Chapter 591

Chapter 591
They were led away from the main house through a quieter path, one that curved slightly away from the central courtyard and into a more private part of the estate.
The guest house stood apart.
Not isolated—
But respectful.
Inside, everything had already been prepared.
Warm light.
Clean linens.
A bed large enough to actually rest in.
A smaller one arranged beside it—
clearly meant for a child.
Jaden stepped in first, shifting Seraphim on his hip.
“…Okay,” he murmured, glancing around. “I like this one.”
Alaric followed behind, closing the door with a quiet, controlled motion.
“It will do.”
Jaden snorted.
“You say that about everything.”
Alaric removed his coat without hurry.
“And I’m always right.”
Seraphim twisted slightly in Jaden’s arms, still thinking, still stuck on something.
“…Nana,” she said.
Then—
“…Vana.”
Jaden huffed softly.
“Still on that, huh?”
He crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, settling her down carefully in front of him.
Seraphim immediately turned to him.
Serious.
Focused.
“Babies,” she said again.
Jaden nodded.
“Yeah. Babies.”
She frowned slightly, like that wasn’t enough.
Small hands moving as she tried to explain something bigger than her words.
“…mine.”
Alaric glanced at her from where he stood.
“Not yours.”
Seraphim looked at him.
Then repeated, slower—
“…mine.”
Jaden laughed under his breath.
“…We’re not arguing with that logic today.”
Alaric walked over, stopping just beside them.
“They are not yours,” he said calmly. “But they are… yours to keep.”
Seraphim blinked.
That made sense.
Somehow.
“Friends,” she decided.
Jaden smiled.
“There you go.”
She seemed satisfied with that answer.
Then immediately started again—
“Nana.”
“Vana.”
Jaden leaned back slightly, watching her.
“…You really liked them.”
Seraphim nodded.
Very sure.
“Like.”
Alaric sat beside Jaden now, his gaze softer than before.
“They felt it too.”
Jaden glanced at him.
“You think so?”
Alaric nodded slightly.
“They didn’t cry.”
A small pause.
Seraphim crawled a little closer between them, hands pressing against the bed as she tried to reposition herself comfortably.
Then leaned back—
Right between them.
“…Friends,” she repeated again, quieter this time.
Jaden rested a hand lightly on her back, steady.
“Yeah.”
Alaric reached out and adjusted her slightly, making sure she didn’t tip sideways.
“Be gentle with them.”
Seraphim looked up at him.
“…gentle.”
Jaden smiled faintly.
“That one might be harder."
Seraphim ignored that.
Already distracted again.
“Nana… Vana…”
She giggled softly.
Jaden leaned his head back slightly, exhaling.
“…We’re in trouble.”
Alaric glanced at him.
“We always are.”
Jaden tilted his head toward him.
“…You think they’ll actually grow up together?”
Alaric didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
A pause.
Seraphim shifted again, small body settling against Jaden’s side now, one hand still loosely holding onto his shirt.
“…Good,” Jaden murmured quietly.
Alaric’s gaze rested on both of them.
Then softened.
Just slightly.
“They will not be alone.”
Jaden didn’t answer.
Didn’t need to.
Between them—
Seraphim was still mumbling softly—
“…Nana… Vana…”
Like she was making sure she wouldn’t forget.

Meanwhile—

In the main house
The door had been closed for a while now.
The quiet felt different.
Settled.
Earned.
Ivan stood near the cribs, still holding Ivanna against his arm.
Across from him, Kaelan shifted Lana slightly, resting her more comfortably against his shoulder.
Neither spoke for a moment.
Ivan glanced at them.
Then away.
“…They behaved,” he said at last.
Kaelan looked at him.
“They did more than behave.”
Ivan adjusted Ivanna slightly before answering.
“They did not embarrass me.”
Kaelan smiled faintly.
“High praise.”
Ivan ignored that.
But his hold on Ivanna softened—just slightly.
A quiet pause.
Then Kaelan stepped closer.
Careful not to jostle Lana.
“Let me,” he said.
Ivan hesitated.
Then leaned in just enough for Kaelan to take Ivanna.
Slow.
Controlled.
Making sure her head was supported before fully letting go.
Now both babies were in Kaelan’s arms.
One on each side.
Ivan immediately reached forward and adjusted Ivanna’s blanket again.
Then Lana’s.
“…Hold them properly,” he muttered.
“I am,” Kaelan replied.
Ivan gave him a look.
Then stepped back.
“Put them down,” he said.
Kaelan turned toward the cribs.
Walked carefully.
Lowered Lana first.
Then Ivanna.
Both settled.
Small movements.
Soft sounds.
Ivan leaned over immediately, adjusting the blankets one more time.
Tighter.
Cleaner.
Satisfied.
“…There,” he murmured.
Kaelan watched him for a second.
Then stepped closer.
“You’re relieved.”
Ivan straightened.
“I am composed.”
Kaelan smiled.
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Ivan’s cheek.
Ivan stilled.
Just for a second.
Then—
His hand came up—
Smack.
Kaelan stepped back with a grin.
“…Really?”
Ivan lifted his chin.
“You are insufferable.”
Kaelan laughed.
Then, casually—
“When they’re four, we try for boys.”
Ivan froze.
Slowly turned.
“…I beg your pardon.”
Kaelan shrugged.
“Just saying—”
“I am not a farm,” Ivan cut in sharply. “Nor am I producing heirs on demand like a village woman.”
Kaelan stepped forward again.
Unbothered.
“I was joking.”
“I was not.”
Kaelan closed the distance anyway.
Wrapped his arms around Ivan.
Pulled him in.
Ivan stiffened—
Then didn’t pull away.
Kaelan rested his head against Ivan’s, voice quieter now.
“You gave me two daughters.”
A pause.
“That’s more than I ever thought I’d have.”
Ivan’s hand slowly closed on the front of Kaelan’s tunic.
Holding.
“I thought that wouldn’t happen for me,” Kaelan added.
Ivan didn’t look up.
“…You were wrong.”
A small silence.
“…Thank you,” Ivan said, lower now.
Kaelan huffed softly.
“For what?”
Ivan tightened his grip slightly.
“…For believing I could do it.”
Kaelan smiled.
Didn’t move.
Then—
A cry.
Both of them turned.
At the same time.
Ivanna.
Then Lana.
Ivan pulled away first.
Already moving.
“Of course,” he muttered.
He reached the cribs.
Lifted one.
Then the other.
Careful.
Precise.
“I am here,” he said immediately, voice lowering again. “There is no need for chaos.”
The crying softened.
Quickly.
Ivan adjusted them both against his arms.
Settled.
Steady.
Behind him, Kaelan leaned against the bed, watching.
Because now—
There was no gap.
No jump.
Just—
A man who put them down—
Held someone else—
And went back—
without hesitation.