The morning room felt empty now that the family had left. Three days after the birthday, signs of the celebration still remained. The floating lights had dimmed, their glow barely reaching the dark wooden ceiling.
Silk and paper streamers drooped along the walls, their bright colours dulled by a thin layer of dust. A few enchanted figures remained on the mantelpiece, moving more slowly than before as their magic began to fade.
Morwenna sat in her high chair with Cinder curled on her lap. The fennec fox had long since grown too large for the space, but neither seemed bothered by the awkward arrangement. He had tucked himself into a ball of fur, his large ears flattened against his head and his russet tail curled around his black nose.
She ate her porridge with her left hand, taking her time with each spoonful as she watched the room. Her green eyes followed the shadows moving across the stone floor.
Aldric sat opposite her, a cup of tea beside his heavy, leather-bound book. The tea was growing cold, but he had yet to open the book. Instead, he watched Morwenna as she studied the room.
"You are very quiet this morning," he said.
Morwenna looked up, her silver spoon suspended in mid-air. A drop of milk fell back into the bowl. She swallowed before answering.
"Thinking."
"About what?"
She gestured towards the long oak table and its many empty chairs.
"They were full."
"Yesterday, they were. Today, some are still asleep. And some..." Aldric paused to take a look at his tea. "Some have to leave soon."
Morwenna stopped moving. Her eyes widened.
"Leave?"
"Your grandmother and I," Aldric explained. "We have business to attend to. We can't stay forever."
She placed her spoon against the rim of her bowl with a soft click. Her little face grew serious as she considered this.
"When?"
"This afternoon."
Her gaze moved from the empty chairs to her half-finished porridge, then to Cinder before settling on Aldric again.
"Why?"
Aldric put his book aside and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table so he could look her in the eyes.
"Do you know why your father is Head of House?"
Morwenna nodded. "Dada in charge."
"Yes. He leads the Keith family. He makes decisions, signs important papers, and speaks with the other families. But there are things he can't do alone. There are people to meet, distant places to visit, and old agreements to check. That's what your grandmother and I do. We help him."
Morwenna frowned, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar words.
"Help where?"
"Different places. We travel and meet people. We make sure things are ready for when you grow older."
"For me?"
Aldric smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
"Yes, little one. For you and your future. So when you are ready, everything will be in place."
Morwenna fell silent. Her fingers moved through Cinder's fur before she raised two of them.
"Two," she said firmly. "I'm two."
"I know."
"Gran-ma in France. Gran-pere in France. Vivi gone soon. You too." She counted each person on her fingers, getting the numbers mixed up, but her meaning was clear. "Everyone going."
Aldric reached across the table and took her left hand in his. His large palm was warm, and his grip was gentle.
"Not everyone. Your parents are here. Saoirse will be here a little longer. And we will come back. We promised your father, and we keep our promises."
Morwenna looked down at their joined hands.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She nodded, her white curls bouncing, then picked up her spoon and returned to her porridge.
Aldric watched her for a little while before picking up his book and pretending to read.
An hour later, Seraphina found them in the library, where the air smelled of old leather and beeswax polish.
Morwenna had pulled a large book from the lowest shelf. It was one of the ancient bestiaries, its vellum pages filled with paintings of creatures from distant lands. She sat on the thick Persian rug with the heavy volume open across her lap, her little legs hidden beneath its wide covers.
Cinder lay beside her in a patch of sunlight, his russet fur bright against the deep blue carpet. Morwenna pointed at the pictures with her left index finger, whispering in Parseltongue. Cinder's large ears turned towards her voice.
Seraphina paused in the doorway to watch them.
"She is telling him what the creatures are," Aldric said from a nearby armchair, his book resting face down on his knee. "Or what she thinks they are. I'm not sure which."
"Does he understand?" Seraphina asked.
"The fox? He probably understands more than we do."
She crossed the room and lowered herself onto the rug beside Morwenna, careful not to disturb her.
Morwenna looked up, her green eyes bright. "Gran-ma."
"Hello, my love." Seraphina brushed Morwenna's white curls away from her face. "What are you reading?"
Morwenna turned the book towards her grandmother. A strange creature filled the page, with too many legs and wings growing from impossible places. Its eyes were painted a vivid crimson.
"Bug," Morwenna declared.
"That's a very big bug."
"Big bug." Morwenna nodded, then studied the picture a little longer before looking up. "Real?"
"Very real. But they don't live here, darling. They live far away, in hot places called jungles."
Morwenna tilted her head, revealing the small crescent-shaped birthmark behind her left ear.
"Hot."
"Yes."
"Like summer?"
"A little like summer, but much hotter."
Morwenna seemed satisfied with that answer. She turned the page with her left hand, revealing a magnificent serpent coiled around a flowering tree. Gold leaf covered its scales, catching the light.
She hissed softly at the painted snake, forming clear words in Parseltongue.
Seraphina watched her with interest. "What did you say?"
Morwenna looked at her. "Told him sleep."
"You talk to the picture?"
"Mm." Morwenna nodded, then frowned at her grandmother. "You talk sss?"
Seraphina shook her head. "I can't, my love. I never learned how."
Morwenna's frown deepened.
"Gran-da talk sss."
"Yes. Your grandfather does. He was born with that gift. I wasn't."
Morwenna looked at the golden serpent, then back at Seraphina. She reached out and patted her grandmother's hand.
"That's okay."
Seraphina smiled and covered the little hand with her own.
"Thank you, little one."
Morwenna nodded and turned another page.
Lunch brought the family together again. Jack and Jane arrived first, followed by Aldric and Seraphina. Saoirse appeared at the last possible moment, her hair still damp from a quick shower.
The French side of the family ate in the morning room, their rapid conversation and occasional laughter carrying through the thick stone walls.
After lunch, Morwenna considered something for a moment, then climbed down from her chair. Her boots touched the rug with a soft thud. She immediately took Seraphina's hand and followed her towards the stairs.
Saoirse watched them go, her fork paused halfway to her mouth.
"He actually eats whatever she gives him," she said, raising her eyebrows. "Even the vegetables."
"He likes her," Jack replied.
"He likes everyone, Jack."
"No. He tolerates everyone. He likes her."
Saoirse glanced at Cinder, then at her niece. Morwenna was explaining something to the fox in a mixture of English and Parseltongue, moving her hands as she spoke. His ears turned towards every hiss.
"Huh," Saoirse said.
....
After lunch, the remains of the meal sat on the table, and the scent of roasted herbs lingered in the air. Aldric stood and glanced at the grandfather clock.
"We should pack. The carriage will be ready in two hours."
Seraphina rose from her chair, then looked at Morwenna, who was still busy picking up a stray crumb from her plate.
"Will you help me pack, my love?"
Morwenna looked up. "Help?"
"Yes. I need someone to make sure I don't forget anything important."
Morwenna considered this, then slid from her chair. Her boots landed on the rug with a soft thud. She took Seraphina's hand, her little fingers disappearing into her grandmother's palm, and followed her upstairs.
Aldric watched them disappear around the landing before turning to Jack.
"She is going to be something," he said quietly.
Jack stood beside him, his back against the wall and his gaze on the staircase. His thumb brushed over his signet ring.
"Yes."
"You know what I mean, Jack. Not just powerful. Something else entirely."
"I know."
Aldric studied his son, noticing the silver at his temples and the responsibilities he carried without complaint.
"You are doing well with her."
Jack said nothing, his gaze fixed on the staircase.
"She is lucky to have parents who see her for who she is," Aldric continued. "Parents who aren't afraid of what she might become."
For a moment, neither spoke. Then Jack asked, "Are you afraid?"
Aldric glanced towards the upper floor.
"No," he said at last. "I'm curious. I want to see what she does and how far she goes."
He paused, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"And what comes after."
Upstairs, Seraphina sat on the edge of the large bed. An open trunk of dark leather and brass rested on the floor, its velvet lining catching the light. Several neat piles of clothes lay nearby.
Morwenna stood in the middle of the room, looking around.
"Your things?" she asked.
Seraphina pointed to the piles. "There. I only need to put them in the trunk."
Morwenna walked over to the nearest pile. She examined the dark fabric, then looked at the open trunk.
"In there?"
"Yes."
She picked up a folded robe made of dark green wool. Silver embroidery shimmered across the fabric. Holding it carefully, she carried it to the trunk and dropped it inside.
"Good," she said with satisfaction.
Seraphina smiled. "Very good. Thank you."
Morwenna returned for another piece, then another. She carried each one with great care, her little face serious throughout the task. When the last pile was gone, she looked up at her grandmother.
"More?"
"That's all the clothes. Now I need the things on the dresser."
Morwenna crossed to the mahogany dresser. A silver-backed brush, a small jewellery box, and a photograph in a heavy silver frame rested on top.
She examined each item before picking them up.
The brush went into the trunk first. Next came the jewellery box, which she carried with both hands. Finally, she picked up the photograph.
Her thumb brushed the glass.
Jack and Jane stood frozen in a moment from their wedding day, smiling at each other as though nothing else in the world mattered.
"Mama," Morwenna said. "Dada."
"Yes," Seraphina replied. "That was their wedding day."
Morwenna ran her fingers along the ornate frame before placing it carefully on top of the green robe.
"All done."
Seraphina looked inside the trunk. Everything was there. The arrangement was far from her usual standard, but nothing had been forgotten.
"Perfect. You are very good at this."
Morwenna nodded.
"I know."
Seraphina laughed softly.
"I will miss you," she said.
Morwenna climbed onto the bed beside her and leaned against her grandmother.
"Come back."
"Soon. I promise."
They stayed together for a while as the afternoon sunlight fell across the room.
Aldric found them there an hour later. He paused in the doorway, looking at his wife and granddaughter. Cinder had followed them upstairs and was now curled up at the foot of the bed, his amber eyes half-closed.
Seraphina looked up and smiled at her husband.
"All packed?" he asked.
"With assistance." She nodded towards Morwenna. "She is very efficient."
Aldric crossed the room and sat on Morwenna's other side. She looked up at him, her usual frown softened by sleepiness.
"All done," she said.
"So I hear."
"You going now?"
"Soon. The carriage will be here shortly."
Morwenna studied Aldric for a long moment, as if trying to memorise his face. Then she reached up and placed her small hand against his cheek.
"Come back," she said.
Aldric covered her hand with his own. "We will."
"Promise."
"Promise."
Satisfied, she leaned against Seraphina again.
They stayed together until Tilly appeared at the door to announce that the carriage was waiting outside.
The entrance hall was full of people.
Jane's family had gathered to see the Keiths off. Celestine stood beside Lucien, her posture straight and her expression composed. Raphaël and Luelle waited nearby, while Elara stood slightly apart, watching Morwenna.
Viviane was there too. When Morwenna came down the stairs, she knelt and opened her arms. Morwenna walked straight into them, breathing in her familiar floral perfume.
Aldric and Seraphina waited by the front door in their travelling cloaks, their trunk beside them.
Jack stood with his father, speaking to him in a low voice. When they finished, they clasped hands before Aldric pulled his son into a brief, firm embrace.
Jane hugged Seraphina, holding her for a moment before letting go.
Saoirse hugged them both, made them promise to write, and threatened to visit without warning if they failed to do so.
Then it was Morwenna's turn.
She approached slowly, with Cinder trotting at her heels.
Aldric knelt in front of her and looked into her eyes.
"You be good for your parents," he said.
Morwenna nodded.
"And listen to Saoirse sometimes. Not all the time. Just sometimes."
Saoirse made a small noise of protest behind them, but Morwenna's lips almost curved into a smile.
Aldric reached into his pocket and took out a small wooden serpent, even smaller than the one she already owned. The dark wood was smooth, and its scales had been carefully carved.
"For when you miss us," he said. "Put it under your pillow. It will help you dream of good things."
Morwenna accepted it with both hands, running her fingers over the carving.
"Sss," she said.
"Yes."
She looked up at him. "Thank you."
Aldric kissed her forehead before standing.
Seraphina knelt in front of her next. She stroked Morwenna's white curls and touched her cheek, then gently held the little hand clutching the new serpent.
"My little one," she said softly, "you are the best thing that has happened to this family in a very long time. Don't ever forget that."
Morwenna met her gaze with her perceptive green eyes.
"I remember," she said.
Seraphina kissed her forehead, then stood and took Aldric's hand.
Together, they walked towards the door, their trunk following behind them. The door opened, letting in a rush of cool April air, and they stepped outside onto the drive.
Morwenna watched them go without moving. Cinder pressed against her legs, his fur warm against her skin. She held the little wooden serpent tightly in her hand.
The door closed with a heavy thud.
She remained where she was.
Jane knelt beside her but said nothing. She simply waited.
After a long moment, Morwenna leaned against her mother for a brief second before straightening up again.
"Gran-ma and Gran-da coming back," she said with certainty.
"Yes," Jane replied. "They promised."
Morwenna nodded and turned towards the stairs, Cinder following close behind.
At the bottom step, she stopped and looked back at the door, at the spot where her grandparents had stood only moments earlier.
"Bye," she whispered.
Then she climbed the stairs and disappeared from view.
.....
That evening, the manor felt quieter than usual.
Jane's family had retired to their rooms. The morning room stood empty, and only Jack remained in the library, reading beside the dying fire.
Saoirse found Jane in the kitchen, standing at the counter with both hands resting on the cool stone. Her gaze was distant, and her left thumb traced the edge of the small silver ring on her little finger.
Saoirse leaned against the doorframe.
"Are you all right?"
Jane didn't answer at once.
"She didn't cry," she said at last.
"Morwenna?"
"She watched them leave. She didn't cry or ask them to stay. She just said they were coming back, then went upstairs."
Saoirse crossed the kitchen and leaned against the counter beside her.
"She is two. Two-year-olds cry when they don't get the right-coloured cup. She didn't cry when her grandparents left because she trusts them. She knows they love her, and she believes they will keep their promise."
Jane remained silent for a while.
"When did you become so clever?" she asked.
Saoirse grinned. "I have always been clever. You just never listen."
Jane laughed softly. She was tired, but the laugh was genuine.
They stayed in the quiet kitchen together, neither feeling the need to say anything more.