The Gentle Maiden and Five Lustful Brothers-Chapter 137: the orphanage

They walked inside and immediately an excited mob of children ambushed them with hugs and shouts. Violet and Odette laughed as the children all clung to them.

The women were followed by a few soldiers that carried the leftover gifts and bags of snacks, all the uneaten food from the party.

The kids looked starry eyed and dreamily at the food being brought in, at first ignoring the gobs of presents. They followed the soldiers carrying the food to the dining room and placed everything on the table. The kids practically drooling, were jumping in place, anxious with anticipation, while they impatiently waited for permission to dig in.

The women running the place came from the back and welcomed Violet and Odette with open arms giving cheek to cheek kisses between each group of women.

"My Queen and my Princess, it’s so good of you to make the time to come and visit us while you’re in town, your impromptu visits are always the highlight of days." Said the older woman with long grey hair.

"We missed your faces, it’s great to see you both looking as beautiful and radiant as always." Said the other women with short blonde hair.

Three older kids approached the table placing plates and silverware all around at each seat, moving and arranging the dishes so they sit nicely on the table.

After everything was set, the kids clapped and sat at their designated seats and the older children served themselves first and then started serving each of the kids. It was a fair system, the older kids did work and as a result they got their food first, it made it so the people who were working weren’t getting the scraps. And they rotated chore shifts, so everyone pulled their weight, it’s what made this orphanage so successful.

Violet and Odette sat down with everyone and started eating.

They never really got the chance to enjoy the delicacies that had been prepared for the party because of the events that transcribed before all the food could even be served.

It was divine. The flavor exploded in their mouths tasting sweet as well as savory.

Most people would never get a taste of food made for royalty, but these children enjoyed it every year. It was the least they could do for children who had no one else to love them.

Odette thought about adopting children, not just birthing her own. She had this soft spot for disregarded and broken things. Outcasts and the excluded. These kids, she felt she could relate too. Yeah, she had both parents, but her entire community and most of her world feared her or wanted to use and exploit her. She felt abandoned by the people who were meant to love her. Like they loved her mother, or respected her like her father, but instead they disregarded her.

These misfits, they were her people. And she would protect what was hers.

The kids told Odette and Violet all about the new things they’ve learned, or the cool things they’re capable of doing now. The witches and wizards having learned new spells, or how some lost a first tooth or had their fangs growing in.

After such a bad time this lifted their spirits and recharged their hearts.

Seeing their smiling faces eat and enjoy the small pleasantries in life. It helped remind them to be humble and not judge the less fortunate.

After eating the kids rushed to the large rec room were all sorts of gifts awaited.

To their delight there was everything any of the kids could want.

Dresses for older girls. Stuffed animals and books. Instruments and technology. Hygiene gift boxes with bath bombs and scented soaps. Face masks. Nail polish. Make up.

They picked up stuff for the more masculine presenting kids like Legos and action figures, remote control race cars.

They also picked up bikes and roller skates. It was like Santa visiting in November. The smiles on their faces were genuine and real.

"Thank you, Queen Violet and Princess Odette!" The kids all yelled at different volumes and starting at different times, it all sounded like a jumbled mess, barely understandable.

But their joy it brought Odette back from the brink of despair, a place her mind and heart had been inhabiting.

"Princess Odette, your hair has gotten so long, and it looks even more like moonlight." A little boy said.

"Would you marry me one day Princess Odette. You’re the best person ever and the pwettiest giwl in the wowld." Asked another little boy.

"Oh, Oliver, I’ll save my heart for you." Odette gave him a wink.

"Princess Odette, I wish my hair looked as pretty as yours. Mines just plain brown." A little girl with big brown eyes, a cat shifter, said sadly.

"Never compare yourself to anyone else, only compare yourself to you. You are the competition you need to have. There is no one more important to beat than your past self." As soon as Odette said those words, a ping hit her heart. She felt like she was full of bologna, here she is giving advice to a little girl that she herself doesn’t follow.

"Queen Violet, are you an angel? How do you look so perfect?" Asked another little girl, this one with blue hair, a Fae.

The two women were showered by love. Around them kids played with new toys, rode new bikes, danced to music, ate delicious food. It was a blissful sight.

Violet’s phone started ringing.

"Hello my King." She answered with unwavering love in her voice.

"We leave in a few hours; you will need to head back sooner than later." His voice as detached as usual. Anyone who heard them would think he was unconcerned with his wife, but that was just how he was.

"Okay, my love, we will wrap things up and be right home." Violet gave him a gentle answer.

"I love you more." He sounded different when he said that the intimacy that was intertwined with those words were only for Violet.

"I love you most." She replied.

Violet hung up and looked at her daughter who was dancing with the children, a smile so warming it could even melt the coldest of hearts.

"Odette, sweetheart. It’s time we head home." Violet called out to her daughter.

Odette’s face fell. ’Back to reality’ she thought to herself.

"Awww" the kids whined in unison.

"But we don’t want you to go!" The kids all yelled.

"I know, I don’t want to leave either, you guys were the best part of my visit here." She tried to console the children and cheer them up.

"Aww when will you come back?" One little girl with green hair and brown eyes, an Earth Fae child. asked.

"Christmas, of course. I can’t miss the season of giving with my favorite people." She tousled the little girl’s hair.

"But that’s so many months." The same little girl sounded so disappointed.

"No way, it’s just two months away." Odette bent down on one knee and embraced all the children in a large group hug.

Seeing all these children grow up together without animosity between the different species. It was proof that peace could be accomplished.