Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The children
Carlton sighed heavily, running a hand through his disheveled hair as he gazed down at the seven young children clinging to him. He addressed them in a tone reminiscent of how he would speak to his loyal retainers under his command back at the Duke’s manor.
"Listen up, little ones," Carlton began, trying to reason with them. "I need you all to release your grip on me for just a moment. Da... Father has some important matters that require his attention."
The children shook their heads in unison, clearly not intending to comply with their father’s request. The girl who appeared closest in age to Malcolm stepped forward, ready to speak on behalf of her siblings.
"Daddy..." she began, pausing as Malcolm leaned over and whispered something into her ear. She nodded solemnly before continuing with newfound conviction.
"Daddy... my name is Helena, your second child." Helena stated firmly.
"Father Emperor told us not leave Daddy alone right now because Daddy is still sick. Forgetting about us means your mind is not yet clear, so please return to your chamber at once and rest instead of wandering off."
Carlton was momentarily taken aback by the scolding he received from his own child - one who claimed to be his second-born daughter. It seemed that as the first girl in line, Helena possessed an unusual level of maturity and motherly demeanor for her young age, which Carlton estimated to be around nine or ten years old at most.
He then felt his pants being tugged tightly, and then looked at the boy who had been silent from the beginning and seemed to be a shy child. His eyes were glazed over with unshed tears.
"Daddy, don’t you remember us? Daddy doesn’t remember Nikolai?" The young boy asked in a quavering voice, looking like he was about to burst into tears.
Seeing that Nikolai appeared on the verge of crying, Carlton - whose head already throbbed painfully - did not want to suffer further by hearing sobs. He grasped Nikolai’s head firmly but not comfortingly; more as a stern warning.
"You’re Nikolai, correct?" Carlton asked gruffly. The 5-year-old nodded solemnly, his face etched with sorrow. "I’m not forbidding you to cry," the Duke continued in a tone that brooked no argument, "but know this - when you weep, it pains your father’s head all the more. Do you wish for your father to become sicker?"
Nikolai shook his head vigorously, hastily wiping away the tears that threatened to spill over. His big eyes blinked rapidly as he fought back sobs.
"Look Daddy, I’m not crying..." Nikolai managed a sweet smile through his tears, trying to appear strong for Carlton’s sake. The boy’s valiant effort at self-control touched something deep within the Duke.
Carlton felt a strange sensation in his chest as he gazed upon Nikolai’s brave little face. It was an unfamiliar emotion - one that he couldn’t quite place but found himself drawn to nonetheless.
"You’re a good boy," Carlton murmured gruffly, patting Nikolai on the head with more gentleness than he had intended. "I appreciate your efforts to spare me further pain."
Nikolai beamed up at him, clearly pleased by the praise and gentle touch from his father. His small hand reached out tentatively to grasp Carlton’s larger one.
"I love you Daddy..." Nikolai whispered softly.
For the first time, Carlton felt a flicker of fondness for the children. They were not merely annoying little pests, but actually quite adorable in their own way. However, his momentary softening was interrupted by the murmuring of three small koalas still clinging to his legs.
The 2-year-old triplets seemed determined not to be outdone by Nikolai’s earlier declaration of love.
"Cristyn loves Daddy the most!" proclaimed Cristyn, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Alaric in miniature form. She hugged Carlton’s leg with a smug grin plastered on her cherubic face.
"Don’t you like cake more than Daddy?" questioned his brother skeptically from where he clung to Carlton’s other leg.
"I like both! Cake and Daddy!" Cristyn pouted adorably in response.
"And Cristian choose Daddy over cake," Cristian announced with a proud smile aimed at his father.
Carlton blinked in amusement. This child was barely out of diapers yet already displayed the cunning political maneuvering that would serve him well as an adult nobleman - using reverse psychology on his sibling to make himself appear more devoted to their father for choosing family over sweets.
"Cristina... Cristina loves everyone!" declared little Cristina as she squeezed Carlton’s legs tighter and giggled infectiously.
"Father Emperor, Daddy, Brother Malcolm, Sister Helena, Brother Austin, Brother Nikolai... and also Cristyn and Cristian!"
Helena and Malcolm both smiled warmly at Cristina, ruffling her hair affectionately. Helena laughed softly as she spoke.
"Cristina, I love you too," she said with genuine fondness.
Malcolm chimed in gently, "We are the same, little sister. I love everyone in this family too."
Meanwhile, the lively young boy who had been silently and intently circling Carlton came to a halt. With a proud grin plastered across his face, he prepared to make an announcement.
"I love our family so much that I asked Daddy to teach me swordsmanship! That way I can protect all of you!" He declared enthusiastically as he patted his chest proudly.
Malcolm beamed with pride and stroked his younger brother’s head approvingly. "I’m proud of you for wanting to learn how to protect your loved ones, Austin."
Carlton felt another unfamiliar warmth blossoming inside him as he reflected on these interactions. If these children were indeed his future offspring, it meant he had succeeded in nurturing them to be kind, intelligent individuals who cared deeply for their family. The ice around his heart seemed to melt away with each passing moment spent in their presence.
Lost in this newfound familial warmth, Carlton was startled back into reality when Alaric’s arms encircled him from behind and a kiss brushed against his cheek.
"My love," Alaric murmured softly, "I missed you so much."
Carlton barely suppressed the urge to fling Alaric’s body onto the ground at such an intimate display of affection. He gritted out through clenched teeth.
"What is there possibly to miss after only being apart for an hour?"
Alaric let out a hearty chuckle, clearly amused by the transformation he witnessed in Carlton.
"But you yourself admitted that even a mere ten seconds apart feels like an eternity," Alaric reminded him with a smirk. "And didn’t you whine incessantly about not wanting to be separated from me?"
At that moment, Carlton wished fervently that he wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around his future self throat....
