NOVEL NEXT Chapter 136 – The Heir’s Return
"How a lineage is passed down differs from place to place. Some only allow the eldest son to inherit, while other places choose their heir by merit. Some allow both genders, while others allow only men or women. In some, to make yourself heir by violence or cunning is greatly frowned upon, while elsewhere, it received only tacit approval as proof of competence. It really depends on where you happen to be." - Garth Wainwrought, Professor of Socioeconomy from the Levain Institute of Higher Learning, circa 589 FP.
At breakfast the next morning, Aideen found herself sandwiched between Artair's first and second mother, who had taken keen interest in her relationship with him. His fourth mother mostly took care of her young daughter while she laughed to herself each time Artair cringed.
"Really? When he was young little Arty used to be a really fussy eater, I tell you, even threw tantrums a lot when he got something he doesn't like on his plate~" said Artair's first mother with a teasing grin that displayed far too many sharp teeth for most people to take it as friendly. Aideen was used to such displays from Artair himself though, and returned the grin equally.
"Mother! I'm already thirty, you know?" protested Artair from his seat on the side of the dining table. Much like what Aideen had expected from the family of carnivorous breeds of therians, most of the dishes were meats of various sorts, with a sparse few dishes of grains or potatoes and vegetables.
Supposedly Artair's kind could survive off grains and tubers as long as it was supplemented with nuts and other things, though only for a while. In the long run their biology still needed meat to sustain them in the long term. This was partly why there were more ranches than there were farms in their territory, since the demand for meat was so high there.
"And even when you're seventy I will still be your mother, Arty," fired back his first mother with a smirk that showed just how much she enjoyed teasing him like that. Despite their lack of blood relations, Artair's first and second mothers pretty much treated him as if he was their own child. He was not as close to his fourth mother, but considering that they had far fewer time together, that was no surprise. "Now hush and clean up your plate."
"Yes, mother…" replied Artair sullenly with a look that reminded Aideen of a chastised cat of all things. That made her chuckle, which just made him look more stricken. All his embarrassment did was to make Aideen and his mothers laugh openly at his expense instead.
Life at the archduke's "mansion" was relaxed and idyllic, and they had little to do with their free time. Aideen played with Artair younger half-sister to pass the time while he chatted with his fourth mother - who was not that far apart from him agewise - in the same room, until they were called for at noon.
"Is eldest brother back?" asked Artair to his second sister Tatyana as they paced towards the main door of the mansion. They had been informed that Artair's eldest brother, his family, and Zoya's family should be back around lunchtime.
"His party was sighted a few minutes ago," replied his elder sister. They walked with large strides, which forced Aideen to walk faster to keep up with their natural gait. "We should be in time to welcome them home."
When they reached the front of the house, they saw that the party had just arrived. At their lead was Artair's eldest brother Grigori, heir to the duchy, around five years his senior. He looked almost like a carbon copy of his father, just a touch smaller, with notably shorter and smaller protruding fangs.
Beside him rode a female therian Aideen thought was likely his wife. She was of a different breed, without the mane, and with saber-like fangs that protruded from her upper lip, larger and more prominent than even Artair's father's.
The female therian rode with a young child seated in front of her on the saddle, probably five or so, while behind them rode a young boy - noticeable since his mane was already quite thick - of maybe twelve or so.
An orcish man rode close by them, a tall and bulky one, with brownish skin and prominent tusks, who kept most of his head shorn clean except for a pony tail at the back. He rode with an even younger child, maybe only two or three, considering how the child was secured to him bodily.
The child, and another of maybe seven years of age who rode with a retainer, both had more humanlike looks, a lot like Artair's little sister, but the criss-crossed tusks and fangs showed where their heritage came from clearly.
As the riders dismounted off their horses, Artair's mothers were the first to welcome them, though Zoya was close behind, as she eagerly reunited with her husband and children. Artair and Aideen followed close behind, as he introduced her to the newcomers one after the other.
They quickly went into the mansion, as it was noon already, and the children were quite hungry. Artair's mothers had already prepared their lunch beforehand, prepared as they were for the occassion at hand. Everyone was quickly ushered in to their dining room, and they seated themselves around the dinner table as some servants brought the prepared lunch from the kitchen.
It was quite rowdy with so many people around the dinner table, especially with so many children. Aideen noticed that little Maria, Artair's little sister, seemed very close to the other children, who are technically her nieces and nephews. They interacted more like they were siblings, which given their closeness in age, was a rather natural thing to do.
A hearty meal quickly made the children turn quiet as they hungrily devoured the meal set before them. The atmosphere around the table turned harmonious once again, even the youngest of the children used to eating tidily, as they all filled their bellies and chatted amiably.
