Chapter 114: The Little Prince's Strategy

"Red Alert," Luke whispered into his radio at the Palace Gate. "The Enemy is approaching. And he brought cookies."

In the Royal Garden, Jackson sat up straight in his chair. "Is it assassins?"

"Worse," Serenity sighed, putting down her tea. "It's a playdate."

A polished limousine rolled up. Out stepped Prince Frederick, followed by a small boy in a immaculate blue velvet suit.

Prince Archibald (Archie) was five years old. He had combed blonde hair, serious blue eyes, and he held a gift box with both hands like it was a diplomatic treaty.

"Jackson!" Frederick waved. "We happened to be in the neighborhood! Archie insisted on saying hello to his future bride—I mean, friend."

Jackson stood up, casting a shadow over the small boy.

"Name," Jackson demanded, looking down at the kid.

"Archibald of Arden, Sir," the boy replied. He didn't stutter. He looked up at Jackson with surprising calmness.

"Do you have a criminal record?" Jackson squinted.

"I once drew on the wall with crayons," Archie admitted. "But I served my timeout."

Serenity laughed. "Leave him alone, Jackson. He's adorable. Hello, Archie."

"Good afternoon, Grand Duchess," Archie bowed perfectly. Then he turned to Aurora, who was hiding behind Alex's leg, peeking out curiously.

Aurora’s eyes flashed violet. The pebbles around her feet started to float. She was nervous. Usually, kids ran away when her "magic" started.

Archie didn't run. He walked forward and held out the box.

"For you," he said.

Aurora reached out. "What is it?"

"A Rubik's Cube," Archie opened it. It was a colorful puzzle toy. "My uncle said you like to break things with your mind. But this is for fixing things."

Aurora took the cube. She tried to float it, but Archie shook his head.

"Use your hands," he whispered. "It's more fun."

Aurora frowned. She twisted the cube. Click. Click. It was tactile. It was grounding. For the first time all day, the violet light in her eyes faded. She focused entirely on the puzzle. The floating pebbles dropped back to the ground.

"He grounded her energy," Margaret whispered to Liam, watching from the terrace. "The boy is smart. He gave her a focus point."

"He neutralized her telekinesis with a plastic toy," Jackson grumbled, crossing his arms. "I don't like him. He's too smooth."

"He is five, Jackson," Serenity poked his ribs. "And look. She's smiling."

Aurora solved one side of the cube. She looked up at Archie, beaming. "I did blue! Do you want to see me lift a tree?"

"Maybe later," Archie smiled back. "Can I sit?"

"Okay."

The two 5-year-olds sat on the grass, heads bent over the toy.

"Threat assessment?" Jackson whispered to Alex.

Alex adjusted his glasses, scanning Archie with his watch. "He brought organic cookies. His heart rate is stable. Probability of him annoying me: low. Probability of him distracting Aurora so she doesn't explode the house: 98%."

Alex shrugged. "I approve. He's efficient."

"I don't," Jackson narrowed his eyes. "He is holding her hand. That hand holding is unauthorized."

"Let them be," Liam walked up, placing a hand on Jackson's shoulder. "Every Queen needs an ally. Maybe he is hers."

"Ally is fine," Jackson sat back down, watching them like a hawk. "But if he tries to kiss her on the cheek, I'm activating the sprinklers again."

Prince Frederick sat next to Jackson, grabbing a scone.

"So," Frederick winked. "About that trade alliance..."

Jackson groaned. "Pass the butter, Frederick. And shut up."

It was a peaceful afternoon.
But as Archie helped Aurora with the puzzle, he whispered something only she could hear.

"My daddy told me you are special," Archie said softly. "He said you have magic. Like the scary man in the black tower."

Aurora froze. "What man?"

"The man in my dreams," Archie shivered. "He says he is coming for us."

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(Chapter 114 End)