Nichs was distracted from his jealousy when the butler knocked on his door and said he came with refreshments for the king''s guests.


    "Come in." Nichs was secretly relieved that the butler came. He could hide his feelings and put up a friendly smile again toward the family.


    "Your Majesty." The butler entered with two servants carrying trays filled with a teapot and cups, and several jars of cookies. The three of them bowed their bodies to pay respect and with the wave of his hand, Nichs asked them to put everything on the table before his guests.


    "It''s a nice surprise to see you all," Nichs said with a sincere smile. "Please have some tea."


    The butler smiled at the guests and wlessly poured tea for them. Sophie mouthed her thank you and smiled back. She looked at her husband but Lnd was staring at Nichs impatiently.


    It seemed, the man wanted to say something and was unhappy to see the butler and servants disturbing the moment. Nichs raised a brow and motioned his butler and the servants to leave them. He knew that those people were not supposed to witness his family affair.


    Once the door was closed behind the butler, Nichs nodded at Lnd. He could tell there was something urgent behind the reason Lnd brought his entire family here.


    "I need to go somewhere and I don''t feel safe leaving my family at the manor," Lnd said without further ado. "That''s why I am asking your help."


    Nichs looked at Lnd questioningly. He really didn''t expect that this day woulde.


    "Sure, I''d dly help in any way I can," he quickly replied. "Where are you going if I may ask?"


    "It''s a secret, but my mate knows," said Lnd. "I just can''t tell you about it."


    Nichs finally turned to look at Sophie and his heart fluttered at the sight of this beautiful woman of his dreams, who now looked at him with a smile. Nichs maintained his calm demeanor when he asked Sophie, "Are you okay about it?"


    Sophie nodded. "Yes."


    "Dad, father said we will stay in the royal pce for a few days," Luciel suddenly chimed in. "I am so excited."


    "Several days?" Nichs was very happy to hear that. This was truly an unexpected and most wonderful surprise he would never dare dream of. "That''s wonderful."


    He looked at Lnd with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was so happy to have his family with him for several days, that included the woman who gave birth to his sons, not just Luciel and Jan. However, he had a bad feeling about the reason why Lnd decided to take this drastic step.


    Why?


    "Only for several days," Lnd said. "My beta is not around, he is busy preparing for his own mating ritual and I need to go somewhere important. I hope I won''t trouble you too much. I just think the royal pce is the safest ce for them at the moment."


    "Understood," said Nichs. "When do you need to go? I will have Sophie and the kids sorted in my mother''s pce. She would be thrilled to meet them."


    Nichs was intentionally showing Lnd that he would keep his space from Sophie by immediately exining that he would allow the woman to stay near his mother, not near him in the main pce. He thought this was such good progress and he hoped that Lnd would see through him and trust him more in the future.


    If Sophie''s visit this time went well, maybe Lnd would be open to friendship with Nichs and allow his family toe to the royal pce more often.


    Nichs'' words satisfied Lnd. He remembered that Queen Marianne was a caring woman who would definitely treat Sophie and the kids well. He appreciated Nichs'' gesture.


    "I need to leave in the evening," said Lnd.


    "Well then, would you stay for dinner?" Nichs asked, looking hopeful. "The royal family would love to wee your family as our guests."


    Sophie looked at her husband and asked him with her eyes to ept the dinner invitation. She wanted to be with him for as long as possible. Besides, she had not met Queen Marianne after Karenina''s birthday. The situation was different now.


    When they met thest time, the old queen didn''t know Sophie was the mother of her grandsons. Now they would meet with this new knowledge and Sophie was not sure how she should treat Queen Marianne. It might feel a little awkward.


    However, if she had Lnd by her side, it would feel less awkward because her status then and now was still the same, as Duke Romanov''s wife.


    Lnd nodded tly. "I can do dinner."


    "That''s great. That''s great." Nichs was truly happy. He motioned them to drink the tea. "Have some tea."


    "Thank you," said Sophie.


    p Nichs cleared his throat and tilted his face toward the basket beside Sophie. "Is there anything specific you need to prepare for the little ones? I can have my people get them ready. There have never been any babies in the royal pce for decades and I am not sure what to prepare..."</anda>


    Sophie shook her head and chuckled. "They are not fragile like human babies who can just sleep and cry for food. You will see them run around and make chaos when they wake up. We just need to always keep an eye on them because they are so active and curious."


    "Oh... interesting," said Nichs. He learned new things every day about lycans. "They are so adorable."


    His words were sincere. He saw the two furballs and thought they were so cute. Ahh... of course, with Sophie''s and Lnd''s genes, he could definitely see how the two babies look so damn beautiful.


    His sons were beautiful too. Sophie truly gave birth to lovely children.


    "Thank you." This time, it was Lnd who spoke. His usually expressionless eyes were filled with happiness and pride when he lowered his face to watch his babies sleeping. His eyes curved up faintly in a very rare smile.


    Nichs recognized that gaze. It was the same gaze he gave his sons whenever he looked at them and thanked heavens that he was blessed with such wonderful children.


    He sipped his tea and his mind wandered. He would take days off from work and spend time with Luciel and Jan, if Sophie allowed him, with their younger siblings as well. No matter what, they were family now.


    Since the little ones were Luciel''s and Jan''s siblings, they were like Nichs'' stepchildren by extension. So, he would want to get to know them too.


    "Let me ask the butler to prepare everything and then we can get you all sorted." Nichs got up from his chair, patted Luciel and Jan on the shoulders, and then left the family in his study.


    ***


    Queen Marianne was over the moon when she heard that the royal pce was hosting Sophie Romanov and her family for several days. She immediately weed the family when they stepped into the inner pce, where she resided.


    "Good evening, Sophie," said the queen who immediately embraced Sophie when she saw her. "You look so beautiful and healthy. I am happy for you."


    "Thank you, Your Grace," said Sophie, giving her a curtsey. "We are very happy to be here."


    "Please have a seat," said the old queen. "We will start dinner now."


    She motioned them to all sit so dinner could start. Nichs seated his mother at the head of the table while he took a chair to her right, followed by his children. He did it because he wanted to sit as his guests'' equal, as Luciel and Jan''s father, not the king.


    Meanwhile. Lnd and Sophie sat on the other side of Queen Marianne. At a nce, they looked like a happy blended family, eating dinner together.


    The queen was secretly very happy she would be hosting Sophie and her grandsons for several days. She was determined to talk to Sophie and get to know the woman better. After the queen found out that Sophia Romanov gave birth to her grandsons, Queen Marianne instantly felt a special fondness for her.


    She definitely saw Sophie as a better woman than Karenina. Like Nichs, she also regretted the fact that Nichs and Sophie had to be separated in the past. If only things happened differently, she would already have her daughter-inw and grandsons that she so longed for.