Chapter 24:

"Hey." I looked up to see Phillipe in the doorway of my hotel room.

"Where's Ethan?"

"Actually, all us boys were at pool. And he is too. Just now, maid Valery and maid Ivanna joined."

I glared at him instantly when he particularly referred them as maids. I didn't like it, not a bit. I was so used to the idea that they were my friends now that if someone specifically points them out as maids, it just irked me.

"I know you are mad at me for calling them maids, but you need to accept the reality and put them at a distance. They can be your friends but by profession they are maids." He strolled towards me and sat beside me.

I pondered on his words. He was right that they were maids but still...

I jerked suddenly when he put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. "I know what you are thinking about. But just, don't let them interfere into your life to a far extent. You know that you cannot trust anyone from your surroundings, except you. Put them at distance, make some decisions of your own, stop dragging them into all your life matters."

Now that he framed his sentence in that way, even I was feeling that I let them intrude in my life much more than I should. Every decision I made, every action I made, I made it with a discussion with them and taking some advice or a help. In future, my parents expected me to be a Queen and a Queen never depends upon others. I should make decisions independently and privately.

I nodded. "You are right, brother. I let them into my life very much and the lines should be drawn somewhere. And thanks for booking them the suites you have booked for us. I know that in other circumstances you wouldn't have booked the rooms for them which are as good as ours."

"I'm a proud brother, you know." I studied his brown orbs for that moment. They held love, kindness and an emotion which could ease others worries. This was the second time that I had got the chance to understand his leadership skills. He was a born leader and I wondered for a second if my parents made a right decision to announce me as a Queen. I have to make this decision fast.

"So now that everything is set, shall we go down? Pack your swimming clothes." He started to get up but I grabbed his hand on time to stop him from getting up.

"What happened Sofia?" he asked with full of concern. Since we recorded Alice's video, I had a nagging feeling that didn't let me concentrate on anything except for sitting blankly. All my concern was for Ethan, that was the main reason as to why I demanded Ivanna to being Ethan to my room as soon as possible.

"I want to ask you something, brother. Will you mind?"

"Are you kidding, Sofia? Why will I mind. I know we didn't grow up as cousins from our childhood but the past month was enough for me to accept you as my sister. And without a doubt I'll be spending my life with you to make up for the twenty six years." I hugged him tight. It felt so wonderful to be in his arms. They were protective, giving me a sense of security and warmth. I cursed the person, whoever was responsible for my kidnap all those twenty six years back.

He gently patted my back and involuntarily a tear slipped out of my eyes. Once I released him, he asked, "What do you want to know?"

"I...I.." I stammered unable to understand how to talk to him about Samuel. The name itself ignites anger in him.

"Who is it about?"

"Samuel," I muttered in a small voice but I knew well that he had heard me. I could say that from his jaw hardening and fist clenching.

"What about that dog?" I slapped his bag when he called him dog.

"Ouch, what did I do?"

"Don't call him a dog!"

"He is a dog so what can I do."

"I personally think high about dogs than him but it is still not justifiable to speak bad about him behind his back. If you so want to call that man as a dog, go face to face and address him." Phillipe lifted his eyes and raised his hands in mock surrender earning another hard slap on the back.

"Okay, I'll not do it. Now stop slapping me." I smiled before remembering I was here to discuss about something before anyone entered.

"So...?"

"I wanted to ask that, wait, let me explain first."

"Take your time." He waited patiently for my question and I mustered up all my courage and added appropriate words to explain everything to him.

"It goes like this. Valery and Ivanna somehow managed to confront Alice to me and Alice addressed all the matters in spiteful words which can prove me innocent in front of everyone. And the best par is Ivanna recorded everything," I said as quickly as possible. First, his face contorted but when the situation became clear, a smile broke onto his face.

"So now you can finally kick the ass of that dog?" I glared at him.

"Sorry, Samuel."

"Yes but-"

"But what?"

All the fears surrounded me from all the four sides making it hard to take breaths. Just thinking about the situation was nauseating me. I almost regretted revealing Ethan to Samuel, now. But Ethan deserved to know his father, too.

"It is that, I want to get rid of Samuel. But Samuel is still the father of Ethan you know. And now that Ethan knows about his father, I don't want to part them, it will just break Ethan."

"Don't say you are going back to Samuel!" he immediately protested.

"Sad to say this, but I considered it as an option for the well-being of my son. You know that Ethan would always be my first priority, right?"

"But I can't let you do this. What about Spain, what about your own life? There are always other options to consider!" He got up in rage.

"If I think about my own life, I'd be the most selfish mother in the world! And Spain has you, brother. You will be the next best heir to the throne, not me. You have that compassion and leadership in you. I noticed it." I tried explaining him. I didn't want to go back to that cruel man, not at all. But when I thought about Ethan, my heart just clenched at the thought of him not having his father by his side. I knew all the struggles a person can go through when there was no father for him. I, myself am a best example.

"I'm not letting you go to that man neither am I taking something which rightfully belongs to you." He shook his head and took a step or two backwards.

"Rightfully belonged to me? The throne? I don't want the throne for I know I don't deserve it and I don't have a desire to rule over the people, either. When I don't have the will in me, many people will suffer. This is a best decision anyone can make," I said vehemently, leaving no room for further discussion.

But of course, he had to break through it. "This is not right, Sofia."

"This is absolutely right. Maybe I'll consider some other options for being with Samuel but," I took two steps towards him, "you are going to be the King. And that's final. I need to talk to mom and dad about this and the worst past is, I failed to be their daughter." Tears welled up in eyes when I thought about how clueless they were about my life. They didn't know that my ex-husband was living with me and I didn't make any effort to approach them either.

"Sofia, are you crying?" As if just on cue, a single tear rolled down my eyes and I hastily wiped it of.

"I'm an awful person."

"No, you are not!"

"I am, brother! Can't you see? I didn't spend my time with you, I took all the decisions consulting maids before family, I totally ignored my parents and half of the time, my son, too. It is time to amend things in my life."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see."

"Be specific, Sofia. I can't understand what happened to you." He shook my shoulders vigorously. I removed his hands from my shoulders and said, "If you think that your sister has potential and you can trust her. Please wait till the time come."

He went to protest and as if he remembered something, he held back. After groaning in annoyance and throwing me a glare, he left my room and I started thinking about my sorrows and how messed my life was. I forgot to ask about Edward, though.

*******

The weekend passed by quite well. There was some noticeable tension between me and Phillipe but everyone chose to ignore it or better not question it. We were almost back to the palace and I was waiting for the moment to put everything right.

"Ethan," Sein called out once he stopped in the driveway.

"Hush," I said when I noticed that he was sleeping soundly looking as adorable as ever. I just hoped that going back to Samuel would give him all the happiness he could get. He was the angel of my life for sure and for a mother, nothing should be more important than her children.

"I'll carry him in." Sein unbuckled himself but I stopped him.

"You get the bags, I want to carry my son," I said softly and I knew he understood me.

I tenderly lifted Ethan and prayed that he'll not get up. He sure became heavy from the last time I carried him. He grew in height too and it was the time for shopping. He loved shopping, contrary to other boys but I was sure he'd go ballistic in future when his girlfriend or wife will request him for shopping.

Once reaching my room, I tucked him under the blankets. I wanted him to sleep beside me that night and hopefully every night till he turned eight or became a big man. It just relaxed my heart knowing he was well and beside me.

"Bye." Sein placed the bags and enveloped me into a hug, suddenly.

I awkwardly patted his back and mumbled, "Bye."

Once I was positive that Ethan needed his parents, both me and Samuel, I silently skipped towards Samuel's room which was on the other end of the hallway.

I knocked the door praying that Alice was already asleep and Samuel will open the door as he was a light sleeper. I wished that he'd accept me and at least now he'd get over the fact that Alice was naive and not vicious.

"Sofia," a messy haired Samuel whispered, astonished as to what was I doing at his door at eleven o'clock at night.

"Can we talk?"

"But it's-"

"It's urgent."

He nodded his head in understanding and we skipped towards Ethan's room to decide our son's future.

Hey everyone! Finally an update. There are only two more chapters left and what do you think about Sofia and Samuel getting back together for their son? Should they get back or not?

What will Phillipe say when Sofia backs out from her responsibilities and how will herparents react?

And who all are waiting for the confrontation?

Keep VOTING AND PLEASE COMMENT!