Chapter 16: Alexandria: (11) Family

–Alexandria–

With this information and the confusion, I am now getting dizzy and hungry.

“Breakfast is ready!” Sy stood. “Let’s not make Alexa dizzy with the threats and opinions. Ophelia, stop clinging to her, alright?”

Lia’s arms tighten around me.

“Let’s go.” Maxim approached me and reached Ophelia.

The girl clings to me tightly like a little koala.

“Lia, stop it.” His voice is deep and strict. How can he sound so sexy when he’s sounding strict and dominant?

Lia slowly slipped off my lap and frowned at him. I stood and reached her right hand. She smiled and held it, then she showed her tongue to her brothers, who were shocked by whatever she did.

Maxim slid his fingers to my right hand as I tried to pull it, but he held it almost tight.

“I’m escorting you this time, my love.” He led me to a sunroom. With daisies, hibiscus, orchids, and begonias. My eyes caught the black orchids. Maxim pulled a chair for me as I sat down while the boys took their seats lazily. On my left, Ophelia settled.

“Oh, there are many,” I mumbled. I don’t know most of the things on the table. “Are we gonna finish all of these? Do you guys even eat dinner?”

“Just pick whatever you want, Mom. These breakfasts are the main breakfasts around the world.”

“I~~” I glared at Demetrius, who was so damn stubborn. I told him, like two times, not to call me ‘mom’. I feel really, really old. “I am not your mom.”

“Please,” Demetrius waved it off and picked up his coffee. “Have some onigiri.”

“I love that.” Ophelia beamed as I took a plate of onigiri.

“The dishes are breakfast around the world,” Sy explained.

“Why~~” I sighed. I’m tired of questioning them, so I just picked whatever caught my attention and ate. They all watched me, and it made me uncomfortable. “What?” I asked. They smile softly, and somehow, those smiles and gentle eyes made me feel warm. Like, they admired me.

In this table, their smiles and the way they looked at me weren’t the ones I used to see. Not the ones that would glare at me when I speak or say anything.

“You are just beautiful, darling,” Maxim said softly.

My heart felt like it was going to explode, and I felt my cheeks burn.

I looked down at Ophelia, who looked at me with full admiration. That I never saw from anyone at all. It somehow made me feel new. I am not used to that kind of look. But it made me blush. I smile tightly, and they go on with their meal.

“I was thinking, maybe we should go on a trip.”

“It's a lockdown,” Maxim says.

“But Papá, we can go to our rest house. A private place with beautiful scenery.” Sy suggested.

“Since it’s locked down, does that also mean that we can’t go on with the engagement party? I mean, for mom’s safety. We can’t invite people who have a potential virus.”

“Good question,” Maxim nodded. “Family only. I already invited them, and they will be quarantined at the guest house.”

“Not in the castle, but the guest house?” Sy asked.

“Yes,”

The fact that they already decided, and I have nothing to do with it… makes me really left out with details.

“Don’t worry. You won’t get stressed with all of the preparations.” Lia says as she takes a bite of her onigiri. Big word for a five-year-old. Then, thinking that she’s older than five and hasn’t had a chance to grow into an adult makes me feel bad toward her.

“Then, I’ll just sleep all day.” I looked at Maxim. “You are not going to force me to do some weird stuff, right? Or whatever rituals and traditions?”

“Sleeping in the morning is good.” Demetrius nodded. “Let’s have a slumber party in your room!”

“Yeah!” Sylus chimed in.

“Slumber party is meant for girls only,” I interjected.

The boys pouted.

“You’ll have your own schedule, Alexandria. You also need to start with cardio.” His smile was lopsided. “From what I remembered, you tripped many times while running away from me. Let’s try again with that. What do you think?”

“I hate cardio.” I gritted my teeth and held on to my spoon tightly, but he only smirked.

If he only knew that I was so embarrassed while running into the woods. It’s dark, and I couldn’t see a lot. Also, I haven’t hiked for months. But remembering it is both bitter and sweet.

Bitter that we nearly died and sweet that he protected me before himself.

I never thought that someone would do that for me.

“Oh, darling. You need it. Trust me,” he gave a knowing smile as I realized what he meant.

“Dad! Come on!” Demetrius and Sylus, who understood it, complained. I looked at him, horrified, while Ophelia continued eating her onigiri.

“What?” He only glanced at the boys nonchalantly.

I rolled my eyes and ate, then fed Ophelia. I know that she can eat all by herself and she’s graceful, but she can’t reach a few of them on this big table.

“How do you like the breakfast so far, darling?” He asked as I looked at him.

“Oh me?”

“Yes, you. Darling.” His lips curled up as I sneered. He’s trying to piss me off.

“Oh, it’s good. Kudos to the cooks!”

I was surprised when he reached my hand from the table and kissed it.

My whole body jolted as I glared at him.