58|'You owe me something, Duckling.'

"Dad." I whispered as he looked at me with watery eyes and a smile. He opened his arms as he stayed rooted near the banister. "Dad!" I yelled this time as I freed my hand from Ian and jumped into dad's embrace. I hugged him tightly and finally broke down into his arms. "I am s-sorry, d-dad. I-I spoke t-to y-you like that. I-I am s-so-" "Shh, m-my child." He pecked my hair. "I-I should've told you. I am s-sorry." "N-No. Y-You were protecting m-me and I...I hurt you so much. It w-was my f-fault. I-I am sorry, d-dad." He tightened his arms around me. "Shh, p-princess. We both were wrong. I-I forgive you. So, will y-you forgive your o-old man?" I nodded into his chest with a watery smile. He pulled away and wiped my tears with the pad of his thumb as he kissed my forehead. "My daughter is so brave." He whispered and cupped my face as I looked up at him. "My dad is so amazing." He laughed at my habit of twisting people's words. Shaking his head, he jerked his head towards his elbow. I grinned and hooked my hand in his. "I love you, dad." I whispered as we started stepped on first stair. "I love you too, princess." He whispered back and I looked away from him with a smile as the hall started echoing with claps and hoots. There were around 300 people there and everyone had eyes on us. I blushed and focused on my steps. "I never lied when I said that you are like her." I froze and looked at him. He sighed. "You are just like her, Astrid. Just like her." I took a deep breath. "Just like mom?" Mothers give life to their child, she saved my life. Mothers give family to their child, she gave me one too. Then how is she not my mom? She is my mom. I am blessed to have 2 sets of parents. One gave me birth and other gave me life. But there is this one thing that they both gave me. Love. Dad's eyes glossed at my statement and he gave me a small smile. "Just like your mom." ~~~~~~~~~ "May I have this dance?" I looked away from bickering Rose and Asher as my eyes fell on outstretched hand of Zach. I smiled and took his hand. "You may." He tugged me up and dragged me towards the floor. Uncle and aunt just gave a huge introduction to their niece and nephew, ie me and Alex. They also introduced dad, Asher, Aiden and all my friends to all the royal people and to say I am shy right now will be understatement. I am almost shaking under attention. "You look gorgeous, cuz." He complemented and I laughed slightly to avoid looking at people staring at me. "Thanks, bro." I reply with a gangster accent. He laughed. "I bet girls kiss the floor prince of Kovorelle walks on." He shook his head with a shy smile. "Nah..." I laughed at his weak protest as we continue to sway together. "I have a crush." My eyes widened as Zach blurted it out. He mistook it as his cue to continue. "I mean, who doesn't have a crush. I like this girl and no, I don't go to school for security reasons and I am home schooled and that's why I guess it is obvious that I have crush on someone here. Why am I telling you? Shit! I shouldn't have told you-" "Shut up!" I whisper shouted and he stopped his wide eyed rant. My eyes danced with amusement as he gulped and looked at me in horror. "There is nothing wrong with having a crush, Zach. Why are you so scared?" He looked down in embarrassment. "Because she is a maid?" he mumbled and then it hit me. I sighed. "Look at me, Zach." He looked up. "Do you really like her?" "Yeah." "Than what's the problem? She maybe a maid but she is the one for you, right? Then what's wrong? You like her and I am sure she likes you. I don't think uncle and aunt will have any problem, they seem open minded." "But she is not. She likes me, I know but she won't ever take a step because I am a prince. She thinks so low of herself that I feel like knocking some sense in her brain." "Then do it." His eyes widened and to avoid peculiar stares, I forced him to sway with the beat. "Knock some sense into her. Talk to her. Make her believe that she is precious to you. Make her believe that she is above a stupid title. Make her believe that maybe she is a maid by profession but she is princess in your eyes." A moment of silence passed. I looked up at him with hopeful eyes and he was frowning down at me, letting my words sink. And then, a grin took over his face. I mirrored it as he engulfed me into a bear hug and twirled me around in the middle of dance floor. So much for avoiding stares. "You are the bestestestest sister in this world. I love you, best friend!" I laughed in embarrassment as he put me down. "Heard that!" Margaret hollered and everyone laughed. I flushed while Zach stuck his tongue out at her as he guided me towards our table. Everyone was looking at me with creepy grins. "Uh... what?" "Why are you back? You have to save a dance for each one of us." My eyes widened at Felix's smirk. "What the-?!" "No cursing!" Ian tsked and I glared at him. "Come on, everyone." Alex commanded and smirked at me. I looked back at Zach who was taking slow steps backwards. His eyes widened when he saw me looking at him. Giving me a two fingered salute, he ran away. Literally. I pinched the bridge of my nose as everyone laughed. "Come on, Cygnet. It's just one dance." Alex stood up and took my hand. "With six boys." Asher piped in. "Seven." Dad hollered as he joined our seat. "In heels." Aiden pointed. I glared at everyone. "Not helping." They laughed and I tugged Alex towards the floor as Aiden tugged Liz and Asher tugged Rose up while Ian asked Beatrice and Felix asked Margaret, leaving Liam and dad. I kept my hands on Alex's shoulder as like I am gonna lose you started playing. I smiled as he held me by my waist. "I am so happy to have you back, swan." "Thanks to you for that." He shook his head. "No. Thank you for this. I am here today with my family, my friends and you, just because of you, Cygnet." "I literally didn't do anything. People give me too much credit." I muttered and he chuckled. "That's because my sister deserves it." I rolled my eyes with a grin and he sighed dramatically. "Now I can be overprotective without a reason." I hit his shoulder and he laughed. "We are same age remember! You don't get to play big brother on me." "Uh huh. 1 minute, cygnet. I am elder by a minute. I get to play it." I rolled my eyes. "Oh, how I used to feel like ripping every boys head off their shoulder when they tried to come near my baby sister." I hit my head on his shoulder as we swayed. "Being the younger sister sucks. I am gonna die single." I whined and he patted my back awkwardly. "There. There." We laughed and danced for a bit until dad stole me. I danced with him then Felix then Asher and then I dragged Liam on stage. The poor guy was 1 girl away from 50 rejected girls by Liam Williams in one night. I broke his streak and damn, his glare burned me to ashes. He can't dance to save his life and most of the time, I was laughing at his awkward moves and he was glaring at me. I was tired by the end but I still owed a dance to Aiden and Ian. I looked around and saw Aiden standing in a corner, alone. I was about to walk towards him when someone took my hand. "You owe me something, Duckling."