Chapter 4
Rustling. Cornelia opened her eyes at the sound of a certain someone going through her stuff.
"Lillian! I've told you a thousand times to knock before you come in!"
The little girl just stared at her bluntly for a few seconds and continued searching through her sister's stuff without acknowledging her comment.
" I have to find mister Pickles! I can't go on vacation without him!"
"Wait, what?" The sleepiness gave way to reality as Cornelia soon remembered that she was no longer living with her sister. "Lillian, how did you get here?"
"Mum and dad brought me" The little girl said while throwing all the stuff from the cupboard on the floor and making a mess. "Hmmm, he's not here" Lillian bolted towards her room.
He? Cornelia remembered another piece of the puzzle. She was taking care of an unusually grumpy prince who should be downstairs right now. Oh shit. Her parents were here! Oh my god, oh my God! She jumped from the bed and raced downstairs. The front door was open but there was no sign of anyone. She heard voices in the corridor. Thank god we have talkative neighbors! she thought.
She glimpsed towards the unmade sofa covered with sheets and at the clothes thrown all around the living room. The biggest problem however was standing in front of her.
"You! In the kitchen. Now!"
"I usually prefer to be the dominant one but we can give this a shot" The prince gave her a smirk.
" I don't have time for your jokes" The earth guardian was already pushing him in the kitchen. "Don't go out!" she shut the door after him.
Cornelia then turned her attention towards the mess. She waved her hand and in a few moments everything was tip top just in time because a middle aged man with a mustache popped out of the door. "Where is my little pumpkiiin?"
"Oh, hi Dad, I thought you left already" Cornelia gave the man a big hug.
"Well, Lillian couldn't go without mr pickles. She was whining all morning, you know" The blonde smiled remembering her sister's mood swings.
"Hi sweetie!" her mother appeared from behind Mr Hale and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. "Why aren't you dressed? It's already 10 o'clock!"
"Uhhhm I overslept?" Cornelia smiled awkwardly.
"Well, it happens to the best of us!" Her father laughed. "But you should be careful so it doesn't become a habit"
"Oh come on Harold, you should be the one to talk!" Ms Hale gave the man an elbow and laughed.
"Don't worry sweetie, we're only here for a little bit. I'll just go grab some water and we're off" Elizabeth Hale started taking her shoes off.
"Oh let me Mom, I'll take care of it"
"Noo, no it's alright" She went past the sofa and just as her hand approached the handle the door opened.
"Good morning" Phobos smiled.
"Oh, And you are?" Miss Hale looked at him startled.
Oh no, my life is over, Cornelia growled. She remembered all the nasty things that Will's mother had to endure and shrugged. But the prince acted in the most unusual manner. He smiled warmly and reached his hand.
"You must be Ms Hale, nice to meet you. I'm Phobos, Cornelia's boyfriend"
Boyfriend?! The guardian's jaw dropped.
"Cornelia you didn't say you had a boyfriend" her mother gave her a questionable look.
"Yes indeed" she heard her father's deep tember from behind. "Phobos? What an unusual name" said Mr Hale as he shook the young man's hand.
"My parents were really fond of astronomy" The prince smiled.
"So for how long have you two been dating?" Elizabeth was looking at her dumbfounded daughter. "Uuugh, for aa… couple of months... "
"Since August to be more precise" The prince interrupted her. "Cornelia didn't want to tell you guys because of your busy work schedule" He made his way toward the blond girl and put his arm on her waist. "Also she wanted to be sure we were suited for each other before introducing me to you, isn't that right honey" He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Uhm yeah..yes, yes"
"And how has it been going?" Her father's tone showed that he wasn't buying this bullshit. It was his princess after all.
"Well, I hadn't had much time to spend with Cornelia in the past few weeks because of work" Phobos admitted
"Really? And what do you do Phobos?"
"I'm managing my family's company for business consulting"
A smile of approval popped on Harold's face as he softened his tone. "That's a responsible job young man, good for you! I myself am looking forward for my pumpkin to take on the company one day once she stops messing around with this silly ice skating"
"Daad!"
"Harold stop insisting on this! We already talked about it, Cornelia will follow her own path"
"Yes of course darling", Mr Hale hugged his wife. "But it won't hurt if Phobos here tells her a little about the industry and the importance of family business"
"Will do, Mr Hale" The prince smiled.
"Oh" Elizabeth exclaimed, "I think it's time to go! Lillian, are you ready?"
"In a minute Mom!"
"I'm going to get her" After a couple of seconds they heard a voice. "Harold! Please cope with your daughter, she doesn't want to leave!"
Harold sighted and went after the mumbling voices.
"My boyfriend? Really?" Cornelia whispered as they walked to the corridor.
"What else would I be doing in your house this early in the morning while you are still wearing your nightgown?" Phobos said through gritted teeth while still faking a smile. She thought about it for a second. Her parents wouldn't react well to the fact that she might be sleeping with random strangers. I guess I'll go with that story. She sighed.
The mumbling from upstairs stopped and suddenly a little blond girl popped up from the corridor and rushed towards them.
"Oh so you're Cornelia's new boyfriend. I hope you stay longer than the others, her nickname in highschool was ice queen you know. I'm Lillian by the way" The little girl reached her hand.
Once the prince took her hand he instantly found out. He turned to Cornelia so that only she could see the coldness in his eyes
"What a lovely sister you have" Cornelia shrugged.
"Don't touch her! Uhm..She was sick last week" She grabbed his hand and pushed him away.
"No I was not!" The little girl exclaimed.
"Shut up Lilian and go put your shoes on!" the guardian commanded.
"Ugh! Why do you always ruin everything!" The little girl yelled angrily.
"Lilian, what did we talk about this morning? If you misbehave there will be no vacation for you" Mr Hale said as he was walking down the stairs.
The girl gave her sister a dirty look but did not say anything more.
"Ok honey we're going" Elizabeth kissed the guardian on the cheek.
"It was nice to meet you Ms Hale, Mr Hale" Phobos shook the man's hand.
"Be careful you two"
"Don't worry sir, she's in safe hands"
"Mommy I want a boyfriend too!" Lillian exclaimed.
"Don't worry young lady, Phobos smiled, I'm sure you'll find someone to steal your heart" Cornelia tensed at the thought.
As soon as the door shut, Cornelia unwrapped herself from the prince's grip. He smiled slyly.
"Don't act like you didn't enjoy my company"
She huffed and crossed her arms. Phobos looked around and set his gaze on the family portrait.
"Now I understand why you've been chosen to be the guardian of earth" The prince had a disturbingly slimy smirk. "And I thought they just spilled titles here like they do gambling"
"Don't you dare go near my sister!" Cornelia snapped.
"Don't worry, I couldn't possibly do any harm in my current situation" He said in a nonchalant manner as he stretched his arms and then looked at his watch. "Well what do you know! It's almost time for the meeting with the other guardians. Shall we go pumpkin?"