"Things had been quiet these day isn't it?" King Rafael sighed, looking over at his busy wife.
"What do you mean?" Aella asked back, humoring him.
"Well I mean it's been six days after the redhead and the wolf guardian friends of your blew up inventor Alex's wing...what are they planning Love?" He answered, picking up the queen and sitting on her chair before putting her on his lap. When did he even stand up, Aella did not notice. She just learn to let it be since the stubborn king would not listen to her.
"How should I know when I'm trapped here with you? At this point meeting them in my powerless state would probably lead to you discovering our place and their real identity...I'm not dumb" she answered in a blank tone as she continues reading the reports she got.
"Of course not my dear... You're the ten among the threes" He complimented, kissing her cheek fondly earning an eye roll from said queen. It was silent after that as the king decided to do his favourite past time of 'wife-watching' instead of doing his works.
"Threes? What nonsense is he talking about" she mumbled quietly.
"You know I can hear you right kitty?"
"I know"
A knock sounded at the office door half an hour later, the voice of Marquis Symon could be heard from the outside.
"Come in"
The marquis enter as soon as he heard the king's invitation. Going to stand infront of the queen's table, not even phased by the fact that their king had decided to abandoned his own chair. Though his expression is weird for the royal couple as even Aella glanced at him in confusion.
The Marquis's expression currently are filled with a mix of befuddlement, amusement and suspicion. It's like he could not decide whether to laugh, be confused or be suspicious so he just mashed those three expression together.
In other words the couple agreed that he look,
"You look constipated"
Bear in mind ladies and gentlemen...that is spoken by the two royals that is both trying not to laugh at the same time. Well I lied, King Rafael is freely laughing at his long time friend and advisor.
The Marquis' eye twitched at that before he straightened his appearance, coughing twice.
"I'm very sorry for that your majesties"
The king was clutching his wife tightly as he laughed,
"what the hell had made your expression to be that weird?"
Marquis Symon coughed again, this time albeit awkwardly as he face the two humoured royals.
"It's just... A news that I got from the patrol guard... It's a serious news. It's just perplexing"
The way the marquis had said it caught their attention as the king stop laughing and signalled him to continue.
"Well... The patrol guard had sent a disturbing news from last night. Apparently it had spread across the kingdom... Everyone is speaking about it" his expression seem disturbed.
"Don't held us in suspense and get on with it would you?" snapped the king as he reach out to a glass of water that his wife had been trying to reach (how can she reach when a certain king is keeping a tight grip on her).
"Duke Darlington and his wife was found dead last night in their manor" Duke Symon informed at last.
Aella widen her eyes and surprise then sympathy,
"Oh no...last night?"
Marquis Symon nodded at the queen with a sad sigh,
"That's right your majesty...it was a brutal death too, for the Duke at least."
Aella stared at the marquis curiously now as she drank her water.
"They said that the Duchess had a quick death, a slid to the throat while the Duke....well the Duke...." the disturbed look on his face came back again making Aella lean forward a little and gestured for the marquis to continue earning an amused look from the king at his curious wife even though he did felt concern at the news of the nobles death.
"The Duke heart was...pulled out...literally... Out of his chest...and hanged from the ceiling under his body"
Aella looked like she regretted drinking now as her face paled though she does not stop drinking. The king perk his head in interest now.
"Oh! Do they know who killed them?"
The marquis cleared his throat again,
"Well now this is where it gets weird...and confusing. The maid manages to see the killer face before they escape...well not really face, the person was covered by a hood they say. She persisted that the killer of the Darlington...was one of the Guardian.. Guardian Ailorous".
Aella literally spat her water as soon as she heard that, choking. The king immediately dried out the water that she spat and rub her back to comfort his choking wife.
"That can't be isn't it? I mean I know we dubbed the Guardian as criminals but they're not murderers...even the previous Guardians never killed people" he wonders in confusion while helping to calm his choking wife.
"Yes well... It could be someone using her name probably knowing people wouldn't questioned it since they are already dubbed as criminals anyway. Umm....is her majesty okay? Should I call the physician?" Marquis Symon asked them.
"Do-don't worry, just...continue. How...how about the heir Darlington?" Aella spoke as she managed to regain her composure.
Marquis Symon nodded his head,
"The heir is safe...Though despite his grief, it seem that he is the only one in the manor that didn't believe Guardian Ailorous killed his parents. He even yelled and slapped one of the maid for that".
Aella cover her mouth at that. Though it looked like she's shock from upfront, the king could see that she's trying to hide a flattered smile.
"The young heir didn't have any paternal grandparents right?"
The king turned to the marquis at that question.
"Yes...The young heir maternal family should receive the letter by tonight and when they do it may take four days for them to travel from Greenwood to the capital hence why their funeral is done in five days" The marquis answered.
"Then go and retrieve the young heir and have him stay at the guest wing until his maternal grandparents arrived. Make sure he's comfortable and well taken care of, I'll join you to investigate this case later...don't want to make it a serial killer case in the end" the king waves his hand in a 'shoo' motion as he pick up his wife bridal style, walking to the door that conjoined with their room.
The Marquis answered with a 'yes sire' and went out immediately when the royal couple went into their room.
King Rafael put Aella down on a lounge chair, he crouched infront of her and smiled as he pet her head.
"Don't worry my queen... I don't believe you killed the Darlington. I mean it would be impossible as we literally spend who knows how many rounds last night having fun and the fact that I know you would never kill people"
"I'm definitely not worried about your opinion" Aella glared at the king, emphasizing on 'your' with a bitter tone. The mention of what they do last night caused her back and leg to throbbed in a phantom ached (did not even knew it was possible but it did).
The king smirked and boop her nose,
"Now how about you change out of your dress and continue with the reports while I investigate...I'll call Emma to help you"
Giving her a peck on the lips as he stand up, walking out the door.
"Don't worry Ai, I'll clear your name~"
As the king walked out the hallway, he met his sister Shana.
"Sister dearest are you going to hang with my wife?"
"Yes brother. I'm kind of bored" she answered curtly.
"Well she in her room... I was going to call her personal maid to help her change but maybe you want to?"
"Sure... I can play dress up with sister then"
The king chuckled at that,
"Well you'll enjoy that... Your sister has plenty of beautiful dresses, courtesy of me of course"
Shana was going to continue her walk to the couple's room when she remembered something,
"Oh yeah... I've heard about the Dralington death, Reese heard it from the cooks"
"So?"
"So what?"
"Do you believe Guardian Ailorous killed them?"
"Of course not, they're heroes not murderers"
The king hold his sister's shoulder and pat her head, whispering next to her ear in a tone like talking with a six year old child
"There is no heroes in this world sister...only people with different intentions. When are you going to understand that my dear Aurum"
He chuckled and left his frozen and pale sister who was shocked to hear what her brother had just called her.
"Protect my dear wife for me while I'm gone sis" he called out without looking back, going out to the main hall.
Aella was rummaging on her walk-closet when she heard the doors open. A few minutes later, a pale faced Shana came into the closet.
Seeing how pale her sister-in-law looked she immediately went to her and hold out her hand to Shana's forehead to check her temperature.
"Why are you so pale...do you have a fever...? No... Your forehead is normal. Do you feel sick somewhere? Queasy? Dizzy?" fussed the queen.
Shana looked at her concerned sister-in-law and hug her,
"Don't worry sister...I'm not sick. It's just... Brother..."
"What's wrong with him? He look fine when he went out...though I don't mind if something did happen to him" the last words were murmured quietly.
"Me too sis...no it's just... He...knows I'm Aurum" "
"Say what now? Please tell me this is just a jest Nana..."
"As much as I like to jest....no... He really just called me Aurum earlier Ella"
This time it's Aella turns to be pale. The two in-laws walked outside the room and sit on a sofa.
"but-but but how?"
Shana shook her head, still pale,
"I-I don't know... Somehow he knew! I never even use a familiar magic when we fight but he still found out!"
Aella gripped both of Shana's arm and turned her sister to face her,
"Tell me everything that happen earlier"
So Shana told her all about what hapoen in the hallway, right to the very sentences that the king and her had said. After that the two stay silent for two minutes as Aella processed what had just been told.
"Since when do you think he knows?" Aella spoke out after the two minutes is over.
"I'm...not..." Shana's asnwer was cut off as the girls yelp in surprise when a large shimmering bubble appeared infront of them, the size of a wall mirror.
"woah! Easy there you two... It's just us" Kartos voice can be heard before the image of Kratos, Fairy and FireFist appeared in the bubble.
"For fuck sake! Give two girls a warning when you want to do that would you!" Shana cursed out. She quickly stand up and walk around the room,
"Wait before speaking, I'm going to cast some privacy spells"
The three people in the bubble and one queen sat quietly letting Shana cast her spells without disturbance. After the princess had successfully covered the whole room with dozens kind of privacy spells, she went and sat back down with Aella.
"So I'm guessing this is about the widespread news?" Shana casually asked as she cuddled Aella.
Kratos spoke up, "yes it is...we don't know who would use your alter ego to kill someone Ella but you can be assure we will seek justice for you"
He had a gentle reassuring smile on his face directed toward Aella.
"and justice for the Darlington of course...they are good nobles" Fairy added.
"True. I'm thankful that you guys didn't actually believe I would kill a person and wanted to seek justice for me but we also need to seek justice for the Darlington" Aella spoke up.
"Of course we wouldn't believe that Ella! We're your teammates and best friends... We know you better than those people that actually believe the rumours of the killer" Firefist spoke with a strong passion. Aella gave a watery smile at them.
"How about that.... Mean king? He didn't actually believe you killed someone right? Did he hurt you?" Fairy asked worriedly. Aella and Shana chuckled at their friend innocence in not cursing the king with much deserving(in their opinion) name.
"No he didn't believe it either" Aella denies.
"Really? I would thought that he would accuse you of murder the next chance he can...I mean even if you guys are sharing room the possibility of you escaping in the middle of the night didn't come to his mind?" FireFist wondered incredulously.
Aella blushed deep red at that and stuttered,
"W-we-well... It would b-be qu-quite hy-hyp-hyprocritical of him t-to ac-acuse me of that since w-we k-kind of....do s-stuff a-all n-night.....last night"
Her voice become even smaller more further she spoke though the four friend could still hear it nonetheless.
"Oh! I guess it would be hypocritical...what did you guys do last night anyway?" sweet innocent Fairy might as well make Aella combust into flames with how hot her face felt when she heard her friend question while the other groaned.
"Our sweet, lovely, innocent and naive Fairy...you can't possibly be asking that?!" FireFist snapped at the clueless Fairy.
Kratos just looked down, seemingly trying to keep his anger and envy from coming out. Reminding himself that it's not Aella's fault but the king.
"what? I really don't know" Fairy reiterate.
Shana had hid her face on Aella's shoulder, by the shaking of her shoulder everyone can tell that she's trying not to laugh especially when Fairy just look at them all cluelessly.
Aella muttered something about getting pack of ice (possibly for her scarlet face) before saying in a tired and rushed voice,
"Let's just say it's something that married couple do okay Fae..."
Begging her to drop the subject especially infront of Leon Astal.
Fairy 'oohed' but it's clear that she still did not understand. She just did not ask further because FireFist had cover her mouth and beg her to change subject.
"I do hope we can catch the killer soon...not only this person killed a good and honourable noble and his wife...they also use your alter ego to do that. " FireFist sighed.
Kratos look up at them spoke out,
"I heard that king is leading an investigation for that and that the young heir Darlington is brought to the castle?"
Aella nodded in confirmation, "he said he wanted to find the killer before it turns into a serial killer case and since the young heir didn't have a paternal grandparents... We... thought it would be good for the young heir to stay here until his maternal grandparents arrived to the capital"
"and that would take four or five days... That's good then at least the heir would be guarded heavily just in case the killer decided to go after him too" Kratos adds in agreement.
"True, I would probably made a protective amulet later for the heir... We can't always trust guards to be competent" Shana adds in proudly.
Fairy sighed which make them all turn to her,
"Sorry... It's just that poor boy... He's still seven years old yet he already lost his parents"
At her words all of them looked down in sadness, sympathising at the boy's misfortune.
"Maybe I can visit the boy later and comfort him" Aella suggested. The other agreed to it and Shana even offered that they go together so that she can also give the amulet.
Two hours later, the two royals are walking toward the guest wing followed by their personal maid and butler. Emma was holding Persi along as they had heard that the heir loves cat and had four pet cats at his home (currently being taken care by a trusted maid of the Darlington).
When they arrived a seven years old brown haired boy wearing a white vest and short trouser greeted them with a bow.
"Greetings to the kingdom's Queen and Princess. Thank you for allowing me to stay in this grand palace of your Your Majesty, Milady"
the heir greet them, bowing. His face was etched in a small but polite smile but even the two girls can see that he's forcing it. Though they were delighted to see trace of awe and excitement when he saw Persi in Emma's arm.
They sat down on a round table prepared for them earlier with tea and confections served beautifully on the table.
"Please accept our condolences to the young heir's loss...your parents were good people and always will be" Aella started out.
The young heir gave a grateful smile at that,
"Thank you Your Majesty..."
"I have a gift for you Heir Darlington... A protective amulet in the form of a necklace. The string of the necklace is long enough for you to hide in under your shirts" Shana continued. Butler Reese went near the young heir and pull out a box where a beautiful amethyst necklace sat on. A maid that had been chosen to serve the young heir took the necklace and helped the young heir in wearing it.
"Thank you milady...though you shouldn't have burdened yourself to make this for me... It must have took a lot of magic" The young heir responded with a sheepish look.
Shana chuckled at that,
"No worries...we don't want anything happened to you just in case... "
Her unspoken word of "the killer decided to come back" was understood by the people in the room and the young heir give a teary grateful smile her way. The girls managed not to coo at the seven year old cuteness.
"and besides, it doesn't take that much magic but it's still a powerful protective amulet"
"Then Thank you very much milady and Your Majesty and please... Call me Aiden" He said as he wipe his slightly moist eyes. This time the girls did cooed at his cuteness causing Aiden to blush slightly.
"Alright Aiden. Anyway we're here to see if you settle on nicely and please don't hesitate to tell us if you need anything, anything at all and we'll get it for you. Even if it's just emotional support...we'll be here for you" Aella gave him a gentle and warm smile at Aiden.
This is the last straw for Aiden. The queen warm and sincere words is too much for the seven year old as he burst into tears infront of the two royals, he is after all still a young child. The two royals get up and went to his side immediately hugging him close.
"I-I miss them already! I want mama and papa!" he said, his speech turned incomplete and incoherent in the end as he latched onto Aella's waist.
"Let it all out sweetie..." Aella encouraged, rubbing his back in a soothing manner. The boy keep crying as Aella sway back and forth in a rhythm while hugging the boy, Shana look at them with a tearful smile.
"I hate them! Whoever they are... They killed mama papa. The even do it under a guardian's name, I hate them!" the child sobbed.
The people at the room can feel their hearts breaking at the sight and his words. Some maid even discretely crying along, all they can think of was why someone would rob the precious boy off of his parents.
They stayed like that for twelve minutes;
Aella holding the crying seven years old while swaying back and forth, humming a tune. The boy gradually calmed down though he did not let go of his hold on her waist.
Aella spotted a movement in the corner of her eye and saw Persi yawning, this gave her an idea.
"Aiden... You like cats right?"
She asked, taking a handkerchief offered by one of the maid and wipe his wet face with it when he looked up at her at the question.
The boy could only responded with a nod which is actually a rude thing to do in front of a queen but they did not care especially seeing how cute he is.
Emma took this as a cue to step closer to the queen with Persi.
"Well good...I heard you love cats and have several of them in your home, so I thought I could let you borrow my cat Persi to accompany and entertain you while you're staying here for few days" She said. The boy looked at her in wonder as he released his hug, her eyes sparkled when he sees Persi.
"C-can I your majesty? I mean it is your cat... "
"Of course you can! And she's an excellent tracker, if you ever want to hang out with me or princess Shana you can ask Persi to lead you to us... She'll understand you"
Aella took Persi from Emma and handed her to Aiden who took her and held her gently close to him, caresing her thick fur and looking at her in wonder.
"She beautiful" Aiden complimented, enchanted by the ragdoll.
Aella and Shana smiled fondly when they saw how happy he is holding the cat. It looks like bringing Persi along is the right choice.
"Thank you Your Majesty...I will take good care of your cat while she's with me, oh! And thank you again Milady for giving me the amulet" Aiden gave them a toothy smile making the ladies of the room cooed altogether, Aella and Shana even give him a kiss on the cheek at his cuteness making said child blushed.
It was late at night as Aella sat on the vanity chair, combing her hair. She's wearing a light blue sleeveless nightgown,preparing to sleep when the king waltzed into the room making her tensed up.
"My Kitty... How's your day? I heard you visited the Young Heir Darlington? How is he? Setled down nicely? I think I saw Persi with him did you let him play with her? Oh I miss you!" questions after questions was asked making Aella dizzy and caught of guard when the exclamation of missing her came out.
Aella opted to ignore him and went to lay down in the bed instead, preparing to sleep. The king looked like a kicked puppy at that, though he recovered with a sigh.
"I went out all day to clear your alter ego yet am greeted with a silent treatment as soon as I got back...did Nana told you about how I know her alter ego? Is that why you're mad at me?" of course his question is answered by silence.
The king just shrugged and gave up,
"We can talk this later... I believe that the maid already prepare my bath earlier just as I requested, I'll go clean myself first then. Oh! I forgot, you make a good mother my queen"
He then went off to the bathroom where a warm bath was waiting for him with a pair of sleep wear prepared for him on a table not far from the bath pool, leaving Aella to processed his words and blushed at the compliment in the end.
It was ten minutes later when the king came out of the bathroom wearing only a trouser. He quickly went in the bed and pull Aella close to him, who woke up with a yelp though she recovered fast and just close her eyes to go back to sleep.
The king was playing around with her finger silently for two minutes when he spoke,
"You know... I know Aurum is my sister the moment she make her debut as a Guardian. Did she really think I won't recognise her? I grew up with her for Hekate sake!" even though she can't see it, she somehow knew he was rolling his eyes.
"Talk with me wife"
"Goodnight" was the curt response from Aella.
"I would have locked her powers too but when she debuted she's already studying in the academy and she would need her magics there.." Aella heard his sigh before he continued,
"I would also locked it sometimes ago after she came back from academy and probably today but then people would wonder why the princess never use her magic anymore and that is bad for my image too and since I locked yours... Who would protect you when I'm not around"
Another silence greeted him making him shrugged and continue spooning his wife, one of his hand slip into the sleeveless nightgown and cupped her breast. Intending to keep his hands there all night.
"so soft... " murmured the king as he close his eyes and sleep.
It was two days later and the kingdom was in uproar. Four noble family had died including the Darlington, the heir and heiress had been left alive for some reason. The killer was describe as the same person that look like Guardian Ailorous and there seem to be a pattern to the killer, the nobles that had been killed are from the upper circle.
This pattern cause even Aella to panic,
"Who the fucking hell is this killer and why does noone captured them yet?! At this rate my parents could be the next victim!"
That's right ladies and gentlemen, The Roubell family is one of the upper circle nobles and hence Aella is worried that the name stealing killer would possibly target her parents and it did not help that her baby brother (the heir) is still a four year old toddler.
Hence Aella had been pacing back and forth in her shared office while Shana watched her from a sofa.
The door bang open causing Shana to flinched in surprise while Aella gave the person who entered an eyeroll.
"Husband could your entrance be any more dramatic" Aella sarcastically remarked making Shana let out a 'pfft' as she hold in her laughter.
"I love you too my queen now give me your hands please" the king said in a rush, not even waiting for Aella to hold out her hands as he just take them both. He muttered a few incantation and the bracelets glowed before becoming dull. To the girls amazement, King Rafael took off the bracelets off her hands. The feeling of her powers resurfacing back made her shudder in delight barely keeping her tears from leaking out.
"We haven't found the killer but we did take precautions. Every upper circle noble Families have four powerful mages protecting them while the middle circles have two mages just as powerful. Your parents and brother however is currently on her way here. I'm releasing your magic now because I know you wanted to protect your family but just know... I will put this back on when this twisted copycat business is over" he explained to the stunned royal ladies.
"I... Ummm... Thank you, h-husband" Aella stuttered, a little touched that the king would do that so that she can protect her parents though that did not mean that calling him 'husband' become easier.
"Yes well, I wouldn't want you to lose your parents... You being my wife save your parents fate from becoming traitors who keep a criminal in their house" the king grinned, pinching Aella's cheek fondly.
The words only cause her to grew irritated,
"You're lucky I'm focusing on my parent's safety or else you'll be burned to crisp right now"
The king only chuckled in responsed before turning to his sister,
"Feel free to help your sister here Nana... Atleast your magic can be use with something other than ruining my plans"
With those word he walked out the office leaving two frustrated royals.
Aella sighed in defeat before she flex her fingers,
"Leoth"
A ball of light appeared on her right hands causing her to teared up in happiness.
"I miss using magic"
She sniffed.
Shana get up and hug her sister-in-law with an equally teary but happy face.
"Let go and prepare for your family arrival Ella"
The two girls then separated, Aella to her room next door while Shana to hers. She even called Emma on the way to help Aella prepared.
Emma came in to the royals room in three minutes (it was really a good thing she was already on her way)
"Your Majesty, I'm here to help you dress"
"Come in Emm... What do you think I should wear, this light blue set or this navy blue ones?" the queen called out and asked as Emma auickly enters the walk-in closet.
Emma looked at the dresses then at her queen,
"I think the light blue set is perfect for you milady, it enhances your eyes and it also matches with the king's attire"
Emma gave an excited look at the queen, her expression screaming 'please wear this matching outfits' all over it.
Aella cringed at that but accepted it nonetheless, just because she hates the king does not mean the whole kingdom should know. To them, they are a lovable tsundere couple. Emma know she always get mad at the king but she write it as 'Lovers banter' and thought that it was very cute.
After almost half an hour preparing (the corset and pannier really took time to wear), she was finally ready. Her make up was done naturally which suit her beautiful complexion and her hair was tied in a very complex but pretty hairdo (that even the author couldn't describe so just imagine the prettiest yet complex yet also lightest grand hairdo you guys can think of) yet did not make her neck ached especially with the addition of her queen tiara and the fact that she still have some hair freely falling down her back.
After sitting in the vanity chair admiring and complimenting Emma's works, a random guard came into the room and informed her of the Roubell family arrival.
"Great! Are they on the main entrance?"
Aella asked in excitement and relief.
"No Your Majesty, His Majesty had brought them to one of the living room" the guard answered.
They then start their trek to the mentioned living room, Shana joining them halfway.
As soon ad the two royals enter the living room after a butler announced them, the Duke and Duchess Roubell immediately bow (or curtsy) while doing the usual greeting for royalty.
Aella quickly stopped them halfway,
"Don't worry father mother, you guys must be tired from the journey. You guys should just sit down and rest right husband?"
She turned and force a sweet smile at the watching king who nodded at her and went and help the Duke sat down.
"That's right Duke and Duchess... It's only three of us here, so formality is unneeded especially as you two are my in-laws" The king added with a charming smile. (that somehow make Aella have the urge to pummel his face until unrecognizable).
"Now I still have investigation to run, so I have to be off first. Nana can you help me? You guys can enjoy your time, Ella and Emma can guide you guys to your room later when you two are ready to see it. It's in the extra wing near our wing love... Emma will know"
He then bow his head lightly to them, give Aella a small kiss and pull his sister out with him.
As soon as the royal sibling close the door, Aella immediately launched herself to her parents and hug them tight.
"Mum... Dad... I miss you guys"
Tears started to come out of her eyes making the duchess immediately wipe it away with a handkerchief.
"My look at you, you're married now and even held the position queen yet you still cry like a toddler when you see us!" the duchess tease her daughter, her eyes are also teary.
"We miss you two Angel... Honestly the letters we sent back and forth is not enough to quell our longing" the duke said with a relief smile as he pat his daughter cheek. Chuckling when said daughter nudge and rub her cheek on her father hand like a cat.
"I'm sorry I haven't visit... " Aella apologizes with a pout.
The duke and duchess waved of her apology.
"You're merely busy with queenly duty, why should you be sorry? Besides you get to see your father during meetings"
Her mother replied with a giggle.
"Yeah but... That's different and I don't always go to the meetings" her pout stays on causing the duchess to pull it fondly making her whine.
"Ella! Ella!" a childish voice could be heard from a sofa next to them. Aella turned to see her baby brother (who was asleep when she came in) jumping up and down on the sofa with hands outstretched, happy to see his only sister.
Aella grin happily and easily scoop the three years old in her arms, bouncing him up and down.
"Oh my dear Nicki! I miss you my little birdy, do you miss me?"
Nicholas or little Nicki as they call him giggled in delight, hugging his sister's neck immeditely,
"Miss Ella! Why Ella no home?"
His speech is still not as fluent.
"Ella busy my little birdie, are you mad at Ella? can you forgive me?"
Aella form a pout and widen her eyes into a puppy (or cat) eyes.
Little Nicki kissed his sister cheek and say,
"isokay! Ella here! No want away from Ella"
Aella ended up getting teary again and hugged her cute baby brother. The duke and duchess watches the exchange with a fond smile. Nicki then yawned which caught the adults off guard.
"Oh my! Nicki want night night?"
Aella asked.
Nicki rub his eyes and yawned again,
"Night night Ella... "
And hug her again, this time laying his head sleepily on his sister's shoulder.
Aella and her mother cooed at his cute action before she offered,
"Mum, dad, let me bring you to your room... It seem Nicki is still tired from the trip"
"It's look like it... You know Angel, you don't have to guide us if you have lots of works to do" his father spoke while patting his daughter head gently and carefully, making sure it did not ruined her hairdo or knock her tiara off.
"Oh no it's okay... My works consisted of reports anyway which I already finished this morning, I've done check ups of the treasury and storage yesterday along with some reports so my works today was not a lot. So I'm currently free!" she informed them with a cheeky grin.
The parents surrendered and let their daughter lead her to the specific wings the king had prepared for them.
Once at the wings, Emma brought them to Nicki's nursery first which amazed even Aella herself when she entered the room.
The room wall was in a light pastel green colour, the toddler favourite colour while the ceiling seem to be spelled to reflect the sky outside (a/n: imagine hogwarts ceiling) .
The training bed is king sized bed but the height is perfect for Nicki to climb up easily by himself and not hurt himself if he fall off. At one corner, a lot of toys ranging from stuffed toys to carved trains, horses, soldiers and other toys that a boy would like placed there on a large chest and shelves high enough so he can reach it and not get hit by any falling toys with a round grass green fluffy rug placed there and a bookshelf filled with children storybook and a rocking chair.
Another door was there which the family discovered was a door to its own bathroom and a mahogany wardrobe was placed near the bathroom door.
"The king really went all out... It's not like we will stay here forever" the duke sheepishly spoke.
"The king really loves you so much Ella! Look at how he's spoiling Nicki... If Nicki's room is this fully prepared I'm scared to see our room" giggled the duchess.
Aella could only laughed awkwardly in response,
"yes... He really does love me didn't he?"
'Is he trying to make me feel guilty for going against him or something? this bastard' she thought bitterly while
Putting Nicki in his bed after taking off his jacket, leaving his cotton shirt and shorts on. Aella would have change his clothes if it wasn't for the fact that her mother did not allowed her as she will change him later.
"He even have a nickname for you, did you have a nickname for him?" the duchess asked her with a teasing but expectant smile.
Aella panicked inside though she managed to kept her smile,
"Of course! He really love it when I call him husband and...honey! Yeah... He's not really nicknames type of guy like he gave me a lot of nicknames but he didn't really want the same for him. Those two nicknames are enough for him"
Aella's mother cooed at that and hug her daughter fondly again.
Emma then showed them the private living room and game room for them to hang out and drink tea while Aella stayed for a few minute in her brother's room before showing the parents room which is next to Nicki's room and at the end of the wall like a typical master bedroom. The walls was painted in cream coloured while the ceiling is light grey instead of typical white ceiling. Two doors on opposite side of the room showing a bathroom on the left and a walk in closet at the right, the closet was already filled with a few outfits that the duke and duchess had brought from their home and some additional new outfits for the couple gifted by the king (Emma had told them). The walk-in closet was not as big as what Aella have in her shared room.
The bed was in between the doors in the center of the room, a queen sized bed with navy blue comforter and blanket along with white pillows. It was overall an equally grand room (grander than the guest rooms) and make Aella feel touched a little.
"Oh Ella...this room is wonderful, the king really put a lot of effort honestly it looks like he wanted us to move here permanently instead of for a while" the duchess exclaimed gratefully, giggling at the end.
"You can thank him later during dinner, we'll be having dinner together along with the young lord Darlington joining us." Ella said, cuddling to her mother's side like a child.
"Young Lord Darlington? Oh we did heard that he's brought here right? Such a poor child... Losing his parents at such a young age" the duke sighed in sympathy.
Aella gave him a small sad smile,
"Yes... He tried to act compose when we meet and would have succeeded for the entirety of the meeting if we didn't warm up to him and encourage him to let it all out. I know that our family is friends with his and I think you two said something about him calling you aunt and uncle?"
Aella's mother nodded in confirmation,
"Yes...unofficially, you father and I are his godparents... Though I guess since one of the nobles murdered were his official godparents that mean the title and responsibility was transfered to us"
Aella 'oohed' in response. This is the first time she knew about it. She knew they were close but not to what extent.
"Then Aiden is lucky to have you two here. I know I'm lucky"
She gave them another cheeky grin while swinging her mother's arm back and forth like an excited child. This caused the two couple to laugh at their silly daughter's antics when a knock could be heard from the door.
"Come in" Aella invited.
Emma came in with a maid and butler, Aella recognised them as the one that serve Aiden.
"Your Majesty, Lord and Lady Roubell. We are so sorry to bother but the young lord Darlington had been asking for you or the princess, my queen" the butler informed her.
The maid then continues,
"We would have search for the princess as we know you are unavailable but we found out the princess had went out with His Majesty... So we're kind of.... Desperate... "
Her voice grow smaller in the end although the occupants of the room could still hear it.
"Desperate? What's wrong with the young lord that had make you two be this desperate?" Aella asked worriedly. Even the duke and duchess had a worried face at this.
"Well...the young lord Is feeling slightly feverish, the physician said it was probably caused by homesickness and the young lord had been asking for you since earlier. We had told him that you're busy at the moment Your Majesty so his lordship asked for the princess instead but then got informed that she's out with His Majesty.. " the maid informed nervously. Using the correct title for Aiden Darlington as he was officially announced as duke today. Although he would not be doing any Lord work until he's come of age, those work will be done by a regent that the king would appoint. Usually a family member from the paternal family will be chosen like cousins (that had already come of age) or uncles or even uncle-in-law but since the previous lord is an only child and that his father had died earlier than him, the responsibility of choosing a regent had fallen into the king's hand.
"So now he's crying for you instead of just asking Your Majesty" the butler ended the maid's explanation, both servant did not dare to look up from the ground during the whole explanation. Probably scared that she will scold them for not knowing how to take care a young child turn lord.
Aella who had been listening, sighed before turning to her parents
"Mother father I... "
The duke and duchess saw her heavy concern for the young lord and smiled.
The duchess let go of her arms and patted her hand fondly,
"Go ahead Your Majesty, Young Lord Aiden needs you. We will be fine on our own, we're just going to settle down and I do have to change Nicholas's attire to a comfortable one for his nap"
She switched to a formal title as they are other people in the room besides them (and Emma).
Aella sighed in defeat and relief before answering,
"Alright... Do have a good rest Duke and Duchess Roubell, someone will come here later and informed you two of dinner"
Nodding to her parents as appropriate of her title, the duke and duchess replied with a bow and curtsy.
Aella was heading to the door when she stopped,
"Oh I almost forgot...Princess Shana had made powerful protective amulets, she wanted me to give them to you. I had given one to Nicholas earlier and now this two are for you two, please wear it and never take it off"
she handed the necklaces to her parents who took it.
"Please tell our thanks to the princess Your Majesty... we will formally thanked her later after dinner. " the duke thanked her.
"Of course milord",
Aella then head out to the guest wing with Emma and the maid and butler of the Lord Darlington after that.