✧HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE GODDESS✧

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The morning of her birthday, Alphard had a strict plan to follow. And that had started with not only waking her up in the most pleasant of ways—After having such a wonderful night in celebrating in the wee hours of the morning.

But Rhea hadn't been expecting a continuation, and upon spotting Alphard between her legs and holding them apart was a vicious way to start the day.

Not to mention how he offered to start the bath in the moments following her breathless relief.

In that she had reached out to her husband and settled a kiss on his lips and caressed him. "You've plotted well, Atlas. But once my mind unfogs itself—"

"I have made it my mission to settle any pouts and frowns in my own, love. Best keep up appearances, otherwise our guests tonight might be introduced to a much more interesting showing than—" Her eyes flared wide as she clamped her hands over her ears. "Alphard!"

He had taken his escape towards the bathroom and prepared an array of oils and flowers. Yes, it was safe to say that Alphard had studied up on the dozen of Witch Weekly self treatments and thus, he was introduced to the pampering that Rhea and those of her age would be more comfortable in.

Though the Spa that Narcissa had recommended was entirely universal.

Upon peering into the bathroom, Rhea could barely hold the silken robe over her shoulders as she gazed down at her husband. Who was still taking a knee beside the tub.

"Ah, and what is after this bath, lovely husband of mine?"

"Believe me, little goddess, it's strictly Atlas tonight." She snorted and shook her head. Arms crossed to keep the better part of the robe stable. But the idea of warm water on an cold early morning such as this, and so came forward and held his cheeks into her hands. "Thank you." She whispered, and instantly his head had came straight to rest against her stomach.

"And this time next year...Perhaps we will be well on our way to add to our family, hm?" Rhea didn't hesitate to laugh, though he knew deep down that it excited her.

To no longer use the monthly tonic, to worry about her health once a month to stop it.

"Well on our way? Now who's impatient?"

"Perhaps adding another year to your age has given me a bit of leeway, forgive me. I'm a sensible man, but also an eager one."

"You're right, I suppose twenty is an eventful year for a witch or wizard."

"And that is why I wanted you to enjoy it. Otherwise, your adventurous suggestions of adding another person into bed would be left unanswered." She shook her head, attempting to pull away from her husband's hold and only to be gripped tighter.

"It might remain unanswered the way you keep teasing me of it." She hissed down and he chuckled. "You know, most of the higher-ups like myself adore the privacy—Organizations favor it as well, meaning the witches that may or may not end up in our bed could be asked to take a potion." Rhea blinked for a moment and frowned.

"A forgetting potion? Are you serious?"
"It's quite common. You aren't the only witch with exotic fantasies." Rhea blinked for a moment and then turned to the bath. "I just—I'm not sure how it would play through, Alphard."

"I can certainly paint you a picture, my mind is vivid with that type of fantasy. But I have to ask, are we adding a witch or wizard?"

"Witch. Definitely a witch." He nodded, rising to his feet and removing her robe before allowing his hands to trice the better part of her profile. "A witch...Now is this witch you then?" He questioned, and Rhea's eyes had been so transfixed on her husband that she nodded.

"I...I don't want to share you—"

"Understandable. Then it'll be up to me and this witch to make sure your night is pleasurable. Yes?" As his hands outlined the swell of her breasts—He didn't doubt that the nights of rich food and unlimited snacks had brought Rhea closer to the desired image of a witch, and she nearly glowed with each passing meal.

A suggestion that Clarissa would hold her portions, much like he knew Druella would towards his own nieces.

"Would it be better for the witch to forget the following morning?" Rhea nodded and then eyed the bedroom. "A-and not here. Not in our room."

"Course not. This is for us. Though I am quiet thankful you don't want a wizard, they are much more difficult to come by and remain quiet." She nodded and followed Alphard into the tub, sitting directly in between his legs and sighing deep into his chest.

"This witch, she'll know much more about the pleasure points of your body—Perhaps we'll learn something."

"It—it's a possibility." She whispered out, nearly forgetting to respond when Alphard had made his way back in between her thighs. His movements so easily done.

"A late birthday gift, then?"
"N-no...Not yet—Not for a while. I want to enjoy this with you, i-it feels wrong." He nuzzled into neck and kissed her, plain and simple. "Not at all. Not when I know how your mind works, you're curious. As was I." She nodded, feeling slightly less guilty in daydreaming of such a possibility as Alphard had called it.

"Shall I talk about what else I have planned for the rest of the day?" She flinched as he movement had begun to sped up beneath the water, and she silently nodded. Only to hiss another whisper for him to hear properly.

"Well after this, we are going to head downstairs into the dining room. Your favorites should all be ready once were settle things here. And then, I thought we could take the rest of the morning and the afternoon to lounge around." She found herself smiling at the thought of just relaxing, but the sudden hitch in her breath meant she was close—And the warm water was just urging her forward.

"Hmm so responsive to me. Bless me with this, love. Let me hear you." His voice continued to press forward and when his finger had pushed against her folds, it was all too much for her to bear. But being so sensitive after what he had done just moments ago in bed had resulted in just what he was asking for.

And once her heavy breathing subsided, Alphard had gone to work in lavishing her with wonderfully scented oils—Even going as far as to wash and rinse her hair.

She teased him throughout, saying he was much better than anything she's experienced at the spa.

Ultimately, the rest of their day had followed the same light mood. Filled with laughter, reading, and even painting as Alphard had taken to trying to take her advice in instructing to get an image onto the canvas.

Only to end with a light lunch, as Alphard pointed out, there was no need to fill herself up before this evening.

That is when the day had started to grow, odd. It almost seemed like Alphard was attempting to engage what type of night they would have, and it confused her beyond belief. Especially when he escorted her to a rather secluded part of the manor off near the library.

"Now then, I may have rushed things ahead of schedule and paid quite a bit of coin. But I couldn't wait much longer for this unveil." Rhea didn't process just what he was getting at until he pointed off towards the library—He had tricked her!

"It's—It's finished?!" She shrieked, and he had only smiled down and urged her to open the doors. "I haven't taken a proper look yet, but I trust the designers. Even had the elves start to organize the collections we've gathered thus far." She squealed and clapped her hands in excitement as Alphard dutifully followed behind her as she threw open the extravagant double doors that were much bigger than herself.

And the reveal had been just as beautiful as she sketched it out to be!

The first few steps she nearly tripped over her rushed movements and spun around, trying to catch every detail as it came forward. There were plenty of tables to study from, beautifully carved wood, just as she had asked the designer to add.

While it wasn't littered with artwork and sculptures as they were planning, Rhea did not doubt that Alphard already had a few lined up or asked to be created.

The two had made their tour around the different sections, and pieces of wizarding history were kept secure in display cases. And it had been decidedly similar and different to Hogwarts. Exactly as they plotted since the beginning.

"Oh Alphard, having a party tonight is cruel after showing me this!" She decreed, but after seeing a rather brilliantly engraved plaque she squealed once more and took one of the very books and held it up.

"A whole section on Mythology?!"

"And Muggle, romance, history of different cultures, a choice for Regulus and Sirius to pick through when they come to visit, Hogwarts textbooks for reference—In the future. What else is there, medical journals, modules, a whole section of those that way." Rhea had nearly fallen at the idea of the rest of the module set had been purchased for today, to fill in the empty space of the medical section.

But Alphard was planning to give her free reigns in what to add, even suggesting that they should add a few more comfortable chairs off in the corner to fill up the empty spaces.

It occurred to Alphard that he had the ability to do this for ages, and it had been lost within the years as he hadn't bothered—He hadn't been able to enjoy his manor properly. Not in his lonesome.

"Merlin, we'll get lost in here!" Alphard turned back to where his wife had been last, only to realize that she drifted further into the rows of books.

"That was one of our dreams, wasn't it? To have it so large to be able to get lost in all the wisdom." Rhea's laughter had led him to her and she clutched the book tighter to her chest.

"I'm worried the elves have too much on their plate with this to tackle as well...Should we hire another just for the library?" It had taken a moment to understand what she was asking, but upon looking at the tall ceilings and the number of items within a room.

"Perhaps two, it'll be done by this weekend." Rhea squealed and twirled back around to explore further, and Alphard wished he had the pace to retain everything in his sights so quickly.

And within moments, Rhea had already brainstormed the perfect idea for a gift for Alphard!

Within the next hour, Alphard had the unfortunate news of pulling Rhea away from the library and to a room just a short distance away from the beloved library.

"Believe me, love. We will spend countless nights in that room. Night and day—Perhaps we'll take a few Holidays just to enjoy it." Her laughter filled the hall in pure excitement but began to fall short as she took in the given layout of the room before her.

It was...odd.

"Love, we have a bit of time before the party—I thought you would enjoy a bit of catering and pampering before then." It had been one gift after another and the smile paired with sniffle had nearly caused Alphard to panic if he hadn't known better.

"Alfie, this is too much."
"Not at all. You deserve this and more, now come...These witches will start tending to you. And before long, we'll need to get dressed!" He claimed, and it was only then that the spoken of witches seemed to come into Rhea's sights.

They greeted Madam Black with the utmost respect and managed to define Alphard's words to the utmost extent. There wasn't a single ill-feeling coursing through her veins and she hardly wanted to move from her seat—And thankfully the witches here were given a further task, to make her party-ready—And that meant hair and makeup, but that caused Rhea to frown.

She didn't know what she was even wearing!

Alphard had knocked at the door and excused the witches to take a break as he joined Rhea in the room by their lonesome. "See, was it that awful?"

"Not at all! It's just—I forget what it does to a person..." She hums and closes her eyes once more. "Hmm, I do need you awake, love. We still have an important choice ahead of us." Rhea began to rub her eyes, thus requesting a bit of coffee to share between them.

Without fail of arrival time, Sarah had come into the room and that certainly startled Rhea to high heavens. "Happy birthday, Mrs.Black! Oh, this was a brilliant project, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have." Rhea was left completely unaware of what was happening, but the curtains had been pushed aside, showcasing a set of costumes that Sarah had no doubt in designing and creating.

"W-what is all this?"

"Mr.Black and I thought up a few costume ideas that you might like for this evening. It's the theme for tonight's event." The idea of creativity—Or the guest's attempt at creativity was being tested outright.

And thus, Rhea had come forward and listened intently as to what Alphard and Sarah had managed to plot together in, and goodness sakes they had managed to exceed expectations!

But in the end, it was simple—The choice between either a King and Queen, a God and Goddess or, for an unexpected twist— The prince and Cinderella.

"Oh love, how did you possibly come up with these—They're perfect!" The compliment had given both Sarah and Alphard the uplifting they needed, especially after the weeks of going back and forth.

"Do you see this one, love...Sarah had this twist." He urged her forward to the staple pieces, but they looked far too beautiful to touch. But upon the finer details, it wasn't just a Queen attire, that tiara was far too familiar to her eyes.

"That's—That's—"

"Hm, I thought a true Ravenclaw would suffice in this."

"After knowing you, I would assume you have the real diadem." Alphard laughed, and perhaps he did spend a bit of time trying to search for the lost diadem, but gave upon hearing a rather disturbing rumor upon the forests he was tempted to search in.

"Oh, please don't make me choose, Alfie. They're all too beautiful to pick from." She whined, and Sarah chuckled and escorted herself out of the room so that Rhea could make a final decision.

"It is no matter what I wear, I just wish to stand by your side, love. I take it the Cinderella one is out? No worries, we have a work celebration to go to that requires a costume."

"It's difficult to explain what I'm dressed as, and you know how frowned upon it is—Muggle literature." Alphard hadn't thought that far through and so, it was between either Goddess couple or a Ravenclaw couple—Which better suited their work function.

"A wonderful choice, little goddess. Would it be better if I keep my hair down for this?" Her eyes had spoken her answer long before she could find the proper words to respond and thus, he kissed her cheek.

"Steady that beating heart of yours for me, tonight will be wonderful." He deemed before speaking a few quick words to Sarah and the entire entourage had returned.

Rhea truly never considered just how much making or planning Sarah had done, but she sketched out the better notes for the other witches to go off of.

And before long, she was in a similar dress to what she had worn to the alter—But decidedly different notes and accents. The slits on either leg were what truly had caught her attention, they were tasteful and teasing.

Leaving the witches to explain to Rhea that she was now twenty years of age and married to a wealthy man that nobody would dare to cross.

She had the ability to be daring and teasing—When appropriate.

Rhea had started to fiddle with her hair as stared into the mirror. It was a dress straight from her imagination, and Rhea wondered if she and Sarah had ever spoken about this type of design. But Alphard had certainly won an award for taking the time to get all this sorted for tonight.

And the night has hardly begun!

"Rhea...Are you all set?" His question had pulled her away from the mirror, and good goddess above—She could nearly drool over her husband!

The damn bastard had certainly taken her weakness in styling his hair, but upon taking in the better part of his own costume, she squealed once more.

"This is brilliant, did Sarah leave?"
"Hm, she's been invited to the event as well, just in case there needs to be a costume change. But she and the other witches had provided their service very well, I thought the least I could do is—"

Rhea had pushed herself forward and pressed her lips against Alphard's, his do-gooding was making it very difficult to pull away or even think of leaving the manor this evening.

"Come love, the festivities await." Rhea couldn't even prepare herself for what was to come, but evidently, it was everything she absolutely wished for.

The amount of detail that Lori had put into each room's theme seemed to get grander and grader, and better yet it was all taking place in a very manner that she and Alphard had met.

Perhaps it was because she was the birthday guest, or the amount of skin that both she and Alphard were wearing in the rather accurate depiction of the Ancient Greek Gods, but here they were, making their way and being greeted as though they were indeed royalty.

And Rhea had to pinch herself in the utter reminder that she was indeed, considered royalty in London.

That was one of the only things Evelyn was correct about, Rhea didn't understand the push or pull that she could do with the Black name.

There were dozens of birthday well-wishes and the occasional congratulations on Alphard's behalf for a beautiful young wide and a gorgeous celebration—And Rhea had to agree with them on a portion of it.

Their exploration had taken them to different parts of the world, royalty to a bit of a tempting jungle that offered a bit of a jump scare—Making Rhea scream and laugh all at once, but she wasn't the only one to seem to fall under the ruse of the statues not being just for show.

The night offered endless dancing, and Rhea didn't hesitate to ask her brother or Orion for one as well. Even enjoyed a bit of wine with Lucretia as they surveyed the crowd, seeing that the theme of kings and queens was a rather similar design that others had been tempted with.

Though there were a few brave souls that managed to control the room, much like Alphard and Rhea were.

"I take it my brother has hit all the marks?" Lucretia asked into her next sip, and Rhea couldn't help but smile. "I didn't even know there were some marks he could make, Merlin, I haven't had this much fun in ages!" She declared, and Lucretia couldn't wait to share the news with Alphard when she was given the chance.

"You both are so good for each other, I think everyone in the room is seeing that now." Rhea's smile had started wide but then began to fall, what had her sister meant?

"Do you think everyone knows I didn't marry him for his money?"

"No, probably not. Most of them don't think on the level of feelings. But you both are beautiful and powerful, they can't say much more than that. Not to mention you've pinned a target on the...Damn, who was it?"

"The Rookwoods?"

"Not only is the eldest daughter's engagement in ruins, but she's also more than likely ruined for the rest of her days. Nobody will dare bat an eye to her and the family because they rather stay in your good graces and not anger either you or Alphard." It was certainly difficult to swallow the truth, but if Evelyn had stayed in her path and not disrupted the life she was creating for herself and Alphard as husband and wife, then all would be well.

"At least my friends have seen the truth of it."

"Hard not to, love. Look, Ms.Nott is entertaining a few of her parent's prospects. Mr.Sewlyn is speaking with one of your friends as well, it's how it's meant to be."

"That the younger generations stay in their generation?" Rhea questioned and Lucretia opened her mouth to deny it, but yet again, the truth was difficult to swallow, as Rhea had just conceded.

"I rather hear if from you, Lucy, than someone else."

"I was wrong when hearing about my brother finding a witch to marry. I regret it, of course. I never thought that there would be a kind witch amongst this crowd, but you're exactly what he needed. A Ravenclaw."

"Not entirely sure. I cannot tell you how much we've spent on the library. It makes me dizzy at times." Lucretia had let out a wondrous laugh, but in making fun of Rhea—That much was clear.

"And he makes that much in how many hours?"

"Believe it came from my dowery, actually. Ether or, sometimes it's too much money to bare." It was difficult to laugh, especially considering that both her and her husband were quietly lively off his earnings and the remainder of their dowery.

A rather abrupt reason that they never had children together, not when parts of his family were struggling for coins in raising their families properly.

It was refreshing to see Rhea's worries about spending her money so freely when families such as the Weasleys were on a set income and hardly managing as is.

Given that Molly is nearly onto her second child.

"You have no reason to feel guilty, Rhea. Your hard work is paying off, enjoy it." Rhea had smiled in response and took another gulp of her wine, her eyes drifting off towards Orion and Alphard.

"Would you keep something to yourself, if I asked?" That had certainly caught Lucy's attention, and instigated her to follow Rhea's line of sight. "If it involves my brother, I have the right to know."

Had she instantly assumed Alphard?

"Wrong brother, though it still holds the same concern. I've been worried about him for a long while, and rightfully so. Though I don't have to tell you how miserable he's been, married to the—"

"The absolute devil? I'm aware. What is it that you're worried about?"

"He asked me for advice, and while I pretend to know about our society to a point. I'm worried about how far his desperation might take him."

"Rhea, what on earth are you talking about?" Lucretia hissed, clearly growing impatient and Rhea huffed. "He wants a divorce." Lucy's eyes had grown ten-fold, a similar reaction to how Rhea felt upon hearing it straight from the source.

"He's serious?"

"Well, he was a bit drunk. But as I've heard, drunken words are sober—"

"Rhea."
"I haven't spoken to him about it since, and I certainly haven't much time with work and all things. But I—Well, I offered to help him with another bit of a question."

"Goodness, what the bloody hell are those two up two?!" She hissed, and Rhea looked pointedly to her glass and shook her head. Perhaps she should've stayed silent?

"He wants to find a mistress, and I've talked him out of having a child."

"He's dead. He cannot remotely think that—You've offered your aid?"

"You weren't there when Walburga was being a damnable nightmare. Merlin, even I wanted to strangle her. I'm not sure if it's guilt but I know it's my fault that he's starting to look at other possibilities." With her sister remaining silent, Rhea had looked elsewhere, trying to remember where they were and that she couldn't cry over her empathetic feeling.

"He said he regretted his marriage, that day we first met one another—And Orion came for dinner, I just never thought that—That it could escalate so far."

"What would a divorce mean?"
"Public humiliation. And if he's smart about it, he has nothing to hide. Or better yet, he finds something Walburga is hiding to save her image. Though she wouldn't be too far gone, she'd return as Ms.Black and have substanciously less power than Druella."

"This mantle seems to be getting passed around back and forth."

"Says the youngest woman with the Black title. Merlin, at some instances I think you hold more sway than Orion if it was up to the topic and crowd."

"I don't understand how it all works anyhow, Orion ups me in that."

"Not necessarily, the crowd knows that something went down with you and Evelyn to uncover that she was after Alphard—And her failed engagement? I hate to say it, love, some may actually be afraid of you." Rhea had chuckled, shaking her head as it was impossible.

Unbelievable at best.

"I highly doubt anyone is afraid of me, Lucy."

"Would you like to test that theory?... I wouldn't mind a laugh, come, we'll speak to an old friend of mine and see." Rhea hadn't a clue as to where she was headed, but from the looks of it, it was one of Rabastan's mate's parents.

The McNair family.

"Mrs.Prewett, lovely to see you this evening—We were wondering if you were going attend." Rhea could not tell outright if that was hostile or an actual concern, but given that Lucretia had simply leaned forward and kissed Mrs.McNair on the cheek, it seemed that they were better friends than what she herself could account for.

"Nonsense, I wouldn't miss my sister's birthday for the world. Isn't that right, Rhea?" Rhea smile and nudged at Lucy, and it had turned into a brilliant conversation with a few of the elder generation, and Rhea had surely collected a story or two she would need to ask Alphard.

When Lucretia had started a conversation with Mrs.McNair, however, Rhea had realized that this had been the ultimate goal in speaking to them. "I meant to ask, how is your son doing in his studies?"

"Brilliant, though he's made the comment once or twice that he misses having you to ask questions throughout the semester."

"Oh, I'd be happy to take his owl. I've told Orion's lads the same thing, and my brother certainly takes use of it from time to time." McNair seemed to have recoiled, fighting from saying yes as though it was putting her out of her place.

"McNair, if you haven't noticed, I adore academics. I would be thrilled to help where I can, especially when those lads are headed off to NEWTS, goodness, even I still feel nervous about them." Perhaps it was her good character or the wondrous smile on her face, but McNair had left Rhea with his wife and Lucretta—All with having to tell his son that Mrs. Rhea Black would adore a parcel from him regarding course related questions.

Merlin, it was a mouthful.

"I haven't a clue if your wife has taken too much wine this evening, Alphard. But she certainly is as kind as they come." Alphard had turned from his conversation with Orion and Avery to take in McNair's words.

But Orion had beaten him to it.

"Oh really? What has she done now?"

"Offered to help my son with his studies, I take it yours does the same?" McNair questioned and Orion quickly agreed. "Regulus more than Sirius, and they enjoy how easy she makes things sound, even through a parcel...I'm sure Alphard here knows all about her writing."

"Git. Yes, Rhea adores helping her brothers and our nephews. I wouldn't doubt she'd come around and ask you as well, Avery—Or perhaps not, given the fact that your son was a bit frugal during her attempts at a helping him study." Avery's head had lowered down and muttered that he would certainly speak with his son during the next holiday, but the glare had subsided soon enough.

Meaning Rhea had rejoined his side for another set of dancing, drinks and snacking.

"We're heading home soon, love, and you'll be happy to know I took some of your curiosities into a reality." Rhea's eyes had flared when her slightly drunken haze had managed to properly digest his words.

"What on earth do mean by—"

"Surprise, little goddess. Surprise." It was rather taunting the way he had sung his tease, but nevertheless, Rhea remained excited and couldn't handle the looming time to when they would depart.

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Date Posted: 06/01/22

Time: 11:54

Words: 4850