Their Princess

Chapter 40

I open the door and scream with everything that I've. Running wildly, I open the next door and repeat the process.

“ I'M HOME! I'M BACK!!!!!” 

Going into the kitchen, I shout in a much louder voice that my face turns red and eyes fill with tears. “ I'm back. NERI. I'M BACK.” She only shakes her head at my antics, smiling softly as she hugs me tightly to her chest.

When I woke up today, Daddy was there waiting for me with my luggage packed. I jumped out of bed immediately and went right into his arms. 

On the whole way down, I was shouting my arrival while he carried me downstairs, chuckling at my excitement and wildness. I bet I woke up anyone who was still asleep in the castle. 

As soon as we reached downstairs, I went to each room to greet them. Well, honestly, I tried it. But after the tenth room, I got exhausted and returned to the living room where everyone was waiting for me patiently, smiling in adoration. 

I squealed in delight when I saw my favorite dessert on the table. Missoi. Forgetting about my tiredness, I jumped on the couch while Neri served us food.

“ How long until she gets tired?” Rey asks amused.

“ I'm not sure. She already crossed the baseline.” Eli replies, laughing.

“ So she was home all this time?” Zed asks. I forgot he was even here.

“ Yes, she was……Come here, Princess. Let's eat.” I do, as Daddy says. I sit on his lap while he feeds me. I finished two bowls of mine and one of Daddy. I didn't even realize I was this hungry until I started to eat.

“ So what are you doing today, Princess?” Rey asks.

“ I want to go to the park and my Pottery class then I…..” I listed down all the things that I wanted to do.

“ That's a long list, baby. Are you sure you can do all of them in one day?” I shrug nonchalantly, not caring about the tasks. I just want to go outside.

So that's what I did for the whole week. Daddy and Rey volunteered to take me outside each time I asked. Not even once they told me that they were busy. They just followed me wherever I asked them until I got fed up with staying outside.

Today, we are attending an important event held by the brothers' workplace. It has been really long since I last attended one of their events. So I'm excited.

Although the sun is out, the weather is still really chilly. Daddy asked me to layer up properly so that I don't catch a cold. But I'm worried about other things.

A lot of people are going to be there. Even Leya and Kai. I don't want to see them. A knock on my door interrupts my train of thoughts.

“ You ready, princess?” To my surprise, it's Zed who enters. Keeping my shock under control, I nod at him.

He takes me downstairs, where everyone is already waiting for me.

 “ And here comes our Diva.” I blush at Rey’s comment. 

After getting peck from everyone, we leave for the event. I think Daddy notices my nervous state because he tightens his hold on me.

“ Everything will be alright, baby. Okay?” When I only nod, he continues. “ And if you get uncomfortable or get tired, just inform any of us. We will leave immediately.” Daddy comforts me the whole ride with his kisses and warm hands.

It works until we reach there. I cling to his arm like another limb of his, creasing his shirt sleeve in the process.

“ Hello, Darling. You look lovely today.”  Rufus compliments politely. Even though he was never against me, his past actions have deeply affected me, so I keep my distance with him and hide behind Daddy, still clinging to his arm.

But then another problem arrives.

“ Hello, princess. How are you?” When I don't reply to Kai, he continues. “ I missed you a lot, you know.”

“ Kai! Come here, son.” 

“ Hello, uncle, Alerix.” He nods at everyone politely. But to my utmost dislike, he bends to my level. His face came near me, lips puckered to kiss my forehead.

I cringe when his warm breath hits my face. “ Hello, there, little girl.” Before his lips can touch my skin, Daddy pushes his face away from me, making him lose his balance slightly.

“ STAY BACK! KAI! What did I tell you about not touching her?” Daddy roars.

Kai rubs his neck nervously, shrugging as he replies. “ I missed her.”

Daddy glares at him hard, pushing me behind him and stepping closer to Kai. 

“ Woah Woah! Easy there, Alerix. It's not a big deal. He is still young and didn't know what he was doing. He'll learn to follow boundaries. Right Kai?” Rufus tries to calm the heat.

“ Seriously, father?” 

“ C'mon, son. Now, don't spoil the mood with your possessiveness. Kai is family. We do better when we fight together, not with each other. And if you're going to fight your own blood, then what lesson will your brothers get?”

“ I get it, Father. Just tell him to stay away from her. I don't like him around her. His presence makes me uneasy.”

“ I was just trying to be polite.” Kai says sheepishly. 

“ By getting in her space?” Daddy growls.

Before Kai can reply, Uncle Roman bursts into laughter, his eyes shining with amusement. “ I can't believe this. Brother, do you see this? Did you ever imagine our sons fighting over a little girl? This is incredible.” 

Rufus joins Roman in his laughing contest. I ignore them when I see Rey coming toward us with a plate of food. I jump in delight, catching Daddy’s attention. 

“ Daddy, I want to eat something.” Daddy opens his mouth to reply, but Kai beats him to it.

“ I can take her to feed. Since you're busy today.”

“ No need. I've already got it.” Rey says, disappointing Kai. “ You do your work, Alerix. She is safe with me.”

Daddy nods and then turns toward me, cupping my face in his hands. “ You remember what I told you in the car?”

“ Yes.”

“ Good. Just stay close.” He kisses my forehead softly. I leave with Rey, where he sits me on a chair and starts feeding me until I finish the whole plate.