Nanny Tae tried to pull herself up to full height as though she didn"t feel the killer intent pouring off of him. He offered a rather simple smile, and yet his eyes were so dark she could hardly breath. It was clear she had just said something to offend him, but she had Bastil and Queen Kira at her back."You, think my Sons need to be taught a lesson? I see. Who on this earth would be so tired of life that they would lay a hand on my children?" He asked tilting his hair slowly to the side. There was a sense of danger in the air.
"I apologize if my words offended you, but in my opinion as a child raiser, your sons need to be reminded of their manners." Nanny Tae replied as respectfully as she could. Damar nodded slowly and turned to his sons.
"Did the pair of you show some form of disrespect to Nanny Tae?" Damar asked, his expression warning both of them against lying. Nathaniel and Daniel looked at one another a bit worried. Then their expressions hardened and they both looked back at their father.
"Yes, we did react out of line, and were rude to Nanny Tae." Daniel replied meeting his father"s eyes firmly. Damar nodded slowly while a smirk curved Nanny Tae"s lips.
"I see. Was there a reason for your behavior?" Damar asked, continuing the line of questioning. The boys hesitated both of them sharing glances again then Nathaniel"s eyes darted over to Raina, not wanting to pull her into this mess. However, what he didn"t expect was for Raina to pull herself in.
"Uncle, if I may speak?" Raina asked, her voice polite and confident. Damar turned to his neice and his eyebrow raised a bit. He was more surprised at the change he could see in his eldest niece than he expected.
"Yes, Princess Rania?" Damar asked, his voice was still just as hard as ever but his eyes did not seem to peirce Raina as readily as they had Nanny tae.
"It is my fault the boys stood up for me. I should have made my reason for staying silent clear and perhaps they would not have felt the need to speak up. I appreciate their concern and support though." Raina replied.
"Oh? Why did you stay quiet?" Damar asked curiously, he had expected it was something like this when the Hawk had flown back to him so soon. It was clear the boys had given him the signal because they knew there was going to be trouble.
"The taunts of people who choose to stay ignorant of the truth are not worth my time or effort. If she chooses to believe that I am a motherless brat, that is her choice. I know there is a woman who I call mother, I also know that I am well behaved. I will simply have to let my actions prove it." Raina replied looking up at her uncle with a sweet smile. Something in her expression was endearing to the older man. For a split second he wished he had a daughter as well.
"I see. Nanny Tae, let me be perfectly clear. You are in charge of one child at this table. ONE. Do not let me hear that you are correcting my children, or my brother"s children that are not under your control. There is a reason Clovis and Alexi both denied you and your recommendations from having any control over our children despite you being the favored nanny of this court. Daniel, Nathaniel it is time for us to go for a ride." Damar replied turning away from her to his children. Both boys got up and pushed their chairs in. There was a sense of reluctance as they glanced at the two girls still at the table who had no real escape.
"I think it"s time for Drynala"s nap. We will be going." The man who was a.s.signed as Drynala"s nanny picked her up, reading the situation. As if on cue, Drynala yawned and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Have a good nap little Princess, and enjoy your ride Princes." Raina bid farewell and stood to leave. she had no intentions of staying here with both of them gone.
"You, young lady will need to stay here till your guard comes back to escort you. I can"t have you getting lost in the woods." Nanny Tae put her hand on Raina"s shoulder and put enough pressure to put the child back in her seat. She was still angry from the dressing down Prince Damar had given her.