𝑰'𝑽𝑬 𝑮𝑶𝑻 𝑨 𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴 - 𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑪𝑬𝑵𝑫𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑺

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝟓

NOTE: Wanted this to be a double update, but I've hit a wall writing chapter 6 and I will be damned if 2024 ends without me updating this story at least one more time, so enjoy!

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After Delphina took those handful of steps through Fairy Godmother's portal and into Charmington Palace, Ella made sure her feet didn't touch the floor again. Delphina had been swept up by the palace medical staff and carried off to her room, Ella listing off orders as they went.

Delphina was tucked into her bed so tightly, she thought Ella had somehow created a padlock out of comforters and blankets. "Ella–" Delphina grunted softly as her aunt continued fluffing her pillows. "Ella, I think you're cutting off my circulation," she murmured, trying to lift her head while still trapped in the tight confines of the comforter.

"I just want you to be comfortable, honey," Ella sighed, readjusting the blankets as Kit strolled into the room with a laugh, lunch tray in hand.

"Lies. She's trapping you so you can't escape. We're keeping you here forever." He gave a rumbling, evil laugh, throwing his head back dramatically as he set the tray down on the nightstand. Ella shot her husband an unimpressed look as Chad strolled in behind his father, flopping into the large beanbag chair in the corner of Delphina's room.

"I say make it tighter," Chad called from his seat. "It can be her punishment."

Delphina's face screwed up in confusion as she shot Chad an annoyed look.

"Punishment for what?"

"Existing."

Delphina glowered at him, working her arm out of the blankets to hold up a choice finger before Ella cleared her throat pointedly, pushing Delphina's arm down. "Both of you, play nice for the next week," Ella ordered firmly. "Delphina needs to rest, and the staff is still reeling from dealing with you two all summer."

"We weren't that bad!"

"We weren't that bad!"

Kit and Ella shared an amused look at the simultaneous exclamations from Chad and Delphina as Ella finished her fussing over the bed.

"OK," Ella sighed, stepping back to survey her niece once more. "You should be all set. Just press one on the palace phone and one of the maids will be here in an instant, and Kit and I are just a phone call away."

Delphina smiled gratefully, nodding at the instructions and settling deeper in the cushions. "Thank you, but right now, I think I just want to take a nap, and get my mind off...well, everything," she chuckled. Ella nodded in understanding, taking Kit's arm.

"Of course. If anything comes up, call us immediately, alright?"

Delphina nodded dutifully, saluting playfully. "Yes, ma'am."

Ella smiled one last time before leaving the room with Kit, wordlessly ordering Chad to follow after his parents. Delphina fondly watched the door shut behind them, then remained in her silent room for a long beat.

Gradually, her eyes began to shimmer as she followed her family's thoughts.

Down the hall.

Around the corner.

Down the stairs.

In the opposite wing.

Sighing in relief, Delphina slouched back against the headboard of the bed before reaching for her bag. She had made sure to leave her work laptop on her desk while Ben was watching, then made sure to utilize her best deflection tactics before Ben noticed that her personal laptop was still tucked away in her tote bag.