By the end of her story, Moren could see Heiko was doing her best to stay calm while trying to soothe Jace, who was gritting his teeth, and his knuckles were white from gripping the arms of his chair. She thought he would jump out of his chair in anger when she told him about her planned betrothal to the Marquis, but he managed to keep control of himself to allow her to continue. Moren told them everything, the meeting with Ceyanne, her patron—the escape through Stormhaven with Mika, the confrontation of the cutthroats, and Veska's timely arrival. Heiko had paused the story at the halfway point to have the servants bring them all something more potent to drink before having her resume her tale.
"So, after we arrived here in town, we helped Mika reunite with her family before coming here," Moren concluded with a tired smile. "It has been an interesting journey, to say the least."
"That bastard and his stupid bitch of a wife," Jace growled as his wife ran a hand through his hair and one over his chest to calm him down. "I should have just taken you that night and ran for Ethos."
Heiko placed a loving kiss on her husband's temple. "You know that Jaden would have called the guards and had you arrested in Stormhaven or when you returned to Ethos for kidnapping." She reminded her husband with a knowing look. "The Council told you then that they would have had to return Moren to them if you brought her here without permission, and Vifra would have loved to see you in chains and removed from the Council."
"It all worked out," Moren said, giving her Uncle a bright smile. "I escaped from them and can finally see the world like I always dreamed." She gestured to Veska, and her smile widened. "I also made a friend along the way."
"That you did," Veska chuckled and raised her new goblet of wine in a polite salute. "Nothing is ever boring with you around Moren." She gave Moren a wink and savored her drink. "I am honored to be your friend and older sister."
Jace cleared his throat. "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving Moren and Mika from those cutthroats and aiding in their escape to Stormhaven." He said, bowing his head respectfully to Veska. "I owe you a great debt; you may ask me for anything, and I will do everything within my power to make it a reality. Gold, jewels, magical items, you name it, and it is yours."
"As I told Moren, I require no reward for doing what was right, my Lord," Veska said, swirling the wine in her glass. "I have no interest in any kind of reward besides information." She said up a little straighter in her seat. "If you can assist me in locating any information on my Master, that will be reward enough for me."
"If that is what you desire, then consider it done," Jace said with an impressed smile. "You are among the few to decline the offer of riches, and you have earned my respect for it." He gave her a nod. "Before the evening ends, please give me your master name, and I will have my people look into it first thing in the morning."
Veska nodded her head. "Thank you for that, my Lord," She said, setting her glass on the table and standing up. "I shall head out for the night and see if I can find an Inn."
"Nonsense," Heiko insisted, standing up and resting her hands on her hips. "We have more than enough rooms here, and while you may decline any actual reward aside from information, you will be our guest for as long as you need."
Veska was about to refuse when she saw the stern expression on the Cat Beast-kin's face. "I would be honored to stay." She agreed with a polite bow. "I believe I shall call it a night."
Moren glanced at the clock in the corner and was surprised at how long she had been talking. "I think Veska has the right idea of going to bed." She suppressed a yawn before resuming. "I am exhausted."
"I think that is a good idea." Jace agreed and stood up. "Heiko will show Veska to her room, and I shall escort you to yours, Moren." He moved to the door and opened it. "I shall have someone wake you both in the morning for breakfast."
Veska gave Moren a lazy wave. "See you in the morning." She said, watching Heiko hug Moren. "Sweet dreams."
"You too," Moren replied as Veska and Heiko left the room first. "Is Jaycen here?" It had been a while since she saw her cousin, and she hoped to see him again.
"He is in Sylvaen'thil as part of a guard delegation for the Order of the Rose," Jace explained as he led Moren down several long hallways. "He is due to return in a few months after his rotation ends." He stopped in front of a lavish wooden door trimmed with silver and ornate engravings. "Here is your room." He moved his hand to the wall and flipped a switch to turn on the lights.
Moren let out a low whistle as the room was larger than her previous room in Stormhaven by a long shot. Moren was convinced that a whole family could easily live in this room. The bed was massive, with an oversized red comforter and fluffy pillow neatly arranged atop it. The room had a large desk and a bookcase, filled in a neat and organized pattern. "Thank you," Moren said, setting her bag down at the foot of the bed. "I won't try to overstay my welcome."
Jace rolled his eyes. "Momo," He said, shaking his head. "You are welcome here as long as you like, and I will protect you in any way I can." He pulled his niece into a warm embrace and placed a fatherly kiss on Moren's cheek. "Got soak in the tub and get some rest. We can talk in the morning."
"I will thank you, Uncle Jace," Moren breathed as she returned the hug before stepping back and letting him leave the room.
Moren grabbed a change of clothes from her bag and slipped into the spacious bathroom. She turned the tap and let the tub fill with steaming water, the sound echoing gently off the tiled walls. Once it was full, Moren peeled off her clothes and sank into the bath, the heat enveloping her body and easing the tension in her muscles. The water rose to her chin as she leaned back, eyes half-closed.
She lingered there for nearly half an hour, letting the warmth soak into her bones before finally washing up. Climbing out, she wrapped herself in a towel, patting her skin dry, then changed into something soft and comfortable.
Moren crawled into bed and let out a contented moan at how plush the mattress was. Her head barely hit the pillow before sleep claimed her.
Moren had slept deeply and didn't want to wake up, but something was causing her to stir. She could hear someone, no, two people talking. She rolled over, still pretending to be asleep, and focused on the voices.
"She is a deep sleeper." A girl's voice murmured with a hint of awe and just a hint of mischief in her voice. "Should we try shaking her? Mama said we need to wake her up for breakfast."
"I don't know," a boy replied thoughtfully. "I have a lot of questions for her. Mother said she's our older cousin. I wonder if she's nice."
Moren peeked an eye open to see them looking at one another. They looked around seven or eight with blueish-white hair and cat ears, similar to Heiko. The girls had amber eyes, while the boys were gray. The boy wore a crisp white dress shirt and blue pants, while his sister wore a dark blue dress. Both of their cat-like tails were swaying back and forth with excitement.
Moren decided to have a little fun. "I can be nice when my sleep is not disturbed." She spoke and watched them both jump in the air, letting out a meow. "Now, who are you two adorable kittens?" She sat up in the bed and smiled at her guests.
"Nya," The girl said, clutching her chest with her hand. "My name is Jewel, and that wasn't very nice." The adorable Jewel said with the cutest little pout Moren had ever seen. "This is my twin brother Tiele."
"Hi," Tiele greet with a wave. "Mother said it's time for breakfast, and your friend with the pretty wings is already awake and drinking coffee."
Jewel playfully pushed her brother with a teasing smile. "That's cuz you have a crush on her~." She teased with a toothy smile. "You kept staring at her until Mama sent us to wake up Moren~."
"S-Shut up!" Tiele squeaked as his face blushed a deep red. "I-I don't have a crush on her! I think her wings are pretty!" He shoved his sister back and growled as Jewel started laughing. "Stop laughing!"
Moren cackled at the siblings wrestling, hopped off the opposite side of her bed, and slipped on her boots. "Alright, that's enough." She said she grabbed them both by the arm and separated them. "Let's stop before this gets out of hand." Moren watched the siblings huff at one another before stopping. "Good, now let's go eat. I am starving."
Jewel flashed Moren a wide smile. "Follow me!" She squealed with excitement. "I hope I am as tall and pretty as you!" She ran circles around Moren, hopping occasionally with a burst of energy.
"You never know, Jewel," Moren giggled and ruffled the girl's hair. "I'm sure you will become a pretty young woman someday, regardless of your height." Moren knew she was taller than most women, and Jewel's odds of being tall were 50/50 at best, but she wanted Jewel to love herself regardless of her appearance.
"Thanks!" Jewel squealed, grabbed Moren's hand, and pulled her out of the room. "We better hurry before Mama starts looking for us!" She looked over her shoulder to stare up at Moren. "We can talk about your adventures on the way!"
Tiele let out a sigh and hurried after her sister. "Don't hog Moren's attention." He grumbled and grabbed Moren's free hand. "I want to ask her stuff, too."
"Ah, nice of you to join us, Momo," Jace greeted, glancing up from a stack of papers with a grin as he watched his children hanging off of Moren's forearms. "I see my children have you in their claws."
Veska rested her chin in her hand. "I think it is adorable," She grinned as Jewel continued to ask Moren questions. "It seems that I've been replaced as her favorite for the moment." She spotted Tiele sneaking glances and gave him a playful wink, which made the poor boy blush. "Your Uncle was telling me about your adorable nickname."
"Oh, no," Moren groaned, looking at her Uncle Jace. "Why did you tell that story?" When Moren was still learning to say her own name, she could only get out "Momo," and her Uncle thought it was so adorable that it stuck.
"Because it's one of my favorite stories," Jace said with a booming laugh and gestured to the table. "Please have something to eat. We will have a family training session very soon, and I want to see what you can do." He went back to eating the foot on her plate. "You will need all the energy to keep up with your Aunt or myself."
"Thank you for including me," Moren said, moving some eggs, meat, and fruit onto her plate. "What are your plans after our training is over." She enjoyed a few pieces of watermelon while she waited for her Uncle to finish drinking from his glass.
"I have a few meetings later this afternoon that the Council has marked as urgent," Jace explained, setting down his glass. "There's the escalating battle for Automaton rights, trade disputes caused by Shinkai's growing isolationism, and Zarvosa raising their mineral and Aether export prices again." He gestured to his children. "Jewel and Tiele have their daily lessons, and their instructor will arrive soon."
Both children let out a groan and sank into their chairs in disappointment.
"You will thank us later for those lessons," Heiko snickered, sending them both a sympathetic smile. "I am free for the day." She said before her eyes lit up with excitement. "I can take you shopping!" Heiko practically vibrated in her seat with excitement. "We can look over the clothes you packed and see what you need. You're not leaving anytime soon, are you?"
Moren looked at Jace and Heiko with a nervous smile. "To be honest, I didn't know if you would be happy to see me or not, so I only planned to be here long enough to plan my next few steps." She explained, moving a piece of bacon with her fork. I don't want to cause any problems." She lowered her eyes to her plate. "It won't be long before they send someone looking for me. I don't want to cause any trouble here."
"I meant what I said last night, Momo," Jace said in a comforting voice. "You are welcome here as long as you like, and I will protect you in any way I can." He gestured to himself and Heiko. "We are stronger than we look and have more connections than we did years ago."
"I agree with my Husband,' Heiko said, reaching to hold her husband's hand. "You and Mika are under our protection, and I will give you my word that neither of your former parents will lay a hand on either of you." Her eyes became thin, vertical pupils, and her tail whipped angrily behind her. "I will end any threat to my family, including you, Mika, and Veska."
"Thank you both," Moren whispered, and she heard a fluttering of wings a moment before Luna landed on the table next to her plate and started nuzzling her shoulder. "Thanks, Luna." She whispered and ran her fingers through the tawny owl's feather. "I would be honored to go shopping with Aunt Heiko." She said with a wide smile.
"That's not fair," Jewel whined, laying her head on the table. "Moren gets to go have fun while we have to sit through boring lessons."
Moren gave her a wink. "I was just like you about some of my lessons when I was your age," She said, trying to keep from laughing at Jewel's cute pouting face. "Before you know it, you will be done with lessons and have more free time."
Veska slides her plate away. "I shall check a few contacts to see if my Master has passed through and will return later this evening." She informed her hosts with a polite bow of her head. "I have the name and a few of his aliases for you, my Lord, so your people can check their records." She placed a piece of folded parchment on the table and cast Arcane Hand to pick it up and hand it to Jace.
"I am a man of my word," Jace said, accepting the note and placing it in the breast pocket of his shirt. "I shall have my men to look into it when I go in for my meeting."
"Then I shall make my leave for the day," Veska said, giving them a graceful bow. "See you all later." She left the dining room humming brightly and swaying her hips with each step.
Jewel elbowed her brother with mischief in her eyes. "Stare any harder, and her bum will catch fire." She said, watching her brother's face turn red like a tomato.
"Enough," Heiko said sternly and glared at both of her children before a fight broke out. "Go get changed into your training clothes and get warmed up." She watched her children remain seated and glaring at one another. "Move it, you two, or do I need to think of a punishment to add during our training."
"Yes, Mother/Mama!" With fear in their eyes, the twins exclaimed quickly and ran out of the room.
"Nicely done," Moren mused as she finished her breakfast. "I should go get changed as well." She pushed back from the table and stood up. "Where is the training room?"
"Go get changed and meet us back here in about 10 minutes," Jace said, standing beside his wife. "We'll show you where to go."
Moren nodded her head and started to head towards her room. "Ok, see you in a few minutes." She replied excitedly.
Moren changed quickly and returned in time to meet her Aunt and Uncle and followed them to the training room. She couldn't stop herself from letting out a low whistle at the large room filled with different types of training weapons of all shapes and sizes, training mats, and dummies. "This is impressive." She said in awe after spotting a few different sets of training armor in one of the corners.
"Despite my departure from the Order, I still keep myself in peak physical shape just in case," Jace explained, stretching his shoulders, grabbed a wooden longsword from the wall, and gave it a few slow swings and flurries before resting the tip on the ground. He wore a deep red loose-fitting tunic, black pants, and well-worn boots. "Grab a weapon, and we'll get started."
Moren nodded and went to the wall to grab a wooden spear from the wall. The weight felt close to her own spear.
She practiced a few moves before glancing over to see her Aunt Heiko wearing a pair of loose-fitting trousers and a simple matching wrap around her chest, showing off more of her white fur with black stripes. She twirled a pair of wooden daggers with speed and precision. Jewel had a chain sickle, while her brother had a pair of short swords.
"How do you want to do this, Uncle?" Moren asked after watching her cousins working together to fight Heiko, who effortlessly batted away their attacks. She moved to stand a short distance from her Uncle. "Count of three, or just want me to come at you?"
Jace let out a low chuckle. "Let's see what you got, Momo," He said, taking a relaxed stance. "I want to know what I am working with."
"If you insist," Moren replied, lunging forward, going on the attack with several aggressive thrusts, and using the pommel to try and hit her Uncle with sneak attacks. Each move Moren made was precise, her form disciplined by years of studying under Master Silvereyes, but Jace deflected her attacks with ease, his movements fluid and almost effortless.
"Good, keep your guard up," Jace advised, parrying another of Moren's strikes and stepping to the side to create an opening.
Moren gritted her teeth and adjusted her stance, trying to anticipate her Uncle's next move. She lunged again, aiming for his midsection, but Jace sidestepped, tapping her on the shoulder with the flat of his wooden blade.
"Don't let your anger guide your attacks, Momo," Jace said gently. "Focus on controlling the fight; don't let your opponent take control from you."
Breathing heavily, Moren took a step back, reassessing her strategy. She knew her Uncle was right. More than charging in with aggression was needed against someone as skilled as Jace. She needed to be more innovative and find a way to outmaneuver him.
Taking a deep breath, Moren steadied herself and approached with measured steps. She feigned a thrust to his left and quickly pivoted to strike from the right. Jace's eyes flickered with approval as he blocked her strike, the force of their weapons meeting, sending a shock through both of them.
"Better," Jace said, pressing his advantage and pushing Moren back. "But you still have a lot to learn."
As they continued their duel, Moren's attacks became more refined, her movements more calculated. She listened to Jace's advice, adjusting her techniques and trying to predict his next moves. Despite being outmatched, she felt a sense of accomplishment with each successful block and counter.
After nearly twenty minutes of fighting, Jace stepped back and lowered his wooden longsword, signaling the end of the practice duel. Panting and sweating, Moren lowered her spear, a determined look in her eyes.
"You did very well, Momo," Jace said proudly. "Keep training, and one day, you might even surpass me."
Moren nodded, her resolve renewed. "Thank you, Uncle Jace. I'll keep working hard."
Jace clapped her on the shoulder. "I have no doubt you will. Now, let's review what you did well and where you can improve."
By the time their training had ended an hour later, Moren was exhausted and drenched in sweat from the intense practice. She gladly accepted the water one of the servants brought her and greedily drank down several glasses. "I thought I had you a few times."
"Youth and exuberance is no match for old age and treachery," Jace said with a deep laugh. "You have got some skill there, kiddo, and I can see a few places we need to work on, and one area will be to teach you to fight in armor."
"That was on the list while I was training under Mater Silvereyes, but my parents refused to let my training go that far,' Moren scoffed and thanked the maid for refilling her glass to the brim. "They didn't want me to become more too manly for possible husbands." She scowled at the memory before taking a sip of water.
Jace walked over and pulled his niece into a tight embrace. "I will continue your training, Momo," he said softly. "I will make sure that you are a force to be reckoned with, and I know of an old friend I will reach out to help as well."
"I look forward to it," Moren said, setting the glass down and glancing over to look at Jewel and Tiele lying on the ground panting while her Aunt was barely breathing hard. "Will they be ok?"
"They're fine," Heiko giggled and balanced one of her training daggers on the tip of her index finger. "They are learning to work together and hold their own against me." She flashed Moren a fanged smile. "Go take a bath and change into something nice because I have a list of places to visit with you today." She clapped her hands together and returned her attention to her children. "Come on, you two, you both need baths as well and get dressed before your lessons."
Jewel and Tiele let out groans but did as their mother instructed and hurried over to hug Moren before running off.
"I will see you this afternoon," Jace said, giving his niece a sympathetic look. "Remember to drink plenty of water and know that my lovely Heiko is a shopping fiend." He turned to look at his wife. "Try not to break our dear Momo on your first outing."
"Hmph," Heiko pouted and crossed her arms. "I'm not that bad." Her tail snapped with quick movements, and her ears twitched.
"I'm sure it will be fun," Moren said with a wink at her Aunt. "I've only ever shopped with my parents or with Mika. This can be a fun experience." She knew that Veska had wanted to do something similar and was looking forward to having a bit of fun.
"Perfect." Heiko purred and rushed to hug Moren tightly. "You have half an hour to get ready and meet me by the front door." She skipped out of the run like a child on a candy rush.
Jace just rubbed his face with his hand. "Well, good luck, and don't say I didn't warn you." He patted Moren on the back and left the room.
Moren shrugged and went to take a much-needed bath and change to meet her Aunt. How bad could it be?
"I owe Uncle Jace an apology," Moren mumbled while Heiko shoved several smaller bags into an enchanted bag. Moren had barely gotten dressed when an excited Heiko burst into her room and had Moren bring out her clothing for inspection. After several disappointed sighs from her Aunt, they started their shopping spree.
Heiko had promised a day of shopping, but not just any shopping—this was supposed to be an adventure, a bonding experience. Moren had no idea what to expect, but the excitement in her aunt's eyes was contagious.
Their first stop was The Silk Hanger, a vibrant boutique run by a pair of gnome twins with a flair for dramatic layering. Next came The Velvet Cabal, where a graceful Elf tailor adjusted hems with flicks of her enchanted needles while a pair of Beast-kin customers debated fabric patterns in purring tones. After a quick lunch at a bustling plaza café—where an Automaton server with polished brass plating delivered their drinks with impeccable balance—they continued to Sunrise Tailoring, known for its elegant formalwear and warm, halfling-run service. Their final stop was Wonderlust Weavers, a dreamy atelier run by an Ashborne artist who spun color-changing thread with an Automaton assistant who handled everything from fittings to fabric retrieval with practiced precision.
The streets buzzed with life: dwarves discussing mining unions, elves browsing silk shawls, dragon beast-kin artisans showing off their dye techniques, and the occasional Automaton politely navigating through the crowds. Moren, caught in the swirl of styles, colors, and cultures, felt both overwhelmed and enchanted.
"Oh, it hasn't been that bad," Heiko said with a snicker. "One last shop and we will call it a day."
Moren slipped the bag over her shoulder and nodded her head. "Lead the way." She said as she was curious about where her Aunt was taking her. After a short walk down the street, she saw a grand archway resembling a castle gate with faux stonework and torches on either side. Enchantress Emporium, the first stop on their itinerary, piqued Moren's curiosity. The boutique was an opulent affair, with a large, ornate sign hanging above the entrance, adorned with glittering golden script. The windows were reflective so that you couldn't look into the store from the outside. She has seen a few women leaving with plain-looking boxes wrapped and tied with beige string. "What is this place?" Moren asked, tilting her head slightly.
"An extraordinary place," Heiko said mysteriously, dragging her niece inside the lavish building. "Welcome to paradise for women and their lovers."
Moren's eyes went wide as she looked around. The interior was just as enchanting as the outside—a luxurious space with plush velvet chairs, soft, ambient lighting, and rows of beautifully arranged lingerie sets. Each piece seemed to tell its own story, from the delicate, intricate lace to the vibrant silks. "W-What is this place?" Moren asked as her face grew warm, seeing the mannequins showcasing extravagant intimates in various colors and fabrics. It looked more like a fairy tale than a store.
"Welcome to the Enchantress Emporium," Heiko said with a grin, her eyes sparkling. "I thought we'd start here. It's not just about the lingerie; it's about the experience." She looked her niece up and down. "They should have your size in here."
"What is lingerie?" Moren asked as her eyes darted from place to place, reading different sighs that seemed to mark off different sections. Elf Enchantment displayed delicate lace with leaf motifs, earthy tones, and ethereal designs. Sorceress' Charm had bold colors, shimmering fabrics, and mystical patterns like stars and moons. The Warrior's Grace section showed strong-looking, structured pieces with metallic accents, leather details, and bold colors. The final section, Dragon's Desire, was dragon-scale textures of all shades, hues, and intricate embroidery.
"Oh, sweetie," Heiko said, patting Moren on the arm. "This is what women wear to enrapture their men or women with a little magical attire." She gestured to a skimpy piece of black lace and ribbon, its frilly edges daring and delicate. "I have several like that at home myself for special occasions."
"Ew," Moren winced, recoiling slightly at the new mental image. "I don't want to know about that."
Heiko cackled, utterly unbothered. "Oh, hush. Now, we need to find you a few pieces for someone special." She glanced around the room and tapped her chin with a finger. "You prefer men or women?"
"Women," Moren said shyly and felt her face warm up even more. "My only relationship ended when she was forced to marry someone to save her family's livelihood," Moren slowly glanced at her Aunt. "It doesn't bother you that I like women?" She bit her bottom lip for a moment. "I was told from a young age told me I had to be normal and marry an important man or else."
Heiko caught the vulnerability in Moren's voice. "Oh, sweetie," She murmured, pulling Moren into a motherly hug. "Your Uncle and I don't care if you like men, women, or both." Heiko patted Moren on the back gently. "You can't help who you fall in love with; we just want you to be happy. No matter whom you marry in the future."
Moren latched onto the Cat Beast-kin and buried her face in the woman's neck. "Thank you." She croaked as tears ran down her face. "Sorry about your dress and fur."
Heiko let out a small chortle. "They are washable," She replied, waiting for Moren to calm down before letting her go. "Now, let's go back to the topic at hand to brighten the mood a bit." She rested her hands on her hips. "What kind of women do you like? Exotic? Princes-like?"
"Well," Moren said, looking around to ensure no one was around. "I like it when the women from the barbarian tribes come into the city for supplies." She admitted, averting her eyes from her Aunt. "Something about them always drew my eye to them."
"So, you like muscular women," Heiko mused, leading Moren to the Dragon Desire selection and guiding her to a few of the dragonscale-designed lingerie sets. "This will drive them wild. Pun intended."
Initially a bit hesitant, Moren found herself captivated by the elegant displays. The atmosphere was intimate and inviting, and she soon began to appreciate the artistry behind each piece. Aunt Heiko guided her through the store, explaining the different styles and fabrics and suggesting some options that might suit Moren's tastes.
"Go on, try something," Aunt Heiko encouraged, her eyes twinkling with delight. "It's important to treat yourself and feel beautiful."
Moren hesitated for a moment before selecting a delicate, emerald-green set. She disappeared into the fitting room, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. When she emerged, Aunt Heiko's face lit up with approval.
"You look stunning, Moren. Absolutely gorgeous," Aunt Heiko said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
Blushing, Moren smiled shyly. "Thanks, Aunt Heiko. This is all so new to me." She brushed her hair behind her ear.
"That's the beauty of it," Aunt Heiko said, wrapping an arm around her niece's shoulders. "Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones to discover new sides of ourselves." She clapped her hands together. "Now go on—try a few more before you decide which ones you want."
Moren nodded and pulled the curtain closed behind her.
Their bond grew stronger as Heiko shared stories of her adventures of discovery in her youth and how specific memories had marked special moments in her life. Moren listened intently, finding herself drawn into the shared experience despite some embarrassing moments when Heiko talked about old lovers. They laughed over some of the more extravagant designs that Moren swore she would never own and marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship of others.
By the end of the day, Moren felt a deep sense of connection with her Aunt. It wasn't just about the shopping; it was about the time they had spent together, sharing stories and laughter, and how Aunt Heiko made her feel special. They made a short stop at a café for a nice cup of tea before heading home for the night. When they arrived home, Moren dropped off her new clothes in her room before rejoining everyone back in the library.
"What is this I hear that you went to the Empress Emporium without me?" Veska said with a fake pout. "I would have loved to help you pick out a few stunning pieces." She flashed Moren a teasing smile.
"The ones she got were stunning." Heiko joined in with a matching grin. "We can make another trip to see what else they have coming out with the new season approaching." Heiko leaned back in her chair with a twinkle in her eyes. "I hear a new line may be coming out soon, and I am interested in adding to my collection."
"Can I go with you next time?" Jewel asked innocently. "I want to go shopping with Mama, Veska, and Moren."
Jace choked on his drink and had a severe coughing fit as Heiko laughed deeply at her daughter's question and nearly fell out of her chair. Tiele looked confused and just shrugged at his sister's matching expression.
"Maybe when you are older, sweetie," Moren said, deciding to take pity on her Uncle. "They only have stuff in adult sizes." She chose to omit that they had items in Gnome and Halfling sizes for her own sanity. "Maybe we can go visit a candy shop one day if you do well in your studies."
"Yes!" Jewel cheered and high-fived her brother. "We know the best shops in town!" She started rambling on about her favorite treats.
Moren glanced over at her Uncle and saw him mouth the words 'Thank you,' and she gave him a conspiratorial wink. "How about we have some dinner and play a game or something."
"What a wonderful idea," Heiko chirped happily and smiled at her niece. "It's been a while since we have had a family game night."
Jace chuckled and stood up from his chair. "That sounds like a wonderful idea." He said, placing a peck on his wife's cheek. "We can't stay up too late. We all have training in the morning." He looked over at Veska. "You are more than welcome to join as well, Miss Goldfeather."
Veska thought for a moment before nodding her head. "I would like that, my Lord," She replied with a polite bow. "I need to keep my skills sharp after all, and it will allow me to see when I can assist Moren."
"Please, I insist you call my Jace when we are home. It makes me feel older when people do that," Jace shuddered with a grin.
Veska bowed her head respectfully. "Of course, my Lord, I will do my best to remember that next time." She replied with a wink.
"Hurry up!" Tiele said with an exaggerated sigh. "The sooner we eat, the sooner we can have fun!"
Moren laughed and ruffled her cousin's hair. "Then what are we waiting for." She said, letting Jewel and Tiele lead her out of the room. She smiled from ear to ear at their excited chatter and enjoyed every minute of being surrounded by her family."