“What?” Adam asked, blinking towards his brother.

“Five thousand gold,” Jurot replied. “She will accept the proposal if I offer five thousand gold to her as the dowry.”

“I should have expected her to have a taste for gold considering…” Adam leaned back in his chair, feeding his sister a piece of torn bread, refusing to let her go. The evening glow blanketed the shared estate, the four within one of the empty rooms of the Rot section.

“We can afford it,” Sonarot said.

“She wishes for her father to be taken care of within the Iyr.”

“He will become your father…” Sonarot stared within her son’s eyes, noting a flash of sadness within them, though he forced it away a moment later.

“Doesn’t that mean we’ll get a new sister?” Adam asked. “Lanababy, do you hear that? You’ll get your own sister!”

“Kaka?” Lanarot asked, her face full of shock and delight, the same face she had made when Jurot said he would buy the entire bakery’s worth of bread for her many days ago.

“Maybe? Do you want to go and meet her?”

“Yes!”

“Well, we need to the money for her first, don’t we?”

“I have money, papa!”

“You do?”

“I have five gold,” Lanarot said, holding up her entire hand.

“Five gold? Oh my gosh! That’s so much gold!” Adam gasped, kissing her nose. “Then we only need a thousand more of those and we can see your kaka.”

“I have more!”

“You do?”

“Yes! I have…” Lanarot fell still for a long moment as she thought. “Three?”

“You have three gold?” Adam gasped. “So much gold!”

‘What happened to the two gold?’ Jurot thought.

“Let’s go find even more gold, shall we?” Adam asked, picking his sister up, onto his shoulder. Konarot glanced towards her father, watching as he carried her aunt out of the estate.

“I’m not bothering you, am I?” Adam asked, noting Elder Zijin place away his books, while Churot glanced up towards Adam.

Zijin raised his hand, reaching out to hold Lanarot’s for a moment. “What is it that you require.”

“Well, about what I’ve been enchanting…”

Meanwhile, Sonarot and Jurot spoke within the room, the woman brushing her son’s hair tenderly. She remained silent, noting the way her son gave in to her gentle touch. Her thoughts fell to Surot, who was still missing, presumed dead. She pulled her son’s head to her bosom.

“My Jurot…” Sonarot brushed her son’s cheek repeatedly, seeing her husband’s face upon his own. She leaned down to kiss his forehead, at the centre of his tattoo.

Jurot’s ears turned red as his mother embraced him. He thought of embracing her in return, and his arms slowly unpeeled, only to reach up to hold onto his mother’s forearm, feeling how thick it was. ‘Strong…’ He recalled the feeling of being a little boy within his mother’s arms, which were so thick and wide even back then. A small smile encroached upon his lips.

A knock at the door distracted them for a moment.

“…”

“…”

“Can I come in?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” Sonarot replied.

While Zijin marked a note within his black book at the Elder’s estate, Adam walked in to see Sonarot embracing her son. It caused him to freeze in place for a moment as the image struck him in the gut, before his lips formed a guilty smile, blinking away the burning within his eyes. He seared the image within his mind for a moment. “Should I send word to Pam that you’re getting married?”

“What?”

“I can cast Sending to let her know we have the five thousand.”

“It should be discussed with grandmother,” Jurot said. “Five thousand gold is much gold.”

Adam waved his hand. “The business will pay the five thousand gold.”

“What?”

“Pam will help with baking within the fort now and again, we can consider this an upfront investment.”

“It is not an investment.”

“It’s an investment into our Executive’s business.”

“The business’ funds should be used for the business.”

Adam glanced towards Sonarot. ‘Look at this guy, huh?’ “Jurot. I’m saying that I’ll hand over the five thousand gold, I’m just using the business as a front to make it look better.”

Jurot narrowed his eyes. “You do not need to give so much gold.”

“If the family doesn’t want to pay for it, I will. If th-,”

“You are family,” Jurot corrected.

“No, I mean…” Adam paused. “You know what I mean, Jurot, stop busting my damn balls and accept the gold.”

“It is too much?”

“Oh, what, you’re too good for my gold now?”

“No.”

“Check this guy out, eh, Aunt? He thinks he’s a big shot now that he’s about to marry, but don’t you forget, I was proposed to first.”

“Will you marry Vonda?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s not turn this around,” Adam replied, holding up his hands. “Now, do you want me to send word to her or what? I mean, quicker we do it, quicker she’ll come here and you’ll-,” Adam slapped his thigh, taking in a sharp inhale. ‘Come on, bro, that’s your brother and his wife. Don’t be weird.’ “The quicker the pair of you are married, the quicker I can spoil my nieces and nephews. It’s not fair that you get to spoil your nieces and nephews but I don’t have any to spoil.”

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“You have your own children.”

“Yeah, and that’s not fair so you should have your own children too.”

Jurot blinked from Adam making so much sense. “…” He glanced towards his mother, who adored him so tenderly for his entire life, for support. However, there was one thing Jurot hadn’t taken into consideration.

“You should marry quickly so I may spoil more grandchildren,” Sonarot said, having picked her words carefully.

Adam flushed slightly, crossing his arms. ‘The Rot family will definitely be the death of me.’

“Okay,” Jurot replied, unable to refute his mother’s words.

Adam grabbed his amulet, calling out the words to prayer.

Mana: 25 -> 22

Spell: Sending

“Pam! It’s me, Adam. Jurot’s brother, the one with the purple armour. Anyway, Jurot says he has the five thousand gold. So, what-,” Adam felt the magic fade as he continued, “do you…” ‘Oh. Right. Twenty five words…’

‘Hello? Adam? Is this your priestly magic? Jurot said he has the gold? Am I dreaming?’

Adam raised a finger before calling the words to a prayer.

Mana: 22 -> 19

“Priestly magic indeed. It’s Sending. Anyway, yeah, five thousand gold. Jurot’s got it. When do you want it? How do you want to receive it?”

‘Impressive,’ Jurot thought, having counted exactly twenty five words.

‘If that’s true, that’s wonderful news. However, I don’t trust voices in my head. I will believe it when I see the five thousand gold.’

“She says she doesn’t entirely believe me, she wants to see the five thousand gold.”

“Okay,” Jurot said.

“Okay?”

“Okay,” Jurot confirmed. “I will take the gold to her.”

“Should I send Jonn to take the gold?”

“I will take it.”

“Alright,” Adam said, his lips forming a wider smile.

“Thank you, Adam.”

“Any time,” Adam replied, patting his back. “What are brothers for?”

Jurot could only hope one day he could repay Adam. “Will you inform her we shall bring the gold soon?”

“Of course.”

The trio eventually stepped out, with Mirot catching Sonarot’s eyes, and the pair exchanging a series of expressions. Mirot’s lips formed a small smile.

“Sky is my woof now,” Lanarot informed the children, beginning to inform the children about how much she played with the wolf.

“Look!” Jirot said, pointing to the page to Vonda. “Is my name. Jiwoh.”

“What a pretty name it is,” Vonda confirmed.

“I am not puhritty, I am coot.” The girl brushed her hair behind her ear. “So booteafull.”

“That’s right. Pretty means beautiful too.”

“It is?”

“Yes. Would I lie to you?”

“You are not Iyrman.”

Vonda smiled. “I am not.”

“I am Jirot. You are not. Okay?” Jirot held up a finger threateningly. “You undahstand?”

“That is right.” Vonda brushed the girl’s hair, causing the girl to pull back, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“Don’t bully Ray Vonda, you smelly girl,” Adam picked up his daughter, reaching out a hand to Jarot, who was drawing beside Karot.

“Daddy,” Karot said, revealing his picture.

“Wow! What did you draw?”

“Flowers,” the boy said.

“What amazing flowers they are! The best flowers!” Adam smiled wide. “My son is such an artist, isn’t he, Ray Vonda?”

“He is.” Vonda smiled towards the boy, who flushed red from the attention, returning back to his drawing.

“Daddy, I can see babo?” Jirot asked.

Adam pouted slightly. “How can I deny you, my darling daughter?”

“No.” Jirot confirmed, a smug smile across her face.

‘I can’t keep giving in to her, otherwise she’ll become spoiled.’

Vonda could see Adam’s defeated face as he forgave the girl within his heart since she was so cute.

Adam approached the estate with his twins, noting Jurot was already there. Jarot had his grandson’s head against his chest, a wild grin across his face. Their eyes met for a moment. Then the old man’s eyes fell to the pair of children.

“My greatchildren!”

Mulrot smiled, allowing the children to adore her husband, before she reached up a hand to rub Adam’s head. “You have done so much, Adam.”

“What did I do?”

“Will you tease me even now?”

‘What did I do?’ Adam thought. “I just don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mulrot paused for a moment. ‘Adam is Adam.’ “Come with me.”

‘Are they going to kill me now?’ Adam followed the older woman to the side.

“Will you take Jarot with you? He is not feeling well here.”

“The old man?” Adam asked. “Is he okay?”

“He is fine, but he misses his greatchildren.”

‘Don’t they come here all the time? Is the old man that sensitive?’ “Sure, I mean, it’s not like he can’t come to the shared estate whenever he wants.”

“He is a fool who needs to be told to go, but he will fight with me. He will not be able to refuse if you ask, or if his greatchildren ask.”

“I can do that no problem.”

Mulrot reached up to brush his hair. “Thank you, my boy.”

Adam flushed red. ‘Your boy?’ “Any time, grand…” Adam furrowed his brows. “Grandaunt?”

“If it is so,” Mulrot replied, still ruffling his hair. “Why did you lend so much money to Jurot?”

“I’m allowed to spoil my brother, aren’t I?”

“He is not your child.”

“Family is family, and I didn’t lend it to him, I gave it to him.”

Mulrot brushed Adam’s cheek, her wrinkled hand feeling his smooth fae skin. “You are to marry Vonda?”

“Well, I don’t know about that…”

“Jirot has mentioned she is your daughter often.”

“Yeah?”

“She says you are her daddy and sometimes you are her mommy.”

Adam cleared his throat. “Of course, since I give her enough love for two parents…” The guilt filled Adam once more.

“Who can deny such?” Mulrot smiled wider. “Let us return.”

“How’s Kiara?” Adam asked as they stepped back.

“She is well. She is working well and is enjoying her time within the extended estate.”

“I told her that it was better at the extended estate, but you know how teenagers are.”

“What trouble will Jirot cause you when she is such?”

“What do you mean? She’s going to stay small and cute forever!”

“No!” Jirot said, pointing at her babo, before cackling.

“Why are you bullying your babo so much?” Adam asked. “Save some for when he’s at our estate.”

“With this leg of mine?”

“What do you mean that leg of yours? If it’s such a big bother, you should come to the main estate.”

“Hmph! I must remain in the extended estate, my place is here.”

“Do you hear that, Jirot, Jarot? Babo does not want to stay with you in the shared estate.”

“Why not?” Jirot pouted.

“My Jirot…” Jarot pulled the girl to his chest. “How can your father say this, it is not true!”

“Daddy, you ah lying?”

“Lying? When have I lied?” Adam huffed. “You heard him with your cute ears didn’t you? Old man, are you coming to the estate or what? Jirot, Jarot, you miss your babo don’t you, tell him to come with us.”

Jirot held up her finger like a blade. “You must come, okay?”

“Since my greatdaughter has asked, I must,” Jarot said, kissing her forehead, embracing the twins tighter.

Adam winked towards Mulrot, who smiled. ‘That’s why I’m codenamed The Father, not you, Old Geezer.’

Adam hadn’t realised what a mistake he had made. For in the Iyr, many years before Adam poofed within the world, someone else was well known for causing a mess within its borders and outside.

That evening, the old man had moved the pieces, the Slumbering Claw shifting to the Waking Claw.

“No!” Jirot hugged her father tight. “Daddy is my daddy!”

“Jirot, you…”

“You cannot have my daddy!” the girl shrieked.

The old Jarot kept his hand upon his knee. ‘Have I caused too much trouble this time?’ Yet, seeing his greatdaughter act up…

‘I will forgive you, just this once.’

Konarot glanced towards Vonda suspiciously.

“I’ll still be your daddy, you smelly girl!”

“No!” Jirot said, pointing up her finger like a blade once more. “Yes!”

“Ray Vonda doesn’t want to steal me away from you.”

“No!” Jirot turned towards Vonda once more, holding up her finger threateningly. “Cannot!”

“You smelly girl…” Adam rubbed his forehead. He was still partly stunned by Vonda asking his children to marry him, his heart thundering within his chest. ‘Damn it.’

“If your father does not marry, how will you have a mother?” Jarot asked, sipping his tea innocently.

“Mother?” Jirot asked. “Mommy?”

Adam’s eyes snapped to the old man. He had a sneaking suspicion the old man had something to do with this. ‘The day he comes here, somehow Vonda pops the question?’ “Babo is right.” Adam winced. “If daddy marries her, then Vonda will become mommy, I mean, mummy.”

“No!” Jirot held up her finger once more to her father. She tilted her head down, her eyes glaring up towards her father, threatening to cry. “Daddy cannot. Daddy not marry. Cannot. Vonda is mommy.”

“What, you think you can make deals with me? You’re a hundred years too early.” Adam pulled her up to kiss her nose. “You little punk! She has to marry me to become your mommy.”

“No!” Jirot’s face scrunched up angrily, before she pointed at her father, on the verge of tears. “Bad daddy! No good!”

Adam brushed her hair, and the pair embraced. “Oh, my baby Jirot.”

“Mommy?” Little Jarot blinked, his eyes turning to face Vonda. His eyes took in the sight of her face, noting her rough lower lip, the pale skin on her skin below. His lip trembled and he began to cry.