"Daughter?"
"Yes," the queen replied.
Lorelai frowned in confusion. She turned to look at the twins once more. If the twins are here and this man calls her a daughter, it means that he could either be the queen or not. Lorelai looks at him, contemplating whether or not she's just being delusional right now.
He was a beautiful villain. Emerald eyes that could captivate you, and his hair that resembles brown leaves on the ground. The queen was the perfect definition of nature's true beauty.
Lorelai gasped. She covered her mouth and hurried her way back inside the room. The fact that this man is the queen of this kingdom and the final boss of the story she read made her tremble in fear. As a princess in this kingdom, Lorelai knew that her very existence was just another hindrance for his daughter, the crown princess.
Lorelai kneeled down to the queen. She didn't expect to meet the queen early and in this kind of situation. She's injured and can't fight back.
"I'm sorry, your majesty. I didn't know how I got here," Lorelai begged, her head bowed down to the floor.
Queen Atlanta was surprised. He quickly walked toward her and went down to the floor to stop her.
"Please, stand up."
"Please, you are still recovering from your injuries. Besides, there is no need to be so formal in front of your father," Queen Atlanta added.
Lorelai kept her head down. Confused, she asked, "Father?"
"Yes," the queen replied. His soft voice made her feel at ease.
"Come on, let's get you back to your bed," he said, firmly grasping her shoulders to help her stand up. Queen Atlanta even assisted her up to her bed and tucked her. It somehow reminds Lorelai of her uncle, back in her original world. It feels too strange to be taken care of by an adult. Lorelai couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. It has been a while since anyone took care of her as if she were their child.
While the Queen arranged the pillows to make Lorelai comfortable, she couldn't help but notice her eyes. It was a lot like a child lovingly looking at her father. Despite those mesmerizing, peculiar eyes, they reminded him of his daughter. Now that she's all grown up and has a lot of responsibility to work on, Queen Atlanta could only see his daughter once in a while.
He knew that his decision was quite impulsive, but something about him wants to take these children in his arms and raise them as if they're his children, especially her. She may look tall and healthy, but looking closely, Lorelai is actually in need of full care and attention. She is a royal princess. The blood and flesh of the king of this kingdom. And as the queen, he ought to take care of them. They are still the hope of the kingdom. They hold the future of this kingdom.
"I know you have so many questions, but I need you to go to sleep first. I will let you know everything later, ok?" he said, caressing her soft black hair. Lorelai only nodded in response. Queen Atlanta smiled at her and walked his way to the door.
"Your majesty."
"Yes?" He turned to look at Lorelai.
"Thank you for saving our lives."
"My pleasure."
Your majesty."
"Hmm?"
"I promise, I will not let your loved ones die."
"What?"
Queen Atlanta's POV
I have been thinking about it for quite some time now. The moment I laid my eyes on the twin's sister, Sein Lorelai, I knew there was something about her. It was not because she's another princess, nor was it because she reminded me of my daughter, but because it was actually her eyes that made me stunned. There was no doubt that she was indeed a princess, but I have never seen such peculiar eyes. One is as gold as the sun, and the other, when looking closely at it, is not actually brown but is actually a deep, dark red eye. Those eyes make it seem as if they were trying to captivate me in such a manner that it made me feel like I was being watched by a god or someone so powerful. I have never felt so intimidated in my entire life. Even in my wife's eye, the king of this kingdom has never shaken me but Lorelai. Lorelai she's—
"Your Majesty," a familiar voice called out behind the door. I snapped back into reality. I quickly fixed my posture for a bit.
"Come in," I said.
Duke Carlisle came in and immediately bowed his head down. When he lifted his head, our eyes met, which suddenly brought me back to Lorelai's eyes.
"Your majesty, dinner is served."
"Ah yes."
"Are you alright, your majesty? You seem a bit distracted," Duke Carlisle asked.
I shook my head and smiled. Although this simple gesture won't really convince my best friend that I'm fine, Duke Carlisle's eyes slowly began to analyze me from head to toe. Lucky for him, I recognized him as my best friend, or else he'd instantly be in prison for looking at me like that.
I laughed at him. His face looks like a granny squinting his eyes out to see.
"Ok. Ok. Relax."
"Is it about the children?" he asked. His voice was full of concern.
I nodded. I got up from my seat and walked closer to him. Grabbing both of his shoulders, I can relatively see our height difference. It made me laugh again, which made him frown in confusion.
"Are you seriously making fun of me right now?"
"No," I said, laughing right in front of him. I swear I thanked the gods that I am the queen, or else I'll be dead in no time.
"I just didn't get enough sleep, ok?!"
"Yes. Yes, you are," I said, wiping my tears from laughing. Before he burst out in anger, I stopped myself from laughing. I tapped his shoulder and smiled.
"Let's go."
Carlisle let out a deep sigh. He only nodded and went ahead of me to open the door.
"After you, your majesty."
"Thanks, Carlisle."
Sein Lorelai Arch Angelus.
Felix Harrison Arch Angelus.
Felipe Hansel Arch Angelus.
These were the names of my new children. For some reason, it made me feel excited. It's probably my paternal instinct. My daughter, Cyra. I didn't really get to fully take care of her because the moment she was born, Cyra was already taken care of as the heir. Although I still tried my best to raise her, it has been years since I last remembered. It somehow made me feel a bit nervous about raising three children.
One is already past the coming of age, and the other two are in a stubborn stage, I must say. It looks like I have to go back to zero when it comes to being a parent and raising children.
"Felix! Stop. You can have more later."
"Felipe, your clothes are a mess. Put that bread away first."
I don't think I'll be able to raise them on my own. I need to hire the twins an etiquette teacher as soon as possible. Looking at Lorelai, who is still injured, she still insisted on taking care of the twins food. She obviously can't handle it.
"Lorelai, are these two usually like this?" I asked as I tried to grab the bowl of soup. Unfortunately for me and my bowl of soup, we both did not survive the twins stubbornness.
"Ah! I'm sorry, your majesty," Lorelai said, immediately stopping the twins from fighting to get the food. Luckily, my clothes were not stained, only the tablecloth. In my entire life, I have never been in a messy diner. Even Carlisle was concerned about my state right now and quickly checked out on me.
"Ahm. Actually, your majesty, it's usually Archer who is in charge of the twins food, so I didn't expect for them to behave so badly. I deeply apologize."
"I see, then I'll have no choice but to call Archer."
"No!" one of the twins shouted. When we looked at them, it was Felipe who kept saying it and shaking his head in disagreement.
"What do you mean, no?" I asked.
"Archer is scary when he gets mad. He rawrs!"
"Pfft!"
"I'm sorry, your majesty." Lorelai gulped, covering her mouth in embarrassment. Even Carlisle, beside me, cleared his throat to stop himself from laughing. I shook my head in disbelief.
"Then, if you don't want Archer to get mad at you, behave yourselves or would like me to not let you have a dessert. I heard its chocolate fondue."
"Chocolate!?" Felix asked in excitement. Like an older brother, Felix quickly helped his twin brother and even fixed his clothes. He also let his twin brother eat the food they had been fighting over a while ago.
"Good. Now, let's eat in peace. Shall we?"
They nodded silently and ate their food. Carlisle and the other servants with us even went to help the two eat their food properly. I notice Lorelai sighing in relief. She must have been tired of taking care of these two mischievous twins.
When the two were finished eating, I ordered the servants to let them eat the dessert in a separate room and play with them at the same time. Lorelai was quick to catch. She remained in her seat quite quietly. I turned to look at Carlisle and gestured for him to hand me the paper.
"So, there are a few things I know you want to ask. But with these papers in my hand, all your questions will be answered," I stated, and I gave her the papers.
"Wait—
"Signed and hereby accepted by the King."
"You can read?" I hesitated.
"Yes, my father taught me."
I forgot for a second that Lorelai could possibly be unable to read, but instead I was surprised to see her read the paper casually.
"That's great," I said awkwardly.
"Your Majesty, may I ask a question?"
"Yes, of course. Go ahead and ask."
"Why would you adopt us?"
"What I mean is, it'll be great if it's just the twins, but I don't think it's a good idea to adopt another princess," Lorelai explained, focusing on the papers in her lap.
It's true that adopting another princess would cause an uproar in the entire kingdom, but I don't think it's a bad idea. I leaned closer and relaxed my elbows against the table.
"Simple, because I want you to be children, and don't ever think that it's not a good idea to adopt you. Lorelai, you're just a child. You need a guardian, and I'm willing to do so," I said and smiled at her. My words made Lorelai ease the tension in our conversation.
"But reading the paper more, you will see that only the twins were fully accepted to be in my care, and you are still pending." I mentioned and pointed out the papers.
Lorelai was surprised to find out and immediately checked the paper.
"I don't understand," she said.
"There's no need to worry. It's just one simple question that requires evidence. As a child of the queen, one must own a sword. The twins were confirmed to have their own sword from the Holy Knight's Cradle," I explained as I rose from my seat.
"The swords that you used were the twins. How about yours? Where are yours?" I asked. It's pretty much expected of the children of the king to obtain their own weaponry when they reach their hundred days.
"I don't have."
My head automatically turned to look at Lorelai. Even Duke Carlisle was surprised to hear her answer. I was shocked for a moment. How in the world did a princess like her not obtain any weapons? Lorelai is a princess. She's supposed to obtain a weapon in her hundred days. It's a tradition for all the king's children, and it's very much necessary for their future.