Regina sighs, her hand on her face. She knew her cousin would absolutely spoil and dote on her daughter, to the point she was basically his daughter. The duke simply leaned back, a slight smirk gracing his handsome face. “She’s too cute to say no to. And it’s in her blood.” His tone was cold, affectionate yet cocky. Regina averted her gaze once again, slightly rolling her eyes and chuckling. She couldn’t believe her own daughter resembled the Duke more than herself, her mother. It was hilarious.

“Uncle!” The now seven year old Leonia calls out. She was extremely short for her age but was quite adorable. Phileo crouched on one knee and held her small, soft hand in his large and calloused one. There was only one person whom the most powerful man in the empire had a soft spot for. His niece — better yet? His ‘daughter.’

“What do you want, Leo?” His deep voice echoes, ruffling her messy black hair with his other one. She lets out a whine which makes his smirk slightly widen. A smile graces Regina’s lips watching her cousin bond with her daughter, but she hides it.