"No matter the race, and even amongst beasts, children were prized, valued, and greatly cared for. It was why it always disgusted me so, to see people treat their children badly. Not even beasts devour their own children !" - Diary of Aideen deVreys, the Silver Maiden, circa 218 FP.

"You know… now that we meet again under these circumstances, I really do somewhat envy you," said Grigori with a sigh as he smoked a pipe. The old therian man lounged comfortably on his side, atop a soft divan, while he watched Artair play around with his younger grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Aideen sat by a table on the side, where she peeled and sliced some fruits for those same young children to enjoy after they got tired of their play, and looked back at Grigori. "How so?" she asked.

"First time we met, three decades ago, you were already older than I am now. Even as the years went by, you remained unchanged, unblemished by the passage of time," he replied with another sigh. The therian man himself had looked far older, and far more tired, as his body had begun to weaken of late. His once lively eyes looked rather dull, aa his eyesight had also worsened.

"When we are gone… maybe when the empire is gone, you will likely still be around. And you wouldn't look a day older," he added with a shake of his head. "I'm all too aware that not everything about such a long life is good and pleasant, yet I couldn't help feeling a bit of envy when my age makes itself felt."

"Understandable," replied Aideen with a somewhat melancholic nod. "When I was young, I once wondered what it would be like to live centuries, like the dwarves and elves from the stories."

"And?" asked Grigori, as his ears perked up in curiosity.

"Now that I am practically immortal, I realized one major issue with that wish," said Aideen as she elaborated with some hand gestures. "You see… the elves and the dwarves? They live long, true, but unless they took in family from other races, their loved ones would usually live as long as they would."

"In a way… I am sometimes glad that I am unable to bear children. If I had to witness my own children grow old and die before me… I don't know if I could remain sane," she added with a pained look on her face. "It already hurts to see my niece grow decrepit with age and pass away."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"I… see. I guess I had not considered that aspect of it. I apologize if that reminded you of unpleasant memories," said Grigori with deference as he pondered Aideen's words. "I guess I would not have it in me, either… it is always painful when parents outlive their own children…"

Grigori winced when he thought of his younger sister, Tatyana, who had passed away not two years ago. He felt his age catching up to him all the more keenly. Therians like him were practically in their final few years when they started feeling their age.

In contrast, Artair, who was only eleven years younger than him, was still perfectly fine and capable of running around in their courtyard, keeping up with the boisterous and energetic children despite being in his sixties. Grigori sighed again at the sight, as well as at Aideen's unaging visage.

He had thought that he had come to terms with his impending mortality, but seeing his younger half-brother still so energetic made him realize that he was not as prepared as he thought. It was ironic in a way, his mind knowing the facts all too well, yet his heart of hearts still reluctant to accept them.

At least the visit from Aideen and Artair also benefited him somewhat. Aideen had never been shy about dispensing her healing capabilities, and some regular treatments from her practically did away with much of the unpleasant soreness of the muscles he had felt for the past year.

The children at play eventually settled down, and Artair returned with them, his fur wet with sweat, yet also with a satisfied look on his face. He helped Aideen distribute the fruits she had peeled and cut for them, before he drank some cold water straight out of the jug.

Some time later, Zoya and Maria came out from the mansion and called the children in. Both of them had also very visibly aged, as Zoya was only a couple years younger than Grigori. Maria, who Aideen had met as a young child, was now in her forties already, with grandchildren of her own.

Out of their parents, only Maria's mother still lived. The old human woman was still as fit as a fiddle, considering her age, and had busied herself in the kitchen as she cooked meals for the many youngsters in the family.

Every member of the family present - some of Grigori's, Zoya's, and Maria's descendants were at the three cities, as they preferred the life there - ate the meal together in harmony, both the old and the young.

Aideen chuckled to her hand when she saw Zoya reprimanding one of her great-grandchildren for being picky with his food. That particular child had a dilute therian blood, and had found the strong flavors most carnivorous therians favored to be not to his liking.

She smiled as the old therian woman eventually relented and gave the child some milder food, though not before he finished what was already on his plate first. Amongst the adults, the main subject of conversation was the crown princess' marriage, which took place just months ago.

There were also rumors that the old emperor might abdicate in favor of the crown princess soon, which was a move many had somewhat expected. The old emperor was approaching the final decades of his life, after all.

It was the norm in Elmaiya for nobles to abdicate and pass their position to their heirs while they lived. Rare were the ones who remained on their seats until death came for them.