[Kitarun]

"Oh, don't worry. There are still a couple montths before she is due." He replied, as they all took their seats and dinner was served. "Besides, the girls wanted to come for a visit, and I couldn't send them alone, could I?" He said, keeping the conversation light as they ate.

As they finished the meal, and servants came to take their plates, Marius' expression turned more formal. "Now, this impromtu visit wasn't merely for the sake of announcing the expected lordling, or letting the girls visit... I've a proposal..." Marius stated. "With the baby on the way, Sophia and I will be rather busy, and could use some help running our estate... And with us being so busy, we won't have as much time for our girls... They need a strong woman to raise them, one who has the time to train them into 'proper' ladies."

Jei frowned, somewhat confused, until it suddenly dawned upon him. His uncle was proposing to foster him and Kellan, while their mother, Rellana, fostered their cousins.