"Your Highness!" Idris bowed the mont he spotted Casaio standing beside the car. Then, breaking formality, he rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
Casaio chuckled softly and patted the boy’s head. "Easy there," he said as Idris stepped back, grinning.
"Why did you suddenly ask for a day’s leave for ?" Idris asked, curiosity lighting up his eyes.
"Get in the car first," Casaio replied, opening the passenger door for him. He took Idris’s backpack, placing it neatly on the back seat before moving behind the wheel.
"Ready?" he asked, glancing sideways.
"Yes!" Idris answered eagerly, his excitent barely contained.
As the car joined the highway, Casaio finally spoke again. "I heard you’re going to be the class president for the next three months."
Idris nodded proudly. "Yes. But... many think I got it easily because of my ties to the royal family." His tone turned determined. "So, I’ve decided to prove them wrong, to show I can be a real leader on my own."
"Of course, you’ve endured hardships since the day you were born and still managed to stand on your own," Casaio said with pride. "I believe in you."
But as he glanced at the boy beside him with a worried gaze. ’Tomorrow, when the truth about him cos out... how will Idris handle the backlash?’ he thought grimly. ’I thought I’d protected him well. He’s only just begun to find his own happiness, and yet...’
His thoughts ca to an abrupt halt when Idris suddenly asked, "Can we stop at a baby shop?"
"Huh?" Casaio turned his head slightly. "Why?"
"I want to buy a baby kit for Noah," Idris said with a shy smile. "Sister Alie will like it."
"I see," Casaio murmured, his expression softening. "Use the phone and find the nearest store."
"I already did," Idris replied proudly, holding up the screen. "Just drive straight, then take a left, then another left after that."
Casaio chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he followed the directions.
Finally, they reached the store. Casaio didn’t let Idris spend his allowance, instead paying for everything with his own card.
"Here," Casaio said, handing the neatly packed baby kit to him. "Give this to Alie. Oh, and Noah’s started speaking, by the way."
Idris’s eyes widened in excitent as they stepped out of the store. "Really? That’s amazing! Sister Alie and Prince Gabriel must be overjoyed. Do you think Noah can say my na too? I didn’t know babies grow this fast."
Casaio smiled faintly. "They do. You did too. One mont you were barely reaching my waist, and now look at you."
He opened the car door for Idris, who climbed in with the gift pressed proudly to his chest. Casaio took the driver’s seat and started the engine just as the phone on the console buzzed.
He answered it. "We’re on our way, Zilia."
But the next second, his expression hardened. The warmth in his voice vanished, replaced by deep concern. He hung up and quickly pulled the car out of the driveway.
"What happened?" Idris asked, his voice rising with panic. "Is everything okay with my sister?"
Casaio’s hands tightened around the steering wheel.
"Listen to carefully, Idris," Casaio said, his tone firm yet gentle. "What’s coming for you and for Zilia isn’t just a test for the two of you. It’s a test for as well."
Idris turned his head, puzzled. "What do you an?"
"The truth about Zilia’s past, her origin, must be revealed to the people," Casaio replied, his gaze fixed on the highway ahead. "That’s what the Alpha King has decided. You’ll have to face many questions, Idris. You’ll have to fight this battle with courage. I’ll be watching over you, protecting you whenever I can. But if, for so reason, I’m not there... promise you won’t let anyone make you feel small. Do you understand?"
Idris nodded, his eyes steady. "I do. And honestly, I’m not scared if people find out who I am."
Casaio cast a brief glance at him, intrigued by the calm in his voice.
"I’ve thought about this day a lot," Idris continued quietly. "What if people discovered my identity? Would I be able to bear their stare, their doubt and their judgnt? I think I would. Because... I never even dread I’d leave confinent, Your Highness. Back then, all I wanted was for my sister to co ho. But I always wished I could live like other kids, go to school, laugh freely and have friends."
He smiled faintly. "And now I’ve had all that, because of you, because of everyone who gave a chance. My sister carried so much pain just to give a better life. So, if people hate for who I am... I can live with that."
Casaio felt a pride to hear such words from Idris. He smiled softly. "You are really Zilia’s brother," he murmured.
They finally arrived at the palace. Casaio handed the car keys to the chauffeur with a curt nod before he turned toward the entrance with Idris by his side.
As they stepped into the main hall, the sight that greeted them made Idris’s face instantly light up. Zilia was pacing anxiously, her hands clasped tightly together.
"Sis!" Idris called out, his voice brimming with relief. He ran straight into her arms. "You’re finally here," she whispered, holding him close as though afraid he might slip away again.
Casaio stood a few steps behind, quietly watching the reunion before motioning to a servant, who ca forward and took Idris’s bag.
"I’ll be back soon," Casaio said, turning to leave.
Zilia straightened at once, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You can’t go to Juniper," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argunt.
Casaio paused mid-step. "She exposed the truth, Zilia. She deserves to be confronted," he replied.
Zilia shook her head. "Don’t do that," she urged.
Idris looked at his sister and brother-in-law, thinking what truly transpired that the situation ca to this.
Reviews
All reviews (0)