Kingdom Of Lies

Chapter 17

το μωρό μου". ( My baby )

My head snapped to the old woman slowly making her way into the dining room. Her hair was white as snow and neatly placed in a bun. Her cheerful smile made the wrinkles under her eyes more prominent than the last time I saw her. Her husband however, was different. His face held no emotions. It was similar to my father's. Way too similar. His hair wasn't nearly as white as his wife's nor did his face hold as much wrinkles as her.

" My dear, are you not going to greet your grandparents" she said with a smile, her hands half open gesturing a hug.

I quickly slid the chair back and hugged her like it was the last time I'm going to see her. Her hugs felt the same way it did when I was a child. Warm, safe and affectionate.

"Grandmother I missed you" I murmured giving her a gentle squeeze.

" I missed you too dear" she responded with an even brighter smile.

" Seems like everyone forgot about me" the man next to grandmother spoke with a frown, making her chuckle.

"You are just jealous I'm his favorite and not you" she chuckled at him before hooking her hand around mine. She's like a child stuck in an old woman's body.

She's definitely right about her being my favorite.

He rolled his eyes at her antics before turning to face me. His eyes were the same color as mine, only difference was that the shade of his was a bit lighter.

I let go of her hand for a moment to embrace him. Hugging him is like hugging a brick wall. It's awkward and solid as a rock.

"How have you been, grandfather?" I asked after I pulled away from the hug.

" As you can see I'm still breathing" the man said tiredly as he made his way around me to take a seat in the chair I was once in.

Grandmother shook her head at him silently laughing. An awkward laugh leaves my lips as I turn around to look at her.

"Father had said you and grandfather were supposed to arrive in a couple days for the ball, I'm surprised that you all arrived early." I spoke nervously. Father probably doesn't know that they are here already unless one of the guards already took the message to him.

"Well we wanted to drop by and give you all a surprise. The surprise being us by the way" she whispers and laughs as if she's telling a secret.

A smile made its way onto my lips as I shook my head at her silliness.

"I'm sure you both are tired from your long trip, why don't you have some rest and I'll have the maids carry your belongings up into your roo-"

"Mother " my father voiced at the end of the hall as his feet moved towards us.
Grandpa slowly stood up with a small smile at the sight of his son as he stood there with his hand clasp behind his back waiting for his son to be standing in front of him.

Father embraced his mother in a tight hug almost like he missed her way more than one can imagine . That's not something you see everyday. He then turned to his father not before placing two kisses at the side of his mother's cheeks.

"Father" he muttered before embracing him as well. You can definitely tell that my father didn't miss his father as much as he missed his mother by their hug. It was more strained and a bit awkward. I could tell grandpa noticed too by the way his smile dropped.

Father pulled away only to give him a nod before turning back to grandma. You can tell grandpa was hurt but he still managed to put a small smile back on.

"I'm glad we had already begun preparing for your stay since we didn't expect you both to arrive this soon." Father spoke, his voice ever so gentle and filled with affection. I would be lying if I said I was
shocked to see him this way with grandma. I knew he was always close with grandma, almost like the relationship I had with my mom when I was smaller.

It's been a while since they've both seen each other so maybe he really did miss her more than I thought. Grandpa however, his relationship with him is like the relationship I have with my father.

It's not filled with hugs and smiles. It never was. He never showed grandpa the affection he shows grandma and I think part of me understands why but part of me also feels bad for grandpa. I know he does love his son even if father doesn't see it.

" Calix, why don't you go get the Princess down here so we can introduce her to your grandparents. I've already sent a guard to inform her parents" he commanded. As much as I wanted to ask why a guard couldn't take the message to her I decided not to. I wasn't going to be disrespectful in front of them.

I nodded and turned to leave the room. I wonder how this is going to go. As much as I hate to admit it, she'll probably get along well with grandma. Grandpa however might be a little worrying. He might threaten her for fun which now that I think of it, I wouldn't mind.

I made my way Infront of her door before knocking twice. No one answered yet there was a faint sound of shuffling in the room.
I knocked again and waited. The sound grew louder and louder until I heard the sound of the lock unlocking. The smell of multiple flowers hitting my nostrils. Water dripped down her face and down to her chest. Her hair glued to her scalp. Even the tiniest drops of water can be spotted in her eyelashes.

I stood there, still as a piece of wood, not knowing what to say. The only thing clothing her was a piece of thick white fabric.
Before I knew it I felt the harsh breeze of the door after she slammed it shut.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't expecting you to be at the door. I thought it would be one of the maids. I apologize" she stutters out quickly, clearly embarrassed.

"Uh it's ok I should've said my name" I said embarrassingly before turning to the opposite side of the door and facing the wall.

"I just came to inform you that my grandparents are here and father asked me to get you so he can introduce you"I said just before clearing my throat so that I wouldn't sound like I was affected by what I just saw.

" Ok give me a moment I shall get ready."

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I knew it's been a while but I'm trying to upload more frequently. Please bear with me and my procrastination🥲.