1 Lucian

During the earliest moments of the winter's night, just a few minutes past midnight, in the luxurious bedroom of the Nightshade family mansion, the cries of a newborn baby could be heard.

Outside the main bedroom stood a tall, stoic man with hair as dark as night. He was dressed in a midnight coloured royal gown with a crimson cloak which lingered in the air behind him with every step taken. Just moments ago, the man had been pacing back and forth through the long corridor. From the slight marks that could be faintly seen on his face, it was clear that he was worrying about something.

The bedroom door burst open and an excited girl, no more than 10 years old, exited the room. Her white gown fluttered behind her as if a strong gust had blown through the passage. "Father!" she exclaimed, "It's a boy. I have a baby brother!"

"Come, let me see him", the man said as he rushed into the room. The bedroom was huge, by everybody's standards. It had a golden theme with the bed sheets were golden, the duvet was golden, the curtains and even the tiger skin rug on the floor was golden. The room was filled with handmaidens with a beautiful woman lying in the bed. Her hair was a bright blonde shade and she possessed a gorgeous face with full lips, a petite nose and eyes as blue as the sky.

Daniella Nightshade, the Lady of the Nightshade House. Cradled in her arms, still as water, was a little baby boy. He was smaller than most newborn babies. He looked like a doll. Instead of whining like a normal baby, he became quiet the moment he laid eyes on his mother.

"My lord", greeted the handmaidens in unison, the words accompanied by a curtsy from each of them. The lord acknowledged them with a slight nod of his head.

"Come John, look at what we've created", she gestured for Johnathon Nightshade, the current head of the Nightshade family, to come to her side with a wave of her hand. There was a wide smile plastered on her face, her teeth glittering like the stars.

John hurried to the bedside. A smile, as wide as the one worn by Daniella, adorned his face. Johnathon was a man who usually kept his emotions to himself, never letting any hint of his true feelings show on his face. Unless he was with his family. His family, which he feels secure with. The family that he isn't afraid to appear vulnerable in front.

John placed one of his arms around the shoulders of his wife, slightly pulling her into his embrace. His other hand gently covered his wife's hand that held the baby, as he gazed towards the little bundle in her arms. His gaze was greeted with a baby with tiny tufts of white hair. A small gasp escaped the mouth John, "Why is his hair white? None of us have white hair. And... His left eye... Silver?" John's expression was a mixture of amazement and worry, "Is he sick? Or blind in that eye?" A father's biggest worry would be the health of his baby boy. At this moment another voice appeared, old it was. "Don't worry my Lord; I've already evaluated his health. He appears to be perfectly fine. His eye and hair is oddly coloured, however, although it is extremely uncommon, there have been a number of similar occurrences in the past." The old man is Master Grimold, a dear friend of Johnathon's father and a renowned physician.

John's face washed over in relief. "John, Dani, have you too decided on a name? It is said to be auspicious if the baby is given a name before an hour has passed since its birth. The quicker a name is decided, the stronger he will be", chuckled Master Grimold.

Till now, Anna, the princess of the Nightshades, has kept her mouth shut while she gazed lovingly at her little brother. "Mom, Dad, look at him. He is so happy."

"Indeed Anna, such a jovial little guy." Dani couldn't keep her eyes of her son. "For as long as I've looked at him, he hasn't stopped grinning," it wasn't clear who Dani was speaking to but everyone was listening. All in the room was silent. The only sounds that could be heard was the occasional sound of candle wax dripping to the tray that it was placed upon, the rustle of the trees outside the windows and the adorable laughter of the baby as his eyes wondered across the room. The Main bedroom was situated four floors high, so only the tallest of trees were visible.

John's voice burst with pride, his son had accomplished nothing but John seemed proud because his son was alive, "Haha! One day he will be a great warrior! He is our son after all, isn't that right Dani?"

"Certainly dear, but we won't be naming him after a great warrior." Dani's expression was unusually stern.

When Dani got serious, even John would listen to her commands. He loved his wife but she was undeniably a terrifying being when angered. He agreed with her on this case though, "Of course, One day his name will be known worldwide because of his own deeds. I've decided Dani. I want to name him Lucian. Lucian Nightshade, he will be the first of his name in our family" said John with a grin of his own.

"Ah, I love it. I think it will fit him perfectly." Daniella was genuinely happy at this point.

The family they had always desired was finally complete. Two children, a boy and a girl. An heir to the Nightshade family, and a princess.

Master Grimold left to go to his own chambers. Anna left to her own room. The servants had started a graceful fire in the brick fireplace. The fire filled the room with warmth almost comparable to the warmth of the familial love. John and Dani sat in front of the fireplace on a wooden bench. They were covered underneath a thick blanket with the baby Lucian in his cradle just ahead of them. The Winter Nights can get so cold in this part of the world after all.