A Royal Obligation
Chapter 136: Welcome Back to Valeidio

Chapter 136: Welcome Back to Valeidio

The night air of Valeidio was cool and crisp, tinged with the scent of jasmine as the royal caravan entered the palace gates.

Torches flickered along the walls, casting a golden hue on the well-manicured lawns and ornate marble steps leading to the grand entrance.

Lord Cedric, Queen Morgana’s brother, stood waiting with a group of court members and guards. His tall frame, sharp features, and regal posture made him an imposing figure, but the warm smile he wore for his family softened his appearance.

The court members stood a little more reserved, keeping their distance, but Lord Cedric’s eagerness was apparent.

Three carriages, flanked by royal guards, rolled slowly through the gates. The first carried King Xavian and Queen Morgana, the second held Crown Prince Theron, and Lord Cedric’s own children, Theo and Ella. The third, trailing slightly behind, carried the twins, Lucian and Julian, along with Amarok.

As soon as the carriages came to a halt, the door of the second carriage flung open, and Ella leapt out unceremoniously, her white gown fluttering behind her as she rushed toward her father. Lord Cedric barely had time to brace himself before she threw herself into his arms.

"Father!" Ella squealed, burying her face in his chest. He chuckled deeply, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her briefly off the ground.

"Ella, my darling," Lord Cedric said, his voice rich with affection. "Still as energetic as ever, I see."

Theo, who was more composed, descended from the carriage with a teasing grin. "You could’ve waited, Ella," he said, folding his arms. "You nearly knocked the poor man over."

Ella stuck her tongue out at her brother but kept her arms wrapped around their father. "Oh, hush, Theo. He’s my father, and I missed him!"

Lord Cedric smiled broadly, ruffling Ella’s hair. "I missed you both. But, Ella, let your father breathe, would you?"

Ella reluctantly released him, but still clung to his arm as the rest of the royal family disembarked from their carriages. King Xavian and Queen Morgana were the next to step out, followed by Prince Theron. They were greeted with deep bows and murmurs of respect from the court members and guards.

Lord Cedric gave his brother-in-law, King Xavian, a friendly nod, but when Queen Morgana stepped forward, he wrapped her in a warm embrace.

"Morgana," Lord Cedric said, pulling back slightly to look at her, "it’s good to have you home."

Queen Morgana smiled at him. "It’s good to be back, Cedric. I’ve missed Valeidio."

The court members stepped aside as the twins, Luciana and Julian, emerged from the last carriage, followed closely by Amarok. The quiet, unassuming man who had once been just a servant now moved among royalty with ease.

While some of the courtiers still raised an eyebrow at Amarok’s inclusion, they knew better than to voice their thoughts. The twins, after all, had never cared for the whispers of the court, and everyone suspect that Amarok was more than just a servant to them.

Lucian and Julian greeted their uncle with smiles and brief hugs, while Amarok stood respectfully to the side. Lord Cedric nodded to Amarok, acknowledging his presence with a subtle look of approval. He had always been fond of Amarok, even if he didn’t fully understand the depth of his connection to his nephews.

"How was your journey?" Lord Cedric asked as he began ushering them inside the palace.

"Tiring," Luciana replied with a yawn, leaning slightly against Amarok. "We’re ready for bed, Uncle."

Julian nodded, stifling a yawn of his own. "Yes, we’ll be heading straight to our rooms if you don’t mind."

Lord Cedric shook his head with a soft laugh, waving them off. "Go, go, get some rest. We’ll catch up tomorrow."

As the twins and Amarok made their way toward their chambers, some of the court members exchanged quiet glances, clearly still puzzled by the dynamic. But no one dared speak. Lord Cedric’s amusement was plain on his face, and if anyone had questions, they kept them to themselves.

When the remaining royals reached the grand sitting room, Ella clung to her father’s side, practically hanging off his arm like a child. Lord Cedric sighed but allowed it, knowing full well that his daughter was as stubborn as she was affectionate.

King Xavian and Queen Morgana settled into the plush armchairs, while Prince Theron took a seat beside them. Lord Cedric sat with Ella still attached to him, her arm hooked through his, and he patted her hand indulgently.

"You’re not going to let go anytime soon, are you?" he asked, though there was no real bite in his tone.

"Nope," Ella responded cheerfully, resting her head on his shoulder. "I missed you so much, Father."

The others in the room chuckled softly at Ella’s behavior. They were all used to it by now. She had always been openly affectionate with her father, and no one minded her antics. If anything, it added warmth to the room after a long journey.

Lord Cedric shifted his gaze to the rest of the family. "Now, tell me, how is my favorite nephew doing?" His tone was light, but everyone knew he was referring to Eirik. "Is he happy in Zephyros?"

The question hung in the air for a moment. Everyone knew how much Lord Cedric adored Eirik, and they also knew that if they gave the wrong answer, Cedric would likely march straight to Zephyros to bring Eirik back himself. But to their relief, smiles spread across their faces as they recalled Eirik’s happiness.

King Xavian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, you won’t need to worry about Eirik."

Queen Morgana smiled knowingly. "He’s quite content, Cedric."

Lord Cedric raised an eyebrow, his confusion growing at their amused expressions. "And what exactly is so amusing? You’re all smiling like you’ve just heard the most absurd thing."

Ella, still clinging to her father, grinned. "It’s not absurd, Father. Eirik is happy. Extremely happy, in fact."

"Kaelix dotes on him," Theo added, leaning back against the arm of his chair. "If anything, I think Eirik might be enjoying being the center of attention more than he lets on."

Lord Cedric’s brow furrowed. "Kaelix? Doting on someone? I find that hard to believe."

Ella giggled. "Oh, it’s true! Kaelix is so possessive of Eirik that he hardly lets him out of his sight. And Eirik loves it!"

Lord Cedric blinked in surprise. "Possessive, you say?"

Queen Morgana smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, and Eirik seems to have embraced it. He’s never been more at ease."

Ella leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially to her father. "Do you know the most shocking part? Eirik no longer wears his veil. He walks around without it now, showing his face to everyone!"

Lord Cedric’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Eirik? Without his veil?"

Theron nodded, a proud smile on his face. "He’s confident now, Uncle. I think Zephryos has bring out the best in him."

For a moment, Lord Cedric was speechless. He had always known Eirik to be reserved, hiding behind his veil as a way to shield himself from the world. Hearing that Eirik had cast aside that barrier and was now thriving filled him with joy.

"Good for him," Lord Cedric finally said, his voice thick with emotion. "That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time."

The room was filled with warmth and laughter as the family continued to share stories about Eirik’s life in Zephyros. Lord Cedric listened intently, his heart swelling with pride for his nephew. It was clear that Eirik had found happiness, and for that, he was grateful.

As the night grew late, Ella finally let go of her father, stretching her arms with a yawn. "I think it’s time for bed," she said with a sleepy smile.

Lord Cedric chuckled, kissing her on the forehead. "Go on, then. You’ve had a long journey."

As Ella and Theo made their way to their rooms In the palace, Lord Cedric lingered for a moment, his thoughts still on Eirik. He couldn’t wait to see him again, to witness firsthand the changes everyone had spoken of. But for now, he was content, knowing that his favorite nephew was happy.

With a satisfied smile, Lord Cedric rose from his seat and bid goodnight to the remaining family members, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

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