Their Princess

Chapter 26

“ How about this one? You are definitely going to like this one? It is quite popular among girls your age.”

I'm tired. Like really tired. Because Kai doesn't understand the meaning of the word ‘no’. He has been persistent in his attempt to gain my attention, especially when Eli and Rey aren't around. This time, he is using toys to lure me.

I look at Zed, who is watching me from the garden chair with pity. I look back at the toys around me and then at Kai. Why is he doing this? I don't want anything to do with him.

The toys are pretty, I will admit that, but it feels wrong to take something from him. Because I know I won't be able to give anything back. When the brothers give me something, the intention is to make me happy, but here with Kai, it all feels like a plot.

So I get up and go to Zed instead. He sets me on his lap and feeds me some fruits. I can hear Kai stepping towards us, but he stops when his tab starts to ring. I sigh in relief. 

“ What is it, princess? You didn't like the toys?” Zed politely asks.

“ I don't like him, Zed. He is weird.” I whine at him. 

“ He is not weird, baby. He just wants your attention. Just like us. Don't you remember how clingy I and Eli were when you came? It's the same for him. He just doesn't understand what makes you happy, so he is trying everything he knows.”

I look at Kai, who is still on his tab, his back to us. I know what he's trying to do, but does he have to be this clingy?

“ I don't know, Zed. I don't trust him.”

Zed gives me an assuring smile. “ Take your time, princess. You don't have to trust him fully, but at least you can give him a chance. Right?”

I just shrug in reply. I don't know what is right and wrong. I just know that I don't feel anything for Kai. I still remember when the brothers brought me here, how badly I craved their attention. I would wait for mornings and evenings to come because then I would get their kisses on my head or cheek.

They shied away from me in the first few days, but then Zed started to take an interest in me. He would make my hair, feed me, and read me a story before bed. In between those days, Eli started to open up too. He would join me and Zed when we had our silly conversation, but he only looked from afar. 

One day, I was feeling extra needy, and Zed wasn't around. Eli was reading some documents in his office. So I went to him. Now my normal self would have never disturbed him, but it was my little self that made me make the move.

I curled my body against him like a kitten, my head on his lap, and my hand was clutching his shirt tight. I was scared that he would throw me away, but thankfully, no such thing happened. Instead, he started to caress my back and covered me.

With Rey, it was natural. I was playing with Zed when he threw the ball a little too roughly, forgetting his strength and my fragile frame. It hit my stomach hard, making me lose my breath for a second. 

Rey was there with us in the garden. He immediately came to my rescue. Picking me up, he started to tend to my injuries. He looked so worried and angry that my heart melted on the sight.

He didn't put me down for that whole day. He was so angry at Zed that he forbade him from touching me for one whole week. In this period, I started to open up to him, too. I mean, who wouldn't like a gentle giant taking care of you?

I never felt forced to like any of the brothers, but with Kai, it feels like an obligation. I look at my mud filled hands and realize that I've again messed up the shape of my mug. Ugh.

I'm trying to make a mug for Alerix in my Pottery class, but so far, I haven't reached anywhere. I wet my hands, clear the space, and put the clay on my wheel again. Let's start anew.

After my class I go to the park with Eli and Kai. I did not pick any stone today, I just played around alone again because Tod has stopped coming in the park, and other kids don't dare come near me.

“ Eli?”

“ Yes, baby?”

“ Can you push my swing, please?”

“ Of course I can.” 

I see other girls throwing me a jealous look. I don't know what their problem is. But they have grouped against me. It was such a good day, but seeing their repulsed faces hurt me more than it should.

We retired home early today, and I know Eli has sensed my emotional state. He doesn't ask anything in front of Kai, but he does when we reach home.

“ What is it, baby? Do you feel okay? Do you miss Alerix? We can call him, if you want.” He has me perched on his lap. His soothing heartbeat and soft touch eased my mind a little.

“ Eli, do you think I'm different? Or is there something wrong with me?” Eli stiffen under me. I do not dare look in his eyes, ashamed for feeling these emotions. 

I know I'm completely normal as per earth standards, but I'm not on earth now. I have been ignoring these emotions for so long. I don't like to feel left out. But it's coming up like a loaded river now.

“ Who told you such a thing, princess? Of course you're perfectly fine. You're my perfect little princess.” He cups the back of my head and kisses me. 

“ I don't know why Eli, but the girls in the park do not like me. I mean, I never did anything to them.” I pause, then look him in the eyes. “ Do I look weird, Eli?”

Eli laughs at me. Pressing his lips over my forehead, he says. “ You're not weird, baby. You're special. You're special to us, that's why they are jealous and don't talk with you. But we can do something about it, if you want. Tomorrow we will try making some new friends. Okay?”

“ Okay.”

“ Stop pouting now. You're amazing. That's why we love you so much. Now say you love me too.”

I grin mischievously. “ You love me too.”

I giggled at Eli's glare and ran, screaming out the door when I saw his fingers coming toward me. 

In his eyes, I will always be perfect, but I know that I've got a lot to learn here. On earth, I blamed my parents for my low self-esteem. But who do I have here to blame now? 

Brothers have treated me the best, then why am I still hiding when I can live like a true princess? I guess it's time that I take the reins of my life in my own hands. I won't let anyone make me feel any less. And if anything serious happens, then I know the brothers have my back.