my home my family

In the land where winter never ended warmth was a rare thing.

Yet Elaria valecrest had found it.

Not within the roaring fireplace of the northern place.

Not beneath heavy furs or golden chandeliers.

But within the people she loved.

Her Husband.

Her Daughter.

Her Family.

A soft smile rested upon her lips as she stood beside the forest - covered window, one gentle hand resting over the child growing with her womb.

Beyond the glass, snow continued to fall endlessly across the mountains of the North , burying the world beneath silver and white.

Cold.

Silent.

Merciless.

Yet her heart had never once felt lonely here. Because this frozen land had given her a home.

And Alaric Valecrest had given her a love so fierce that even winter itself could not touch it.

A quiet laugh drifted from the sun room behind her.

Serephine valecrest.

Even now, their daughter was likely correcting her tutor again with that calm little expression she always wore.

Elaria's eyes softened immediately.

At only thirteen, Serephine already carried herself with a grace far beyond her age - intelligent, composed, frighteningly observant.

And yet, to Elaria she was still the little girl who once curled beside her during the snowstorm asking endless ques about the stars.

Then-

Movement below the palace gates caught her attention.

The distant sound of carriage wheels echoed against stone .

Elaria looked down through the falling snow.

A familiar black carriage crossed through the gates, the silver crest of House Valecrest gleaming beneath the storm.

Her husband has returned from the capital.

And without realizing it, she smiled.

********

Heavy footsteps echoed beyond the corridor.

Not rushed.

Not loud.

Yet every servant in the hall immediately straightened.

The doors opened.

Cold northern air swept briefly into the warm room as a tall figure stepped inside, snow still dusting the dark fur draped across his shoulders.

Duke Alaric Valecrest.

The Lord of the North.

The man who guarded the empire's frozen borders with an army feared across all four territories.

Lucien evermont sat properly.

The tutor lowered did not move.

But Serephine did not move.

Next before the terrifying Duke of the North - He was simply her father.

Alaric's sharp ice - gray eyes across the room before softening almost immediately upon finding his daughter and his wife.

"There you are "

Serephine closed her book carefully."you returned earlier than expected Dabby" and ran to hug her father with a s.le .

Lucien evermont and his mother Duchess Evangeline evermont "Welcome home,Duke valecrest" Evangeline said with a graceful smile.

Then Elaria his wife with a soft voice "you returned sooner then expected Alaric" with a smile.

Duke Alaric Valecrest kisses his wife's forehead showing his love for her openly with a soft smile.

Everyone who is in the room and household knows very well how much the Duke loves and adores his wife and daughter, he is cold on the outside but to his family he becomes soft.

" And miss tea with my daughter" he asked teasingly while removing his gloves." impossible".

Evangeline Evermont chuckled quietly, amused by the sight before her eyes .

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