"Enjoy, my loves..." Zephyr said, his eyes alight with pride as he presented our first meal as a married family.
""Hmm..."" Anna and I murmured in unison, our mouths watering.
We were each given a plate of long pasta covered in a delicious-smelling red tomato sauce and thick chunks of melted cheese on the top. We dug in with a fork, and after failing to manage the slippery noodles for a while, Zephyr gently took my fork and showed us both. "Just twirling it, princess, that's the way."
He was right on the money. A small, neat tower of the pasta was now steady on my fork. It was our first family recipe for sure, and it was absolutely delicious. It reminded me of tomato soup but was so much richer. The small chunks of meat perfectly blended with the sauce, and the generous layer of cheese made it all the better. So much so that once the cheese was gone from the top, I immediately reached for more.
"It's amazing, Dad..." Anna loved it just as much, her face red with the sauce in a large circle around her adorable lips.
"She is right, my love... is it from the books?" I asked, savoring the subtle, unexpected flavor.
He shook his head and sat down. "Marcus told me about it... he was certain I was going to love it."
I froze a little, hearing the creeper's name. The taste in my mouth suddenly turned metallic.
Luckily, Zephyr was too busy wiping our daughter's face to notice the flicker of unease on mine.
"I like the guy, you know... I mean, he is a creepshow for sure, with those intense eyes, but still, the man knows his food and can fight." He looked happy and content, and I managed to erase the unease from my face in time. I had nothing to worry about now; after all, the man was already gone.
Carlos had confirmed it through the door earlier—Marcus had indeed left Emet after saying his goodbyes.
"I see... so where does this particular dish hail from?" I asked, trying to sound genuinely curious about the food, not the man.
He shook his head as he plated himself, bringing an entire bowl of cheese that we all deeply appreciated.
"He didn't say... just that it's something easy to make and made by some person he respects. It doesn't even have a name... Uh, uh, hot!" he put a forkful into his mouth too quickly and had to cool it while chewing.
Ilianna, ever the responsible one, now wiped her father's face while sharing some cheese with him. I decided to follow my own advice and put the unsettling thought of Marcus out of my mind. Worrying about something that could be... well, anything, was pointless now. I would just thank the man in my thoughts for this delicious recipe.
~
After we ate and rested a little, well, we got bored. Domestic bliss was apparently a fleeting thing.
"Let's grab some drinks in the tavern," I suggested.
He agreed since, even though it was dark outside, it was only late afternoon. We dressed warm and decided to walk it. With no strong winds or snow, the walk was invigorating.
"Vistellia will be busy," Zephyr commented, linking his arm through mine.
"I told her last year to retire and concentrate on being a healer... anyone can marry the couples next week." I shook my head.
Traditionally, a week after the ceremony, the other couples' weddings occurred. Unfortunately, this time, it would be much sooner due to the sheer volume. With seventeen couples waiting, and none wanting to share their special day, it was going to be a busy month for Granny, who had married the couples for as long as I could remember.
"How many were at the main ceremony last year?" Zephyr asked, already carrying the Princess, who was far removed from the snow and mud.
"Only three. It was right after the ceremony, too, one after another. We were invited to all of them, like always, because Granny officiated." I answered, holding his hand.
"Damn... seventeen couples... even if they go one after another... wait." He stopped us and let my previous words play once more. "We are going to attend all of them!? All bloody..."
"Seventeen... yes, my love. Besides, it's not just Granny," I kept dragging his astonished self because the cold started to penetrate the layers I had on. "...it wouldn't look good not showing up. These people look up to you, darling. You're the Master of Emet now."
The sad truth was that we would probably be invited at the very least to every single event from here on out. The price of leadership was endless social obligations.
We comforted a distraught man as we made our way to the tavern, who had apparently lost his cloak to some drunkards.
"""Hey!!""" The people gathered cheered for us as we walked in, including our own people who sat at the long tables.
"Look at the Astoria family! Little Lady, how do you feel about your parents' marriage?" Alexander turned to the little girl, who ignored her uncle and ran towards Ciren and her friends.
Zephyr leaned into Alexander's still extended hand. "She is gone, Alex."
Demelza supported her dejected husband and gave us a cheeky smile. "Be honest... if it weren't for Anna... you two...?"
""Yes."" We answered in perfect synchronization, grinning.
Neither of us had thought through the practical impossibility of a proper, discreet wedding night with Anna in the house! Considering how satisfied we both were, the actual decision-making happened with our daughter safely outside.
Zephyr handed a bag full of clothes to a pouting, middle-aged man—Carlos. "Stop being a baby... it's unbecoming of an illustrious member of the house of Em."
His word turned him back to his usual self.
"Well said, Zeph. Now, after I change, we begin your new life with our first competition as Rivals... details forthcoming." He took the bag and ran away, excited at the prospect of a new challenge.
I watched Mother's happy smile and leaned closer to Zephyr. "Can we tell her... you know, about Carlos and the divorce?"
He turned and kissed me before answering. "Not just yet... he still hasn't... you know, gone to Dharma. What if he chickens out?"
"Then you will drop him from the freaking moons, understand?" I said, only half-joking.
He nodded seriously. "Yes, darling."
"What are you two whispering about?" Mother's face was uncomfortably close before we even noticed her.
""Sex.""
"Ew... get a grip, you two!" Demelza pretended to be self-righteous.
""Stalker..."" Zephyr and I chorused.
"You told him!" Demelza turned her fury onto Alexander.
"I slipped up, beautiful one..." he pulled her closer, resting his head on her shoulder. "...it was Secret Hour."
"""ALEXANDER!!!""" The shout came from Lucian, Manata, and Zephyr, who were quick to stand up, demanding to know what he meant.
"""Secrets Hour?"""
They exchanged looks.
"Tell them..."
"We won't tell them..."
"God damn you, Jartok..."
"""There's nothing to tell.""" The three men sat back down, giving nasty looks towards Alexander, the large man hiding behind his much smaller wife.
The whispering began again, this time all around us, forming new pairs of conspiracy.
"Does Lucian still have nightmares about marrying Mother?" I asked Zephyr as silently, as I was able.
He just nodded while taking a cup filled with cider. I watched with narrowed eyes, knowing the others never knew he told me everything. That invaluable dirt on the people closest to us was another family tradition, one I now happily shared.