The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Chapter 847 847: No Place Like Home

"Welcome home, Rainy," Noble called from the kitchen.

As the dark-haired woman walked through the living room, the embroidered fabric of her ash coat caught the light from the window. It was a beautiful coat for a beautiful young woman.

Noble might have been a Saint who was glamorous due to her Transcendence, but Rain was stunning in her own right. No magic had improved her looks; the girl just had them naturally.

Even though she didn't need to, Noble often bundled a scarf around her face when she went out with her family. It was easier to move about the city when she wasn't recognized. Yet all eyes still seemed to make their way toward the family of five when they traveled on foot.

Rain was the beauty that drew their attention, much to Fort's chagrin. If the ambassador knew what many of those young men were feeling when they looked upon his daughter, there would be more than one of them spending a cold night outside of Ravenheart's protective walls.

'Good thing I am the one who can sense feelings and not him...' Noble chuckled to herself.

Just now, Rain was looking particularly clean and smelling of the lavender soap that she had gotten as a gift. The girl had recently visited the bathhouses. They had water here where she could have bathed, yet she had opted to wash up elsewhere.

Noble noticed her daughter's stiff movements. She shook her head.

'Always trying to spare our feelings. I bet she ran out of the ointment I gave her and won't ask for more because we will worry about her. Doesn't she realize that we worry no matter what?'

Rain could wash the grime and blood off herself and look presentable, but Noble could feel every emotion while the girl was out on a hunt. Even if she couldn't, the mother cared about her daughter. That's what love was.

And for her part, Rain was showing them love, too. It would have been painful to see their beautiful daughter covered in blood again. Misguided as it was at times, Rain hiding her injuries was very considerate.

Noble pretended not to notice all the effort Rain had gone to make herself presentable. She was just happy to have her baby girl home.

"It's good to be here!" Rain set down a box on the table before hugging her mother. "I think there may be a storm later. Is it alright if I bed down here for a night or two? Your place is a little warmer than mine."

"Of course! Wherever you live, this is your home." Noble nodded, hugging her daughter a little too tightly.

Rain's back popped. Noble released her quickly.

"Sorry!"

"Oddly enough, that actually feels better." The girl stretched. "I knew I needed an adjustment. Thanks!"

"I'm glad, but in the future, you can go to the doctor, and we will pay for it. Just tell him..." Noble saw the determined gleam in her daughter's eye. "Never mind. I can keep giving you bear hugs and fixing your back accidentally."

Rain smiled, "I appreciate that."

"What's that?" Child of Promise decided to navigate to safer waters. She tilted her head toward the box on the table.

"I spent my money on some pastries for my rascal little brothers. Sarai even gave me a discount. They can have them when they get home from school." Despite their occasional quarrels, Rain still enjoyed spoiling her siblings.

And they loved being spoiled. The pounding of footsteps overhead drew Rain's attention. She looked up in confusion.

"Did someone say pastries?" Brock jumped over the last three stairs.

Rain fished the box from the table before the elder twin could grab it.

Blaze appeared a moment later. "Is that my favorite sister in two worlds?"

"I'm your only sister," Rain scowled. Her expression softened. "But flattery will get you everywhere."

"We love you!" Both boys pressed their hands together.

"You're not as cute as you once were, but I can't say no to those faces." Rain relented. She opened the box, and the smell of sugar mingled with the baking bread.

"Wait until after we eat, boys. I am almost done cooking." Noble picked up a spoon and waved it in the air.

Disappointed, Blaze and Brock knew better than to argue with the queen of the house. Rain returned the box to the table to be enjoyed soon.

"I don't understand. What are you doing home?"

"The boys didn't go to school today." Noble tilted her head.

Brock crossed his arms. "We were busy making history, and you missed it."

Rain's eyes went wide. "That was today?! Why didn't anyone remind me?"

"It's not a big deal, sis. We knew with the hunt that you would be too tired. Anyway, it was just the preliminary trial." Blaze waved off his sister's concern.

Her frown lessened. "Still, I would like to hear all about it. Were you successful?"

"Well… I am afraid you didn't miss much…" Blaze pretended to pout, but his eyes showed his joy. "Except the first electrical light lit in the Dream Realm!"

"What?" Rain could hardly believe her ears. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you."

"It's nothing, really." Blaze secretly relished his sister's approval.

"Did I hear my baby girl?" Fort came in from behind the house.

"Dad!" Rain threw her arms around her father and kissed his cheek.

"We missed you this morning." Despite the cold, Fort wiped the sweat from his brow. He, too, had noticed the storm that was forming and spent time making sure nothing outside, including Blaze's device, would get blown away if bad weather should hit.

"I am sad I missed it. It's completely my fault! " Rain lamented her luck. She had always been fascinated by building, and her brother had built something that could revolutionize Ravenheart! "I want to hear all about it."

"If you all will put plates on the table, I'll bring the food over momentarily," Noble directed her crew.

They obediently obliged. Soon, everyone was at the table as Blaze gave his rendition of how the first electric light in the Dream Realm had been lit.

Even though Noble had been there, she enjoyed hearing her son's recounting of events. His joy filled her, and hers in turn fueled him.

"And then it burst, causing me to have to do many repairs, but up until that point, it was glorious." Blaze nodded.

"It sounds like it! I can't believe I missed it. I will be there for the demonstration for sure. Not even a Nightmare gate would be able to stop me!" Rain crossed her heart with her fork.

"That's an easy thing to say; there are no Nightmare Gates here," Brock pointed out.

"True, but my point still stands. I will be there." The girl nodded.

"We all will be." Noble agreed easily.

"How was your hunt?" Brock, who had been dying to ask, finally was able to without sounding rude.

"While not as successful as Blaze, my venture was profitable as well," Rain smiled. It faded a moment later. "Although I did see a Pilgrim out there. Mom, I'm pretty sure she is one of the Sleepers from the Solstice. I'm so sorry."