Chapter 3: A Room Fit for a Princess
Four days passed in a blur of soft, fluffy pillows, warm blankets, and the constant, doting presence of her seven brothers.
They visited her every morning, noon, and night, each trying to outdo the others with gifts, treats, and affectionate head pats.
Lucien, the eldest, brought her a beautiful hand-carved jewelry box inlaid with mother-of-pearl, his sharp, stormy blue eyes softening as he placed it on her bedside table.
Jared, the second eldest, presented her with a thick, hand-stitched quilt, its intricate patterns depicting scenes of the royal gardens in full bloom.
Callum, the quiet, serious one, gifted her a collection of delicate hairpins he had picked out with Marcus, each one shaped like a tiny, blooming flower.
Even the twins, Leo and Lance, managed to sneak in between their training sessions to bring her small, fluffy stuffed animals, their eyes sparkling with mischievous delight as they watched her hug the plush toys to her chest.
’Is this... what it feels like to be loved?’ Evelisse wondered as she clutched a small, white rabbit plush to her chest, its soft, velvety fur warm against her cheek. The warmth in her heart felt foreign, almost overwhelming, but not entirely unpleasant.
Felix, the youngest, was perhaps the most persistent, his wide blue eyes never leaving her face for more than a few seconds. He hovered by her bedside, constantly offering her sweets, fresh flowers, and handwritten letters filled with heartfelt messages and doodles of the two of them holding hands.
’They’re... really trying to make me feel loved,’ Evelisse thought, her small hands trembling slightly as she traced the delicate, flowing script of Felix’s latest letter. ’I don’t... I don’t deserve this...’
Fluffy, sensing her uncertain emotions, floated closer, its tiny paws gently patting her cheek. "Hey, don’t get all mopey now! You’ve got a second chance at life, remember? You’re a beloved princess, and your brothers adore you! So, hold that fluffy head high and show them what you’re made of!"
Evelisse huffed, brushing the tiny fox away. ’Easy for you to say... you’re not the one stuck in a tiny, chubby body with seven overprotective giants breathing down your neck...’