Fatherhood.

You expected it to be easy. It was anything but. Odette and Clara were a handful, and Carmilla wasn't home until late. You also had to blacksmith and sharpen the weapons. All this felt tiring. But you had to hold on.

Had to take care of the two, had to work, had to pretend like the lack of affection isn't killing you. Like your gut wasn't being wretched out. But you had to stay strong. You didn't need your wife to praise you. Maybe.

You laid in another empty king-size bed. Its 11 PM. The door opened, shining a light in the room, the corridor lit up for Odette's night terrors. Carmilla came home. You didn't say anything, you know being an overlord is hard. And stressful. Like you. The door closed again, and another being laid in the bed.

"Hey, amor."