CHAPTER 189: SILENCE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

Ariana walked to the room, making sure to keep her face composed. She gently wiped her tears, knowing how observant her little daughter was.

She made sure no trace of sadness remained. Ariana had come to realize that whenever her little cutie touched her face with her hands, it meant she felt worried or sensed her mother’s sadness.

Just like today, when she had done that, Ariana felt so emotional she wanted to cry. But she held it in—because she knew how her daughter was. The one time a tear had fallen from her eyes in front of her, her little girl had cried so hard, and Ariana never wanted that to happen again.

She smiled softly, even though there was still a sting in her chest, as she walked into the room. Just as she opened the door, little Vreni’s eyes moved to her.

"Momma," she called out. She had been drinking her milk as Leah gave it to her, and as if she knew Ariana was there, she turned immediately.

Ariana smiled softly and moved gently to her little one. She had been planning to discuss something with the Queen Mother about Zavren, but she decided to see her baby first.

She walked over and took Anavren from Leah as Leah handed her the baby wipes. Ariana cleaned her daughter’s face with them.

"Momma"

Little Vreni’s lips widened into a smile as she hugged her mother, resting her head on Ariana’s shoulder. Feeling she was going to sleep soon, Ariana decided to hold her longer. She walked slowly back and forth, careful not to disturb her baby. Time passed, and then she turned to Leah and whispered before asking,

"Is she asleep?" Ariana shifted gently so Leah could check, since she couldn’t see her baby’s face with her head resting on her shoulder.

Leah giggled softly, and Ariana wondered why. She turned back to Leah, who shook her head and spoke.

"No, she isn’t. It seems she is enjoying the comfort of her mother," Leah said.

Ariana’s lips parted before she laughed softly. So, the little cutie of hers had actually been awake all along, making her think she was asleep and even making her walk for a minute. This girl was really smart. Ariana laughed again, but then—

Little Vreni raised her head, staring first at Ariana’s laughing face and then at Leah, who was still giggling. Her little expression seemed to say, "I hope I am not the one you two are laughing at." That alone made Ariana laugh even more, her lips parting as Leah couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Vreni tilted her head to the side, and Ariana managed to straighten her face even though the smile gave it away slowly. The baby then smiled brightly, opened her mouth, and spoke with joy.

"Momma," she said again a name she had come to enjoy.

Ariana’s face grew lighter. She was so happy, unable to believe just how cute her baby was. The joy Vreni brought to her made her forget that she had been feeling down. Her baby wasn’t just cute, but also funny, with a character of her own.

There was a soft knock on the door. Ariana gently placed little Vreni on the mat where she was practicing her perfect walking. The baby clapped her hands together cutely.

Ariana’s lips widened at her daughter’s cuteness before she walked to the door, wondering who it could be. If she wasn’t mistaken, she was already done for today. She opened the door, and there stood a maid bowing respectfully.

"Luna Ariana, Queen Mother would like to talk to you if you are less busy," the maid said with another bow.

Ariana nodded and stepped forward. The maid waited respectfully for her to pass. Ariana had nothing else to do, so it was better to finish this and then focus her time on her little baby after all she had wanted to the queen mother earlier.

She climbed down the stairs, walking calmly into the living room where the Queen Mother now sat, drinking her tea.

She took a soft sip as Ariana sat. A maid quickly moved to pour her some, but Ariana shook her head as she declined. The maid bowed and stepped back.

The teacup, which had just grazed the Queen Mother’s lips, halted slightly as a small smile rested on her face.

"The very first time you declined my tea, Luna Ariana. I am guessing you did not meet with the King, did you?"

Immediately those words left her lips, Ariana’s body stiffened, and her eyes widened in surprise. How had the lady known? It shocked her more than she could admit.

Noticing the knowing gaze, the Queen Mother gently placed the teacup atop its small plate.

"Your expression is priceless. I will need to teach you how to keep a calm and collected look even when the most bone-breaking news is being said in a public setting. We would not want the people to be scared or surprised after seeing the Queen like that, would we?" she asked.

Ariana gave her a pointed look before chuckling softly.

"Queen Mother, do not dodge the question," she said, and the lady laughed gently.

"Which question, Luna Ariana? Last I checked, you never asked one," she replied, feigning innocence.

Ariana’s lips curled into a smile. This lady really had her ways with words.

"But you said my reaction was priceless, which means you saw the questioning look on my face. Meaning—you know my question. Do I need to remind you of the saying, silence speaks louder than words?" she asked softly.

The Queen Mother chuckled, raising one hand to her chin while the other, resting on her lap, clapped lightly.

"You deserve to be a Luna. Saying such words so quickly shows how sharp your mind is," she said softly.

Ariana smiled back, still surprised. The way she had just turned Ariana’s own words into facts shocked her. It revealed her broad and wise thinking.

"Queen Mother," Ariana called softly.

The lady’s eyes glinted mischievously before she calmly lifted the teacup to her lips, sipping gently, then set it back down.

"Yes, my daughter, what is it?" she spoke softly.

The Queen Mother had developed a liking for calling Ariana her daughter, and Ariana very much did not mind it at all.

Ariana almost sighed. All this because she had refused tea? She simply hadn’t been in the mood for it. What she had wanted was hot milk, but she hadn’t told anyone, knowing that by the time it was prepared, she might not want it anymore. That was the reason.

"You are still dodging the question. How did you know I did not meet my husband today?" she asked.

The lady smiled softly before answering.

"Instinct, my daughter. I know you have never rejected my offer of tea before. You also mentioned you wanted to visit your husband. Normally, after visiting him, you return all smiles—happy, excited. But this time, you looked the least happy. Remember, eyes don’t lie."

Ariana managed a weak smile. This lady was truly smart in all ways, and the wisdom in her words was something Ariana loved deeply about her.

"Oh, I had no idea, Queen Mother. But this Queen misses her husband d..dearly..." Ariana’s voice cracked at the end. She tried her best not to think too deeply, as her eyes were already turning watery.

***

Anavren sat on Leah’s lap as it was time for her meal and then rest. She obediently ate a reasonable amount of food—one of the things Leah admired most about her.

Afterward, Leah gently cleaned the little girl’s lips with a baby towel.

"Awnt weah, all cleaned," little Vreni spoke softly, making Leah laugh as she nodded.

"Yes, Princess, you are all cleaned."

Once she was done, Leah set Anavren down on the mat before heading to the bathroom to wash the towel so it would be easier later.

Meanwhile, Anavren moved her small hands, crawling before attempting to stand. She walked softly, turning her curious gaze around the room until her eyes rested on the door.

It was slightly ajar. Ariana, when leaving earlier, had forgotten to close it properly. Remembering this was the very door her mother had stepped out of, Anavren began calling.

"M...momma." She moved, walking softly one step at a time, her tiny hands reaching toward the door.

"Momma, where are wyo?" she whispered as she pushed the door open.

"Momma," she said again, her soft voice carrying into the dark hallway. But then, a faint light caught her attention, and she toddled toward it.

"Momma, momma," she called again, running toward the slightly open door.

Unknown to her, that was where Zavren lay. She finally reached the door and pushed it, the hinges creaking softly. Her curious gaze swept the room, searching for her mother. She didn’t see her, but then her eyes stopped on a man lying still on the bed.

Zavren.

The baby ran to the bed on her small legs. Holding onto the side for support, she tilted her head curiously.

"Not momma," she said softly, staring at the man who lay unmoving.

"D...dadda," she whispered, her very first time ever saying it.

The moment those words left her lips, Zavren’s eyes snapped open.