Chapter 18 Elias’s new world
The sound of Elias's laughter drifted into the room, through the shared walls, into Isabella's ears.
She opened her eyes, groaning. She'd been trying to fall back to sleep after waking up the first time, thinking he was with her, but all efforts to go back to sleep had proved futile.
The door opened slightly, and unconsciously, she sat upright, thinking it was Elias.
Her shoulders crumpled when Mira entered.
“You're awake,” Mira said, curtsying slightly.
Isabella nodded, her eyes fixated on the door behind her.
Mira smiled softly, her eyes understanding what was happening at the moment. “He says they're having a boys' day out.” She supplied.
Isabella smiled appreciatively.
“I could bring him in for a minute,” Mira said and turned her back to the door.
She hesitated. “That won't be necessary. We're going to stop the fun if we do that.” Her heart ached with every word that came out of her mouth.
A loud happy laugh drifted towards them again and she and Mira shared a glance before bursting out in slight laughter.
The little boy had just proved them right.
“What's the itinerary for today?” She said, yawning softly as she stretched.
“Lady Margaret cancelled classes for today, citing that she may need to discuss with his Majesty for better teaching methods.”
Isabella slighted. Of course, she would. “And breakfast?” She prodded. “I'm pretty sure I missed Elias and Lu…His Majesty is having breakfast.”
She was glad she'd caught herself in time from spilling his name.
“Mrs Louvre's gonna send someone to your quarters.” She opened her mouth as if to say more, then closed it almost immediately.
Isabella sighed. She could hear the unspoken words that Mira wasn't saying. Mrs Louvre had not deemed it fit to call her down for breakfast and after the embarrassing scene with Lady Margaret, she was trying to punish her.
“That's better,” she muttered as she sat up. “I would not want to burden them with my presence downstairs.
Mira hummed, as though in agreement.
“I'll ring the staff so they can hurry with the meal.” She said and stepped out.
“Mira?” Isabella's voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Yes, Ms Thorne?” Her hands were on the doorknob, backing away from Isabella.
Isabella sniffed, an inner battle going on within her.
“Do you think I'm fit to be queen?” She said, her voice very low. So low that Mira had to strain her ears to catch the words.
Mira literally flew towards her, her eyes watery. “Yes you are, Ms Thorne.”
She looked at Isabella's hands on the bed, pausing before taking them up and squeezing them.
“I've worked with a lot of royalties and you're the most humble I've ever come across.” She nodded, her expression serious.
“And the most beautiful too.” She added, making Isabella blush.
She smiled when she saw that the young woman finally had a small smile plastered on her face. She nodded satisfactorily.
“I'll go get the food from the kitchen, myself.”
Isabella nodded, the small smile still plastered on her face, the doubt disappearing.
Mira believed in her and even though Mira was just a lowly servant, it felt good to be supported by someone you had no personal relationship with.
“Can we do it one more time Daddy? It's so cool.” Elias’s happy laughter filled the place, making Lucien's heart full with something inexplicable. .
Was it joy he felt?
Happiness?
He couldn't believe he'd missed six whole years of his son's life. Being a father was soothing.
“You wanna learn something more cool?” He teased with a smile as he anticipated what his son's answer would be.
“Yes, yes…” He jumped immediately, his voice echoing as he held Lucien's hands, urging him to lead the way.
Lucien looked at the small hand that had disappeared in his and broke out into a huge smile, before walking out, leading his son.
His son.
He couldn't believe he had one.
“Wow…” Elias's surprised-filled voice cut into his thoughts. “This is so…” The little boy paused, his face scrunching as if he was looking for the right words.
“Fascinating. This is so fascinating.” His face lit up, as he found the most suitable word.
Lucien nodded, agreeing with him. The little boy was right. “
His lips curved into a smile and anyone who walked in at that moment, would have been shocked.
His smile was unguarded, trusting… and he looked like he had no care in the world. He crouched to the little boy's height.
“Wanna see something more fascinating?” The words were out before he could stop them.
He couldn't believe he was trying to impress a six-year-old.
“Show me, show me,” Elias jumped. He looked like he was having fun.
“Alright then,” he gave a nod, taking a deep breath. “Close your eyes.”
Elias stared at him. “I thought we were doing something fun?” He looked like he'd just been betrayed.
Lucien tried to stop himself from laughing. His boy looked cute. He was too innocent.
“We are. It's just…” he paused, cocking his head to one side. “It's just a different type of fun, but it is fun regardless.
“Okay,” Elias shrugged, his curious eyes darting around to look for the fun, before closing his eyes.
“C’mon, trust me. This is more fun than it looks.” Lucien prodded, amused at his own antics of trying to convince the boy.
“What can you hear?” Lucien whispered. “Do not open your eyes he added, afraid that the little boy would sever his attention by opening his eyes.
Elias frowned. “I can hear your heartbeat. It's slow. Slower than mummy's.”
Lucien stiffened at the mention of Isabella's name. He'd felt her through the bond, while he and his son had been playing in Elias's room.
He shook his head. “What else can you hear? I want you to push. Do not stop, until you hear something.”
“I…” He paused, his facial expression unsure of what he'd just heard.
“You can do this, Elias…” Lucien pushed.
“I can hear voices and swords. Looks like some people are training.”
Lucien smiled. A triumphant one, as he studied his son.
“You can open your eyes now, son.” He touched him and Elias opened his eyes, his expression lighting up.
“It looked real.” He spoke, excitedly as he looked around, realising what had just happened.
“It is real,” Lucien said, standing up, taking his hands as he led him to the window where a pair of binoculars lay.
He handed them to Elias.
“Don't you need one, daddy?” Elias asked innocently.
Lucien shook his head. “My powers allow me to see that far.”
“Wow,” Elias was amazed. “Your powers are so cool, daddy.”
Lucien nodded. “Wait till you see what yours can do. Yours is going to be more amazing.” He said, helping Elias wear the pair of binoculars.
“Wow…is that?”
“Yes…” Lucien supplied.
“I can hear that far?” He asked again, his gaze completely focused on the sight before him.
Lucien smiled. His boy was truly adorable.
Elias dropped the binoculars before turning to face Lucien.
“This is so amazing. Can you teach me how to see that far without any kind of help? Pretty please?”
The little boy folded his hands together in a praying position as he blinked his eyelids. The one he'd gotten from his mother.
Lucien smiled. He'd done exactly this as a little boy. And he was going to give his son the same answer he'd received years back.
“Training typically starts when you clock seven.”
Elias rolled his eyes. “I'm six already. What difference would it make?”
Even though Lucien had been expecting that sort of response, it still made him burst out laughing.
This was his son. His own flesh and blood.
“That's fair,” he said nodding. “I'll see what I can do.”
“Really?” Elias’s eyes lit up again. The boy looked genuinely pleased.
“That'll be so cool. Today was so cool, Daddy. I'm gonna tell Mommy all about it once I see her.”
The little boy rattled off, unaware of the distance growing between his parents.
Lucien stiffened at the thought of running into Isabella. He was trying so hard to ignore the anger in his heart towards her.
But he would have to see her, sooner or later. They had a ball to plan.
Actually, she was the one who had a ball to plan and he would just have to show up with her on his arms.
His heart burned at the thought of spending that much time with her that night.
And for the sake of his reputation, he would have to act right with her. Pretend as though all was well between them.
Pretend that she hadn't meant to trap him with this pregnancy. How convenient she showed up six years ago. Just the very moment he was in need.
Elias's stomach growled loudly, making Lucien smile. As much as he despised Isabella, he couldn't help but be thankful for his son.