>>5225060Lady Moira, a stately woman of straw blond hair only subtly graying embraces you as you meet. You have a full head over her height, though she is by no means a short woman. “Welcome home, Uilleam. The hold is yours.” You release her, and straighten her black dress where it had wrinkled as she pressed against you. Despite attempting to hold a stoic visage, you cannot help but smile to see her again. So taken in this moment you are caught on back foot as a bundle of navy blue fabric flies into you, laughing. You tousle the hair of your eldest sister Eleyse, and spy the more shy and shorter forms behind her. Meera and Ava have always been more uncomfortable around you, with you being gone for much of their formative years.
“You're back!” Eleyse squeals while she does her best to suffocate you. Moira tuts from a few feet away in a scolding tone.
“Only for a few nights or so, I have duties elsewhere. It is good to see you, sister.” Looking over the others you address them. “All of you. But I have to speak with Mother now.” Eleyse reluctantly releases you and steps back with the younger two. They give you some space to speak with Mother in relative peace. You nod at them and then motion for Alys to step forward, and she joins you before Moira. The nursemaid follows with the child. Moira raises an eyebrow upon recognizing the nature of the bundle the woman carries, the child blessedly sound asleep.
Moira speaks softly, her words not intended to carry elsewhere in the room to the various guards and your sisters. “Lady Alys, wonderful to see you again. You look radiant.” Alys smiles at the complement. Mother was never much for effusive complements so it can be very pleasing to receive any from her at all. “Same to you, Lady Moira. It's good to be back.”
The polite smile falls from Moira's face. Suspicion fills her voice. “Uilleam, the infant. Who is it?”
“My bastard,” you grunt, “I need you to look after him here.”
Her eyes widen and she steps even closer, nearly whispering. “Your bastard?” She sounds genuinely shocked. “When did this happen?”
Uncomfortably, you answer. “While we were in the Capitol the past year or so. It's why I was there so long.” She stares you in the eyes and you try your hardest to not drop your gaze from hers. “I can't take him with me, my new duty from the Emperor will be dangerous. This is the best place for him.”
Her eyes narrow, but she does not outright accuse you of falsehood. She seems to think for a moment before turning to Alys. “And the child isn't-”
