It was late at night. Neil has successfully finished all his homeworks for the day and sleep proudly, hoping to get back to where he left off in his 'dream'.
But universe hate him sometimes. Instead of going back to Arkivia, he drift to sleep and dream about failing all his classes. What a dream..
So here he is, looking like a zombie at his class. Clara, a classmate of his, sit on top of his table. " I will never thought I'll say this, but I'll say it. I have never thought that a zombie with red hair would look fancy." say the girl.
Clara said her mom give the name as such with hope she'll grow to be a cute feminine girl. Her mom were wrong obviously. The girl decides she'll be a girl that scream 'don't mess with me or you'll die' vibe.
She's a nice girl tho...
Neil sighed. "was that a compliment or a hint that I look worser than financially troubled people?" Clara raise her eyebrow. "So there IS something wrong." the honey-brown eyed boy stared at her, puzzled. "Honey, you don't use big words like 'financially troubled' on your daily basis. you only use it when something happen." she cleared.
"you mean, me saying not-so-general words are weird?" Neil asked. The girl sigh dramatically. "No. you're dumb. that's what I'm saying." any people would get mad at that,but Neil knows Clara.
"I'm not dumb! YOU are just way too smart! Jeez.." He complained. No matter how messed up Clara looks, she's actually smart enough to actually skip 2 grades. But obviously she won't.
Clara rolled her eyes. "Nobody," She speak, flipping her finger on Neil's shoulder, leaving on a bit trace of sting. "is WAY too smart. You gotta work for it,man." Neil sighed.
If only she knows how he did worked his ass off for all the subjects. And how all the hard work pays off but the world decide that his brain shall stay at Arkivia.
"yeah yeah.. whatever". Neil however,decide he should settled on a completely different answer. Not like anybody will believe him.
"Anyway....." He trailed off. Clara would surely kick his ass for this. "would you mind do a favor for me?" she raised her eyebrow. "shoot." Neil gulped. "Can I borrow your room like.. for today?"
"....what....?"
" Can I stay over for the day???" don't get him wrong, he don't have feelings for the girl. it's just that Clara's room is very comfy and her bed could make Neil fell asleep at anytime.
He really want that sleep.
SMACK!!
Neil hold his head, which just got smacked by a book. "Are you crazy or are you high?" he sighed. "None. please.. I need to rest and you know how your bed is literally a magical object that could drift people to sleep."
Seeing how Neil really need her help, Clara huffed. "Fine. But you Ain't doing anything suspicious." he raised both his arm semi mid air.
"Yes, Madam."
- Arkivia Kingdom -
"Papa! look, I made a flower crown" Amelia said happily. Eric, who just finished off a meeting turn to his left.
Just in time to catch his running princess.
"Amelia, you could have fall!" Eric said, not really mad. He pick Amelia up and hold her in his arm. "I made flower crown!!" the three years old girl repeat herself, presenting the crown.
Eric smiled. Knowing what Amelia wants, He lift the girl a little higher and she put the crown on his head. the flowers is blue and faint red coloured so it stand out on his blonde hair.
Some people probably snicker at his intimate moment with his princess but he don't care. it's his daughter, and he's not letting go of any chances to be with his princess. Eric's busy enough as a King, he's not going to waste more time away just because some people look down on him being a loving father.
"do you like it?" Amelia asked, eyes shining brightly. a warm smile crept on his face as he nod. "Of course, darling. you made a good job." The waist-length haired girl squeal happily.
Eric smile. His eyes then fell upon the red bracelet Amelia wore and immediately remember something. "Honey, do you like Uncle Neil?" He asked, hoping for a positive answer.
Amelia nod vigorously. 'well that's-' Eric about to sigh in relief until he hear something else from Amelia. "Uncle Neil is so handsome and cool! I wanna marry him when I grow up!"
'TOO POSITIVE!!!'
a bead of sweat started to form. 'M-marry?' he thought, worried. "Father? Are you okay?" the little genius ask, genuinely. Amelia is a genius, despite being a three year old child, thanks to his and Sophie's genes.
"Ah! yes, I'm fine!" he immediately replied. Amelia pout a little, not believing it at all. "hmmph! okayy!" Eric sighed. 'well, at least we knows that Amelia don't hate him. so there'll be no problem with him taking care of Amelia.'
The king put his daughter down, and Amelia immediately start running, excited to make more flower crowns. Eric doesn't bother chasing her, he knows where she'll end up at. beside, all the Knights and maids could keep an eye on the little kid for a while for him.
'She don't hates him...That's good.' One over a thousand burden have left his shoulders, lightening up the weight of responsibilities.
"One step at a time, Eric. One step at a time.."