The sitting room was aglow with the warmth of the firelight, its flickering shadows dancing across the richly adorned walls. The three of them—Elric, Mara, and Lilia—sat entwined on the grand sofa, their postures relaxed and intimate. Elric was in the center, Mara curled into his side, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, while Lilia was tucked into his other side, her arm draped casually over his chest. It was a scene of quiet closeness, the kind of bond forged over years of love and shared history.
Mara traced small patterns on Elric’s chest with her fingers, her voice soft as she broke the silence. “Do you remember the day we left the capital? It feels like a lifetime ago.”
Lilia smiled faintly, her emerald eyes glimmering in the firelight. “How could we forget? It was the first step toward the life we dreamed of together. Though, at the time, it felt like madness.”
Elric chuckled, a deep, comforting sound that made both women relax further into him. “Madness or not, it was the best decision we ever made. The capital was stifling. The politics, the constant scrutiny... None of it mattered compared to being with you two.”
Mara tilted her head up to meet his gaze, her golden eyes shimmering with emotion. “You fought so hard for us, Elric. I’ll never forget that.”
The memory was a vivid one for all of them. Mara and Lilia had been noblewomen of high standing, each commanding respect and admiration in their own right. But their love for Elric had upended societal expectations. When they chose to marry him, a man who, despite his noble lineage, was considered far removed from the opulent circles of the capital, it had caused a stir.
“We gave up so much,” Lilia said, her voice wistful but free of regret. “The comforts of the capital, the life of luxury. But it was worth it. All of it.”
Elric turned to her, his hand finding hers and squeezing gently. “You gave up everything for me. For us. I still wonder how I was lucky enough to deserve either of you.”
“You deserved it because you loved us,” Mara said firmly, her hand resting over his heart. “You didn’t just see us as noblewomen or alliances. You saw us—truly—and you cherished us for who we are. That’s rare, Elric. And that’s why we chose you.”
Lilia leaned in closer, pressing a soft kiss to Elric’s cheek. “And because you love so deeply. You gave us a home, not just a house. Even when we left the capital and moved to that little village, it felt like we had everything because we had each other.”
Mara laughed softly, the sound warm and full of nostalgia. “That little house. Do you remember how small it was? I think the roof leaked every time it rained.”
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“And yet, you insisted on planting that garden,” Elric added, his lips curving into a smile. “You said it would make the house feel alive.”
“It did,” Mara whispered, her voice tinged with fondness. “That village was where everything began. It was where we started our family.”
Elric’s expression softened as he pulled Mara closer, his hand brushing through her hair. “And then Liam came along.”
At the mention of their son, both women smiled. Lilia rested her head against Elric’s shoulder, her fingers intertwining with his. “The day you found out Mara was pregnant... I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so nervous, Elric.”
“He was pacing the entire day,” Mara teased, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. “He wouldn’t stop asking if I needed anything. Water, food, rest... I thought he might faint from worry.”
“I was excited,” Elric admitted with a sheepish grin. “And terrified. I kept thinking, ‘How am I going to raise a child? How am I going to protect him?’ But when I held him for the first time... Everything else faded away. He was perfect.”
Mara’s gaze softened, her hand cupping Elric’s cheek. “He was our treasure. Our little Liam. Those early days in the village, just the three of us, were the happiest days of my life.”
Lilia smiled warmly, her hand resting lightly on Elric’s chest. “I remember visiting you both during those years. You were so radiant, Mara. You seemed so at peace.”
“And then you joined us,” Mara said, turning to Lilia with a fond smile. “I still remember how you arrived, looking every bit the noblewoman you are, and how you lit up our lives all over again.”
Elric’s gaze shifted to Lilia, his expression filled with quiet awe. “The day I married you, Lilia, was the second happiest day of my life. You brought so much love and joy into our family.”
Lilia tilted her head up, brushing her lips lightly against his. “And you gave me a daughter,” she said softly. “I still remember the way you held me when I told you I was pregnant. You were so worried, so attentive. It made me fall in love with you all over again.”
Mara laughed lightly, resting her head against Elric’s chest. “I remember that too. You wouldn’t let her lift a single thing. I think you even hired extra help for the house just so she wouldn’t overexert herself.”
“I’d do it all again,” Elric said, his voice steady and filled with conviction. “For both of you. For our children. You’re my world—everything I’ve ever wanted and more.”
The room fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire. The three of them sat entwined, their bodies pressed close, their hearts beating in harmony. It wasn’t just love that bound them—it was a lifetime of shared dreams, sacrifices, and unwavering devotion.
“We’ve come so far,” Mara murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “From the capital to that little village, and now to this estate. But through it all, the one constant has been us.”
Lilia nodded, her emerald eyes glistening with emotion. “And no matter where we go, as long as we’re together, we’ll always have everything we need.”
Elric kissed each of their foreheads in turn, his voice deep and full of emotion. “You two are my heart, my strength, and my home. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you always know that.”
As the fire crackled softly, the three of them remained in their embrace, the weight of their journey only deepening the bond they shared. It wasn’t just love—it was an unbreakable connection, a testament to everything they had endured and the family they had built together.