Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 498

Chapter 156: Bonus Story-The Birthday Bash

***Seven Years Later*** *Theo*

Ciana set a bowl of oatmeal in front of Flora and then turned to the mini refrigerator in our suite for a glass of juice.

Although we could have asked the maids to bring food to our rooms, Ciana insisted on making food on her own for our girls once in a while. She said it made her feel like a mother, not just a queen.

‘Could you talk to Ava?" she asked, "Make sure that she behaves like a big girl at Flora's birthday party this afternoon."

Ava, our first daughter, was seven-years-old. Today was her little sister Flora's one year birthday, but Ava had been throwing a tantrum for a couple days now.

Ever since Flora was born, Ava had gone through some interesting adjustments. At first, she had loved having Flora around. It had been sweet to watch Ava hold Flora and kiss her cheeks. She'd even pretend to be a “mommy" and read to Flora.

Unfortunately, our Ava had lost interest in playing a motherly role fast. After only three months, Ava started transitioning to becoming clean, prim, and proper. A little princess. She demanded her own bedroom away from the "noisy, smelly, baby," in the nursery.

Of course, Ciana and I had given Ava her own bedroom. Ava loved the freedom, up until Flora had gotten a walker that allowed her to run around the palace and build up her leg muscles. Flora wanted to follow Ava everywhere.

I smiled, shaking my head at the memory. Ava had hated it. She tried to lock herself in her room a couple nights ago, but Flora found a marker and drew all over Ava's bedroom door because she couldn't get in.

Ava was still upset about that. However, today was Flora's birthday party, and Ava needed to figure out a way to get over her issues with her little sister.

‘There is a cake for Flora and cupcakes for Ava so she can feel special and included as well," Ciana added, "the requirements for food are written on the list."

I picked up the piece of paper from the counter and looked it over. It had thorough specifications on color, taste, size, design and required ready time for both the birthday cake and the cupcakes, along with snacks and refreshments lists for the guests.

Ciana had also drawn little hearts and smiley faces at the bottom, which brought a smile on my lips.

It wouldn't be a big party by any means. Despite being the king and the queen, whenever it was possible, Ciana had insisted that we live a lifestyle like ordinary couples and parents. Therefore the birthday party was just a small gathering rather than a grand royal celebration.

‘Right, I'll get the food on the list arranged," I replied, trying to figure out which chef was most suitable for both the birthday cake and the cupcakes. "And talk to Ava.“ ‘Remind Ava that she won't be getting any of her own presents but she will have her own big girl corner with her friends. They'll all get gift bags, which are different from the gifts that Flora will get from guests," she kept going, ‘If Ava is still..." ‘Ciana, I got this," I said quickly. "Ava will be fine."

After putting the list in my pocket, I leaned down to give a swift kiss on my wife's lips. But the moment I touched her sweet mouth and breathed in her luscious scent, desire started to rise in my body, and the swift kiss turned into a passionate devour of her lips.

As I pulled myself away, I panted, "Fuck! How come after seven years being married to you, you still set my body on fire so easily?" ‘I guess that's what mates do to each other?" she replied wittily, her cheeks flushing.

‘Get going, we still have a lot to do for the party and the trip."

I sighed. She was right. I took a few long breaths in, peeled my gaze off my beautiful wife and headed down the hallway to go to Ava's room.

Today was a busy day, not only because it was Flora's first birthday party, but also because right after the party, we would be leaving the palace to have a family vacation for the first time ever.

Ciana, Ava, Flora and I would stop by Ortiz to pay a short visit to my mother, then spend a week with Ciana's parents in Alvar before we head to a vacation home in the western forest for one month.

I couldn't suppress the smile on my face. Up until a few years ago, neither "family" nor 'vacation" even existed in my vocabulary, but now life was full of joy with the ones I loved.

‘Daddy!' Ava cheered when I opened her door. She jumped into my arms and hugged me.

I smiled and picked her up, giving her a bear hug.

'Are you ready to be my helper today?' I asked, setting her down on the floor.

'Yes, yes," Ava said, beaming up at me.

‘Alright. Today's Flora's birthday, let's go tell the kitchen what to make for her birthday cake.“

However, as soon as I mentioned Flora, Ava’s face fell.

‘Ava, what's the matter?“ I knew the answer, but I started with my question anyway.

'Nothing..." Ava dropped her eyelids.

‘Are you still upset about Flora drawing on your door?"

Ava rolled her eyes. 'No, I'm a big girl. I wouldn't act that childish!”

That wasn't what I expected. I smirked and shook my head. "You know you are a very good big sister. I love you forthat." 'Do you?" Ava asked, then she let out a dramatic sigh.

I crouched down to be at the same level as her. "Of course I do. What’s bothering you?"

Ava pouted her lips, and her eyes started to get a little red. "Everyone talks about Flora. They said she was named 'Flora' because when she was born, all flowers welcomed her and she's special.'

I paused for a moment, remembering that it was at the peak of spring while Ciana was in labor carrying Flora. When the sun rose, along with Flora's cries, new flowers completely covered the hills, as if they bloomed overnight to welcome Flora's arrival.

People in the palace still talked about that till this day.

Ava continued, "But I'm not special, so you and mommy don’t love me any more."

I tapped on her cute button nose. "Silly girl, we of course love you. And you're very special too." 'I don’t believe you. You're just saying that to make me feel better."

I chuckled and looped her in my arms. "Ava, do you know that you were blessed by the White Queen herself?" 'I was?" Her eyes widened. “Who's the White Queen?" ‘She is a very special and powerful lady who has the closest bloodline to the Moon Goddess. She blessed you while you were in mommy's belly. Not only that, you helped bring your mommy back to me. Your name Ava means life. You brought our lives back together."

I smiled softly at her. "You see, not only are you special, but also you're the most helpful girl I've ever met, and we love you with all of our hearts." ‘Whoa..." she gaped. I wasn't sure whether she understood everything I told her, but from her expression, I'd assumed she was convinced that she was a special and valuable family member.

'So now, my special girl, are you ready for your sister's party and our vacation?" ‘Yes, Daddy! I promise I'll be very helpful from now on!" she exclaimed with a bright smile, but then she tilted her head, blinked at me several times and then said, "Wait a second."

I arched an eyebrow.

‘Daddy, if you and mommy," she said as she pointed to herself, "and we are on vacation, who will do your work and look after the country?" ***

*Ciana*

Servants got the royal garden set up for the party. There were streamers, balloons, and toys for young kids.

Ava was happy to be in her "big girl' corner with her friends. Sherry and Greg's two boys, Dottie’s three grandkids and some other officers' children.

I carried Flora on my hip, watching Theo chatting to Alistair, the head of Internal Affairs with Alexander standing next to him.

Theo’s 17-year-old nephew had grown into a handsome young man. He was almost as tall as Theo, although he still needed time to fully develop his muscles.

Compared to his peers, Alexander was way more mature and composed, like he had been all his life, especially now that he had been trained by the best in academic, military, leadership and combat skills.