Dear Immortal Tyrant

Lina watched all of her children, including her husband, begin to finish tidying up their appearances through the thorough cleaning of the markers. As she viewed them, a smile graced her lips and she was unable to look away from this joyous occasion. Laughter and giggles filled up their bathroom as father teased his sons and mother aided her daughter in dressing.

Right as Lina finished dressing Adina, she heard the approaching footsteps of their housekeeper. She was mid-process of combing Adina's hair when the housekeeper informed her that the guests had arrived.

"Oh, but I haven't finished baking," Lina murmured worriedly to herself whilst glancing at the time.

Lina had cleared up her entire schedule from The Limitless galleria today to make sure there was time to entertain the guest.

Lina often worked on the weekdays only, reserving the weekends specifically for her children, and always coming right on time for dinner. Their mornings together were always shared as a family of five, for they always emphasized at least sharing one meal together.

"With all due respect madam, we have prepared a feast for them," the housekeeper warmly informed her with slight humor in her voice.

"Good thing you cooked, Lina's cookies are deadly," Kaden retorted, coming behind his wife and scooping her into his embrace.

Lina roughly elbowed him with glowering disagreement, but everyone in the family concurred. Once she helped Adina off the chair, the little daughter was already running back to her father. With a smile of amusement, she grabbed her sons' hands and descended down the hallways together.

"Forever my little Princess," Kaden fondly said, pressing a kiss to his daughter's squishy cheeks.

If there was a single person in this world who had as tight of a grasp on his heart as Lian did, it would be his one and only daughter. Adina bore the most striking resemblance to Kaden, from his darker-than-night hair and ruby-red eyes, but her heart was as tender as Lina's. He found it incredibly unfair, for daughters should inherit their mothers' good appearances. Unlucky for him, his sons might as well have been the male reincarnation of Lina.

Kaden couldn't wrap his head around this twisted life of his. Lina never seemed to mind, for she loved all of her children equally.

Meanwhile, Kaden's blatant favoritism made him a tyrant in the eyes of his sons. The man barely scolded his daughter, but saw all the wrongdoing of his sons.

"Don't pull your mother so hard," Kaden chided Kladen when he saw his wife being tugged with fervor.

"I am not!" Kladen whined.

"You are," Kaden insisted, grabbing him by the back of his shirt and lifting him to his side. Kladen struggled and kicked his little legs. Before he could run off to his mother again, Kaden tightened his grip on his son's hands.

"Momma, Momma, look at what our tyrant is doing to me!" Kladen cried out in disbelief, his sturdy lungs ringing down the hallways.

"It's 'Papa' to you," Kaden shot back, narrowing his eyes upon his rowdy middle-child. In response, Kladen let out a scoff and rolled his eyes, almost in disbelief of the man's audacity.

"I smell him," Aiden barked out.

Lina barely descended the staircase when Aiden stiffened. Then, Adina let out a sharp gasp and struggled out of her father's arms. Kladen loudly groaned from beside her father. Before any of them could grab onto the young girl, Adina was already running down the stairs.

"Astian!" Adina squealed in delight, immediately dashing towards the older boy.

Despite only being nine-years old, Astian was already tall and proud. He had outgrown and learned how to work past his initial delayed development. His face lacked warmth even when he stretched his arms out for the little heiress.

"Adina," Astian murmured almost in a grimace, especially when he saw Kaden's pressing glare.

Astian took the girl by the waist and swung her around in the manner he knew she loved the most. Adina giggled with joy, her eyes sparkling, and her lips tugged into the largest grin.

"Astian." Aiden descended the staircase with a cold voice, his attention focused heavily upon his sister who looked like it was Christmas morning.

"Second Young Master," Astian addressed with a slight bow of his head.

Adina softly frowned at this, glancing over her shoulders to see her irritated younger brothers. Before she could respond, Aiden took her by the wrists and pulled her back to their side.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Kladen grumbled under his breath.

"First Young Master," Astian continued with an amicable nod.

"Someone grew taller," Kaden commented whilst patting the boy upon the head. In reality, he grabbed Astian and nearly caused him to stumble. Despite that, Astian's eyes flickered with joy.

"Uncle Kaden," Astian emphasized, his joy immeasurable upon being acknowledged. In his eyes, the grown man was a shining beacon of hope. He had come to respect Kaden more than his own father.

"You're here early," Lina stated whilst resting her hands behind her back at the sight of Priscilla and Sebastian attending to their second son, who was just a baby boy.

"Right on time," Priscilla mused and glanced over her shoulder. "As he always makes sure."

Sebastian sheepishly smiled, but nodded his head in greeting to Lina. Just as he opened his mouth, the doors slammed open and a boisterous voice called out.

"Kids, your favorite aunt is here!" Isabelle practically sang whilst swinging large bags of presents.

All of a sudden, Astian was no longer the center of attention. Adina sharply gasped, her eyes practically sparkling with diamonds. She was already running to her aunt when Kladen shoved her out of the way. Had it not been for Aiden grabbing her, she would've face-planted the floor.

"Me, me first!" Kladen brightly said, just as Isabelle squealed at the sight of him.

"Oh you're just sooo cute!" Isabelle bent and pinched him on the cheek. She found it most amusing that the eldest son behaved like the baby of the house.

Meanwhile, Aiden remained by his younger sister's side, adjusting her hair and dress from Kladen's rough shove. He glared at his older brother with the intention to shove the Kladen off his bed tonight and pretend nothing happened.

"Kladen, you need to be more careful," Aiden demanded in a rough and irritated voice, earning a glance from his mother.

"And you," Krystal calmly spoke from behind Isabelle. "Have such an advanced vocabulary."

Krystal took the gifts marked for the other triplets. She presented it to Adina who's eyes widened and turned to her father with eagerness to open it. Kaden gave her an agreeing nod of amusement, just as Adina quickly dug into the present. Meanwhile, Aiden stared at his equally large bag with disinterest.

"Go on," Lina encouraged him, warmly stroking the back of his head. His hair was cut shorter, almost like a buzz, for he was irritated by the soft texture.

"I'll open it later, mom," Aiden decided whilst turning to her. "Aren't you going to scold Kladen?"

"You are quick to get your brother punished," Lina mused whilst bending to his height. Aiden sulked at her words and frowned to the ground. She gently smiled and squeezed his face until his lips were a pufferfish. 𝘧𝑟𝘦𝒆w𝚎𝙗nov𝘦𝗹.𝐜o𝓶

"Mom!" Aiden complained at her large smile. She was filled with humor and released him to see his face go red.

"Not in front of Milana," Aiden complained in a quiet voice just when he heard the quiet footsteps of a young girl.

Lina raised her head to see Atlantis and Mia entering. In stroll was their four-year-old daughter, Milana. The little girl clutched her father's legs tightly, almost immobilizing him.

"You're finally here," Lina stated.

"Meanwhile, I wish they're never here," Kaden scoffed whilst sliding his palm across his wife's lowerback. He pulled her close, growing bitter at how much attention she showed everyone, but him.

Aiden clutched onto her apron with an accusing stare. The father and son had a glare off, electricity cracking. Lina let out a sigh, for it was good as a Doberman growling at a chihuahua.

"And your sons still hate you," Atlantis responded, humor written all over his face.

"Papa…" Milana grumbled, clutching his legs even tighter.

Mia stroked her daughter's pigtails. "Go on, you must greet them."

Milana whimpered in response and shook her head. She was always intimidated by the tall giant next to their kind Aunt Lina.

"It'll be alright," Atlantis informed his only child. He placed a warm hand on her upperback and helped her around his thighs. If she wasn't burying her face in his shoulders, she was hiding behind him. He found it difficult to do anything when she was around.

"No," Milana stated with a rough shake of her head.

"Well then, Hazel, it's time for you to show these fools' children how to behave like an actual adult," a voice commented from behind them.

Just then, Holton clapped his hand against Atlantis. Atlantis nearly swung his hand in irritation, for Milana nearly fell from how spooked out she was.

"Did I hear actual adults?" Another commented from behind him, just as Milo strolled in with enormous goodie bags.

Instantly, all of the children brightened up, dropping everything in their wake.

"Uncle Milo!" they squealed in delight, all at once rushing up to him for a hug.

"Oomph!" Milo choked out, the bags falling from his hands as he was swarmed by little gremlins. He let out a laugh whilst collapsing to the ground, but the kids were eager for his attention.

As the only childless person in their close-knit circle, the children absolutely adored his antics—mainly because there were no rules, no lecturing, or reprimanding when it came to him.

"It's a full house now," Lina laughed under her breath, seeing everyone all gathered in the foyer. Never in her wildest dreams would she imagine this crazy bunch ever being friends.

Somehow, having children softened their hearts, and they only seemed to gather so the kids could bond. Lina supposed this was for the best, seeing as she hoped to foster a childhood friend group amongst them, especially when they're all entering the same elite school of Ritan.

If anything, Lina was grateful for how her future turned out for the best. Watching the bickering, complaining, and grumbles, Lina knew she made the right decision. One day, when all of the kids grew up, at the least, they'd have each other.

For Lina and Kaden who grew up practically alone, it was all they'd ask for.

"Are you happy with it?" Kaden asked her, grabbing her from behind. He curled his arms around her stomach, pressing the fondest of kisses upon her head.

Lina's gaze softened. She felt her heart melt at the picturesque scene. Priscilla bickered with Sebastian in the corner about how they should've brought more presents for the other kids, but deep down, everyone knew they loved each other more than words could express.

Atlantis was rushing to pick his daughter up from the ground, for his entire world revolved around his little Princess. Mia snorted at how quick Atlantis took his daughter back into his arms, worriedly glancing over her, whereas the young girl was now reaching for her mother. Oftentimes, Milana was overwhelmed by her father's affection.

"You'll spoil her rotten," Mia mused whilst pulling Milana to her side, so that Atlantis could stop fretting.

"And your kids will kill me one day, sister!" Milo shouted in disbelief as the triplets continued to harass him.

"Yeah," Lina finally responded to Kaden, smiling up at him, despite the chaos in front of her.

Kaden quirked a brow.

"I'm happy," Lina told him. "The happiest we'll ever be in any lifetime, my dear immortal tyrant."

The End.