The Dragon King

Chapter 26

Lady Grace Argos of Emberhelm, Vrinian

EMBERHELM, VRINIAN

It was a slow recovery, but eventually, Grace regained her strength. The physician cleared her to move around as much as possible. Though not clear enough to go back to physical training. She is still a Lady of Emberhelm, as she has pointed out to Zircon on many occasions. Baby Adelina has grown over the last six weeks, and neither parent can believe it has already been that long. Most days, Zircon and Grace both are scatter-brained and sleep-deprived, but they are now used to it and have adapted to the new member of the house. Poor Billy, though enjoying little Addy, is often volunteering for anything that consists of him being outside the home. He claims that he allows family bonding time, but Grace knows it is because no one can get any peace inside the house. Yvette comes at least once a week to "check-in" and gets her newborn baby fix and usually brings baby Genevieve with her. Grace knows that Yvette feels the void of Letty being grown, gone, and nearly married, so the new mom welcomes all the help she can get.

Grace never thought about being a mother before. Now that she is, she can't imagine a world without her baby Adelina in it. Addy is such a small, fragile thing but adored by everyone in the stronghold city. Grace can't take Zircon and Adelina anywhere without young girls fainting over the sight of her husband holding their daughter. It humors her, however, because she knows that Zircon chose her. Out of every woman in the realm, or world, that he could have chosen, he chose her. She knows that he feels the same about her. She still doesn't know what fully drew her to Zircon, other than her childish infatuation with such a rising star.

A knock at the main door catches the new mother's attention. She looks to Zircon, both assuming it is someone baring gifts and wanting to hold Adelina. Their house has a never-ending revolving door of guests. Grace is the one to answer it because Zircon has his hands full with sleeping, Adelina. The baby found a beloved pillow, which is in her father's arms.

Grace doesn't recognize the older woman at the door. Before she can ask, the woman's face scrunches slightly, and she glances around behind her. "I do believe I must have the wrong house. I was told this is the Argos house."

"You have been told correctly." Grace offers her hand out for the woman to shake, not knowing if she is proper or rough around the edges. Grace is the latter. "I am Lady Grace Argos."

The woman takes her hand hesitantly while giving it a firm shake, all the while not taking her suspicious eyes off of the young woman. "I am looking for Zircon Argos. Is this his residence?"

"Indeed." Grace nods, though suspicious herself. She motions for the woman to enter, and after a second, the woman does. "How is it that you know my husband?"

The woman's jaw dropped slightly, and she seemed to be taken aback, clearly not expecting this news. "I'm sorry, husband?" She questions.

Grace smiles while studying the older woman. "Yes. We have been married for nearly a year now. I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

The woman seems to think for a moment, putting a mysterious puzzle together in her mind but then faces Grace better. "I am Baroness Elizabeth Dimontia of Ruspire, Hosephia."

Why does that name ring a bell? Grace wonders until she hears Zircon come into the room behind her and turns to see his reaction. "What brings you here, after all this time?" The words are clearly unwelcoming, and it puzzles Grace.

The baroness is visibly affected by the harshness in Zircon's tone, and then she catches sight of the sleeping form in his arms. "I didn't know." She mumbles with a shake of her head. After a second, she reaches into a satchel, produces a folded piece of parchment, and offers it to Zircon.