Daddy Caius

With wide eyes and a tense expression, Mabel urged him to continue, her curiosity almost palpable. "What would happen?"

Duke Caius leaned in, his voice a mere whisper. "They would turn into an undead, forever trapped in the mansion's basement, endlessly subjected to tickling as punishment," he intoned gravely.

With a sudden burst of energy, Duke Caius pounced, his fingers dancing across Mabel's sides as he let out a playful roar. "RAHHHH!"

Mabel's shriek of surprise transformed into a chorus of laughter, her joyful peals ringing throughout the room. Duke Caius's tickles were a mix of affection and mischief.

As the room echoed with their laughter, Mabel darted away from Duke Caius's grasp, her infectious giggles painting the air with a sense of lightness. The chase was on.

"You can't run, Mabel! Your fate is sealed!" Duke Caius proclaimed with a playful growl, a twinkle in his eye as he gave chase.

"I won't let you catch me, evil Duke!" Mabel retorted, her laughter like music in the air as she evaded him.

With each attempt to escape Duke Caius's ticklish grasp, Mabel's feet carried her in a flurry of movement, her giggles guiding her path.

She darted behind furniture and danced around obstacles with the nimbleness of a playful sprite.

Duke Caius's pursuit was relentless, his laughter joining Mabel's in a harmonious duet. He chased her around the room, his outstretched fingers just missing her by a hair's breadth each time, the suspense building with every near-capture.

Each twist and turn of their game was a brushstroke on the canvas of their shared moment.

"I've got you now!" Finally Duke Caius announced triumphantly, his arms outstretched to capture his agile prey.

Mabel giggled and squealed in delight, a mixture of surprise and glee as she was swept off her feet. The sensation of being airborne and spinning created a whirlwind of emotions within her. "I won't give up, Duke! You'll never catch me!"

Duke Caius, playfully dramatic, flopped onto the sofa, a theatrical display of defeat. "Alas, you've bested me, Princess. I bow to your incredible speed and cunning!"

With a triumphant grin, Mabel nestled in Duke Caius's arms, her heart racing from the thrill of their impromptu game.

It was a rare and enchanting moment, where roles blurred, and laughter reigned supreme. Leaving behind the worries and responsibilities of the outside world.

The passage of time seemed to stand still as they lay side by side, basking in the gentle warmth of the sun-kissed day. Duke Caius's gaze lingered on Mabel's peaceful face, illuminated by the soft radiance that filtered through closed eyelids.

The tranquil atmosphere was playfully disrupted when he reached out and gently pinched her nose, his voice dancing with mischief as he inquired, "Are you sleeping, Mabel?"

Mabel's response was swift and animated as her scowl turned into a mischievous grin. "It hurts, Duke!" With a swift retaliation, her tiny fingers found their way to his hand, playfully nipping at it.

The unexpected sensation elicited a startled laugh from Duke Caius, a harmonious symphony of mirth shared between them.

In a turn of events, Duke Caius's fingers traversed from her nose to her cheeks, leaving behind a rosy hue in their wake. The light pinch evoked an endearing annoyance in Mabel's expression, her cheeks tinted pink as she squirmed under his playful fingers.

Mabel's determination flared as she made a grab for his hand, her resolve unwavering. However, Duke Caius's reflexes were quick, and he evaded her with a chuckle. "You're so adorable, Mabel," he teased, his eyes alight with affection.

Fuelled by determination, Mabel's voice held a playful whine as she protested, "That's not fair, Duke. Let me get your hand!" She finally managed to secure his hand within her grasp, her tiny body resolute as she began to nibble on it playfully.

Duke Caius's expression shifted from playful defeat to a mock hurt, his voice tinged with playful drama. "Awwww, that hurts. I concede to your incredible power, Mabel." His hurt facade crumbled into genuine laughter, a melodic sound that filled the air around them.

Even as Duke Caius laughed, Mabel continued her determined assault, her actions accompanied by his playful screams. With each bite, a symphony of giggles and laughter echoed through the air, the sweet sound of their shared amusement.

Mabel's persistence paid off as she emerged victorious, her playful nips leaving a trail of tiny marks on Duke Caius's hand. The marks, like souvenirs of their spirited play, adorned his skin, a testament to their joyful interaction.

Mabel's triumphant grin lit up her face, her words carried a hint of pride, "Hmph! Of course, because I have the strongest teeth! Even all of my bullies in the orphanage can't defeat me."

Duke Caius's laughter resonated, discovering more of his daughter's unique traits. "Well, well, my princess, but you shouldn't bite anyone, alright? Because you're a beautiful princess now," he advised, a touch of parental guidance in his voice.

A pout formed on Mabel's lips, her protest tinged with playful rebellion, "So a princess can't be strong and bite evil? That's not fair! I don't want to be a princess anymore." Her words were a charming mixture of innocence and defiance, her sense of justice driving her actions.

Chuckling at her spirited response, Duke Caius teased, "Oh no, love. It's not like that. You need a little bit more elegance for your retaliation." His eyes twinkled mischievously, hinting at a secret he wasn't quite ready to reveal.

Intrigued, Mabel's curiosity surged, her eyes wide as she inquired, "Elegance? What do you mean, Duke?" The concept of achieving vengeance with grace rather than force intrigued her young mind.

With a gentle touch to her nose, Duke Caius imparted a mysterious promise, "You will know when you get older, Mabel," his words leaving a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. While eager to learn, he recognized the importance of age-appropriate guidance.

Mabel's determination to prove her maturity shone through as she proudly held up her eight fingers. "Ugghhh... I'm eight! I'm old!" she exclaimed, seeking recognition of her advancing age.

Duke Caius leaned into the playful banter, his fingers gently stroking his chin, a mischievous light dancing in his eyes. "Hmm... I might just have the answer if you call me 'daddy'," he declared, creating a tender, shared moment between them.

Recognizing Mabel's need for time to adapt, Duke Caius understood the complexity of her transition into a new family. Amid their laughter and games, he wondered why she clung to the name "Duke."

Mabel paused, her eyes meeting his with a mix of innocence and a touch of embarrassment. The word "Daddy" felt like a foreign language on her lips, so "Duke" remained her go-to choice.

"Well, I guess I'll have to wait until I'm a bit older for that answer," she replied innocently, her playful tone lightening the atmosphere.

Duke Caius chuckled, recognizing the awkwardness of this phase for her. He shifted his posture, sitting upright, and then with theatrical flair, he clutched his heart and let out mock gasps of pain.

"Ouch, Mabel," he exclaimed dramatically.

Concern laced Mabel's voice, her eyes wide, "What's wrong, Duke?"

Grinning, he maintained the theatrical charade, "I have a curse, and only one thing can break it—calling me 'daddy'." He began to wince as if in agony.

Mabel's eyes widened further, panic taking hold. She moved swiftly in front of him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"No, you can't die, Duke!" she cried out, her voice trembling with fear. "No, I mean, Daddy," she corrected herself amidst her tears.

Duke Caius couldn't hold back his laughter, a mixture of joy and amusement bubbling up as he finally heard her address him as "Daddy."

He returned her embrace, "Ahh... You've broken the curse. Thank you, my dear child," he chuckled, and then playfully collapsed onto the sofa with Mabel still in his arms.

Through her tears, Mabel's voice quivered, "Why are you laughing like that? What if you really were dying and left me all alone? I wanted a family."

He stroked her hair gently, his laughter subsiding. "It's alright, Mabel. You saved me. If not for you, I might have perished. Thank you, Mabel."

Though Mabel continued to cry for a while, her fear of being alone gradually eased. Her grip on him remained tight, her sobs reflecting her genuine love and need for Duke Caius's presence.

"I love you, Daddy. Please, promise you won't leave me..." The awkwardness of addressing him as "Daddy" was overshadowed by her desperation to save him from the fictional curse.

Duke Caius felt a pang of guilt, his heart aching at her tearful plea. He gazed into her eyes, a part of him wanting to admit the playful deception, yet he held back. He cherished this moment of her finally addressing him as "Daddy."

Shifting his posture, he brought her onto his lap, holding her close. "I won't ever leave you, my precious daughter. I'll stand by your side through every step of your journey. So, don't cry, Mabel. Your father is right here with you."

As he hugged her tightly, his fingers gently stroking her hair, he listened to her heart-wrenching sobs, vowing silently to always be the father she needed.