Meanwhile.
In the courtyard.
Garius stood with Francesca's arm wrapped around his, looking at Javier's Pekko pen next to his personal workshop. They were accompanied by Hesbeirn and Gilmon standing respectfully nearby.
"Honey?" Garius said to Francesca.
"Yes?" Francesca glanced up and smiled at Garius.
"Looks like our youngest son's Pekko is building a nest for the others to lay eggs in," Garius observed, nodding toward the pen where Buddy was meticulously arranging fresh hay into a soft, circular bed in one of the sheltered corners.
"Mm… yes, dear."
Garius chuckled. "Heh… it took that 'muddy' this long to finally make all his partners lay eggs. Five years."
"Dear~" Francesca let out a soft chuckle. "Don't forget, by the time our youngest son got Buddy, Buddy and the others weren't fully grown Pekkos yet."
"Yeah… I know. But my Giddie is far better and cooler than that 'muddy.'" Garius smirked proudly.
