Chapter 1: The Big Bad Boy

Emily's POV

"I am advising you all to maintain your distances and not get into a conversation with them that will lead to them getting angry and....."

I was trying really hard to concentrate and listen to my dad's speech that he was addressing to the public- but,I have heard the speech so many times that i have memorized it!!- but i zoned out as my train of thought, landed on a thought that my home would probably be empty right now. A mischievous smile crept on my face.

My dad was standing diagonally towards the front on my right with his back towards me standing upright but leaning a bit towards the podium, a serious look on his face. My elder brother Joseph was -trying to -hide his phone and chat with someone, the twins wouldn't mind me going home cause i can come up with an excuse-cause come on, like they are only 3!!- My mom was too engrossed grasping every word what dad was saying so she wouldn't notice. 

She and dad forced me to sit with them and listen to him addressing the public. I smiled to myself as I remembered the conversation about them trying to convince me to come.

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"But dad!! I am only 13!!" I whined. "I can't learn the art of 'public speaking' yet!! I gotta live before i become like you and mom" I tried convincing him.

"My dear sweetheart." He said in his soothing calm deep voice. "The more you learn at this age, the better you will be when you grow up." He touched the tip of my nose with his index finger lightly.

"But why can't i stay at home!! Your guards will be here and-"

"No no" I was cut in by my mother i rolled my eyes an crossed my hands staring at her as she continued, "No no no no no. You will do no such thing. You will make a disaster of my home with your inability to perform your magic."

She said, pointedly looking at me with concern deep in her eyes-i am not sure if that concern is for me or our house- as her bright blue eyes went to the high white ceiling which was decorated with a delicate yet beautiful chandelier whereas her right hands elbow was on her left hand and her right hand touched the necklace she always wears with an infinity sign locket almost absentmindedly-she does that when she is  thinking or is concerned.- then she looked back at me.

 In let out a defeated sigh towards mum to look back at my dad who was now looking down into my eyes. I made a puppy face, with my bright green eyes big and bottom lip curled down and looking desperately in his dark green eyes. -He can never refuse to this face. MUAHAHAHAHA.....i got him!!-. 

He sighed softly and soundlessly without breaking eye contact, he was going to give in when Mom cleared her throat sternly to get our attention as me and dad snap our eyes towards her.

She gave dad a sharp and trying to make him understand look while i let out a little groan as i knew i had to go now. She whispered to my dad loud enough for me to hear it,"Jer.... she has to learn."

Dad looked at her for a while, nodded and turned to me and whispered in my ear, "Sorry princess, but your mum won't allow you to stay. She is right by the way, you have to learn Em, now or in the future." He looked at me with concern in his dark green eyes.

He asked,"Okay?"

I frowned, pouted but gave up,"Okay." I said in nearly a whisper.

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I was snapped back to reality when i heard the crowd say- "Long live King Jeremy!! Long live King Jeremy."

My dad smiled thankfully and proudly scanning the happiness in the public's eyes and turned to face us. I realized that i had forgot to sneak back home. I mentally cursed myself as i let out a sigh in disappointment.

My dad walked right towards me smiling from ear to ear and without warning picked me up in his arms and spun me around. I let out a yelp. Taylor and Tyler chuckled, Joseph laughed loudly whereas mom gave a genuine smile. Dad finally let me down as i readjusted myself -as my world was still spinning- to regain balance. Everyone stood up and started walking towards our ride home - a beautiful carriage. 

Taylor is walking on my left holding my hand. She is the sweetest 3 yr old ever!! -I better not say that in front of Tyler- She and Tyler were a photocopy of my Mom. Those bright blue eyes, and strawberry blonde hair that reached her shoulder and curled inward at the bottom sat perfectly on her tiny little shoulders. She is wearing a baby pink colored frock that was puffy down her waist and a white colored hairband on top of her hair. She was skipping her way to the carriage. I looked at her in awwe cause she had that innocent smile on her face, like nothing in the world cold make her unhappy.

Then suddenly someone was already there behind us to turn our lives upside down. I saw a shadow of someone tall getting onto us from behind, slowly pacing forward-as quiet as a lion towards its prey. A million -stupid- thoughts crossed my mind as i started panicking, my mouth going dry and heart beating frantically.

Before i could say or do anything, the tall shadowy person made a leap for my baby sister, but i was fast enough to get her towards me, my heart still hammering in my chest. 

My entire body relaxed as i heard a groan from a familiar deep voice, i turned around laughing to see my elder brother Joseph pouting and shaking his head dramatically.

He said in a dead threat tone with a glint of mischievousness in his forest green eyes,"Oh, you are sooo gonna pay for this Emily Isobel Grayson."

"Haha, you snooze you loose." I stuck my tongue out and continued, "Don't you ever think about tickling her when i am around Joseph Henry Graysom." 

After that I hid Taylor behind me. Taylor giggled and whispered, "Thanks Em. I love you."

I turned around, crouched a little, grinned and said,"I love you too Taylor. Now run before the big bad boy tickles you!!" 

She ran towards dad and Tyler. I turned around to see, that not so surprisingly, Joseph disappeared into thin air.

I rolled my eyes and whined," Awww come on!! Not again!! You are 18!! At least try to find some new spells other than your STUPID INVISIBILITY SPELL!!!" I shouted the last words.

I heard a snicker from somewhere as Joseph spoke, "Why should I? It works everytime!!"

A hint of -who am i kidding? He didn't even trying to cover up the amusement and mischievousness in his voice. I scowled in frustration and started walking towards the carriage which was barely 10 steps away. I broke into a run hoping i would get in there before he got the chance to tackle me.

But alas i failed! 2 strong muscle-y invisible arms wrapped around my waist from the back and lifted me off the ground. I tried to struggle out of his grip. I punched my elbow I guess in his face. When he finally dropped me, I turned around quickly but before i could do or say any smug line, he started tickling me so hard that the next thing i know, i am on the ground struggling to breathe and kicking my arms and legs everywhere to make him stop .

I managed to speak between laughs,

"Stop.....please...stop...."

After a while he finally stopped as I opened my eyes to see people eyeing me in confusion and my mom staring at me with a brow raised. She offered me her hand as i slowly got up guiltily looking at my brown beautiful bellies and dusting my purple knee-length dress.

I could still feel my mom's burning gaze on me as i met my dark green eyes with her bright blue ones. She looked at me for an explanation but all i said was- Joseph in merely a whisper.

She looked around probably looking for Joseph as she spotted him sitting peacefully in the carriage saying something to the twins who was sitting opposite to him. My mom's eyes stayed on him for a while as he tried to avoid eye contact.

Mom left to the other carriage with dad as I walked to mine with Joseph and the twins. When his eyes met mine as i was walking towards him, i have him a 'you are soo dead look' and he chuckled lightly. 

I sat beside him and started fixing my long brown hair that were in a ponytail as he moved his hands almost absentmindedly in his own and I hit him as hard as i can on his shoulder unexpectedly as he held his shoulder with his other hand and shouted in a high pitched girl-y voice,"Ouchie!! ThAt HuRt!"

I grinned in victory and said proudly," I know. It should have. You deserved it!!!"