"So," Rutin said as Peparia entered the room they shared. "How'd everything go?"

"Little shit gave up without a fight," Peparia said as she began stripping out of her battle gear. "Which is surprising. I fully expected him to at least try to preserve his position, but it turns out he never wanted it."

"I could have told you that," Rutin said, leaning back in his chair. "He was in medical school at the time you stepped down, after all."

"And why didn't you say anything back then?" Peparia said, having gotten out of everything but her jumpsuit.

"It's not my place to advise nobles without a Knighthood," Rutin said. "At least, that's what your family kept telling me."

"Well, that's going to change soon," Peparia said. "As soon I go through the proper rites, I'll schedule your Knighthood, I promise."

"I'd appreciate that," Rutin said. "I've struggled throughout my life to get where I am. It'd be nice to get some recognition."

Peparia stripped out of her jumpsuit, leaving her in the purple underwear that she always wore when she needed to feel confident, and sat down on the bed. "I'm more concerned with the transition after me. I've got to make sure that Bokcho is more ready than Tarble was."

"Yeah, we don't want the catastrophe the house had with Tarble," Rutin said.

"Bokcho was preparing alongside me until Tarble was born," Peparia said. "He'll be an easier transfer of power, I promise."

"I hope so," Rutin said. "I'll just be glad when all this is over."

"So will I," Peparia said, smiling. "But me taking over House Dakkon isn't the only thing we need to be concerned with."

"Oh? What else is going on?" Rutin said, confused.

"Remember that night when you didn't pull out in time, and I told you not to worry?" Peparia said, smiling slyly.

"What are you…" Rutin said, confused at first. Then, it dawned on him. "You're pregnant?"

"Yep," Peparia said, smiling brightly. "We're going to have a baby."

"But…I thought you said you were running out of time to have another kid!" Rutin said, slightly panicked, but still happy that he was going to be a father.

"Yeah, well, apparently, I'm still within that window, despite being this close to 50," Peparia said. "And I am going to have this baby. I'm not missing out on this second opportunity, even if it was an accident."

Rutin smiled brightly, standing up from his chair and sitting by Peparia by the bed. He placed his arm around her and held her close. "And we'll raise them right."

Peparia put her hand on Rutin's and smiled. She wasn't going to miss out on being a mother this time.
Everything was in the right place this time; she had health, power and wisdom. And everything was in position for this child to grow up right. "Yes, we will." Peparia said, ready to be a mother once again.