Tale of the Lotus Heart

With the children born, we had to go back to the Heavenly Realm and back to reality after I recovered. I wasn't looking forward to dealing with the judgement on my relationship with Yong. We agreed that I would live in Yong's Serenity Palace. After getting settled, Ixia came to me in the children's room. They each had a small basket dedicated to them. They were curious babies. As they laid in their beds, their curious purple eyes looked around they're new setting. Ixia smiled down at the babies.

"I'm so glad you are all alright," Ixia said as she faced me.

"Ixia, I only trust you for this task. I want you to nanny the babies," I said. She agreed quickly.

"Of course! It would be my honor, Goddess Princess Aivi," She curtsied. I rolled my eyes as Ixia giggled.

"I'll go see what Yong is doing. Let me know if they get hungry. I don't want to use a wet nurse. I'd rather feed my children myself," I informed her. Ixia nodded before I left their room. With the Empress as silent as she was recently, I didn't want to entrust my children to anyone expect Ixia. Ixia had been with me since the beginning and I trusted her with my children. However, I did not trust that the Empress simply let go of this matter. I walked to the main hall to see Yong standing with a guest. I couldn't say I was surprised to see Enya. It had been too quiet lately and this would be the Empress's last chance to push Enya towards Yong. As of now, there was no guarantee that I would be allowed to marry Yong as the main wife. I kept my grace and poise as I went to Yong's side.

"I asked Ixia to be the nanny for the twins. I think they'll go down for a nap soon," I said to Yong with a light smile.

"I didn't realize you had company," Enya said, referring to me.

"I think that's my line. I live here. You're the guest in this situation," I said calmly.

"I guess I am the guest. You have children now Princess?" Enya tried to use the conversation to pry. I smiled lightly.

"I had twins recently. A boy and a girl," I answered easily. I could sense the question she wanted to ask. She wanted to know who the father was.

"Yong even got to take a little vacation to watch his children born," I answered for her. Yong smiled lightly as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

"We'll be planning a wedding soon too. Only Aivi can be my Crown Princess," Yong added before placing a kiss on my forehead.

"I thought the Princess was becoming your concubine," Enya blurted. I could see that she was slowly losing her composure.

"One, it's Goddess Princess now. And two, why would you think that?" I asked, keeping my cool as much as possible.

"You literally came out of nowhere. You have no connections and the Empress doesn't even like you. You'd rather play with the Army than brush up on ladylike etiquette. You wouldn't know the first thing about being a Crown Princess," she finally came untethered. I chuckled and nodded as I stepped out of Yong's hold as I took a step closer to her.

"You're completely right. To you, I came out of nowhere, but Yong brought me back himself. The only connection I have is that Yong's closest and favorite brother is my godfather. The Empress doesn't like me, but the Emperor adores me. And I'd rather help the Army and earn my own merit rather than rely on my clan," I answered.

"But Little Flower, you forgot the most important part," Yong said as he wrapped an arm around my waist again. I looked to him curiously. I wasn't expecting him to interfere. "I love you regardless of what you do. After all, you've already had my children. I don't know what other concrete proof you need," he smiled before kissing my cheek. Enya looked dumbfounded.

"But we grew up together. I've loved you since we were kids, and you were always nice to me," Enya said on the brink of tears. Yong scoffed.

"I was nice to you because my Royal Mother would punish me if I were mean to you, but I've never loved you," he corrected her. Enya tripped over her words for a moment before she decided to just curtsy.

"I'll take my leave," she muttered before walking away quickly. I sighed before looking to Yong.

"I didn't expect you to help," I admitted.

"Best to not let her harbor any hope," Yong responded. In a way, he was right.

"I'll have the fairies start dinner," I said before leaving the main hall. After going to the kitchen, I went back to the twins room. Almost as soon as I walked in, their little cries kickstarted.

"Oh, Goddess Princess, perfect timing. They just woke up and I believe they're hungry," Ixia said when she saw me. I sat in a rocking chair before adjusting my dress. Ixia handed them to me and I cradled one on either side. It didn't take them long before they ate hungrily. Their small suckling noises filled my heart with joy. I was so content, I almost fell asleep in the chair myself. After they were done, Ixia burped Amethyst while I burped Tyrian. After completing that task, I left the children with Ixia and went to find Yong for dinner. He was in his study, hovering over a pile of paperwork.

"Trying to catch up?" I asked. He nodded without looking up from his work.

"Atlas handled most of it, but my Royal Father set some aside specifically for me," Yong answered. I walked behind him and rested my hands on his shoulders gently.

"Need my help?" I asked. Before he could respond, Sky Mail from the Heavenly Palace arrived. Opening the letter made from spiritual energy, Yong and I both read it before sighing. Yong set his writing brush down before looking at me.

"I'll go bathe and change quickly," I said. The letter was the Emperor asking us to join them for dinner. With Ixia serving as the full-time nanny, Willow was now servicing me. She helped me bathe and change before my hair was put up in an intricate updo. We kind of expected to be summoned, but not this soon after coming back.