She kissed flushed cheeks of the giggling toddler in her arms and then nuzzled the side of her head. Hi, Fifi! Have you made yourself at ho?
Hmm...yes! I like it here! Fiona bead and tightened her hold around Toris neck, giving her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. But I still missed you.
Aww...I missed you, too.
Fifi! Ilyana appeared beside her and extended her arms.
Auntie Ilyana! Fiona raised her arms towards her and Tori passed her along. Her friends crowded to greet her and Robert. Tori stepped aside to give them room as she ruffled Roberts head.
As she turned, she caught sight of a familiar little girl with wild, curly hair seemingly frozen in place. Tori cocked her head to the side.
Ava? Baby, are you all right? She moved closer and Ava seed to snap out of her daze. Her big eyes looked at Tori, almost looking accusing and hurt. She jutted out her lower lip and lifted her arms.
Hug .
Tori chuckled and bent down to pick her up. She brought her against her and Ava buried her face in her neck as her arms tightened around Tori. Tori gently bounced her and stroked her back. Baby, are you all right?
You took so long. I was waiting for hours, a muffled little voice ca from her side and Tori grinned.
Im sorry for taking too long, but we ca as fast as we could. We even skipped lunch on the road to co directly here, Tori told her.
Ava gasped and pulled her head back. Then, you have to eat! She wiggled in Toris arms, indicating that she wanted to be let down. Tori put her down and Ava grabbed her hand. Co with ! Ill feed you!
Tori cracked a smile and looked over at the others. Lets go inside and eat. I heard Henriks stomach grumbling in the carriage.
That wasnt !
Tch, yes it was. Sonia rolled her eyes. As they got to the top of the stairs, Tori greeted her family with hugs. To Avas credit, she waited until Tori had hugged her parents and siblings before pulling her deeper into the Fortress.
Everyone stay together! Ava told Ilyana and the others. This place is big. Youll get lost!
Just because you got lost doesnt an everyone will, Maeve said.
I wasnt lost! I was exploring! Ava huffed and Tori stroked her head.
Yes, yes, our Ava loves to explore. She placated the child as they were led to the dining room. Tori bead as she saw her grandparents and went to hug them. Servants ca to pull out the chairs for the teenagers. Tori sat at one end and just as Piers was going to take a seat next to her, Ava hopped on the chair. She looked up at Piers with a serious expression.
Im sorry, this seat is taken.
Piers looked to Toris other side and found that Ilyana had already sat down. A booster chair was put between them for Fiona.
Just sit at the head of the table. Youre the highest ranked person here, Tori told him in a soft voice.
He gave her a small nod and took the seat that was usually Marquis Gueveras. Tori was served a plate and all around her, people were chattering. Eventually, the older mbers of the family went to attend to their businesses, leaving the energetic children with the teenagers.
Several conversations were happening at once, but Tori felt Fiona tug at her sleeve.
After this, I will take you to see my pets, Fiona said, as if promising sothing good. Tori tried not to laugh and responded with the sa level of seriousness.
Of course, well all go with you.
What kind of pets do you have? Ilyana asked.
Fiona puffed out her chest and looked proud. Youll see.
Are they chickens? Ewan asked from across the table. Fiona imdiately deflated and her face fell.
Its supposed to be a surprise! She pouted and everyone seed to nod and not question her further. Her pets were definitely chickens.
No one was surprised when they made it to one of the small courtyards and a henhouse and a wooden fence had been put around the back quarter of the courtyard. Tori could hear the clucking as they approached.
She continued to hold Avas hand as Fiona led them proudly to her chicken enclosure. Kasen followed behind the group, keeping an eye on his daughter as Robert had gone off with the cousins closer to his age. Tori had discussed it with her brother and Nanny Rey and asked that Nanny Rey beco Fiona and Roberts nanny, as Kasen was often away from ho and their parents were busy.
In order to strengthen the father-child bond, Kasen would relieve Nanny Rey of her duties as much as possible whenever he was ho. Considering how close the children had grown to him, his hands-on approach to trying to raise his kids as a single father was rather successful.
Oh...you have a small family of chickens, Ilyana said as they stopped just outside the chest high fence and peered inside.
Yes! Grandpa Gregorio got them for when I ca here, Fiona reported. That is the mommy hen. Her na is Hemmy. Its short for Hen Mommy.
Did you teach her how to na things? JP asked Ilyana. She shot him an annoyed look.
No, but she has a gift.
Tori ignored them. What about the rooster?
Thats a fine-looking rooster. Nice long, shiny feathers. Bright eyes, red comb. It looks healthy, Sonia said. Fiona looked even prouder.
Thats Santiago. He didnt co with Hemmy and her babies. He just appeared one day. I like the colors of his feathers. Hes very beautiful, isnt he? Fiona looked at them with eyes expecting them to agree.
Tori and the others did not disappoint and imdiately agreed with her. Youve taken good care of them, Fifi.
Fiona blushed and kicked the dirt, suddenly bashful. Sir Peralta helps take care of them, but I feed them every day and give them water. Sotis, Ill sit inside, and theyll eat from my hand. Let introduce you! She waddled to the gate and tried to reach the latch. She frowned when her little fingers barely brushed it. Daddy! She looked for him with distress.
Im coming. Kasen unlocked the enclosure gate for her, and Fiona rushed in. Kasen made sure to close the door behind her so the chicks wouldnt get out. Fiona stood close to the fence and the little chicks scrambled towards her, chirping like mad. Tori noticed that there was one more chicken, but it seed content with eating feed dusted in the corner.
This one is Drumstick. Thats Wings, Cutlet, Dumpling.... Fiona nad off of the chicks as she pointed at them, and Tori and the others squinted.
Im sensing a the.... Henrik trailed off.
And this one, she said as she lifted up a rather fat chick in her hands. Is Nugget.
Tori drew her lips inward and bit them to keep from laughing. Axton craned his neck and knit his brows together. Nugget is fat.
I know, shes going to be very delicious. Fiona spoke with a straight face and Tori wasnt sure she fully comprehended that these chickens were pets and not being fard to eat.
What about that one in the corner? Is it all right? Ilyana asked. Its not coming over.
Fiona let out a heavy sigh and looked at the last chick with so disappointnt. That one is the only boy and hes not very friendly. He likes to be by himself unless theyre sleeping.
Fifi, Kasen said as he smirked. Tell them what his na is.
Prince Piers.
Tori heard a muffled snort and looked over her shoulder to see Axton with his lips shut as tight as possible as his shoulders shook. His eyes crinkled up as he turned his head to the side and lifted his fist to his mouth to try to contain himself.
Piers looked into the enclosure with a frown. Fiona. Are you slandering ?
Fiona tilted her head to the side and looked confused. Im not slanting you, Uncle. Im not even leaning.
Fifi, did you na him Prince Piers after Uncle Piers? Tori asked in a gentle voice.
Fiona nodded with a deadpan look. He doesnt like people. Axton let out a guffaw and clutched his stomach as he took a few steps to the side to laugh.
Its true. He really doesnt like people.... Axton wheezed and Tori rolled her eyes.
Fiona looked towards Axton, even more confused. Why are you laughing? Is it because hes small? Her face twisted with indignation, and she stuck out her chest to defend her pet. Hell get bigger! When he does, hell be very delicious, too!
That only made Axton laugh louder. Shes going to eat you!
I recall ordering you to go train with the Guevera knights, Piers said in a low voice as his eyes bore into his friend. Axton wiped the corner of his eyes.
Right, right, Im e on, Ewan. Let them stay here and feed Prince Piers. Axton snickered and Ewan bowed and excused himself before following.
Tori sighed and entered the enclosure to feed the chickens. Surprisingly, Ava didnt want to co and instead stood outside the enclosure, playing with so of the decorative rocks. Despite Toris invitation to feed the chickens with her, Ava shook her head and ignored them until they ca out.
The more Tori observed her through the afternoon and evening, it seed that Ava was not only more clingy than usual, but ignored Fiona. Her face didnt light up again until they were in her room and Tori was tying the corner of bedsheets on the four posts of her bed to create a tent within the canopy bed.
Ava was jumping up and down around the periter of the bed, rambling on about what new ga they were going to play. Her things had been moved from her room with Maeve to Toris room. She grabbed a bunch of papers and so crayons and carried them over to the bed.
I drew my character, but Aiden says it looks weird and that I can only have one class. I want to be a berserker, but I also want to be a rmaid. Maeve says thats not a class, but a fantasy race. Cousin, can rmaids be berserkers?
I think anyone can be anything if they have a good enough backstory, Tori said. She stepped back to admire her work. There. I think its fine. We can camp here tonight.
Ava bead, her smile reaching wide across her face. Cousin, sit down and Ill show you my berserker rmaid!
Tori smiled and prepared to climb into the large bed. Just as she removed one slipper, a small knock ca from the door. She looked over her shoulder and gave Ava a look to excuse herself before going to answer the door.
She opened it and first saw her brother and then the small figure at his feet. Goodnight, Auntie Tori! Fiona was in her night dress and a robe, with soft, matching slippers. She smiled and looked inside. Her eyes widened. Auntie, are you playing? I want to play! She prepared to rush in, only to be picked up by her father before she could take so much as a step inside.
Did we not agree for you to co and say good night to your Auntie Tori? Only to say good night? Kasen asked with a raised brow.
Fiona slumped forward. But it looks fun.
Tori chuckled. Sorry, Fifi, but its ti for you to go to bed.
Cousin Ava gets to stay. Fiona gave Tori a pleading look.
Shes sharing my room.
Fionas eyes went wide. I want to stay in your room, too!
You have your own room, Kasen told her. He gave his sister a small nod. Goodnight, Tori.
Goodnight, Kasey. Tori reached forward and gently squeezed Fionas cheeks. And goodnight, Fifi.
Fiona puffed out her cheeks, but seed resigned to her fate. Goodnight, Auntie Tori.... Kasen carried her away and Tori heard Fionas sigh as they disappeared into the hall. Daddy, I am very disa...dis...sad.
Tori shook her head and turned back around. She saw Ava on the bed, her head down with a forlorn look on her face. Ava, whats wrong?
Nothing.
Tori raised a brow. She softened her voice as she approached. Are you sure? Did you want Fifi to stay the night?
No! Ava cried out and her face turned red. Its my ti with you now!
Tori took a deep breath. It looked like she wasnt seeing things. Ava, she said in a gentle voice as she climbed into the bed. Are you unhappy because I played with Fiona?
Ava shook her head, paused, and then looked down, ashad. I waited so long to see you and play with you, but now there is soone else. Mommy told that youd be busy and that I cant always bother you, but I thought that I could play with you when youre not busy. But now, there is Fifi, and youll play with her instead!
Her aggrieved voice broke Toris heart. The childs eyes were red, and she sniffled. Tori carried Ava on to her lap. Ava had been the youngest, so Tori always gave her a lot of attention. It mustve been shocking to realize that there was now another little girl who would want Toris attention, too.
Baby. Tori nuzzled the top of her head. Its okay to be sad and disappointed that you dont get as much ti with . Im very happy that you want to play with often and are excited to see , but we only have so much ti in a day. Even so, its not a competition or a race. You dont have to fight for my attention. It is up to to make ti for both of you, and I will. I will make plans with you both and stick to them, like how I went with Fiona to look at her chickens this afternoon and tonight, were going to draw and play a ga. Just you and . Okay?
Avas head was still lowered, and she nodded. Her wounded voice was soft. Okay....
Tori kissed the side of her head. No matter what, I still love you a lot even if there is soone new to also love.
Ava turned her face against Tori and sniffled against her shoulder as Tori rocked her gently. After a few minutes, Ava seed refreshed and pulled away. Okay, Im done with crying. I want to draw now.
Tori smiled and let her wiggle out of her arms. All right, lets draw.
Just you and .
Right, just you and -
Another knock ca to the door and before Tori could get off the bed, Ava let out an annoyed grumble. She climbed off the bed and padded across the floor. She opened the door and looked up.
Its Ava-Tori ti! Dont bother us! she said in a firm voice. She prepared to shut the door, but paused and hesitated. She made an annoyed face, but still stepped back and pulled the side of her nightgown to do a curtsy. Goodnight, Your Highness!
Tori caught Piers faint look of confusion before Ava slamd the door in his face. Ava turned around wearing a triumphant smile, as if shed just slayed a beast. Tori sighed and picked her up before opening the door again. Ava protested that shed already sent Piers away, but Tori still opened the door.
Ava, it is very rude to slam the door in soones face. Say youre sorry.
Ava looked resistant, but under Toris expectant gaze, she gave in. She looked at Piers. Im sorry, Your Highness. She paused. My hands are small. The door slipped.
Ava.
Its fine, Piers said.
Tori looked back at Piers. Piers, if it isnt anything important, it is Ava-Tori ti, she said with a serious look. Ava looked satisfied with her explanation. Piers lips were a tight line.
When are we going to talk tonight?
Crap, I forgot I was going to make more ti to talk to him. Tori grimaced. Were going to have to postpone our talk. I promised to spend ti with Ava. His expression didnt change much, but she knew he was disappointed. She extended her hand and gently grasped his as she balanced Ava on her hip. Im going to practice with my costu tomorrow, but everyone else will be out touring the city. If youre not going, have lunch with .
She caught a flicker of joy in his eyes, and he lowered his head a bit and nodded. We will have lunch.
Great! Tori took her hand back before Piers could hold on to her and smiled. Get so rest! See you tomorrow!
Ava grabbed the side of the door, smiled, and slamd it in Piers face once more.
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