a/n - there was a slight mistake I made very long ago, so I will address it now, Apolline Delacour's maiden name is Devereaux, so her sister, Vanessa Devereaux, is the one in a relationship with Juliette. I might make a character list, to properly introduce; perhaps. so let me know if you would like that and welcome back, darlings.

"Illecebrous"

tending to attract; alluring; enticing.

23 January 1997

"You couldn't go easy? I am the heir to the throne!"

"You weren't going easy either, but I was."

Kaguya groaned with Athena helping her up, and the Ashryver was announced as the winner and getting the title of the strongest, winning the entire duelling competition, which was exhausting Athena out as usual.

"I am not excited for the ball."

The Crown Princess laughed, her arm wrapped around Athena's shoulder, as they walked out of the area. Athena carries all her weight, basically carrying Kaguya. They still have the energy to joke about the majority of the politicians here.

They had a couple of days of break, so Athena abused it more than anyone—more sleeping in, more rotting in bed when she does not need to leave it, and more room service with her aunt just crashing in her room because her girlfriend is a little busy with family business. Her mother will do the same.

The moment she got to her room, Juliette was already there with an entire platter of German cuisine. She made sure to get more of the roast pork shoulder that her niece had been wanting since the first time she had it.

The vegetables are just a small portion, more than enough for both of them—a bunch of meat lovers, really.

"Bath, then food," her aunt urged, settling their dinner and making sure it was still hot until they both dug in. Juliette was just waiting for her sister to bring drinks and join them. "I won't get started till you are done and your mother is here."

It was girl's night.

Just the three of them.

"Oh, this is so much better," Camille chimed, shutting the door after her sister opened it for her. Athena just walked out of the bathroom in silk PJs and dried her hair with a towel. Juliette patted the space on the bed beside her for Athena to sit, and Camille just dragged the sofa chair to the table. There was a lot of rearranging when Athena was in the shower—Juliette, of course, did everything because her little sister only moved a chair. "Any news?"

"We swept the entire area within the ten kilometres and nothing."

"Just slightly weird, but at the same time, we are taking Arthur's words."

"So this means the only ones we have to be aware of are the ones invited to the ball or who will be crashing," Camille muttered, worried about the safety of her daughter because they want Athena within their ranks—it doesn't matter if it was forced or willingly. It is either that or she is dead.

Oh, her baby. The boys will be the sons of Lucian Ashryver, but Athena shall be hers—her sweet, sweet daughter. The only one she will ever have. She is the daughter of Camille Auclair.

"We will be okay; I will oversee everything when no one is looking. I do not trust anyone else like I trust you both."

"Can I crash with you?" Camille asked, her eyes soft but filled with worry. It was the same one Lucian witnessed when she gave birth to the twins. Athena wasn't the strongest baby, however, she was a fighter like her mother—she still is. Athena smirked, side-eyeing her mother as she drank her juice.

"Since when do you ask?"

"You are right; I am joining you."

Athena rolled her eyes, and Juliette just laughed at the two of them, the moment they started to bicker. Maybe she will have a little family of her own, with Vanessa. The little soft bickering between the mother and daughter just made Juliette desire to have a daughter.

Not that she or Vanessa would have a problem with that. Their bloodlines are filled with women.

Enzo had four sisters, who died in the line of duty—the Auclair line will never struggle to have heirs and heiresses because the gift of the Auclair women is France's blessing. The Devereaux Clan are just Veelas or Half-Veelas, they have the hardest time producing sons and couldn't.

But they do not know how it will go for Athena and Fleur. Quite frankly, the Ashryver genetics are strong and were witnessed when Camille had three sons and only one daughter.

"You know what's surprising?"

"What?" Juliette chuckled.

"You're," Camille pointed at her daughter, "not pregnant. Neither one of you."

"I don't know, maybe because I am stressed?" Athena stated, giving her mother the 'Are you serious?' look. There was a lot on her plate in these couple of months—the security details, the spikes in dark activities, and the constant berating from the Aurors from every country they worked with because they disagreed with her work despite it working.

There was a quick silence between the three of them before Camille bragged that no matter how stressed she was, she managed to get pregnant with her brother, Damon. Athena gave her a disgusted look as her mother continued bragging, and her aunt just laughed her ass off during the dinner. But she wouldn't say she hated this dinner—she loved it.

— | —

25 January 1997

"Hello Gorgeous!" Camille chimed, watching her daughter tuck in the black silky shirt. The blazer was on the bed with matching trousers that hung loosely around her legs. Her entire outfit is just hanging loosely around her body. That one night of her trying to make Fleur lose control—she had enough of it, men were looking at her with desires when usually they stray away from scarred women. Athena just laughed at her mother, hurrying to finish with everything. They were all just waiting for her.

The French were always known to be late or the last ones to enter any event, even the ones they hosted.

"Damn," Rose claimed, looking at Athena up and down. The loose braids with a couple of strands falling on her face, the loose suit on her body, the silk shirt with a couple of unbuttoned buttons, and a turtleneck underneath. Christian Louboutin heels, and several silver and gold rings and earrings adorned her fingers and ears. 

Germany has been chilly lately.

Maybe it has to do something with the imminent threat that may or may not come to Germany.

"Good taste," Blanc said—expensive knows expensive, it is Hermes after all. Rose Blanc and her entire family only share the same tastes with the Auclairs and the Devereuxes. Athena shrugged with a smirk as Enzo led the way to the ball. She knows she's hot, and she will not like the interactions later on—men either with fragile masculinity or still trying to hit on her despite Athena wearing her wedding ring—and she makes sure that every single time she has a drink in her hand, she shows that off.

— | —

The ballroom—as always, resplendent with golden chandeliers and sparkling crystal—fell into a hush as the doors swung open. All heads turned, conversations silenced, and even the orchestra paused mid-note. The French stepped in, a vision in black silk gowns, skin-tight dresses, and suits that cascaded like a waterfall—hanging either loosely or tightly around their bodies, shimmering with every step. Their lateness, far from being incompetent to tell the time, only heightened the sense of anticipation and mystery. Their confident smiles and poised demeanours commanded the room's attention, their presence instantly elevating the grandeur of the evening. Each movement exuded elegance and grace as they descended the marble staircase, making it clear that the night had truly begun with their arrival.

Heads turned to the French, and admiration and pure jealousy seeped through their skins. The Japanese Royals were always known to be grand, but they could never make an entrance like the French, no matter how much they tried. Each has their own aura and perfect posture to make all attention turn to them.

"Well, well, well, Captain, you look hot, as one always does," Kaguya said, her tongue poking her inner cheek before walking away—after kissing Jodie's cheek—and Jodie just smirked at Athena, checking her out with no shame. Athena flipped Jodie off and walked past her to get some food. The Belgian laughed in return, following closely as she waited for her princess, who was busy mingling with others.

"Suits always look good on you."

"Quite charming, am I not?"

"There it is," Jodie cheered, pinpointing that rare confidence Athena has. "You are always more comfortable with suits. Wear them, and your wife would love it if we ignored how easy it is for dresses to just slip off."

Athena snorted in response, unbuttoning her blazer and getting herself comfortable in her spot, as best she could. She hadn't told Jodie what was happening; only a small group of people knew about the warning, while others lent a helping hand to make this ball the most secure event in the entire world.

Yet, for some reason, she felt off. For hours, she mingled with the people she knew and maybe new people her parents introduced her to. She might just go home right after this ball, but her family convinced her to stay for the night and go home together.

Lucian will be joining them for a week of well-deserved time off.

All she wanted was to see her wife.

— | —

26 January 1997

The late evening was serene and calm as Athena quietly unlocked her apartment door, and as she stepped into the dimly lit living room, the stresses she was dealing with were immediately gone. The warmth and a sense of belonging washed over her the moment she found her Fleur.

She moved silently through the apartment, her footsteps barely making a sound on the hardwood floor. The moment she opened the bedroom door, her wife was sleeping so peacefully as she clung to her pillow, the soft glow of the moon casting a gentle light on her face. Fleur's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, a cute, contented smile on her face—it seemed like she sensed her wife was home.

Athena longed to slip into bed and wrap her arms around Fleur, but the dirt and grime of the day clung to her. She placed her travel bag by the foot of the bed and quickly headed for the shower.

Quiet as an assassin, she entered the bathroom, turned on the shower, and just stood in the soothing water cascading over her body, thinking about everything that had or had not happened. She's home; there was no need for that as she relaxed her muscles and calmed her mind.

She was just ready to curl up next to Fleur—the warmth she provided and the soft and gentle breathing.

Before she joined Fleur, she had to unpack and go through her reports for a little bit, but the soft growl she heard and Fleur holding her pillow closer to her chest changed her damned mind.

Fleur stirred slightly, sensing the bed sinking and her wife's presence. Instinctively, she moved closer to that presence and let go of that poor replacement for her wife. Athena smiled as she readjusted her pillow before placing a kiss on Fleur's forehead and whispering, "I'm home."

Those beautiful ocean eyes fluttered open for a moment, and she smiled sleepily as she opened her arms for her wife, those alluring amber eyes. "Welcome home, ma Cherie."

The soft kisses on Athena's hair, the clinginess as she brought Athena's face closer to her chest—allowing Athena to listen to her heart beating just for her—and the gentle caress on her back.

Athena sighed contentedly at her wife's warmth and the comfort of their home surrounding her. The sweet reunion that she was excited for slowly drifted off to sleep, and Fleur waited, still busy with the kiss and the caressing. She waited as Athena was finally asleep and made sure that she wasn't dreaming.

"You're finally home," Fleur breathed, slowly drifting back to sleep.

She's home.

— | —