"Babies! Babies!"
Artoria sprinted ahead, golden hair bouncing with every step, her poor little maid struggling to keep pace behind her. Bursting into the nursery, the one-year-old girl slammed to a sudden halt before the cribs. Her bright eyes squinted.
And then—her nose crinkled. A look of visible distaste twisted across her otherwise perfect face.
"So ugly!"
Her judgment was swift. Brutal. Delivered with the unshakable certainty of a child who had never once been corrected about her own beauty.
Compared to herself—who had been born luminous, porcelain-pale and radiant like moonlight—the two newborn boys looked like… well, babies. Wrinkled. Red. Their tiny fingers curled like they didn't yet know how to be human.
Artoria stuck out her tongue. "They look like prunes!"
"Hehehe~~"
Argus's laugh came from the side, as he leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, expression amused.
"Artoria," he said mildly. "That's not a nice thing to say about your brothers. Be kind."
Artoria pouted, lips forming a small heart. "But Father, just look at them! They're all squishy and weird."
"So were you, once," came another soft voice—Serena, smiling gently as she stepped in after her husband.
"Liar. I wasn't like this in the start," Artoria sniffed, lifting her chin.
Shella and Shally entered just behind Serena, both of them drawn by the noise. Shella, ever calm and stoic, folded her arms with a faint smirk, while Shally giggled behind her hands.
"She really is like a tiny queen," Shally whispered to her sister. "Did you ever talk like that when we were little?"
Shella snorted. "If I had, I'd have gotten smacked."
Artoria, noticing the two, immediately struck a pose—chin high, arms crossed, as if daring them to challenge her rule. "They're my brothers," she said imperiously. "That means they serve me."
"Serve you?" Shally blinked.
"Yes! One will be my right hand! One my left!" She jabbed a finger at each newborn. "Gawain and Agravain. Isn't That's their names now. Father, said it!"
Argus chuckled again, ruffling her hair.
Serena raised an eyebrow. "You've already decided?"
Argus nodded, walking over to the cribs. The boys were sleeping—barely. Gawain's little fists twitched. Agravain had already started sucking his thumb, a peaceful look on his face.
"They're not monsters," Argus said. "Not like our little Lily. But they don't need to be.But, they will be Loyal. Enduring. Good bones."
He turned to the others.
"The eldest will be called Gawain. The younger, Agravain. From now on—"
He looked down at the twins.
"You will grow strong."
Artoria, watching with wide eyes, stepped forward solemnly. "I accept them."
Shella coughed into her fist.
"They are my brothers. They will protect the family." She paused. "And I will protect them."
Argus's gaze lingered on her, a flicker of pride crossing his features.
He nodded.
"Good. Then it's settled."
He turned to Serena, who was smiling but oddly quiet.
"Shall we go? Let them rest."
But before they could leave—
BOOM.
A thunderous voice rattled the windows.
"ARGUS!"
The floor vibrated.
Newgate appeared in the corridor like a charging mountain. His coat flared behind him. His hair billowed like a storm cloud.
Argus raised a hand. "Calm down, brother. Everyone's safe. Both mothers. Both children. Healthy. Gawain and Agravain."
Newgate blinked, then grinned, baring teeth.
"Gawain and Agravain, huh?"
He understood immediately.
"Knights for the princess," he said. "I like it."
"Not everyone can be kings," Argus replied. "But they'll be enough."
Newgate's laugh boomed. "Gurararara! Damn right they will!"
He slapped Argus on the back hard enough to almost stagger him. "I'll get them the best damn trainers in the New World! Sword, spear, shield, the works!"
Shally stepped forward timidly. "Can I hold one?"
"Gently," Serena said, motioning her over.
Shally picked up Agravain carefully, cradling him in her arms. Shella watched, then glanced at Gawain.
"He's glaring already," Shella muttered.
Artoria smirked. "He knows."
Argus gestured toward the hallway. "Come. We'll rest. The house needs to eat."
"Rest? Hell no!" Newgate wrapped a massive arm around his brother. "Two new nephews in one day? We're throwing a banquet!"
"Oh, please not more meat..." Shally muttered.
"More meat!" Newgate roared.
Argus didn't resist as he was pulled down the corridor, laughter echoing between them.
Serena stayed behind. For a moment, she simply stood at the edge of the nursery, watching her daughter kneel beside the cribs.
Artoria was whispering something to the boys. She held Gawain's hand in one of hers. Agravain had his fingers latched around her pinky.
"You're mine now," she told them quietly. "I'll protect you. So you better grow fast."
Serena's heart swelled—not with jealousy, but something harder. Something steadier.
Resolve.
She looked at the two boys. Then to her daughter. And finally to the door where her husband had vanished with the force of nature that was Edward Newgate.
"Lily," she said softly.
"Yes, Mother?"
"Do you love your father?"
Artoria tilted her head. "Of course. He's Father. He's the best."
Serena nodded. "Then love your brothers the same way. They are your sword and shield. And you will be theirs."
Artoria nodded. "I will."
Serena smiled faintly and walked out. She caught up to the group in the corridor, just as the feast was being ordered.
The house roared with energy. The fires were lit. Cookfires billowed. Drums were beaten. Word spread.
Two new heirs.
The Edward family had gained two more pillars.
Serena walked quietly beside her husband as the festivities were prepared.
Then, in a whisper, she asked:
"Husband."
Argus glanced at her.
"Do you think... it is time to take another concubine?"
His brow lifted. "Why do you ask?"
"The numbers," she said simply. "The foundation is still thin."
Argus was quiet for a moment, then nodded.
"Soon."
Serena looked away, content with that answer. Not jealous. Not afraid.
Only determined.
She would be the rock.
He would be the storm.
And together, they would raise a legend.
(CHAPTER END)