Their Princess

Chapter 71

“ It's not going to stop raining any time soon.” Rey grumbles under his breath from the passenger seat. 

So, we are officially stuck in the heaviest rainfall the planet Ethna ever had. Roads are blocked, and we are stuck in this insanely long traffic. I can't believe that this planet has traffic issues, too. Although it's my first time seeing traffic here.

I jumped when a cloud burst loudly in the sky. Daddy pulls me close to his side and covers my legs with a blanket. 

“ It will keep you warm. Temperature is about to drop.” He says, kissing the top of my head.

I tried to cover Daddy and Eli with the blanket, but they refused. “ We don't need it, sweetheart. Cold doesn't bother us.” 

“ Alerix, have you received any message from Ronan?”

“ I did. He wants to interview Dacotah longer.”

Interview? Sounds like a code word to me.

“ I want that man in my basement for further interviews. I'm just waiting for Ronan to find something that's worth putting him to trial.” Rey says.

“ Agreed. I have a few questions in my mind, too.” Eli replies. 

They continue to talk while I watch the rain from my window. It's so quiet and serene out there. People stay seated in their vehicles while walkers hurry to their homes. But the rain continues to pour.

As our vehicle slowly moves forward, I notice some people gathered around a man. I don't think they're fighting. From where I can see them, they are having a peaceful conversation under a small shed.

Until my eyes land on what they're actually doing.

“ Daddy!” I stick my face to the window, calling him.

“ What is it, princess?”

“ What are they eating?” My mouth is almost drooling at the sight of that warm food. It looks so mouthwatering. 

“ Are you hungry, princess? I have packed some lunch for you.” Eli suggests.

“ No, Eli. I want to try that. Can I please, Daddy? Mr. Nol, please slow down the car.”

“ Alright, Madam.”

I turn to Daddy when he doesn't reply. His jaw is clenched tight. 

Did I say something wrong?

“ Daddy?” I shake his arm to get his attention. 

“ There's a nice place to eat further on our way. You can eat there, love. It's not too far. Until then, you can try what Eli has packed for you.” Daddy says, cupping my cheek.

I whine, looking outside. “ But Daddy, I want to try that. It looks yummy. Please?” I cuddle against his chest, eyes still outside the window.

“ Princess, that place is not good for you.” Eli explains.

“ Do they put poison in the food?”

“ No.”

“ Is it unhygienic or unhealthy?”

“ No, baby. That's not the case. It's just that we don't eat with….. them.”

I frown at Eli's explanation. 

“ Why? They don't look like bad people to me. And they are feeding others, which means they are good, Eli. People who share food with others are good people.” I try to put reason into their mind.