In Which Falidor Is Every Ounce the Idiot

May 31, 1160

Immediately after he had come home, Falidor had taken to the twins' room, where he'd ended up staying for hours, just playing with them and talking nonsense. They were two and a half years old now, and growing bigger by the day; it seemed like only yesterday that Laveria had walked out of the bedroom and placed them in his arms!

After the three of them played with the twins' toys for quite some time, Falidor had put the pair of them to bed and told them a story about a group of pirates. Since that was one of Fenrick's favorites, though, it seemed only fair that Falidor also tell one that happened to be more to Riala's liking, one about a beautiful princess and a dashingly handsome knight. Following the stories, he'd sung them to sleep, then tucked them in, kissed them good night, and put out the candles. He'd watched them for a while, simply reveling in the peace of the house's lone sanctuary until he could be certain that Ailede was fast asleep.

And, from the looks of it, she was. Asleep was the way Falidor liked his wife best--as cruel as the thought was. But really, he didn't find it too appalling, considering the way she treated him when she was awake. At least she was decent to the children, to his great relief, if not somewhat aloof toward them; for the most part, she did keep to herself.

Sighing, Falidor undressed and made his way to the bed. He was not quite tired, and rather warm, so instead of crawling under the covers with Ailede, he simply lay atop them, propping up the pillow and reclining, drumming his fingers across his midsection, the cold burn of his wedding band sending a slight sensation throughout his body.

Were it not for the twins, he would have regretted ever going down to the tavern on that fateful night. Though he would not say it aloud, they were the only blessing that had ever come out of his unfortunate first meeting with Ailede; if not for Fenrick and Riala, he would have considered the encounter the worst mistake of his life.

"Oh. You're back."

He must have woken her; damn him, not minding his weight as he lowered himself to the bed!

"I didn't mean to wake you," he insisted defensively as she rose to her feet. "I can sleep on the couch if you want."

Surprisingly, Ailede only shrugged--he'd been expecting scoldings and insults. "Don't bother. I'm feeling rather hungry anyway; I'm just going to go down to the kitchen for a bit of bread, if you don't mind."

If you don't mind? That must have been the most polite thing she'd ever said to him. He was almost tempted to ask what was wrong.

"Uh... all right," replied Falidor with a raised eyebrow. Although... now that she mentioned it, he was feeling a little peckish himself. "Would you mind bringing me some too, while you're down there?"

Maybe he was pushing his luck--she'd never done him a favor in their entire marriage. Seconds later, he even had some difficulty believing he'd actually asked.

"You stupid man," sighed Ailede as she made her way to the door. "Didn't your mother ever tell you that it is extremely rude to hassle a pregnant woman?"

Well, that might have explained the sudden lack of hostility towards him.

As she closed the door behind her, he found himself smiling. A father once again! Now, he would have another reason to not regret ever marrying her! And to think, now that the twins were growing older, he was sorely missing having a baby around; he'd actually been working up the courage to ask Ailede about having another baby, and now he wouldn't have to. She'd taken care of it herself, the sly little girl...

Actually, no. She couldn't have taken care of it herself. It wasn't physically possible; obviously, he himself had...

...not touched her since the twins were born, he remembered a moment too late. This was all the proof he needed; he was, in fact, every ounce the idiot she claimed him to be and more.

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