Their Princess

Chapter 60

I groan when the hooting goes louder, pressing my face into Daddy’s chest. His hand  immediately came up to massage the back of my head. It relieved me for a bit, but then a strong scent wafted in the room.

There were some hoo's and aah's followed, but I did nothing to acknowledge it. As soon as we stepped on Uncle Roman’s place, aka castle in the morning, Kai was there to welcome us with his full blowing party.

Turns out, the party was held for me. And the great Kai thought it was wise to invite the whole town for me. He had the audacity to come to me, looking all smug, asking if I ever expected such a grand gesture from the brothers. 

I have never wanted to slap someone so badly at that moment. How could he be such a fool when Daddy specifically mentioned to him that I don't like parties.

Daddy was so infuriated with Kai that he lunged for him in the party hallway. Rufus and Roman had to come to separate them because Rey, Eli, and Ronan did not feel it necessary. 

It took nearly an hour to calm Daddy and for Kai to patch his bruises. The good thing was Kai stayed away from me and the brothers after that. We chose the most secluded area to sit, but honestly, they should know by now that their presence hardly gets unnoticed. 

When my stomach growled, Rey brought me some food while Eli and Daddy tried to be polite with the guests. There were various performers entertaining the guests, but people still managed to crawl near our tables. Especially women. 

Two hours went by, and this party was nowhere near the end. I whined in Daddy’s chest when a young woman joined by her friend came to our table.

“ Oh my. Isn't she lovely, Tami. Look at her.” An over enthusiastic woman said.

“ Yes. She is.” The other woman said dryly.

“ You guys are so lucky to have her. What's her name, Sir Eli?” 

“ Well, I think you already know her name since the party is held for her.” Eli said, annoyed. The brothers have been trying to keep the flock away from me, but some think I'm their best bait to get near the brothers. 

The girl started to stammer, but her friend saved her day. “ Yes. We know. Kai made sure to let the whole town know who the party was for.” And I definitely did not miss the twinge of bitterness in her tone.

You can have him, woman. I don't go for ‘crazy’. Standards, you know.

A full-blown music starts to blare from the speakers, making me groan harder.

“ Ooo… it's my favorite song. Umm…. Sir Eli? Would you like to join me…. for a dance…. maybe?” Now that has my full attention. I threw the woman my meanest glare, which she ignored. Woah.

I need to work on my mean glare. 

“ Not interested. Now if you will please leave our table. We want to sit in peace here.” His calming voice did not match the hurt he just inflicted on the girl. 

So, Eli knows how to be mean. I should ask for some lessons from him. But first, let's handle this oncoming headache. 

I whine in Daddy’s neck when a group of performers comes to sing birthday songs for me. Of course, guided by Kai. Rey politely guided them away from our table.

I hope they don't feel bad. I liked their songs, but right now, it's getting too much for me.

“ Here. I found them.” Ronan hands something to Daddy. 

“ Let me see your ears, baby.” He puts the earplugs in and starts to massage my head again. It doesn't completely remove the noise but does a perfect job to tone it down.

“ What are you guys doing?” I hear the faint voice of Rufus. “ We are supposed to be a family here. You can't sit here in the corner, sulk, and chase away anyone who comes near.”

“ Father, I will definitely explain to you what a family is. Since you have clearly forgotten.” Daddy threatens. His voice is gravelly dangerous, but his hand on my head is still gentle.

“ Son, I did not tell you about the reason for the party because Kai said you won't come. I did what was necessary to bring the family together, so don't blame me for hiding things from you.”

“ We will talk about this another time, brother. There are guests waiting for us.” Roman led Rufus away.

“ Is she okay? What's happening to her?” Ronan asks, worried.

“ Her mind is on high alert because of these bright lights, colors, sounds, and people around her. Her mind is making her believe that something is going to happen, so she needs to be prepared for it. Basically, her survival instincts are on, with no way to turn them off.”

“ And it's depleting her energy.” Ronan concludes.

“ Yes. If it goes longer, she can get sick.”

“ This must be really hard on her then.”

“ It is. I have asked one of the helpers to prepare a room for her in the guest wing. It should be done by any minute now.”

“ I wish it happened sooner.” Rey mumbles. I turn to look at him, blinded slightly by the lights when I see a man nearing our table with Rufus.

“ Alerix, Rey, Eli, Commander.” He nods at everyone in respect.

“ Dacotah.” Daddy says dryly.

“ I have been wanting to meet you for quite a while, you know.” Dacotah mentions.

“ I know very well. And since nothing captured my attention, you ran to my father for another proposal. Am I right?”

Dacotah, being the most irritating person in the room, only laughed and went to sit on the only vacant chair on our table.

“ You learn to be creative when you're in business.” He said amused.

“ Son, you really need to listen what Mr. Braska had to say. It's important and promising.” Rufus eyes are gleaming with excitement that I bet the brothers can't fail to see.

“ Yes. Yes. We will get to that. But before we go to full business mode and forget the birthday girl here. I want to hand over her present. It's nothing much. I don't know what a girl her age likes, so I took some help. I hope she will like it.” Dacotah put the wrapped gift on the table, waiting to be picked by me. 

I eye it for a minute, then turn my head in Daddy’s neck. I hear someone snicker, perfectly covered by coughing. 

“ Little girl, pick up the gift and thank Mr. Braska, like a well trained girl you are.” 

Daddy growls. His hand tightens around me.

“ Watch your tongue!” Ronan warns.

“ Oh yes, Mr Dawn. It's really rude to refer to her as a well-trained girl. She is a woman in training. I bet she will become an amazing woman like my daughter, Shafira.”

Without a word, Daddy gets up with me. I wrap my legs around his torso while he leads us outside. He has pressed my head in his neck, so I don't know what's happening around me or what his expression is. 

“ I will make a cup of tea for her. It will slow her brain waves down.” I hear Eli offering while Daddy leads us outside silently.