#mvgen5

[pollination-tech]

Raphael: I was the second child. Everything fell to me through unfortunate circumstances -- everything, including you. My brother’s place on the Council, his lands and titles... it was never meant to be mine, and yet I find myself with an opportunity, and I will not have that opportunity jeopardized by a silly little girl who didn’t have the sense to keep her legs closed because she believes in love. It ends now.

Raphael: We’ll move the wedding up. You’re right, canceling it would raise too many questions. I’ll think of some excuse... and some excuse for the child, should it be evident it isn’t mine.

[pollination-tech]

Zaph: ...when you say “it’s over...”

Lailah: I mean... this, us. Everything we had....

Zaph: ...and... the baby?

Lailah: Raphael agreed to move up the wedding. As far as anyone will know... it’s his child. He said he would claim it, figure out some excuse when it doesn’t favor him.

Zaph: That’s -- that’s for the best, isn’t it? Given the circumstances?

[pollination-tech]

Zaph: Lailah?

Lailah: Zaph -- don’t--

Zaph: Did... did you tell him?

Lailah: He knows. He knows about the baby, he already knew about -- about you... It’s over -- all of it--

[pollination-tech]

Lailah: You were keen enough on celebrating your appointment to the Council. Your brother’s body was still warm when you took his seat--

Raphael [off]: The Hollow needs its leaders--

Lailah: Your brother was a leader. You--

Raphael [off]: --have taken his place, as tradition dictates. I’ve assumed his place on the Council, I have accepted your hand in his stead--

Lailah: My hand is not just an object to be given and bartered with. Your brother never saw me as property, he cared for me--

[pollination-tech]

Raphael [off]: You didn’t care for my brother -- you were sleeping with another man -- and yet you can’t even bring yourself to say he’s dead--

Lailah: I did care for him. Our engagement was a match made for us, and for practical reasons, not for love, but... even so, I loved your brother, Raphael.

Raphael [off]: You came here to tell me you’re pregnant with another man’s child, and you expect me to believe that you loved my brother--

Lailah: I loved him -- and I loved Zaphkiel. Your brother understood that. He understood that I loved both of them--

[pollination-tech]

Raphael: If this is about you and the butler, you can save your breath.

Lailah: About me and--?

Raphael: The butler, yes. I’m already well aware of that particular situation.

Lailah: ...

Raphael: You aren’t even going to try and deny it?

[pollination-tech]

Raphael: Lailah! This is -- a surprise, to say the least -- and hardly proper -- where is your chaperone?

Lailah: Raphael, there’s something... you should know.

[pollination-tech]

Prelude: Hey, speaking of marital bliss, I couldn’t help but notice that somebody’s hubby didn’t care to join the family on this little excursion--

Nocturne: Yeah! Where’s good ol’ Nickleback, Cay?

Cadence: ...please don’t call him Nickleb--

Nocturne: Nickelodeon. Whatever. Didn’t want to join in on some good old fashioned Dekresh family bonding?

Cadence: To be fair, I didn’t want to join in on this “good old fashioned Dekresh family bonding,” so--

Nocturne: Oh, come on. You love us.