Yes, Your Highness (18+)

19

•──⋅☾ Rajah ☽⋅──•

Throughout the day, I was caught in a constant struggle with Hedrick, who was behaving like an overgrown child desperately seeking attention. I had to admit, I was on the verge of calling him Kevin to emphasize how ridiculous his antics were. It was glaringly obvious that someone his age should be above arguing and throwing tantrums, especially over something as trivial as leaving the room. If Riley's mother were still around, she would have been furious at the sight of such immaturity.

After what felt like an eternity of navigating through the chaos he created, I let out a heavy sigh as the ordeal finally subsided. At that moment, Sasha climbed onto my lap and began to caress my hair, almost as if she could sense the stress radiating off me. Her gentle gesture was a brief oasis in the madness; she pressed a soft kiss on my forehead, offering me comfort just when I needed it most.

Just then, Amelia walked in, a dismissive scoff escaping her lips. "Finally done with the old man, are ya?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. I couldn't help but agree; Hedrick's behavior was escalating, becoming increasingly unbearable. I knew it wouldn't be long before the alpha would have to step in and address the growing problem. In response to Amelia's comment, I offered a polite retort, "You're not so old yourself, you know," though the stress clouding my mind made my words more of a half-hearted compliment than anything genuinely thoughtful. It was strange how little Amelia and I communicated, especially compared to the rapport she shared with my little sister.

Speaking of Stephanie, I was left to ponder what kind of thoughts were swirling in her mind that led her to believe our home was terrible. Her perceived ingratitude for even contemplating running away astounded me. But of course, she hadn't run away; she merely sought out some 'girl time' with Sasha. I playfully rolled my eyes at the thought, amused yet frustrated. Amelia's voice cut through my musings, her tone softer than usual. "Flattery will get you everywhere, child," she remarked quietly, her irritation seemingly dissipating. It was a refreshing change to hear her less riled up, and I couldn't help but wonder what might have shifted her mood.

"Funny how you continue to call my sister and me children even though we're hardly as little as we once were," I chimed in, sarcasm creeping into my voice as Sasha burst into laughter beside me. "That sounds like you were itching for some sweets," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. As the hours passed, the conversations between Amelia, Sasha, and me felt more natural and easier than they ever had before. Reflecting on my upbringing, I realized how much I had to handle; I had been a handful as a child, and after Stephanie was born, she transformed into the largest source of annoyance for Amelia.

Suddenly, the noise filtering down from upstairs caught my attention, sending a ripple of curiosity through me. It was clear that something was amiss, the faint sounds hinting that an unexpected whirlwind of activity was brewing just above us.

It was about damn time that Stephanie and Riley finally tied the knot. The day had finally arrived, and it filled me with mixed emotions. Over the years, enduring Stephanie's bratty, childish, and stubborn attitude had been quite a trial. Each bout of her defiance felt like an obstacle course I had to navigate, and now, seeing her finally settle down filled me with a sense of relief. I caught a glimpse of Amelia, her smug grin unmistakable as she surveyed the gathering. 

"What's with the look?" Sasha asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. Honestly, I thought she might as well have asked a question that came with a dumb answer. 

"Stephanie finally sees that my grandson isn't all that bad," Amelia replied, her tone dripping with satisfaction. "He was just raised by a ruthless father." Amelia, who was the mother of Riley's late mother, held onto a certain pride about her family legacy, even if it was marred by complexity.