MEHJABEEN

The moment they walked through the door, everyone's attention turned swiftly on them, save for the children left running around the dining table in circles.

Right the moment Elffy could have sworn, she heard a few gasps. This was supposed to be a private party. Whatever the causes were, strictly no extrovert person was included. Indeed they followed this as a tradition, inherited through the chain link of ancestors.

Hearing the above clauses, it isn't much to be shocked at their baffled state, only if the opposition party knew the code … But sadly, Elffy has no clue about this privacy fence in this family.

The Queen of Elffenda was seated in a chair beside the dinner, in a peach cocktail dress with her flowy hair reaching her shin was the first to speak among all the other— family relatives and friends surrounding the long table.

" Quentin! Here you are. A prince to be must be punctual and—“ she paused as her gaze fell on Edwie.

“ Wasn't this supposed to be a family dinner, dear? Forgotten already! And why am I not told of our guests' arrival? " The Queen contemplated her words very well, thereby shoving her unsaid words too poor Edwie.

Elffy did though expected a few glares, the Queen's words came as a total shock, and she swallowed hard to hold back from saying anything yet. And hasn't Quen mentioned it to her earlier? This guy, seriously!

At least it was only for the first few minutes.

"My Queen, Quen does mention it earlier but never thought it would happen today. " Said an exact ditto image of Quentin but some ages ahead— Oaf! It's the King of Elffenda, who happens to chastise his wife. The King stood next to his mate, in a blue suit with his hair neatly combed back, in his hand he was holding a crystal glass of some delicious syrups.

Thank the moon, the King was doing a better job hiding his son's confusing act than the rest of his family that stood looking at her mouth agape. To stop this extending awkwardness, Quen nudges in.

" Mother " Quen said placing a warm hand around her shoulder, which did a lot to calm her spiraling nerves. He walked forward thus making her walk alongside and only stopped when they reached the front of his parents.

" Father, Mother! " he held her closer,

" I apologize on behalf of me and my partner Edwina for arriving unannounced. She never meant any disrespect. The lady beside me is my only childhood love and is gonna be the future lady Queen of Elffenda." Saying Quen left no space for the others says as he carried on with a gesture of his hand towards his parents,

" Edwina met my parents, the King and Queen of Elffenda." The little speech he gave to all, had made all their faces resemble a chill night but once they caught the line, their faces relaxed with a sigh of fulfillment. The Queen included.

And only after the mentioning of the 'future lady' did the Queen's face morph from pre shocks to understanding to relief in a fraction of a second.

Sensing the mere presence radiating a good vibe around them, Elffy jumped on for a welcome greeting.

" I bow my respect to the King and Queen of Elffenda. It's nice to meet you again, my Majesties." Once she said it, she stretched out a hand foolishly but the King surprised her by taking it gingerly.

"It's nice to meet the person who stole my son's heart, Miss Edwina." The King gave a genuine smile. When the tables turned towards the Queen, she smiled in return and reached for her hand.

" I'm so sorry dear " the Queen reached out for her outstretched hand but instead hugged her which caught her off guard.

" I think I was a little…. misinformed " Queen whispered in her ear, more like muttering under her breath.

" I told you she wasn't like one of those clingy ladies residing in this kingdom. " The King said in his calming voice, low under his breath. Retrieving from the hug the Queen shook her head in disapproval and says

" Uh-huh, my Majesty. You didn't say that enough for me to understand, did you? " The Queen said through a toothed smile.

" That's okay, my Majesties. No offense taken. " Elffy spoke out to make the river pass through the bridge, but thankfully the subject got changed quickly and resolved with a quick introduction. But somewhere in her heart, she knew that the things around here were happening a lot more dreamy yet magically. But she never thought in her wild dreams that Quen would break their news like a pleasantry greeting.

" Are you not going to introduce us to your lady-to-be, Quen? " A woman's voice sounded behind him.

Quen turned around without taking his hands around her shoulder,

" Brother! " Quen said to the blonde-haired man standing next to a honey-skinned beautiful woman wearing a sundress.

She gave Elffy a warm smile, left her husband's grip, and walked to her and Quentin.

" Oh, my Moon! " The lady cried.

" I can't believe he picked a lady for real among those leaching flies." Saying the lady pulled Elffy's hand in for a hug.

" Also—" the lady continued when she released Elffy.

" On behalf of me and my dear husband," she gestured to the man behind,

" I'm truly sorry for gawking at you so rudely, I was just really surprised. " She spoke so fast that Elffy missed her in the middle.

" Oh, my dear sister-in-law, let her breathe. " Quen teased, and she shot him a sharp glare.

" Think you made up for it with this warm welcome, I presume," saying Elffy smiled.

" Hello, Miss Edwina. " Her husband stepped forward and extended his hands.

" It's nice to finally meet you in person. "

" Same here" she took his hands and returned his smile.

" Think I'm the only one that is unfamiliar with everyone, they all seem to already know my presence," Elffy said, more like she muttered to herself but she was a bit louder which never helped her state. Besides a voice retorts equally without missing her quest beat.

" Quen has been crying your praises for a long while since his adolescents. Yet he never mentioned the beauty behind his words. We thought that he is mentally sick, and started imagining a person on his own. Thankfully you came— " the honey-skinned lady wasn't finished yet, but got cut by Elffy.

" Oh ..." she blurts out to end the overwhelming feeling blooming in her heart but either way she continues with dreamy eyes,

" That's so nice of him! Love indeed is all I needed. Soon, no matter what, I will always find him in my heart's eye and him I. " She said so smoothly that in the end, she was blushing red at the attention she was getting her way.

The whole population present on the terrace except the kids were smiling knowingly at her lovesick state, including the mighty Quen who heard her words, wore a smirk on his face, and stared at her with such passion thus making the blushing girl shy away toward the kids club around the corner.

But did Littleton help her to let her breathe a second? Partially yes but the remaining goes against its say as a beautiful girl with curly sandal hair and violet eyes, waddles towards Elffy from the small circle the kids were playing. She giggled, clapping her baby hands, as she cried,

" Quen! Quen—In!!! " Quen leaned down, and it felt like her feet could not leave the ground fast enough as Quen lifted her in his arms. With a wide grin, he raised her, and pretended to drop her, but caught her swiftly. Her giggling screams cut through the air as he repeated it a few more times.

" How is my little princess, Zazie Zamora doing? " Quen held her in his arms and brushed his nose on hers playfully. She held his cheeks in her small hands, following his lead and brushing her nose on him.

" I have missed you, your momma and Pappa don't bring you around anymore, they are mean! ... "

" Momma is meany ..." Little Zazie mumbled, but it took a few seconds for all to understand what she said.

" How you always successfully make me the villain every time is beyond me!" The honey-skinned lady, stretched out her hand to take Zazie back.

" Umr... Hmmm! " Zazie shook her head, holding on to Quentin's large shoulder, and Quen who is witnessing the mother and daughter session plans to make the lady beside him frustrate a little bit more, by sticking his tongue out in childish mockery.

" Go get your own! " Quen's brother laughed.

" But I have already started seeing her as mine! " Quen shrugged and placed kisses all over her face making her squeal in delight.

Author’s Note:

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