To the Palace Jewel and her family were invited a few days before the Masquerade were to take place for Vesuvia. She was given her old room with Julian, her son, and Kipling joining her over their own room. Before they could settle in or start to make plans for what they were going to do for the celebration as a family. Narseh would be ended up dropping by and surprising the lot of them with Aemilia by his side. Julian ended up being the first to squeeze the heck out his when he got his arms around the boy. Making it known he was happy that he was back and couldn't wait to start calling him a son in law like Kipling.

"Dad let him breathe." julius saw Narseh turning blue.

"Sweetie I know you're missed him, but release." Jewel tapped Julian's shoulder.

Narseh would end up being able to breathe as he coughed out a question to Jewel about basic teleportation spells. One that would allow him to go somewhere and return within a day to see someone in a serious tone. Had Julian ready to ask why Narseh was interested in getting around using a magical means and why his wife was being asked.

"I one using chalk and magical array." She shrugged. "Something wrong?"

"Just something I heard from my sister and aunties." He spoke with a single raised and wiggling eyebrow.

"You told her didn't you?" julius at Kipling.

"What I was supposed to do?" Kipling whispered back. "She and Consul Valerius found me instructing a difficult more solid. One thing led to another and she pulled out the news of a noble was harnessing Juliana."

Julian heard what the two were chatting about and ended up grabbing each one of them by their arms and pulled them away. Demanding details when Narseh stated he could supply the chalk for Jewel to use for his plan. He even knew where they could place the array since his mothers had servants and craftsman running around. Decorations of kinds from banners with tassels at each end to these outrageous big center pieces in bright colors. Were being moved around from room to room by faces that Juliana started calling 'hey you' when bored.

"Let's Get going." Narseh was ready to led the way.

He offered one of his arms to Jewel to escort her to where he wanted them to be while Julian kept close to Kipling and his son. Aemilia would go off to find a sedimentary carbonate rock to be used for what Narseh was going to do. Everyone was given a view of the work that Nadia and Portia were putting into this year's Masquerade. Made Jewel Call to Julian and ask him if he remember the night their attended they first festive gathering. One where they wore bird themed costumes among masked faces that watched them dance together.

"Every time I close my eyes, my vision in in white, pink and gold." Julian with his palms and fingers splayed.

"You didn't look half bad in that feathered suit in your signature black." She winked back at him.

Jewel went on the rest of their stroll about that night she and Julian shared with them dancing on tables to the music. Smile that Julian wore when he held Jewel in his hands the whole time was one she still held in her heart.

"You should have seen him play that vielle." She looked to her son. "Didn't miss a note."

"I would love to see that." Narseh like that idea.

"Just because I can't play a vielle like dad." julius huffed. "Doesn't mean I am that bad on violin."

"You never told me you could play?" Kipling looked at him.

He got peck on the cheek by him before something was shoved into his chest that was pulled from the bag, hanging off his shoulder. Julian noticed was a half mask in the shape of Duchovny 's head with excellent detail. Had him about to ask about one before being handed one that was modeled after Malak, in color and shape.

"I visited with Asra for help on crafting this one like the one he made for your and Jewel." Kipling answered him. "He even helped me with the paints."

"Anything in the sack for the rest of us?" Narseh asked him.

He got two masks in different shapes of one of his Salukis and other was of Atlas moth with matching ribbons tied in a bow. He was told that both were painted and fitted with matching ribbons to match despite the different animals. Just needed to give the one made for Juliana needed to just be given to her when ever he got that chance.

"I'll make sure she get this." Narseh was impressed with this.

"Sure." Kipling couldn't wait to see what would happen.

When they ended up stopping at entrance of a wing that was known to Jewel and Julian as the abandoned wing. Instead was brought back to life with new furniture and a painting of Nadia's children posing together. Lady Nessa was the one that were doing the sitting on a chair her mother had imported from Prakra. Outfits that both wore and way Lady Nessa wore her hair was a mixture of Vesuvian and Prakra culture.

"Mother gave us this wing to do with as we please." Narseh allowed them inside. "We both decided to use for personal use since our father is gone. We share it when one of us is with out romantic interests can be."

Jewel would disconnect to look around with Julian following her as Aemilia returned with the calk they needed. Kipling would end up handing her a mask of her very own while julius was busy staring at the painting with tilted head. Narseh would end up standing by Juliana's brother and point out his sister made the painter emphasis a few features. A few being the added cup size of her breasts and more natural coloring of her hair over actual color. Had julius laughing while Jewel was handed the chalk from Aemilia before she had Kipling and Julian arranging furniture. Making a large enough clearing space in middle of the room for Jewel to scribble on the floor.

"This will take you where your want to go." Jewel inner connected the lines. "Stay as long as you want and come back when your done."

She got up and backed away from small circle she place informing him what to do while handing him the chalk she used. To find he was already dressed with a cloak she knew that Portia had made for him by hand after last one was ruined. Sword on his hip was like the one he had sent to Kipling before returning as he tucked a mask meant for Juliana away. His clothes and hair were more of a casual appearance as he waited to follow through with her instructions.

"Good luck." Jewel wished him. "Say hello to my daughter."

"What I plan to do." Narseh fixed his sleeves. "I have told Aemilia to tend to your every whims until you do not need her."

He then stepped into the array and disappeared from their sight with Julian bouncing off the bed with idea in his head. About to ask Jewel when she wanted to test the structure of the frame and mattress out. He was rudely reminded of his son and Kipling were still in the room when he opened his mouth to speak.

"Valerius said I should not had my features altered." Nessaea entered.

She went on to point out the sofa that Kipling was about to seat on was the except one she mounted Valerius. In straddling position in a drunken state with little going through her mind until she moving with him. Half undressed with their clothes draped over one of the armrests as they lost themselves to the pleasure. Got Kipling to quickly nope out of sitting on the cushion's surface with what Nessaea said.

"Since then, I haven't regret a single day with him." She stopped by the painting. "My brother seems to off to make a point."

"Shows how much he loves." julius commented.

She shook her head from side to side with her button lip stuck out ever so slightly with her hands at her sides before speaking. Making it known she and her brother were going to make an announced to all of Vesuvia about their engagements. That both were going to help their mothers' rule over the city while leading their lives with their loves.

"I want you all to be there as my families guests for when this happens." She requested. "We are going to become family with joining of my brother and Juliana."

"Will a title be granted?" Julian had to ask.

"Really?" Jewel and julius stared at him.

"Don't you already have that reputation of killing the late Count?" Kipling ask.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Figuring out what they were all going to wear was simple with the help of their masks when they were shopping for costumes. Instead of relying on the Countess to pay for their attire this time around thanks to the jar Kipling had. Narseh could barely count the number of coins that containers made of glass held when the amount was pulled out. Ended up being brought to each vendor as payment before he was brought back to reality when someone took his hand. He was a reminder who came to form her training and studying to be here with him. Dressed in a long backless and angel sleeve gown with a thigh-length slit in the flowing skirt. Bronze accessories and choker with a polished chuck of a Boulder Opal in the center. Two and an inch heeled heels in a sandal style lay on her feet. Mask made by Kipling on her face and held in place by the ribbon. Matched his own formal tunic with high color and long sleeves ending at the first knuckle. Covered by a sleeveless vest with the appearance of a dress robe and sash woven into a leather belt. Pants and calf-length boots that were tailored to his lower half with small details. Bronze accessories and Boulder Opal stones were found throughout this outfit he also wore.

"Ready?" She took a breath.

Narseh would end up drawing her near knowing her nerves were wrecked after what she been through the past 24- hrs.

"Anytime for you." He answered her.

He ended up offering one of his hands to an excited and agitated Juliana standing beside him with her eyes looking outward to the crowded room waiting for them. He Wove his finger with her own while slowly drawing her near him to calm her down and assure her. Consul Valerius and Lady Nessa on his arm passing them in their matching attire that was dark beige and white with shiny golden accessories. Matching golden ram head the two wore on their persons with separate masks on. Didn't help Juliana's mood when Lady Nessa wished them luck.

"Don't listen to her," Narseh didn't want Juliana to listen to his sister.

He just got a backward hand wave from her as Jewel and Julian waved to him another side of the grand entrance in their own outfits. Julius and Kipling could be found on the side beside them just wanting this night of fun for all of Vesuvia to be over with. Aemilia was tucked in a corner in the far end of the room with a masked Praetor Vlastomil beside her. Nadia and the rest of her family with Portia greeted Consul Valerius and Lady Nessa while congratulating them on their engagement. Others were looking toward Narseh and Julian looking back at them just waiting for them to walk.

"I wouldn't trade this in for anything," Juliana whispered.

"Me either." Narseh would allow her to led the way.

That led to pair to join the rest of their family as greetings were made before the announcement was made. Motions of traditional Vesuvian marriage was going to take place for three couples. One wanted a quiet ceremony with just friends and family attending on the first day of spring. The other two would have theirs five days after in a grand gesture with nobles and hand-picked royals attending. Honeymoons were short since newlyweds wanted to get back to their lives as new families that would expend by two children, during the first three years.

*8*

A boy with hair the color of the sun with Auburn and Blond highlights mixed into a crown of peachfuzz on ahead of pale skin as eyes that glowed with blue sky during the daytime. Was born to Narseh and Juliana on a stormy autumn night with thunder crackling and gale-force winds blow so hard the calmest of waters had a wave or two. Within the walls of the Mazelinka's house during a family meal on a Sunday, labor left Juliana in so much pain a low dose of opium incense was used to dull aches that came. Julius working with his dad during the birthing process for his sister become grueling on her mother, Narseh, grandma Mazelinka, and Kipling with each passing hour. Moans of pain loud enough to wake the dead of the Vesuvia were followed by a father and a son yelling at each other with the clanging of their instruments to follow. Staring at the clock the whole time a wail was heard made worry about both of them coming out alive added to the worry each one of her family felt. Jewel and grandma Mazelinka were trying their best to keep Narseh from running in by soothing him with stories of childbirth, two had experienced over their years. Kipling would share his own tale of how he was the last of his kin to be born to his parents during a 56 hours child labor with aid of midwife and family doctor.

To only bring Narseh from the edge of his emotional state and relax to start planning how he was going to break this to his parents since Portia was trying to ease her into being a grandmother. Would be set aside by him so he could recline and look toward the section off area where a curtain blocked his view of his wife and newborn. He wanted to be holding Juliana's hand while she was wreathing in pain with aid from her brother and father in bringing their firstborn into this world without him. Had him praying to the Arcana and God for some type of miracle when he empties yet another cup of tea given to him since he refused to actually eat anything. Kipling was left to do must of the errand running for them, meant repeated walks in the rain and visiting in local markets that were still opened, passing operating hours. Requests he made for certain items that they needed, somewhere herbal mixtures from Muriel and Asra that was going to needed to help recover Juliana's body. To already made meals from local vendors for everyone to eat since nobody was in the mood for actual food with the screams that were coming.

Soon ended after 18 and a half hours of labor

Nabil Satrinava was brought into this world and wrapped in a table cloth before he was presented to her father by tired Julius after Julian fainted still holding his son's hand. Narseh would soon be allowed to be by his wife's side as he still held their daughter still in his arms and stay by her side until she could move a week later. Where a nursy for the new heir as her mother healed enough for her to leave her husband's bed and join their family in a three-day celebration the countess hosted. Giving much needed to join everyone for a few months until Consul Valerius summoned Juliana and her father to his vineyard when Lady Nessa went into false labor pains.

*8*

A girl with hair as purple as grapes used to make his wine with eyes the red as the aged liquid beside a boy with dark brown hair and haunting silver eyes ended up coming into this world. Practically sliding out of Nessaea without much struggle within the first few hours of Juliana and Julian worked together to bring these set of twins in together. Light whine wouldn't last when the two were checked over, bathed, and wrapped into a specially crafted blanket before being handed over their father, a shocked Valerius. He had to put his wine glass to hold both his children in each one of his arms while he looked into the smallest eye he even has seen with odd warmth in his chest.

Not much time would be given to smother the children when Nessaea started to postpartum hemorrhaging with bradycardia when she started to moan from a surging pain. One that came with a slow heartbeat and loss of blood that Julian was having a hard time stopping even with his daughter's help. Didn't mean they wouldn't give up on stabilizing Nessaea enough to be able to sit up in the bed she currently laid in and hold her children. Meant using what herbally mixtures and drugs they could to get her heart to start beating at a normal rate and stop the blood loss one from uterotonic agents. Taking careful measures to nor us to much or too little between usage a few milliliters at a time while careful using a low dose of optimum incense.

Ended up working into wee hours of the second day, when a weaken Nessaea was able to be in the minor company of Valerius for just a few hours. He was told she needed a long rest or could be bedridden for a few months. He accepted as long as he could be by her side for short periods of time with their children in the care of a governess. Making a promise with her that the two of them would be standing together with their newborns in their arms to greet a new day as a family while deciding names. Weren't hard for Nessaea, when she wanted to stick to her mother's family tradition of naming their daughter while Valerius already knew what to name their son.

Being Nance Satrinava for the girl and Vasilijus for the boy

Just Nessaea would be too weak to set their children in their nursy or breastfeed them. A wet nurse handled the feedings as a nanny looking after the children in her steed for a few months. Surprising fact Valerius didn't touch a drop of wine the whole time he ran his vienyard with everyday duties from overlooking the latest batch to inspecting the grapes. Slowly become lonely without snarky remarks or suggestions about the kind of fun they could have were missed from a woman unable to move. He would hold out for the day he wore a smile once more with one of his arms being gripped when he led her around what had become her new home since their marriage. Came when he found her months later singing to their children within their room when he came home from a meeting with the countess for lunch.

*8*

Kipling and julius stayed away from telling anyone how they came by their own children after Julian was surprised by a set of crying from what was once Juliana's bedroom turned nursery. Julian found tow cribs laying on either side of the room with a single baby swaddled inside and becoming quiet as soon as he looked into their little eyes. Noticing they were a girl and a born with matching traits from hair color to skin tone that took him by surprise while he ended up having an odd staring contest with them. Lasted a few hours before he was caught by his son just standing in the room's center without moving a finger just staring outward before asked to leave.

Which he refused to do when he ended up being fished in helping bottle-fed to quiet mouths that kept staring at him the whole time he moved around. Which he thought was the cutest thing they ever did before asking about their names. The boy he was holding and feeding went by the name of Julyan Devorak as the girl he held and fed was Porcia Devorak. Julius kept the detail of how these creations came to be from his father when asked about their means of conceiving a pair of identical twins.