Four Little Princes

Shadow Creature

It took several hours for Zarc to get through enough of the petitions to call it a day, by which point he really wanted to spend time with his babies. He knew that the dragons had probably taken them to the banquet hall for dinner by now, so that's where he headed.

Sure enough, Zarc's precious family was sitting at the head table in the banquet hall, waiting for the king. Some of the shadow creatures that served Zarc were entertaining the little ones. There was practically a full-on circus in the banquet hall, performing tricks for the very excited toddlers.

Yuya in particular seemed starry-eyed as he watched the performances. One of the shadow creatures, Discover Hippo, seemed to really catch his eye. He wiggled off of Odd-Eyes's lap and toddled over to the hippo, patting its side before attempting to climb onto it. He was too little though, even with Discover Hippo laying down to help him, and began to pout. Then, another of the shadow creatures, Stargazer Magician, stepped in to help. He picked Yuya up and gently set the little prince on Discover Hippo's back, much to the toddler's delight.

Yuya squealed in excitement and patted the back of the hippo's head. Discover Hippo began prancing around the banquet hall with the toddler on its back, being careful not to let him fall. Stargazer followed, making sure the little one didn't slip.

"Well, looks like Yuya's already making friends!" Zarc said, smiling as he watched his son ride around the banquet hall on Discover Hippo. Odd-Eyes beamed, "Yes, he seems to really like the performers!"

"So, what have the rest of our boys been up to?" Zarc asked. The dragons began telling him all about the toddlers' explorations, and how much fun they'd had, while the toddlers munched on appetizers and watched the shadow creatures' performances.

After some time, Discover Hippo scurried to where Odd-Eyes was sitting at the head table, and Yuya made grabby hands for the dragon. "Hungwy," he said, looking pitifully at Odd-Eyes. The dragon cooed at his adorable face and picked him up, setting him in his lap and offering him a mini hot dog. Yuya happily munched the hot dog, smiling up at Odd-Eyes.

Zarc reached over and ruffled Yuya's tomato fluff, smiling fondly at his son. "Did you enjoy your ride around the banquet hall?" he asked. Yuya nodded happily, his ruby eyes sparkling. He pointed at Discover Hippo and said, "Hippo! Hippo!"

"Yes, that's Discover Hippo!" Zarc said. Yuya looked back at the hippo and pointed at the top hat on its head. "Hippo hab hat! Hippo hat!" He looked very pleased with his own observation, and Zarc and his shadow creatures all chuckled.

Suddenly, Yuri spoke up. "Daddy?" Zarc immediately turned and smiled at Yuri. "Yes, Yuri?" Yuri seemed to be thinking. After some time, he pointed at the performing shadow creatures. "What dat?"

"Those are shadow creatures," Zarc explained. "They serve our family." Yuri looked back at the shadow creatures, seemingly contemplative. Starve Venom cuddled him and said, "I think Yuri may be a lot smarter than most kids his age. He knows how to read, he actually read out loud a little bit when we were in the library. Mostly the fairytales that were heavily plant-based, such as Jack and the Beanstalk and The Nightingale."

Yuri hesitated then asked, "Shadow pwants?" There was a hopeful tone in his voice. Zarc smiled and said, "Yes, there's some shadow creatures that are plants." Yuri looked up at him excitedly. "Want! Want!"

"You wanna see the plants?" Zarc asked him. Yuri nodded, bouncing eagerly in Starve Venom's lap. Zarc chuckled in amusement, and used his power to call a few of the plants. As soon as he saw them, Yuri squealed and reached for them. A flytrap-like shadow creature, Fly Hell, approached him, allowing the delighted young cabbage to pat it. He seemed quite fascinated with the plants, and the plants immediately took a liking to him as well.

"Yuri, do you like gardens?" Starve Venom asked the little one in his lap. Yuri looked up at him, nodding eagerly whilst still patting Fly Hell. Starve Venom smiled and ruffled his cabbage hair. "Well, how about we show you the royal gardens after dinner, hmm?"

Yuri's eyes widened and he clapped his hands. "Yes! Yes! Want!" Zarc chuckled and said, "Well, if you like the garden, maybe I'll give you a little spot for your own garden. How would you like that?"

Yuri gasped, looking up at Zarc with starry eyes. He appeared to be too excited to speak. Zarc smiled and reached out to pat his tiny cabbage head. "I'll take you to the garden after dinner and help you pick out a spot for yours."

"I wuv you, Daddy!" Yuri squealed, crawling out of Starve Venom's lap and climbing into Zarc's. He nuzzled the king, who immediately cuddled back. "I love you too, Yuri!"