Their Princess

Chapter 34

I'm crying hysterically in Eli’s arms, making him panic. Everything was going well until reality hit me. 

“ Daddy, please don't send me away. I…I promise I will be good…I will not disturb you.” I sob hard, pleading with him.

Daddy comes toward me in two strides, setting me on his lap. “ Hey, everything is alright. You're here with me.” I cry more because he is not saying what I want to hear.

“ Rey Rey, don't send me away.” I try my luck with him too. His eyes look pained. He immediately pulls me in his lap and hugs me tight. 

“ Never. I'm never sending you away. You belong with us.” I cry more in his arms, holding Eli’s hand in mine tight. “ We will figure something out, Alerix. They are strong but not stronger than us. Yes, we need their technology, but still, we hold more power over them. We can easily take them down.”

I look at Daddy, who is staring at me worriedly. I pouted at him, glaring, I said “ If you send me away, I won't come back.” My threat changed the air around us. Eli and Rey’s hand stops rubbing me, and Alerix snatches me away. Growling, he spank my butt hard, not painful but as a warning.

“ Oww.” I yelp.

“ Don't you say that again, young lady. Or I will have to start tying you to my bed.”

“ Then why are you sending me away?” I mumble in a small voice.

“ We don't want to, baby. But they are not someone we would like you to be around with. Working with them means they're going to be here, and we don't want to involve you in such a negative environment.” Eli explains, kissing my knuckles. 

“ But that's not fair. Why do I have to leave if they're bad people?”

“ They're not bad. They just hold a little bit of power.”

“ Rey Rey is powerful, too.” I finger point at him, making him chuckle and kiss my index finger and then my palm. 

“ He is. But it's not about them. It's about you. We want to keep you away from their insanity. Just trust me, baby. I'm doing this for you. Only you.” Daddy says, almost melting my heart.

I pout again. “ But I will miss you.” 

“ I will miss you more, sweetheart.” He pulls me in his chest, breathing in my neck deeply.

“ We can't assure her safety if she is away, Alerix.” Rey murmurs. 

“ I will go with her.” He looks Alerix in the eye. “ It's for the best you know that. And if the family asks where I am, tell them you sent me away like Zed. It's believable.”

“ What about her? They already know she exists from the rumors.” Rey questions. 

“ No, Eli. You're right about not sending her away since it could bite us back. She will stay with us, here under this roof where we can look after her. We can prepare the fifth floor for her.”

“ Fine. But I will stay with her. Tell them we have gone on a vacation or something.” Eli suggests.

With the plan concluded, I was assured that I wasn't going anywhere. I will be staying on the top floor until the Braska family leaves. Until then, the brothers will meet me secretly. Sounds almost romantic.

I wonder what they were talking about, Zed? He hasn't been around, and I didn't dare ask, expecting him to be with Leya, but it looks like there's something going on under the table. 

Their life is so mysterious that I have to adjust my brain cells each and every time when their business is involved. I don't know what attack they were talking about or what part the family will play. But one thing is sure I'm not leaving this castle anytime soon.

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Daddy is being extra loving today. He is showering me with lots of gifts and attention. When I woke up today, he set my room with lots of presents and peppered my face with kisses.

I think he is feeling guilty.

He fed me breakfast in my bed and talked about my plans for the future. Since I can no longer get tutored by Laylah in the castle. He has asked her to teach me online. I was slightly disappointed that I could no longer go to my Pottery class, but Daddy assured me that he had everything handled. 

One of his gifts includes a Pottery wheel and clay for me to continue my practice. I'm happy that he has put so much thought about everything, but still, there is this sinking feeling in my stomach. I'm scared. I don't know why, but I'm just not happy about the idea of being hidden.

“ I'm scared, Daddy.” I admit, placing my face on his chest.

“ I will be nearby. All the time. If you need me anytime, I will come to you. Just send me a message on my tab.”

“ How long do we have to do this?”

He caresses my hair gently. “ Not long, baby. Soon, it will end. I will make sure to fulfill the requirements early. Then it will be only us. We will do whatever you want.”

“ And what if that woman…shef…Shafira… what if she doesn't want to go early?”

“ It's not about what she wants, baby. The moment we have hold over the technology, they're out. I just have to be seen with her occasionally in public places, then the deal is done.”

I frown, not liking this at all. “ But why does she want to be seen with you?”

“ Their public image has been ruined by their elder son. They want it back. They have done a lot of public service, but I think being seen with one of us can be a game charger for them. After all, our family is known for their warrior blood. We've served our people each and every time we were needed to shed blood. That's what they want, an increase in goodwill.”

I stay quiet. A lot of unwanted thoughts are running around my head. There is no way this woman just wants to be seen with the brothers. There has to be an ulterior motive. And I'm not losing anyone again this time. Daddy is mine and mine alone. I will have to make sure of it.