Contrary to what Marguerith expected, Alphard didn't come after her, neither that day nor the next. Nor did she have the courage to seek him out. At the end of the third day, she received an owl with a letter from him, brief and to the point.

Dear Marge,

That was the best night of my life in a long time, but your absence the next morning made me realize you still have your doubts.

As years ago, I won't pressure you. I'll be waiting when you're ready to talk.

Alphard.

Nearly a month after they met at his apartment, Marguerith was still avoiding her former fiancé, just as she was avoiding seeing her husband since Pericles left home.

Sitting in the children's study room, she watched her eldest son, Aldebaran, going over a math lesson, while the youngest, Ludovic, sat on the floor playing with some building blocks.

At least she had her children and now the family business to keep her occupied. Though she wasn't speaking to her husband, they were still corresponding about financial matters that needed resolving.

She missed having someone to talk to, but she knew she and Betelgeuse disagreed about Alphard. And Hesper… The last time she saw her aunt was at Regulus's funeral at the beginning of the year. Her cousin had died in a duel in Monteclaro over some foolish argument with a local dignitary. After that, she returned to America. Hesper seemed to have adapted well to her new life, with Lycoris and the other grandchildren for company. Marge didn't want to disturb that happiness.

"Aunt Betsy!" Marguerith heard Aldebaran exclaim.

She turned to the door, noticing that the druid was watching her with a sad smile. Soon the redhead turned her attention to the great-nephew who had greeted her.

"Get up from there and give your aunt a hug, Aldo," she called.

Aldebaran got up from the study table and hugged the woman, who gently patted the top of his head. Aribeth sometimes thought her nephew was too formal for someone so young. She knew part of it was the child's personality, but she suspected much of it was a reflection of the strict education Marguerith gave the boys. Something she had learned from the Blacks.

Ludovic put the blocks down for a few minutes, running to his aunt, inserting himself between her and Aldebaran. The little boy didn't like to be left out.

"I'm happy to see you too, Ludo. Happy to see you both," the druid said. "But I need to talk to your mother."

Marguerith nodded, standing up.

"Behave," she said, turning to her children. She would ask one of the elves to notify her if there was any trouble. The boys' tutor would only arrive in the afternoon.

The two women moved to the living room. Marge rang a bell, and immediately Chichi appeared.

"Bring us some tea and then keep an eye on the boys."

The elf disappeared again, leaving the two women alone.

"What brings you here, Aribeth?" Marguerith asked, feeling immensely tired.

"I came to see how you're all doing," the Thorne matriarch replied gently, able to sense how exhausted the other woman was. "You know Pericles spent the last month at the Manor with me. Today, he left for France to start implementing what you planned. I didn't come sooner because I thought you needed some time to think."

Marguerith nodded. Even as the family matriarch, Aribeth had always avoided interfering in her nephew's marriage.

"Did he tell you everything?" the brunette asked, melancholically.

"Yes," the redhead said, also in a tone of lament, "including about his indiscretion."

"I didn't love Pericles when we married; later, my affection grew. But one thing I was always sure of was that he was a good husband. That's why I always tried to be the best wife possible… How did this happen, Aribeth?"

The druid got up from the couch, sitting next to Marguerith and holding one of her hands.

"Only my nephew can answer that. But I'm here to help you with whatever you need, not just financially."

"Thank you," Marguerith sighed.

Aribeth looked attentively at the younger woman. There was something different in her essence—or aura, as some preferred to call it. Wizards of the Old Magic could be sensitive to this kind of thing, and the druid had sensed it in Marge before. To be precise, twice before.

"I could be mistaken," the redhead said, "but I think I have some good news for you."

Alphard heard the knock on his door. Although it was past midnight, he was still awake. He got up from the couch where he was reading a book and went to the door. He was surprised to see that it was Marguerith standing there. He had almost given up hope of seeing her again after her last unexpected visit, resigning himself to the thought that it was something she'd rather bury.

"May I come in?" she asked, a little unsure.

"Of course," he said, inviting her in with a gesture.

Marguerith turned to Alphard, trying to find the right words to start the conversation.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," she said. "But I needed to get my thoughts in order… I…"

Before she could continue, she felt a strong dizziness. Her legs went weak, and for a few seconds, her vision darkened as she held onto the side table for support. She felt Alphard's hands holding her firmly, steadying her. His gaze was worried and gentle.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She partially lifted her face, looking at him sideways. She took a deep breath, trying to regain control. She needed to keep calm; she owed him an explanation.

"I'm fine… I swear… You can let go."

When she felt his hands release her, she straightened up, looking him directly in the eyes. She had to tell him the truth.

"I'm pregnant," the brunette said, moving closer to Alphard and gently placing her hand on his cheek.

Alphard's eyes widened for a moment, then a smile appeared on his lips, his eyes beginning to shine again.

"Is the child mine?" he asked.

Marge shook her head slightly, sitting down. She didn't want to give him unfounded hope.

"I'm not sure, but it's likely. It's been a long time since Pericles and I were intimate. The last time was just before you and I…"

Alphard sat in the chair opposite Marguerith, holding both of her hands in his.

"When I came here the other night, I was angry… I'd just found out that Pericles cheated on me and got into huge debt with the family fortune… And then… The memories… What our uncle did to us… Always hearing that it was you who would ruin me… I felt like my life was a lie… I just wanted to know how things could have been… I'm sorry…"

Alphard understood the implications of Marguerith's words. She felt guilty.

"You didn't use me," he said. "I returned every touch, every kiss."

"Because you still love me…" she replied. "Alphie…"

He shook his head, stopping her.

"Answer me one thing. Did you come here tonight because you're angry?"

"No," she said, almost in a whisper.

"That's all I need to know," he said, leaning toward her and placing a delicate kiss on her lips.

The early morning was warm and lazy, though the first golden hues of dawn began to claim their place in the darkness of the sky.

In the small apartment, Marguerith listened to the sound of the leaves mingling with the chime of the wind messenger and the steady, labored breathing of Alphard Black and herself.

Their bodies were intertwined in a rhythmic, synchronized cadence. She closed her eyes, gripping his back more firmly. His presence within her reverberated through her body until it was released to the world in a moan. He sought her lips in return, and a deep, intimate kiss was exchanged between them.

After some time like this, united as if they were one, they parted. Alphard lay beside Marguerith, resting his head on her shoulder and placing one hand on her waist. He closed his eyes, savoring the happiness that filled him in that moment.

The woman, on her part, stared at the ceiling with her green eyes. She realized she couldn't run from what she truly felt. Alphard had brought her to life, he had managed to make her soul more vibrant and her heart less hardened.

She turned to her side, adjusting so that his hand continued resting on her waist and his head remained comfortably on her shoulder. Gently, she began running her thin fingers through his dark hair.

"I love you," she murmured, finally letting him know the feeling she had kept hidden for so many years.