Wilfred Part 3

It's been a few days since the kids and I have been living in the Royal Palace of Philip. Everyone thinks it's a dream come true but not for my case.

The King and Queen haven't talked to me since the morning I first came here. Our eyes would meet but they would look away instantly. Claude doesn't like me. I don't know what I did but he just doesn't seem to enjoy my stay. The maids and butlers whisper about who I am. I'm used to it but it still bothers me.

I thought people in the Royal palace would have better manners.

The only one who is actually nice is Prince Wilfred. For the past few days I have been invited to his study to talk. I would water the plants first then sit on the couch and we would conversate across the room. Sometimes we wouldn't talk but he asks me to stay as he works. I don't mind it really though. Yeah it's awkward but I stay there for him because I feel like I should. I have a friend.

When was the last time I even had a friend?

Today I plan to head to down to get some stuff for me and the kids. I went down the stairs until Claude stops me.

"Where are you going?" he asked in his stern voice.

"Going out. I need to get some things."

"You are not allowed to leave the palace! If you need something, you ask me or the other maids! Is that understood!?" he shouted at me. "Now what did you need from town?"

"Some sweets and...girl stuff." I said very embarrassed.

"Girl stuff?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah...girl stuff." I emphasized my words for him to take the hint. Finally he understands and looks a bit embarrassed too.

"I'll get a maid on that immediately!" and with that he runs away.

"There goes my plans to leave this prison..." I mumbled. The palace is nice but I need to take a breather.

"Aunty!" Haru called out my name. I looked at the top at the stairs and see her holding Kai's hand in one and her rabbit in the other. "Do you want to play with us?" she asked.

"Sure why not." It's not like I have anything else to do today anyway. I followed them to the courtyard to play.

...

The courtyard was gigantic! The bushes has different kinds of exotic flowers, the paths were either paved or had stepping stones, and the trees were large and filled with life as a gentle breeze goes brought their branches, shaking the leaves.

"So what are playing today?" I asked. Haru leads us to a little white table that was covered in a nice white table cloth and little sandwiches, cookies, and tea cups.

"Tea party!" she said smiling from ear to ear.

"Aren't you a little old to be playing tea party Haru?"

"I know but since we were here I thought it would be great to have a royal tea party at least once." Then she takes my hand pulls me over to a chair and tells me to sit. I shrugged and sat in the chair. Why not since we're here. I want them to have a blast here while we wait for news about the apartment.

Kai sits next to me on the left, Haru's rabbit sits across from me and Haru sits next to me from the right. We began our little tea party.

"Where's Naru? Did you ask him?" Naru came into my mind in the middle of the party.

"Naru says it's childish and girly so he said no and ran off somewhere." Haru looked sad as she poured me some tea.

"Well that's a shame. This tea is really good." I said taking a sip.

"Aunty is something wrong? You and Naruki have been stepping on thin ice around each other lately. And fighting a lot too!" Haru looked down at her tea cup. I was silent for a minute thinking of what to say. She knows we have been strange with each other but she doesn't understand the reasoning behind it. I don't want her to get involved in this. I don't want any worries for her or either of them.

"It's nothing to worry about. Don't worry so much." I said to her, patting her head. "These sandwiches are really good! Who made these?" I asked her, trying to change the subject.

"Claude made them! I ask him if I could some of these things for a tea party and he said yes!" she said cheerly. I guess Claude can be nice when he wants to be.

"Aunt Marika are you really doing this?" I heard Naru's voice. I turned my head and see him standing there, arms crossed looked a bit disappointed. "Aren't you a bit too old to be playing tea party? I know you are struggling to keep yourself young but you don't need to go this far."

"Who are you calling old brat!?" I shouted at him.

"Isn't it obvious?" he said scratching his head.

This brat...

"Naru! Join us for tea!" Haru asked, so happy to see him. Kai nods his head in agreement for Naru to join us.

He doesn't say anything. He keeps looking over for a few minutes like he was thinking of an answer.

"...fine..." He huffs and comes closer.

"Why don't you sit on your aunt's lap?" I patted my lap.

"You weirdo! Why should I!?" Naru denied and shouted back at me. "I'm not 5 years old anymore!"

"Oh come on don't be like that!" I said picking him up in my arms.

"Hey put me down!" he shouted. I swiftly sat back in my seat and held Naru in my arms and rubbed my cheek against his.

"Who's my baby boy?" I said singly. I could feel his face becoming hot of embarrassment. Take that you brat. Then I felt someone tug my sleeve. I looked over and see Kai giving me a puppy eye like he wants to sit on my lap.

"Do you want to sit on my lap Kai?" I asked. He nods very quickly and his eyes become right. "You have to say please though." I said to him, trying to get him to at least say a word. He looked away from, seeming like he did not know what to do.

"...Fine, Naru can switch with Kai." I gave in. I wouldn't have pushed him. I'm worried for him though.

When was the last time Kai even spoke a word of anything?

The boys switched seats happily. Kai snuggles up to me while Haru serves Naru sandwiches and tea.

"I'm sorry Kai." I whispered into his ear as Naru and Haru talked. He stiffens up a bit in my lap. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I'll wait for you to talk again when you are comfortable to talk." I kissed his head. He takes my hand and squeezes it.

"What are you guys talking about?" Naru asks us noticing our little involvement with their conversation.

"Just saying...how cute little Kai is!" I shouted rubbed my cheek against his. "Who's my little man!?"

"You're such an embarrassment. Hey sit a minute! Why is Kai 'little man' and I'm 'baby boy'!?" said Naru yelling at me. Haru laughed loudly, enjoying our bickering. As window hugging Kai, I squeezed his hand back, letting him know that everything is okay. As we were having our little tea party, there was someone watching us through the window.

...

After the tea party, I went into Prince Wilfred's study to water his plants and at least have a conversation.

"Hello!" I greeted him as I walked in.

"Good day." he looks up from his paperwork and smiles at me. I watered his plant and took a seat on the couch and looked at his expensive coffee table. My eyes caught sight of an invitation. Without him looking, I pulled it towards me slowly, taking fast glances at him just in case he notices.

I looked at the beautiful handwriting on the envelope and see it was from the Nobel Michel castle. 'Wow another party! Rich people really do like to party huh.'

"Do you want to go?" the Prince asked.

"Oh no, no, no! I'm not a party person! Besides I'm not fit go to parties like these anyway." I quickly shot him down.

"Don't worry about all that." he said calmly. "Please go with me?" he smiles. My heart pounded in my chest as he smiles at me.

"...okay..." I answered thinking.

"Alright then." His smile became even bigger at my answer.

What did I get myself into?