Rayner practically bounded into the village, a wide grin plastered across his face as if returning to a beloved home after a long adventure. His stride was playful and light, and his eyes twinkled with his mischievous glint. Marcelia followed behind him, feeling her face warm as she caught sight of the villagers turning their attention toward them. She tried to keep her head high, but the weight of what had happened between them left her both embarrassed and unsure of what to expect.
"Rayner's back!" a small boy cried out, running ahead to alert the rest of the village.
The village came alive at the sound of the boy's voice. People leaned out of their home, smiling and waving at the approaching pair, their eyes filled with mirth. They were well accustomed to Rayner's visits and the chaos he often brought with him.
"Who've you caught this time, Rayner?" one of the older men called out with a chuckle as they passed.
A baker, her hands dusted in flour, laughed from her stall. "Looks like someone's the latest victim of his name tricks."
Rayner threw his head back and laughed, utterly delighted by their reactions. "Oh, if only it were that simple!" he said, grinning from ear to ear. He glanced over his shoulder at Marcelia with a twinkle in his eyes. "This one is too clever to fall for my usual tricks. But.. she accidentally proposed marriage to me instead!"
The village erupted into laughter, and Marcelia's face flushed bright red. She wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not under such circumstances.
"Marriage?" A farmer's wife raised her brows, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well I'll be! Didn't think I'd see the day when someone managed to tie down the likes of you!"
Rayner puffed out his chest with mock pride. "Indeed! In fae terms, she's my betrothed now. But, so she doesn't panic"-he shot Marcelia another playful look-"we're calling it Fiances, just to ease her mind." His voice was full of warmth, and despite the teasing, it was clear that he was genuinely pleased by this turn of events.
Marcelia felt like all the eyes in the village were on her, and she forced a tight smile, unsure of how to respond. The villagers, however, took it in stride, offering congratulations as if this sort of thing was entirely ordinary.
"Looks like you're stuck with him now," an elderly woman chuckled, patting Marcelia's arm as she passed by.
Marcelia managed a small laugh, though it sounded more strained than she would have liked. "Lucky me," she muttered under her breath, casting a sideways glance at Rayner, who seemed utterly unfazed by her discomfort. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying every second of it.
A group of children approached, their eyes wide with curiosity. One particularly bold girl stepped forward. "Are you really gonna be a fairy princess now?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
Marcelia knelt down to the girl's level and smiled, though her cheeks were still flushed. "I don't think I'm princess material," she said softly, "but… I suppose anything's possible."
Rayner's voice boomed behind her. "Oh, she'll be more than a princess. She'll be the cleverest, most beautiful fairy queen there ever was!"
The children giggled, and Marcelia shot Rayner a glare over her shoulder. He only winked at her in response, his smile widening.
The crowd began to disperse as the villagers returned to their work, though many cast lingering smiles and teasing glances at the pair. Marcelia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself now that the excitement had died down. She was here to help Lucillia, and that needed to be her focus-no matter what mischief Rayner tried to stir up.
Once most of the villagers had gone back to their daily tasks, Marcelia turned to Rayner, her voice low and tense. "Did you really have to announce it like that?"
Rayner feigned innocence, placing a hand over his heart. "Why I was just sharing the truth with our lovely village friends. Would you rather I lie?"
Marcelia rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips, "You're impossible."
Rayner grinned, leaning closer to her. "That's why you like me."
She let out a sigh, unable to deny that, despite his antics, she found his presence oddly comforting. As much as she hated to admit it, Rayner had a way of making even the most awkward situations feel a little lighter. But that doesn't mean she was going to let him off the hook so easily.
"Come on," she said, turning away from him. "We're here to deliver some babies. Focus."
Rayner nodded, though his mischievous grin didn't falter, "Whatever you say, my clever fiance."
Marcelia gave him one last exasperated look before heading toward Lucillia's home, her heart racing as she prepared herself for the task ahead. The village may have been calm and welcoming, but Marcelia knew soon, her skills would be tested in ways that even Rayner's teasing couldn't distract her from.
Rayner led Marcelia through the village with an effortless grace, his lighthearted energy never faltering. They soon approached a cozy-looking cottage nestled near the edge of the village. The place exuded warmth and comfort, the kind of home where stories were told by the fire and visitors were always welcome. Flower boxes beneath the windows brimmed with herbs and bright colored blooms, and the scent of baking bread wafted from the chimney.
Rayner surprised Marcelia by knocking on the door instead of barging in as she half expected him to do. She arched a brow, but before she could comment, the door swung open, revealing a man in his late twenties, with dark brown hair and deep green eyes that immediately put her in mind of Julius. The resemblance was uncanny-though his demeanor was far more relaxed and playful than her often-stressed stepbrother.
"Edward!" Rayner exclaimed, clapping the man on the shoulders, "How's my favorite crazy man doing? I've brought you something!"
He stepped aside, gesturing to Marcelia with an exaggerated flourish: as though she were the most prized of treasures.
Edward raised a brow, looking between Rayner and Marcelia with a bemused expression. "So, the healer we asked for became your latest victim, huh?"
Marcelia blinked, momentarily taken aback. It seemed like everyone in this village knew about Rayner's name stealing antics.
"Nope!" Rayner replied cheerfully, "She's too clever for that!"
Edward laughed, clearly used to Rayner's theatrics. "Did she accidentally propose marriage to you?" he asked in jest, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Marcelia's face turned an alarming shade of red.
Edward's eyes widened as he noticed her reaction. "Wait… no way. That's actually what happened?" His grin spread across his face. "Damn! Now you're going to have to prove that you're worthy to marry her. And let me tell you, Cedric is one very protective father. Good luck with that."
Rayner laughed, entirely unfazed by the prospect. "Oh, I'm not worried. Marcelia already likes me. The rest will follow."
Edward chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. "Well, I wish I could be there to watch Cedric's reaction. He's not the kind of father who lets things slide easily-especially when it comes to his daughters." He shot Marcelia an apologetic smile. "I'm sure Rayner will find some way to charm his way out of it, though."
Rayner grinned like a cat who had already caught it's pray. "I've got nothing to worry about. After all, Cedric's all about fairness, right?"
Marcelia could only sigh in exasperation, though she couldn't deny that there was something oddly comforting about the benter between the two men despite Rayner's mischief, there was a sense of familiarity and trust between him and Edward that made the entire sittion feel a little less awkward.
"Well," Edward said, stepping aside to let them in, "come on in. Lucillia's in the back resting. She's been waiting for you."
Marcelia nodded, grateful for the shift in conversation. She followed Edward inside, taking a deep breath as she prepared herself for the work ahead.
Marcelia cleared her throat, grateful for the opportunity to focus on her work rather than the awkwardness of the earlier conversation. "Alright," she began, her tone becoming more serious, "what's Lucillia's biggest concern right now regarding the birth?"
Edward's expression sobered as well, clearly switching into a more focus mode. "She believes she's showing signs of pre-eclampsia. She's been doing everything she can to mitigate the symptoms, but it's still a concern."
Marcelia nodded thoughtfully. "That's a serious condition. We'll need to monitor her closely."
Rayner, who had been listening intently but with a slight furrow of confusion on his bro, finally spoke up. "Wait, what exactly is pre-eclampsia?"
Marcelia glanced at him, realizing that this might be the first time he had encountered such a term. She searched for a way to explain it that would make sense to him, considering his unfamiliarity with medical terminology.
"Alright," she started, "think of it like this: when a woman is pregnant, her body has to work much harder to support both herself and the baby. Sometimes, if the strain becomes too much, it can cause problems with her blood pressure. Pre-eclamsia happens when that blood pressure gets too high and starts affecting her organs-like her liver or kidneys. It can also make her retain fluid and cause swelling, and endanger both the mother and the baby."
Rayner's eyes widened in concern, the mischievous gleam in them dimming a little. "And that's what Lucillia has?"
"We're not certain yet," Marcelia replied gently, "but we have to treat it seriously, especially with twins on the way. Her body is under extra strain."
Rayner nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "So what do we do? How do we help her?"
Marcelia glanced at Edward, who was already nodding in agreement. "I'll check her symptoms, make sure she's stable, and keep an eye on her blood pressure. Edward's been helping by making sure she rests, which is crucial. If we can keep her calm and her blood pressure down, we can get through this safely. But if things get worse, we may have to deliver the babies early."
Edward added, "Lucillia's been doing everything she can, but its getting harder for her. That's why we needed you, Marcelia."
Rayner's expression softened and he placed a hand on Marcelia's shoulder. "Good thing you're here, then."
Marcelia gave a small nod, focusing on the task at hand. "Alright, let's not waste any more time. I'll need to see Lucillia and assess her condition."
Edward led Marcelia and Rayner inside, guiding them through the cozy cottage. The air was warm, filled with the faint scent of herbs, and the decor was charmingly simple, with soft fabrics and wooden furniture. Marcelia felt at home immediately.
As they entered the main room, Marcelia's eyes landed on a familiar figure. Lucillia was lounging comfortably in a large cushioned chair, her snow-white hair shimmering in the soft light. Her lopso bunny ears drooped lazily over the sides of her head, and her fluffy tail twitched slightly as she adjusted her position. Despite her clear exhaustion, Lucillia looked as regal as ever, with the lower half of her legs covered in fur down to her paw-like feet-stretched out in front of her, relaxing. The chair seemed designed just for her, offering both support and comfort, though her rounded belly, heavy with twins, was a reminder of the physical toll she was enduring.
"Lucy!" Marcelia exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face as recognition dawned. "I haven't seen you since the day you graduated! Papa was so sad but proud to see his top student go."
Lucillia's ears perked up slightly, and a wide grin spread across her face, her eyes sparkling with warmth and fondness. "Little Songbird!" she exclaimed, using the affectionate nickname she had given Marcelia years ago. "Look at you now-a fully grown woman! What are you, about twenty now?"
Marcelia laughed softly and nodded. "Twenty-one actually."
Lucillia gave an approving nod, her expression softening as she looked at Marcelia. "You've grown beautifully. I knew you'd turn into a remarkable healer, just like your father. He must be so proud of you."
Marcelia blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thank you, Lucy. But it looks like yu've been doing just fine yourself." Her gaze briefly flickered to Lucillia's belly. "Twins! That's… quite a feat."
Lucillia chuckled softly. "Oh, it's been an adventure, that's for sure. But I knew when things started getting complicated that it was time to call in the cavalry."
Lucillia's eyes suddenly locked onto Rayner and Marcelia noticed a shift in her expression-an evilly playful smile crept across her face, the kind she only used on those she loved to torment. "Oh, Twig Boi," she sang, her voice laced with bardic magic, emphasizing the words as her eyes gleamed mischievously. "Did you mess with my Songbird?"
Rayner's face went pale, his usually cocky demeanor crumbling under Lucillia's teasing. "N-n-no ma'am," he stammered, practically trembling like a leaf in the wind. "She… she was far too c-clever."
"My Sunny Bunny, leave Rayner alone," Edward sighed from the kitchen, shaking his head as he set a tray of freshly baked bread on the table. "You're supposed to be resting, not traumatizing him again. I still can't believe you gave a fae food poisoning."
Lucillia chuckled, her eyes twitching as she shrugged. "What can I say? It's a gift."
Rayner's eyes darted toward the kitchen, desperation evident in his voice. "Please tell me that bread I smell was made by you, Edward." His voice was almost pleading, as if the bread was his only hope for survival.
Edward laughed. "Yes, Rayner, and I made spinach puffs too. You're safe-for now."
Rayner quickly disappeared into the kitchen with Edward, leaving Marcelia to sigh as she sank into the chair next to Lucillia. "Who would have guessed accidentally proposing to a fae would cause me so much anxiety," she muttered under her breath, rubbing her temple.
Lucillia's ears twitched, and a sly smile crept onto her face. "Did you forget, little Songbird about my sensitive hearing?"
Marcelia froze for a moment but quickly refocused, doing her best to ignore Lucillia's teasing. She softly hummed a soothing melody, weaving her bardic magic into the air as her hands hovered gently above Lucillia's belly. Her magic whispered the results of Lucillia's vitals to her blood pressure elevated, oxygen levels stable, temperature within normal range. Marcelia frowned slightly as she noticed the elevated cortisol levels, which were often tied to anxiety or stress. That could explain the rise in blood pressure.
"Lucillia," Marcelia asked bluntly, knowing that sugarcoating wouldn't work with her old friend, "what's causing your anxiety?"
Lucillia's playful expression faded as her pale red eyes softened with sadness. She hesitated for a moment, her voice quieter than before. "Marcelia… this is technically my third pregnancy."
The weight of Lucillia's words hit Marcelia like a wave. She hadn't realized Lucillia had experienced two miscarriages. Marcelia's heart clenched as understanding dawned. Lucillia's anxiety wasn't just about her current condition: it was the fear of losing the twins, of another pregnancy not reaching full term.
Lucillia took a deep breath, her hand resting on her belly. "I try not to think about it, but it's hard, you know. Every time I fell them move, I wonder if it'll be the last time…"
Marcelia's heart ached for her. She reached out and placed a comforting hand over Lucillia's, the warmth of her magic extending like a gentle embrace. "We're going to make sure everything is okay," she said softly. "I'm here, and I won't leave until these babies are born healthy and safe."
Lucillia nodded, her eyes misty but filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Songbird. I trust you."
Rayner slipped back into the room quietly, his demeanor unusually subdued. Marcelia noticed immediately that one of his horns was missing, leaving only the right one, from which delicate lavender-like flowers bloomed. These flowers seemed to hum with a subtle magic, their calming energy filling the air. Rayner, with a sheepish look, wedged himself between Marcelia and Lucillia on the couch, ignoring any protests as he gently laid his ear on Lucillia's belly. Marcelia was about to say something when she felt the shift in the room-the stress that lingered like a heavy fog over Lucillia began to lift. The flowers on Rayner's horns pulsed softly, releasing magic that soothed Lucillia's tense body and even caused Marcelia to feel lighter, as though the cortisol was being drawn out of the air. The aura of anxiety slowly dissipated.
Rayner, his voice barely above a whisper, murmured, "Shush, I'm listening to their life force."
Lucillia's pale red eyes softened, and for a moment, the room felt wrapped in a peaceful stillness, the magic of the fae blending harmoniously with Marcelia's own bardic magic.
"They say they'll be ready tomorrow or the day after… you're further along than you realize," Rayner's voice was like a gentle embrace, soothing in it's tone. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll go purify the water in your birthing room."
Marcelia blinked, surprised. "She has a water birthing room?" Her tone was a mixture of shock and excitement.
Rayner nodded, sitting up slowly. "Of course. She's the healer of the village, which makes her the midwife as well. I might be slightly terrified of Lucillia, but I respect her deeply." He glanced foundly at Lucillia, then back to Marcellia. "So whenever I get the chance, I purify the water in that room. It keeps the village healthy, and it's the least I can do for her."
Lucillia's eyes softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You know how to take care of your friends, don't you, Rayner?"
Rayner nodded, his expression momentarily distant. "They took me in when I had nowhere to go and couldn't find my way home. The villagers were there for me… they treated me like one of their own." A hint of sadness filled his voice at the mention of home, his eyes clouding briefly with emotion.
Marcelia, sensing the shift, chose not to press him. She figured he would tell her more when he was ready, as their bond grew over time. For now, she respected his silence.
With a quiet nod of understanding, Rayner left to purify the water, disappearing into the back of the cottage to handle his task.
As predicted, Lucillia began to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, a subtle reminder that the real labor was still on the horizon.
Lucillia went into labor around midnight the next day, the quiet of the village interrupted only by the sounds of hushed whispers and hurried movements. Rayner, to everyone's surprise, became a valuable asset, his presence more than just a hovering bystander. He controlled magic in ways that Marcelia could only marvel at-fluid, natural, as though the Weave itself yearned to sing for him.
As Lucillia gripped Edward's hand, breathing through the contractions, Rayner stood by the water's edge, his fingers trailing above the surface, keeping it at the perfect temperature. "How do you do that so effortlessly?" Marcelia asked in a brief lull between contractions, her voice filled with admiration as she kept a close eye on Lucillia's vitals.
Rayner's lips curved into a small smile, eyes glinting in the dim light. "I was born with it," he said with a slight air of cheek, "It's in my blood. Besides, I'm only doing the easy part."
Lucillia groaned from the water, though there was humor in her voice. "Easy for you to say-you're not the one about to push two babies out of your body."
Rayner winced slightly, glancing at Marcelia. "I think I'd rather fight a pack of wolves than… that."
Edward chuckled, though he didn't let go of Lucillia's hand. "Don't let her fool you, Rayner. I've seen her take down a wild boar without breaking a sweat. This-" he nodded to Lucillia, "is nothing compared to the wrath of Lucillia with a polearm in hand."
Marcelia laughed, her tension easing at the lightheartedness. "Remind me to stay on her good side."
Rayner's magic kept Lucillia's pain at bay, allowing her to focus on the task at hand, and Marcelia to monitor the situation, moving swiftly but with practiced calm. As another contraction hit, Lucillia let out a string of color curses, making Rayner visibly cringe.
"I thought you fae were used to loud noises," Lucillia teased between breaths seeing his discomfort.
"Not that kind," he replied with mock horror, though the flowers blooming on his horns shimmered softly, releasing a calming fragrance that quickly filled the room.
"You've got this, Lucillia," Marcelia said, her voice soothing as she placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "The twins are almost here."
Within the hour, the twins were born, five minutes apart from each other. Marcelia, with a beaming smile, carefully passed the firstborn into Lucillia's arms-a girl named Elliot with a full head of jet-black hair. "Well, would you look at that!" Edward cried, his voice thick with emotion as tears welled in his eyes. "She has my mother's hair. Lucillia, do you see it?"
Lucillia, utterly exhausted, smiled weakly but radiantly. "I see it, love. She's beautiful."
Moments later, their son Jasper arrived, his snow-white hair a striking match to Lucillia's. Both babies looked entirely human, except for their floppy bunny ears and small fluffy tails, a detail that drew a laugh from Marcelia. "Well, there's no denying they're yours, Lucillia."
Rayner, standing back with a fond expression, looked to Marcelia and gave her a nod. "Told you they'd be ready," he said quietly, his usual playfulness replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. "You've got two little fighters there."
After the delivery, Marcelia and Rayner stayed in the village for a few days, helping Lucillia recover and ensuring both parents adjusted to the new changes. Edward, despite his tough demeanor, quickly melted under the twins' gazes. "I think they already have you wrapped around their tiny fingers," Marcelia teased as she found him cradling both babies while humming softly.
"I don't stand a chance," he admitted, eyes bright with love as he rocked them gently. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
Lucillia, tired but peaceful, watched from her bed. "We'll be fine," she said, voice soft but filled with contentment. "Thanks to you both."
Rayner, who had been loitering near the door, cleared his throat. "I'll just… purify the water again. You know, to be sure." His eyes darted between them all before quickly retreating, and Marcelia couldn't help but smile.
"He's really not as tough as he pretends, is he?" Lucillia whispered with a smirk.
"Not when it comes to you," Marcelia replied, shaking her head foundly.