” Arad didn’t know what a mother was. To him, she gave birth to him and threw the egg in a forest, leaving him with a voice in his head.
What should a good mother look like?
How should she be treated before giving birth to the egg, and what after? Is throwing the egg in a forest the best course of action?
What if the child was born alive instead of an egg? How should he and the mother act?
“A mother is a woman who gave birth to a child and nurture it. And even if she didn’t raise the child, she is the mother.” Lyla looked at Arad, “But that doesn’t mean a woman that didn’t give birth can’t be a mother.”
Arad looked at her. “So Mira can be called a mother to Aella’s child since she help in raising it?”
“Yes, we call it stepmother. Remember Abel?” Lyla smiled, “Well, you can say I’m your mother now as well.”
“You are my mother?” Arad stared at her, his eyes opening wide.
“A mother-in-law, to be exact,” She patted his head, “So, rest assured. I will be here to support both Aella and Mira. They will be great mothers.”
Arad smiled, feeling relieved. Somehow, he didn’t want his children to live alone without their parents. It was a deep feeling engraved into him.
“How old are you?” Lyla looked at Arad, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. “Aella said you are younger than your look.”
“I’m about a month old. I was born a few days before we first met.” Arad replied with a smile.
“Oh my. A baby walking around, dragons are strange.” She looked at him again, “You don’t look like a baby?” She grabbed him by the head and pulled him to sleep on her lap, “Do you need a mother?”
Arad blinked twice as she pulled him in, “No, I’m strong enough to live.”
Lyla smiled. “No, you aren’t. There is no way you won’t need a mother by your side. I will teach you everything you need to know,” She combed his hair with her fingers.
Arad closed his eyes. “I guess so,”
“Thanks for saving Mira and me as well.” Lyla smiled. “Sleep well. You have a long life ahead of you, and I will be here if you need me.”
DING! Aella was talking with Mira inside the room when she could hear a droplet of water falling in the distance. She stood, looking left and right.
“What is it?” Mira asked, looking at the confused Aella.
“It’s quiet. The forest fell silent.” She stared out the window. Everything looked normal. It took her a few seconds to realize what went silent. Arad always released a faint aura in the house. It was the thing causing the forest to get engulfed in fog and keeping the bests in line.
That Aura has calmed down. But the wolves are sleeping. The effect didn’t wear out. It just calmed.
Aella rushed out of the room. “Arad!” Heading to the living room and seeing Lyla with a finger on her lips.
“Shhh! He fell asleep like a baby.” She stared at her, “Don’t scream. You’ll wake him up.”
Aella has never seen Arad sleeping like that.