Chap 40) Happiness defined through family

"Ouch!" (Kiana) Holding her head, Kiana crouched on the floor as she tried to sooth the spot she got hit.

As for Valerie, she merely started to snigger while looking at Kiana.

"That hurts aunt Valerie. Why do you always do that?" (Kiana) Asking in a questioning tone while looking at the snickering Valerie.

"Hahaha you must forgive me on that, your reactions when I do that is always hilarious and you always let your guard down. Take it as a sort of training." (Valerie) Upon saying so, she helped assist Kiana up.

Together, they started to walk into the castle and talked about their time together. Not long later, they approached the most important location of the castle. Standing in front of the platinum blue door, Kiana knew that her dad was in the round table room. Moving forward, she proceeded to open the door.

"Snore*" (Azure)

Opening the door, Kiana saw a rather well lit room with tall ceilings, paintings with stories painted the octangular walls as each one was decorated with precious metals. The floor made of precious and rare marbles suited the wooden table in the middle surrounded by eight seats and 1 grand chair. This was a place of grand status anyone could tell. But one thing made the entire place feel wrong. That was the snoring and sleeping Azure immortal, what Kiana saw was her dad sleeping.

Sitting on the best seat, Azure laid his head on the round table in the middle of the room as he started to snore in his sleep. Unable to say anything, Kiana just looked at her dad while wanting to shake her head.

'WAIT FOR IT.' (Draig)

With little remorse, Valerie walked up to Azure sternly and when next to him, delivered a hundred swift karate chops to him. The first hit Azure squarely on the head with several others following, but with Azure abrutly awoken, he tried to dodge but was met with slaps and chops.

"Ah Valerie i'm up i'm up! oof! Stop hitting!" (Azure) Trying his best to stop Valerie, he tried to back off only to be grabbed by Valerie by the collar.

Forced back by Valeries grip, Azure kept getting slapped by his assistant.

"I, told, you, how, many, times, not, to, sleep, on, the, damn, roundtable! You lazy excuse of an idol!" (Valerie) Each slap of hers was accomppanied by her frustrations of having to take care of Azure.

"Kiana! Help your old man here and pull Valerie off of me!" (Azure) Looking to his daughter for help, he attempted his luck for some help.

"Hahaha! Dad you should have already known that you would receive such treatment if you did that! Its your own fault so as you said, man up!" (Kiana) laughing at her dads predicament, Kiana merely laughed at it.

"Draig help a man out here!" (Azure)

Suddenly, Draig in his human form manifested next to Kiana.

"Sorry man but i aint gonna stand in between a womans fury. You gotta settle this one on yourself Azure." (Draig) Leaning on the wall and casually saying it.

"Damn you Draig!" (Azure) Cursing out loud, Azure was subjugated to the various slaps given out by Valerie.

Finally after a full hundred slaps and chops, Valerie released Azure who grasped at his neck and wheezed for air.

Looking at the girls and Draig without malice, Azure spoke.

"Couldn't you be more gentle?" (Azure)

.....

No words were spoken as a silence existed between them. But suddenly, Valerie started to laugh. This was followed by Kiana, Draig then finally Azure. Laughter filled the room as joy was spread amongst everyone.

Such a rare scene is nearly mythical to the public. To see their stoic and strong king laugh at something beyond him, was nearly non-existent. Yet to everyone in the room, it was what family did. Valeries actions, although did not harm Azure, showed her duty and afection to him. To them, this was her family, her true family hidden from the publics eyes.

"Haih, Kiana its good to see you." (Azure) Stopping his laughter, Azure looked to Kiana as he spoke to her with care.

With little resistance, Kiana ran to the warm embrace of Azure. Valerie behind them too hugged both Azure and Kiana. Draig merely looked at the family with happiness and hope.

No longer were the occupants in this room proud kings. No longer were they the idols of everyones heart, nor royalty, nor cold assistant. They were now a family, a normal family enjoying the time granted to them. The warmth of a family could only be felt, no more, no less.

This was Kianas family. Spoken not with words nor action, only the warmth and happiness of their re-union.

This warmth continued for several more minutes till finally, they released one another. Azure and Valerie both holding Kiana's hands, walked with her to their private living space.

"So Kiana how was school?" (Valerie)

"It was fun, a nice change of view. Met new friends too!" (Kiana) saying happily as she held both their hands.

Time passed as the family of 3 walked through the empty castle and made it to a door behind the throne-room. This was the entrance and exit to Azures personal home in another dimension pocket. Upon opening it, Kiana was greeted by an independent floating island. Walking through the door, Kiana was greeted by the local nature of plants and flowers. An ordinary island world with an ordinary 2 storey house at its epicentre.