"Mother, it has been quite a while. Will Big Sister and Big Brother be okay?"
"Hmmm, don't worry, my little princess. They're fine," Queen Mother smiled warmly as she spotted someone approaching in the distance—coming back in full fury and frustration. Behind him, a maid was laughing freely, her amusement clear as day. Above her head, Tyra circled happily in the air, occasionally roaring at Kane while smoke puffed out from his nostrils, ready to burn him at any moment if he dared step out of line.
BASTARD! BASTARDS! I WILL KILL THEM! BOTH OF THEM SOMEDAY! TSK, TSK! WHORE! BITCH! JUST WAIT! THE DAY YOU FAIL WILL BE THE DAY I RAVAGE YOU AND MAKE YOU BEG FOR FORGIVENESS! Kane roared violently in his mind as he stormed past an expressionless Queen and a smirking little princess, his face twisted with rage. TSK! WHOLE FAMILY IS USELESS!
"TYYYRRRRRR!" Tyra roared threateningly, his voice echoing through the palace halls!
"ACHKK!" Kane, hearing this furious roar, ran away from the palace quickly, practically tripping over his own feet in his haste to escape.
"TYR, TYR, TYRR!" Tyra roared happily and danced playfully in the air as the Queen caught him mid-flight and gently hugged him close to her chest. "Hmm, I see, I see! You taught him a lesson! Good boy, good boy!" The Queen felt a wave of relief wash over her as she hugged Tyra tightly, stroking his scales with affection.
"TYR, TYR!" Tyra squeaked in happiness, nuzzling against her warmly.
"Tell us, tell us the DEEETTAAIILLSSS!" Little Princess asked the maid excitedly, bouncing on her toes as her eyes sparkled with curiosity about what had happened. The maid, acting like a devoted storyteller sharing tales with eager fans, told everything in vivid detail—and even added some extra flavor to make the story more dramatic. This made the women dance in happiness, giggling and cheering as if they were listening to the most entertaining fairy tale.
.
Phhewww. I finally calmed down. Zack wore proper, relaxing clothes and dried his wet hair with a towel, running it through the damp strands. Ufff, what a tiring day. It feels like so many things are happening all at once. Zack was taking a much-needed breather, letting his shoulders relax, when—
SKKIRRCHH!
The door opened slowly, creaking softly on its hinges, and a shy, red-faced Natlia stepped inside, leaving the door slightly open behind her. She still wore her mini shorts and full-sleeved pajama top, but her buttons were tightly closed now—completely fastened all the way up to her neck. However, if someone looked closely enough, they could notice some slight dampness on her shorts. But Zack, just seeing her flushed face and nervous expression, got embarrassed at first. His cheeks warmed as memories of earlier flooded his mind, but he forced himself to calm down and spoke in a soft, sincere voice.
"Sorry, Natlia. I lost control. I shouldn't have reacted that way. I am sorry." Zack apologized genuinely, his eyes meeting hers with regret.
Hearing this, Natlia's expression shifted—she got slightly angry, her brows furrowing as she pouted. "Mooo, don't say sorry! You're making me look bad!" Natlia came over with quick steps and poked his chest repeatedly with her finger, saying meekly but firmly, "I was happy that you saw me as a woman, not just as an older sister. I truly am happy, so don't worry about it. I already told you I love you, so it's fine." Her voice was soft but filled with emotion, her eyes glistening slightly.
Siggh! Zack let out a breath and patted her head gently, his fingers threading through her hair with care. "Hmm, okay, fine. Are you okay now? I'll stay here from now on until your ceremony and make sure nothing happens to you or Little Princess, so take care of me while I'm here, okay?" Zack brought her over with a gentle tug on her hand and let her sit on the bed. Then he sat down beside her, close enough that their shoulders almost touched.
"Hmm, okay," Natlia nodded eagerly and clenched her fist in the air to show she could handle it, a determined look crossing her face.
"So, Zack, did you have fun while bathing?" Natlia suddenly asked, teasing him playfully with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Haha, what are you talking about? I just took a bath and came out," Zack said quickly, getting embarrassed as heat rushed to his cheeks. He brushed off her question, trying to play it cool.
"Hey, if you keep acting like this, then what if I found a new handsome man and got taken away by him?" Natlia poked his belly with her elbow while smirking wickedly, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
"Agh!" Zack's expression flickered—he got slightly angry at first, a flash of possessiveness crossing his face, but then he said more calmly, "Then what can I do? I'll have to become more handsome than him, then kidnap you." Zack turned around to face her directly and smirked confidently. "And don't worry—I'll make sure I'll be your first in the future, just like you said. You can have as many men as possible, but I WILL BE YOUR FIRST BECAUSE YOU ARE MINEEE!" Zack, now turning the tables completely, brought his face closer to her ear and whispered huskily, his breath warm against her skin, while his hands boldly touched her thighs, his fingers tracing small circles on her soft skin.
"Acckkk, stop, Zack! You're making me feel weird!" Natlia stammered, thoroughly embarrassed as her whole body heated up. She moved his face away with both hands, but noticeably, she let him continue touching her thighs. Her breathing quickened slightly as she continued with a completely red face, "Speaking nonsense when you can't even say 'I love you' to me properly! Humph! And what 'other men'? I've liked you since the day you saved me in the forest. No one can come close to you. I'll wait for you no matter how much time you take!" Natlia smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with genuine affection and unwavering devotion.
"Hmmm, finnee, I heard you, I heard you." Zack's voice softened as he squeezed her thigh gently. Then he changed the topic, his tone becoming more serious. "But why won't you love other men? You're a princess—I'm sure there will be better men out there. Personally, I'll feel annoyed, but seeing your position, I could maybe be okay with other men loving you, because you even allow me to have other women." Zack said this while gritting his teeth unconsciously, the very thought making his jaw tense with displeasure.
"OOOOhh, is that so? I only said that IF. And I won't allow any random woman to come to you. She should deserve it—not just because you like her body or she lusts over you. That's just physical attraction that will fade away as time passes. I'll only allow it if someone loves you like I do, from the bottom of my heart." Natlia let her head rest comfortably on his shoulder as Zack wrapped one arm around her shoulder protectively and kept his other hand on her thighs, gently rubbing them to make her feel comfortable and safe.
"And you don't have to pressure yourself to allow me to have other men. Women generally tend to choose one partner, as bearing and raising a loved one's child requires time, care, and emotional commitment. Because of this, many seek a partner they consider ideal—someone who can provide stability, comfort, and support. In some cases, even if that man has other partners, she may accept the situation as long as her needs for security, care, and emotional reassurance are met. That's why women tend to be more accepting of sharing their man in this world filled with powerful people."
Natlia paused, then smiled knowingly as she poked his still-gritting jaw playfully. "But men have it harder since they feel more territorial toward their women, so they don't want other men anywhere near them." She traced her finger along his jawline before continuing, "Of course, there are powerful, successful women in this world who could have multiple men as partners, but that doesn't mean every successful and powerful woman would want that. Everyone has their own personality and choices. For me personally, I do want you in the future, and I know, slowly you're also thinking about me more seriously. So don't let your mind wander and just live a good life together, okay?" Natlia closed her eyes peacefully and relaxed completely against him, trusting him fully. Zack nodded silently, his expression softening as he kept supporting her weight, holding her close.
After a comfortable while of sitting together in peaceful silence, Natlia looked up at him and said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "Hey, Zack… let's sleep together. Don't think anything weird—just… I want to hug you while we sleep."
Her face flushed bright red, the color spreading down to her neck, yet she still met Zack's gaze directly without looking away. Zack stared back at her beautiful face—at those honest, loving eyes—and swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His hands tightened unconsciously on her shoulders and thighs, his grip firm but not painful. For a brief moment, time itself seemed to stop, the world narrowing down to just the two of them.
Then he suddenly stood up quickly, almost stumbling, and sat down on the ground in front of her, leaning back slightly against her legs for support. Crossing his legs, he spoke a little louder than necessary, trying desperately to steady his racing heart and calm his thoughts.
"You can—of course you can," he said, his voice slightly shaky. "That would actually make my job easier. But we won't be alone… so no hugging."
Then he SHOUTED loudly toward the door, his voice echoing through the room, "HEY, YOU PEEKING TOM! GO GET ME AN OIL BOTTLE IN ONE MINUTE! MY HEAD IS HURTING FROM YOUR BIG SISTER'S NONSENSE, SO BE FAST! IF YOU DON'T, THEN I WON'T LET ALFIE COME HERE TOMORROW! NOW RUN FAST!"
Zack roared dramatically as he heard from outside the door, a small voice protesting, "MOOOOO, don't be like that, BRROTTHERRR ZACCCKKKK!" Little Princess complained loudly before her footsteps echoed away quickly as she ran like the wind to complete his request.
"Heheh, fine, fine! Let's all sleep together! Kyyaaa, myy cuuttee Zacckkk!" Natlia giggled and played with his hair affectionately, running her fingers through the strands and making sure no water droplets remained, as they both talked happily and comfortably while waiting for Little Princess to return.
The Little Princess returned in less than a minute, clearly having sprinted the entire way.
"Huff, huff… Big Brother Zack, here! Don't—huff—blackmail me—huff—again! Ughhh!" she complained breathlessly, arriving sluggishly with her chest heaving. She was clearly out of breath, her face slightly flushed from the exertion.
As she stretched out her small hand to give him the oil bottle, Zack grabbed it—along with her hand gently—and pulled her forward with a playful tug, making her sit down on the floor in front of him.
"Kyyaaa, Big Brother! I don't want to do that! I have to wake up early to exercise—I can't go like this! Mooo, kyyaaa, dooon'ttt!" the Little Princess protested frantically, waving her free hand in the air.
Before she could even finish explaining her reasoning, Zack had already poured a generous amount of oil onto her head and started massaging it gently with practiced movements, his fingers working through her scalp with care.
"Oooh, Brother Zack, that feels so nice! Hehe—do it properly! Yes, yes! Uff, my head feels so light!" the Little Princess laughed happily, clearly enjoying the massage despite her earlier complaints. Her protests died completely as she relaxed under his touch, her shoulders dropping as tension melted away.
Natlia, not wanting to be left out, also took some oil from the bottle and started massaging Zack's hair gently from behind, her fingers working through his scalp with soft, circular motions. She smiled beautifully, feeling content as the three of them sat together in this small, intimate moment.
"Ara, what do we have here? Looks like everyone left this old woman alone and is having fun here." Queen Mother's warm voice suddenly came from the doorway. She walked in gracefully and sat down behind Natlia with fluid movements. She poured some oil onto her daughter's head and started massaging her lovingly, joining their little circle.
"Hehehe!" Everyone laughed together, their voices blending harmoniously as they talked about little things—random thoughts, silly jokes, and warm memories. The room slowly filled with the rich smell of oil and the even richer feeling of happiness, creating an atmosphere of pure comfort and family warmth.
After some peaceful minutes passed, with everyone's hair thoroughly oiled and their hearts thoroughly warmed, Queen Mother said with gentle affection, "Now, I've covered the bedsheet and pillows with some clothes that aren't useful anymore, so you won't ruin the good ones. Sleep tight, all of you. You must be tired after such a long day." Queen Mother smiled as she looked at them fondly, her eyes crinkling at the corners with motherly love.
"Guhh! I don't want to be in the middle of you two! NO, NOOO!" Little Princess protested loudly as she was forcefully but gently tucked into the middle of the bed. Her big brother and sister climbed in on either side of her, effectively blocking any chance of escape as they sandwiched her between them.
"Hehe, you can't go anywhere, Little Princess!" Zack said teasingly, poking her cheeks playfully with his finger.
"Right, right! You don't sleep with me nowadays, so you can't go anywhere today!" Natlia wrapped her arms around her little sister from one side, hugging her tightly and not letting her go anywhere.
"GYYAAA! Why am I here?" she complained dramatically, squirming slightly. But truthfully, deep down, she didn't really want to sleep alone tonight either. Her own room felt dark and cold lately, and this warmth was exactly what she needed. This is good, she thought quietly as she slowly accepted her fate to be stuck in the middle, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her protests.
"TYR, TYR!" Tyra also flew into the room and confidently took his place on Little Princess's belly, curling up comfortably.
"GYYAA! One more came! Now I can't move at all!" Little Princess exclaimed, but there was no real annoyance in her voice—only warmth.
"Hehe!" Zack chuckled and picked Tyra up carefully, making some space for him between himself and Little Princess instead. Little Princess immediately reached out and touched his soft fur, stroking it gently as she smiled warmly, feeling the small creature's warmth against her side.
The Queen let out a soft, knowing laugh at the scene before her and quietly closed the door with a gentle click, leaving them to sleep peacefully. Still smiling to herself, she continued down the dimly lit hallway toward the room where Jorri was resting.
"Hey there, Kyra. Still not asleep?" she asked softly, seeing Kyra sitting beside her son's bed and gazing at him with a gentle, protective expression.
"Hm, Queen, not yet. I'll watch over both of them. You should rest—you've had a long day," Kyra replied quietly, not taking her eyes off her son.
The Queen shook her head at her words, rejecting the suggestion. Kyra said nothing more, simply stepping forward silently and gently guiding the Queen with a light touch on her arm to sit beside Jorri's bed.
"Hmm, Jorri, how are you feeling today?" Queen whispered gently as she touched Jorri's head with tender care. Even unconscious, his face was still frowning slightly, as if troubled by dreams or memories. She took some oil from the bottle she'd brought with her and put a little bit on his hair, then began massaging his head slowly, her fingers working through his scalp with practiced gentleness. Her other hand clenched tightly in her lap, knuckles white as she thought about their past—how both her life and his had turned out to be so complicated and painful.
I hope Natlia and Zack's lives won't be the same as ours, she thought sadly as she kept taking care of Jorri, her touch never wavering despite the heaviness in her heart. On another bed nearby, Kyra tenderly took care of her own child, checking his breathing and adjusting his blanket. Both women sat there in the quiet room, lost in their thoughts, thinking deeply about the person lying unconscious in front of them and all the what-ifs that haunted their minds.
A night filled with both laughter and sadness—where some places in the palace held warm smiles with hidden coldness lurking beneath the surface, while other places were heavy with regret and unspoken sorrow. Slowly, the night in the City of Eirs deepened as the wind blew hard outside, making the sparkling crops in the distant fields dance gracefully in the air, their glow flickering like scattered stars under the moonlight.
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END OF CHAPTER
Author Blabbering
Oil massage feels amazing—especially when someone else does it.
Unfortunately for this author… I am alone. So yes, self-service it is. Don't worry everyone, I'm not sad. Nope. Not sad at all. Absolutely fine. Totally fine. Completely fine.
(Please stop looking at me like that.)
On a serious note though—take care of your hair, people. One way or another. Oil it, massage it, talk nicely to it, do rituals if you must. Otherwise, most of us men will eventually become part of one FAMILY.
Yes, yes—that family. 😌
Also! Important announcement before I forget:
There will be continuous chapter uploads till Wednesday. I'll be covering two missed chapters from before, so from Friday to Wednesday—every day is fun day.
YEAHHH!! 🎉
Alright, author blabbering over.
Now excuse me while I continue my very professional oil massage session.