Returning to Brisby manor, Elizabeth kept her arms around Justin's. Her heart beating in fright from the interaction with Jenner, which was, to describe it politely, less than pleasant. Her fragile body still quivering, but less feverishly as she leaned onto Justin's firm yet protective arms. Just as they arrived at the exit, her legs went numb as she knelt down, surprising and worrying the captain of the guard.

"Ma'am…" He knelt down on one knee beside her.

"I-I'm sorry…, it's just…I couldn't walk…" She mumbled, her gaze down.

Justin frowned a bit, then softened with a good natured smile before he lifted her up, carrying in bridal style as she let out a surprised squeak.

"J-Justin…?" She blinked, feeling her cheeks heating up.

"Your family should be worried by now…."

Flustered, she remained still as he continued to walk to the exit, arms still carrying her. But, she realized too late he had no intention to put her down yet, even when they were arriving at the Brisby manor as she was tempted to coil from the looks of IM-Humans. Brutus watched with amusement as fellow guards chuckled.

"Y-you can put me down…" Elizabeth mumbled.

"Not until you are back in the house." Justin insisted, in a stern yet gentle tone.

She only whimpered defeatedly in response. Covering her face in embarrassment and unaware of the IM-Human women glancing in their direction. Some gasped or gushed over in awe, while some frowned in jealousy. It was no surprise. Justin Strauss has been most known for his charming and gentlemanly demeanor with attractive features. Admired as a role model among male IM-humans and as the type of man women want. Of course, the more they witness Justin's tender behavior towards Jonathan's widow, the more they feel envious of the human widow getting their captain's attention.

"Look at them," one of the young IM-Human women, named Beatrice, rolled her auburn eyes, "he practically worships her."

"Aww, obviously," the older among IM-human women, Ms. Elvira smiled as she adjusted her long grayish blue hair in a bun, "treating a woman like a queen, chivalry is one of his traits."

Hermione the red-haired IM-Human lady watched one of her former students with a sympathetic look. Isabella, the blond haired belle of the Bund, watched Justin with saddened, forlorn violet eyes.

'Poor girl…' Hermione sighed.

Isabella in love with Justin was an understatement. The girl has fallen for the captain of the guards since she was a wee girl, saved by him from enemy soldiers during their escape from prison camp. As a child, she proclaimed her dream to marry him when she was older and most of her peers laughed it off, finding her announcement absurd. Over a decade, her infatuation remained and grew stronger. However, Hermione, along with Mr. Ages, knows the youngsters' concept of love like hers.

Arriving at home, the Brisby daughters giggled to see their mother carried by Justin. Martin rolled his eyes, and so did Auntie Shrew.

"T-thank you, Justin…," Elizabeth timidly glanced down as she stood on her feet, "I…I should go check on Timothy."

Even when back home, she didn't think twice to continue checking up on her ill son. Justin frowned a bit, but turned his way to the door witnessing IM-Human ladies enter for their task to take care of three Brisby children. He briefly stopped as he saw Isabella, their gaze met. She could still feel her face heated as her eyes laid upon his face, but swallowed the disappointment when he simply nodded in a brief greeting before leaving the house. It was no surprise.

After all, she confessed her feelings to him a month ago.

And, she received a gentle but firm rejection.

Then again, seeing her object of infatuation being with someone made her stomach clench.

"I'm sorry for making you all wait…," Elizabeth went downstairs, holding a tray of emptied bowl and glass, "may I help you with something…?"

The older IM-Human ladies insisted they don't mind as some went to the kitchen with her. Isabella then felt a tug on her long skirt, glanced down to see curious eyes belonging to Cynthia Brisby.

"Oh, hello there," Isabella smiled, "you must be…"

"Cynthia~!" The youngest of the Brisby children smiled.

The young IM-Human lady could see the little girl has her late father's silvery hair and dark eyes. Though, the only difference that stood her out was the childish innocence within those inquisitive, wondrous eyes. A rare kind that she hasn't seen among children since the warring years.

"Well, Cynthia…what would you want me to do…?" The blonde IM-Human lady asked.

Cynthia perked, excitedly held Isabella's hand and waddled her way to the living room where Teresa and Martin were with Jeremy.

The rest of the afternoon was rather bewildering for Elizabeth. Especially when it comes to Isabella's behavior around her. The blonde youth would lurk around her, pouting and Elizabeth had no idea why. She was confused even more as she noticed the way Hermione would facepalm at Isabella's sour demeanor around the Brisby widow. Even several IM-Human ladies either snorted or rolled their eyes. That is, until she and Isabella were in Timothy's room to check up on him as the girl finally spoke to her.

"What do you think of Captain…?" Isabella asked, eyes turned to her from sleeping Timothy.

"Captain…, oh, you mean Justin…," Elizabeth blinked, "well…, I think of him as a good man…"

She tilted her head, watching Isabella pouts then breathing calm before facing her once more.

"I think the same…, perhaps more than as a good man," Isabella began, "I dreamt to marry him someday."

Isabella proudly, but childishly proclaimed the same word. Mr. Ages who just arrived in time watched and facepalmed as Teresa and Cynthia held back their giggles. Martin rolled his eyes and gagged, feeling foreign with a concept of love due to his young age. Elizabeth glanced at Isabella for several seconds.

And, she giggled, finding the blond young lady's behavior understandable and endearing. Confusing Isabella.

"A-hem," Mr. Ages cleared his throat, "do you mind, miss Isabella?"

Flustered and embarrassed, the blond girl left the bedroom.

"The young lady fancies Justin a lot." Elizabeth spoke.

"Ay, but a sentimental infatuation of her age." Mr. Ages pointed out in as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

"Don't be like that," she sighed, then smiled fondly, "she reminds me of myself around Jonathan…"

Mr. Ages continued to mumble in a gruff tone as he checked up on Timothy's condition. Mrs. Brisby then noticed outside through the window and felt her heart stop for a brief second as her eyes caught upon Nicodemus and Jenner. The wise prime minister's expression had no shift as the former high commander of IM-Humans' neck twitched slightly, eyes flaring a bit. When Nicodemus' eyes shifted upward meeting Elizabeth's, he made a slow unnoticeable nod. Somewhat, his gesture calmed her. Hence, she didn't make any gesture of objection when Nicodemus moved to the side allowing Jenner and Sullivan to enter her house.

Spotting Jenner by the door, many IM-Human ladies jolted up keeping the three Brisby siblings away as he entered. Teresa kept Cynthia from leaving her side, watching the intimidating IM-Human with a skeptical look in her eyes. Cynthia tilted her head in bewilderment as Martin crossed his arms with a hostile glare. As Jenner's green eyes spotted them, Isabella was first to respond instinctively by standing front of them. His gaze shifted to Teresa.

'A year younger than Racso…' He thought with a hint of bittersweet reminiscence.

As Jenner's eyes turned to Martin, he raised his eyebrows at the boy's less than welcoming glare. A wooden sword attached on his side with a leather belt, Martin gripped on it. Cynthia almost flinched by the man's piercing gaze and went behind her older sister.

"Teresa! Martin! Cynthia!" They hear Auntie Shrew calling for them.

"Coming!" Teresa answered, quickly rushed to the kitchen with Martin and Cynthia.

Although, Martin gave Jenner and Sullivan one last look with a point at them by two fingers and then towards his eyes, to indicate he doesn't trust them.

"...he behaves like his father." Jenner spoke.

"That…I agree, sir…" Sullivan muttered.

They then hear the usual bickering between Auntie Shrew and Martin.

"Oh, behave, you spoiled piglet!" She hissed.

"CRY ME A RIVER." The first son of Brisby barked.

Some IM-Human soldiers exclaimed a silent "OH!" as Jenner turned his attention to the side, concealing his amused glint in his eyes. With a dramatic gasp, Auntie Shrew grumbled of Martin's growing snarky remarks before carrying a tray of meals for Timothy.

"Cast not pearls before swine, like I always say," she shook her head before tapping off Sullivan to make way for her as she glared at him and Jenner, "and that includes unannounced trespassers!"

Watching her go upstairs, Sullivan blinked before glancing back at his wife who was untying Jeremy from his clumsy tricks, with Macy shrugging with a smile.

"Auntie Shrew…?" Elizabeth peeked from the bedroom door before walking to the stairs.

"I'll be brief to give Timothy his meal. And…," Elizabeth's aunt glared to the stairways, "that imposing raven-haired man is no good, I can SENSE it."

Elizabeth stood still as her aunt went to Timothy's room and walked out a few minutes later with the doctor.

"I also have to remind you…, you could visit Jonathan before it's too late." Elizabeth nodded at Auntie Shrew's words.

Mr. Ages huffed as he walked downstairs with the middle-aged woman. As she saw the tall shadow approaching from the stairs, she instinctively went to the side of the hallway as Jenner's eyes spotted her.

"Mrs. Brisby," his rich voice rang in decent volume, "may I visit your second son?"

Elizabeth blinked her eyes, her gaze moved to Sullivan who seemed to give her reassuring eyes. With a sigh, she nodded before moving to Timothy's door with Jenner and Sullivan behind her.

"Timothy…? Timmy…?" She called out her son.

Timothy was looking at the window, and remained in his bed. Sullivan nearly let out a sigh of empathy as soon as he saw how skinny the child's arms were and pale his skin tone was. He hadn't even touched the food on the bedside. The six years old boy turned his face, finally looking at his mother and the two visitors. Jenner's henchman's eyes widen, witnessing a child who's a splitting image of his late father Jonathan Brisby. Only, the boy had the same eye color as his mother.

"Gentlemen…, this is my second son, Timothy…," Elizabeth turned to her third child, "Timmy… they are acquaintances of your father…"

Timothy tilted his head in response.

Jenner's tall stature stiffened. No doubt, the boy was indeed Jonathan Brisby's child. However, that wasn't the main reason his heart almost froze. The hair length. White skin. Those pair of blue, skeptical yet curious eyes painfully reminded him of what he had lost.

"Father~!"

The same innocent eyes his son had.

"Mmm…?" Timothy blinked, whimpered in an inquisitive tone.

Jenner could feel his side of lips vaguely twitched, with his eyes growing warm…and moist. Remembering the reason why Timothy had to stay in home despite the complicated circumstances to move the house. The child's health was vulnerable as his lost son was.

'Why move the house when it risks the boy's life…' His mind rang, '...when he can stay in the Bund…'

He turned to the doorway, nearly snarled to see Nicodemus patiently standing by the doorway. Jenner gave the wise man a ferocious glare before leaving the room with Sullivan who wordlessly apologized to Mrs. Brisby and Nicodemus.

"My child…," Nicodemus turned to Elizabeth, "let me stay with Timothy… you may rest."

Elizabeth noticed the sky was already past the evening, bowed politely to Nicodemus and gave her son a goodnight hug before leaving Timothy's bedroom and walked to the other hallway where the bathing room and her bedroom were located.

"Oh goodness…, I've been sweating from today…," she sighed, "I must freshen up before bed."

Downstairs, Elizabeth's daughters beamed to see Justin returned from his guarding hours as it was eight and a half. Although, Teresa made an amused grin to see his head turned from left to right as she can guess whom he was looking for.

"Justin, sir," Teresa smiled, "mother's upstairs."

"Oh, is she alright…?" He asked gently.

"She is. I think mother's resting," the oldest daughter of Brisby answered, "you can check on her."

Justin smiled, thanking her before turning his heel and walked to the stairs. Once again, Cynthia made a curious look in her eyes as she saw her older sister stifle her giggle. Even the middle aged IM-Human women playfully wiggled their eyebrows or held back their laughter.

"Well, the firstborn was smart enough to let him stay in a guestroom," one of them snickered, "not far from her room."

The Captain of the guards walked the hallway, but couldn't help looking at framed pictures of Brisby family. A lovable sight to see his friend Jonathan smiling along with his wife and children. Something Justin himself wanted in his life.

"Justin…?" Elizabeth's voice was heard from his left.

"Ah, m'am—!" As soon as he turned to see her, he let out a small, surprised gasp.

Right in front of him was Elizabeth Brisby in her white nightdress and a shawl of matching color around her shoulders, her loose bun remained and her eyes wide, surprised as she gazed up at him. Justin's pair of ruby eyes were on her, unconsciously up, down, then up again. Fair skin exposed more than she had, in a nightgown that reminded him of a flower with two meanings; White Lily.

Innocence.

Fertility.

Her innocent eyes, contrasting from her body that bore four children.

Unmarked.

"...Justin…?" She called out again, blinked her eyes.

Without rational thought, his strong arms sprang.

And held her close.

Tight.

"Ah…!" Elizabeth gasped, taken back by his sudden embrace.

Realizing what he had done, he quickly but calmly pulled away from her and raced to his guestroom, leaving her puzzled and blushing.

Closing the door, Justin's back hit against it as he inhaled and exhaled, covering his mouth but winced as his palm felt a familiar yet foreign sharpness from it. His fingers touched again, learning those sharp tips were from his teeth. His fangs. With a nervous gulp, he glanced down and instantly regretted as he found out the source of tightness and heavy burden on the lower part of his body.

"...Damn…" He muttered, hands covering his face.