The Kingdom of Avenlor basked beneath a soft golden dawn.
From the marble terraces of the royal palace, one could hear the distant hum of morning life — the rustle of banners, the faint call of merchants setting up their stalls beyond the palace walls, and the chatter of sparrows perched on the sun-warmed windowsills.

Inside the palace, peace reigned… or so it appeared.

Until a sharp cry rang down the eastern corridor.

“Young Prince Noah! Please stop!”

The tranquility shattered like glass.

A pair of maids sprinted after a small, laughing blur darting through the long corridor — a two-year-old whirlwind with bouncing brown curls and dark eyes that gleamed with mischief.

Tiny boots slapped against the marble, echoing wildly as the young prince dashed past a startled butler, narrowly avoiding a vase taller than he was.

“Young prince, wait!” one maid gasped, gathering her skirts to avoid tripping. “If His Majesty finds out, we’ll—!”

But Noah only squealed in reply, the sound bright and unbothered. “Catch meee!”
He was a blur of royal-blue velvet, a bundle of sunshine and trouble.

One footman made a valiant attempt to block his path — only for the boy to duck under his arm and keep running, laughter echoing like bells.

The maids exchanged helpless looks. There was only one place the prince ever ran to with such single-minded determination.

The Council Room.

“Oh no,” one maid groaned in horror. “Not there again!”

The two women hurried after him, but Noah was faster. His tiny legs carried him straight to the heavy double doors engraved with the Falcon sigil — the heart of the royal council chamber, where all important matters of state were discussed.

He stopped, panting, curls sticking to his forehead, and turned back toward the flustered maids.

“Young Prince,” one pleaded breathlessly, “we can’t go in there! The council is in session, everyone is very—”

But before she could finish, Noah’s lips trembled. His lower lip wobbled dangerously, his bright eyes glistened, and his chin quivered.

“Oh no, no—please don’t cry, Your Highness,” one maid stammered, panic rising.
Because nothing was more terrifying in the palace than a crying prince.

Noah sniffled dramatically, staring them down with an expression of pure toddler betrayal.

The maids froze.

And with a triumphant little “hmph,” Noah turned and pushed open the massive oak doors.

The council chamber fell instantly silent.

The members of Avenlor’s royal council — knights, lords, scholars — turned toward the intruder. Their eyes widened as the small prince toddled confidently across the polished floor, his tiny footsteps echoing between the stone pillars.

At the far end of the long table sat North, head slightly bent over a stack of reports. His hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight streaming through the arched windows, and his calm, poised expression was the very picture of composure — until he looked up.

“Noah?” North blinked in surprise, his voice soft but carrying through the quiet hall. “What are you doing here, little one?”

Noah’s face lit up instantly.
“North!” he squealed with unrestrained joy.

Without hesitation, he ran forward. The maids tried to catch him — too late.
Noah barreled straight toward North’s chair, nearly tripping over the hem of his tunic, and began to climb up with sheer toddler determination.

The council members could only watch in astonishment as the prince scrambled up, huffed, and finally plopped himself directly onto North’s lap.

Once secure, Noah threw both arms around North’s neck, burying his face in his chest.

A ripple of stifled laughter circled the table.

North blinked, then smiled, his features softening. “Well,” he murmured, resting a gentle hand on the boy’s back, “it seems I’ve been ambushed.”

Noah snuggled closer, utterly content, as if the entire council didn’t exist. His small hands fisted in the fabric of North’s coat, his little body pressed against him protectively.

At the head of the table, Johan raised an eyebrow. His golden brown eyes, usually sharp with authority, now held a mix of amusement and mock indignation.

“Well, well,” Johan drawled, setting down his quill. “It appears the young prince has decided to join the meeting. Without permission.”

Noah peeked up, glaring at Johan from over North’s shoulder. “Mine,” he muttered with startling seriousness.

The room went silent again — and then the counselors coughed, hiding their grins.

Johan’s lips twitched. “Mine?” he repeated, voice low and teasing. “You mean North is yours?”

Noah nodded fiercely. “Yes!”

Johan leaned back in his chair, feigning deep offense. “Interesting. Last I checked, he’s mine.”

Noah gasped, scandalized, and hugged North tighter as if to shield him. “No! North no Papa’s! North mine!”

Laughter rippled through the room. Even North couldn’t help but chuckle softly, though a faint blush touched his cheeks.

Johan, clearly enjoying himself now, smirked. “Careful, little prince. If you keep stealing North from me, I’ll have to make another one of you. Then maybe that baby will leave him alone.”

The words hung in the air for a beat — and then Noah froze.

His bright eyes widened, mouth opening in disbelief.

And then the wail came.

“NOOOOO!”

His voice rose like an alarm bell, tears springing immediately to his eyes.

He kicked his little legs and clutched North’s coat, trembling with outrage. “No baby! No 'nother one! North mine! No share!”

The maids at the door paled. Johan blinked, startled, as the wailing grew louder — hiccupping, heartbroken, furious.

“Noah, shh—” North murmured, quickly gathering him closer. “It’s all right, sweetheart, no one’s taking me away.”
But Noah only cried harder, his sobs muffled against North’s chest, small fists pounding in despair.

“Papa bad!” he hiccupped. “Bad Papa! No more baby!”

“Ah,” Johan muttered, instantly regretting his joke. “Perhaps I went too far.”

North gave him a sharp look — calm but dangerous. “Perhaps?” he echoed, his tone smooth but firm.

Johan coughed, looking suddenly less regal. “I was only teasing—”

“Your teasing made him cry,” North said, rocking Noah gently as the child clung to him, trembling. “You’re supposed to set an example, Johan, not traumatize him.”

Johan sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You make it sound so dramatic.”

“It is dramatic,” North replied evenly, running a hand through Noah’s curls, whispering soothingly. “He’s two. He doesn’t understand jokes about being replaced.”

Noah hiccupped again, clutching North’s collar with a death grip. “No baby,” he whimpered softly, tears streaking his flushed cheeks. “Only me.”

“Shh,” North cooed, his voice a warm melody. “Of course, only you. My little prince. No one’s taking your place.”
He pressed a kiss to the boy’s temple, humming softly as Noah sniffled and finally began to calm down, his tiny fingers curling against North’s chest.

Johan watched quietly for a moment, guilt flickering across his face before soft amusement returned. He rose from his seat and approached, crouching beside them.

“Hey, little one,” he said quietly, brushing a tear off Noah’s cheek. “Papa was just joking. There’s no new baby. It’s just you.”

Noah looked at him suspiciously, his lip still trembling. “Really?”

Johan smiled faintly and touched his tiny hand. “Really.”

After a long pause, Noah sniffled once more and mumbled, “Okay.” Then he turned back to North and buried his face again, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like, “Still mine.”

The entire council chuckled again, and even Johan couldn’t help but laugh this time.

North sighed, though there was warmth in his eyes. “You see what you cause?” he murmured.

“I admit defeat,” Johan said with mock solemnity. “Our son has conquered me completely.”

Noah, half-asleep now in North’s arms, let out a small satisfied sigh — as if declaring victory. North looked down at him with soft amusement, brushing a thumb over his cheek.

“Seems the kingdom of Avenlor,” North murmured, “already has its fiercest little ruler.”

And Johan leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to both their heads.

“Then may the two of you rule my heart,” he whispered, voice barely audible.
The councilmen exchanged fond glances. The maids smiled in relief.

And as the morning light streamed through the stained glass, the palace of Avenlor filled not with the sound of politics or decree — but with laughter, lullabies, and love.

The afternoon sun streamed through the palace windows, spilling golden warmth across the grand hallways and gardens of Avenlor.

Noah, finally released from the exhausting—but victorious—morning council escapade, was a whirlwind of energy again.

His tiny boots pattered across the marble, chasing a bright butterfly that flitted lazily over the flowering garden beds.

“Careful, little one!” North called, hurrying after him. He scooped Noah up just in time to prevent a spectacular tumble into a fountain.

The prince squealed with laughter, kicking his little legs, curls bouncing in the sunlight. “Again! Again!”

“Again? Really?” Johan chuckled, crouching down and holding out his hands. But Noah shook his head, determination etched on his cherubic face. “No! North mine!”

Johan laughed and bowed dramatically, stepping aside to let North carry the boy, who promptly clutched him tightly as though daring anyone else to try and steal him. “Very well,” Johan said with mock solemnity. “You may have him… for now.”

Noah’s joy was infectious.

He tumbled into a pile of cushions in the sunroom, erupting into gleeful squeals as North gently rescued him and set him back upright.

Johan hovered nearby, scooping Noah into his arms for spins and twirls, eliciting shrieks of pure delight from the little prince.

The air was filled with laughter, the soft thud of small feet, and the occasional thrum of Noah’s tiny giggles as he darted off to hide behind columns, only to spring back into view with triumphant cries.

By late afternoon, the sun had begun to dip, painting the sky with soft streaks of orange and pink.

The golden light spilled through the palace gardens, casting long shadows as Noah ran one last lap around the fountain, declaring himself king of all he surveyed.

“Time for a bath, little prince,” North said gently, scooping up Noah, whose curls were damp with sweat from running and bouncing.

Noah pouted, trying to wriggle free, but the embrace was firm and gentle, filled with a warmth that made the toddler relax almost instantly.

“Bathy?” Noah asked with a whine, leaning against North’s chest. “Nooo, play more!”

“Playtime is over,” North said with mock severity, setting him down near the bathroom door. “But tomorrow, you can conquer the kingdom again.”

Noah’s pout melted into a small, resigned sigh, and soon he was splashing happily in the warm water, bubbles floating in the air like tiny clouds.

Johan peeked in occasionally, making faces that made Noah erupt into giggles.

By the time the bath ended, the toddler was scrubbed clean, wrapped in a soft towel, and ready for bedtime.

Night fell over the palace, the sky a deep violet studded with stars.

Noah’s little room was a cozy haven of plush toys, soft blankets, and the gentle glow of a lantern shaped like a crescent moon. North carried the drowsy prince inside, humming a quiet lullaby that mingled with the soft rustle of the night breeze through open windows.

“Noah,” North murmured as he tucked the boy under the covers, “time to sleep now, my little prince.”

“Nooo…stay!” the toddler whimpered, clutching the edge of the blanket with tiny fingers. His big dark eyes glistened with the last sparks of wakeful energy.

“I’ll be just outside,” North promised, pressing a kiss to Noah’s forehead. “I’m right here if you need me.”

Noah blinked, sensing the truth in North’s calm voice.

After a few moments of quiet hesitation, he snuggled deeper under the blanket, curls brushing his cheek against the soft pillow, and let out a contented sigh as sleep claimed him.

North stayed until his breathing evened, gently smoothing the hair from his face before tiptoeing back down the hall.

The castle corridors were quiet now, bathed in moonlight. North returned to his own chamber, sliding the door open with a soft creak. Johan was already there, sitting on the edge of the bed with a small, mischievous smile.

Without a word, Johan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around North from behind, back-hugging him in a way that made North melt instantly into the familiar warmth.

“Long day,” North murmured, resting his head against Johan’s chest.

“Very,” Johan replied, wrapping his arms around him in a back-hug. “But a happy one.”

North shifted slightly, fingers brushing over his stomach, and then whispered softly, “There’s… something I need to tell you.”

Johan’s brow lifted in curiosity. “Oh?”

North’s voice trembled just a little, warmth and excitement mixing together. “I’m… pregnant again,” he admitted, letting the words hang in the quiet night.

Johan froze for a heartbeat, then a slow, awed smile spread across his face. “Again…” he breathed, running his hands gently over North’s sides, resting over the small swell of his stomach.

North leaned back into Johan, smiling shyly against his chest. “Yes… another little one. I thought… you should know first,” he said softly.

Johan pressed a kiss to the back of North’s head, then rested his chin there, voice low and steady. “You don’t have to say anything else. I’m… I’m so glad it’s. We’ll do this together this time.”

“I know,” North murmured, warmth pooling in his chest.

Johan’s arms tightened slightly, holding him closer. “Noah is going to hate this news,” he said with a teasing lilt, though there was nothing but affection in his eyes.

North let out a soft laugh, brushing his hand over Johan’s. “Or… he’ll just demand extra hugs,” he said.

Johan’s smile was quiet, confident, full of love. “Then we’ll give him all the hugs he wants. And we’ll face everything together. You, me… our family.”

North pressed his cheek to Johan’s chest, letting himself feel safe and cared for. Johan kissed the top of his head once more, murmuring, “I love you,” and held him close, letting the quiet intimacy of the night speak louder than any words could.

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Author's note-

This suddenly played in my head and I had to write it.

Umm. Yeah so bye!