In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 51: Memory Replacement~

Whhhaaaaaatttt??? Two updates in less than a week?? It's because I love you guys. This is a bit of a different kind of chapter, but it gives character background and development so I hope  you'll appreciate it for what it is.

They go to Velia after this Liam/Wolvecaster bit, so who's ready to meet King Thomas and find out who he is?? Hint, he's an actor that I believe is VERY under-appreciated. VELIA!!

Also, a point that might have gotten confused, because there was a change in my story that didn't fully get clarified:

-Louis left Wolvecaster when Liam was 11, their father was still alive and Liam took the throne at 18 when  it was passed it to him. Their father died just a little later.

To the story!!:

"It's Louis!" he called from outside. "I bring young company so... be on your best...behavior."

Obviously, Louis was trying to find a way to alert them without letting anything slip.

Zayn opened the door and Kalysta halted her escape to the dressing room to watch as Louis entered with his children.

Elise was easily memorable and Everett looked so much like Louis that is was astounding. He even wore the same scowl Louis had whenever something wasn't going his way.

"Elise, you've already met, but Everett I'd like to introduce you to Lyra, a friend of mine," Louis said. Zayn closed the door behind them.

Everett simply nodded and crossed his arms.

"Everett!" Louis scolded. "Is that any way for a prince to treat a guest?"

"Well, she's not my friend!" the boy protested, but he bowed a moment later and then took her hand, pecking it quickly with his lips before returning to his previous defiant stance.

Louis just shook his head.

"I've never been able to meet any of Father's friends other than the Ambassador," Elise chimed in. "I wondered, would you like to take a walk in the gardens with us, Lady Lyra?" Her big blue eyes pleaded and Kalysta was more than happy to use this as an excuse to leave the room.

"Of course, Princess," she obliged. She grabbed her cap from the floor and tucked her hair into it, stepping forward. "But only with the understanding that you call me Miss Lyra instead. I'm no Lady. And I would love to see the gardens."

"You talk like a Lady," Elise commented thoughtfully, but she took Kalysta's arm and tugged her toward the door. "Come along, men!" she ordered. "We haven't got all day. Uncle Liam said he'd meet with you all again after midday luncheon."

Kalysta almost laughed at the young girl's charisma and confidence. When she looked back at Zayn he winked, a knowing twinkle in his eye, while Louis simply shrugged and grinned.

They stepped outside into the corridors and were joined by a couple of servants, most likely the children's minders. Kalysta would have felt nervous if Elise had given her a chance to.

The girl was entertaining, to say the least. She chattered on the entire way to the gardens, about the classes she took, the gossip among the noble children, and then gave her opinion on her father's long absences.

"I miss him when he's gone, but I think it's hard for him to be here without mum," she commented sagely, "so I always forgive him when he leaves. Everett doesn't, though." She turned around and stuck her tongue out at her brother.

Everett cooled off eventually, asking endless questions of Zayn about ships, sailing, and the other countries; anything that came to mind, apparently. It gave Kalysta immense joy to listen as he pestered Zayn, who could barely come up with an answer before another question was fired at him.