68 The Palace of Serenity Part 3 (1/1)

The Emperor didn'teven try to Meet her eyes, knowing she had not forgivenhim for whatshe saw to be a betrayal.There was onlya certain amount of ignorance she was willing to tolerate. As Queen Kira entered the house the Empress Dowager shookher head.

”I see, we will have to send Mally and a few trackers to find her. We don't want an injured Tiger falling prey to somethingbiggerout there.” he replied wiping Raina's eyes. The little one had finally stopped crying but she was still sad. All the emotions of the day had worn her out.

Realizing this, Queen Kira walkedover and bent down to her level in Clovis's arms witha soft smile on her face. There was a hint of innocentcuriosityin Raina's face at the older woman's approach. That curiosityincreased when Kira opened her armsas if offering to pick her up. Raina clutched her father's robes.

”Why don't I take you to the kitchens for a tasty snack and then we can get you to your rooms for some rest?” Queen Kira asked and about that time the queen felt a chill down her spine. She didn'thave to look to see the expressionon the Empress Dowager's face.

”No. I want my Grandma.” Raina replied, fed up with trying to do things the sneaky way. She was a princess, and more importantly she was tired and bad seen her cousins get their way with temper tantrums. Being as Raina didn't like being too over the top so she tried the low key pouting instead. It gained an eyebrow raise from her fatherand her Great Grandmother.

”Sweety that just isn't possible right now. Your grandma did a bad thing and she hasto apologize. Until she does she's in trouble.” Queen Kira replied gently tapping Raina's nose with a finger tip. She was acting every bit like a mother teaching a very young child. However, this child wasin no mood to learn. ”I can be yourGrandma tonight, little one. My Grandsons won't mind sharing.”

”I don't want to borrow other kids grandmas…. I want my Grandma.” she whimpered softly, not quitesure how she was the only one who saw a difference.

The Queenswere pretty, and fun Grandmothers and could tell a bedtime story or tuck her in.however. Empress Grandma was much more than that. She was the best grandmainthe whole world. She was warm and sweet and never forgot to havethe tea she liked made. Not that weird dragon pearl stuff! Empress grandma alwaysknew just what Raina needed even if Raina didn't know herself. If she couldn'thave her warm tigress friend, at least they could let her have Grandma.

She knew there was no use talking to the queen, so she looked up at her Daddy. Clovis frowned slightly and pointed at his father. This low key actionwas more than enough to strengthen her resolve.”Daddy, will you put me down please?” Raina asked her little mind set on what she woulddo.

The other three adults watchedas he set her down.To the Emperors dismay she walked to his feet and turned that tired, sad little face up at him. It was easy to tell the child was exhausted.It tugged onhis heart to see her like this.

”Grandfather...I just want to seemy grandma… you can let me… can't you?” she asked softly.”All the other kids got to see their grandmothers but Raina… why am I being punished Grandfather? What did Raina do wrong? I won't ever do it again I promise.” tears filled her eyes as the Emperor suddenlyfound himself at a loss.

”I will go with you both.” The Empress Dowager smiled, knowing her great granddaughterwas a sly little fox.