"Adrianna is pregnant?" asked Pierre as he looked at his daughter-in-law who had fought so bravely against a wizard like Vikra. He shuddered to think how she fought against all those neotides and how she managed to destroy all the caves along with him. It was sheer show of power. He couldn't believe his eyes and suddenly he became too scared. He looked at Dmitri sternly and shouted, "Is this how you take care of your pregnant wife?"
Dmitri who was eating soft lamb meat stopped chewing and stared at his father's face wondering at his sudden outburst. His mouth was open and he was speechless.
Pierre continued, "You stupid boy. How could you subject her to this kind of monstrosity? Didn't you even once think that my grandchild was in danger?"
This was the time Isidorus was waiting for. "I agree with you Pierre. Dmitri had indeed been very careless." He looked at Dmitri and joined Pierre in scolding him. "How could you leave Adrianna on her own when she was still under the curse? She fought with so many neotides and even got captured by Vikra! Do you realize the kind of peril you had put Adrianna and her baby in? Have you no sense?"
Dmitri somehow managed to chew his meat and then looked at Adrianna for support but she was just too busy wiping her mouth clean. As if to add salt to his wounds, she said, "Father, I am so hungry and I am feeling very tired."
Pierre immediately sprang up from his seat and looked at Cora who was also looking very worried. "Tired?" asked Cora.
Adrianna nodded. Her face looked so innocent that everyone except Dmitri melted.
"My child," said Cora.
"Adrianna, please rest child," said Pierre.
"My Queen, you cannot go anywhere now," said Isidorus as he flicked his wand and more food appeared for her to eat.
Adrianna smiled at Dmitri and picked a soup bowl.
Dmitri was angry. He mentally communicated to Adrianna, "This is vicious of you!"
However, as soon as he communicated that he was scolded by Pierre and Cora who also mentally communicated their displeasure, "How dare you say anything like that to Adrianna?"
Dmitri looked at his parents helplessly, especially his father. They had met after a long gap of so many years and all he did was scolded him for Adrianna. How could he? He pouted like a little baby feeling wronged and hoping for attention but he got none. In fact the three elders out there were only catering to Adrianna.
"Child, here eat this," said Pierre pointing at turkey meat.
"No, you should eat vegetables," said Cora as she gave her stir-fried vegetables.
"Adrianna, you must have a lot of milk," added Isidorus.
None of them were even aware of the affection that was so naturally flowing between them. It was Adrianna who was kept smiling and then thanked God for giving her such a beautiful family. Just a few months back she could not even imagine a loving family as her own treated her terribly. At one point of time all she ever wanted was to live with her grandfather, Ed peacefully. And here she was now. She had indeed come a long way.
After a while of pampering her, Pierre said, "I want to meet Ed and thank him for keeping his promise."
"Sure, but what promise, Father?" asked Adrianna.
"He had promised your hand to my son and he fulfilled it - that promise," replied Pierre feeling lucky once again.
Dmitri started laughing loudly. Adrianna blushed slightly as she remembered how they started and how she resisted him. Cora on the other hand felt terrible for all that she had done to Adrianna.
Seeing that the family was into talking about their private life, Isidorus took his leave after saying, "If you want to go to Ed, let me know. Even I want to meet him. I will call Howard also. It has been a long time."
"Sure," said Pierre and was shocked to see Isidorus disappearing into thin air.
"Get used to that Father," said Dmitri raising his eyebrows at that dramatic man.
"Hmm…" he replied and then asked, "Why were you laughing?"
Cora patted her husband's shoulder and said, "It is a long story, Pierre. I will tell you all about it once we go back."
"Long story? About what?" he looked confused.
"Adrianna's and Dmitri's marriage."
Pierre thought that even if it was a long story, it didn't matter now. The two of his favorite children were sitting in front of him and that with such good news. He said, "I want Adrianna to spend some time in the Werewolf Realm since I want Cora to look after you. You can take some days off from here."
Adrianna couldn't feel any more grateful. Being taken care of by an elder was something she loved. She replied, "I will see if I can. My schedule here is not so tight and there is going to be a weeklong festivity to celebrate our victory. Hence I don't know how soon would I be free…"
"It's okay but I would like to see you there soon." Then he looked at Dmitri and said, "Be with your wife for now. I will look into the affairs of the Werewolf Realm for a few days and then I will go to meet Ed."
"Okay father," he said.
After spending a few more hours with them, Cora and Pierre went back through the portal.
It was evening and the royal couple walked in the garden until sunset. They looked down at the third level where the citizens of the Wizard Kingdom had already started preparing for the gala. Dmitri held Adrianna's shoulders feeling satisfied and happy. His mate was with him.
---
Somewhere in a room, he threw the glass of wine that was in his hand. The glass shattered into hundreds of small pieces as soon as it touched the ground. He cursed himself for not knowing where Vikra was. That useless creature couldn't even do one thing. Everything was going so well according to his plan and that stupid joke of his existence couldn't take advantage of the situation. He had even helped her in taking Adrianna in the cage and taught him the spell of creating an illusion of a full moon.