[i][color=pink]Stay civil, stay civil, be the bigger person, this is probably going to be your future home, so you have to stay civil, you don't want Roman to get the wrong idea, stay civil, be--the--bigger--person--![/color][/i] Her mental mantra hadn't quite worked as well as she hoped, throwing Cassandra a glare, though at the very least she resisted the urge to yank that mess of red hair. However, she noticed Cassandra's very warm welcome to Ixion, and she scratched her head. Did she not know...? She caught Reia's wary smile, bowing her head in embarrassment. Reia responded by patting Emiri's shoulder, though she would then take a seat, hands folded neatly on her lap.

"[color=turquoise]Jackson should be present for the very treaty he drafted,[/color]" Reia would remind Cassandra, quite apt at keeping her elegance.

Roman nodded, a glint in his eye that Emiri caught. "[color=indianred]Ah, yes...the treaty and its terms...[/color]" He said, though he would retake his own seat, sipping his tea. "[color=indianred]Ah, passion flower. Good for the nerves,[/color]" He said as he poured out a cup for both Reia and Cassandra.

That would explain why she felt so relaxed. Emiri nodded. "[color=pink]You said passion flower, right? I feel like there's also...a lemon flavor?[/color]" She couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"[color=indianred]I did add some lemon balm, the two flavors are quite interesting, even though they contrast. Passion flower, on the sweeter side, and lemon, whose zest stands out even with the slightest addition,[/color]" He stated, putting his cup down. "[color=indianred]A nice metaphor for you and Jackson, don't you agree?[/color]"

Was that what Roman thought of her? She couldn't quite hide her embarrassed smile. "[color=turquoise]I feel Jackson is more akin to the Assam flavor,[/color]" Reia chuckled. "[color=turquoise]Strong, malty, and difficult to mix.[/color]"

"[color=indianred]He will need to learn to adapt himself better, I'm afraid,[/color]" Roman pointed out.

[hr]

Grant felt like he had aged a thousand years.

The meeting continued, mostly the usual 'yes or no' to several upcoming bills, discussion of taxes and the like. By the end, the council would depart, with Arcturus in particular giving Wesley a rather polite farewell. It was unheard of--Arcturus held himself to his own standards, though it seemed Wesley had earned his respect. Grant should've been pleased, but now a crippling dread had taken hold of him, constantly whispering reminders of his actions. What had he done? No, he had signed his own death sentence, it would seem.

As they were alone in the meeting room, Karolina let out a sigh of relief, though she would stand, walking around the table to Wesley and Nadeline. Placing one hand on each of their shoulders, she smiled. "[color=orange]Congratulations![/color]" She told them, clearly elated at the thought of Nadeline's pregnancy.

"[color=darkorange]You're awful happy about this![/color]" Lorenzo whined.

Karolina brought her hands to her cheeks, slightly blushing. "[color=orange]Wesley showed his determination for keeping Nadeline all to himself! He proposed, knowing he had no ring, and then decided to settle for the next best thing![/color]" She said, a little too happy about all this. "[color=orange]I've always seen him as a gentleman, but it is good to see he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Nadeline in his life! Bravo, Wesley![/color]"

Nadeline's face turned a deep shade of red. "[color=coral]M-M-Mother! Please![/color]" She was completely embarrassed at Karolina's insinuation. "[color=coral]Th-that's not what happened![/color]"

Karolina knelt down to Nadeline a serious look on her face. "[color=orange]He was determined to show you his love, knowing that words simply weren't enough anymore,[/color]" She told her, causing Grant to laugh. "[color=orange]But passion is a subset of love, physically showing your love is taking it to the next level, where words don't suffice! Well, some words can be said--[/color]"

"[color=magenta]So, in other words, she didn't think Wesley had it in him, and is relieved. Isn't that right?[/color]" Grant clarified, trying to stifle his laughter.

"[color=orange]Of course![/color]" Karolina clapped her hands as she would stand. "[color=orange]Oh, I hope it's a girl! WHat do you think, darling?[/color]"

"[color=darkorange]I want it to be a boy! Since I made half of Nadeline, he'll be great, just like me![/color]" Lorenzo declared.

"[color=orange]Nadeline was such an adorable baby. Oh, I was just looking at an album the other day, I wonder if I can find it?[/color]"

Whoa, whoa, whoa! "[color=coral]Mother, you need to know that--that I'm not completely certain about this![/color]" She stopped Karolina in her tracks, flustered. "[color=coral]Someone put the idea in my head, and...[/color]"

"[color=orange]Hm? Oh, so you'll probably know soon, right?[/color]" Karolina asked. When Nadeline nodded, Karolina let out a giggle. "[color=orange]But wouldn't it be wonderful if you were? Wesley is such a handsome man, your child will come out so beautiful...[/color]"