55|'Slapping you helped a lot.'

As soon as eyes fell on Aiden, I froze and Alex took a protective step in front of me. "We thought that too." I peeked at his voice and he was looking around. "I think that the Castle is clear now. The head of Cross is arrested and unlike last time, we have proof of kidnapping the princess and prince of Kovorelle along with murder of Hunter Clan's prince against them." I relaxed but soon stiffened at the last part. I was so busy in listening to the men that I didn't even notice Aiden walking towards me. "A-Astrid?" I stiffened again and bit my lip as Alex stepped away giving me an encouraging smile. I gingerly looked up and saw guilt filled eyes of my brother. "I-I am sorry." he sighed and before I could open my mouth, he hugged me. I froze but stayed put. I felt a tear slide down my neck and I stiffened even more. "Aiden..." "Don't." he whispered sternly. "Don't say that it wasn't my fault because it was, Astrid. I swear I didn't mean a word I said. I-I was a-angry and you know how I-I act when I am angry." I sighed and gingerly lifted my arms up. "I know." "I didn't mean it, squirt. I love y-you so much and I hope you know that. B-Blood or not, y-you will always be my baby sister. Please forgive your b-brother?" he tightened his arms and I let out a strangled sob. "That is if you s-still take me as-" I immediately pulled away and slapped him. Yup, I slapped my big brother across the face. Everyone gasped and froze. He was cupping his cheek and looking at me with stunned eyes. I pointed a finger at him. "Say that again and I will kill you." He blinked. "You are my brother no matter our DNA. You are my brother no matter our differences. You are my brother no matter what I said and you are my brother no matter what you said." A small smile graced his lips. "You, Asher and dad have raised me and no matter what my last name is, you are family to me too! Get this through your head! Truth to be told, I am still a little hurt and angry with all of you for keeping this from me, for lying to Me." everyone looked away, even Aiden. "But I am more grateful. I am grateful that despite my huge tantrum, you all cared enough to risk your life for me, not because I am blood but because I am loved." I looked at each bruised and happy face as I silently passed a grateful message to all of my friends and family. I turned back towards Aiden. "Maybe it will take me some time to push the words away but Aid..." I sighed dramatically. "Slapping you helped a lot." I bit my lip to hold my chuckle as everyone burst into laughter. Aiden shook his head and picked me up in a bear hug. "Slap me all you want, squirt. I am happy to have you back." I chuckled. Things were getting better again. I hope. ~~~~~~~~ "Leave him!" I shrugged Aiden's arm off me as I ran towards uniformed men who were taking Elliot. They looked back and bowed at me. They freaking bowed at me. Elliot chuckled at my expression, snapping me out of my shock. "Free Elliot." "Your highness, he is-" "No." they clamped their mouth shut. Am I scary? I sighed and rubbed my temple "What I mean is, he helped us out. He is not one of them." "Sorry to disappoint, your highness. Court will decide that." "But-" "Leave it, Cygnet." I turned to see Zach holding my shoulder as his eyes never faltered from his brother. "No! You may hate him but what he did was once against me and today, was for me. I have every right to-" "Cygnet." I stopped at Elliot's hopeless whisper as he studied his siblings with a sad smile. "See you in court, princess." He cut my protest by a forehead kiss. "Take care, swan and forgive. I am trying to do the same." I gave him a sad smile and nodded as the officers took him in. "Let's go home, Cygnet." A current ran down my spine at 'home' and I looked at Alex with doubts in my eyes. He gave me an encouraging smile. "God! How I missed home!" Ian whined and Laws chuckled. While my eyebrows furrowed. I was about to question but Liz beat me to it. "Who are you?" He smirked and took an exaggerated bow. "Ian Abel Knight at your service, precious lady." Liz's cheek flared and I bit my lip at Aiden's scowl. Love is in the air. "Wait. Didn't Knights betrayed Law?" I immediately clamped my mouth shut and cursed my no filter mouth as Ian's smile slid. "They did. But I was not one of them. My surname is Knight but Law is my family." I gave him a small smile as 5-6 black SUV's parked in front of us. The agents that came with Ian were already gone leaving only me and my friends. We too got in and drove away to home. Home. ~~~~~~~~ Well, we were going home but of course we had to take a pit stop at hospital. It took us 4 hours there. From getting our selves bandaged to removing Ian's bullet. Everyone was minimally hurt. I had wounds on wrists and ankles along with bump on forehead and a blue cheek. Aiden had a few cuts here and there. Asher was a different story, he had a lot of cuts and bruises along with a knife stab in bicep. Alex had a hairline fracture in ankle and a lot of knife cuts on his chest and biceps. Rose had a wound from bullet passing close from her shoulder along with cuts. Beatrice had a sprained ankle and a huge bump on her head. Margaret had a fractured wrist. Zach had a black eye and knife cuts while he had to get stiches too. Felix had bullet touch wound on his leg and shoulder along with fracture in finger. Thankfully, Liam didn't had a major concussion. Everyone was more or less alright even after bruises. But Liz was not. Her bruises were emotional. She just came to know that Cross's killed Neal and Ryder. She was a mess. We were all by her side but didn't suffocate her with our presence. I understood what she was going through and gave her a little space. I needed the same, after all I was betrayed by my dead boyfriend and friend, just like her. She is a brave girl. "Cygnet." I was snapped out of my reverie when Alex patted my hand. "Huh?" "We are home, swan." My eyes widened as I looked out of window. A gasp left my lips. Home?! This is freaking castle! Alex chuckled. I thought out loud. "Yes, princess of Kovorelle, this is a castle. Castle of Justice." He took my hand just as the car halted. Beatrice patted him on back before she stepped out of car to give us some privacy. "And it's been just a castle since the day mom dad died, since the day you left. Now, it's your duty to make this castle, home again." I gave him a small smile and nodded. He kissed my forehead. "I am glad that you are back, Cygnet." He whispered and with a pat on my cheek, he opened his gate to get out. I opened mine and stepped out. Alex was by my side in a second and I heard other cars entering the huge gates. But my eyes were busy studying the palace where I spent 6 forgotten years of my life. "Come on." I looked up at my brother and he smiled at me encouragingly as he took my hand. I looked back, searching for my twin brothers. Asher was holding Rose while Aiden took Liz's hand. She looked at him with wide eyes but he gave her a small smile. And then their eyes found mine. I smiled and stretched my hand. Their faces broke into beautiful smiles as they jogged towards us. Aiden threw his arms around my shoulder and Rose ditched her boyfriend to stand next to her bestfriend. "Nobody loves me!" Asher whined behind me and I laughed, even Liz cracked a smile. I was about to reply when a lady came out running and hugged me with all her might. I saw a man behind her along with Tris, Zach and Margo. "Ma! You will kill her." Tris chuckled. "Shut up. I am seeing my girl after so long." She sniffed as she pulled away and kissed my head. "You're scaring her, Willow." The men laughed and came towards me. He patted my head. "My niece." He whispered to himself. "At least let her in!" Margo rolled her eyes with a smile and everyone chuckled. "No love for me?" Ian pouted and the couple chuckled before embracing him. He winced due to his wound. I tuned them out as Alex started guiding me in. Every guard bowed on the way with a smile as we entered the huge door, my eyes wandered everywhere. "Wow." I breathed. "It's beautiful." My eyes fell on maids standing there. They bowed and smiled before showering us with petals of rose. "Welcome home, swan. Welcome home."