The Second Steward bowed once more as a sign of respect. He did not wish to darken the atmosphere, so he began with a gentle smile:
"What a blessed event for the Sect..."
"And an even more blessed event for the Sect Leader. I know nothing will diminish the Heavenly Demon's joy today."
The Steward knew he should not mention the leader's absence.
The Fourth Lady covered the infants' bodies with crimson silk and placed her hands on their cheeks.
"Honorable Steward."
"...!"
"Please tell the Sect Leader that my children and I await him."
"They need names, and it is best if their names are a gift from their father."
The Steward had realized the Lady was stronger than he had thought, but he was still uneasy. So, for the final time, he bowed standing.
"Your wish will reach the Heavenly Demon, intact and without fail, my Lady."
The Steward glanced at the children from the corner of his eye. Profound eyes were staring back at him.
The Steward knew this was no coincidence. The room, so tastefully arranged by the Lady, now felt disquieting, and the children swaddled in crimson silk troubled him.
The Steward left the room and, after exiting the Fourth Lady's villa, went to find the First Steward to deliver his report.
In a lofty hall with jade pillars, the First Steward was seated upon the Heavenly Demon's chair, as if a meeting had just concluded.
"How is the Lady?"
"Why are you out of breath?"
The Second Steward, seeing his respected friend, began to speak:
"A great blessing for the Sect... and an even greater sorrow for a mother."
"Two strong sons, and now the succession war has intensified before it has even begun."
The First Steward took a deep breath. He was old and immensely experienced, with eyes that seemed to hold all the world's knowledge.
"Such worries after such a blessed event show a lack of trust in the power and wisdom of our great leader, the Heavenly Demon."
"Our leader has the power to maintain order and protect us."
"But if there is any cause for concern, the First and Second Stewards are here."
The First Steward paused. The Second Steward's anxiety was still plain on his face.
"For now, I will go to the leader's mansion myself to ensure this important news does not pass from hand to hand any further."
"Is there anything else about the children?"
The Second Steward broke into a cold sweat but replied calmly:
"No."
"They are healthy and have beautiful eyes."