?However, Orion didn't reply; instead, he heaved a weary sigh.
Seraphina exchanged a silent nod with Greta, conveying her agreement. It was clear to her that Orion needed to return home and rest for the day.
In response, Greta nodded decisively. She retracted her hands and spoke gently, "Let's head home. You need to give your mind a break and gather your thoughts," she said, guiding Orion towards the door.
With another nod to Seraphina, Greta led Orion out of the workshop.
After they left, Seraphina redirected her focus to the sealed container. She sighed and securely placed it aside, her mind already racing with new plans spurred by the revelation about the divine energy's possible role in the emergence of the potential four-star Vylkr vine. Seraphina dove back into her work to test her theories.
'I just hope it works,' Seraphina thought.
As Greta opened the door, she brought Orion into their manor, where they were immediately met with the heartwarming sight of Ingrid, Grandma Meldra, Saria, Celeste, Crystalia, and the other women.
They were gathered on a vibrant, well-designed mat in the main room, tending to the babies, some of whom were breastfed.
"Greta, you're back," Celeste greeted, her eyes shifting from Greta to Orion. She noticed his fatigued appearance and early return. "Orion," Celeste continued, rising from her seat and cradling two newborns nursing at her breasts beneath her tulga top. She approached Greta and Orion.
"What's happened? You're home earlier than usual," Celeste asked, her brows knit with concern as she directed her attention to Greta and Orion.
However, before Orion could respond, Greta immediately interrupted, "An important matter arose today, and Orion needs to clear his mind to figure out a solution," she said.
Celeste furrowed her brows for a moment at the two figures before her. She sensed they were withholding something significant from her. "What's the matter? I can also offer my help, you know," she insisted.
She was curious about the source of Orion's fatigue and confusion, as she had only seen him in such a state during the construction of Orion's Cities.
Greta gave a brief shake of her head before releasing a heavy sigh. She grappled with the urge to divulge the situation to her sisters but ultimately recognized the potential dampening effect it could have on the family's atmosphere. Keeping their concerns under wraps seemed the wiser choice for now, especially with the newborns in their midst.
Orion cast a fleeting glance at Greta, acknowledging her decision with a silent sigh of his own. He agreed that this was a crucial matter which they should only keep among themselves.
Observing Greta's words and actions closely, Celeste narrowed her eyes suspiciously. After a moment's consideration, she sighed softly. "If you need to clear your mind, why not hold Alden? Looks like he's already spotted you," Celeste suggested with a warm smile, nodding towards the adorable baby boy who was now reaching out to Orion with a broad smile.
A warm smile suddenly appeared on Orion's face as he focused on Alden, who reached out to him eagerly, nestled in Celeste's protective grasp.
Alden is Lyra's son, the second son and the family's fifth child. Grace holds the position of the firstborn, followed by Naimh, Reena's daughter, who is the second daughter and second child of the family. Luna, Celeste's daughter, is the third daughter and third in line. Nash, Ayla's son, is the family's first son and fourth child; all were Alden's elder siblings.
Meanwhile, Remy, Ursa's son, is the third son and sixth child of the family; Jasmine, Sura's daughter, is the fourth daughter and seventh child; Kiera, Fifi's daughter, is the fifth daughter and eighth child; Milo, Fiona's son, is the fourth son and ninth child; Ragnar, Greta's son, is the fifth son and tenth child.
Ivan and Fiora, Celia's children, are the sixth son and the sixth daughter, respectively, making them the eleventh and twelfth children of the family.
Lysander and Maeve, Vivian's children, are the seventh son and seventh daughter of the family, marking them as the thirteenth and fourteenth children overall. Aneira and Astraea, Ingrid's, follow suit as the eighth and ninth daughters, becoming the fifteenth and sixteenth children. Thalia and Oriana, Derry's daughters, are the tenth and eleventh girls and also the sixteenth and eighteenth spots.
Jasper, Elysia's son, is the eighth son and nineteenth child. Orion Junior and Bara, Maya's children, are the ninth son and twelfth daughter, making them the twentieth and twenty-first children. Yara and Astrid, Merida's daughters, are the thirteenth and fourteenth girls and the twenty-second and twenty-third children.
Lastly, Kimaya, Seraphina's daughter, is the family's fifteenth girl and twenty-fourth child.
The only one among his wives who hadn't given birth was Crystalia because, surprisingly enough, she had decided to wait and help Grandma Meldra take care of the rest of the women.
Also, Dariya, Saria, and Malaia, because Orion still hadn't found a way to ensure that what happened to Grace wouldn't happen to the rest of his children.
Nonetheless, Orion treated all his children equally, even though some of them were from different races, because, after all, they were all his children.
"How are you doing?" Orion asked Alden as he gently rubbed his tummy.
Alden chuckled lightly, sporting a bright smile as he stretched his tiny hands upwards, attempting to reach Orion's face.
Orion chuckled in return as he approached his wives and children, with Celeste and Greta by his side. As he sat down, he noticed Alden's expression suddenly souring. It dawned on him that Alden was hungry, so he swiftly turned to return him to his mother.
However, Celeste's hands were already occupied with Jasmine, Sura's daughter, while nursing Ragnar, Greta's son, with her other hand.
Both babies were happily nursing from her breasts.
"Bring him here," Greta said, stretching her arms to take Alden from Orion, recognizing his dilemma. Since Celeste was already occupied with Ragnar, she decided to breastfeed Alden herself and help him fall asleep.
Author's Note: One (*) for mild smut scenes. And (**) for smut scenes.