Child confrontations: Between quarrel and reconciliation

Mortis heard the louder activity outside after a while. Citizens began to play instruments, and the festivities had slowly begun. The tantalizing aroma of food was spreading inside the castle as well. The throne room was filling up with nobles keeping the queen and the margravine company. Mortis gradually grew impatient, and the papers soon became too much for him. Finally he decided, "I have an idea. Just impose house arrest on everyone, and at the trial they must all be present. This trial will go down in the history books. It will be the first in which the dead will be sentenced. And the best part is, dead people can't lie and will speak. All right, get dressed. A feast awaits us."

Helga, who had just been knitting on an armchair, jumped up, stowed her things, and was glad that the discussions were over and the entertaining part would follow. Elara was a little surprised, but nodded. She put the papers aside, rose and stretched before running into the room with Elysia to dress in festive clothes. Meanwhile, Mortis and Helga headed downstairs. There, Mortis commented that the celebration would certainly please Lumina and the children. Then he suggested calling Lumina, even though it was mean to think of others when he had Helga in his arms. With a grin, he gave Helga a kiss on the cheek and said, "But I just like to think of all the loved ones, and it wouldn't be fair if they were just bored at home."

Mortis decided to contact Lumina and tell her that she and the children should port to him to enjoy the feast. Promptly came a reply from Lumina: "The children are already ready. Even without your invitation, I wouldn't have missed the feast. So see you soon." Mortis laughed and said, "I guess I was worried for nothing. The children are already ready, and Lumina is already on her way."

Mortis, together with Helga, entered the throne room, which by now was festively decorated. Tables were set up everywhere, and musicians played on a small stage while the guests enjoyed food and drinks. It seemed as if they had been longing for this celebration. The queen was not yet present, but some nobles from the surrounding area had already arrived. Neither advisors nor higher dignitaries were to be seen, and Mortis' other wives were still waiting.

Just when Mortis thought he could enjoy a glass in peace, Baron Darius suddenly stepped up beside him. But contrary to Mortis' expectations, this did not lead to a heated discussion. The Baron patted him on the shoulder and said, "Both are undoubtedly beautiful, my nephew as well as her adopted sister. But the fact that you want to manage both of them deserves respect. When I think about what Rose or her sister can be like, it would never occur to me to want both of them. You are a real man with nerves of steel, you have my respect. Oh, and one more thing, if I find out my little girl is unhappy because of you, I'm going to kick your ass." Darius walked away with two glasses and a big grin.

Suddenly there was a small outcry in the hallway as some servants wondered who Lumina and the children were. But Kathrin and Jasmin quickly clarified the situation as they were about to enter the throne room. Lumina entered the room, moved directly to Mortis in her seductive clothes and gave him a heartfelt kiss that took the breath away for many. Nora warmly embraced Helga, who had grown fond of her, and Zara looked around, pulling Johannes with her, who followed her without words to the buffet.

The children met young Margrave Bernard at a table full of chocolate and sweet pastries. He was surprised by the new faces and addressed them in a noble manner. Zara and John politely returned his greeting. Bernard curiously asked where they were from and what they were doing in the castle. Johannes explained that they were here as guests because their guardian Count Mortis was present. Bernard's face contorted briefly, but he managed to pull himself together. Zara, however, noticed the hatred in his eyes and asked in a stern tone, "Do you have something against our uncle?" She confidently took a step toward him to challenge him.

The margrave was horrified by Zara's self-assurance and involuntarily backed away. This angered him even more, and in frustration he tried to push Zara away. But John stood protectively in front of Zara, intercepted the shove, and pushed Bernard back. The margrave was surprised by John's strength, lost his balance and hit his head on a table, causing a laceration in the back. Blood ran down his neck.

Meanwhile, a woman became hysterical and wanted to run to Bernard to check on him, but Lillia and Rose stopped her. They wanted to know what was going on. Rose whispered angrily between her teeth, "Shut up, stupid woman, or don't you ever want to see your boy do without a breast? This injury is nothing. Watch what happens as he grows and holds his own against a count." Darius nodded in agreement and added proudly, "It's really nothing. Our sons have scuffled much worse, and they became real men."

Bernard sat on the floor, holding his head and feeling the blood. But he was neither shocked nor panicked. Just as he was about to get up, Nora stood in front of him and handed him a cloth. She leaned over to him and asked, "Are you all right?" However, Bernard did not know who this girl was. He was on the verge of throwing the cloth away and slapping her hand away. But she gently touched his cheek to look him in the eye as she carefully placed the cloth on his wound.

Nervously, Bernard jumped up, patted his clothes arrogantly and said, "I'm fine, it's nothing. But I thank you." He then bowed to Nora and apologized to John for his attack. He extended his hand to both Johannes and Zara, which they both accepted to seal the dispute. Nora stepped closer to him to press the cloth on his wound. However, this seemed to make Bernard uncomfortable and he tried to stay away from Nora. This only angered her more because of his attitude. As a result, she grabbed his arm, pulled him towards her and pinched his arm. This caused him more pain than the wound on his head. Still, he suppressed his reaction and merely wondered what was wrong with the girl as she led him to Helga, who was supposed to heal him with magic.

Mortis could barely contain himself from laughing and covered his mouth. Finally, tears burst out of him with laughter. The girls really did look for their mothers and found them. Even their angry faces are identical. Helga looked at him angrily and pinched Mortis' side, which only increased his laughter. Because she always puffs out her cheeks when she does that, just like Nora.

Mortis' other wives entered next, followed by the Margravine and the Queen. They seemed to get along well with each other. When they all entered the hall, the women rushed straight to Mortis to fix their clothes and start conversations with him. But first, the Margravine and the Queen took it upon themselves to officially open the feast.

Bernard took this opportunity to rejoin his family. At least he tried to. But Nora remained stubbornly on his heels and did not let him out of her sight. This made him a little nervous. When he finally turned around to ask what she wanted from him, she was already addressing him, "Do you want to play or dance?"

Bernard was surprised. "Dancing?" he asked in amazement. "Yes, it's a party, you dance. Unfortunately, I'm not good at dancing, and I don't want to dance with John. So, will you dance with me?" Bernard looked around sheepishly when suddenly Lillia joined them and said, "Young lady, he would love to dance with you, but the feast hasn't officially started yet. Later, I'm sure he'll be happy to dance with you." Nora smiled kindly and nodded. Then she made her way to Zara and Johannes.

Lillia led Bernard to his siblings, who were having dinner. As they did so, Lillia and Rose, still holding Bernard's mother, exchanged a self-satisfied grin. "What are you up to?" asked Bernard's mother. However, Rose, who was holding her, said, "Don't act so stupid. You know exactly what she's up to. But don't worry, you can spend the whole evening looking at your new daughter-in-law."

Lillia then replied, "Stop making it sound like a threat. But this little girl is perfect to be the next Margravine. She just doesn't know it yet." Eyes shining, Lillia looked ahead, envisioning a bright future for herself and for the country, while her eyes rested on Mortis and his women.