Gabriel pushed open the door to the nursery to check on Noah. He found David and Samyra seated on the floor amidst a sea of colorful wooden blocks and plush toys, their attention entirely captured by the small boy in their midst.
"Your Highness!" David and Samyra exclaid in unison. They scrambled to their feet, smoothing their clothes as they offered deep, respectful bows.
"Papa! Papa!" Noah squealed. His little face lit up with a grin, and he began to squirm, kicking his legs as he fought to escape Samyra’s gentle hold.
Gabriel stepped forward, a smile carving on his lips. He reached down and scooped the toddler into his arms. Noah imdiately settled against his father’s chest, his tiny hands becoming busy as he gripped the lapel of Gabriel’s shirt, clutching and unclutching the expensive fabric.
"When did you two arrive?" Gabriel asked as he adjusted the boy’s weight.
"Nearly four hours ago, Your Highness," David answered. "We were at the airport to welco you all ho, but the crowds were imnse. Even with our credentials, we couldn’t break through the security periter. We thought it best to co straight to the mansion to et Alie and all of you."
"Alie is exhausted and still sleeping," Gabriel said. "Have you two had lunch yet?"
"Yes, Albus was quite insistent," David replied with a small nod. "He wouldn’t take no for an answer, and we certainly couldn’t refuse such hospitality."
Gabriel shifted Noah, who was starting to get heavy in his arms. "That’s good to hear. And this one?" he asked, gesturing to the toddler. "I hope Noah didn’t give you too much trouble while I was away."
"Oh, not at all," Samyra said, her eyes softening as she watched the boy. "He’s been a perfect little gentleman."
"Pa!" Noah chirped suddenly, his high-pitched voice ringing through the room. Gabriel looked down, eting his son’s bright eyes.
"Yes?" Gabriel prompted softly.
In a sudden burst of shyness, Noah didn’t answer. Instead, he let out a tiny giggle and buried his face into Gabriel’s chest, bunching the fabric of his father’s shirt in his fists as he hid away. Gabriel couldn’t help but chuckle, his hand resting protectively over the boy’s back.
"Noah hardly troubles us. He is such a cheerful boy," Samyra said, a nostalgic smile touching her lips. "Alie was exactly the sa as a child, we rember it so clearly."
Gabriel’s expression hardened.
"You two are still biased toward Alie, since your actions have told a different story from the mont Flora was injured," Gabriel said. "Alie cannot be easily healed from the choices you made. No matter how many efforts you make now, I don’t believe the void you created can ever truly be filled. She needed her parents the most when she found herself pregnant and alone, and you were nowhere to be found."
The silence that followed was heavy. David bowed his head, unable to et his son-in-law’s eyes, while Samyra’s hand trembled slightly at her side.
Noah turned his head, his wide eyes darting between his father and his grandparents. Even at his age, he seed to sense the sudden shift in the air, reacting to the cold edge in Gabriel’s voice by tightening his grip on his father’s collar.
"We bla ourselves every single day," Samyra said with regret. "We know we can’t bring that ti back or undo the distance we caused. All we can do now is make every effort to ensure Alie finds at least a small asure of peace from our side."
Gabriel looked at them for a long mont. "Then focus your efforts entirely on Alie now. Flora is an adult; she can take care of herself," he told them firmly. "I want you to stay here in the mansion for a few days. I will be buried in work now that I’ve returned, and I don’t want her to be lonely."
He adjusted Noah’s weight, his gaze softening only slightly. "I hope both of you truly try to win her heart this ti. She has granted you forgiveness because you are her blood, but do not mistake that for healing. In her heart, she is still deeply upset."
David nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Your Highness. We won’t waste this chance."
"Hmm. You two should rest in the guest room," Gabriel said. "And thank you for taking care of Noah."
The two of them offered quiet, grateful nods and slipped out of the nursery. Gabriel moved toward the small, padded play-bed that had been positioned right next to the ornate white crib.
"Let’s have so exercise. It will make your limbs strong," he stated. He lowered Noah onto the soft mattress, the boy’s back hitting the cushions with a tiny thump.
"Mama!" Noah squealed, his legs kicking rhythmically as he reached his hands into the air. He giggled uncontrollably when Gabriel caught his tiny wrists, gently moving his arms in a rowing motion.
"Your mama is sleeping," Gabriel said, a ghost of a smile touching his lips as he watched his son’s infectious joy. "She’s very tired from the journey. It’s just you and for a little while, boy."
Noah continued to babble, his eyes bright with energy.
Gabriel made his son’s limbs move, stretching them a bit which caused Noah’s face to contort. But after a few monts, he began enjoying it when Gabriel moved his tiny arms.
The sharp, rhythmic knock on the door made Gabriel pause his movents. "Co in," he called out.
Albus stepped into the nursery, his head bowed in a show of ingrained deference. "Your Highness, good evening. I have seen to it that Princess Alie’s parents are settled comfortably in the east wing guest suite. They have everything they require," the butler inford him. "Would you like to have a al sent up for you here?"
"I’m not hungry, Albus," Gabriel replied, his attention already drifting back to the small figure on the bed.
Noah, seemingly energized by his "exercise," began rocking himself against the cushions. With a determined huff, he managed to roll over, tucking his knees under his belly and burying his face into the soft mattress as he practiced his crawling stance.
Albus watched the young prince for a fleeting mont, a rare glint of pride in his eyes. "Very well, Your Highness. I shall be just outside if you require anything for the little one."
Gabriel nodded, his hand resting on Noah’s back to steady him. "Don’t trouble yourself by waiting outside. You can go downstairs and look into dinner preparation."
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