A contentious dinner

Dina refused to meet Vel’s gaze at dinner, not even looking up when he and Adi entered. That thrilled him. She might have gone back to her arrogant self quickly, but there had definitely been a permanent change in their dynamic. She could not un-jerk his cock. That had happened, and her façade was forever chipped.

Vel was in high spirits, some of the highest he had ever been. Licia… Under the table, he placed his hand on Adi’s abdomen. His twin smiled at him, clearly holding back tears. Vel felt a soft little hand grab his free one. He looked over at Ella, who smiled at him and placed his hand on her own abdomen. He smiled back and pulsed her a quick. “I love you.” What a moment, he had his hands on the wombs that his two first daughters would grow inside of while he was sitting opposite his own unsuspecting mother.

Dinner was served, river crab stuffed with leeks. Vel detested leeks. And he knew Dina couldn’t stand river crab. He looked at his mother just as Dina exclaimed. “What the hells?” Lady Rienne gave each of them a stern look. “Do either of my unruly children have any complaints about dinner?” Lynn let out an unexpected little laugh. “Oh, Mother, this is so petty. I kind of love it.” Vel sighed and looked at Dina. For the first time in a long time, a moment of solidarity passed between then, though it quickly ended when Dina grew flushed and looked away. She got up. “Seeing how there’s no dinner for me here, I believe I shall take myself somewhere else.” Lady Rienne looked like she was about to say something, but Adi beat her to it. “If there’s nothing for Vel to eat, I’m not eating either.” Their mother looked exasperated. Vel didn’t like the idea of his pregnant wife not eating anything for dinner. Wife? Huh, he’d have to tell Adi he’d thought of her as his pregnant wife later, she’d no doubt get a kick out of it.

“Children, calm down. Dina, sit down.” Mother and daughter glared at each other. Dina made no move to sit back down, but she had also stopped walking. “This is just the first dish, there are others on the way. It was meant to teach you a bit of a lesson, which I hope it did.” Vel scoffed. “I do not think so, Mother. I considered the matter between Dina and I concluded, but now I rather think I might enjoy another test of arms against her. How about you, Sister?” Dina replied without taking her eyes of her mother. “It sounds like a good idea right now, that’s for sure.” Lady Rienne threw her hands up. “Oh, shush you two. I apologize, okay? It was meant as a funny lesson, it did not work out that way. Now, let us sit down and enjoy a nice family dinner.” Servants brought out a few other dishes, all of which Vel and Dina had no objections to. His mother had actually admitted fault and apologized. He was definitely making progress with her.

Dinner had been pleasant after that, but a bit of tension remained in the air. Vel took the opportunity to first reinforce the latest suggestions to his mother, which was long overdue. After that, he made sure to reinforce Dina’s, for which he barely had the reserves left after dealing with Rienne’s formidable defenses. He really did want to ask Seph about that and his father’s wall. A single reinforcement had proven enough for Dina, but his mother would need a third round at some point. He moved his hands onto both Adi’s and Ella’s abdomens again and drew strength from the knowledge that Lilly and Licia would be growing in there soon.

“Ella, do you have tutor appointments tomorrow?” She grimaced. “What do you think?” Vel looked at his mother. “Mother, please cancel all of them. Ella is coming for a ride with me and Adi. You can consider that a lesson too. This little lady needs to work on her horsemanship.” Lady Rienne seemed to consider it for a moment. “Okay, I will see it done. But do make sure she actually learns something.” Ella beamed at him.