The Hero

"The prince finally saves the princess, and they lived happily ever after"

Noel then makes the two figurines kiss in a rather sloppy manner while his little sister Josie watches in awe, followed by a look of pure disgust.

"Eww, stop it, that's gross," Josie protested with a pout on her face, which earned Noel a hearty laugh.

"So, what happens to the villain then?" she asks ever so innocently.

Noel shrugs. He couldn't care less. His job was to simply tell Josie stories of tragical romance until she eventually finds it too boring and falls asleep without any other choice.

It was far too sunny outside for a family picnic and according to the weather forecast earlier, today would bring impending summer storms. Definitely dangerous for two little kids Noel had thought.

"Just a few more minutes before-" Noel had barely finished his sentence when a familiar sound of the doorbell chime filled his ears with delight.

As soon as he hears his mum beckoning them both to appear downstairs, Noel wastes no time and leaps to his feet. Perhaps a little too quickly, judging by the way his two little feet wobbled backwards. It was fine though, he was a big boy now and this was nothing he couldn't handle. Noel rushes down the flight of stairs, ignoring the several calls from his sister. He reaches the door, rising on his tiptoes to peer through the peephole.

The ringing of the doorbell could only mean one thing.

At the doorway stood a tall blonde man dressed in a fancy, tailored knight outfit. Noel's eyes sparkled with pride, all his attention fixed on the doorknob as he opened it swiftly to let his father in.

Pierce was an honorary knight who served in the Lucian kingdom's cavalry.

He would work tirelessly for the crowned prince and his country, but would always have time for his family. He often had amazing stories about the various adventures he had encountered while travelling around the mainland and beyond. Fresh from the oven, ready for young Noel to indulge in and later brag to his friends just what an incredible father he had.

Noel waits patiently, looking up at his role model, as he always does. However it was strangely different this time round. His father's usual curls foamed luxuriously, was rather unkempt and unruly. He shagged his way down the hall, shoulders slouched and hunched over, before collapsing onto the couch.

His entire aura was completely unsettling, and Noel certainly couldn't ignore the horrible stench he took a whiff of.

"Oh my goodness, did you drink?" Mrs Pierce exclaimed at the sight of her rambunctious husband. He was never the type to partake in such frivolous activities such as consuming alcohol.

Pierce simply grunted, massaging his temples in an attempt to relieve the overpowering burning sensation.

"How could you think of doing such a thing?" "What would the kids think?"

"What does it matter?" he slurred. "No one gives a damn about my thoughts"

Noel's mother was in disbelief. Surely there was a reasonable explanation to this misbehaviour.

Oblivious little Josie couldn't have picked a worse timing than this, scurrying over to her father to talk about her lovely day.

"Papa, look at the hero," she says, waggling the mini figure to make sure her father noticed. "Noel told me that the hero wins the girl and lives happily ever after, just like you papa"

The next minutes happened way too quickly.

Pierce snatches the figurine from Josie's tiny hands and crushes it in his palms. Everyone watches on in horror as he swings hard, smashing the figurine into the door, and shattering it into tiny pieces.

He had never lashed out, let alone raised his voice at his family in his 30 years of life, but it appears that he broke his own rule.

He was enraged. It was evident from the way his lips pressed together in annoyance and his crude gaze fixed on the scene that laid before him.

Josie began to cry hysterically, trying to scoop up whatever was left of the figurine as Noel got in front of her.

"Why did you do that Papa? "You're scaring her", Noel questions quietly but firmly.

"You've been lied to honey, there are no heroes in this story, only court jesters," he retorted sharply. "Your father is one as well, wake up from your fantasy land."

"Noel, bring your sister to your room," his mother orders.

Noel heeds his mother, no further explanations needed as he intertwined his hands with Josie and leads her upstairs, away from the drama, away from the impending chaos.

When they were finally there, he carried Josie up the steps of their shared double decker bed. It lets out a loud creek, but not as loud as the incoherent yelling from downstairs.

Noel ignores it and tucks her in nice and snug. He turns to leave, but a small tug on his sleeve stops him from doing so. "Noel, I'm scared," Josie says softly from under the covers. It pained him to see his sister in this state, and he knew he couldn't just leave her like this.

So he started to sing a lullaby. When Josie was having trouble falling asleep, their father would always sing it to her without fail. It also helped to calm Noel to ease his fear of thunder during those terrifying lightning storms.

" Worry not, my love

Don't you cry

Hold my hand tight, it will be alright.

Life can be tough, but you make it feel sane

I will be there

To keep you warm in my arms."

The both of them curled up in a singular blanket, as the noise coming from downstairs started to drain out.

Josie yawned and pressed her cheek against Noel's heart which was still pounding. It was fairly silent now, with only the sounds of the two of them breathing in unison.

He ran his fingers through her thick curls until he was certain she was sound asleep against his chest.

"Don't worry Josie," he whispered. "I will be your hero."