Nectar heaved a sigh of relief as she got to the other side of the hall, it was less filled and darker than the rest of the room, " You seem to be having fun ".
Nectar jumped as she slapped Liam's chest, " You nearly gave me a heart attack ". Liam laughed, " Now we're even. Though strange, you can cook and dance. The kids won't believe it ". Nectar felt like she was going to pop a vein " Glad to see you're enjoying my misery ".
Liam pouted slightly, " My little Qidu is tired? Wants to go back to bed ". Nectar nodded furiously, " Please, Can I? I feel I have to get put of here before I really make a fool of myself ".
Liam frowned, " No, you will walk around and pretend you care about any of this like everyone else ". Nectar sighed, taking a seat " You can't make me, I'd rather watch. Now skat ". Liam laughed and bowed, " On my empress's command ".
Nectar rubbed her temples as she leaned back into the shadows watching people [ The last one wasn't so bothersome. I just got stripped and chased out in a torn dress ] She collapsed her head on the table mumbling curse words " Will this night ever end "?
Nectar moped a little more when she saw a slight blue glow coming from her coat, " Oh! the kids ". Nectar quickly removed it and placed it on the table " I completely forgot ". She heard Mario's sarcastic voice " Yeah, we noticed ".
Nectar gasped, suddenly picking it up " How long have you guys been listening in "? The mana stone glowed and the dots changed to different colors like the ones she'd given them earlier.
She heard June's lazy voice, " For a while ". Nectar nodded, " Since when exactly "? Nichole's bored voice spoke up " Something about twin generals. You should get back in there Sister Qidu. You're very entertaining ".
Nectar laughed putting it back on the table [ Amazing, it glows brighter depending on whose speaking. Prettiest voice call ever ] " I've heard that a lot. I try ". She heard Nathaniel yawn and laugh, " I liked when you fought over the last cupcake. I respect that ".
Nectar laughed, " Aren't you guys sleepy yet "? August yawned, " We were laughing ourselves to sleep before ". Nectar used her chin to support her face, " I'm a little jealous...I miss my bed ".
Mario laughed, she could hear the ruffling of sheets, " So soft and fluffy ". Then Jewlica giggled, " And super duper warm ". Nectar groaned, letting her forehead collapse on the table again , " You're all as terrible as Liam ". The six laughed only making Nectar miss her bed more.
She felt something tug on her coat and looked down and saw Archie. He looked a little scared and out of breath and constantly looking over his shoulder " Can you help me Your majesty ".
Nectar frowned, trying to look for who he was running from " What's wrong "? He pulled her dress harder, " The bad people are coming, please help me ". Nectar sighed as she suddenly picked him up and placed him in her lap, using the coat to cover him entirely.
She used her other hand to pick a glass cup like she was drinking it [ I look so natural...I should have taken up acting ] The boy was still shaking and she heard whispering. She saw two men dressed in Lishflourian amour but they had shadows.
[ That's strange ] The Shorlif family had been rulers of this empire from the very beginning and they were one of the very few who could become shadowers. Though human guards were common, they had no shadows.
Their shadows were like puppets being controlled by the emperor himself. Not many people knew it but she accidentally found out when she was in Eros' study to surprise him after he had quelled the rebellion.
Whispering softly, she swayed " You should calm down little prince. Just give me a hug, make sure I won't abandon you ". The boy looked up at her with pleading eyes as he hugged her tighter.
Nectar felt her brow twitch as his face rubbed against on bosom [ Not that deep ] " Is everything alright Sister Qidu "? It was June's cute concerned voice. Nectar laughed, rubbing Archie's soft hair " It's alright now, I even have a little friend with me now ".
Archie turned slightly, looking at the glowing rock with his moist eyes " What is that "? Nectar only laughed, " Prince Archie says high ". She could already here the frown in Nicole's voice " Who's that supposed to be "?
Mario sneered " You forgot already. You're memory's getting worse ". Nathaniel came on, slightly yelling " You can't say that about my sister ". Nichole giggled triumphantly, " Thank you big bro ". Nathaniel only sighed " But he's not wrong Nicky ".
Nichole groaned in frustration as they all heard ruffling then the door open and closing. Then they heard a crash [ She really enjoys beating her brother up ] Stomping back to her room, she seemed happy again " I feel a lot better now. But seriously, what's a prince Archie "?
Archie puffed his cheeks, touching the stone " I am not a what, I'm the crown prince of Verflogs, Archibald Vogs. You will speak to me with respect ". It was silent for a few seconds and the kids suddenly started laughing. Nichole could barely breath, " Awwn....aren't you just adorable ".
Mario laughed as well, " A joker too, treat me with respect he says ". Archie reddened as he clenched the inside of Nectar's coat. Nectar sighed as she stroked his back, " Enough, apologize to the lil prince, you're about to make him cry ".
They all kept quiet and Nectar furrowed her brows, " I know you're there, apologize ". Reluctantly, they apologized. Nectar laughed softly, whispering in his ear " Aren't you going to apologize "?
Archie shook his head, " Of course not ". Nectar patted his nose, " That's not very nice. Don't you want some friends "? Archie looked confused, " Friend, what's that "? Nectar was equally surprised but Jewlica suddenly jumped in, " That's what we'll be if you apologize ".
Archie seemed doubtful and looked up at Nectar for reassurance who nodded " I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell ". Nectar laughed, placing the stone back in her coat as she let Archie straddle her underneath " Let's go find you're parents. They must be worried sick ".
Nicole protested, " No no, Do something interesting and let us laugh ourselves to sleep Sister Qidu ". Nectar laughed, holding Archie more securely as she covered him with the coat " How about I tell you a story instead. How's that sound "?
They all mumbled their agreement with her idea and Nectar began walking, " Have you ever heard of the tale of the girl with glass slippers "? [ Bless Disney, I'm so sorry for stealing you're story ]