Their Princess

Chapter 5

Eli nuzzles against my jawline while gently caressing my face. His touch is so soft and gentle that it seems impossible coming from such a huge guy. But I guess anything is possible at this point. After I came back from Alerix’s office, Eli brought me to my room.

He is being extra sweet today. And I love every second of it. I see absolute adoration and love in his eyes. I smile at him sleepily, which he returns with more pecks. 

I cuddle against his arm, which I'm holding right now while he is sitting on the chair beside my bed. It must be an uncomfortable position, but he isn't complaining. 

Eli nuzzles my nose and breathes in my scent deeply. With a deep sigh of relief, he says, “ My sweet girl, my little bird, what do I do with you, hmm?” His hand caresses my face. “ Why can't I get enough of you?” I smile at him when he pecks my forehead again. “ You know how much you mean to me, right?” 

I just shake my head. He chuckles. “ Everything, baby. You mean everything to me, to us.” He pauses, then continues. “ I know you're skeptical of Alerix, but he cares about you, baby. He really does. He just doesn't know how to show it. He craves your attention but will never admit it. He thinks he doesn't deserve you because of whatever happened….” He pauses again. “If you feel okay, I mean, if you are comfortable, then think about giving him a chance, princess. He deserves to feel what we all are feeling.”

I'm too sleepy to process his words. So I simply hum at him. He chuckles at me. “ My princess is way too tired to have this conversation. Good night, Princess. ” He covers me with my blanket properly and then leaves the room with a lingering kiss on my head.

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Morning came much sooner than I liked. It feels like I can sleep the whole day and still won't get enough sleep. Still, I brushed my teeth and went downstairs without changing out of my nightgown and brushing my hair.

I'm too tired for this. Can't this world start without me?

I climb down the stairs carefully, one hand on the railing, another carrying my stuffie. No one is here. it looks like I'm early. Let's be productive then. I go over to the soft couches and lay face down on it. My legs are hanging, but at this point, I don't care. It is going to be a quick nap, after all.

It is difficult to sleep here. Chefs and helpers are making a lot of noise in the kitchen. But I still try my best. I recall my last night's visit to Alerix.

Sitting at his huge desk chair, he looked nothing less than a king. A Viking, actually. In all honesty, I started to regret coming here the moment I entered his office, but I knew it had to be done. I'm living in his castle, after all. So I forced my legs to move. 

He was watching me intensely. I stood next to his chair a.k.a throne and was thinking about how to proceed when he startled me with his voice. 

“ How are you doing, princess?” I was so mesmerized with his deep manly voice that I forgot how to respond. Come on, brain, start working.

“ Umm.. I came to…for…” I was looking everywhere but into his eyes. How do I say this, and what do I do with my hands? Ugh. Multitasking is so frustrating. He was waiting patiently for me, so I took a deep breath and blurted out “ I came here to give you a good night kiss.”

He looked stunned for a second and then gave me a brief nod. That's it? That's all? Okay then. I placed my both hands on his bulging muscular arm to steady myself and leaned to kiss him on his cheek. It was a short peck and ended much sooner than I preferred. But I guessed it was better this way. 

“ Good night, and thank you for sharing your dessert.” 

Before I could turn, I heard him ask in his deep manly voice “ Do you like missoi a lot?” Missoi, yes, that's the name of the dessert.

“ It's sweet, and Neri makes it the best.” I explained to him. He only nodded and hummed at me. Before it could get any awkward, I ran out with a quick good night.

“ Good night, Princess.” I heard him say.

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I woke up with someone patting my butt. What do they want now? “Come on, princess. Wake up. It's breakfast time.” I hear Zed's voice.

“ Let her sleep. She might be tired.” This must be Leya. What is she doing here so early in the morning?

I sit up and wipe the drool from my face. Leya makes a face of disgust, but Zed cleans it with his handkerchief. 

“ Is my baby too tired for the day?” Zed coos at me. I scratch my neck and nod my head while yawning. He only chuckles at my behavior. Whatever I do, the brothers find it cute and adorable. It's easier to be myself when I'm around them. 

“ Where are the others?” I ask Zed when he starts feeding me with his hands.

“ They left early, princess. They had an important meeting.” I nod. “ Baby, are you interested in coming with me to Leya’s house to help her plan the housewarming party?” Zed asks me.

I look at Leya, who is trying her best to hide her disapproval. But before I can deny Zed adds “ I don't want to leave you alone in the house. Eli, Rey, and Alerix won't come until midnight. So I want you to come with me.”

I guess this is my chance to get out and have fun. So I agree.

—----------------------------------------------------

To say I was bored was an understatement. Zed hasn't allowed me to do anything but watch while he and Leya planned everything out. I am sitting in a corner with Leya’s cousin, who is of my age (as per Leya) and getting bullied by her.

You may ask why. 

Well, Leya’s cousin, Lina, has set her eyes on my stuffie. Too bad it's mine. After a few tries to steal my stuffie, Lina has fortunately given up. But now I'm bored. At least I was having fun before. I'm about to whine at Zed to take me home when I see movement from the corner of my eye.

A pillow knocks me down on my back. Before I can process what is happening, another comes, then another. It keeps coming until I'm flooded with pillows. 

“ Aww. Thank you, Lina, for taking care of her for us. See Zed. I told you Lina is very docile and well mannered. She is not only feeding herself but also protecting Rae from getting hurt.”

What? When did she do that? And how is she protecting me? I'm sitting on the carpet for God's sake. This woman is delusional.

I come out of the sea of pillows and look around. “ Are you okay, Princess?” I'm about to nod at Zed, but stop when I realize what has actually happened. 

My stuffie is gone. And Lina, too.