I woke up rather unpleasantly to someone tugging on my hair. I opened my eyes just in time to see Concordia step back hurriedly. Sitting up, I realized that all three of them are standing there.
"Anthea, Concordia, Natural, what are you three doing here?" I asked, as the time was currently 2:44 am.
"Um... So, I had a bad dream." N started, shuffling his feet. "So I went to Ann and Dia's room."
"And we were nice," Concordia cut in, "so we asked if N wanted to talk about it, and so he told us-"
"And then they got scared, and then we were all scared, and so we came in here." N finished.
I turned to Anthea, who hadn't said anything throughout this whole story. "Anthea? Is this true?" I asked.
Anthea nodded.
I turned my attention back to Natural and Concordia. "What is it you want from me, children?" I ask, fighting back the urge to yawn.
"C-can we sleep in here tonight?" Natural asked.
I narrowed my eyes. (Or, eye, actually.) "Last time I checked boy, all three of you had your own rooms that you could sleep in." Perhaps I said that too harshly, but the three of them had woken me up, so I didn't much care.
"But it's really scary in there!" Concordia persisted, giving me a pleading look. I raised an eyebrow. Unimpressive. I've seen better from a hydreigon.
I was somehow spontaneously inflicted with a stroke of kindness because I said: "Just this once." And moved over so they could scramble pathetically onto my very expensive mattress.
Yup, I was already regretting this. Having two six-year-olds and one five-year-old in one bed while you are trying to go to sleep is not a pleasant experience.
After what felt like an hour to me, Natural and Concordia fell asleep, leaving me and Anthea as the only two awake.
"Dad?" She asked.
"Hm?" I responded, I was already drifting off.
"What happened with your... Hy-dra-gon?" She asked slowly, trying to sound out the word.
I laughed. Children are so very amusing sometimes. "It's pronounced hydreigon. And that is a story for when you are older." Much, much older. I thought to myself. Knowing Anthea, she would probably burst into tears if she heard the story now.
She gave a little huff of disappointment and fell into silence again.
After a few more minutes of peaceful quiet, Anthea spoke up again.
"I don't think N wants to be king." She said.
Well that certainly woke me up.
"A-and why do you say that?" I said, trying not to start screaming.
"Because he told me once." Anthea answered.
"Did he now?" I said, my voice was wavering dangerously, and I suppose Anthea noticed too, because she quickly dropped the subject.
"Going back to your... Uh... What was it called?" She asked, trying to remember.
"Hydreigon." I answered, I was very intrigued as to where this was going, however I would definitely remember to question Natural in the morning.
"Going back to your hydreigon, um, is that the reason your all scary and stuff?" She asked.
I laughed again, not expecting that kind of question. I do enjoy the tenacity of children, if nothing else.
"Yes, Anthea, that is why 'I'm all scary and stuff.'" I said, quoting her words.
She yawed and snuggled up closer to me. Apparently still under the influence of the kindness, wrapped my good arm around her in a loose hug.
"Did I ever tell you you're my favorite." I said.
"Oh, that's nice." She said sleepily, closing her eyes.
A few minutes later I did the same.