(Drakken's POV)
"You are not going to see your niece?" I asked Saera as she sat down in the couch, Sylas was sitting down in front of her as Riktor stood over him, "What are you doing?"
Saera was using a fan on herself, an indifferent look on her face, "Hm, I was taking care of your sons, that is what I was doing." She said, "It is a daughter? Interesting."
Riktor looked at me, "Wait, a Sister?" He said, "Father, can we go see her?"
I nodded, "Go on."
"Let's go, Sylas." Riktor patted his brother's shoulder
Sylas stood up and followed him as they walked past me and headed outside.
I looked at Saera, "Since when are you watching children?" I asked, "That is rather unlike you."
She smiled slightly, "Well, having yours in me really gives me a Motherly feeling." She said, "And besides, I had already told you I would be a Mother to them."
"Hm." I tilted my head, looking at her large belly, "That one is going to come soon."
"Oh yes." She said, "I can feel him kicking almost every second.....Oh! There he goes again! I believe he hears your voice and gets quite active."
I walked up to her and crouched down, gently touching her belly, "Hm...." I said, "Are you so certain it is a boy?"
"I know it." She said as she patted my hand, "I know I will give you a son."
"And if you don't?" I asked, "What then?"
"W-Well...what do you mean?" She said
I looked at her, "What will you do?"
"Well...." She said, "I...."
"Vaella." I said
"Vaella?" She blinked
"That is the name of your niece, my daughter." I said as I straightened up, "Vaella Drakkengard. Come, let us go and see her."
She grabbed my hand, "Wait, I want to speak to you about something." She said, "It is important. I don't want anyone else to hear."
I looked at her, "What is it?"
"I know." She said with a serious look
"About what?" I asked
"Jocelyn." She said
I looked around in alarm, trying to see if anybody else was nearby who could hear what she said. For the past few months, I've had Jocelyn disguised herself as a servant who is always in Mya's wing of the castle, where most handmaidens and servant girls are housed. I have her covering her hair completely and have grime on her face so she's unrecognizable.
She only ever cleans her face and lets her hair loose when she's told to go to Ceres's cell and the sub-basement level of the Castle.
I never expected anyone else to find out about her. Only Mya and I know of her. And if Ceres knows anything about her, she is forbidden to speak about it due to a spell I cast on her.
She is a well-kept secret.
Until now, I guess.
"That is not something you should know." I said as I looked at her, "Saera...."
She looked at me with a serious frown, "Just what are you doing, Drakken?" She asked, "How is she alive?"
I leaned down to her, "I brought her back to life." I whispered, "You must not tell anyone about this! Nobody! You hear me? How do you even know?!"
"I saw her clean her face before she walked into the basement." She said, "How could I not recognize her? Drakken, how could you have brought her back but not Dara-"
"You know why I can't bring her back!" I cut her off with anger in my voice, "You know, Saera! There's a reason why Jocelyn is here and alive....it is to see if it's possible!"
"How did you convince her to become your servant?" She asked, "I'm serious, this is very confusing?"
"She doesn't remember." I said, "Her memory is messed up. She doesn't remember any of you nor her time being married to Aemon and having his children."
"Wait....." She frowned, "How is that-"
"It does not matter." I said, "What matters is you keep that to yourself. Do not tell Maegelle, you hear me?"
"Fine...but...." She looked down, "Why is she....?"
I clutched her by the chin, "Saera." I said seriously, "Do not fuck this up for me. You got that? I will give you anything if you keep your mouth shut. When our child is born, I will give you special treatment, anything! This is serious!"
She nodded, "S-Sure...." She said, "Alright then....I will stay quiet....I was going to, anyways.....but since you offered yourself.....well, I want you to do it...there."
My eye twitched, "What?"
"Yes..." She chuckled, "From behind and while choking me.....and draining me.....oh, the pleasure.....I am getting hotter by just thinking it~"
"Yea yea." I said as I let go of her and straightened up, "Come, you dirty little girl."
"Let's have you meet your niece."
******************
"Interesting." Saera leaned over to see Vaella, "Different colored eyes....like Alyssa's...."
"Yes, I just thought of that..." Maegelle said as she held her in her arms, "It is quite something."
"She has your face, Maegelle." Saera said as she straightened up, "Well...I must admit, it is a shame that soon your large breasts will be reduced to what they are normally. Mine.....oh, Drakken loves them....My Love, grope them. Feel them."
"Stop saying shit like that." I frowned, "Especially in front of the kids."
"Mama Saera is always thinking of naughty things..." Riktor said as he stood next to the bed, "Our sister, Vaella..."
"Listen, boy. When you get older, you will think naughty things as well." Saera said, "You'll understand my sentiment. Especially when it comes to your Father-"
"Shut up." I cut her off
Maegelle chuckled, "Alright, let's not get too loud." She said, "Vaella is starting to get tired."
"Mama Maegelle, I vow to always protect our sister." Riktor said before nudging Sylas in the shoulder, "Right, brother?"
Sylas nodded, "Yes."
Mya leaned down and kissed them both on the cheek, "My little warriors." She said with a warm smile, "You will be fierce protectors of this beautiful soul, won't you? I am proud of you."
Saera hugged my arm, "And my son will also protect this little princess, won't he, My Love?" She said with a smile, "Hmm?"
I shrugged, "I suppose."
Maegelle looked at me, "Do you wish to hold her again?" She asked, "It is unusual for you to do so, I want to cherish the sight of you holding my daughter longer...."
"Fine." I said as I offered my hands
She gently handed her to me and I held Vaella in my hands as I looked down at her, she was looking straight at me with a curious face.
"Ah, look at this." I heard Mya said, "This is quite the unusual sight."
"Did Father not hold us?" Sylas asked
"Not really." Riktor said, "So Mother says, that is."
"Huh." Sylas said, "So our sister is fortunate, then."
"I guess she is." Riktor told him
I stared at Vaella's face and I felt my face harden, a feeling of sorrow forming in my stomach.
"Drakken?" Maegelle asked, "Is everything okay?"
"A daughter....." I said as I looked at Vaella's eyes,
"I wanted one from Daranne...."