Chapter 191: Chapter 191 Play room
Lucien, clutching the purple crayon card, looked up at Sable with wide, shining eyes. "I love it," he said firmly, his quiet voice carrying across the room. "It’s my favorite. Thank you, Sable."
The little boy hiccupped against Alina’s shoulder, peeking out shyly to see Lucien’s smile. His tears slowed, replaced with a tiny, trembling smile of his own.
Even Dante, standing nearby with his arms folded, allowed the faintest softening of his expression as he watched the small boy calm down in Alina’s embrace.
Alina still held Sable close, rocking him softly, when a shadow fell over them. She looked up and saw Dante standing there, his expression unreadable but his crimson eyes lingered on Sable with something gentler than usual. Without a word, he reached out his arms.
Alina hesitated for a moment, then carefully passed the small boy into Dante’s hold.
The change in Sable was instant. The little one sniffled, but when he realized who was holding him, his lips curved into a shy, trembling smile. His tiny fingers gripped the dark fabric of Dante’s shirt, and for the first time since his tears began, he looked safe.
Dante’s large hand supported the child with surprising ease, as though he had always been meant to carry him. For a moment, the memory tugged at him—the day he first took Sable from the aftermath of the demon war. The boy had been barely three months old, alone, his parents fallen in battle. Dante had wanted to raise him alongside Lucien, to let him grow in the warmth of a family. But the elders of the Nightshade Court had rejected that idea, claiming it would blur the lines of blood and legacy.
So Dante had done what he could. He had given Sable a protective home, provided him with safety, food, and education, ensuring the child would never be abandoned to cruelty.
"Show them the playroom," Dante instructed the maid, his voice deep and steady.
The babies squealed at once, their excitement echoing through the hall. They scrambled after the maid, tiny feet pattering against the polished floor. Alina followed behind, making sure no one tripped in their rush.
Sable little face still wet with tears, he whispered, "Sorry for crying... I didn’t mean to trouble everyone."
Dante looked down at him, crimson eyes cold yet gentle, and without a word he lifted Sable into his arms. The boy’s head tucked naturally against his chest as though he had always belonged there. "It’s fine," Dante said, his tone cool but firm enough to leave no space for doubt.
"But my gift wasn’t as good as the others," Sable murmured, his small fists curling into Dante’s shirt. "It looked... plain."
Dante stopped walking. Shadows pooled faintly at his feet as he tilted Sable back just enough to meet his eyes. "Sincerity is worth more than jewels," he said simply. "Lucien knows that. Your gift was not plain. It was honest."
Sable’s lashes fluttered, tears still clinging to the edges. "Really?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
"Really," Dante confirmed, his gaze unwavering.
****
The playroom was enormous, far grander than anything Alina had expected. A sparkling indoor pool stretched across one side, the water shallow and warm, with brightly colored floating toys bobbing happily on the surface—rubber ducks, tiny boats, and even toy fish that wriggled like they were alive. To the right stood a slide corner, not filled with sand, but with a soft mountain of plush toys so big that anyone who slid down would disappear into clouds of stuffed animals.
In the center of the room sat a miniature castle, crafted perfectly for the babies’ size. Its little towers were capped with bright flags, and a drawbridge opened into a cozy playhouse interior.
The moment the babies entered, their jaws dropped.
"Woooooowwwww!!" Drake shouted, wings flapping as he nearly toppled forward. His big amber eyes sparkled brighter than the pool itself. "Teacher!!! Can we live here forever??"
Boo spun in the air like a rocket, throwing his arms wide. "This is Boo’s kingdom!!! Everyone bow before Banana King’s castle!!" He zipped toward the mini-castle and crashed through the drawbridge, tumbling inside with dramatic laughter.
Luna, still in her pink frock, shifted into a fluffy wolf pup on the spot and dashed toward the plush-slide. "LUNA FIRST!!" she howled, launching herself down the slide. She vanished into the pile of soft toys with a muffled "poof!" and popped her little head out, tail wagging wildly.
Vlad Jr. adjusted his cap coolly, but even he couldn’t hide the glint in his red eyes. He gave a soft "hmph" and wandered with practiced elegance toward the poolside, where he picked up a toy boat and set it on the water as if testing its worthiness.
Rocky had already rolled himself into boulder form and placed his stone body smack in the pile of plushies. Luna yipped angrily that he was taking all the best spot, but he only wiggled, refusing to move.
Kelpie squealed the loudest when he saw the water, splashing right into the pool without hesitation. Droplets sprayed everywhere, and Boo’s muffled shriek could be heard echoing from inside the castle: "Nooo!!! Boo’s kingdom is under flood attack!!!"
Inside the little castle, Felix had already shifted into his fox form. His soft fur shone softly under the tiny lights from the tiny ceilings, and his seven fluffy tails wagged with such enthusiasm that they brushed against the walls and made the curtains flutter. He trotted gracefully across the miniature hallway, clearly enjoying himself, and pushed his nose against a small arched door.
"Click." The door swung open, and Felix padded inside.
The room was surprisingly cozy, like a fairytale hideout perfectly crafted for little ones. A round, fluffy bed sat at the center, piled with soft cushions shaped like clouds and stars. The walls were painted with a gentle moonlit sky, and even the window had curtains embroidered with silver thread.
Felix leapt onto the bed with a happy thump, circling once before curling up in a neat fox ball. His tails flopped over him like a blanket, puffing out in all directions. He let out a proud little growl as if to say, "This castle belongs to me now."
From outside, Boo’s muffled voice echoed through the castle windows: "HEY! Banana King already declared ownership of this kingdom!!! You sneaky fox!!"
Felix peeked one golden eye open, his tails wagging lazily. He gave a soft "hmph" and buried his nose back into the pillows, ignoring Boo’s protests.