𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕

I woke up to the soft sound of Amira's breathing, her small body still curled up next to me. The morning light was peeking through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. For a moment, I just lay there, watching her sleep peacefully, her little face completely relaxed. It was hard not to smile.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake her. I stretched quietly, feeling the warmth of the bed leaving my body, and padded softly to the bathroom. I washed my face, letting the cool water wake me up fully. As I brushed my teeth, I couldn't help but feel a little relieved—yesterday had been a whirlwind, but waking up like this, with Amira safe and happy, made it all seem more manageable.

I pulled my long curls into a loose bun, the strands still slightly wild, but I liked it that way. It felt... like me. I changed into something comfy but cute—a fluffy cream sweater, grey sweatpants, and my favorite pair of grey Uggs. The mansion might be massive, but I wasn't about to go for anything too formal. Today was all about comfort.

Once I was ready, I quietly went back to the bed and gently shook Amira awake. "Hey, sweetheart," I whispered, smoothing the hair out of her face. "Time to get up."

She stirred, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists before looking up at me sleepily. "Morning, Ria," she mumbled, her voice soft.

"Morning, sweetie," I smiled, scooping her up in my arms. She rested her head against my shoulder as I carried her to her room. Her room was just as cozy as mine, with pastel colors and soft toys scattered across the floor. I helped her get ready, picking out a cute little outfit—leggings and a pink hoodie. She stood still while I brushed her hair, which was surprisingly easy for a six-year-old.

"Do you want to go down for breakfast?" I asked as I finished helping her put on her shoes.

Amira nodded, still waking up but now looking a little more alert. She took my hand as we walked down the grand staircase, her small feet padding against the floor. The mansion was quiet, but there was a warmth here, a calm that I hadn't noticed before.

When we got to the dining room, the smell of freshly made breakfast hit me—pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit already laid out on the table. Amira's eyes lit up at the sight.

Raden was sitting at the head of the table, scrolling through his phone, his expression focused but distant. When he heard us enter, he glanced up, his intense brown eyes locking on Amira as she ran up to him.

"Daddy!" she called, hugging his arm tightly.

Raden's serious expression softened as he ruffled her hair. "Morning, princess," he said quietly, putting his phone down. His gaze flicked over to me for a brief second, and I could swear something unreadable passed over his face, but he quickly turned his attention back to Amira.

"Good morning," I said, taking a seat next to Amira at the table.

"Morning," Raden replied, his tone neutral but polite. He didn't seem as cold as the day before, but there was still a distance between us. I couldn't tell if it was intentional or just part of who he was.

We settled in for breakfast, and the atmosphere felt... normal, which was nice. Amira chatted about her dreams from the night before, asking if we could play later, and Raden would nod or respond with a small smile, obviously focused on her. It was clear how much he cared for her—how protective he was.

As we ate, I felt like this nanny job wasn't going to be as hard as I initially thought. Maybe, just maybe, it would be something good for me too.

As we finished breakfast, Amira was happily focused on her pancakes, her small hands gripping the fork as she eagerly took bite after bite. I smiled at her, happy to see her enjoying the food, but I could feel Raden's gaze on me. When I glanced over, he was watching me with that same unreadable expression, his brown eyes sharp, but not unkind.

He set down his coffee cup and cleared his throat. "Kurianna," he started, his voice low but firm, "I wanted to talk to you about what Amira's day will look like."

I nodded, giving him my full attention. "Of course, what do you have in mind?"

Raden leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. His presence always filled the room, but right now, he seemed more focused, like he was making sure everything was clear. "Amira's schedule is pretty set, but there are some adjustments I want to make with you on board now. She has private tutoring sessions on weekdays—math, reading, and piano lessons in the afternoons. The tutors will come to the house, so you don't need to take her anywhere."

I took mental notes, already organizing the day in my head. "Got it."

"In the mornings, before tutoring, I want you to focus on more hands-on activities. Arts and crafts, outdoor play, whatever keeps her engaged and happy. She loves being outside, but always make sure the guards know if you're going out into the garden or taking her for a walk around the grounds."

The mention of guards reminded me just how different this job was compared to the others I'd had. I nodded again, absorbing it all. "No problem."

Raden paused, his eyes flicking back to Amira for a moment, watching her as she started playing with her food. He softened a bit, but when he turned back to me, he was all business again. "Sundays are her free days, so she can spend them however she likes. Sometimes, I'll take her out for a while, but if I can't, you'll be with her."

I felt a small flicker of warmth at the idea of spending those days with Amira. "Okay. And weekends, in general?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Weekends are a little more flexible. If I'm not traveling for business, I try to spend as much time with her as possible. But, if I'm busy, you'll be in charge. Just make sure she's entertained and safe."

I nodded again, taking it all in. The schedule didn't sound too bad. It seemed like Amira would have a balanced day, and I'd have plenty of time to bond with her.

"Also," Raden added, his voice lowering slightly as if the next part was more personal, "Amira's... sensitive. She's been through a lot since her mom left, and it takes her a while to warm up to new people. But—" he hesitated, glancing at Amira before looking back at me— "she seems to like you."

There was something vulnerable in the way he said it, and I could tell it meant a lot to him that Amira had taken to me so quickly. I smiled softly. "I'll take good care of her, Raden. I promise."

Raden nodded once, his jaw tightening slightly as if he was satisfied with my answer. "Good."

Amira, having finished her pancakes, wiped her hands on her napkin and looked up at Raden. "Daddy, can Ria and I play outside after breakfast?"

Raden gave her a small smile, the tension in his face easing. "Of course, principessa. But make sure you're bundled up; it's chilly outside today."

Amira grinned and hopped down from her chair, already excited. "Come on, Ria! Let's go play!" she chirped, tugging at my hand.

I laughed softly and stood up, looking at Raden briefly before following Amira. He gave me a nod, a subtle but clear sign that the conversation was over for now. I understood my responsibilities—and more importantly, I knew that I wasn't just a nanny. I was stepping into a delicate situation with a family that had its complexities.

As Amira and I left the dining room, I could still feel Raden's presence behind me, like a shadow that loomed over everything. But as long as I could keep Amira happy and safe, I felt ready for the challenge.