Summary: The pressure to produce an heir is getting to Liam and Riley, leading them to turn to some unconventional methods.
Rating: PG, Adult Language
Word Count: 1,395
A/N: This fic is insanity guys, I'm not even going to pretend it's anything but. I learned the most absurd fun fact this week, and after sharing it with pretty much everyone I know, @ao719 convinced me that it needed to be a fic, and here we are.
For the record, this story doesn't take place in any of my timelines. My Liam and Riley can be weird, but never this weird. 😂
I am participating in @choicesflashfics, the prompt: “Wait a second. Pause and rewind … what did you just say?” will appear in bold below.
And finally, nobody has pre-read this, so apologies in advance for my horrendous grammar, and anything else about it that sucks.
Riley’s eyes fluttered open as she felt Liam’s lips trailing slowly across her shoulder. She moaned softly and arched back into him.
“Good morning, love.” He whispered huskily into her ear.
“When it starts like this it is.” She replied, reveling in the attention she was receiving from her husband.
As his hand traveled up her body, her stomach started to lurch. Her hand flew to her mouth and she leapt out of his arms and rushed to the bathroom of their guest room in the Walker ranch. Liam sat up and watched with worry as the door slammed shut.
After a few moments, Liam stood and approached the door. He could hear his wife on the other end, and he knew exactly what was going on. He rapped gently on the door. “Riley, are you alright? Can I get you anything?”
The only response he received were a few more retching noises, followed by the toilet flushing. Soon after, the door opened, and Liam met Riley’s red, blotchy eyes. “Sorry.”
Liam wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him. “You don’t have to apologize, it’s not your fault.” They stood there in silence as Liam held her. “Riley, do you think you may need to take a test?”
Since the royal couple had gotten married, they’d been facing pressure to produce an heir. While they did not take their positions as monarchs lightly, for them, it was more about building a family together.
“It wouldn’t hurt.” Riley shrugged before returning to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Liam took a seat at the end of the bed to wait for her.
“Oh no!” Liam stood and rushed back to the door at Riley’s cry. She came back into the bedroom, more distraught than she had been before. “I dropped the test in the toilet.” She buried her head in her hands.
Liam chuckled slightly, as he wrapped his arm around her. He had read that pregnancy hormones could cause overreactions; he assumed, hoped, that was why she was so upset. “It’s alright, just take another one.”
“Liam, it was the last one!” She snapped.
He stepped back, shocked by her aggression. “That’s alright, we can go into town and get more.”
“Are you kidding?!” Riley threw her hands up in frustration before moving to the bed and dropping down, burying her face in the pillow. “The press has been all over us, the last thing I need is for them to get a picture of me buying pregnancy tests!”
Liam sat beside her on the bed, rubbing her back gently as he racked his brain for a solution. “I’ve got it!”
Riley rolled over and sat up, leaning against the headboard. “What?”
“We’re in Texas, surely there is a frog around here somewhere.” He said as he moved to the dresser, pulling out a pair of jeans.
“Liam, this is no time to go wildlife gazing, I might be carrying the heir!” Riley chided him.
“Love calm down, the frog will be able to tell us.” He said matter of factly as he continued to get dressed.
Her face contorted into a confused expression. “Wait a second. Pause and rewind … what did you just say?”
He sat beside her on the bed and slid on his boots. “For about twenty years, starting in the nineteen forties, before the pregnancy tests we are familiar with today, there was the Hogben test. A British zoologist, Lancelot Hogben, discovered that when urine samples from pregnant women were injected into frogs, the frog would spawn eggs within eighteen hours. It was the most rapid and reliable pregnancy test of the time.”
Riley stared at her husband in stunned silence. “How the fuck do you even know that?”
“I like history.” He shrugged.
Still befuddled by her husband’s solution, Riley took a deep breath. “So you want to inject a frog with my pee, and then in 18 hours either nothing happens and I’m not pregnant, or I am pregnant and we also have a hundred and seventy two frog eggs?”
“They’re called frogspawn, love.” He corrected.
She slapped her palm against her forehead. “Yeah, because that’s the most crucial thing in this conversation.”
“I’m sorry, force of habit,” Liam smiled sheepishly. “Would you like to try it? It’s a fascinating concept, I would be interested to see it in action.”
“Liam, I don’t even want to touch a frog, let alone do science experiments on it.”
“I’ll take care of everything,” he insisted. “I’ll just need your… well, your um… sample.”
Riley chuckled when Liam started to get flustered. “Alright, if it’ll make you happy, and all I have to do is pee in a cup, then let’s give it a try.”
Liam grinned and leaned in, planting a quick kiss on Riley’s lips. “Excellent!”
“I guess Kermit was right, it’s not easy being green.” Riley said, shaking her head.
Liam made his way to a nearby pond in search of the perfect frog. His eyes roamed the banks in search of his test subject. “If I were a frog, where would I be?”
Finally, he noticed a slight movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see a frog seated on a nearby rock. “Perfect.” He stalked toward his prey, making sure to stay as quiet as possible.
Liam was so laser focused that he didn’t notice Drake coming up behind him, curiously observing the actions of his best friend. “Li, what the fuck are you doing?”
Drake’s words startled Liam and before he had time to catch himself, he tumbled over into the pond as the frog lept away. Drake cackled as the King of Cordonia sat waist deep in the pond glaring at him.
“Sorry,” Drake apologized as he reached down, helping Liam out of the water. “But seriously, what are you doing?”
“Riley might be pregnant,” he answered.
Drake furrowed his brow, even more confused now that he had the explanation. “Okay, so you decided to go frog hunting to celebrate?”
“No, we lost the test,” he responded. When Drake continued to stare at him with a blank expression, Liam sighed and explained the Hogben test just as he had done for Riley earlier.
“And Brooks agreed to go along with this?” Drake chuckled.
“We would do anything for eachother.”
Drake rolled his eyes and moved toward the pond. A few moments later he returned with a frog.
“How did you do that?” Liam marveled.
“You had your training growing up, I had mine.” He shrugged in reply.
Liam took the frog from Drake, thanking him for his efforts and began walking back to the house.
“I’ve gotta see this.” Drake said to himself as he followed Liam.
Liam entered the house heading toward the stairs, until he saw Riley sitting with Madeleine on the living room couch. When he stepped up to them, he noticed the crestfallen expression on his wife’s face.
“Love, what’s wrong?”
“I’m not pregnant,” she responded, her eyes trained on the floor.
“But how do you know? I’ve got the frog right here.” He held it up to show her.
Madeleine stood from the couch, glaring in confusion and disgust at the sight in front of her. “When I was in town this morning, I bought some tests. I figured you would need them.”
“Oh Riley,” Liam moved to Riley, outstretching his arms.
“Liam,” she held a hand up to stop him from getting any closer. “You’re slimy, and wet… and holding a frog.”
“Oh, right.” Liam looked down at himself, and the frog in his hands. “I should shower. Care to join me?” He asked slyly.
“Um… maybe you should handle this one solo,” she cringed.
Liam handed the frog over to Madeleine, who grabbed it instinctively. He signaled for Riley to follow him, and they made their way up the stairs to the bedroom.
“So you’re not going to pee on a frog?” Drake called out as they exited the room.
“Ugh,” Madeleine groaned. “None of this would be happening if I were queen.” She turned to Drake, thrusting the frog in his direction. “Make yourself useful and deal with this thing.” She stormed out of the room, mumbling to herself, questioning where things went wrong for her.
Drake looked down at the frog with a grin. “God I love Texas.”
I just got one for you guys today Other things are just in my brain and not exactly typed out yet for you guys to see. so here we gooooooo.....
Original Post 04/25/22 at 3:48PM EST.
Chapter 8: The Apple 🍏
Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎
Pairings: Liam x Riley
The Book: TRH and beyond
Status: Still in the writing process this week’s wacky drabble submission
Summary: Ellie remembers her past.
Song Inspiration: Perfect by Simple Plan
I didn’t know it then, but at the tender age of five, I was watching the end of my childhood. It was the day that everything changed. I didn’t understand then, but I understand now what I saw.
Why was Mommy sad? I had thought, and my childlike brain couldn’t comprehend it. I stood watching Mommy and Daddy in their room through the sliver in the door. Mommy wouldn’t stop crying. Daddy was crying too. I wanted to cry. Why were they so sad?
“You can’t do this to her Riley!!! You can’t!!! It will ruin her.”
“What about the way HE ruined me!!!!! He took her away from us, like he said he would that day! He CURSED US that day Liam, because look what we now know. I look at her and all I can see is him! She looks just like him!!!! She has his eyes!!!!!”
Adam called my name, so I stepped away from the door.
“Come on Ellie let’s go play!”
Adam broke out into a run, so I followed him as we giggled running down the halls.
That next morning It was just me and Daddy for breakfast.
He woke me up early, tickling my nose.
“Good morning my Princess. We’re going to spend the day together today. Just us.”
“Princess stuff?”
“No, just us stuff, that we both like to do. What should we do first Baby Love?”
“Eat pancakes on the patio.”
“Ewwwww, we’re going to eat pancakes off the patio?”
“Nooooo! We’ll eat breakfast at the table on the patio.”
“Oh! That makes perfect sense. You’re so smart.”
Daddy called the kitchen. “My princess requests a mountain of pancakes to be delivered to the patio immediately!”
Daddy took my hand and led me out to the patio so we could sit in the sunshine.
“I love you Daddy.”
“I love you, Baby Love, and Mommy loves you too. Never forget that.”
Hi you are awesome! Got an ask. What do you think will happen if the gang found out that Barthelemy along the others involved was behind Queen Eleanor's deat, just after days of him threatening to take the Princess and be a regent?I want to know Liam's POV on it.
Aww!!! Thank you ☺Honestly, I think Liam would have figured it out when he realized the goblet was from both Godfrey and Barthelemy. He was the one to devote his free time to secretly study the effects of poisons and ways it could be administered. Once the group found his mother's secret room, I think it would have all come together in his mind. For your request though, I will try and show Liam's reaction if he discovered the connection after Barthelemy's threat. Plus, I think this is one circumstance where he wouldn't want to involve the others. To be able to capture his mother's murderer would be something he would want to do himself with the help of his king's guards.
"I've got you." Liam gently took his wife's trembling form into his arms.
The nightmares were getting out of hand.
Ever since Maxwell's father had threatened to take their daughter from them, Riley's nerves were shot. She tried so hard to put on a brave face during the day, but when night came across the land, she fell apart.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she held fast to Liam. Her breaths hitched at the thought of Barthelemy Beaumont winning in the end.
"How did he get so many of the court on his side?" She whispered. "After all we've done for them!"
Liam rested his cheek on top of her head. "I don't know."
"He's been gone for what...fifteen, twenty years or so?" She grumbled. "We saved the country from Justin. We secured the throne with Eleanor's birth." Her anger began to overcome her fear. "And these traitors do this to us?!"
"The court serves its on purposes." He explained. "They always have. It is rare to find a truly selfless noble amongst the group."
Riley left his arms to reach for a tissue on her nightstand. "I saw how selfish they could be during your bride search."
She blew her nose softly before a frown firmed her lips. "I mean, the whole reason Bertrand wanted me to win you was so House Beaumont could be restored, reputation wise. He said he also wanted to see us happy, but now I doubt it."
Liam listened quietly as she went through her nightly rants of those that had betrayed them. She then went into a litany of how ridiculous it was that they had to travel with a one year old to their homes in the hopes of swaying their fickle minds back in their favor.
Before long, she had worn herself out and began to doze off. He held her until he felt her slow deep breaths. Easing his arms away, he crept out of their bedroom.
As had been his nightly ritual for the past year, he first went to the nursery.
His lips curved over his one year old daughter's tendency to cocoon herself in her blankets. Eleanor's head and that of the purple stuffed bunny she loved to sleep with were the only things visible.
He tenderly brushed her hair from her forehead as he gazed upon his most prized possession. His inner resolve hardened with the vow that nothing would ever take her from him and Riley.
On his way out of the nursery, he paused to pet Chance. The sweet corgi seemed to almost understand that something was going on and that he needed to guard the little princess. Lady Luck and their puppies were curled up at the foot of the toddler bed, being the next line of defense if Chance failed.
Liam quietly closed the door and continued downstairs. He nodded briefly to the guards that were stationed at various points along the halls and staircase. None seemed surprised by their king up at such a late hour.
Why should they, when he had been doing this for a year now?
Liam met Bastien in his study. The older man handed him a steaming cup of coffee, before sitting down across from him.
The workspace between them was covered with pictures, reports, and test results.
"Anything new?" Liam asked.
"I received this from one of my underground informants." Bastien handed over a set of photographs. "And I uncovered this report through the help of the queen mother. We came across this while going through your late father's personal files."
Liam's lips firmed into a thin line as he flipped through the old photographs. Barthelemy had made a wide variety of friends during his supposed' "coma".
"Is that...?" Liam handed the picture over.
"It is, sir." Bastien reached across the table for another set of photographs. "Lord Barthelemy along with Godfrey had been developing close ties with both the Nevarkis family and those that raised the leader of The Sons of the Earth."
"I see." Liam tapped his fingers against his mug. "So our initial theory was correct. Godfrey didn't act alone when my mother was poisoned."
"In all honesty sir, I never thought he had the stomach for such an act." Bastien frowned over the picture of the late Queen Eleanor that also showed Jackson Walker in the background. "Of the two friends of your father, I suspected Barthelemy."
Liam looked up. "You did?"
Bastien shrugged. "I was the junior agent when the first attack on your mother failed. Jackson told me only what was relevant." His eyes narrowed in memory. "He said it was for her protection that I wasn't told more. Now I think he and your mother were hoping to not put anyone else at risk with what they were uncovering."
Liam focused once more on the last picture his mother had taken. It was the very ball in which she received the poisoned golden goblet. He felt that familiar breath aching pain in his heart. She had missed so much of his life. His growing up, his marriage, his child.
He wanted to destroy the men responsible for this. He wanted vengeance for his mother and all the lives affected by her death.
He wanted them to suffer as he had. As his late father had.
They deserved it. They deserved so much more agony than a mere prison sentence or swift death could give.
He knew it was wrong, but he hoped Barthelemy resisted being captured. Then the king's guards could use other methods to apprehend him.
Godfrey's capture had not given him the satisfaction that Liam needed. Something had always felt off when he thought of the fastidious former Duke of Karlington. He just couldn't believe the man had acted alone.
"I believe we have enough evidence with this last report." Bastien handed him another sheet of paper. "Queen Amalas sent this along with her regards."
Liam read through the many sheets.
This was it. This was the final nail to Barthelemy Beaumont's coffin.
Liam stood up. "Prepare the guards. We are going to Ramsford immediately."
*****************
Duchy Ramsford, at the first blush of dawn...
"We have every inch surrounded, sir." Bastien whispered.
"Good." Liam squared his shoulders. He tried to itch his side, but encountered nothing but the Kevlar vest his guards insisted he wear. "Let's go."
The pair, flanked by four more guards walked up to the front door and banged on it.
A sleepy servant appeared, perplexed to see the king standing on the steps.
Liam and Bastien pushed past him, stating they were there for kingdom business, and began to climb the stairs.
Their footsteps were silent as they checked each room they came to.
Having finally come to the family wing of the manor, they opened the door to the room where the culprit slept.
Before the old man had a chance to come fully awake, he was handcuffed and shoved out into the hallway.
"What is the meaning of this?" Barthelemy yelled. "How dare you come into my room in such a manner?"
Bertrand and Savannah rushed out, only to stop in surprise at the sight before them.
"Barthelemy Beaumont." Liam's voice held a sinister edge. "For crimes against the royal family and Cordonia, I hereby sentence you to death."
"What?" Barthelemy dropped his easy going mien he had maintained since he first reappeared.
Something more dark and evil took over his features. "You do not have the power to do that, King Liam. You gave the Council those rights. Now that you're family is under attack, you think getting rid of me will stop them from taking the princess away?" He snorted in derision. "Even if you find a way to kill me, others will make certain neither you nor that pitiful excuse for a queen ever see Princess Eleanor again."
"I do not think any noble will fight my decision once they see your list of crimes Liam's blue eyes blazed with fury.
He began to approach the man who had formulated the plan to kill his mother. The man who had blackmailed numerous nobles so that they were forced to support him. The very man trying once more to destroy his family and take the crown from him.
Barthelemy snarled at him "You know nothing of my supporters." His chin lifted in triumph. "There are many outside of Cordonia who would love to see me take the throne as Prince Regent."
Liam's slow, deliberate steps caused Barthelemy to shrink back. He stumbled over his own feet as he was backed into a corner.
His eyes were wild as he looked for anyone who might possibly be on his side.
"Bertrand! As the Duke of Ramsford, you must stop him before he--"
His son shook his head. "House Ramsford has always stood behind King Liam and Queen Riley." He felt Savannah's hand slip into his to help him through this. "Anyone, be them blood relation or friend, who does not will become an enemy of this duchy."
Barthelemy began to spew insults upon his son. His hatred and disgust was then directed to both of his progeny having failed him in every possible way.
Bertrand didn't flinch or even appear to hear the diatribe directed towards him. He instead reported his own investigation into his father's activities.
"Forgive me, your majesty." His voice was hoarse with emotion. "I had to make it look like I had truly turned against you and our queen to make my father more open about his plans. I have all the information you might need for what he intended to do to take the princess away in my bedroom's safe."
"Traitor!" Barthelemy struggled anew against his handcuffs and the guards holding him. "How dare you betray your own blood--"
Liam punched him, knocking out the old man with an uppercut. A blessed silence followed his drop.
Bertrand stared dispassionately upon his father's crumpled form, then turned on his heel, leading Bastien to the safe.
Liam took long, deep breaths to calm himself down. The urge to continue to beat the man at his feet was strong.
He remembered every tear shed in the dark over his mother. Every need for a hug from her. Every holiday memory without her. Every single worry and secret he had longed to share with her.
He then thought of the miserable years he and Riley would have had without their daughter. Every single moment without her sweet smile. Missing each milestone. Being denied the right to even speak to her. No hugs. No kisses for skinned knees or bad dreams. No playtime. No chance of checking on her during the night.
He never knew he could hate a man as much as he did Barthelemy Beaumont.
How had such a man fathered two of Cordonia's most loyal noblemen?
Liam realized he should be grateful for the late Annabelle Beaumont and her sweetness overshadowing all that this man tried to teach them.
It would have hurt even more so, if Maxwell and Bertrand had betrayed him.
"Your majesty?"
Liam lifted his eyes and took the folder filled with all Bertrand had uncovered. It was enough to put his father away for multiple life sentences.
"Sir, I hope..." Bertrand's shoulders drooped. "Do you think Riley will understand why I did what I did?"
"I do." Liam placed a grateful hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, for this and for your continued loyalty."
Bertrand bowed his head, unable to speak from his own relief that it was at last over.
The guards dragged a still unconscious Barthelemy down the stairs and into the back of an armored truck.
Liam and Bastien followed close behind.
The king took a deep breath of the early morning's crisp air. The sun beginning to shine reminded him that this was indeed a new day...one in which he could return to his family victorious, knowing they were once more safe.
Summary: They have a day all to themselves full of love and cute moments of togetherness🧡
Kjæreste: (Norwegian) Dearest, Beloved One; Term of endearment for one's romantic partner😍
A/N: This is the giveaway prize for my lovely @parkdoesthings who won a place in my followers and birthday celebration giveaway. Wren, I hope you like it and the way I used the prompts you gave me. Writing them for the first time made me nervous as well as happy. Really hoping that you like this🧡
Prompts used: @parkdoesthings gave me the prompts "I missed you, so much" kisses + dessert. In addition to these, I have used Prompt 3, 14 and 16 from this prompt list by @creativepromptsforwriting. Feel free to send in more requests, I am always accepting!🧡
If you enjoyed the story, please like it, leave a comment or reblog. Your feedback keeps me going🤎
Pairing: King Liam Rys X f!MC (Odette Dawson)
Word Count: around 2K
Rating: General
Category: Fluff
Triggers: A few curse words (Just 1 or 2)
OTHER WORKS
The golden hues filtered through the strains of the satin drapes, filling the place like the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The birds taunted each other playfully, all lost in their plays. A few of them beckoned her to join them.
She certainly would have, if she had those mystic spells, radiating sparkles on clicking her fingers, turning into an appealing blue jay, adorning herself in the summery blues and whites, just like the sky right now.
She had been lying awake for quite some time now, sleep being a long-lost pal. The silk of her covers ran like water under her fingers, and if it were someone who had not been accustomed to it, the sensation would have been enough to cradle them into a deep siesta.
Finally, she pushed herself to get up. The gentle sloshing of water around her as she gently placed down herself into the dreamy tints of the bathroom soothed her senses. Closing her eyes, she felt as if she was in a pond amidst a forest, all alone enjoying the tranquillity, as the woody scents dazzled her senses and the solitary rose petals caressed her skin.
It was unwinding and comforting, not to live by a schedule, blabbering all day around with stupid dignitaries or argue about some variety of apples.
Ugh, Apples!
The only downside of marrying the king of Cordonia that she could think of. She could go on about her list of grievances she had with apples, but right now, if she thought about them for a second more, she would throw up.
And when in Loire Valley, never think of those gross little piece of mischief, she made it her motto.
Especially when they make you vomit.
The soft pink fabric fluttered in the merry breeze, the net covering her hands, making her look as elegant as the chandelier that now adorned her majestic room, every thread glowing like diamonds on a bracelet.
She gives a twirl, she wants to feel the fluffiness of the holiday, but yet she couldn't.
Not when there is someone she has been waiting for, eagerly, unabatingly.
Now and then, she would pick her cream-coloured cellular, glide to the balcony, leaning down to make out the appearance of a car, her chestnut brown locks dancing joyfully.
A shrill cajoled her out of her reverie, and her heart leapt to a beat of joy.
The soft music playing in the room seemed even more melodious to her as her feet lead her to the doorway with a swift dance-like motion.
She opened the door, the dazzling smile brightening up her face like a 100-watt bulb.
Only to find the waiter standing there with her breakfast.
Her face fell as if it was not a royal buffet, but trays full of apples in front of her.
And when the waiter blushed thinking that he was the reason for her joy, her anger built up like the pressure in a pressure cooker.
She knew a stream of rudeness would escape if she opened her mouth, hence she sealed her lips, put on the exercised smile and stepped aside for him to enter.
Breakfast was other-worldly. She had quite forgotten the sheer deliciousness a classic French breakfast carried in itself.
Her mouth was an adobe of butter, chocolate and coffee, and all her objections vanished with a bite of that melt-in-mouth croissant.
The weather showed a solemn change as the white were replaces by greys and the golden slowly muted down.
She didn't really love rains, any season for that matter, but she could deal with everything. She decided to go down for a stroll, deciding that she had little to do in this room all by herself.
The softness of the Earth under her shoes, the multitude of colours in front of her soft brown eyes, the splendid fragrances filling her nostrils, the melody of nature playing in a loop in her ears and the sweetness of the solitude making her heart flutter.
All her senses were enamoured as she twirled around the gigantic flower garden.
A golden yellow butterfly greeted her by landing on one of her fingers, wanting to hold her finger and take her on a tour around her adobe.
Both of them silently exchanged a few words, and Odette happily agreed to get enamoured by the fluttery beauties and silky petals.
But she hadn't taken a step when two palms softly covered her eyes. She was startled but knew better than to scream. Her heart told her that it was someone she knew and not someone who would try to harm her.
As if someone would even be able to get past the heavy security
Her ringed hand gently reached for the hands which were still placed on her eyes. She felt them, a metallic feel of a ring, gave her a serotonin boost. Her heart danced and the smile that was waiting for its chance finally spread on her face, making her look like a goddess.
With a gentleness equal to the one when they were placed, Odette removed the hands, didn't even bother to open her eyes and kissed the person behind her with so much love that one would have melted into golden honey by its power.
But he didn't.
Their love wasn't cancelling out each other, it was multiplying to become so powerful that it would engulf them forever.
Placing the foreheads together, Odette finally opens her orbs, which shone like brilliant diamonds, to look up at the person whose arrival she awaited. The blush that spreads on both of their faces is automatic.
He twirls the stray lock that adorned her beauty around his finger, his hand, the ringed one, tightly wrapped around her silk regalia.
"I missed you so much! You know how impatient I am, and yet, you made me wait." Odette whines lovingly, the smile never leaving even through her complaint.
"I am sorry, Ette! There was an emergency apple-themed event-"
Odette's eyes narrowed, and an unamused pout took the place of the preceding grin.
"Can we please skip the apple talks, please? I did not come here to escape about those vomit-inducing pieces of shit."
All the while, Liam chuckled, always amused by the thought that out of everyone, he fell in love with that gorgeous lady who hated apples.
"Soo... Now that you are finally here, what are we supposed to do? Just stand here staring at each other?"
"I mean, that wouldn't be bad either."
"C'mon, Li! I didn't travel all the way to here to stand and stare at you. I already do that, every time, at Cordonia." Even though she had spoken it matter-of-factly, it made him blush and grin.
Even more because he had been doing the same, every moment she had been with him, right from the day he met her.
But he had always been a hopeless romantic, she had not.
Whenever Odette told him that he was the one who had made her realize that love and soulmates actually exist, his heart would start running a marathon in his chest. He still couldn't comprehend how someone like him had ended up getting someone like her as his queen.
Every poem, every romantic song, pales in front of the hues of their love, and since words were not enough to express it, he made sure to show it to her, every day, every time, every moment of his life.
"We will do whatever you want to do! This vacation is all about you, after all." He said as she linked her arms into his, but not before she made a wordless promise to the butterfly that she would come back and go on the tour.
As Liam led them towards the car, Odette pulled him back.
"Not the car, Mr Rys. Loire valley has enigmatic forests, and if we are not doing a forest trail, we will seriously miss out on the greatest beauty, the beauty of nature."
And he was in awe, again.
This is the side of Odette that makes her the queen he wanted by his side. How much respect and appreciation she has for everything, especially nature. He happily gave in to her demand.
The soft crunch of some dried leaves and the earthy scents enveloped the area. It wasn't secluded, now and then, the excited chirps and melodious tweets of the feathered beings spread through the air.
Odette's eyes joyfully travelled all around her, the multitude of chrome spreading a happy surprise through her heart.
"My Queen"
She looked up at him, their browns dissolving into each other.
"You know what these hues remind me of?"
"What?" She asked in a silent whisper.
"You."
"Your colours. The multi-chrome of your attributes, and the elegance they add to your persona. They make you charismatic"
"Liam, Yours is the only colour I want to get painted in."
Their lips meet like muscle memory, without any initiation. It was a reflex registered in the record book of their cerebrum.
Their thoughts entangled, arm around each other, the trail ended before they realized. They were now standing in front of the eight o'clock café.
"It isn't eight o'clock yet, but there is something special I've got arranged in here for you." Odette winked, pulling him in.
A few silent whispers later, Odette took Liam to the secluded first floor of the café, only for him to get the surprise.
The arrangement was a large table with his favourite board games, Carcassonne and Scrabble, neatly arranged on it. If he had been a kid, he would have screamed up and down, and circle danced with her.
No one had ever done something like this for him, and he doubted someone ever would.
Well, except her.
The next hours were filled with mindless laughs, funny fights, fake waves of anger and joyful screams.
The voids between those were filled with delicious coffee and melt-in-mouth gelato that had been specially arranged, again by Ette.
She had ordered flavours he had not heard of, and with the constant consumption, he had become a fan of the chocolate fondente flavoured one.
Utterly tired of the endless rounds of gameplay, they finally took their leave while thanking the people their generously for bearing their shenanigans.
Who would have guessed that board games would be so much fun even after years of not playing?
Not them, definitely.
"Just one more spot, and then we will go back, I promise." Odette winked, again.
He doubted if he would ever be able to refuse to her enigma even if he wanted to. One look and he would do anything to make her smile the way he likes.
The surprise that emerged in front of him posed such a stark contrast to the one before that for a moment he felt like he had got a tour of the polar opposites.
His eyes travelled up to the dazzling Ferris Wheel, standing majestically up before them.
"Just executing my idea of experiencing opposites in a day, that's it."
He wanted to kiss her as his life depended on it. But before he could get hold of her, she was already rushing towards the ticket counter, and he followed.
It was the last ticket, and gladly, they had managed to get it. They rushed to enter their cabin, hand in hand, adsorbing the cheerful air around.
The view that met their eyes was heavenly, like a piece of God's adobe fixed neatly amidst the man's land. Their eyes shifted once outside, and the next minute they found themselves staring at each other, eyes sparkling like stars of the endless sky.
She was his flower moon, the happiness and love she brings to his life matching with the fertility and flowers May brings with itself, which is what the Flower Moon symbolizes.
She shines differently from everyone, a unique sight for anyone who lays their eyes upon her, dazzling brilliantly.
The brilliance that pales every obstacle, every pain with the power of her love, she was destined to stay with him forever.
The wordless promise he made holding her hand, that he would fight with the worst if it was to keep her in his heart's labyrinth.
She was the one who made his heart beat, after all.
PS: Thank you so much for reading and I hope you have a great day ahead! Love, Manamee🧡.
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I really don't wanna talk about this scene much cause it makes my blood boil
but
why do we ignore the fact that Bradshaw is talking to Queen Mother Regina like this, he has no right to even raise his voice in her direction cause he's a guest here and his children are being uncultured brats ruining princess's celebration. but of course neither of Regina's sons or other members of the council never stood up to her. I'm sorry, Regina, I'm so sorry that all these people are weakass cowards that couldn't even defend their former Queen.
Summary: After the first day of the Apple Blossom Festival and Drake’s birthday, Riley, Liam, and the kids visit a doctor
Word Count: ~4.8k
Warnings: mention of character death, mention of addiction/drug abuse
*All characters belong to Pixelberry, except those that are unique to my story (I’ve also used some characters and fictional instances from Donna Tartt’s book “The Goldfinch”)*
I’m not sure if the tags are working or not, but I hope I got everyone down! If you would like to be added/removed, please let me know :)
✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧
- Eleanor -
Mama woke us up extra early the morning after the beach party. While she helped bring my stuff to the car that was waiting outside, I decided to go back onto the bed and take a nap until it was time to actually leave. But when I opened my eyes, I was already in the car, my head on Mama’s leg.
Mama and Daddyo were sitting next to each other and talking quietly while Gabe was sleeping on the other seat. I looked out the window to find that we were driving by large fields. There were trees surrounding little farms, and I saw animals that looked like sheep or goats, but I couldn’t tell from the distance.
We eventually reach a large house and Daddyo wakes up Gabe to eat breakfast. When we walk into the kitchen there are already waffles, omelets, and fruits waiting for us. During the meal, Daddyo tells Mama that he’s worried about some investigation but Gabe and me are too focused on eating to pay attention.
After that, Daddyo asks us what we want to do today, and Gabe suggests soccer. I didn’t really want to play, but I still follow the two of them outside.
While we walk through the large house, there are people working and cleaning like crazy. I ask Daddyo why they’re doing that, and he tells me it’s because the court is going to show up in a few hours.
Daddyo leads us far away from the building and towards a bunch of apple trees. I skip alongside him, humming whatever tune came into my head. Him and Gabe find four sticks and push them into the ground. Another person walks out of the house with a soccer ball, and Daddyo gives it to me to start out the game.
I kick it, trying to get it back towards him, but the ball goes to Gabe instead, who kicks it into the goal and gets a point. He goes to get the ball and gives it back to me. When I try and kick it towards the goal to get myself a point, I kick it in the wrong direction again and it ends up at Daddyo’s feet, who manages to kick it into the goal to get us a point.
The three of us play around for a few hours until some servants come out and tell us that the court has started to arrive, and Daddyo told us we needed to go get ready for the Apple Blossom Festival.
Mama helped us get dressed, but Daddyo had to leave to get ready for something. I was upset since I wanted to spend more time with him, but Gabe said that we would probably see him later.
After everyone is dressed, Mama, Gabe, and me walk back over towards the apple trees with Duchess Olivia and Countess Hana. I ask Mama if Uncle Boris and Aunt Rowan would come, too. She tells me that Aunt Rowan is with Lord Maxwell, and comments that she hasn’t seen Uncle Boris since the horse race.
We keep walking until we reach a small area where there aren’t that many trees, but a lot of people were gathered. There were photographers and people who I recognized from other events. I see Daddyo walk towards the front of the crowd, with Bastien and some other guards walking behind him.
He faces the crowd and asks for everyone’s attention. I notice Heather out of the corner of my eye and walk up to her. Uncle Leo gives me a high-five when he sees me and Hunter walks towards my brother.
“Welcome to the annual Apple Blossom Festival!” he calls out. People clap lightly, and I see Lord Maxwell start cheering. “Traditionally, the Queen Mother and other ladies of the court would taste the first apples of the season, so in her memory, I propose we all take a bite.”
There are some nods, and servants begin passing out apples to the adults. When a servant gives an apple to Uncle Leo and Aunt Katie, Uncle Leo takes both apples to give to Hunter and Heather. The same servant gives Gabe and me apples, and someone shoves a camera into my face.
“Go on, kiddos,” the person behind the camera says to me and Gabe. “Take a bite of the apple.”
I look at the fruit in my hand, which is probably one of the brightest and reddest apples I’ve ever seen. Gabe takes a bite of his apple, but before he can even start chewing, he starts coughing again. The cameraman angles his camera away and asks Gabe if he’s okay.
“Yeah, sorry if I coughed on your camera,” Gabe says.
“That’s fine,” the man says. “Were you choking?”
“No, my chest just started hurting.”
“Gotcha. Wanna take another bite?” The cameraman looks over at me, and I take a large bite of my apple.
It’s sweet and sour at the same time. I hate sour things, and I feel like my cheeks are burning. I force myself to swallow the apple and smile at the cameraman, because spitting it out would probably look gross. “Yummy!” I manage to say.
“Adorable!” the man says, then turns to take a picture of Gabe, who smiles while chewing.
“That was delicious,” Gabe comments. The cameraman thanks us and walks away.
“That was sour,” Hunter says, wiping some juice off his chin.
My brother shrugs. “I like sour foods.”
Gabe finishes his apple and asks for another one. When the rest of the court has also eaten at least one apple, Daddyo asks for everyone’s attention again.
“As everyone has taken a bite of their apples,” he begins. “I would like to thank our farmers, ones whose families have provided for Cordonia for generations.” He clears his throat, then starts talking again. “There is something else I wish to speak about. I know that recently Cordonia has faced many challenges. There have been natural disasters, economic recessions, international disagreements, and uprisings by anti-monarchist organizations. But Cordonia and her people have always been resilient. We’ve always stood together in unity.
“Some of you I’ve known since my early childhood,” he continues, “and you’ve held my trust above all others. But this is a very unique issue we are facing, and Cordonia has learned from experience that her allies are not always who they are said to be.
“My security team has reason to believe that the late Queen Mother did not die of a heart attack, but was actually poisoned, just as my own mother was more than thirty years ago.” People in the crowd gasp and begin whispering with each other. “Investigations are being led, but my team has suggested furthering those investigations by searching the belongings of certain members of the court. Do not fret, your privacy will be respected and if need be, the search may be done while you are present.”
The crowd of photographers and reporters start yelling questions towards Daddyo, and Uncle Leo leads us all back towards Mama and Duchess Olivia.
“Did you know Regina was poisoned?” Uncle Leo asks.
“Yes,” Duchess Olivia answers him. “Jacob told me what he discovered this morning. I didn’t know if Liam would tell the people, and I’m surprised that he did.”
“He was worried about it this morning,” Mama adds. All the adults turn to look back at Daddyo, who still has microphones being pushed in front of his face.
“I hope he’s doing okay,” Uncle Leo says.
“I’m sure he is.” Duchess Olivia turns back to Uncle Leo when he speaks, and there’s an angry tone in her voice.
Jessica walks up to the group, pulling Drake behind her. She greets everyone and pinches Gabe’s cheek. Drake starts talking with Uncle Leo, and Jessica turns to Mama.
“I wanted to ask if you would join Drake and I for dinner tonight,” she says. “I made a reservation at a restaurant for his birthday. It would be lovely if you all attended.”
“That’d be nice,” Mama says. “We could all go.”
“No, thank—” Duchess Olivia begins, but Mama gives her a look, and instead says, “Fine.”
“I’ll go fill in Hana and everyone else,” Mama says, walking away.
“Hey, do you wanna go pick some apples?” Heather taps my shoulder to ask.
I search the crowd for Daddyo, but can’t see him anymore. I tell Heather sure, and our brothers follow us towards some trees.
Hunter and Gabe are the ones who want to climb up, and Heather and me are left near some baskets. Gabe tells us to catch the apples they throw down at us and to count them.
For a second I think it’s not a good idea, since I don’t think I’ll be able to catch the apples and am a little scared that I would drop them, but Gabe already sends one down and I throw myself at it.
I catch it, but land face-forward in the grass. Gabe calls to me from the top of the tree, saying that I had to get up.
Heather and I continue to catch apples until our baskets are full. I had lost count around twelve, but Heather counts my basket, too, and says that the four of us collected about fifty apples altogether.
Hunter frowns, complaining that we could have done better. Heather looks around for where we have to bring the baskets. And Gabe reaches down to eat another apple.
I see Aunt Katie call for Hunter and Heather. The two of them walk away from us, and we wave goodbye to them. Gabe and I start walking away to go look for where Mama is, but Hunter and Heather call to us again to say that we’re all going somewhere together.
Gabe and I are led in a car that has Lord Maxwell, Aunt Rowan, Duke Bertrand, Duchess Savannah, and Bartie. They tell us that everyone is headed to the same place, and that we would be celebrating Drake’s birthday.
“I wonder what Jessica has planned,” Maxwell wonders aloud.
“Probably cake?” Gabe asks.
“Naturally,” Maxwell replies. “But do you think there’s a chance she didn’t get balloons?”
“We can bring some!” I suggest. “In case Jessica forgot.”
“I like the way you think, baby blossom,” Maxwell says.
He crawls over towards the driver and asks him to bring us to a place we could get balloons. Duke Bertrand tries to stop Maxwell, but he refuses to sit down and the driver has already parked in front of a store.
Me and my brother follow Maxwell into the store, who goes straight to the counter.
“Do you have balloons?” he asks. There are balloon designs on display right on top of our heads, and I pull Maxwell’s sleeve and point at them. “Hmmm...” he stares at them for a while, then turns back to the person at the counter. “Do you maybe have a balloon that’s shaped like a whiskey bottle?”
“No, but I got champagne ones,” the old man says.
“Good enough, we’ll take ten,” Maxwell requests.
“Ten?” my brother and me ask in union.
“Do you think we should get more?” he turns to us and asks. “What if we get forty and say ‘Happy Fortieth Birthday’? He’s not forty yet but it would be funny.”
“I mean, I don’t know,” Gabe starts. “If Lady Jessica already got balloons, then bringing forty more would seem like a little too much.”
Maxwell sighs. “Fine.”
“Gabe is now the bossy blossom,” I point at my brother to announce.
“What? No—” he tries to protest.
“Are you gonna tell me not to call you bossy?” I question, crossing my arms in front of me.
“That would make you extra bossy,” Maxwell states.
“But—” he tries again.
“Stop being bossy, bossy blossom!” I cry.
Gabe turns away from me. Maxwell pats him on the head and says, “It’s okay, bossy blossom.”
Maxwell and I laugh while Gabe stares at the balloons.
We all hold three balloons, and Maxwell holds an extra one. When we get back into the car, Duchess Savannah and Aunt Rowan laugh, and I can tell that Duke Bertrand is upset, but he doesn’t say anything.
For the rest of the ride we punch the balloons at each other until we have to get out of the car. Aunt Rowan ties some balloons to my wrists because she was worried they would fly away.
When we enter, there’s a guy in a fancy suit who greets us.
“This is not the kind of establishment you bring childish balloons into,” Duke Bertrand whispers loudly to Maxwell.
The three of us ignore him and follow the fancy man through the restaurant until we reach a very big table. Everyone else is already seated, including Uncle Leo, Aunt Katie, Hunter, and Heather.
Except for the ones me, Gabe, and Maxwell hold, there are no balloons in the room. And there aren’t any decorations either.
“Happy Birthday, Drake!” Maxwell cries, walking over to where Drake was sitting.
“Tie ‘em to his chair,” Uncle Leo comments, pointing at the balloons.
While Maxwell works the knot of the balloon tied to my wrist, Drake grabs the string and pulls it close to his face. “You know these are champagne bottles, right?”
“Imagine that it’s whiskey,” Maxwell tells him.
I follow Gabe towards a few seats. I got to sit on Mama’s right, while Gabe was on Daddyo’s left, with the both of them in between us. Thankfully Heather was next to me. Gabe feels far from us, and when he tries to say something to me, I couldn’t really hear him. I wave at him to exaggerate the distance.
The adults talk steadily throughout the meal. Mama and Daddyo were sitting close to each other, mostly whispering. Countess Hana was talking with Maxwell and Aunt Rowan. Duke Bertrand laughed with Uncle Leo, and sometimes I saw Daddyo send looks in their direction.
As time went on I got more and more tired, and I wanted to ask Mama when they would finally cut the cake, but then Drake and Jessica stand to thank everyone for coming, and we all head outside.
“No cake?” I whisper at Gabe when we take a seat in Daddyo’s limo.
He shrugs. Mama and Drake join us in the car, and I wonder where Jessica is. I spend the drive back looking out at the streets we passed.
“Do you think they’re already done with the search?” Drake asks.
“Perhaps,” Daddyo answers. “I don’t believe it should have taken the entire day, especially if no one resisted.”
“Do you really think it could have been someone from the court?” asks Mama.
Daddyo shrugs. “I’m not sure. I certainly hope not.”
When we get out of the car, we see Lord Maxwell and everyone else walking into the big house. They wave at us, and we begin to follow, but someone walks up to Daddyo.
“Your Majesty,” the man says. “There is something you need to see.”
The five of us follow the man up the stairs and down dark hallways. I don’t even hear people talking, and the big house suddenly feels spooky.
The man leads us into Gabe’s room, where there’s Bastien and some other people in similar suits. Bastien stands over Gabe’s open suitcase, and he looks down at something on his bed.
“What is it?” Mama asks. She rushes forward to lean over the thing that Bastien was looking at, then gasps.
Drake and Daddyo follow Mama, and their faces frown when they inspect the object.
“I...” Mama tries to speak. “I saw this at the Met. Before the bomb went off.”
Gabriel and I look at each other, confused.
“What on Earth was it doing in Gabriel’s belongings?” Daddyo questions Bastien.
“I don’t know. We didn’t even know this was the prince’s room,” Bastien tells everyone. “My team believed it was the room of another Lord or Lady, so we decided to inspect it. We only realized it was His Highness’ room after we had already found the painting.”
What painting are they talking about? I turn to look at Gabriel, but his chin starts to shake. All the adults are still questioning each other, and since they aren’t really paying attention to me, I make my way over to the edge of Gabe’s bed to look at what the problem was.
It was a painting of a bunch of dancers. They were wearing bright-pink pointe shoes, and I figured they were ballerinas. The whole thing looks like it was recently painted, but I tap the painted flower in the painted girl’s hair, and my finger comes away dry.
“What’s the commotion?” Duchess Olivia comes into the room. She towers over me to look at the painting. When she looks back at everyone, she’s just as confused.
“This painting,” Mama begins to explain, “was in the Met the day of the bombing. The Dance Class. There was ash on it, and... look, they’ve painted over it to make it look new.” Mama points to certain places on the portrait.
“Weren’t the missing paintings around Europe connected to the incident at the Met?” Drake asks.
“They were,” Duchess Olivia speaks up. “And there was some evidence that the perpetrators were from Europe, but nothing came of it.”
“So that means it is someone at court,” Drake states.
“I’m still concerned as to how the painting got into Gabriel’s room,” Daddyo states.
“Mom, I didn’t do anything,” Gabe goes to our mother. Tears are falling down his face and he’s having a hard time breathing.
Mama holds his head in her hands. “Baby, I know you didn’t.”
She holds Gabriel while he cries. Duchess Olivia and Bastien continue their conversation.
“Everyone whose belongings were searched showed no suspicious behavior or resisted in any capacity,” Bastien tells us.
“Give me the names of whose rooms were checked,” Duchess Olivia demands. “I’ll have Jacob look into it.”
Gabe starts to cough roughly into Mama’s side. He tries to take in a breath, but a cough, vibrating from his chest, forces its way out. Gabriel’s face goes pink, and Daddyo and Bastien kneel in front of him.
“Your Majesty,” Bastien says. “Perhaps the prince should see a doctor.”
Daddyo’s focused on making sure Gabe can breathe, and once he’s calm and Mama wipes the tears from his face, Daddyo nods at Bastien.
“I’ll schedule an appointment for you early in the morning, Your Majesty.”
“C’mon, you two,” Mama says to us. “Let’s get you both to bed.”
...
Mama woke us up extra early again, but this time I wasn’t so tired. Her and Daddyo fussed over Gabe while we ate breakfast in a small dining room.
They brought me to the doctor’s office with them. I didn’t like that I was back in the hospital, but when we were brought to the waiting room, I was glad that I didn’t see any patients or sick people.
Once a nurse tells us that the doctor will be here in a few moments, Gabe comments, “I ate two whole apples yesterday but we still ended up at the doctor’s.”
Mama laughs. “Really?”
“That’s a lie,” I add in. “He ate three.”
“The extra apple didn’t save me,” he states.
The doctor arrives and shakes Mama’s and Daddyo’s hands. She says that she wants to bring Gabriel into another room to run some tests and ask some questions. Mama follows Gabe, and Daddyo and me are left in the waiting room.
“Is Gabe sick?” I ask him after Mama and Gabe have left.
“I’m sure your brother is fine. There’s nothing to worry about, angel.”
His phone rings, and I expect him to walk away and answer it, but he stays in his seat and talks. I spend the next few minutes walking around the waiting room, picking up magazines and staring up at the television. I grab three booklets from the stands and hand two of them to Daddyo, who is still on the phone.
He leans back in his seat and watches me flip through the magazines while talking. When I’ve gone through all of them and sniffed more than twelve perfume samples, he’s finally done with his call.
“What are we doing tomorrow?” I ask him. I was hoping that we could go to the movies again so we could all spend time together. Even though we had fun yesterday morning, the moments felt too short.
“The fox hunt is tomorrow. We’ll be visiting an ancient village.”
“We’re gonna hunt?!” I cry.
He gives a deep laugh. “No, no, we’ll just ride horses to get to a village.”
“Phew,” I voice, making him laugh again. “Wait, I don’t know how to ride a horse! Do you?”
“Yes. Perhaps after the baking contest today, I can teach you and your brother.”
I wanted to ask him what the baking contest was for, but the doctor finally comes back to tell us that we can come into the room now.
Gabe is sitting on the examination table, and Mama stands next to him. I take a seat next to the table and Daddyo stands next to the doctor.
“So I’ve taken a physical exam,” the doctor starts explaining, “and a lung function test. We’ve been able to determine that Gabriel has asthma.”
Mama and Daddyo both frown.
“How?” Mama asks. “He’s not allergic to anything, doesn’t have allergies...”
“Sometimes,” the doctor starts again, “asthma can be triggered in children by cold air, excessive exercise, or air pollutants.”
“Air pollutants?” Daddyo questions.
“Like tobacco smoke.” The doctor pretends to hold up a cigarette to her lips.
“Oh, God,” Mama whispers, putting her face in her hands.
“What is it?” Daddyo asks.
Mama lifts her head again. “Theo smoked. A lot. While I was pregnant and during Gabe’s first year. I think he only fully stopped before Ella was born.”
Daddyo’s mouth falls slightly agape and his eyebrows furrow.
“Well, that explains it,” the doctor states. “I’ll give you some treatment options so it doesn’t get worse, but if it does, make sure to give us a call.”
Gabriel jumps off of the examination table. We walk together out of the hospital and back into the car.
No one says anything while we drive back. Mama and Daddyo both seem tense. I want one of them to start talking, but I’m afraid to speak.
“I thought that Theo would go outside to smoke,” Mama finally says. “I didn’t even consider...” She trails off and puts her head back in her hands.
“Didn’t consider that you were putting my son in the care of a drug addict?” Daddyo says quickly. We all turn to him. He looks at Mama like he’s angry. I’ve never seen him or heard him like that. I don’t understand why talking about Daddy made him mad.
“What?”
“Instead of bringing him to me, where I could have kept him safe, you decide to bring my son into the hands of a stranger?”
“You’re saying that as if I had a choice.”
“You’ve always had a choice, Riley!”
“Not then, I didn’t—”
“You always did.” Their voices get louder. I think they’ve forgot that we’re still in the car with them. “If you had refused to depart with him, what was the worst that could have happened?”
Mama’s voice breaks. “I did refuse!”
“Truly? Look where we are now.”
“Do you really think that I left that day with no intention of coming back? I tried for years to convince Theo!”
Daddyo doesn’t say anything for a few moments. He looks away from Mama, but not at us, until he finally says, “Riley, we were the ones who had to bring you back, and that was when you were on death’s door.”
“So you’re assuming that I never even tried to come back?”
“Clearly, Riley, you didn’t!” he screams. “You told me that you traveled to Europe numerous times, but not once did you try to contact me.”
“I wasn’t allowed to!”
“So you voluntarily let that man determine my son’s health and your life?”
They’re both leaning forward in their seats. Mama looks like she’s ready to cry. I can’t tell how Daddyo’s feeling, but the tone of his voice kinda scares me.
“You’re blaming me for all this, aren’t you?” Mama asks. “He’s still just a kid, his asthma hasn’t gotten into anything worse—”
“And if it did? If it had gotten worse before we realized it? Tell me, Riley, what would have happened then?”
Mama pauses for a moment. She looks helpless. I want to hug her, but I was still too frightened to move a muscle.
Daddyo breathes out and leans forward, looking down at his shoes with his elbows on his legs.
“My father battled lung cancer for the last few years of his life,” he continues. “How do we know if Gabriel’s condition won’t worsen into something similar?”
“We can talk to the doctor about it,” Mama suggests in a small voice.
Daddyo doesn’t say anything. We all fall into silence again. I turn to look at Gabe, who seems like he’s trying to melt back into the seat. Craning my neck, I try to see what’s out the window, wondering how long it would take us to get back to the big house.
I turn to look at Mama. My mother’s face is slightly pink, and there are tears streaming down her face. I get up out of my seat to hug her, wrapping my arms around her waist, but she doesn’t react.
Daddyo looks at her, but he doesn’t have the same face on from when he usually talked to Mama. He looked mean and angry.
“What about Boris?” Daddyo speaks up. He turns to Mama again, but she just stares at him. “He was with Theodore when he forced you to leave New York?”
“Yes.”
Daddyo sighs and leans back in his seat. “Did he also forbid you from returning to Cordonia?”
“No,” Mama answers simply.
“So it was just Theodore?”
Silence again. Daddyo doesn’t look away from Mama.
“What did he say about me that... inspired you to leave?”
She doesn’t answer him.
Someone opens the door to the car. I didn’t even realize we had stopped driving. Mama wipes her tears and gets out of the car, rushing into the big house. As soon as Daddyo steps out, some people surround him and start talking to him. His expression changes quickly, and it’s almost like he was never mad.
Gabe and me get out of the car, and we follow people back towards the apple trees. My brother stays quiet, and I don’t try to talk to him, either. I knew the both of us were thinking about what had just happened.
When we reach the crowd of people, Lord Maxwell and Aunt Rowan call us over to them. “Baby blossoms! Come bake some apple pie with us!”
I ran over to them, hoping that the apple pies would make me feel better. Gabriel still walks slowly.
“Hey, Gabey,” Aunt Rowan says to him. “Everything okay?”
He shrugs. “They had a fight...”
“Who?” Lord Maxwell asks, putting down the knife he was using to cut apples.
“Mama and Daddyo,” I tell them.
“About what?”
Gabe shrugs again. “The doctor said that I have asthma, and then they started talking about... about Dad.”
“Aw,” Rowan says. She pulls Gabe into a hug.
“They’re both probably worried,” Maxwell wonders aloud. Him and Rowan give each other a look, but then we go back to making apple pie.
Lord Maxwell had forgotten to tell the judges that he wanted to be a part of the competition, so our pie was not judged, which meant that we got to eat the entire thing. Countess Hana and Lady Kiara’s pie won, and we cheered them on from the sidelines.
I didn’t see Daddyo for the rest of the day, and Lord Maxwell told us that he was probably really busy. I wanted to go find him and ask him to teach me how to ride a horse, but I was worried that he was still mad.
So instead, a little after sunset, Lord Maxwell brought me, Gabe, and Rowan to the stables and taught us about horses for a little bit. I learned how to sit and stay balanced, and was excited for the hunt tomorrow. I just hoped that Mama and Daddyo weren’t still mad at each other.
