Mated To The Hybrid Prince - Chapter 101: Chapter 101

(Lily's POV)
“Yay! We're going to see Uncle Dev and Uncle Tobe.” Zeus said, his tiny fists punching the air in excitement.
“And Aunt Aria!" Lamia squealed, bouncing on the bed. “I missed her.”
“Me too.” Zeus added.
“She didn’t come to our school party.” Lamia pouted sadly.
"I know, baby," Nanny Sophia said comfortingly, now tying her hair into a ponytail. She was cute.
A soft smile tugged at my lips as I watched from the doorway. I had been there all along in my white shirt and denim trousers.
The memory of yesterday’s baking session with them still lingered in my mind. I'd told them then, while they giggled, and smeared flour over themselves that today we’d be going out together to see Uncle Tobe, Uncle Dev, and Aunt Aria.
Their joy had been infectious till now. I waited a moment longer before finally stepping in to interrupt the moment.
“Your godmother was busy, but today we’ll be seeing her.” I said and they turned to look at me.
“Mom!” Lamia and Zeus screamed, coming to hug me. I basked in their warmth before pulling away. My lovely darlings.
“Good morning ma’am.” Sophia greeted me and I replied.
“Good morning dear.”
As Lamia returned to Sophia to complete her hairstyling, I held Zeus and began buttoning his shirt.
Lamia loved her yellow dress and twirled in them, while Zeus bounced excitedly as I led them out of the room. After breakfast, I gave them each a pack of cookies and their backpacks were packed with extra clothes and plush toys.
Finally we left for the car garage, the door clicking behind us. They climbed into the car, clutching their cookie boxes like trophies as their chatter filled the car, making Marcus to smile before igniting the car.
Today wasn’t just any other day; It was my friends and I’s monthly get-together. A tradition we upheld when we came to the human realm to strengthen our bond despite our busy schedules… And this time, Dev was hosting us.
I took out my phone and tried calling Dev.
Once. Twice. Three times.
He didn’t pick… That was strange.
He always picked up, especially on days like this. I frowned slightly and concluded that he may be caught up with last-minute arrangements.
I exhaled slowly beside my kids, before carefully placing the brown paper bag in front of me. It held the remaining cookies I made for my friends.
When I dialed Tobe, he picked up right away. “Lily,” he greeted warmly.
“Hey, Tobe. Just checking... you’re still coming, right?”
“Of course. I’ll be there soon,” he smiled into the phone. “Tell the twins that their favorite uncle is on his way.”
I chuckled. “They’ll be thrilled. See you soon.”
I didn’t call Aria, not because I didn’t want to, but because of that lingering tension between us. Still, I held onto the hope that today’s meeting would help us patch things completely.
As we approached Dev’s estate, the grand gates opened smoothly at Marcus’s honk. Dev’s gateman stepped out promptly, nodding in recognition with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Miss Lily,” he greeted with a respectful bow. From his demeanor, he had been informed about the gathering and was expecting us.
Marcus drove in and was about to park the car when I noticed Tobe’s limousine already parked out front. One of his bodyguards was opening the door just as we pulled in. Tobe stepped out, adjusting his collar before flashing that easy grin of his.
“Lily darling!” he called. waving as he strolled over to us.
We embraced briefly.
“And my favorite twins!” he added, giving Zeus a mini handshake that made the boy giggle, and Lamia twirled her dress, flaring as she laughed with delight.
“Uncle Tobe, did you miss us?” Lamia asked, tugging gently at his jacket.
Tobe bent down, ruffling her hair with a fond grin. “More than you know, princess.”
“I missed you too, Uncle Tobe,” Zeus chimed in, trying to mimic his sister’s excited tone.
Tobe turned to him, giving him a playful fist bump. “My man! I missed you more. You both are growing so fast!”
Lamia beamed, clutching her cookie box tighter. “Wait till you taste what we brought. We helped Mummy make them!”
Just then, I remembered the brown paper bag. I reached into the car, and carried it before handing it to Marcus with a quick smile. He nodded and gave it to one of Dev’s female staff.
“Helped?” Tobe chuckled, raising an eyebrow at me. “I bet they did more tasting than helping.”
“You have no idea,” I replied with a laugh as I watched them. Just then, a sleek white Lamborghini rolled smoothly to a stop beside us. I swallowed.
Aria.
She stepped out slowly, her curls bouncing, dressed in a cream-coloured gown. For a second, we both hesitated.
Then she gave a small, genuine smile.
“Hey,” she said.
I returned the smile and walked up to hug her. Her arms tightened around me, and the tension I’d been holding melted. Lamia launched herself at Aria next, shouting, “You missed my party!”
Aria crouched down and scooped her into a warm hug. “I know, sweetheart. I'm so sorry I did. I missed you so much.”
Zeus stepped forward, arms out. “Me too, Aunt Aria!
She pulled him into the hug as well. “Both of you have gotten bigger! No more missing your parties, I promise.”
Lamia and Zeus beamed. “Pinkie promise?” they held out their tiny fingers, and Aria hooked her little finger with Zeus, then Lamia’s.
Then she rose and turned to Tobe with a warm smile. “Hey you,” she said, stepping into a hug.
“Hey yourself,” Tobe replied, chuckling as he returned the embrace. “Looking good as always.”
“You too,” she said lightly, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes. “Been a while, hasn’t it?"
“Too long,” he agreed. “Let’s make today count.”
Aria lifted Lamia effortlessly into her arms, tickling her belly as the little girl shrieked with glee, while Tobe reached out for Zeus’s hand. The boy gladly clasped it, swinging their joined hands as we all headed together toward Dev’s door. Seeing Zeus and Lamia happy and peaceful with Tobe and Aria brought a warmth to my soul. I was reminded once again that these ones would do anything to keep my babies safe.
The staff at the door let us in without question.
Inside, the twins immediately dashed into the grand living room, their delighted squeals echoing off the high ceilings. Zeus darted toward a display of carved wooden animals along a side table, pretending they were part of a secret jungle.
Lamia, on the hand, skipped toward the corners as she reached up to touch one of the polished bronze artifacts gleaming under the warm light.
“Where’s Dev?” Aria muttered with a frown “shouldn’t he be out here welcoming us?”
Just then, footsteps sounded on the staircase.
We turned.
And froze.
A lady was descending in an oversized male shirt. In her arms were a black dress, a pair of heels, and her undergarments. Her face were flushed as she muttered a shy “Hi,” to us before ducking, and slipping out of sight.
Tobe’s jaw dropped, and Aria's eyebrows shot up.
My heart paused.
Zelda?
She hadn't even glance at all, but passed by me like I was invisible… like I didn’t exist.
It stung.
“That was... Princess Zelda?” Tobe whispered, and Aria could barely find her voice when Dev emerged at the top of the staircase, shirtless, rubbing the back of his neck with a small sheepish grin.
He cleared his throat.
“Uhm,” Dev began awkwardly, descending the stairs. “So... you guys must've met the princess.”
I blinked, stunned.
He sighed and gestured toward the couch, “We need to talk,” he said seriously, before going to the side table to serve himself a glass of water.
The rest of us exchanged glances, and took our seats.
Dev cleared his throat “The princess is my mate.”