Chapter 357: My 1st Gift To Azaire_Caelum On This Special Day

Elian;

My back hurts...

In the slow, persistent... deeply annoying way that makes me question all of my life choices and also consider bribing Goddess Thalyra for a spine replacement

I rub the bottom of my back with a quiet hiss as I shift my weight for the umpteenth time.

"Why are you sitting on my spine like that? There are other places to exist." I whisper as I cradle my stomach, and the little bun responds by kicking hard.

I groan before letting out a breath.

"Unbelievable..." I mutter, and silence responds to me.

My palm drifts under my stomach, and I lift it gently. It’s round, heavy, and warm.

I let out a small relieved breath, and chuckle at the state of me.

One would think by the third time this would be easier, but this little one is even more stubborn than the first was. And even dares to compete with my second pregnancy.

The baby kicks again, and I can’t help but smile this time.

"You’re so eager to get out of there, aren’t you? Don’t worry. There’s just one more month left..." I whisper as I start drawing soothing circles on my stomach.

I try to sit on the cushioned bench by the window, to stare at the peaceful courtyard below. It’s almost noon, and everything seems so peaceful.

Peace! That’s an expensive word to use or thing to experience these days.

But everything has been suspiciously calm all morning, maybe my husbands have finally—

A large crash comes from the next room, and I freeze— then I close my eyes.

"...Oh, come on!!" I whine as I realise I spoke too soon.

Another crash follows, and then the laughter of my little gremlins.

Oh, not again... They managed to slip out of their father’s sights again...

I push myself to my feet with one hand cradling my stomach and the other bracing my back, which I fear might give out any time soon.

"My back," I grumble, waddling faster than is dignified.

My back isn’t the only thing in shambles. At this point, both my spine and patience are a mess.

I round the corner of the hallway where I was, and make my way into the adjacent hall. However, the moment I push the doors open, I stop dead.

The statue that was just sculpted to commemorate BeastHeaven’s collaboration with Marineia is on the floor— broken, with pieces everywhere.

And in the middle of the chaos, are my daughter Azula and Serapha— Duelling with wooden swords, and running in circles. While shouting battle cries.

Oh heavens! These girls are going to be the end of me!!

King Wilhelm might have a heart attack if he sees this!!

My eyes drift back to the little balls of chaos carelessly running over the shards and pieces of the statue.

"AZULA, SERAPHA! Stop running about, you will hurt yourselves!" I scold as I waddle into the room, but they don’t stop. They don’t even flinch.

Serapha lunges forward with reckless enthusiasm, and her white hair bouncing wildly, and Azula dodges with that terrifying precision, eyes blazing with that dangerous calm she inherited from her father.

"I will defeat you, traitor!" Serapha declares dramatically, and I let out a breath.

Don’t girls have tea parties and play with dolls?? Why do my daughters insist on fighting imaginary battles?? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"You lack discipline," Azula replies with a scoff that’s too dramatic for her age, and for a second, I just shut my eyes.

They clash again— Wood smacking against wood, and I pinch the bridge of my nose.

I am carrying a child. My back is on fire. And my daughters are reenacting a war scene inside the palace.

I’m just one snap away from completely losing my mind...

"Girls," I try again, softer this time.

"Please. I am serious." I plead, but I watch as Azula leaps onto a chair, and Serapha flips over a fallen cushion.

Okay. That’s it. Words certainly aren’t going to work. I’m going to have to bundle these two mountain lions out of here and find a way to tender apologies to both the sculptor and King Wilhelm!!!

I step forward and place myself between them— attempt to separate them, but Serapha darts around, and Azula ducks under my arm as I try to catch her.

I wobble slightly as they giggle mischievously.

"Hey—!" I begin, but Azula grabs my wrist.

"Màpà! Join us! You’re the dragon!" She says, and I let out an exasperated breath.

"I am not a dragon—" I try to explain, but Serapha doesn’t let me land.

"Papa says you breathe fire when you’re angry!" She insists, tugging at my sleeve.

"That is not what that means—" I try again, but they pull me toward the centre of the room.

I glance at the broken statue. I inhale... then exhale, an dpress my lips together.

I am trying very hard not to scream, but this frustration might break me.

"Girls," I plead with my exhaustion bleeding through.

"I cannot fight right now. I am heavy. I am tired. And if I fall, you will both be grounded until the sun forgets how to rise." I add, and this time, they pause.

They actually pause, and then, my ever-smart-mouthed Azula narrows her eyes thoughtfully.

"You can be the injured king we are protecting." She suggests, and Serapha gasps in excitement.

"Yes! Don’t worry, Mapa! We’ll save you from the dragon!!" She chimes, and I blink.

"...Why am I injured?" I can’t help but ask despite myself.

"Because you are always injured when pregnant," Serapha states matter-of-factly, and Azula nods gravely, as if that is the most sensible thing anyone has ever said.

I stare at my children.

My traitorous, overly observant children.

I’m about to break down in tears and literally beg them to listen when the doors suddenly swing open.

Koda steps in, and he takes in the state of the room in one sweep of his eyes.

The broken statue, the wooden swords, me, and then the girls.

His jaw tightens, and immediately, I know I’ve been saved.