In the capital, a particularly magnificent multi-story estate of pale stone with elegant arches and towering columns with intricate balconies was overlooking the capital's lively streets.
The estate is surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens with fountains and winding paths. Inside the estate, polished marble floors and glittering chandeliers reflect the noble family's wealth and influence.
Multiple steps are heard stepping on the marble floor as the estate is bustling in systematic chaos.
A man with wrinkled skin dressed in a tailored black suit was seen commanding the servants in the estate.
Meanwhile, in a particular room in the estate.
A chamber with high ceilings adorned by a delicate crystal chandelier that casts a warm glow over the room. A grand canopy bed draped in silk and velvet and polished wood furnishings. Soft rugs and flowing curtains frame the space.
In front of the vanity, a woman with long and flowing hair that resembled molten gold was seated.
She was surrounded by a few servants, helping her dress up in a deep emerald silk gown. Her hair was styled in an intricate updo with soft tendrils framing her face to highlight her honey-colored eyes. Golden pins shaped like blooming flowers and delicate chains are woven through her hair.
The woman was dressed as if she was going to attend a high-end ball.
"You look even more beautiful, Your Grace," one of the servants chimed in.
A sweet smile appeared on the woman's lips as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
"Are the preparations going well?" She asked no one in particular.
"We are doing our best, Your Grace. We will not bring you down, especially since it's a welcome event for His Grace after being away for a year," one of the servants replied.
The woman sitting in front of the vanity is the mistress of the Vermilion family, Duchess Beatrice Vermilion.
Duchess Beatrice nodded her head, then turned to the servant she just talked to. "How about the children?"
"The young master Edmund arrived from the academy just this morning. As for young master Elias and young lady Liliana, they have also been dressed up by the others."
"Good."
Ever since Beatrice received the letter from the duke's entourage about his journey back to them, she ordered the servants to hold an exclusive event for the family. She made sure that every member of the family was present and even requested a few days off from the academy for her eldest son so that he'd be present at his father's arrival.
She made the event significant after a year of the duke's absence from the capital.
Beatrice still remembered vividly the day her husband suddenly went away and didn't give her much detail about his journey. She felt disappointed at his sudden journey, but it was now cast aside as all she thinks about is the thought of seeing her husband again.
A smile appeared on her lips before she stood up from her seat.
"Let's get going. Make sure the children are also stationed in the entrance of the manor," she commanded to the servants while walking her way towards the entrance of the manor.
The servant nodded her head and went to get everything ready.
By the time she arrived at the entrance, most of their servants were already stationed in the entrance to welcome their master of the house.
She roamed her eyes over the location, inspecting for anything that she found lacking.
"Mother," a light and slightly high-pitched voice that sometimes cracks as it edges toward maturity called to her.
She turned her head and saw a young boy that only reached just around her shoulder. Just like her, the boy was wearing a tailored, dark-colored tunic with gold accents along the collar and sleeves, paired with fitted trousers and polished leather boots.
Beatrice briefly inspects the boy's ash blonde hair with streaks of icy white, always meticulously styled back. His deep-emerald eyes, which are always full of indifference, are looking up at her.
She internally nodded in approval at the child's demeanor and appearance.
An appearance and demeanor befitting an heir of the prestigious household of Vermilion.
"Edmund, are you doing well at the academy?" She asked, but deep down she already expected an answer. A definite answer that shouldn't be changed no matter what.
"I'm doing excellently in my studies, Mother," Edmund responded in a forceful, low tone.
Beatrice didn't point out the forceful, low tone that doesn't suit his developing vocal cords and only shifted her eyes to a child much shorter than Edmund.
It was a boy equally dressed in a tailored suit with his dark auburn hair, which is often tousled and not in a similar style as Edmund's.
The child looked up to him and met his bright amber, almost golden, pupils with a hint of defiance in them.
Beatrice heaves a sigh internally at the feisty attitude of her second child. She can guess what made him emotional.
He must not have liked the idea of pushing his hair back. This child is quite sensitive when it comes to his hair.
"It could benefit you to reconsider that attitude, Elias," she stated while looking at her second child.
The auburn-haired Elias just pouted his lips and avoided her eyes, not even bothering to respond.
Beatrice can't help but heave a sigh. She was worried about where that attitude of his could take him.
She decided to set aside that thought and then shifted her eyes to another figure much shorter than Elias.
A young lady with platinum blond hair with pastel pink undertones was watching them innocently with her soft, violet pupils. The young lady was dressed in a cute pastel pink truffled dress.
Beatrice's heart swelled at her cuteness.
"Lily, come here to Mother," she urged the child to come near her.
With a smile on her face, the child went closer to her without hesitation.
"Is Father finally coming home?" Her high-pitched voice reached Beatrice's ears.
"Of course, we are waiting to welcome him," she responded in a gentle tone.
Lily's face brightened up as she giggled. Everyone around them glanced at her infectious giggles and unconsciously smiled.
"I can't wait to welcome him," she whispered to herself.
She looked up and asked, "Do you think Father would let me sleep with him?"
There's a brief pause before Beatrice responds, "If you ask him, he would surely accept it, especially with this adorable appearance of yours."
"I will do it!" Lily said in a cheerful voice.
Everyone around them laughs at her adorableness except for Edmund, who has his usual stoic expression, and Elias, who has a defiant attitude. However, Beatrice was in a particular thought.
She was reminded about her husband's particular lack of emotional intelligence. The duke was always stoic and serious, which befits his high status as the head of the family.
Although his upbringing and personality are befitting and admirable, she sometimes feels disappointed and distant from him. She can feel like there's an invisible barrier between him and his family, preventing them from forming a deeper bond as a family.
She just hopes that those walls will someday collapse and they will get closer. She heard from her friends that their husbands, who are usually stoic and serious, became completely different people when their daughters came into their lives.
She can't wait for her husband to experience the same thing with Lilian.
"His Grace has arrived!" One of the knights announced.
Everyone immediately lowered their heads to show respect to him. Beatrice heard footsteps slowly coming their way.
A smile was plastered on her face as she slowly lifted her head. She was the first one to lift her head and was the first to see the duke, her husband, who was gently carrying a young lady in his arms.
The smile on her face disappeared as her brain stopped functioning and the world seemed to also stop.
She can't believe she would witness a situation she always imagines will happen with a different child involved.