Youth [MikhAiah] [Book #1]

34

—🦊🐶🐼🐺🐣🐱🐨🐰—

The next morning dawns quietly over the palace, a stark contrast to the chaos that engulfed them the night before. The Queen leads a small procession back from the hospital. Mikha, with her arm in a cast and bandages on her head, walks beside Aiah, who also bears the marks of their ordeal. The three cousins—Colet, Jhoanna, and Gwen—trail behind, their usual playful energy subdued. Aiah's friends—Maloi, Stacey, and Sheena—are with them too, still reeling from the events that have unfolded.

The Queen, always composed, looks back at them, her expression soft but firm. Upon their arrival back at the castle, the Queen turned to Mikha and Aiah with a gentle smile. "You two will be more comfortable here. The palace staff will see to all your needs. Take your time to rest, anak." With that, she gestured to the vast double doors of Mikha's quarters, then turned to the cousins. "Colet, Jhoanna, Gwen, ikot niyo muna ang tatlo sa palasyo. I need to discuss a few things with the Boards of the Palace."

Maloi, Stacey, and Sheena linger by the door, reluctant to leave their friend behind.
"Message us ha, if you need anything," Maloi says, her voice tender but filled with concern. She steps forward to hug Aiah, her usual teasing nature softened.

Stacey, on the other hand, can't resist a joke. "No more near-death experiences, okay? Medyo nakakastress din kaya maging friend mo, ante." She grins, though her eyes betray how worried she truly is.

Sheena, as steady as always, nods. "Get some rest ate ah, sa labas lang naman kami if ever."

Aiah smiles gratefully at them, her heart swelling. "Thanks, guys. We'll be okay."

With final hugs and words of reassurance, Aiah's friends make their exit, leaving her and Mikha alone in the vast, elegant room.

—🦊🐶—

Mikha glances at Aiah, her arm still in a cast, but her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Since we're stuck here, might as well give you a tour, di ba?"

Aiah chuckles, following Mikha's lead as she's shown around the prince's quarters. The room is nothing short of majestic—vaulted ceilings, rich tapestries, and furniture that blends modern sleekness with royal luxury. But what catches Aiah's eye most is the far corner of the room, where a high-tech gaming setup stands, completely out of place in the grandeur of the rest of the room.

"Ah," Mikha grins, seeing Aiah's gaze land on it. "This is the heart of the room. My little slice of normal."

Aiah laughs, stepping closer to examine the glowing monitors and rows of consoles. "So, this is where you beat me that first time we met online."

Mikha laughs, leaning against the back of the chair. "Oh, I remember. You couldn't even figure out how to jump. Akala mo pa nga may sira yung controller."

Aiah crosses her arms, pretending to glare. "Excuse me ha, I was new! You could've gone easy on me!"