The Missing One // DL Fanfic

Rejection at its Finest

The following weeks were tense ones. Everyone hovered over the princess, but no one was more consistent than her father. Karlheinz refused to leave his daughter in someone else's care for longer than 3 hours. He would wake her and put her to bed, much more involved now that she was diagnosed. To say the least, he was worried for her. 

But, as much as he would like too, he couldn't take care of her. He needed someone to have their full attention devoted to keeping her calm and safe. And that certainly wasn't his brother.

"I'm so offended and disappointed in you, Big Brother. Hiding such a gem from her uncle.~"

Karlheinz clenched his jaw and inhaled deeply, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Yes, he'd sent for Richter, now a regretted decision. Why? Well, he felt that it was about time he let his brother know he had a child. I mean, it wasn't necessary, but it didn't feel right to keep her from him. And he regretted it immensely. 

Richter, on the other hand, was feeling mixed emotions. He felt happiness because well, he was an uncle to such a lively, beautiful child; jealousy because she wasn't his own. It simply wasn't fair, Karl always got to things first, no matter what it was and now her? The firstborn princess of the bloodline. A thought crossed his mind that made him feel a tiny bit better about the situation...

"You don't have a wife, Karl. Who's her-"

"She's dead," The King cut him off sharply, his back facing him as he gazed out of the uniform ceiling tall window. The toddler inspected the stranger with wide eyes, following his every move and giggled every time their eyes met and he cooed at her. 

"I didn't ask you to come here to just fool around, Richter, though I know that what you're used to. I have a kingdom to look after and I..I can't do both. She needs someone to be with her 24/7." 

"Of, course, brother!" The younger sibling glows eagerly. He couldn't wait to watch hi-

"No, not you. I refuse to entrust you with my baby." Karlheinz, again, shot him down swiftly, crossing the room with long strides to scoop her into his arms. He held her close and glared at his younger brother with annoyance. 

Richter's smile fell along with his mood. His brother was one of the most deceitful and selfish people he knew, it was foolish of him to think he'd share something as precious as a baby. He stood up, brushing the non-existent dust from his clothes. "..Of course." His legs brought him closer to the toddler and he lightly tapped the little toddler's nose, making her giggle and reach out for his hand, taking it in her own tiny two.  "If you don't need my help..then I'll be off." 

Karl took the seat behind his cluttered desk, waving his hand in dismissal. "That's perfectly fine. You're useless anyhow. I'll find a nanny on my own." 

The younger brother seething with jealousy and hatred for his sibling, feeling as unwelcome and out of place as ever. That was his niece as well, and he'll see her one way or another. He didn't need Karlheinz's permission to do anything.