<on hiatus> 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝟐𝟑

[later]

Nicholas, Cadence and Macy walked their way to the throne room to meet the duke and duchess. On their way there, Nicholas and Cadence took the chance to catch up on what they were missing out on in each other's lives and included Macy in.

Though Macy knew that they were friends, she couldn't help but feel envy and a little left out when she saw Nicholas and Cadence together. She had a feeling that the pair seemed good together in comparison to Nicholas and herself, who were only politically engaged to one another.

"Mother," Nicholas smiled. "Father."

"It's good to see you, son," Duke Bruce smiled upon seeing him.

"Nicholas," Duchess Ariana said as she hugged her son. "Are you well?"

"Yes, of course," he nodded. "How's Estelle doing these days without me?"

"Aww..." the duchess said in delight, "she just said her first word."

"Wha—she did?" Nicholas said, delighted. "What did she say?"

"She said 'Nick'," chuckled Duke Bruce. Nicholas sighed and smiled in delight.

"I miss her so much," Nicholas sighed as he thought of his little sister. He saw the duke and duchess nudge each other.

"Your grace," Macy smiled and curtsied upon seeing them.

"Your highness," they said.

"It's good to see you in good health," Duchess Ariana smiled as her husband nodded along.

"Thank you," Macy said.

"Duke Bruce, Duchess Ariana," Cadence said with a smile and curtsied.

"Your highness—" they said but froze when they looked at Cadence once again. Soon, the duke and duchess broke into smiles.

"Ah~ Cadence!~" Duchess Ariana said happily. "It's so good to see you!"

"You too, duchess, duke," Cadence chuckled. "Ah, that's right. I know it's a little late for this but, congratulations on Estelle knowing how to talk!"

"Thank you, Cadence," Duke Bruce smiled. "We really appreciate it. And... we brought someone to show the three of you."

"Hmm?" Nicholas, Cadence and Macy said.

"Here comes the baby in a stroller~," sang Dick Grayson, Nicholas' eldest adoptive brother,  to the tune of 'here comes the bride' as he walked towards them pushing a baby stroller.

"Ah, Grayson," Nicholas smiled upon seeing his brother and gave him a hug.

"You're so busy with school and at the hospital these days, Nick," Dick chuckled. "We barely have time to see each other."

"Speak for yourself," Nicholas said and they chuckled.

"Oh, your highnesses," he bowed. "My apologies. I was too excited to see my brother."

"It's quite alright, Lord Richard," Macy said and Cadence nodded along.

"Phew, thank you, your highness," Dick smiled at Macy. "Oh, what's this? A princess from another kingdom?"