The Princess' Harem
Chapter 77: A New Home

Chapter 77: A New Home

Joel approached the carriage, his lean frame cutting a relaxed figure against the grand backdrop of the palace. He offered Cooper a small, easy smile, a gesture that immediately helped the seven-year-old boy relax slightly.

Joel extended a hand, and Cooper took it, stepping down from the plush interior onto the swept stone. The boy’s eyes were wide, taking in the grand entrance.

As they walked towards the palace doors, a group of knights in polished armor passed them, their imposing bodies and stern features a stark contrast to Joel’s casual demeanor.

Cooper cowered instinctively, pulling back against Joel’s leg, his small frame tensing. Joel glanced down, a soft chuckle escaping him.

"They’re just guards, Cooper," he murmured, his voice gentle. "Big, aren’t they? But they protect us."

The boy’s grip of Joel’s hand loosened, and he relaxed again, though his gaze still darted nervously at the receding figures.

They entered the palace. The sheer opulence of the interiors was overwhelming.

Cooper’s eyes moved from the vaulted ceilings painted with intricate murals to the polished marble floors that reflected the light from massive chandeliers.

Along the corridors, stately drawings of royal families lined the walls, their regal expressions and luxurious clothing making Cooper doubt his presence here.

*Why was he here?*

This was not his world. This was a place of kings and queens, not a boy from the slums. The grandeur, though beautiful, made him feel small and out of place.

Joel led him through winding passages until they reached a set of chambers. A soft, warm light spilled from the open doorway.

Inside, Princess Viana stood. She wore an elegant dress of light pink and soft yellow, the fabric shimmering faintly, making her look like a figure from a fairy tale.

Her face broke into a genuine smile when she saw him, a warmth radiating from her that eased some of Cooper’s lingering apprehension.

"Cooper," Viana said, her voice gentle, "I’m glad you’re here."

She knelt, bringing herself to his eye level.

"You must be hungry." She motioned towards a plush chair. "Sit. We can talk."

Cooper moved hesitantly to the chair, perching on its edge. His small hands clasped in his lap.

Viana waited, allowing him to adjust. "Are you cold, Cooper?" she asked softly. "Did the journey here tire you?"

He shook his head, his eyes still wide. "No, Princess," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. He looked at her, then quickly down at his worn shoes.

"Don’t worry," Viana continued, her tone reassuring. "You are safe here. No one will hurt you. You won’t have to go back to the orphanage. This is your home now."

She watched for a reaction. His shoulders visibly relaxed, a slight flicker of something in his eyes. It was not full relief, but a tentative understanding.

"First," Viana said, a small smile touching her lips, "we need to get you clean and comfortable. Sina will help you with a bath. You’ll be given new clothes too."

She gestured to the maid standing discreetly nearby. "Sina, please ensure Cooper is well looked after."

Sina stepped forward, her expression kind. Cooper, however, stiffened. His small frame tensed again.

He looked at Sina, then back at Viana, his brow furrowing slightly. "A... a lady?" he mumbled, his voice a whisper of protest.

His experience with hygiene involved cold water and his own rough hands. The idea of a female maid, especially one dressed as finely as Sina, helping him was bewildering, a concept entirely alien to his seven years.

He shifted uncomfortably, his gaze fixed on Sina’s gentle but firm presence.

Viana chuckled softly, the sound light and genuine. It was a rare sound, a not of pure amusement. This unburdened laughter, so different from the polite, practiced smiles she often displayed, brought a subtle warmth to her face.

Cooper, despite his unease found himself watching her, momentarily distracted by her open mirth. He still looked at Sina with apprehension, but the defiance in his posture had softened.

He finally sighed, a tiny sound of resignation, and gave a small, defeated nod. There was no real choice.

Watching the exchange, a subtle current of relief passed through the chamber. Joel, standing by the door, allowed a small, unburdened smile to touch his lips.

Reyes, positioned a little further back, his usual stoic expression remained, but a faint, almost imperceptible softening in his eyes was present. Even Sina, leading Cooper away, carried a quiet happiness.

It was not just the Princess’s genuine amusement, but the clear display of her inherent kindness. Her past behavior, often distant and reserved, had given way to a palpable warmth.

This Viana, the one who chuckled and took a child from the slums into her direct care, was a Viana they all welcomed.

Cooper, despite his lingering shyness, found himself guided to a luxurious bathing chamber. Warm, scented water steamed in a large, ornate tub.

Sina and another maid helped him, their movements gentle, despite his initial, small protests. They washed away the grime of his old life, then dressed him in a soft, tailored garments that felt impossibly fine against his skin.

The rough fabric of the slums was replaced by smooth linen and a small tunic of rich, dark blue velvet. He looked at his reflection in a polished mirror, a stranger staring back.

Soon after, clean and dressed in clothes that felt both alien and wonderful, Cooper was led to a smaller, yet still opulent, dining room. King Clive and Queen Isabella were already seated.

Viana, now at the table, a radiant figure in her elegant gown, introduced him. "Mother, Father, this is Cooper."

The King and Queen welcomed him warmly. King Clive offered a kind smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Queen Isabella’s eyes held genuine warmth, a stark contrast to her typically reserved demeanor.

Viana then explained Cooper’s background, recounting the difficult circumstances of his rescue and the subsequent loss of his guardian. She spoke with a quiet resolve, expressing her desire to care for him within the palace walls, to raise him as her own brother, a sibling she had never had.

Cooper felt a shy, hesitant happiness bloom within him. The warmth of their welcome, though overwhelming, was undeniable.