Rowan felt her own cheeks heat as Evren spoke. "Don't tell me that I'll slip compliments into ev every topic if you do." She thought over Evren's question. "I think there's no way they'll escape it. I have my dramatics, and so do their other parents. So at least one will probably want to do more than just watch a show." Trying to think of which show would be her favorite nearly broke her brain for a moment. “I’ve seen so many renditions and so many different plays that now it’s hard to choose one. We’d be here all day while I parse out categories, sub-categories, and give caveats to my favorites.” Rowan nodded, understanding all too well security hindrances. “Story of my entire life. You also have to start thinking about yourself after a while, too. You can’t always think about how your security detail makes life uncomfortable for others because then it will become an easy way for you to stop going and doing your best to be as normal as you can.”
She smiled as she remembered when she realized how much of a hindrance the guards were to others when she was a princess. Dates with Bear weren’t just dates; they were planned out far too well sometimes. “There was a time when I didn’t want to go out because I realized me going out and having fun meant roads shut down for those who still drive, portal stations halted, and space taken away from patrons of establishments to keep a secure perimeter around me. Happened my entire life but when I truly became aware, I shut down. But I’ve grown to realize, I also have to live, and I need some comforts myself.”
Rowan thought for a moment. “Oh, it took a decade. When she was in her thirties, she truly came back. But teens to twenties, it was “you just don’t understand, mom”. Now, she’ll call me for any little inconvenience, and I like it that way. She has her independence, but she knows we’re here for her, no matter how silly or serious the need is, or if she just wants to talk. And being a grandmother. It seems she needs me even more now.” Rowan liked feeling useful. It was probably why she wanted more kids; she loved these little stages when they hung onto everything you said and did. “Since your girls are growing fast, do you plan to further expand the family at some point?”
-⚖️-
"I have heard that you are one of the greatest diplomats that we've seen in recent generations." Evren shared with a growing smile. "So, I won't be surprised if you remembered that tidbit with me from now on." She hummed at Rowan's assessment of her children and their own personalities along with their other parents. "Do you have a guess for which one might fall in love with the stage?" Evren wondered in genuine curiosity. "I will admit that one of the great things about parenthood is seeing who they'll be. What areas they'll grow and flourish in naturally?" She nodded as Rowan spoke, argued against the ability to even choose a favorite show or play. "Alright, I'll be kind. What was the last one you saw then?" Evren countered instead with a chuckle and a smile. "You sound like my husband." She replied with a fond sigh and a smile trailing onto her lips afterwards. "What about you? How do you do it? Do your best to be normal and live your life? After all, you've been on the throne practically since the day you were born."
"So aside from dates, what are some things that you do that are just for you? That gives you comfort, helps feed your soul, and makes all of this..." She sighed with a wave of her hand, indicating many things but the gist being the responsibility of leadership. "...worth it?" Evren finished before retrieving her drink as she listened to Rowan's response.
Evren groaned at the truth of Rowan's reality when it came to the return of Robin from the war of teenagehood. "Sweet Goddess in Eden," She swore under her breath. "Maybe I should've ordered a shot instead." The nymph murmured, loud enough for Rowan to hear. "Mine are only fourteen. And I thought the girls complaining about me ruining their life with becoming a Monarch was hard. ...Thirties?" Evren asked, repeating Rowan's timeline back to the fellow Queen. "Sixteen years on top of just getting them to eighteen." A biting low chuckle left the nymph as she shook her head. "And here I am thinking about another one. But thirty is when they start to return to their senses. ...I now have to ask my Anne if I was this bad. Or worse." She wondered, possibly scandalized and frightened at the thought.
Evren blinked, realizing that she'd already answered the curly haired faerie indirectly. She made sure to answer Rowan's question about expanding her family specifically. "We are, yeah." She shared with a small smile. "I want to check in with everyone. Make sure we're all on the same page. I mean intimately, yes, we all are. But between me and Roxy, only one of us has experienced pregnancy and... I don't know, it may sound stupid or overly cautious but I don't want her to feel like she has to carry whenever we expand. It's a choice and I want her to be able to decide whatever she wants to do. Not only that but if she does carry, I want to guarantee any child she has is ours. All of ours. Titles and all. Which means... I'll have to make some changes and shake things up in Haven."
Evren paused. "I did not expect to tell you all of that. At least not all at once. Goddess, we've not even placed our appetizers order. Oh, Kyra might laugh about it when I tell her this. I'm not trying to info dump you, I swear."