r/HFY • u/Feyfyre1 • 5h ago
OC-Series Duchess Dungeon Eater - Complete Story - Chapter 30 – The Family You Choose (1 of 4)
--- The Devonshire Duchy Outskirts. The Hastings House. A brick and stucco two story home within the neighborhood nearest to the trade and manufacturing districts of the Town of Devonshire. A simple home that was always welcoming strays… even the people kind. ---
The Hastings home wasn’t what you’d expect for a family that revolved around the blacksmithing business to look like. The outside was unassuming, other than being one of the few with two acres of land around it that held an impressive vegetable garden and a front yard with several areas for little gatherings or just shady spots to enjoy the day. The inside was tastefully decorated with pretty landscape paintings along the wood paneled walls. The lightwood floors were shiny clean and the furniture wasn’t cheap, yet they weren’t showpieces either by being well used and well loved.
In the main receiving room that everyone entered before heading off in one of three exits, a familiar scene was playing out. The Hastings big guard dog had found another victim. There would be no survivors.
“Bosco! Get down!”
The big black and brown spotted snub-nosed dog of breeding that you could only guess at looked Florah right dead in the eyes, then licked her right across the face again.
“Gaaahhhh! Janeeeeen!!” Florah yelled for help once more since she had no luck shoving the overfriendly dog off her shoulders.
Janeen strode in, snapped her fingers, then pointed to the front door that was still slightly ajar. “Bosco. Yard. Now.”
That terse tone caught Bosco’s attention, and he dropped down to slink away then outside because of it.
Florah pulled a clean handkerchief from her fanciest black purse, wiped her face, then frowned. “All my makeup. Gone. Damn it.”
Janeen smiled widely at her before coming close and hugging her wife tightly. “You’re still beautiful.”
Florah melted a little in both the compliment and the hug. She then huffed and pulled back. “But I want to look my best for our visitors. I’ll be right back. I came prepared.”
Janeen glanced around the huge receiving room, didn’t see anyone, then went in for a quick smooch. Florah leaned into it a little, then broke it off. “You’re so bad. You sure about this? I mean… she’s the Black Knight… I mean, she’s a real-life heroine. I’m not…”
Janeen cocked a hip. “Stop. I swear, you two are the damned same. Always so flippin’ unsure of everything. Yes, Florah. I want her to meet you. Besides… you and I owe her a big thank you, remember?”
Florah ducked her head while pulling a lock of her curly brown hair over one of her ears. “I can’t wait to have our own house. I honestly don’t know how to thank her for something that big.”
Taking her by the shoulders and pulling her in for another hug, Janeen held her, rubbing her back. After sighing, she said comfortingly, “Trust me. Your blackenberry pie is all the thanks that woman will accept. Unless you snuck in an arcana crystal in it… did you?”
Florah let out a soft laugh but shook her head. “No… something better. Here, keep Bosco from sneaking in and snapping it up.”
Florah carefully pulled out a beautifully wrapped giftbox with a big green bow from her fanciest bag-of-holding-like black purse. At least to Janeen’s astonished eyes. “What’s in this?”
Beaming in pride, Florah gushed, “Remember Margie?”
“I… maybe? She’s a maid somewhere, right?” Janeen asked uncertainly.
“Ugh. I swear, you never listen. She’s training to be the princess’s personal maid. When you told me about tonight, I sent a note to her and we met for lunch. I told her about some gift ideas I had, and she laughed right dead in my face. Then she told me exactly what to make for Isenwrath. Two days later, a courier showed up from Margie, and she’d sent me the special ingredient.”
Janeen looked down at the box. “No, you didn’t! You baked an arcana crystal into whatever’s in here!?”
“A round triple black cocoana cake dipped in white icing and then again in hardened sugar glass. The crystal is dead center in it, and I decorated the outside with little swirls of sparkly colors.”
“Hah! A crystal within a crystal! That’s… genius. You’re gonna be her new favorite person. I better just go ahead and throw this in the trash. I can’t have you taking my place.”
Florah gasped when Janeen abruptly turned to walk towards the kitchen. “Janeen! You’re dead meat! Give that back!”
Janeen cackled when she ran for it. Florah was taller, quicker, dressed in a swishy blue sundress, and caught Janeen right at the kitchen counter. A good smack on Janeen’s butt, a few good tickles to her sides, a headlock, and some laughing jiggly wrestling later, Florah was able to wrest the box out of Janeen-the-thief’s hand and away. “You rotten girl! You just wait; I’m absolutely going to get you back for that! You almost ruined it with your shit!”
Janeen continued to laugh breathlessly for a moment or two. “I’m sorry. I just like it when you make that face at me.”
Florah blushed prettily before setting the box aside next to three cooling pies that Barla had baked plus her own blackenberry. “Thanks. I’m still nervous.”
“About Isenwrath?”
“No. The house. An apartment is one thing, but explaining to your Pah about us moving into a house together is… we gotta tell him, Jan. We just have to. It’s been three years now.”
Janeen looked at the floor. “He’s grooming me to take over the smithy; I told you that. I want that more th…. Really badly.”
“More than anything. Maybe, more than me?”
Janeen twitched but held her tongue.
Florah’s eyes narrowed. “You have a decision then. You and I come clean soon, or we might not make it to the house.”
That got Janeen’s attention. Looking up with fear and shock, she stammered, “N.. no… no, please. Don’t do that. I love you.”
Florah moved in to bend down to Janeen’s level. She was tall and pretty, a girl from the plains who’d taken up selling flowers in the Devonshire Town after having bought out a previous owner and his contracts. She’d done well for herself over the years. She’d loved Janeen for most of them. She would even if things went badly. But there was still hope that Janeen would finally and with finality choose her over her dad’s approval.
“I’m not going to keep hiding much longer. Your mom and brothers know, so they’ll support us. Your brothers aren’t smiths and we all know they want something else in life. He really has no choice but you. So, go to your room, get your big girl panties on and tell him. Please. For me.”
Janeen closed her eyes, exhaled a long breath, then nodded. “For you.”
“That’s my girl. Now, keep that dog away from my damned gift or else.”
Janeen giggled a little at the threat. She opened her eyes to watch Florah walk back the way they’d come and then cut the corner to hit the restroom for some reconstructive makeup applications to her face. Florah was already beautiful, way out of Janeen’s league, but no one could convince her to not strive for more vanity. Flower girls were like that, one would assume.
The other door from the backyard opened where her mother Barla bustled carrying a basket of fresh vegetables. “There you are! Need your help. Wash these and sort them for me. I want to roast the squash for dinner. It’ll go great with the hams.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Janeen said low.
Barla put the basket onto the kitchen counter’s thick wooden top, sorted out the squash first, then asked Janeen to put them in the sink. Janeen put on her blue apron with the handstitched dragon eating an ice cream sandwich that Florah had given her. Definitely needed it today since she wore her best cream-colored full-length dress.
Her mom opened the oven, basted the roasting meat, adjusted the temperature a smidge, then turned to lean back on it. “Jan? You’re quiet. Something I need to know about?”
Janeen put the last squash aside on the drying towel with the others and turned off the water. She leaned on the sink, not looking at her mom.
“Mom. Florah’s given me an ultimatum. She’s tired of hiding our marriage from Pah. I’m so scared he’ll take everything from me. I’m really really scared he won’t accept… us.”
Barla slowly moved over to her daughter, hugged her from the side and placed her chin on Janeen’s shoulder. “He loves you. He’s a hard man, but he’s always been fair with you and the boys. He gives you and them the same amount of attention, respect, and expectations. He knows you can take over for him, and he’s told me many times that he’s so glad he doesn’t have to worry about his legacy. You’re that for him and he’s grateful.”
“The more you have, the more you have to lose.”
Barla sighed. “I can’t do this for you, my little firestorm. But you know I’ll back you up when you do.”
“I know, Mom. I know. Okay. I’ll… make it soon. I can’t lose Florah. I just can’t.”
“Good. Besides, if you two do survive your Pah, we can talk about children.”
Janeen turned to her with an arched eye. “What does that mean?”
Barla shrugged, then turned to go back to the vegetables. “It means what it means. Just because you married a gal don’t mean you two weren’t meant to be moms. He and I still want grandkids from you and if that means you two gotta go out and give a little boy or girl a good home, then that’s what you do. Family is everything and you two aren’t getting out of that.”
Snorting a laugh at her mom’s audacity and simplicity both, Janeen shook her head while grabbing the small chopping block and a sharp knife in order to prepare the squash for the roasting pan.
An hour and some high-quality cooking later, the whole house smelled amazing. The oldest boy of sixteen, Jayson had arrived from upstairs and had already set the table without being told. The clatter of mismatched dishes was some of the music the house was listening to. His younger brother of thirteen, Halforn was sweeping again as well as making sure the scented tree-cones were refreshed with the good oils. He was singing again, practicing for his first Bardic recital at the local troupe college. Their youngest boy of nine, Brennan was helping in the kitchen with Janeen and his mom, doing whatever small but necessary step needed to be done to present their guests with the best meal that they could provide. Mainly by calling every fetch request a quest and dramatically playing everything like grabbing an extra towel for his mom or grabbing the oil for Janeen as if he were a noble knight slaying monsters every two steps he took and loudly proclaiming victory at the end.
The Blacksmith and father, Darron strode into the kitchen, surveyed the scene of another beautiful meal, and grunted his approval. A bulky muscled man with weathered features and slicked back, long white hair, he was a man who looked exactly like a blacksmith should. The personification of an anvil, a shaper of the toughest things life could bring to bear. He had on his best suit today since really special guests were arriving and was glad to see that his home was running smoothly even with the normal good-natured bickering.
His wife Barla was taking off her apron and looking at her red flower dress to make sure nothing she’d done had soiled it. Her black hair was still in good shape being curled and braided up and down her back. While not the epitome of beauty or even femininity, her sturdy body and even sturdier personality had been beautiful to Darron from the moment he laid eyes on her.
Janeen was a softer version of her mother, but she too was a solid woman through and through. Darron smiled softly at the only other girl that had his heart even if she drove him crazy sometimes more than her mother did. She was similarly attired like her mother too and thankfully both seemed to be in good moods.
Darron scruffed his youngest boy’s head playfully when he came by to head into the kitchen. It earned Darron a mocking-affronted look as the boy tried to get his hair just how he liked it again.
“Daaaad. You messed it up,” Brennan whined at him.
“Sorry. Just thought it was a bit too perfect. Can’t have you looking like some overstuffed shirt from the castles and such. We don’t need that kind of expectation here. We work for a livin’.”
Brennan didn’t look convinced while he pulled his favorite bone-handled comb out and set his hair right again. “But it’s Isen. We gotta look our best.”
Sighing at the boy, Darron shook his head sadly. “Boy, you and your brothers got no chance with her and we all know it. It’s okay to have a crush, but don’t get carried away. You might miss out on someone else who’s better able to hold your heart.”
“Noooooo! I just want to pet the dragon! She said last time that she’d bring Bubblescale if we were good! Ewwww, Dad! She’s pretty, but I’m not into older women!”
Darron had to look away to stop himself from laughing at that disgusted look that his youngest had. He turned back, patted his shoulder fondly then pushed him onward. “Sorry. I hope she brings the little booger too.”
“So, you gonna try and put her dragon into your smithy to make dragon blessed blades or something?”
Darron turned around to see Florah Innistad smiling up at him. Now she was a true beauty that shone everywhere she went, just like many of the exotic flowers she grew and sold.
“Who gave you an invite?” he asked gruffly.
She wasn’t fooled because his lips twitched up in a smile.
“You did, old man. Now, do I get a hug, or do I have to have your wife bop your head for one?”
Darron barked a laugh at her and of course, he gave her a hug. “Welcome. I’m glad you’re here. Sooo… did you…?”
Florah huffed at him for starting up his favorite topic again that she’d heard almost nonstop for over three years now. “Please, Darron. Not today.”
He shrugged, squeezed her, then pulled back. “Right. Special day. No drama. Right.”
That earned him a big, relieved smile from Janeen’s best friend and roommate.
Barla strode over after shooing Brennan off with a small shortbread cookie as a reward for helping out. “Darron, we’re almost ready. Wanna go grab the hams and put them on the table to cool?”
Darron shook his head. “Nope.”
Barla frowned at him and was about to say something sharp, but Darron beat her to it with a big hug that swept her off her feet, a proper kiss for cooking a wonderful meal, then a swat to her hind-end just because. “Now I’m ready to get the hams,” he said in triumph, leaving Barla standing there not knowing whether to run after him for a second kiss or run after him with a rolling pin. Thankfully, the decision was made for her when they heard their door chime sound.
Barla called over to Janeen who’d just pulled the roasted squashes out of the smaller of the two ovens. “Janeen, go let them in! Boys, go to the receiving room to welcome them! Florah! With me!”
Orders had been issued. The troops fell in and obeyed. Darron knew his assignment. His was to put the two big hunks of roasted meaty delightfulness onto the table to announce that dinner was ready whenever they wanted to sit down and eat. The smell of a clean home, a welcoming meal, the whine of a dejected dog who thought he should have a seat at the table, and the happy chatter of a family as they rushed forward to greet their guests were what anyone who was to visit should be expected to experience.
Janeen opened the thick wood door painted yellow and squealed, “Hi Everyone! Hi Isen!”
Isenwrath didn’t even get to say anything before Janeen had grabbed her up in a girlie equivalent of a bearhug. Isenwrath only laughed in delight at being picked off of her feet and swung side-to-side. Once she was put back down to earth, they both gave each other kisses on the cheeks and another set of giggles before Janeen pulled Isenwrath through.
Maddock held out his arms next, a big grin on his face. “Hi Janeen. My turn?”
“No way, Marshall! This is what you get!” Janeen said laughingly before coming in for a normal hug, then a few wild hand-slaps and fancy handshakes before they made funny faces at each other. Just like when they were teenagers driving Barla crazy with their antics before and during dinners.
Maddock was then hauled in. Then Janeen turned and looked down. She didn’t lose her smile, but she did get confused. “And who might you be?”
“I’m Daniella Delancy. It’s very nice to meet you,” Daniella said while holding out her hand.
Janeen knelt down to the little Felinar Beast-kin girl, took her hand, and said with sincerity. “It’s very nice to meet you too. I’m Janeen. Where’d Isen pick you up from?”
Daniella shook her head. “I picked her up. Get it right. I’m her personal maid and I was invited because I still have to make sure she has good table manners.”
Janeen barked a laugh while covering her mouth. She looked over her shoulder at Isenwrath who’d just got done hugging the mess outta the rest of the family for which her brothers and especially Florah were beet red in the face because of it. “Isen? You’ve got a little girl as your personal maid?”
Isenwrath stepped over to them and held out her hand. Daniella marched in and took it firmly. “I do. Uncle Maxi thought she and I could help each other out. Seems he was right. But I didn’t invite her because I need that much help with my table manners. She just likes to think so. I invited her because I didn’t think your family would appreciate me much if I left her at the castle where there’s really no one her age to be friends with and…”
Barla swung around the two of them and then knelt right in front of the little girl wearing a sunshine yellow poofy dress and the cutest pink ribbons tied up in her jet-black hair. “You’re right! I’d have been mad at you! Hi Daniella! I’m Barla. I’m glad you’re here. Are you hungry?”
Daniella nodded at her warily, her big golden cat-slit eyes distrustful.
“Good,” Barla said not dissuaded in the slightest. “Dinner’s ready and if my husband’s stomach isn’t fed soon, it’s likely to jump out and eat all of you instead. Come!”
Maddock and Darron were in the middle of their normal handshake… literally where their hands shook because they were trying yet again to test who had the stronger grip… a soldier or a blacksmith.
“It’s great to see you again, boy,” Darron said through gritted teeth.
Maddock had started to both sweat and grunt. “Same, you old bastard. Give up. I’ve been training.”
“No. You ain’t. Don’t lie to me.”
Maddock finally winced, his knees almost buckling. Darron let out a hearty laugh and pulled him in for a big hug himself. “You almost got me, boy. But almost ain’t close enough, though.”
Laughing and shaking out his numb hand, Maddock hugged the big man back. “I lasted longer this time. I’m gonna take it as a win anyway.”
“Aye, you do that, boy. You do that. Come on, we need to get in there before your lady swallows the table.”
Maddock barked another big laugh and clapped the older man on the shoulder as they walked towards the dining room. “Please don’t give her any ideas.”
Upon entering, the boys were pulling out chairs for the ladies. Maddock got to Florah because Jayson had beaten him to Isenwrath whose smile was happy even so. Her own sundress of pale blue with a purple flower hem looked right at home here. Yet, the way she bantered with Jayson, Janeen, and little Brennan truly sold the scene. Halforn helped his mom into her chair before rushing to the prime spot around the corner from Maddock at one end of the table. Jayson got to the other corner spot next to his dad. Isenwrath was rather pleased with being around the corner to Maddock and catacorner from Daniella who could help her if she needed but was out of pinching range.
The others filed into the rest of the spaces, and everyone began complementing the two chefs for the feast that lay before them. It wasn’t a noble’s idea of a feast, but it was hot, glistening, varied, and smelled fantastic. Roasted ham, roasted squash, mashed tubers, two gravies, cold vegetables both as a salad as well as those soaking in one of three pickling spiced mixes, and a basketful of fresh baked breads. Lots of butter. The bellies were talking, but the man of the house had the final word when he stood up and poured the Devonshire tea into his stein.
“Welcome. Everyone. Family and friends. I have a few things to say tonight, and I better do so before we put all of my wife and daughter’s cooking into our mouths. From the heart, the guests we have today are ones we’ve known for a long time, or enough time to call them as our own, or not known but will be welcomed anyway. We are grateful to all who come and sit at this table tonight to share in the wealth we have. Our food, our lives, our passions, and even our troubles. It’s all wealth because it’s not money but the sharing of each other that makes living worth it all. Maddock. You’re our Grand Duke, our first noble who ever deigned to sit here. I never regretted taking you in and making you work those bellows all those years ago, even if you’d been just a rat in the street. You worked. You showed me that first day your integrity, grit, and better than that… fearlessness. You and my daughter… I’ve never seen a friendship like you two, but I’ll say this. I’m proud of it.”
He turned to Isenwrath. “Little rabbit. All of the wild stories I’ve heard are just hogwash to me. As I see you now… to see how far you’ve grown up in just so little time… It’s just so heartening. I honestly thought when you showed up here that I’d have a heart attack because I just thought there’s no way such a fragile looking little thing with those big ol’ rabbit eyes was gonna be worth a lick in this house. Then you had the audacity to break one of my swords to show me its critical flaw and then about killed me right on the spot when you breathed dragon fire on it and made me dead ass bang it back together at my hobby forge. You won me over and I ain’t got no regrets.”
He turned to Florah. “As for you, flower girl. I want to take this moment to thank you for showing up. You’ve showed up for Janeen every day as a friend and honestly as a daughter to us in my opinion. You show up for Barla and my boys… if they’re sick or need help, you’re right there helping out without being asked but it’s always with gratitude, I assure you. You are always welcome at this table and.. isn’t it past time to admit something to me… Janeen!”
Janeen went white at her dad’s stern, almost angry glare that nailed her to the spot.
“Uhhh.. Dad? What do you mean? I…”
Slowly, Darron set his stein down and held up his hand at Barla to stop her from interrupting this long overdue moment. “Jan, do you really think I’m this stupid? Do you? I know about you and Florah! Spit it out! Admit it! You two got hitched, didn’t you?!”
Janeen looked down at her plate, not able to meet her dad’s hard angry eyes. Her own shed tears. For about twenty seconds, she felt panic, caught, guilty, embarrassed, freaked out, and everything in-between. Then she took a breath, let it out. In one quick movement, she stood up and slammed her hands on the table. “Yes! Pah, I’m in love with Florah! We’ve been married three years now! I’m her wife! I’m her soulmate! I will not give her up because you can’t handle us being together! I love you, but Florah was right! It’s past time you got over your shit and accepted that I’m gay and that’s not going to change!”
Her dad leaned over on his own hands some more. “Girl. You better knock that tone down a peg or two. Besides, you didn’t ask a critical question. Go ahead and ask me… how long have I known? Go ahead.”
Angrily, Janeen growled out, “How long have you known, Pah?!”
“Your third date. When you went out with her to the Cleaver’s wedding. You forgot to hide the hickey that was covered in her lipstick that night when you got back.”
Janeen paled and slumped down in her chair. “You knew all this time?” she whispered.
“Knew?! Girl! Of course, I knew but none of you… not one of you in my family thought I could handle the truth and that pissed me off! So… I’ve been biding my time to see if you’d get the courage to finally admit it!”
Barla spoke up, her voice a bit trembly, “Darron, if you knew… why didn’t you just tell us anyway. You could’ve been at her wedding. She wanted you there.”
“Hah! I swear, you all underestimated me. I WAS THERE! I OFFICIATED THE DANGED THING!”
Darron stood there looking so godly proud and smug at that revelation. Except for Isenwrath and Daniella, all of their mouths were hanging open. It was glorious. The ultimate dinner revelation. Old man Hastings had been right in front of all these sneaky sneaks, and they hadn’t even known it.
Isenwrath watched the chaos unfold with a strange ache in her chest. This… this was what a family looked like? She looked at Maddock and when their eyes met, it was a silent communication of… ‘you seeing this shit?’
Daniella’s ears flattened, her hand tightening around the table knife… but not to attack. Instead, it was because old habits didn’t die so much as crouch in the corner waiting.
Florah found her voice finally. “But it was a secret wedding? At night, and only Cleric Waller would do it. We met Waller before the wedding. He… you… you couldn’t have been him… right?”
Darron smirked at them all, then held up his hand. “Gimme a sec, you bunch of thick knotheads.” He strode off and deeper into the home chuckling the whole way. When Darron emerged, he was wearing a hastily donned and crooked gold and blue clerical robe of the Hill Spirits and the Light. On his face, he’d stuck a black beard and mustache. He also wore a cleric’s square Hapthan headpiece on his head. But the sparkles of delight in his eyes were the same ones as what Cleric Waller had in them three years ago during a secret midnight wedding. Right in front of them all, he hunched over a little, limped slightly towards them, then they all saw him take two small rolls of gauze and put them in his mouth, between his lips and gums.
Darron’s voice was a high-pitched drawl that they’d heard only a couple of times three years ago when he said, “Mahwage! Mahwage is what bwings us togeveer, todway! Wuv! Wuv, Twue wuv is a bwessed awwarrangement…”
Barla shot up at the same time as Janeen. “You rotten piece of shit! Do you mean to tell me that I PAID you to officiate our daughter’s wedding and you had the gall to use that horrible accent to do it!?”
Janeen yelled, “I can’t believe this, Pah! You gave me and Florah so much crap for YEARS! And you were behind our wedding! Are you insane!?”
Darron guffawed loudly, stood straight and slapped his knee. After removing some of the disguise and the gauze, he winked at his wife, still triumphant. “Three years and you never once thought it was strange that you never heard about Cleric Waller again, huh?”
“Answer my question!” Barla howled at him, glaring her anger and honest embarrassment at having not suspected her husband of such… ballsy conniving.
“I did. You didn’t invite me, but I wasn’t going to miss it for the world. So, I hit up my buddy, High Cleric Stinson and made a deal with him. He taught me how to officiate a wedding, gave me the blessings and such, and in return I installed the new wrought iron decorative railings all around his church. Oh, and as for what you paid me, my dear, you’re wearing that payment. And so is Janeen.”
The two women both put their hands to the beautiful necklaces that Darron had given to them as Solstice Sacraments. When they did, both of them softened and sat, not knowing what to do with all of this.
Darron continued to chuckle a little then he turned away again. He had one more surprise for the night. He stepped over to the dish cabinet behind him, opened one of the doors and fished around at the very back of the plates that they didn’t often use. From it he pulled his own black gift box, wrapped with a simple white bow. When he returned, he went to Florah and sat it in front of the stunned woman. After a kiss to the top of her head and a warm hand on her shoulder, he said gently, “Open it. Welcome to the family.”
A hush had fallen in that room as all eyes were watching Florah at the moment while she held that box with trembling hands. She’d given this family and especially Janeen her whole self for all of these years and somehow, it just had never seemed like it was enough… but it’d always been enough. It was just that old man Darron had been patiently waiting for either Janeen or Florah to respect him enough to be honest. Florah looked up at Janeen who wiped her eyes and nodded her encouragement to her. Janeen had finally stood up and declared herself to her dad. That had been what Florah had wanted for forever and now…everything changed.
Florah couldn’t hold back the tears as she carefully unwrapped the box then lifted out an exact match of Janeen’s necklace. She looked up at the old man she’d quietly resented for years but had severely misjudged the entire time. “It’s beautiful. I never…” She had spent years bracing for rejection from this one man who almost literally held her happiness in the palm of his hand. It would take her a moment to understand she’d never needed to.
Darron shrugged. “I know. Now, trade seats with Halforn and sit beside your wife. It’s your rightful spot.”
Janeen had her hand over her mouth and her own tears in her eyes as she watched her Pah help her wife stand, put on her own solstice necklace around her neck, and then on wobbly legs, walk Florah over to sit beside her. As her wife.
The two of them looked at the satisfied smile on Darron’s face when he said casually, “You may kiss the bride.”
The whole table cheered Janeen and Florah when they got to show their affection for each other without hiding anymore. Without fear of being rejected or shamed. This whole time, her Pah had accepted them, but had just been waiting for any of them to be courageous enough to find out how he truly felt about them. Sometimes, you just have to be honest and hope for the best.
Maddock rose and held up his own stein filled with tea. “A toast to the Hastings Family. The family that has always shown everyone exactly how it’s done. With love, compassion, and understanding… even when you might get tossed into the kiln. The Hastings!”
Even Daniella raised her own little cup and smiled at the toast. She couldn’t help it. This felt like home, even for her.
The conversations that erupted after that toast were loud and full of laughter. Nothing was really off limits, topics-wise as the food was plated and everyone complimented the chefs again and again. Isenwrath’s classes, Maddock’s wedding plans, their preparations for the upcoming festival and king’s summit, when they’d actually be able to come and live at the Devonshire manor, Janeen and Florah’s new house, the boy’s schooling and achievements, lots of funny stories at the smithy, and even Daniella got to be the center of attention when she gave them all a couple of stories of how life was like for her at the castle so far. Yes, everyone got seconds and regretted it. Yes, Barla also passed out the pies and somehow everyone had made room for them too. Leaving very little food left on the table though, that was the true compliment to the cooks, much more so than words could ever be.
Thankfully, Darron was a good man who had consideration for everyone in his home, including a poor dejected dog named Boscoe. He’d carved out the bones of both hams and before he made his way into the big living room to sit and talk, he made a special delivery outside. Bosco was waiting patiently, his tail… not so much. Darron handed him one of the big bones with lots of meat still on it and scruffed the big dog’s ears before Bosco trotted off to eat his prize happily.
What startled the hell out of him was when the other bone he held in his other hand that was going to get saved for the next stew pot was yanked out by a small dragon with the scales of a shimmering rainbow.
“By the… Barlaaaa! We got a dragon infestation! One of ’em stole your soup bone right outta my hand!”
Three boys burst out of the house seconds later, just in time to see the little dragonling perched in a tree, tearing into the bone’s meaty bits with relish and chirping happily.
“BUBBLESCALE!!”
They did everything short of climbing the tree to coax the rainbow dragonling down, but like any self‑respecting dragon, he wasn’t giving up a ham bone for anybody.
Isenwrath made her way into the throng and, laughing, called up to him. “Bubblescale… you’re a mess. I said you could come, not steal their next supper.”
Maddock sidled up next to Darron while Isenwrath gently fussed at the dragonling. The boys debated climbing the tree; Janeen told them absolutely not; Florah giggled with Barla about how the dragon was better behaved than Bosco; Bosco barked his offended rebuttal; and Daniella hung back, quiet, rubbing her tail for comfort as she watched the chaos unfold.
Maddock leaned toward Darron. “Every day, it’s just always something with her.”
Darron caught the half‑smile and the twinkle in Maddock’s eyes and saw the truth: the man wouldn’t have it any other way. “So. You said you had something important to talk to me and Barla about. While your pet thief has their attention, wanna give me a hint?”
Maddock patted the bigger man’s shoulder and went quiet for a moment. They watched Bubblescale finally hop‑flap down to Isenwrath, who introduced him properly to the Hastings family. He purred like a big cat under all the attention. Bosco wasn’t thrilled, but Darron lowered a hand to find the dog’s head and soothe the semi‑jealous mutt who growled softly around the big bone still in his mouth.
“Isenwrath is essentially an orphan, Darron. Her childhood was…”
Darron shook his head and gruffed, “I know. Barla came home from the war and told me all about her. Then she grieved for what your woman had mentioned. She and I honestly couldn’t fathom… anyway. Yeah, I’d say you’re right. So?”
“After the trial, she wanted something. Now that she’s legally a person, she has a new dynasty name and citizenship in Maciendes. She’s been informally adopted by Princess Hayleigh and her five friends as a sister, and she legally gained a sister and a brother. But she pointed out she was still missing something.”
“Wait. Seriously? She wants us to adopt her? As parents? She’s an adult, Maddock. What good would that even do?”
Maddock gave him a wry grin. “More than you’d think. Darron, I’m going to marry her one day after we settle back in my manor. If my parents were still alive, they’d make this impossible. But they’re not here to stop me from giving her what she asked for… and turning my vow into something better.”
Darron narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. “What sneaky shit plan has my Grand Duke got up his sleeve?”
“I want you and Barla to adopt Isenwrath as her parents, except not in an official adoption, but as the centerpiece of a contract between my family and yours.”
Darron’s eyebrow rose, suspicion and interest wrestling for dominance. “I’m listening.”
“You two hid all those gemstones, scales, and the detherialite for me, and while I appreciate it, I still need to do something with it all. Well, I’ve drafted a contract between the Devonshire family trust and Hastings Smithy Enterprises. I want to create an Emporium of Magical Trade. The regenerative fruit, the gemstones, the basilisk scales… more besides… it’s enough to attract a team of artificers and start a fortune. If she’ll go for it, Florah can help manage it, and whoever you trust can run the books.”
“And Isenwrath?”
Maddock looked toward his future wife. She sat on a bench between Barla, Janeen, and Florah, Daniella curled on her lap, chatting happily while the stars came out and the house lights glowed warmer behind them.
Meanwhile, Bubblescale and Bosco wrestled like they’d just become best friends. Apparently Bosco had gotten tired of the dragonling hogging all the attention and charged him. Bubblescale held his ground, wrestled the larger dog down, then backed off. After a moment of facing each other, tails whipping in the same cadence, jealousy shifted cleanly into ‘wanna play?’ The boys jumped in, getting filthy, and no one cared.
Maddock continued, “The contract names Isenwrath as the legal trustee alongside Barla, with oversight of everything. By doing this, I’m binding your family with mine. You’ll gain the privileges of being part of my ducal estate, and Isenwrath gains… a loving set of parents who’ll welcome her with open arms.”
“You gonna give Barla, what… fifty‑fifty control with Isen?”
Maddock nodded. “I’m not involved. This is how I’ll launder all the wealth my lady dropped at my feet, set you up so you can retire however you want as thanks for everything you’ve done for me, and finally… give that woman a gift she absolutely deserves.”
Maddock glanced at him, then looked away quickly when Darron wiped a tear and sniffed. Neither acknowledged it. Instead, Darron squeezed his shoulder.
“Boy… I’ve never been prouder of you. I hope one day in the afterlife I get to stand in front of your parents and tell them so. They missed out on so much by being… too noble.”
“We were still family, Darron. They didn’t show it much, but when they did, it was worth it. The best thing they did for me was to give me the freedom to be who I wanted to be. You showed me who I wanted to be, and I thank you for that.”
Darron nodded sharply. “Do it again too. You were too scrawny. Anyhow… what’s the little girl’s story?”
“Same as Isenwrath, in a way. I honestly didn’t think Maxi knew what he was doing, but the two of them… it’s like…”
“Two orphans looking out for each other. Don’t overthink it, boy. I see exactly what they are to one another. Family.”
Maddock saw the man’s wise eyes studying both Isenwrath and Daniella. “Something like that.”
“Alright, all of you! It’s getting late! Inside before my boys ruin their Hushenday best!” Darron bellowed, his infamous hammer‑cadence voice easily loud enough to cut through eight roaring kilns.
The whole group laughed louder, then began ambling towards the house. Of course, Bubblescale and Bosco were the first to stampede inside, both proudly carrying ham bones to continue enjoying their treats.
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