✧A TASTEFUL QUESTION✧

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Alphard had nearly toppled over when everything was complete, and the majority of his employees nearly cursed him for sending Rhea home early.

But thankfully, everything was done for the day, and it constituted as a well-deserved break and a late start for the next morning.

Now what Alphard hadn't managed to count for, is not recognizing the better part of his wife's brother's manor—Or his in-law, Merlin, that had taken him by default.

In technicality, Rodolphous was the same set as the Pewertt bastard who married his cousin. So he walked through and politely addressed the elves and asked where Rhea and Rolf were.

"The game room, good Master Black! We take you there now. Mistress Black tell us to keep you food from dinner. Are you hungry, Master Black?" The thought had caused him to smirk to the side and nod.

"My wife is always looking out for me." He whispered with a kind smile, and he picked up the pace in walking towards the game room to enjoy his wife's company.

Though he had caught the better part of a pool game, Rhea's body draped over the table as she made her next shot—Actuality hitting it to knock it into the hole.

"Merlin am I thankful that you didn't want to bet for anything, sis. I would've been near bankruptcy." Her laughter was pure as she shrugged her shoulders and walked around to gain a better position.

"Perhaps the next game we can—Alphard!" Her attention had drifted to her husband with an excited grin. And of course, Rolf had followed in a similar fashion.

"Ah, the husband is here...Alphard, how are things?" To say that Black was expecting a warm hello was an understatement. But he supposed that the proactive nature over Rhea wasn't in his direction, and instead placed on their father.

"Grand, and I wanted to thank you again for allowing us to stay for a few nights. Our manor is still under a few different level of spells." He informed, and Rolf waved it off.

"Of course, and I was telling Rhea that I'll be joining Bella in a day or two for a mission. So the manor will be free for the both of you, and this is much easier than asking for the Lestrange summer manor. Hell, they'd probably ask Rabastan if it was alright before deciding otherwise." Rhea rolled her eyes and reached for her glass of wine. The summer manor was meant for Rabastan to move in following his graduation, where he would be given the chance of a home for his future wife and children.

Leaving no properties for Rhea, though she hardly needed it given who she married—She was no longer a Lestrange.

"Rabastan isn't as bitter as before. I think he'll be used to it by the Holidays. Which I don't even want to think of those plans, gods, the Black family and Christmas is a headache." Rolf dwelled, and again, Alphard had to remember that Rolf would be there to follow the celebrations as well, beside Bellatrix.

Much like the previous dinner celebration in the summer, and he sighed.

"Hopefully it won't be as awful as the last. It is at Grimmauld place, but perhaps I can talk Walburga into taking it to my other manor." Rolf smiled and nodded, obviously hating the other manor just the same.

"It would be for the better...Now then, I'll be off for the rest of the night. Don't get into anything incriminating, and don't do anything I wouldn't do...Alphard, the bar is yours." He offered, coming to kiss Rhea's cheek before gripping Alphard's shoulder and nodding—Bidding a final goodnight.

"Did he say where he is going?"

"Off and away. I don't really want to discuss anything pertaining the Dark Lord. That's something we don't agree on nor verbally speak of it." Alphard nodded, and eyed the pool table once again.

"I'll be taking that quick dinner, and perhaps we can enjoy our new bedroom for the time being." With that, Rhea had called upon the very elves that greeted him on his way in.

With that, they had taken to the little nook in the game room to enjoy a dinner—Or a snack, in Rhea's case.

She had a few choice words for him in letting her go early after hearing the chaos that erupted. But that meant that tomorrow's working hours would start later after having managed to complete a good amount.

Meaning a sort of sleep in, and Rhea couldn't wait! The weekend had been ruined outright and it wasn't all that peaceful in Grimmauld place.

Rhea had given Alpha a similar tour that Rolf had just a few hours ago, and the Black Heir had to admit that some of the pieces of artwork were rather tasteful.

As was the given vase that Rhea had picked out, following a rather traumatizing story that turned heartfelt by the end of it.

Clearly, Rhea and Rolf had a better relationship than her and Rabastan, and they had shared the better part of Hogwarts with one another.

He couldn't personally remember Rhea's bedroom at her parents manor, only having been in there to stop her from running away permanently. But here at her brothers, it spoke of her personality outright.

There was a fine line of shelves, lingering with books and more books. A quiet fireplace that was already lit and stoked by the elves' doing, and damn it all, he wished for this style.

To be up-to-date with the times like this.

"I stayed with Rolf a few times before, when mother and father wanted to go to France on their own. It's the first thing I ever designed myself." She claimed, a small blush taking over her expressions nd Alphard had only smiled even more. "Perhaps in the new year, you can fix the better part of our manor. This—I like this style. It's not entirely muted, but opening the window could bring so much warmth." Rhea held back a squeal, was she truly given permission to change his entire manor?

As Rhea had started to make the necessary touches to pack away their items and clothes, he took a look into her interests. And of course, there was a good portion of healing, potions and herbology that weren't just the normal Hogwarts reads.

It showed her hobbies and interests with ease.

"I just remembered your greenhouse, love. Hopefully they are well without your tender touch."
"I asked the elves to water them when they could, I won't be too disappointed—It's out of our control that we can't be within the vicinity." She whispered, clearly she had been giving it some thought.

But more so to Sterling and her little Hoglets.

"When the wards expire the next time, we'll be much more prepared."

"Merlin, I can't think that far away in the future, Alphard. I can barely see past these next few months." She ushered at her vanity, taking the better part of her hairpins out and doing her nightly routine. One where she smells lovely afterwards.

"That cannot possibly be true. We have next summer to enjoy, and I believe we won't be taking any projects—I'll allow the rest of my employees take the bets. As I expect you'll be taking the exact date to start trying for a babe."

"Not the exact date, but I would like to start trying this time next year...Though I don't know how much heartbreak I can handle with—"

"Heartbreak?" The mere word had caused him to come just behind her, resting his chin on top of her head, his eyes locking into hers through the mirror.

"Narcissa is getting discouraged with the number of false positives. I'm hoping—Well, first, I'm hoping that it isn't that hard to become with child. But then, even if we can't, I rather find out sooner than later. At least we tried." She says with a wobbling smile before looking away—The tears in her eyes nearly overflowing with the guilt of having spoken the truth.

He allowed her the moment to convey her thoughts before gripping her chin and directing it upwards, gaining her full attention. "If having a child isn't in our favor, Rhea. Then we'll adopt. I will not allow us to go without that dream." The idea of adopting hadn't crossed Rhea's mind, not at all.

"Alphard—We can't—"

"Of course we could. Sirius and Regulus are the Black heirs. Our child will be just the same. And if you truly feel discouraged because of what our society thinks. We can fake it, wouldn't that be a scandal?" The hint of a tease in his voice caused her to smile, leaving her to wipe away her tears and turn to him fully.

"You don't want a son? Our son? Our daughter?..."

"I would love nothing more than that, and we'll try the best we can. But sometimes it just isn't up to us, and we'll make do. I don't wish you to feel already discouraged when we haven't even begun. There are other methods of getting with child, and if we have to travel out of the country to try these safe methods. Then so be it. I just want you to know that you will be a mother one way or another." She nodded, thankful for this conversation as she planted her head deep into his chest and let out a breathless sigh.

"I didn't mean to drop all this at once, I'm just worried. Narcissa is getting so much demand on all sides."

"And it's a shame that she is being torn down, but Durella isn't going to dare say a word. They know that any heir of ours will mean that they receive less. They simply want to put the same pressure they held from their own mothers." She nodded, still suffocating herself into her husband's dress shirt.

"What will ease your worries, love?" He asked, curious as to how to make her calm from her small outburst. Knowing full well it was the combination of Walburga's foul words, having no home, and being overworked.

"Take me to bed?" And the kind husband he is, he followed her lead and christened the very bed that Rhea had spent her summers all by her lonesome with.

And Alphard fell asleep to a similar dream to his wife, dreaming of a child and regretting thus far that he pushed for the minimum age. But in remembrance of his plan for the new year, he took to holding his wife tighter than continuing to fuel the imaginary child.

Come morning, Rhea was in much higher spirits. Especially when she gave her husband the tour of the Lestrange manor, sharing that this used to be where the family get-togethers were—And the a grand Christmas party a few times when the mantle had been past to Camilla.

Alphard had recalled such a time ago, and he was doubtful that Rhea was even in Hogwarts at the time.

Thankfully, the energy at the office had subsided with the late start to the day and Rhea's search for a witch companion for Orion to finally begin. There were a few different types of bio entries for the elite members. Which is most likely caused by Rhea's last name.

In addition, Rhea had to rephrase her reason of owling—That this wasn't her and her husband wanting to be adventurous and include another partner.

After contemplating the better part of everything Rhea thought she knew about a sexual relationship, she reiterated what she was looking for. That it was for a gentleman, not her husband, and she was doing it more to remain under the table—Almost as a gift, but not in so many words.

Even if it's failed, Orion could still feel the few attempts as what it is. An introduction to what could have been—should have been.

It was rather strange that she was setting up a meeting with a future sort of escort. But Rhea wondered if it would be rather wonderful to have some company when they were set to Germany, as Walburga wouldn't know any better.

Orion was such a loyal man that he wouldn't have thought of this on his own doing, thus, it was perfect!

And better yet, Rhea had the perfect excuse. Wanting to learn from an organization that specializes in such a profession, what would the harm be?
Especially when she was standing beside the Alphard Black.

The only downside with all this, Rhea had peeked into a different type of romantic reading, one that dove into just what the organization had thought she was requesting. And no matter the addition, witch or wizard, Rhea had felt highly intimidated.

"Ah! There you are, love. Have you eaten already?" She peeked her eyes up from her reading and blushed. "Just picked on my meal, I wasn't sure what you wanted—So I just ordered your regular from the restaurant. You can have mine if you rather have it." She offered, and he waved it off and started to settle himself at their small little nook—Which had ultimately became a common space between their two offices.

As Rhea hadn't known about the connecting door until Alphard had cheekily used it with a shite-eating grin.

"Join me, love? Or have I caught you in a good chapter?" She hummed, meaning that she was deeper in the story than he had thought. And thankfully, Rhea had thought about reading this type of topic in an office full of men.

She switched it to a romantic cover, and Alphard was familiar that this was a series favorite of hers.

"I'm sure Sarah and Henry could take a moment to pause?" Rhea blinked in utter confusion as that was not at all the names in the text in front of her. "Oi, I think I get a few minutes to finish this, Alphard." She claimed, narrowing her eyes.

"I'll have to read the series if it's gotten you ignoring your favorite meal and my company. Unless I've bored you already?" She rolled her eyes and ignored her husband, but what she hadn't countered for was Alphard coming on the other side of her and planning to snatch the book from her hands—Knowing full well that Rhea hadn't eaten much at breakfast given that the elves at her brothers weren't familiar with their usual meals.

"Rhea Amory Black, I will not have you sit here hungry and reading this." She turned up and pouted, but internally she was nearly shaking at the thought that Alphard would even peek at one single page.

"I'll remember this when you're neck-deep in an art novel, Alphard...Now I have to hide that from Orion, or else he'll chide me for reading that sort of thing here." Alphard hadn't seen the issue, and so he went ahead and tucked it away in her draw before leading her off towards their private meeting room. A wonderful set of leather seats and room to collaborate when needed.

"We have this weekend free. We should take a day trip." Rhea started to laugh behind her hand, trying to remain polite in hiding her last bite. "A day trip? Where to?"

"How about Hogsmead? Our Nephews are well into the season so we could catch a game. Take them out to eat the following morning, as I believe we interrupted a grand after-party for your brother and Reg." Rhea had eagerly nodded at the idea, this was what she needed to hear.

But then a thought began to linger in Rhea's mind, and she couldn't shake it off. Not even as she stabbed her chicken with all her force.

"Alphard, could I ask another personal question?" His eyes flickered up from his own meal, and thus, he nodded. The last few had been rather tamed so he continued to eat while giving her his full attention.

"Go ahead love, we have nothing hidden between us."

"Have you ever had triad?" Rhea questioned, remaining fully blunt that the question hadn't reached Alphard as anything he knew. "I'm sorry love, I'm not following. Is that a new trend your generation is up to?" 

Was it?

"Er, not exactly...Well, I'm not sure. It's—"

"I take it it's a sexual word considering the blush hasn't left you since you asked if I'd take a personal question. Is it something you are interested in? I could look into it. No worries." How Rhea's eyes hadn't popped out at the mere second Alphard had mentioned looking into it caused her to shake her head.

"N-no...I was more asking if you've done it."
"You're more than welcomed to explain it. Perhaps it'll come to me." Yes, it was quite clear that Rhea was now regretting ever speaking.

"Well, it's when a witch and a wizard offer um...Offer an invitation for another witch or wizard to join in?" To what Rhea was regretting in asking was now Alphard's turn in regretting to take a bite—As he began choking on the piece of steak in his mouth.

Rhea hadn't wasted a moment before coming behind her husband and hiking up her fist into his chest, ultimately pushing the food to come forward and end up on the side of the table. While Alphard was gasping for air—Rhea conjured up a fresh glass of water, which he inevitably gulped down within seconds.

"So you're familiar with it then..." She mumbled, and Alphard looked near in tears at the last few seconds—But didn't forget his wife's actions in getting him breathing again.

"Rhea—"

"It's fine if you have...I just wanted to know how popular it is, or how it works...Really, it's—" Alphard's mind was rushing at a million miles a minute as he couldn't follow his wife's thought processes.

"Is that what you are reading?" He questioned, his voice still hoarse in trying to soothe his throat. "Not necessarily. It's just happening in the series. Well? Have you?"

"Yes. Merlin, I have. But mind you, I was young. Your age—Not that it's everyone's interest."
"I-is it still yours?"
"I would rather you take my art collection and burn it to mere ash in front of me before letting another wizard come into the bedroom, Rhea." Her eyes darted to the side as she perked her lips. "Unless you mean we ask another witch...?"

"I just want to know more...Not that I want to...Yet. OH! Look, you have to get back to it! Such a brilliant conversation, husband. I need to get some things done before I can join you in the—" Alphard had pointed his finger back towards her seat that she had gotten up from.

"Sit." And Rhea followed with her gaze lowered.

"It's a scandal, Rhea. If we're caught."

"I just wanted to know! I didn't say I was already interested in it!" She claimed, now getting rather frustrated that her curiosity had caused this between her and her husband. It had pushed Alphard to dragging his hands down the likes of his face in an attempt to settle his nerves—But also, his arousal.

Was he now thinking of impure thoughts of another woman taking care of his wife before he—No.
He couldn't, could he?

"I will find you the better explanations and possibilities, love. I don't think I can possibly get through it here at the office. Merlin, I do have a meeting after this." Rhea blinked at the tension in his trousers now that she questioned a possible suggestion, but had she really?

"I didn't mean to...Excite you, Alfie. I was just curious."

"It's my fault. I haven't given you enough exploration into this new world we share together. Perhaps that's what we will do this weekend as well." With that in mind, Alphard was able to walk out into the hall with a smirk on his step.

"You look as though Rhea's promised something extra special this evening..." Orion teased, and Alphard simply rose a brow. Not confirming or denying anything. But it was clear that it's exactly what happened.

"Well, you still have the weekend free if all turns out well this next hour."
"Oh, it better. Or else I'm killing a few lads down in the factory. What are we paying that lot for if all they come back is with errors!"
"So she did promise something. What is it?" Had Alphard known about Orion's slight betrayal of asking Rhea for a woman's touch and comfort, then Alphard wouldn't have spoken a word of this.

But given that he was in a dilemma, they took the conversation to sheltered doors away from the rest of the work. Given that they were waiting for a few signatures and a decision to be made before sending off and executing the final proposal.

"Now, what is it that Rhea's suggest that has your wand in a knot?" In seeing his brother remove the tie from his hair, he realized then just how moved his brother had turned.

"Well, what did you expect in marrying a young witch?"

"More so marrying a bird, I mistook her curiosity and shyness—Just like Narcissa said." As Alphard made his way towards Orion's stash of liquor, he poured himself a drink. "And? Has she tired of you thus far?" Was it wrong for Orion to fish for these details? Yes.

But he worried about his brother's relationship with Rhea, just as he worried about Rhea in the situation as well. They were family, after all. And he loved them both, dearly.

"She asked me if I've ever had a 'triad' before. Mind you. I didn't know the damn word myself." With Orion showing his own confusion, Alphard felt much better about being uninformed about such an upgraded term.

"That damned book she's reading. I suppose they had an explicit scene that's got two wizards and a witch—Or blast, two witches and a wizard. I didn't ask... Now I have to give a bloody pep talk to our workers thinking about this damned—" Orion's mind had faltered, hearing the mere idea that Rhea was interested in performing such a daring thing.

"What did she say specifically?"
"That she wants to read more about it, but that's now a Ravenclaw work. They read. They research, and then they want to perform and act. Bloody hell, I need to distract her." With Alphard's mind running in circles, Orion had come forward and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You know I am here for you, brother. If Rhea is interested, you know it's better to keep it within the family."

"You're offering—"

"On the better that you have an option close by, but I'm sure she'll find another interest. Perhaps one just as...Advanced?"

"She mentioned with another witch, not a wizard. But thank you, at least I can stomach thinking of that than a stranger." Orion nodded, though he couldn't withhold his own smile off to the side. While he hadn't gotten Rhea's acceptance, he had gotten her husband—Which was nearly half the battle.

Even if he had to share during the experience.

"Push other ideas her way. I'll think on the way, but we have to get going. And we cannot afford for you to be drunk and stagger in there."
"Soothing my damn throat when I choked...Perhaps I should give her her Christmas gift early. I rather her studying potions than this."

"Would you rather it was focused on babes again?" Alphard groaned as he finished his last sip and rushed to tie his hair back more professionally.

And after a few breaths, he was prepared to take over the world.

If only he didn't feel as if the waves were crashing down at all angles.

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Date Posted: 05/12/2022

Time: 1:55

Words:  3952