The Circumstances of Percival de Villiers

I have a confession to make.

I did one of the most horrific things I could do to a wife.

Many excuses ran through my head. Shift the blame to King Yuri (he forced me!). Shift the blame to the young prince Alexious (I could not say no to those sad eyes!). Shift the blame to the page of stats, which astounded me in her development (She will fit in perfectly!). Shift the blame to young Lucina (Such a tiny body like a bear cub!).

But of course, the blame lies within myself. I should not push the blame onto others and shoulder the brunt of the fault.

I even thought to send a message, but one does not simply tell their spouse of an adoption by letter. I did not tell my wife that there was even a decision to be made, either. It all happened rather quickly; young Prince Alexious was rather fervent in his desire for us to meet. Though it was well within my right to oppose him, as a father, I could not help but feel for the boy’s solicitation. Apparently, she was his first crush according to Prince Teo; such a thing also pulled my paternal heartstrings.

I glanced over at my new child, who curled into a ball and slept under an army-issue quilt. When they mentioned her as a former duchess, I thought she would resent the scratchy blankets that were more for warmth than comfort, but she didn’t say a single word. Such an unusual noble girl.

She had no possessions outside a leather bag Alexious gifted her and some jewelry from her home, items she said lacked sentimental value and should be sold to help pay for anything we needed to purchase on her behalf. To think, a child her age acknowledging the cost of living! I had never seen such a thing! Even my oldest seemed to think money grew on trees!

Of course, Adira was not the type of woman to scorn the child. She would welcome Lucina as her own without question. It was the type of strength she held inside and one of the reasons I fell in love with her.

But even a woman with an endless loving heart like her would want notice. At the least, to prepare a room and arrange for a welcoming party.

And my children, ah, what would they think? It has been three years since young Minka passed. Lucina is the same age as she; would they think I tried to replace her? I hope not. But children see the world differently. I can only hope to properly explain that I simply could not leave the girl without a family.

Perhaps it was best to leave that talk to Adira; she would be able to figure out the best way to introduce Lucina to the children and I could follow her lead.

The Circumstances of Lucina de Villiers

“Lucina, we’re home.”

I groaned as the massive hand of Percival shook me awake. The journey finally caught up to me. All I felt was an overwhelming sense of fatigue.

“I’ll introduce you to Adira, my wife, first.”

I slapped my cheek and rolled my shoulders. It didn’t help me feel any more awake. Thankfully, all those etiquette lessons were second nature to me now. Even my sleep-addled self wouldn’t blunder any. I had to make a good first impression!

We arrived after nightfall. It was too dark to see the full span of General Percival’s lands. He guided me down a dirt road to a simple wooden stoop. As he opened the door, the smell of freshly baked rolls enveloped my face. My stomach growled loud enough the both of us heard it.

Percival laughed. “I’ll have you know, Adira’s rolls are second-to-none!”

“Val, is that you?” a loud voice boomed. “You’re back early?”

My eyebrows shot up. I thought Percival was loud? I heard Adira like she stood right next to me and yelled it!

Percival clamped his hand over his mouth like he was caught sneaking a cookie. He gestured to hide behind him.

This is weird. I obeyed. I don’t even see why I had to move; I may have well been an ant next to him.

“Adira, my love. You’re up late tonight.”

“I couldn’t sleep. There was just something that told me, I must bake tonight. Guess the Mother sought to foretell your arrival. Want some rolls? They’re about done. I just made some orapple preserves the other day too.”

He cleared his throat. “Well, I do have something important to tell you. And I must apologize in advance, for it is not in the best of circumstances I tell you this news.”

I wish I could see Adira, but all I could see was Percival’s broad shoulders.

“News is news. Get it on out and we can figure out how to deal with the issue.”

“Yes.” He nodded twice. I could see his elbows move as though he tugged at his beard. “I have adopted a child.”

Silence.

Several heartbeats later, Adira spoke. “Come out with you. I wish to see if I have a son or daughter.”

Seeing it as my cue, I stepped from behind Percival and acted with my utmost perfect performance of etiquette. I curtsied and bowed my head. “I thank the Mother for blessing us with this meeting.” Wait, was meeting the right thing to say? Should I have said something like, thank you for adopting me? “I would also like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to become a part of your family.” Oh, that sounded too presumptuous! What if she doesn’t like me and doesn’t want to adopt me?

And also, why didn’t Percival tell her such a thing? I knew he hadn’t, because she wouldn’t have asked if I were a son otherwise! Don’t tell me he’s one of those meatheads that are all muscle and no brain!

I raised my head and saw Adira for the first time. She and Percival made a perfect couple. Just like him, she had large muscles, though not as massive as his, still way more than any lady I've ever seen. The straight posture and hand resting lightly on her hip also spoke to a no-nonsense attitude. I doubt anyone could get much past her. But her dark yellow eyes also held a warmth to them, like the gentle mid-afternoon sun. She wore linen pants, a loose shirt, and a green apron covered in flour. Her light pink hair was tied up into a loose bun.

But her thick lips were pursed and the object of her apparent ire was not Percival, but me!

The Circumstances of Adira de Villiers

When my dearest Val said, I have adopted a child, the first thing that came to mind was a memory.

Back when we were both students at Sovalian Academy, I often complained to my best friend about Percival. We weren’t together then, as besting him was the last obstacle to overcome before I could be the strongest in my class. She told me, you two are the biggest idiots I’ve ever seen and after you’re married you will have a hard time in life because of it.

I didn’t believe her, of course, but we ended up getting married in the end. And the hard part, well, I think we have a healthy competition in terms of skills. Even though I decided to stay home and train our children instead of numbnut recruits, I could still keep up with him in a sparring match. It’s not easy either, so I suppose she was right when she said it would be difficult being married.

The fact that he picked up a child did not surprise me. My Val, despite his rough physique, had the gentlest heart I knew. I could very well see him running into a child in need and deciding to bring them home like a stray kitten.

The first thing I needed to figure out was if that child really was a stray kitten who needed to be adopted, though. I wouldn’t want him picking up a runaway who claimed to be homeless.

She stepped out from behind him and began to introduce herself.

First thing, she is obviously someone of high rank. The manner she introduced herself and the way she carried herself dripped with the nonsense of those noble types. Those were not skills learned overnight. How on earth did Val find himself a kitten with a pedigree?

The second thing, I did not know how to respond to her. I was never good at those noble greetings or formal things. Val was, and I usually let him take the lead when attending banquets or anything other business requiring a general and his wife to be present. Even when I was an active captain in the force and expected to understand the noble greetings, I deferred to others for the bulk of noble interactions. I just had no patience for that sort of thing.

How was I supposed to respond to that greeting? I pursed my lips and tried to come up with something that would work. Nothing really came to mind. “It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

Her eyes widened.

Oh no, I must’ve said something wrong!

“Her name is Lucina,” Val offered. “She may seem a little shy, but I know she’ll fit right in with us!”

Thank goodness he saved me from that awkward situation. Still, it would be a difficult time if I had to speak with my own daughter with that noble nonsense. Her siblings wouldn’t be able to speak like that either. But I also didn’t want to make her feel too uncomfortable or like we didn’t want her… That husband of mine! I have half a mind to stuff his favorite beef pasty with ris peppers tomorrow!

A distinct growl interrupted the silence.

Ah, I knew that sound well. Seems like even little noble girls can’t control a hungry belly! “Do you want something to eat? You came just in time for my famous rolls!”

She nodded.

Still mute. Well, perhaps I can get her talking over food. “Come along! Don’t dawdle or Val will eat them all before you get a bite!”

“She’s not lying!” Val proclaimed with a hearty laugh.

I lead them down to the kitchen. I took out a small jar of roselle jam, orapple preserves, and candiberry preserves along with a block of butter. I wasn’t sure which one Lucina would enjoy. I preferred the roselle, but most of my kids liked the candiberry. Val was the only one who liked that horrific orapple. “What do you want to drink? Tea? Milk? Or water?”

“Milk, please.”

I went to the icebox and pulled out a bottle of milk and set it on the table.

“Do we have any scotch left?” Val asked.

“We do, but that’s saved for me,” I replied.

He pouted.

“Don’t give me that, I need it far more than you do.”

“But I’m about to go out to war tomorrow!”

I crossed my arms. “Am I going too?”

“We’re not calling the reserves.”

“Then it’s not a true one, is it?”

“I want to have one sip of my favorite scotch before I leave. It could be my last.”

“Then you’ll just have to survive and come back home, won’t you? No scotch until that battling is over. I'll save you a sip for then.”

Verbal competitions were common between us, but Lucina’s fists were clenched and trembling.

Oh, dear! I didn’t even ask what happened to her before she came to us; what if she’s connected? I couldn't even blame the late night. I was often accused of speaking before thinking growing up and I just can't get out of the habit. My rolls were done enough. There’s no sour mood that sweets can’t fix! I took the rolls out of the oven, grabbed two, and cracked them in half. I know once she ate one roll she would ask for a second. No one ever eats just one of my rolls.

Her eyes bugged out of her head watching me.

“When you handle rolls a long time like I have, you don’t notice the heat.” I wiggled my fingers. “They’re called hot hands.”

The split and steaming rolls melted the butter the moment I slathered some butter on them. I placed two on a plate with a small spoon. I set them in front of her and then put the three jars next to them.

She went straight for the roselle jar. How peculiar! Most people didn’t like the unusual taste of roselles. The sheer delight on her face after the first bite! Ah, it makes my heart sing! Nothing is better than watching someone enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Val laughed. “Looks like you’re not the only one who likes roselles anymore, my darling.”

“Sweet talking me isn’t going to get you a sip of scotch.” I winked at Lucina. “But I’m happy to know I can share a roselle with someone now.”

She bit her lip and nodded before returning her focus to the rolls. She took small bites like a noble would. My children would have eaten both rolls in three seconds, especially after their stomach voiced their hunger for them! “Eat up!” I urged, hoping to let her know it was okay to eat normally.

Val looked at me and we communicated without words. I asked him if the girl needed us and he said she did. Regardless of how a noble girl came to our home, we would ensure she was treated just as if she came from my womb.

On the second roll, she glanced between the roselle jar and the candiberry jar.

“Candiberry is popular around this house. Better try it now before the competition takes it from you!” I laughed and her eyes went wide. Well, the de Villiers clan isn’t known for their subtlety. She will find out what happens when you try to eat like a noble with hungry soldiers around!

She reached out for the candiberry preserves and smeared the thick blue paste over her roll. She sniffed the roll and took a small bite. Her brows shot straight up and her mouth hung open. “Sweet!” she hissed in a tiny voice.

Both of us burst into laughter.

Lucina grimaced and looked longingly at the jar of roselle preserves, regretting her decision to get the candiberry.

Never met a kid that thought something was too sweet either. This girl is full of surprises! “I add extra sugar because it helps give us lots of energy for morning training.”

Val gave a firm nod. “Do you like training, Lucina?”

For the first time, I saw her expression relax and her eyes gleam. “Of course!”

Val’s hearty laugh filled the room. “I knew you would when I saw those stats!”

I’ll have to get the story out of Val later. After I get my fill of him, of course. War or no, a lady should take the opportunity to enjoy her husband when he makes a trip back home after a month!