The next morning, Zeph woke to the sound of laughter and muffled voices, his once peaceful slumber abruptly interrupted. He blinked his eyes open, adjusting to the dim light of the nursery, only to find his grandfather, King Fenwise Mongrel, and his uncle Edward Mongrel hovering over him like two excited children with a new toy.
The old king's deep, booming laugh echoed through the room, while Edward's gentler chuckles accompanied him. They were both taking turns holding him, their hands slightly awkward, clearly more used to handling swords and shields than babies.
"Let me hold him, Father!" Edward's voice came out in an exaggerated whisper, though there was no need for stealth. They were far from subtle in their excitement.
"Bah! You held him long enough, Edward!" King Fenwise grumbled, adjusting Zeph in his arms. "It's the second time I am seeing my grandson. Let an old man have his time!"
Zeph felt his body shift again, this time into his grandfather's massive arms. The motion made his already tired mind spin.
He could feel the roughness of King Fenwise's fur cloak brushing against his cheek, and while he didn't mind the warmth, the constant back-and-forth was jarring. He made a tiny grunt of discomfort, trying to settle into a more comfortable position, but it was to no avail.
Selena stood nearby, watching the scene with a bemused smile. "Father, Edward, you're going to make him cry."
"Bah, he'll be fine," King Fenwise dismissed with a grin, his wolfish smile revealing his sharp teeth. "A little rough and tumble will make him stronger."
Zeph, however, was not amused. The bouncing, the passing, the loud laughter—it was all too much. His brows furrowed as his body tensed, his frustration building. He let out a soft whimper, hoping they would notice, but they didn't.
Edward grabbed him from Fenwise once more, holding him high in the air, laughing at Zeph's confused expression. "Look at him, Father! He's going to be a fine prince! Strong like his mother, no doubt."
But Zeph had had enough. His tiny face scrunched up, and before he could stop himself, he let out a loud wail, his little hands balling into fists as tears spilled down his cheeks.
"Ah, see? You've upset him!" Selena gently chided, stepping forward to take her son from Edward's arms.
Edward's face paled slightly, as if he hadn't realized he was capable of upsetting such a small child. "I didn't mean to…"
King Fenwise chuckled, though there was a slight edge of guilt in his tone. "Ah, seems we've overdone it, Edward. Perhaps it's time we leave him be."
Selena handed Zeph over to Elara, who had been standing by, ready to whisk the prince away to calmer surroundings. Zeph immediately quieted in Elara's arms, snuggling into her familiar warmth. Elara hummed softly as she gently rocked him, a motherly comfort that soothed his frayed nerves.
"Come along, Father, Edward," Selena said, her voice warm but firm. "Let's give Zeph some peace. We can catch up over tea."
The two men reluctantly followed Selena out of the room, casting one last glance at Zeph, who was now half-asleep in Elara's arms. Zeph watched them leave, feeling relieved that the whirlwind of chaos had finally subsided.
Yet even in his tired state, he couldn't shake the sense that this morning's events, though lighthearted, had shown him something important: everyone wanted something from him, even if it was just a moment of joy.
In the tea room, Selena, Fenwise, and Edward settled into the plush chairs that surrounded a low table, the fragrant aroma of fresh tea filling the air. Selena poured tea into delicate porcelain cups, the silence between them comfortable yet full of unspoken thoughts.
King Fenwise was the first to break the silence, his gruff voice filled with affection. "Selena, how have you been? You've always been a strong woman, but this palace… It's a different kind of battlefield."
Selena smiled softly, a trace of weariness in her eyes. "It's been a challenge, Father, but I've been managing. The court is full of power plays, as you would expect. But it's not the court that troubles me most."
Edward, who had been quietly sipping his tea, raised an eyebrow. "Then what does?"