There is a practice in Maezawa family that every once in a week the family have a gathering before they begin for the evening meal. There was also a tradition that children are to be given home study until they attend the age of 15. They were allowed to attend in elite academies only then.
"Ame Chan do you enjoy living here?" asked father politely.
"Yes papa. I love everyone here! I love brother Aito, brother Sora, brother Haru and brother Daichi!" I counted them in my little fingers as I name them one by one like a child.
He smiles satisfying, "Glad to hear this from you. "
"And, and, they loves me too! hehe..." I smiled innocently at them awaiting for the same respond. But they made no comment rather turned silent for a moment, "Did I say something wrong? You don't love me like I do?" I frowned a little.
The eldest brother clears his voice before he make a bold statement, "Of course not little sister. You are very precious to us. Indeed we love you more than you see."
"Precious?" My mind rushed excitedly. I turn my head towards mother, "Mama, mama, didn't you said diamonds are the most precious?"
"Yes honey..."
"So am I precious like diamond?"
The second one added, "You worth beyond, sister. No precious stone can describe how much we love you. Because you are our beloved little sister." As if the room was lighted up with his smile I felt wonderfully warm and remembered the happy memories I spent with my original dad and she by his side. I looked at them in amazed and admiration. Words sweeter than any sugar-honey.
"If you are done with your talkings can I say something loves?" Father announced. "How about we throw a Christmas party tomorrow?It's going to be a splendid one. How does it sound?"
"We never had a Christmas party before..." Mutters the eldest one beneath his breath but quickly change his tone when he become aware of the stares and surprised faces. Specially coming from me, "I- mean.. it will be another business deal." Added he. He was someone who was most interested in work matters or business related. As expected of the first Heir.
"Ame Chan loves Christmas papa! Would Santa visit me?"
"Yes, honey only if you are obedient." Mother quickly replies on his behalf and eyed him to play along with her, "Because remember what do I used to tell you?"
"Santa Claus loves good children?" I giggle. "Iam going to hang my stockings near the window tonight, so that Santa would notice me."
"Mm do as you wish honey." It was a mother's way of disciplining her child. Tales of folk stories and beliefs in Magic realms was to make the child fall in love with the universe as though it exist for her.
"And. I have forgotten to mention one thing..." He pick the glass of wine beside him. "The Minamoto family will also be invited so, AmeChan..." Father interrupts my meal before I take a bite, "You are going to play an important role tomorrow."
"Why is it important? And who are they father?"
He turns serious, "Our ancestors had a long history with them. They are the most loyal and trustworthy allies of the royal family. They have never turn their backs on us." He looks back at me, "I can only tell you this for now."
After he said his speech we had our meals.
"Ame Chan it's time for your bed." Reminded mother.
"But Mama I don't wanna go to bed now because I love talking to everyone!"
"Children must not stay up all night besides we will have to attend lots of guests tomorrow so it is going to be tiring. You need a good rest. "
"Papa, why don't you tell mama! I dont-!" Quickly gets up from the seat and escapes beside father.
He smiles helplessly, "Princess I think your mama is right..."
"But..." I mutter. Guess he can't help me out this time.
"What if I recite your favourite fairy tale? Would you listen now?" I know she was tempting me but I couldn't deny because she knows how much I loved listening to her endless stories.
"The Cinderella one?" I pout in defeat and the brothers stares me in awe. Their looks says it all to how naive and babyish I was. But I didn't mind at all.
"Mhm." She nods.
"Fine then ...." Still pouting but lightly this time.
She smiles, "Good girl. Now let's go?" She carries me on her back to my bedroom and laid me down then covers me with a blanket.
I listened to her stories as she began to narrate them one by one and giggled in between, "Mama you smell so warm and good..." I mumbled beneath my breath and quickly falls asleep.