Page 55 of The Dark Elf's Surprise Baby

“Sir!” A footman calls out to me and I turn, noticing him coming rushing up to me. “Sir! Master Demethys!”

“Yes, what is it?” I ask.

“Master Kerym and Madame Layla received your message. They sent me to find you and give you this note.”

He hands me a folded message and I open it up, holding my breath. Their approval means everything to me. Layla is like a sister to Harper and Kerym has adopted a protective brotherly role in her life. He had some choice words to tell me after he found out what I did to Harper that night.

My grin grows wider and wider as I read. Layla and Kerym approve wholeheartedly. Kerym thinks the plan is excellent and Layla thinks that it will be the perfect proposal.

I feel so lighthearted now. “Thank you,” I tell the boy, tipping him a few coins. “Tell Madame Layla I will do my best.”

The boy runs off again and Harper comes out of the shop with a whole load of boxes and wearing a new dress. “I’ve ordered more,” she says. “They’ll be in within a few weeks.”

“You do love your pretty dresses,” I tease. “Doesn’t Mama look lovely though?” I ask Addie, who is playing in the carriage.

“Yes,” Addie says. “Mama looks very pretty!”

We hit up a few more shops before going to the park to let Addie play for a while. When she’s tired out, we head back to the manor for her to take a nap before dinner.

“I have to leave after dinner,” I tell Harper. “I’ve got to go back into town. I got a message that the watch I ordered is ready.”

“Does it have to be tonight?”

“Yes,” I tell her, kissing her on the cheek. “The watch master is going on a trip tomorrow.”

“Alright,” she says, sighing. “Be back soon.”

“I will,” I promise her.

In actuality, I’m going to pick up the ring for her proposal. It’s a stunning sapphire blue zanthenite ring, embedded with a magical protection spell. It’s very hard to procure and it took weeks to be made.

I hug and kiss both my girls before heading out, excitement coursing through my veins. We’re halfway to town when suddenly I feel a bump and the carriage screeches to a stop.

“What is going on?” I call out. The coachman turns back and tells me that one of the wheels fell off due to a pothole.

Gods!I curse to myself. What bad luck is this?

26

HARPER

I’m sad when Demethys has to leave but he looks so excited for his new watch. I wonder what’s got him so excited, it’s just a watch.

We play in the parlor for a little while before it’s time to get Addie ready for bed. She’s fussy for some reason but I give her a bath with some calming rirzed herb to soothe her. By the time Addie is done with her bath and is dressed for bed, Demethys still isn’t back yet.

Well, maybe he was delayed for a bit. I try not to worry too much but this is the first time we’ve really been separated for any length of time in weeks. Still, my heart is beating a little quickly so I go downstairs to have a glass of zhisk, just to calm my nerves.

It’s starting to get very late and there’s still no sign of Demethys. Maybe I ought to go lay down with Addie. I don’t want to be in that big bed by myself. I can’t sleep alone anymore. I’m already too used to sleeping with Demethys.

I finish my glass of zhisk and take it into the kitchen before grabbing myself a little fruit for a snack and some water. I think I’ll read one of my new books for a while, just in case Demethysgets back soon. Even if I’m asleep when he comes back, he’ll look for me.

Resolved, I start heading upstairs to Addie’s room when I almost bump into someone. “Oh gods!” I hold my hand to my heart. I wasn’t paying attention well enough. “I’m so sorry, Bryrion, I didn’t see you there.”

She’s there with Mimlai and Darhine. They are some of the only ones who stayed loyal to Demethys. Bryrion apologized for her part in my situation profusely, telling me she was misinformed and would have never tried to send me away. I was glad to reunite with my best friend.

“I’m just going to Addie’s room,” I tell them. They keep blocking my way though and Bryrion crosses her arms.

What are they doing? “Guys, c’mon, what’s going on?” I ask. The look on their faces has me nervous. Why are they acting like this? Addie is in her room, right? At least she’s safe in there, no matter what. I don’t like the look on their faces.

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