14: Family Dinner

Layla was sitting by her window she was contemplating what she wanted to do. She loved her siblings for giving her the option to leave without feeling bad about it. But she wasn’t sure if she would just be able to leave them.

“Layla it’s time for dinner.” Liana called.

“Coming.” Layla answered.

She got up grabbing her phone and heading downstairs to the kitchen where her siblings and parents were.

Layla entered the kitchen seeing the 5 of them already sitting at the table. She smiled slightly she loved times like this with her family. “What are we having?”

“We decided to make your favorite.” Henry answered. He knew it was a time to celebrate his little girl was going to a ball she was going to be making a difference and she deserved to be celebrated.

“Oh.” Layla sighed. She loved her parents for this but she didn’t want to make a big deal out of this whole thing. Especially if she ended up disappearing for a little while.

Liana stood up going over to her daughter she loved her and she was proud of the woman she had become. She didn’t want to make her nervous but she knew this had been a long time coming for her. And she couldn’t wait for her to realize that this was always what was meant to happen. “Have a seat it’s time to celebrate things have been going good?”

“Yeah sure.” Layla answered with a sigh. She went and had a seat at the table she wished they would just act like this was a normal night.

“Why do we never get celebrated?” Zamiyah asked. She knew her sister didn’t want this to be a big deal and that was exactly what they were making it out to be.

Liana sighed going to grab the plates and sat them in front of everyone. She knew how much her daughter loved roast she figured it would be a good time to make it for all of them. She had a seat looking to her youngest daughter. “Because your sister is special and we know soon enough everyone will know that too.”

“How are you sure?” Layla asked. She knew she was special she was different and she knew it wasn’t a good thing in this kingdom. It was something she could be punished for.

“The king is throwing a ball everything is falling into place.” Liana smiled she knew her daughter was going to do them proud. She might not be theres but she was theres in every way that it mattered and they were glad they got her and they got to watch her grow.

Layla sighed she hated talking about the ball she didn’t want to think about it. “I’m not interested in marrying some stuffy prince mom.”

Liana sighed taking her daughters hand across the table she knew this was a lot to think of. But she knew it would simply get worse when she learned about who she was and what she was to do. “I know but who says you have to fall in love with the prince just because all the eligible daughters will be there doesn’t mean you won’t have the chance to meet your soulmate.” She squeezed her hand slightly before letting go of it.

“I remember when i met your mother it was the best night of my life.” Henry smiled over to his wife.

“We remember.” Zamiyah groaned she did not want to hear the story about how the two had met at a fall festival again.

“You know you four are the best things that happened to us.” Henry said. And while none of them were biologically his they were all his children and nothing could change that.

“And we need you guys to know that nothing will ever change that.” Liana added looking between her children. She wanted to make sure they knew they were her pride and joys. She knew each and every one of them were going to do her proud. Afterall she was honored to get to be their mother.

“We know.” Ethan smirked. He knew how much their parents loved them and he was saddened at the thought of how they would react when Layla would leave without a trace. But he kept reminding himself it was for the best.

Liana rolled her eyes she loved her son but his smirk usually meant bad things she knew from experience. She decided to change the subject back to Layla and the ball. “We got a call from Romona and she said the dress is coming along great and that you are going to love it.”

“I bet i am.” Layla gave a fake smile while she was happy the dress was going to be exactly what she had imagined it to be she wasn’t happy about going.

“Well eat we have four days before the ball everything is going to be changing.” Liana meant that literally and figuratively

“Nothing will change if Layla doesn’t get picked.” Zamiyah mentioned. She knew her sister might not be there so therefore she might not even get picked to be the new wife of the spoiled prince.

“Your right.” Henry said he knew it was true but he also kenw the ball was probably for her.

After all everyone who had learned of the prophecy about the Princess of Fire and Ice would be looking for her. Especially since Lucinda would be coming back to take over.

“We don’t need change were fine just how we are.” Ethan said. He was sure his siblings agreed with him change was not for them.

“What is up with you two and why are you being little downers?” Liana asked trying her best not to raise her voice at them. She could feel her attitude flaring slightly she didn’t like that they were talking their sister down when this was important.

Ethan shot his mom a glare he knew he was hitting a nerve but he wasn’t yet done. He didn’t like that his parents weren’t trying to fight against this when he knew they had the power too. “We just feel as if this is all to much and that our sister deserves to have a say in her life.”

Zamiyah nodded in agreement since her sister was 18 she was legal age to make her own decisions. “Agreed she is an adult she shouldn’t be forced to do this she should get to live her life as she pleases.”

“We both know the influence you guys have in Greenvile.” Ethan reminded they were nobles after all and they were higher then most. He was certain if they had tried they could have done something about this.

“It doesn’t matter that we live to the far end on a lake you guys have influence.” Zamiyah knew there life was different from most homeschooled and they lived in a house by the lake. Far away from the castle keeping them the world and their lives kept private. “So you should be able to stop Layla from being forced to go.”

Liana sighed her anger dimishing she was happy to see they were so bent on protecting their sister. But she knew it was hard for them to understand. “Not even we can make the king change his mind about every eligible daughter.”

“Guys it’s fine.” Layla said she knew her siblings were simprly being overprotective of her and didn’t mean to go haywire on their parents. “They have no choice we will be punished otherwise.”

“I don’t like that you are just agreeing.” Zamiyah scoffed she didn’t want her sister to simply go along with this because she had to. If she didn’t want to then she wasn’t simple.

Ethan nodded he agreed he didn’t want his parents to simply let this happen. He knew even if she did get picked she was to good for this kingdom. “Me either this kingdom doesn’t deserve you sis you are so much better than it will ever be.”

“Are you leaving Layla?” Liam pouted trying his best not to cry. He didn’t like the idea of his sissy leaving him.

Layla sighed she wished she could tell him she wasn’t but even if she didn’t go to the ball she couldn’t risk their lives by staying with them. She had to run to protect them. “I don’t know Liam it all depends what happens i guess.”

“I don’t want you to leave.” Liam cried he didn’t want to lose his sissy

“I know.” Layla wrapped her arms around him letting him rest against her. “I don’t want to leave either.”