Delia hoped her family life would remain the same forever. She still missed her husband and older son dearly, her remaining son was so stubbornly carefree she had almost given up hope on seeing Lucien's wife and children, but with Elena's boys living with her the Manor at least didn't feel empty. She had grown to see Adrian and Ronan almost as sons and loved listening to their plans.
And maybe they at least would give her almost-grandchildren.

Ronan and Evelyn were inseparable and often reminded Delia of her own brother and his wife. The two lovebirds were just as happy and just as eager to start a family of their own, as soon as they could afford it.

But Adrian... When he reached adulthood the ambitious boy was forced to take inventory of his assets and possible future and he found them lacking. His childhood home was a burnt out husk and his and his brother's savings combined were not enough to give him the comfort he had gotten used to. University was completely out of his reach and even knight training was too expensive for what he currently had. And he was sure time was running out.
So he found another way to compound his savings. Just like he had seen Faelyn do at the market. And even though Faelyn was punished for stealing... nobody would suspect him, would they?

As he grew bolder, Adrian half hoped he might even pin his own crimes on Faelyn and earn her another dose of the whip, but completely disregarded the possibility of ending like her one day. He never imagined the old guard might be still sharp enough to see through him and his tricks, or fast enough to catch him in the act.

With no more excuses, Adrian put on his best contrite face and hoped Delia would save him from punishment one more time. But her token efforts were completely overshadowed by her son Lucien's disapproval and the guard's anger.
When he was escorted to the pillory to be humiliated before the whole village, Adrian was sure he saw the guard smiling in satisfaction.
Evelyn was sympathetic, having been through the same punishment herself, but everyone else... Ethan mocked mercilessly both him and his sister, Faelyn didn't say anything but her smirk was more than telling, even strangers with no reason to dislike him enjoyed laughing at him. Some even brought their children to warn them off thievery.

When it was finally over, Adrian felt so humiliated, he wasn't sure how he would bear to show his face in the village again.

He hoped to hide in his comfortable room at the manor and wait until it all blew over and everyone forgot, but Lucien caught him just before he could lock the door and start sulking.
"Don't you think it's time for you to finally leave?"
"What? Are you serious? This is..." Adrian tried hard to keep himself from screaming or bursting into tears, but there was still an edge in his voice.
"This is my house. And my mother's, but mostly mine. And we have long been patient with you freeloaders, but I draw the line at thieves. You have one day and then I want you out."
Adrian tried pleading with Delia, but even when that proved futile, he refused to start packing and instead retreated into bed. From there he watched helplessly how loyal Ronan put everything together and Lucien went through all their bags one last time to "check there was nothing stolen amongst their belongings", and tried not to scream in frustration.
But in the end he let his younger brother lead him into a carriage that would take them back to their original home. Cold, empty, but at least undeniably theirs.

They furnished the house as best they could, but it still meant going from soft beds to scratchy blankets laid on a rough mat. Adrian hated everything about their new situation and especially the fact that Ronan didn't mind.

On their own, away from Delia's supporting influence, the boys were slowly drifting apart and settling into their own harmful patterns. When not with Evelyn, Ronan was having trouble finding motivation for anything and spent more time just lazing around. And Adrian was blaming the whole world for his reduced circumstances, with Faelyn being an especially welcome scapegoat. He blamed her for provoking him and earning him the warning and for making the village guards more suspicious and less open to leniency.

Ronan did his best to calm his brother down, but even his dog-like loyalty was driving Adrian crazy.

What right did he have to say anything, anyway? How could he understand Adrian's rage, when it wasn't his reputation and his life that was ruined? Ronan might have shared the same bland food and hard bed, but he still had his sweetheart, his friends and even Delia's love.
When they all gathered to celebrate Ronan's birthday, his transition into adulthood, it felt like a slap in the face to Adrian. He tried to smile and cheer with the rest of them, but couldn't shake the sensation of being irrelevant, almost invisible.
And would anyone mind if he just disappeared entirely? Even Adina stopped visiting since their move back "home".

Ronan, meanwhile, could only think about Evelyn and starting his own life with her. There was the money issue, the fact that he was living in his brother's house, but ever since he blew out his candles and made his wish he couldn't shake the thought of how much he wanted to marry her.
And one day he just couldn't wait any more.
She knew Evelyn felt the same way, he knew she loved him and wanted a family, but when he presented Evelyn with a ring, he still couldn't help feeling nervous. "I know it's not much... I'm saving money, so if you want a better ring we probably can... and I will build a house for you, I promise..."
Evelyn just hugged him, her shining eyes enough of an answer.

Lucien was also enjoying his lover's company, but neither him nor Elodie saw any reason to hurry. All they cared about was that as days were getting colder their embraces stayed warm, easy and comfortable. Just like the water in his big tub, where they were spending much of their time.

Delia had her own ideas about his future, but Lucien just considered it part of something every mother would say. Trying to tie him down, force him into a mod, and for what? There was no family name to speak of, and he wasn't his brother to want to establish one. Why wouldn't his mother just understand he was happy just as he was?

Would making love to Elodie even feel as good if they got married? Or would some of their passion disappear, as some of his married friends talked about?
Lucien just didn't think it was worth it to take the risk.

Neither of them realised their carefree life meant they were taking completely different risks. Even when Elodie first started feeling sick in the mornings she first tried to blame her supper the previous day, but it didn't pass, days turned into weeks and Elodie's belly slowly started to grow.

The moment she learned she was about to get a grandchild was also the moment Delia's tolerance for her son's ongoing relationship ran out. She remembered all too well her own past as a noble's bastard's mother and all the scorn it brought her in the village. And while she didn't regret her life with Adrian and especially her two sons, she didn't want another girl to endure the same hardships. Not when it could easily be prevented.
"You must marry her." She insisted to her son. "She clearly loves you, you say you love her, so why would you want to complicate her life?"

Lucien wanted to say that he had never wanted a child, but didn't dare. He didn't really want to argue with his mother, not when she was this determined to push him into something. It was far easier to just give in, let her force a ring into his hand and push him towards Elodie.
And maybe she was right after all. The shine in Elodie's eyes when he proposed made it worth the arguments and maybe even the lifelong commitment he had just made.

After the proposal everything settled once again. Elodie moved into the manor, into the comfort that befitted her new station as a noble's wife-to-be. Her pregnancy was coming along and she was feeling more tired every day, so a chance to spend her days just lying in bed was more than welcome.

Delia took over planning the wedding and Lucien was more than happy to leave everything up to her. He had already accepted he would have to show up and say the vows, but he would be happiest if that was the only thing he was required to do.
Everything was once again under control and Lucien thought he had all the time in the world, at least until the wedding was all arranged for his and Elodie's convenience. Until Delia's time ran out.
Lucien had of course known his mother was getting on in years, but he had never thought of her dying. Or at least not any time soon, not when she was so active and full of life... not when he still needed her.
And now he was pressing her hand and she was dying with a content smile that Lucien didn't understand. Her last words to him were weak but completely clear. "I'm sorry I won't see you finally married. Take care of the little one. And be happy. I love you." And then she closed her eyes for the last time and was gone for ever.
The strongest, most constant thing in Lucien'S life was suddenly gone. What was he going to do now?