As noon approached, the first signs of my brothers' arrival began to ripple through the castle. Horns blared in the distance, growing louder with each passing minute. Banners bearing their kingdom's crests snapped in the wind.
One by one, they arrived. First, it was Ace, the eldest, ruler of the Solar Kingdom, radiating power and contained energy. He brought with him a box filled with shimmering stardust, said to have healing properties. Next, Jacob, the second oldest, arrived, holding domain over the Mystic Kingdom. He conjured a gift from thin air. A rare orchid that bloomed with moonlight. Then, the twins, James and Mason. James was the most flamboyant, his laughter echoing through the courtyard as he gifted a cage filled with elaborately feathered birds, representing their Wing Kingdom. Mason, as always, was stoic and reserved, offering a geode pulsating with elemental energy from the Element Kingdom.
Each brother performed the elaborate bowing ritual, a requirement within our family when entering another royal castle. I reciprocated each bow, a mask of serene composure firmly in place. The staff followed suit, their movements precise and practiced.
I had even taught Athenia the routines and ropes of a royal court. She had proved remarkably adept at memorizing the intricate protocols. Her intelligence shone through, a beacon in the shadows she carried.
As we gathered around the massive mahogany table in the dining hall, the atmosphere shifted. It was subtly. Each brother carefully watched Athenia. I led her through the motions of the formal greeting, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it.
The silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable, like a shroud. Forks scraped against plates, the only sound until Ace, never one to mince words, finally broke the ice.
"Isabella," he said, his voice low and measured. "Who is this child?"
Every eye in the room, including Athenia's, turned to me. This was the question I had been dreading. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.
"Athenia," I said softly, forcing a smile. "Would you like to go to your room? Elara has a new story she wants to read to you."
Athenia, bless her, seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. She nodded obediently and slipped from her chair. Her eyes lingered on me for a moment, a silent question in their depths, before she turned and quietly left the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, the tension in the room exploded.
"Isabella, what is going on?" Jacob demanded, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a sharp edge.
I took a deep breath and began to explain, carefully choosing my words. I spoke of rescuing Athenia, omitting the details of Torrance. I just said I found her abandoned. The room was silent, each of my brothers absorbing the information with varying degrees of shock and disbelief.
James was the first to react, his playful nature temporarily subdued. "You… you're raising a child? Alone? Isabella, that's insane!"
Mason, ever the pragmatist, cut him off. "Isabella, you didn't consult any of us? This could have political ramifications. Who are her parents? What kingdom does she belong to?"
Ace, however, was focused on something else entirely. "Isabella," he said, his voice laced with a dangerous undertone. "Are you safe? Was this child taken from her parents? Is someone looking for her? Have you considered the dangers you've brought into this castle?"
Their reactions were a mixture of shock, confusion, and, predictably, overprotectiveness. This was a disaster.
"I am perfectly safe," I said firmly, trying to regain control of the situation. "Athenia is safe. I have taken every precaution. No one is looking for her."
"And the father?" Jacob pressed, his gaze intense. "There must be a father. Or a mother. Isabella, you can't just take a child without knowing anything about her lineage."
My silence spoke volumes.
"You don't know who her parents are, do you?" Mason said, his voice flat.
I shook my head, unable to meet their gazes. The weight of their collective disapproval was crushing.
The interrogation continued for hours. They delved into every minute detail, demanding answers I didn't have, questioning my judgment. They were worried, I knew, but their overbearing concern felt suffocating.
Finally, exhausted and frustrated, I stood up abruptly, pushing my chair back with a loud scrape against the floor.
"Enough!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing through the silent dining hall. "I am the Queen of Northern Glades. I am capable of making my own decisions. I am capable of protecting myself and Athenia. I appreciate your concern, but I do not need your interference."
I turned and stormed out of the room, leaving my brothers in stunned silence. I needed air. I needed to escape the suffocating weight of their expectations.
I walked to the gardens, the cool night air a welcome relief against my flushed face. The moon hung high in the sky. I was alone, truly alone, despite the presence of my family.
What had I done? Had I made a mistake by bringing Athenia into my life? Had I exposed her to dangers I couldn't even imagine? Had I jeopardized my kingdom?
I didn't know. All I knew was that I couldn't abandon her. Not now. Not ever.