Shame on me! I am so sorry for not updating for so long. But I needed new ideas first and I'm also busy with the boys and a new story. Thank you so much for your patience and I hope you like the new chapter. I wish you a lot of fun.

Greetings Petit Erik

Over the next few weeks, the boys became more and more accustomed to their new home. They talked more with Alexia's parents and siblings and were no longer so shy with the servants. And their friendship with the three girls really blossomed. Almost every day the 6 children spent together. And sometimes Alexia would just take them into town with her. At first, the townspeople were hesitant, but as time went by, they warmed up to the three and by now everyone was happy to see them.

One morning, when Alexia woke up, she heard a slight rumbling. She got up, tied her robe around herself and then went in the direction from which she heard the rumbling. She stopped in the doorway of the library in amazement and her eyes widened. Inside, she saw the three boys sitting on the floor, surrounded by books they had taken off the shelf themselves. They had only their sleeping clothes on and were sitting on the large soft Persian rug, which was in the middle of the room.

Alexia cleared her throat and the three looked up in surprise. She raised her eyebrow in a silent request of an explanation. They fussed a bit.

Finally Gerik said: "All those books look so interesting and we really wanted to read them. But we're not tall enough to reach the top shelves. That's why we made a robber's ladder so we could reach."

"And that made some of the books fall out for you?" she asked.

"No," Merik said, "I couldn't carry them all, so some fell off."

Alexia nodded and joined the three in the room.

"Let me show you a trick," she said, walking over to one of the bookshelves.

The three followed her.

Then she said aloud: "Books about America!"

A book came out from the very top of the shelf and landed right in her hand. The boys' mouths dropped open. Alexia turned to them.

"It's that simple. Try it for yourself."

With that, she put their books away again. Erik was the first to try.

"Books about architecture," he said, and immediately the appropriate books came to him.

Merik said: "Books about music," and the same thing happened with him as with Erik.

The last to go was Gerik.

He wished: "Books about magic" and as with the other two, the books he wished for appeared.

Alexia grinned.

"So, easy, right?"

They looked at her and nodded excitedly.

Before everyone could turn to their books, she said: "I think we should eat breakfast first, don't you? I think the others are already awake, too."

They thought about it for a moment and decided that would probably be the best solution. So they put their books on a table and joined Alexia going down the stairs. They were joined by their brothers, who still looked slightly sleepy.

"Morning," Alexia said cheerfully.

"Ugh, not so loud, Alex. I need a coffee first before I can get on the air."

Victor grumbled and staggered rather than walked. His brother Aaron was the complete opposite of him. He was already wide awake and perky on his feet. Victor just grumbled at his brother's cheerfulness and shuffled behind him into the dining room.

Soon the king and queen joined them, while Alexander looked like his first son in the face, Cynthia, on the other hand, was like her youngest. She was also always wide awake early, while her husband always needed some time for it. He was just like his son; nothing worked without coffee. But fortunately the coffee was already there, so the mood went up a notch. Alexia was the only one, besides the three boys, who did not drink coffee. She was more attracted to tea. She gave some of it to the three children to try. They took a sip and their faces brightened.

"What flavor is this?" asked Merik.

"Cherry-banana. Do you like it?" asked Alexia.

"Very much," he said, continuing to sip his tea. The other two could tell they liked it. They had soon emptied their cups and politely asked for another.

When breakfast was finished, everyone went their separate ways. The boys went back to the library, Alexia went to the castle garden, her brothers accompanied her and her parents went elsewhere. The siblings walked in the garden and finally reached the fountain. They sat down on the edge and looked into the water.

"Hi, Dad," Alexia said, "We're back."

After she said this, a face suddenly appeared in the water. She grinned and her eyes grew moist. And her brothers were no different. They too had tears in their eyes, but still smiled at the image in the water.

"So, how are my little ones?" the face asked.

"Very well, Dad," said Victor, "and you?"

"Just fine. Who are the three boys my daughter brought here?"

"I found them in Paris, papa. I saw what was done to them because of their faces. I couldn't help it. I had to help them."

"I know," her father said, "I saw what was done to them, too. And I'm proud of you for getting them out of that hellhole."

"Thanks, Dad."

"I think you've already decided that they should have the same abilities as you, too, haven't you?"

"Do you think it's a good idea, Dad?" asked Aaron.

"I wouldn't have a problem with it, as long as you teach them, it's perfectly fine with me."

"All right," said Victor, "thank you, Papa."

"No problem," replied Poseidon, "give my regards to your father."

"Will do. See you soon, Papa," Alexia said, and she and her brothers waved goodbye to their father.

Their father waved back to them and his image disappeared back into the water.

When the siblings arrived at the castle, they split up. Alexia went to her parents and the two brothers went to the library. There the three boys sat on the carpet and looked at their books. The brothers also went to bookshelves, dropped the books into their hands with a snap of their fingers, and sat down on the carpet with the boys. They looked up briefly, smiled at the brothers, and turned back to their reading. Every now and then, Erik got up to get a few sheets of paper, on which he scribbled something.

Victor leaned toward him.

"That looks very good. You really have a talent for it."

Erik looked at him.

"You really believe that?"

"Of course I believe it. It looks very nice."

Erik blushed a little with embarrassment. He had never received praise for anything before.

"Thank you," he said, looking down at the floor in embarrassment.

"I could see you making some very nice buildings someday. But you'll need a good education to do it."

"But who would give me that with this?" he asked, pointing to his face.

"Or rather, us? Because we would want to learn it too," Merik said, looking up from his book. Gerik looked up as well and nodded.

"Well," Victor said, "I suppose by now everyone in town knows you, right?"

The three nodded.

"If you're the right age, I don't see a problem with you doing that kind of training," Aaron interjected into the conversation.

"But I would ask the apprentices first before you start there."

"You would really help us with that?" asked Gerik.

"Of course. If you want, we'll be happy to help," Victor replied.

"Thank you," the three said and hugged him.

He looked a little surprised at first, but then he relaxed. It was rare that the boys showed so much affection. Despite all the time they had spent with them, they were still a little shy.

In the meantime, Alexia had gone to her parents and told them about the meeting with her father. She sent her father greetings, which he was very happy to hear from his old friend again.

"When are you actually going to show and teach them your skills?" asked Alexander.

"Soon," his daughter replied, "when they're old enough and a little more settled in."

"Okay."

"I think they'll be as good at it as you are with their genius," the queen said, smiling at Alexia.

The latter grinned.

"Don't remind me of my previous behavior toward my brothers."

"Oh God, stop that," the king groaned, burying his head in his hands.

Alexia giggled, said goodbye, and went to her room.

If someone had claimed that the 6 children would be just simple friends, they couldn't have sunk any lower. The 6 were best friends and spent all the time they had together. No one was left out or laughed at; they were like their own little family. The few times Alexia was around, she could have sworn there was more than friendship in the eyes of the three girls. But she didn't want to commit yet. She was asked often now, either by the boys or the girls, when they could stay over. Fortunately, Alexia had already talked to her parents and brothers about it. And they saw no problem in it. So she decided to go to Gustav's house again today and give him this message.

She came out of her room, walked down the hall, past the library, and casually called out: "Who wants to go to Gustav?"

Immediately three small figures came rushing out of the library.

"Us!" they shouted in chorus.

She laughed.

"Well then, put on your shoes and we can go."

The three immediately ran to their rooms and returned a short time later.

"Okay, then we can go," Alexia said and together they ran into town.

A short time later they arrived at Gustav's house. Alexia knocked and immediately the door was pulled open. Christine was standing in the doorway, grinning like a honey-cake horse.

"Slow down, slow down," Alexia said.

"Why? Our friends are here, aren't they?" she called, pulling the three boys into the house.

They followed her willingly, and Alexia just shook her head and followed them.

While the six children played outside, Alexia chatted with Gustave. He was visibly pleased by her news and was very happy for his daughters.

"When do you want them to come, or would you like to take them?" he asked.

"If you don't mind, I'd take them later already," she replied.

"Of course I don't mind. I would just go to their rooms and pack up their things already, if you don't mind?"

"No, of course not. I'll watch out for the little rascals already."

He smiled at her and disappeared inside the house.

When it was finally time for the boys to leave, they were almost crushed, as they were every time.

"We're going to miss you guys," Sierra muttered.

"We'll miss you too," Merik replied.

"I hope you come back soon," Emmy said to Gerik.

"We hope so too," he returned, hugging her to him.

"I don't want you to go," Christine murmured.

Before Erik could answer, Alexia replied: "What if you didn't have to say goodbye?"

Christine and Erik looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Didn't you guys talk about sleeping over once?" she asked with a grin.

"Yes, we did. Why?"

Alexia looked to Gustave, who nodded and grinned, disappeared briefly into the house, and emerged moments later with three bags. The girls' and boys' eyes grew wide.

"I've talked to my parents, my brothers, and earlier your father about sleeping over. And they all see no problem with it. So your father and I have decided that this day should be today."

In the end, Alexia grinned, like the cat with her milk. The three girls squealed with delight, hugging first Alexia and then their father. The boys did likewise. Then they said goodbye to Gustave and headed for the castle.

As they approached the castle, the girls' eyes grew as big as saucers. Alexia led them inside and immediately their parents and brothers were there to greet the friends of the three. The queen was immediately enchanted by their loveliness and the king and Alexia's brothers also took the three to their hearts at once. After everyone had introduced themselves, they followed Alexia to the upper floor.

She asked: "Would you like to sleep in the boys' room or would you like your own?"

The girls thought for a moment, then said: "We would like to sleep with our friends."

"Okay", Alexia said and led them into the rooms.

While she was unpacking the three's bags, they were in the bathroom. The three boys were standing beside her, nervous and afraid.

"What is it?" she asked.

Gerik murmured almost so softly that it couldn't be heard: "What if they're afraid of us?"

Alexia's eyes widened.

"Why would they be afraid?"

"Look at us!" he replied gesturing to himself.

"I don't think they will be afraid of you. They weren't afraid of you in the beginning and they won't be now. Trust them."

The three nodded and made an effort to follow Alexia's advice.

As it turned out, all the worry was for nothing. As they all lay in bed, the girls snuggled up to their best friends, they couldn't be higher in heaven. And when Alexia came to them and told a story, they felt complete happiness for the first time in their lives. Their best friends snuggled up to them and were not afraid of their faces, they had a proper home, food and a bed and the most loving family they could imagine. Yes, this is what pure happiness must have felt like. The happiness of heaven.