(Valerie's POV)
I unintentionally let out a sigh as I stared out the window. I was missing Arthur and Jake already. I know Alex and Ami were here with me, but I love it more when everybody is here and laughing together. I wanted to show Alex how much the family is complete with him. I heard a little knock on the window. I looked up to see one of the branches from the tree was hitting the window. I need to tell the gardener about that later. I looked down at the dishes that needed to be washed then looked back at Helga, our maid. She was making dinner. I looked back out the window to see the tree knocking at the window again. I opened the window a bit to let fresh air in.
I heard some chirping, so I carefully looked at the tree to see what bird it was. It wasn't one bird but two. They had a nest made of sticks and mud. The branch was very low to make a nest of, though. I didn't have even get a ladder to see the nest from outside. I watched as one of the birds was standing on the branch while the other was sitting on the nest. I'm guessing that is the mama bird. Her eyes were closed, but woke up and got off the nest the next second. There was three little head peeking out of the nest. Their beaks were opening and closing as they chirped. It kind of reminded me of my little ones. The mama bird flew off and came back with two worms in her beak. The papa bird came over and took one of the worms, and they started feeding the chicks together.
"Why are you smiling, milady?" She snapped me out of my trance. I turned to her and watched her as she gave me a curious glance, then out the window. Her face brightened as she saw the nest. "Were you watching the nest?"
"Yes. How long have they been there?" I have never seen it before.
"The nest has always been there. The eggs hatched yesterday around the afternoon." Oh, so the time Ari hatched out of her egg.
"That's wonderful news." I gave her a soft smile.
"Indeed, milady." In return, she smiled back and went back to work. I looked back at the nest again. I guess I was a little bit jealous of how they were still together. It gave me a sudden urge to go to Alex and Ami. It was almost night time too.
"Helga, can you do the rest of the chores? I want some time with my children."
"I don't mind one bit besides you are the lady of the house. You shouldn't even be doing chores."
"I know, but you know how it relaxes my mind." I smiled as Helga let out a disappointed sigh. I went off to see my sweet and lovely children. I might not have another chance to dote on them like this another time. I want to even give a good-night kiss to Alex, but I hesitated whether he would like it or not, but I was definitely going to do it tonight. I rushed towards the living to see my babies playing together. I only saw Ami playing with her blocks when I went to the living room. I went inside silently and sat right next to her. She squealed and smiled brightly as soon as she saw me.
"Mommy!" She jumped on me and gave me her tightest hug.
"I love you too, sweetheart." I kissed her forehead. I scanned the room once more to see if Alex was still here. "Ami, where is big brother Alex?"
"Big Bwutha?" Ami put her index finger on her chin and started thinking. I swear I wanted to take a picture of her or something. She was too adorable. "Big bwutha sayd he wantd to twain."
"Then do you want to go look for him?" Ami nodded her head fiercely with a smile. I took her hands off of me so I could stand up. I stood up and reached out my hand towards her for her to take, but she shook her head. She put her two arms up towards me and started jumping. She wanted me to pick her up. I closed my eyes and gave in to the temptation. I picked her up and placed her on my hips. She was a little on the heavy side, but it was nothing I could manage. She hugged me around the neck and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek with a smile.
I walked out through the back door and headed out to the training ground, but I came across the tree with the nest. I might as well show the nest of baby birds to Ami. I walked up to the nest to see the mama bird and papa bird wasn't there right now. It was a perfect time.
"Ami, do you want to see baby birds?" Ami's face brightened up.
"Ami want to see baby buwds." I adjusted her so she was as tall as me. We both looked into the nest, only to be terrified. All the chicks were inside, but one of the chicks was dead with blood all over it. It looked like the middle one, so the youngest and the oldest one was still alive. They were all alive just ten minutes ago. I felt this bad feeling come over me. I didn't know what it was, but it didn't feel good. Ami started crying, so I went towards the training ground. I hushed her down and finally calmed her down. I couldn't shake off the bad feeling. We shouldn't have gone over there.
I saw a couple of soldiers training there. I went over and they immediately stopped training. I didn't really want to bother them. I forced a smile at them.
"Have you seen Alex?" Everyone shook their head. My smile turned into a frown. The ominous feeling got even worse. I don't know what was coming over me. I felt a little bit faint. "Can you guys find Alex for me?" The soldier all looked at each other with confusion on their faces. "Please."
"Yes, milady." I was happy when the captain replied and started ordering the soldiers around to different sections of the mansion. I went back inside to the living room and set down Ami near the blocks. I sat down in a chair, right next to her. I put my hands on my face and slid it down until my eyes were exposed. I closed my eyes, only to see that dead chick. I opened my eyes quickly. I reminded myself that everything was fine.
"Helga!" She appeared quite quick. She bowed down as soon as she entered. "Take care of Ami."
I have been on that chair forever. It turned dark real quick. The captain came into the room with a couple. I stood up ready to hear some good news of finding Alex, but he shook his head with his head down.
"What do you mean?"
"I am sorry, milady. We looked everywhere, including the dungeons, the secret tunnels, and the city. We couldn't find him." I walked towards him and grabbed his collar. Tears were already going down my cheeks. I was angry and scared. I only had Alex for a day. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing. My whole body was shaking and my head was spinning. I grabbed my arms and bite my lip, trying to hold myself together and keep myself away. It didn't help one bit since I blacked out.
The last thing I heard was Ami crying out 'Mommy'.