New Leaf

The passing years I had been a whirlwind of change and growth. Six years had elapsed since that fateful day when the revelation of my true identity had shaken the foundation of my life. The pain of Alucard's rejection had eventually dulled, and my heart found solace in the love of my newfound family, the Bellwood.

After learning about my past and the Bellwood estate, I embraced my heritage and embarked on a new chapter of my life. With Jaromir's unwavering support, I bid farewell to the Moon Oriental pack, leaving behind the memories of a life that had shaped me into the person I had become.

Under the care of Dowager Grand Duchess Leanne Bellwood, my loving mother, I was guided into a world of privilege and nobility. The elegant estate became my new home, and my days were filled with learning about my lineage, discovering my family history, and adjusting to the intricacies of high society. I was no longer Faustina, the Beta of the Moon Oriental pack; I was now Faustina Miles Bellwood, the Grand Duchess in my own right of the House of Bellwood.

Though the transition was not without challenges, the love and acceptance I received from the House of Bellwood filled the void in my heart, healing the wounds left by a past I barely remembered. I found myself growing fond of my new life, cherishing the memories I made with the loyal staff that cared for our family estate.

Throughout those six years, I had also discovered the joys and challenges of being a mother to three spirited pups: Luciana Floria Bellwood, Lumiere Fabian Bellwood, and Liutrich Falco Bellwood.

They had their father's enchanting eyes, nose, and lips and my determination, bringing light and laughter to the Bellwood estate. Though my heart still carried the bittersweet memories of my past with Alucard, the love for my daughter and two sons anchored me firmly in the present.

As I watched Luciana, Lumiere, and Liutrich grow and thrive, I found strength in being their role model—a mother who had overcome adversity and found happiness in unexpected places. I strived to be the best version of myself, for them and for the family that had welcomed me with open arms.

The reunion with the Bellwoods had not only shaped my identity but also opened doors to new opportunities. My artistic talents, nurtured during my time at the Velvet Stones, flourished, and I soon became an integral part of the family business, adding my creative touch to the exquisite jewelry that adorned the necks of noblewomen and adorned the fingers of esteemed gentlemen.

The Bellwood estate became a hub of art, beauty, and grace, where masterpieces were created and memories were cherished. The passing of time had healed old wounds and brought with it a newfound purpose and direction to my life.

"Wow, Mommy! The mansion is so big!" Luciana exclaimed.

"Yay! I want to see my own chamber!" Lumiere said, beaming.

"Mommy?" Liutrich gently tugged my sleeves. "Are we going to stay with Omi from now on?" He was talking about Mother, whom they called Omi, which Mother preferred instead of Grandma.

I smiled warmly as my triplets gazed at the Bellwood estate from a distance while the carriage approached the gates. Turning to Liutrich, I nodded with affection. "Yes, love. We are going to live here now. Mommy has completed her studies." I leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on his forehead, eliciting a smile from him before he joined his sister and brother, delighting in the scenic view of our new home.

The carriage halted in front of the mansion, and Mother was the first one I saw before the servants and butlers who were working for us.

"Faya, dearest!"

Upon descending from the carriage, my mother warmly welcomed me with open arms. Embracing her tightly, I basked in her affectionate presence before shifting my attention to the carriage, where the sound of giggles emanated. "Mother, please meet these three," I exclaimed, referring to my adorable five-year-old triplets, who also stepped out.

"Omi!" they chimed in with joy.

Mother knelt and opened her arms. "My, my... Liutrich, Luciana, Lumiere... You three have grown so well!" They all hugged her so tight that Mother couldn't help getting teary-eyed. She sniffed after showering them with kisses, earning some giggles from my triplets. Mother looked up at me. "It has been four years since I saw all of you. Are you finally settling here in our mansion, Faya?"

I felt a tug in my heart, seeing how her eyes looked hopeful. I knew well why Mother was acting like that.

For the past four years, I was in the Waevalon Kingdom to settle all the scores by finishing all my studies while taking care of my triplets. I had chosen to study abroad since I wanted to finally heal from the wounds Alucard caused.

Mother and Jaromir assisted me in erasing my tracks, making it seem as though Faustina Kerez had perished in an accident, where she lived for 30 years. I orchestrated the belief that I was deceased, a secret only shared with Edison, Jaromir, and Alpha Navarro.

After 31 years, Faustina Miles Bellwood returned, yet she had not yet made her debut in aristocratic society. Nevertheless, she was already making a name for herself, building her reputation through the services she provided to some of the nobles who knew about her existence.

And that was me.

"Yes, Mother. The four of us are going to settle here, and so I can take care of the Velvety Stones and the House of Bellwood properly."

Relief washed over her before she smiled and stood up. "Come, come. I know that all of you are exhausted from your trip." Her face glimmered as the sun rose to the east.

From there on, I led my triplets to their new chamber. They all gasped when they learned that they would get to have their own chamber, giggling as they hugged me.

"Thank you, Mommy!" the three of them said in unison, and my heart easily melted at how adorable they were.

"You're most welcome, my loveliest babies." Smiling, I kissed their foreheads and watched them going to their designated chambers, as they jumped in joy.

"Mommy, can I arrange my books on the bookshelf?" Liutrich inquired, excitement evident in his eyes as he opened the luggage filled with various books on economics, literature, history, and liturgical languages, among others.

"Of course, Liutrich," I replied with a smile, glad to see his enthusiasm for books. "Let's set up your bookshelf together so you can display all your books beautifully."

After that, I checked on Luciana, who had already fallen asleep after an exhausting trip from the Waevalon Kingdom. I bit my lower lip before reaching out to her and letting her panda stuff toy be beside her.

That panda stuffy toy was her favorite stuffed toy she could ever have. Her favorite animal was a panda, that was why.

"Rest well, Luciana." I kissed her forehead before finally checking on Lumiere, who was already engrossing himself playing with her wooden sword.

"You are now defeated!" Lumiere said after striking the post of his bed and kept drumming his chest. "I am now the champion! Yipee!"

I sighed, needing to calm myself upon seeing him jumping in the bed with his shoes still on. "Lumiere Fabian Bellwood, get down from your bed," I said in an authoritative tone.

Lumiere gasped and turned his head at me. "Mommy..." He smiled wryly before getting down, gulping.