Hidden by Foam - Book 3 (Completed)

Chapter 3

Elaina's POV

"Come on sis, it is lunch time and mother will have our heads if we are late. You know how she can get about being punctual." Ethan said as he scooped me in his arms while Eldrich collected my art supplies.

Eldrich froze when he saw my drawing of the ocean palace.

"Wow Laina, you sure are talented. And what's this? Is this a mermaid?" He asked. Ethan looked down at me in his arms.

"So you still have a love for the creatures of the deep, huh?" He asked with a grin.

"And what's wrong with that? Don't you think their might be a small chance that they do really exist?" I asked even though I knew they didn't.

"They do exist," Ethan said and Eldrich and I gave him perplexed looks.

"What? They do exist in Elaina's imagination." He said before he bursted out in laughter.

"Ha-ha. Very funny," I said as I tried to give Ethan my meanest glare ever but this only caused him to laugh further.

"Oh Elaina, you're so cute," he said as he placed a chaste kiss on my temple which I made a great show of rubbing off while pulling a disgusted face. Eldrich laughed at our antics before he collected himself and reminded us that we had to hurry to the dinner hall.

The walk to the dinner hall went by quickly because we laughed most of the way. That was what I loved about my family. They made me feel loved and cherished. They never made me feel like a burden all though I felt like one.

My parents must have heard our laughter a mile away because when we entered the dinning hall they both had smiles adorning their faces.

"Well this sounds jolly, what did you do now?" My father asked.

"Nothing," Eldrich said.

"Oh sure of course. Now are you guys ready for the trip tomorrow?" My mother asked as Ethan helped me into my chair before sitting down next to me.

"I will pack after lunch," I said as I took a small bite from the delicious stew. I wondered if Ida made it and if she did I would have to pass a compliment along to her.

We were all busy finishing our lunch when the doors burst open and a very upset looking Rhixton stepped inside.

"Sire, Elaina is mis-" his words died in his throat when his eyes landed on me. A relieved look crossed his features as his tense shoulders slumped before returning to their rigid form. He must gone to the garden to fetch me only to find me gone. Poor soul. He must've lost track of time while he was visiting his sweet.

"You were saying?" My father inquired.

"Nothing sire, just that I found one of Elaina's pencils and I have come to return it," he said as he strolled over to me and handed me a pencil that must have been left behind by Eldrich.

"Thank you, Sire. Please excuse me," he said before he left the room closing the door behind him.

"Can someone tell me what just happened?" My father asked as my brothers and I burst out in laughter. My poor personal guard almost had a heart attack.

I quickly explained the situation to my parents and they laughed along. My father knew that I was perfectly safe in the hidden garden and he knew how overprotective Rhixton was. He took his job very seriously.

After lunch Ethan took me to my room where Ella and my mother were busy packing my clothes. Ethan placed me on the bed before he went back to his lessons.

I quickly helped to fold some of my clothes. My mother and Ella would show me the clothes and I had to say whether I wanted to take it or not. When we were done my mother and Ella left to get the rest of the things ready for our holiday.