Extended Epilogue
Seven Years Later
The cold winter air stung Cedric’s cheeks, but he barely felt it. His focus was entirely on the two small figures darting around the snow-covered clearing ahead of him. He crouched behind a tree, the rough bark pressing against his back as muffled giggles reached his ears.
“Gregory,” whispered Edmund, though his voice was far too loud for someone trying to hide. “Do you think he’s still there?”
Cedric grinned, peering around the tree bark. But before he could call out, a well-aimed ball of snow hit him squarely on the shoulder.
“Got him!” Edmund yelled triumphantly, leaping out from behind a bush.
Cedric laughed, brushing the snow from his coat. “Oh, you little scamps!” he shouted, springing to his feet and bolting after them.
The boys squealed and scrambled in opposite directions, their boots crunching against the snow. Gregory tripped over a fallen branch, and Cedric caught him easily, tossing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “Caught one!” he declared, spinning the boy around.
Edmund doubled back, pelting Cedric with another snowball. “Put him down, Papa! Or I’ll—”
“Or you’ll what?” Cedric challenged, his voice filled with mock menace.
“I’ll… I’ll get you too!” Edmund shouted, though he was already laughing.
Cedric grabbed him in one swift motion, pulling him close and tickling his sides until he howled with laughter. “Enough snow for today,” he said finally, his breath visible in the frosty air. “Come on, boys. Time to head back to the castle before you both turn into icicles.”
“Yes, Papa!” the boys chorused, bounding ahead of him, their energetic chatter filling the crisp afternoon air.
When they reached Haremore Castle, the foyer was a bustling hive of activity. Servants hurried about, carrying garlands of holly and trays of crystal glasses. Footmen adjusted the arrangements of candles, their soft glow illuminating the grand space.
The boys darted inside, shaking snow from their boots, their voices rising in excitement. “Mama! Mama!” they shouted.
Audrey emerged from the drawing room, and for a moment, Cedric simply stared at her. Her dark blue gown caught the light, her hair was arranged in soft curls, and her smile was as radiant as the first day he’d met her. His heart twisted as it always did when he saw her—an overwhelming rush of love and gratitude that never faded, no matter how many years passed.
“Mama!” Gregory cried, launching himself at her skirts. Edmund was close behind, both boys speaking over each other.
“We were playing snowballs!” Gregory exclaimed.
“And we hit Papa!” Edmund added, his chest puffed out with pride.
“He said he’d teach us to hunt deer!” Gregory chimed in.
“And then we ran all the way back!” Edmund finished breathlessly.
Audrey knelt down, her arms opening to steady them both. “Slow down, my darlings,” she said, her voice warm with laughter. “You’ll give me no choice but to send you to bed early if you keep shouting.”
“But Mama—” Gregory began.
“No buts,” she interrupted gently, smoothing a stray curl from his forehead. “Go upstairs with Nurse and get warm before you catch a chill.”
The boys pouted briefly but obeyed, running off with renewed energy.
Audrey straightened, brushing the snow from her hands, and turned her attention to Cedric. “You, too,” she said teasingly, reaching up to brush a few stray flakes from his hair. “Go change before our guests arrive. You’re hardly fit for polite company.”
“The sun isn’t even down yet,” Cedric protested, though his lips twitched with amusement.
Audrey arched an eyebrow, her hands settling firmly on his shoulders as she turned him toward the staircase. “It will be soon enough. Now go.”
Cedric leaned in, attempting to steal a kiss, but she swatted his chest lightly, laughing. “Not now, Cedric. Go.”
As he climbed up the stairs, the front door opened and familiar voices echoed through the hall. He turned to see Belleville and Lilianna entering, their children, Arabella and Henry, trailing behind them. The moment they spotted Edmund and Gregory, all four children raced upstairs in a blur of excitement.
“Belleville,” Cedric said, descending a few steps to greet his friend. “You’re early.”
“Early enough to see you looking entirely too cheerful,” Belleville quipped, shaking Cedric’s hand. “I hardly recognize you these days.”
Cedric rolled his eyes. “You’ve been saying that for seven years. Don’t you ever tire of repeating yourself?”
“Not when it’s true,” Belleville replied with a grin.
“Come inside,” Cedric said, gesturing toward the drawing room. “Audrey’s there.”
Belleville and Lilianna disappeared into the drawing room, and Cedric went upstairs, his heart lighter than the air outside.
***
The ballroom glowed with a golden warmth, the chandeliers casting soft light over the crowd of elegantly dressed guests. The Haremore Winter Ball was, as always, a triumph. Laughter and music filled the space, mingling with the rustle of silk and the clink of crystal glasses.
Audrey stood near the edge of the room, her hand resting lightly on Cedric’s arm. Together with Grace, her father, Lilianna, and Belleville, they watched as Clarise twirled gracefully around the dance floor, her fiancé, a charming Belgian prince, leading her with ease.
“She looks radiant,” Grace noted, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve all done so well, Audrey.”
Audrey smiled, her gaze soft as she watched her youngest sister. “She deserves every happiness.”
“Your sisters have made exceptional matches,” Cedric murmured, leaning closer to her. His voice was low, meant only for her ears. “But I still say I am the luckiest of all.”
Audrey’s cheeks flushed, but she said nothing, her fingers tightening briefly on his arm.
Lilianna stepped closer, her expression secretive. “Audrey,” she whispered, tugging her sister aside. “I have news.”
Audrey raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
“I’m expecting again,” Lilianna said, her eyes shining. “I confirmed it just before we traveled here.”
Audrey’s hands flew to her mouth, her joy spilling over. “Lilianna! That’s wonderful!”
Lilianna laughed softly, hugging her. “Don’t tell Edward yet. I want to wait until tomorrow.”
Audrey nodded, her heart full as she returned to Cedric’s side. He glanced at her, arching an eyebrow in question, but she only smiled and shook her head.
The evening passed in a blur of conversation and laughter, and as the guests began to waltz once more, Cedric leaned in. “Shall we sneak away?”
Audrey tilted her head, smiling. “And miss the chance to see who Clarise’s prince offends next? Hardly.”
Cedric chuckled, but he tugged her gently toward the stairs. “Just for a moment.”
She relented, and they slipped out of the ballroom, climbing up the stairs to the nursery. The room was dimly lit, the fire casting soft shadows over the walls. In the crib, Cecilia slept peacefully, her tiny hands curled near her face.
Audrey leaned down, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s soft cheek. Cedric followed, his expression tender as he did the same.
“She has your nose,” he murmured, his voice filled with awe.
“And your stubbornness,” Audrey added with a soft laugh.
They moved to the window, the snow-covered grounds stretching out below. Cedric wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. For a long moment, they stood in silence, watching the snow fall outside.
“I love you, princess,” Cedric said, kissing the top of her head.
“When will you stop calling me that?” Audrey laughed as she leaned back against him.
“Never.”
And that was perfect.
The End.