P.S. 2 – Chapter 42.1

The hill oversaw the fields, many of them already fully harvested. Fall was underway but this year had been a good one, so plenty of crops still had to be gathered. Which would help fill the supplies that had dwindled during the war. But today was about remembering the past, not working for the future.

Various blankets were spread out all over the hill, its golden view making it a beloved spot during the harvest period. Near Eirwen and the others, several knights were seated with their families. A balance between letting them offer her security, and being able to spend time with their loved ones. And a situation that would have been impossible in the years before, due to the fear of assassination.

As for Eirwen, she now simply had Red and Aoife by her side. Aoife had already spent a week at home, as harvests happened earlier in Iceheart territory. She had returned just in time to support Eirwen on her first open remembrance day. Not that returning was hard, as the Carraigs lived less than a day of travel removed with open borders.

Aoife had brought a couple of good bottles with her, drinks they could toast with and enjoy the sunset. Before then, they had plenty of time to enjoy the snacks that Red had prepared himself. In his days off, he could oft be found in the kitchen, improving his cooking skills. It was unfair how wide his skill-set was, even if it was partially because he too had had to fear poison attempts in the past.

As for Eirwen, her only contribution had been to handpick the blanket, plates, and cutlery. With the effort the other two had put in, she had wanted to at least do that part herself. Honestly, they spoiled her, even if it was because they didn't have to spend as much time on handling administration. Of the three of them, despite her promising to properly take days off, she still was by far the busiest.

Eirwen recognised various herbs in the food they consumed. She pondered how Red had arranged them. As she tried another bite, she caught the two staring at her with smiles on their faces. Ah, she was doing it again. Analyse by herself, so that she came across as infallible.

Aoife pulled her close and kissed her temple. "It's okay, Fy Nghariad Gwyn. We know you mean well. But it's also okay for you to actually compliment him and simply ask him, rather than try to figure things out yourself."

Red just smiled. She recognised that smile. It was what he did when he wanted her to choose her own speed and comfort level. He too enjoyed it when she was open about things, but he didn't want to rush her.

She took a breath and gathered herself. They were right. She wasn't the Duchess of Ice any more, the one who had to figure everything out herself. "You're right. The food is delicious. I'm curious about the herbs, aren't they from Stowingas?"

"Correct. With our side of the border stabilised, the merchants are coming over more. And spices and herbs are a good way for them to earn a bit of extra money. So I've been enjoying a few experiments. I'm glad you're liking things."

They talked about a few subjects, enjoying the peace and quiet away from the busy estate. Sounds of joy drifted over as all around them, families spent time together. Aoife wrapped her arms around her knees, a complicated look on her face. "It kind of feels like I don't fully belong here."

She quickly waved at their concerned looks. "Not like that! It's just that my situation can't possibly be compared. Red, you lost your entire family way too young. And Eirwen, the only relatives you have left live as distant as they are by blood. Meanwhile, I still even have some of my great-grandparents around. Ones that grump at me, hoping that I'll finally settle down some roots. It feels weird to participate in a day of remembrance like that."

Now it was Eirwen's turn to kiss Aoife's temple. "That's alright, Fy Anwylyd. You don't have to compare mental scars with us. You already had it hard enough with your unrequited love while loyally serving by his side." Red groaned at the tease. She left it at that. Today was for enjoying the moment, not banter.

Aoife grinned at him. "Oh, that's okay. It's not as if he made me feel rejected while he was still falling for me, my plan coming to fruition. Right, Fy Nghariad Rhudd?" That lured out a more painful groan as he buried his head in his hands. They both laughed at him and he chuckled in turn.

Eirwen turned her eyes back to the view. It really was a lovely one. She had always loved looking at it with her parents. The past years, even if she could have convinced her advisors to let her out in public, she still wouldn't have. Not with having to face a world without her mother and father. But now, the memories had become bittersweet, no longer stabbing her at every point. She could feel herself heal, slowly but surely, with help of all the love on her side.

Almost as if he could read her thoughts, Red embraced her from behind. "Mo Chroí. You don't have to carry the burden by yourself. We're here with you." She could feel him turn to Aoife, sense the kind smile on his face. "Right, Ein Hanwylyd?" In return, Aoife silently joined him, embracing both of them, a complicated look on her face still. Their beloved hadn't stopped having a hard time accepting their situation, always waiting for them to change their mind. It would take time to convince her that neither of them intended to ever let her go.

As the hours went by, they simply enjoyed the moment. Eventually, Eirwen dared to broach the subject that had been on her mind for a while now. "We should start planning our future." The two looked at her, both surprised. "I know, we've been doing that for a while now. But I mean actually acting upon those plans. I need to marry both of you. While it won't be properly acknowledged, I do need it done formally. I have no intent of raising a bastard." As their eyes opened wide, she looked in Aoife's eyes. "And I assume the same applies to you."

Her, their, beloved stammered. Red kept quiet, giving her enough time to gather herself. "Wait, you mean an actual procedure? But then what about those grand weddings that all wish to attend? People would feel slighted!" Worried about appearances, burying her own complicated feelings that way.

Eirwen looked at Red, silently giving him the assignment to explain her words. He sighed at that with a smile on his face. "Alright, let me predict. A simple wedding ceremony, with the excuse of the territories still recovering from the war. Invites sent out properly in advance. If we start tomorrow, then six weeks and six days from then, so that all still have a proper chance to decide to attend or send gifts. You're only going to mention you're marrying, not with who, so that you can marry both of us and they don't realise they can get in the way in advance. Correct?"

She grinned. "A perfect detailed explanation of my intent. Now you know how that feels." Another groan from his side at her reminder of his surrender back then. That actually went into her next decision. "I need you both to gather your personal guards. I intend to acknowledge both of you as mine, which means you need people by your side. A dozen for each, while I will keep both a dozen Verglas and a dozen Iceheart knights with me. Nantgate and Caerbychan can be in charge on my end. And I will call back Darragh myself."

She sighed and looked down at the grass. "I was too hard on him before. The truth is, if I had caught on to your plans before your surrender, I would have been desperate enough to try to force you to keep your title, and your madness would have made you respond in a foolish manner. Likely an irrevocable one." She merely implied, but they all knew what she meant. He might have taken his own neck if she had refused to let him offer it to her. "In the end, the path you took was for the best. Though I'm still not happy with the secrets you kept along the way."

He had the decency to look ashamed at the reminder. Then his eyes narrowed. A heartbeat later, so did Aoife's. "Wait, hold on." Ah, she had caught on then. "About that bastard part. Don't tell me you're intending to acknowledge my children as yours as well?"

Eirwen nodded, taking her time with the gesture. "Of course. I still lack the merits to make you Duchess by my side, but that doesn't mean I will let any child of yours be treated as less than ones I birth myself." She took Aoife's hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Any child of yours will be a child of mine, and any of mine will be yours. The choice is still in your hands, but I want you to have that choice. You don't have to wait."

Red's hands joined theirs. "Wedding first, though. We'll handle purging the contraceptives from our bodies after that, at a time of your choosing. I know it normally takes months to fully get over using them, but I know ways to accelerate that process."

They both nodded at that. Then Aoife looked down at their hands and blushed. Eirwen's at the bottom, Red's on top, both holding onto her. A clear declaration that they refused to let her feel inferior.

After several moments, Red's hands finally slipped away. He took one of the baskets and carefully applied flame mana. "So I made these and you want to eat them while they're warm. I hope you'll like them. They should pair nicely with that snowplum bottle you brought, Aoife."

They allowed him to change the subject and took a bite once he had finished warming the food. Yes, the combination was lovely. He did need to work on spreading his spices more evenly through the food, but Eirwen was sure he'd improve at that. They had all the time in the world.