"Mother." I tie my robe as Lion and Lia walked behind the screen. "What are you two doing here?" I asked them. The ceremony had finished and I just washed up, not expecting to see them until the morning.
"We wanted to see you before bed." I kissed their heads. "You can come and greet me in the morning like always. Did you familiarize yourselves with the layout of the mansion?" They nodded. "Good."
"Bira." She walked into the room. "Take the young master and young lady back to their rooms." She nodded and they left with Bira. I grab the half mask I'd prepared. It wasn't like my usual full-face mask but tonight is the wedding night. Some things are needed and some aren't.
I enter the bedroom through the side door, and my now husband was already sitting at the small table, waiting. The black mask, he wore at the ceremony was on the table and he was pouring out wine in two glasses.
"I wasn't expecting such transparency from you immediately, your highness." I walk towards him as his white eyes with red flecks locked onto mine. He was sitting in a thin robe, showcasing his lean but muscular figure and that pale skin.
"We're married, now. You can call me by my name." He said as he stood and held out a cup to me. I take the cup. "I see no problem with that." We clicked glasses and drank the wine.
"I take it that you will not reveal your face to me as easily as I have." I smile. "That is correct, Kasian." I put down the cup. "I will respect your decision, then." He put down his cup as well and untied his robe.
"Shall we go to bed now?" He asked. "Are you trying to seduce me, Kasian?" He smirked and those pink lips of his, looked appealing. "Is it working, Ria?" He reached out and grabbed my waist, pulling me towards him.
"That depends." I wrap my hands around his neck. "What more can you do before we get to bed?" He brought a hand up and touched my neck gently. "Anything you wish." He leaned down and kissed me fiercely.
I pulled back, breathing heavily but he didn't stop and trailed kisses down my neck. He grabbed my thighs and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist. He placed me on the table and pulled back.
He untied my robe and push it off my shoulders. "Do you want me to continue or shall we head to bed?" I smile. "Why? Are not sure you can satisfy me on your first try?"
"Are you saying I can't?" He scoffed softly and reached between my legs. "Be glad I'm not tying you down right now." My smile widened. "Good start, Jade Prince."
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I woke up to Kasian's face nestled in the crook of my neck and one of his arms across my chest. I attempted to shift but his grip tightened and I felt a kiss on my neck. "Sleep a while longer. It's still early."
"The children will be here to greet me soon; I told them last night that this tradition of theirs doesn't need to stop if they didn'twantit to." I felt him nod and I run my fingers through his black hair. "So, I need to get up."
He placed another kiss on his neck before sitting up. I get out of bed and winced as pain shot up my legs. I get dressed in my inner clothes and washed up a bit before a knock sounded.
"Mother? Are you up?" Lia called out. Kasian walked out from behind the screen and placed a kiss on my forehead as I sat down by the table. "Come in." Kasian sat down on the other side of the table as the doors opened.
"Greetings, Mother and Father." Lion and Lia bowed as they greeted us. "We have a meeting gift for you Father." Lion said as he clapped his hands. Kole stepped into the room, bowed and then walked towards Kasian.
Lia walked over to me. "How was your sleep?" I asked her. "It was okay. It'll take a while before I can get used to it." I nodded and glance at Kasian looking at the open box.
"It's a sword made from cold steel and fialon minerals. My sister and I personally made it so I hope you will like it." Kasian stood up and took the sword from the box. He ran his fingers over it, inspecting it carefully.
"It's a good sword. Thank you. I had already sent your meeting gifts to your rooms last night, but I hadn't expected such a gift." He placed the sword back into the box next to the sheathe. "I'll definitely have to use this soon."
"Go get ready for breakfast, after breakfast I have to go into the Palace." The twins bowed. "Yes, Mother." They bowed to Kasian before leaving the room. Kole closed the door behind them.
"Do you tell them to call me Father?" Kasian asked curiously. "I teach my children practical things for their survival. They called you father out of respect, and you are their father now, due to our marriage."
"What of their biological father?" He asked. "What of your children's biological mothers?" He seemed taken aback for a moment. "I don't know." He finally answered. "The children's father isn't important. In any case, you won't worry about a random man popping up and claiming the children as his own." He nodded.
"Very well. The children seem very sensible. What are their hobbies? I can have someone prepare something extra as an addition to their meeting gift."
"Lion likes a few things but he especially loves to paint. His talent for it is exceptional. Lia loves music, she likes to use an eastern musical instrument called the zither. The one she has now is something I made myself, so you don't need to get her another one. She likes the harp as well."
"I heard of the zither. Its unique sound only occurs when the right materials are used. That rare but hardened silk and the bleeding tree. Both haven't been seen for years." I nod. "I got lucky in the east a few years ago, near the Feri Kingdom."
"I have a golden harp that was made for my daughter when I thought she had an interest in it. I can give it to Kaelia if there's no problem with that. I also have a new custom-made set of brushes made from fox fur and a mineral called gineal." I nod. "That's fine."
"Let's get ready for breakfast." He suggested.