novelraw Chapter 834 3
Chapter 834 3
Noah walked over and bowed his head slightly in an uncharacteristic display of humility. "Forgive me, Elara. I won't do that again."
Elara sniffled, wiping her eyes. "Brother lies."
Noah lifted his head, his expression earnest. "I'm not lying. I actually thought yellow would have suited it better. The black paint just hid your art."
Elara's gaze sharpened, the violet in her eyes intensifying. "Daddy always likes it. He told me to paint whatever I desire."
"Fine, do what you desire, but don't bother me when I'm playing games with my brothers," Noah relented, clearly trying to salvage the peace. "I apologize, and I won't repeat it. Just don't cry like that. All our cousins are out looking for you, and we're all worried."
He stepped closer, his demeanor softening. Gabriel watched the exchange, his gaze shifting back and forth between his children, noting the subtle shift in the room's tension.
"Elara, don't tell Mom, okay?" Noah added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "She's going to scold me and the other boys. You know her. Last time, she banned the game for a whole month." He gently took her small hands in his, a silent plea for discretion.
Elara looked down at their joined hands. "Brother is just worried about Mama's scolding," she murmured.
"Yes, but I am sincerely sorry," Noah insisted, giving her hands a reassuring squeeze. "Can't you see the guilt on my face?"
Elara pouted, her lower lip sticking out.
"Elara, how about this? I'll take you for a cycle ride," Noah offered, trying to sweeten the deal. "And there's a soccer match at my academy soon. I'll win the trophy for you."
Elara hesitated, wiping a lingering tear from her cheek. "Will you really take me for a cycle ride? Last time I asked, you said you would get tired."
"That was because it was hot," Noah countered. "The weather is perfect now. We'll ride as far as the pear blossom trees and come back. How does that sound?"
"I heard there are many butterflies in that part," Elara noted.
"There are," Noah agreed.
A wide grin replaced her frown. "Then take me now. And I want a piggyback ride."
"Alright," Noah sighed with a laugh, turning around and hunching his shoulders. Elara climbed up, her small hands hooking around his neck, and settled securely on his back.
Noah hooked his arms under her knees, securing her weight on his back. "You ready?"
"Yes!" Elara chirped, her earlier tears forgotten.
Noah hoisted her up and turned to face his father. "Sorry, Dad. It won't happen again. I'll make sure she doesn't cry like this," he promised, bowing his head toward Gabriel, who had risen from his seat.
"Bye, Daddy!" Elara called out from her perch. The two siblings walked out of the study, offering polite farewells to Karmen and Denzel as they departed.
The room quieted as the door clicked shut.
"Your children resolved that rather easily," Karmen remarked, watching the doorway. "At home, my kids would be pulling hair or coming to blows. It's absolute chaos."
Denzel nodded in agreement. "Mine are exactly the same."
"It's because Noah takes responsibility," Gabriel explained. "He doesn't argue with Elara; instead, he tends to get angry at himself. The video games are just his outlet, a way to channel that frustration."
Karmen smiled thoughtfully. "That's better I would say," he pronounced.
"Let's resume the work," Gabriel told them and settled on the chair.
~~~~~
Noah shifted his weight on the bicycle, checking his balance to ensure Elara was secure against his back. "Elara, are you settled comfortably?" he asked, tilting his shoulders slightly to get a better angle.
Nearby, Elizabeth was already seated on her own bicycle, watching them with a skeptical expression. "Elara, you really should ride behind me instead," she warned. "Noah rides way too fast, and you're going to fall."
Elara tightened her grip around Noah's neck, refusing to budge. "I want to ride with my brother," she insisted.
Noah smirked, seizing the moment to shift the focus. "Elizabeth, by the way, Uncle Nick was looking for you earlier."
Elizabeth froze, her hands slipping slightly on her handlebars as the color drained from her face. "What? Don't tell me you told him about the prank," she demanded, her eyes wide with alarm. "It was just a joke. We didn't think he'd actually fall for it!"
Noah shook his head, dismissing the drama with Elizabeth and Grace, and pedaled the cycle forward. He moved smoothly along the paved path, his legs pumping in a steady rhythm while Elara held onto him tightly.
"Waah!" Elara's eyes brightened with delight as they sped past the manicured lawns and vibrant flowerbeds. The wind whipped past them, carrying the scent of the blooming gardens.
Nyxen, who had been trailing behind, pedaled hard to catch up, pulling alongside them with a grin. "Elara, when are you going to learn to cycle on your own?" he teased, ringing his bike bell.
"Brother Nyx!" Elara smiled brightly, craning her neck to see him over Noah's shoulder. "I like it better this way. Brother Noah goes faster than anyone!"
"What's the matter, Elara? You scared?" Zevan chuckled, pedaling harder to surge past them.
"Noah! Zevan is overtaking us!" Elara cried out, bouncing on the back seat as she gripped his shirt tighter.
"I can't pedal any faster," Noah grunted, his leg muscles burning as he fought the resistance of carrying her weight. "You're adding a lot of drag, Elara."
"I don't care," she insisted, leaning forward. "I don't want to lose."
Noah banked into a turn, careful not to drift on the gravel path. "Your safety comes first. We aren't going to risk a crash just to beat him."
Then, taking a pause, he said, "Just enjoy the ride, Elara."
Finally the pear blossoms became visible and Noah slowly brought the cycle to a halt. He firmly rested his feet on the ground and turned to Elara. Taking off her helmet, he said, "Come, I'll show you around."