BLESSING

Upon Mort, Klauss, Laurel, Narco, and the twin's arrival, the Massoullèves boarded their private jet, were about to reach North Le Frère to join the exciting festival. The place started to become lively and the joy exist beyond the huge palace wall.

Down below, the houses are empty, but the village is all alive, bustling with festivity, warmth, and noise. Outside the palace, people of all generations walk through the streets wearing traditional clothes with colorful embroidery. Flags are put all over North Le Frère. The hustle and bustle of chatter, cheers of celebration; the tantalizing smell of warm stew, fry meat, and caramel desserts wafted the air. The village emitted a golden glow. Instrumental music was played everywhere, some people performed dance swords, breathing fire on the streets, and many more extraordinary performances. It's like entering a whole new world.

Even in the City of North Le Frère, the fancy festival feels sad, people are busy preparing for the upcoming festival tomorrow. Every house is prepared since this is the only event marked on their calendars. Except for their Birthdays, they don't have holidays like Christmas eve or New year. The festival occurs once a year and is the only event where everyone in North Le Frère will gather, have fun and interact with one another, whether they know each other or not.

This festival is for the North Le Frère, not for saints or anything, but for the people living in this country. They don't have a specific theme for the festival. Unique ornaments and other embellishments can be seen outside their manors. People living inside the palace were dressed modernly. Everyone is free to roam around. This day was marked as a holiday. No office work or school, no wedding ceremonies, and so on. All purchases during that one day are free. This is only a given date when the Queen passes the order. The Festival in the North Le Frère will only happen after the reunion of the Davenfords.

Drinking, dancing, singing, gambling with no money out, drag racing and many activities are expected that day. But there was one thing that people in the town were most excited about. That was to see the Davenfords and their beloved Queen, Queen Zèlle. The most loved Queen of the people of North Le Frère. People have their performances ready to perform in front of the Queen. They all are eager to please and make their Dear Queen laugh.

On that day, while everyone outside and inside the palace was busy, the Davenfords were already at the long table for lunch with the guests. The Davenfords, especially the girls, were in awe when they saw Mort in person, whom Sumire introduced as her future husband. Sumire, on the other hand, is very proud after hearing positive comments from the Davenfords.

"What do you do for a living?" The Queen's sister, Princess Nastya asked at the hunk. Mort was slightly stopped by the question and a few seconds passed before he answered.

"...prolonging humans' lives and delaying their deaths. Creating weapons." Mort responded calmly but coldly. His icy cold expression made everyone in the place find him mysterious and dangerous.

"Interesting... Weapons, huh? Oh, I see." Princess Nastya just nodded as she remembered what Chadwick said.

"Then what do you think about nuclear bombs?" Archduke Zeno asked. Mort stopped chewing his food.

"We can talk about that after dinner," Mort replied, which pleased the palace Archduke. Chadwick who was sitting in the corner, observing in silence. Hearing positive comments from the Davenfords towards his rival made him sneer.

"So, when is your wedding?" The Queen asked making the maiden caught off guard.

Sumire immediately stared up at Mort who was now looking at her as well. Their gaze locked once more, no words uttered but their hearts talking. Though Mort emanates a dark aura and vibes, the maiden shine bright like an angel sitting next to the God of Death. Their opposite auras perfectly fit which made the other Davenford girls envy her. The other young men of Davenfords who were interested in pursuing Sumire now felt hopeless and give up, especially since they could see how big the gap was between them and Mort. They are not at the hunk's level.

"Whenever we want Grandma." The maiden replied with a smile, not taking her eyes off Mort and her sweet smile lingered on her lips.

"I am not quite satisfied with your answer, but I want to see your babies with him as soon as possible." The Queen teasingly said which made the maiden giggle. Mort, who liked Sumire's grandmother's suggestion, smirked.

"Don't worry, Grandma. We certainly gave you lots of great grandbabies!" Sumire did not hesitate to tease her grandmother back, which made everyone at the table guffaw.

"And how about you, Blanche? You haven't introduced to me your girlfriend yet." Queen Zèlle said eyes darted at Blanche who was quietly sitting next to his dad Chadwick and Narco.

Blanche didn't answer right away. He looked at his father who seemed to be in a good mood and Narco who was also looking at him.

"I expected to see your babies first." The Queen added making Blanche's cheeks redden. He blinked a few times, not knowing what to answer his grandmother. Started to sweat profusely, Blanche gulped hard one after another. Struggling to find an answer.

"Don't pressure him, Mom. He's more focused on his career now. And one more thing, he doesn't like girls." Chadwick was the one who answered which everyone surprised. He answered very casually.

They looked at Blanche who almost had indigestion because of the shame and pressure he was feeling. He barely chews what he eats and just swallows it right away.

"I don't see a problem with that. Just make sure you let us know who your crush is, sweety." The Queen gently with a smile that made Blanche breathe a sigh of relief.

He was stunned when he felt Narco's hand under the table holding one of his hands and gently squeezed it. Blanche throw a glance at him but Narco wasn't looking at him. The tanned young man resumed eating while holding his hand tightly.

Blanche just smiled and lost all his nervousness and pressure because of Narco. Chadwick elbowed Blanche slightly, indirectly telling him trying not to be too obvious, especially since this was not the right time to introduce Narco to the Davenfords and Narco was a crucial piece for him to succeed sitting on the throne.

"Dreygur, as the next King of the North Le Frère what can you say about the relationship between Sumire and Mort? Sumire is especially your favorite niece." The Queen asked in a smooth and serene tone.

There is no hint of an oddity in her voice but it was an insult to Dreygur, especially since both he and Queen Zèlle knew that he had feelings for Sumire. He has declared to the Queen first that he will marry the maiden and she knows that he is determined to make Sumire his. And now that all the Davenfords have met Mort, who is Sumire's beloved man, Dreygur chooses to hide the anger he felt.

"Your eyes are a little red. Maybe you got emotional and cried because you've finally met Mort. You never thought your princess would find a prince." Princess Nastya sarcastically seconded that shocked everyone at the table.

Gulped, the tension that was building inside get darkened and heavy after what the princess said. Sumire, on the other hand, burst into chuckles. She didn't hear any malice in what Princess Nastya said. Inside the maiden's thought, her Uncle Dreygur became tearful as he was happy for her because she now had Mort. She had found the man to spend her life with. That's Sumire's interpretation of the situation. She was the only one in the hall who thought like that but the rest of the people know what the Princess's meant to say. No one spoke after that, while Sumire was busy feeding Mort, with who they share the same plate, spoon, and fork. She looked like a fairy brightening the heavy and dark atmosphere around her.

"Nastya." Queen Zèlle coldly and firmly called her sister's name. Archduke looked menacingly at their little sister who is unbothered and doesn't seem to care even if few of the Davenfords were throwing dagger looks at her.

"It's true that I cried because I am genuinely happy for my niece who has always been my favorite. I am glad as she found someone who will take care of and love her truly. And anyone who cares for her in this room will be happy when she found her true happiness." Dreygur tried to be sincere and he succeeded as Sumire looked at him emotionally. She was happy with what he said.

The maiden was in gaiety as her Uncle also accepts Mort. She gratefully thanked him. Dreygur may have successfully fooled Sumire but not the Davenfords and the guests around.

"I'm glad you accept them too. Then all we need to get is the blessings of the Massoullèves." Queen Zèlle said and look at the couple.

"I approve." Smiling from ear to ear, Blanche happily raised his hand and Chadwick nodded after him.

"Then-" The Queen did not finish what she had to say when the big door of the dining hall suddenly opened and the rest of the Massoullèves who had just arrived. From there emerge Don Zagreus, Chaise who had his arms enwrapped around his wife's waist, Lunaire. Cornelius and Aireinna were holding their hands together and behind them was Claire looking gorgeous in her black outfit.

"The other Massoullèves are here." Princess Nastya said and flash a smirk. The Davenfords quickly stood up at their table to meet them.

With heavy steps approaching their place, eyes squinted directly on Mort, Chaise's nostrils flared after seeing his daughter's husband's presence in the place.

"The audacity." Chaise was about to attack Mort when the Queen faked a cough which immediately caught his attention.

"Son, I have given my blessing to them. I have approved their relationship." Queen Zèlle said which made Chaise's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't believe what his mother just said.

"Mom, you have no idea what kind of person that is," Chaise replied and pointed angrily at Mort which made the Queen smile.

"Sumire has told me everything. I've also talked to Mort. That's enough." Queen Zèlle said with a commanding tone. Gaped, Chaise was about to answer when Don Zagreus let out a hearty hee-haw.

"Then there is no problem if the Queen has already decided." Don Zagreus said as he approached his wife's place and gave her a smack on her lips.

"I love you, Darling." Don Zagreus said and the Queen smiled at him beguilingly.

"I love you more." Queen Zèlle heartily said to his husband and cupped his face. And together, they face their granddaughter and Mort.

"Congratulations, Sumire and Mort," Don said. "Fill this lonely palace with my grandkids..." he added making everyone cheer. Mort holds Sumire's hand, entwined with his as the maiden now smiling at him.

"Then cheers!" Claire yelled. She got the glass of wine in her hand and everyone followed her, raising their glasses, except for Chaise who sulked at the corner. He still couldn't believe in his eyes what his mother just said and cast a piercing look at Mort.

The dining table was filled with laughter and conversation after the Queen had gone to the bedroom with her husband, Don Zagreus.

"How about you, Claire? I heard you have a boyfriend?" Archduke Zeno asked. Claire's cheek quickly reddened at his question.

"Yes!" Claire merrily and curtly said. The Archduke waited for her to say more about her relationship but it was only her response. It seems Claire doesn't want to talk about her boyfriend.

"I am happy for you. I hope we can meet him too." Archduke Zeno said and Claire mouthed a thank you.

"Chaise, you will finally be able to see your grandkids soon." Cornelius continued teasing his brother who just pouted, with arms crossed on his chest and eyebrows puckered to a frown.

"I think I'll be ahead of you. And I hope they will never grow like their father." Chaise said in a monotonous tone who has no choice but to accept Mort as his daughter's husband.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll make sure our kids live." Everyone fell into silence at what Mort said.

The hunk tried to joke but he forgot that all his jokes went worked because of Narco's help. Mort's joke was so dark that Chaise flushed with anger while Sumire held back her laughter.

"Brat..." Head throbs in pain, Chaise massages his temple. He is having a headache because of this man. Losing his patience, Chaise turned his gaze to his daughter.

"Ha... Sumire, you still got time to think a million times about your relationship with him and back down." Chaise hopelessly said but the maiden respond to him with a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, Dad. But it's not gonna happen." Sumire said and hugged Mort's arm, smiling widely at the hunk. Chaise was annoyed even more.

Chadwick, who was happy with what was happening, couldn't lose sight of Dreygur, whose eyes were too dead and the expression on his face was strained. Mort noticed that too. Laurel is busy munching food and eating to her heart's content, and so are the twins. Klauss had already finished and he was now talking to the other Davenfords in the place. No one else at the table realizes that Narco had gone out of the place except for Blanche whom he informed.

"I can't wait for your wedding, sweethearts!" Jumping in joy, Lunaire delightedly approached them who voted for Mort since day one.

"Thank you, Mom." Sumire smiled sweetly. She kissed her mother on the right cheek and hugged her, squeezing her.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. Take care of my daughter, okay?" Lunaire said while also turning to Mort.

"Trust me, ma'am," Mort replied.

"Just call me Mom from now on." Elated at the back of her mind, Lunaire said excitedly and feeling thrilled.

"Hmph!" Chaise childishly reacted which made their guests break into laughter. Lunaire shakes her head. It looks like her husband is the childish man in the room, opposing their daughter's happiness.

The dining hall was filled with chatters, shares with different stories and it echoes in the air between the Davenfords and Massoullèves, unaware of someone's impending doom will about to happen soon.