Behind the Castle's Door [COMPLETED]

Thirty-First Door

Miranda, Eve, and the others were all enjoying breakfast in the kitchen the next morning. Miranda presented Eve to everyone inside the manor that morning, and as they ate, Freya and Emma were already speaking with her.

Emma pushed her fork into the pancake and added, "Tell me more about your recipes, maybe I can learn a thing or two from you."

"Sure, but I doubt mom would let me cook. She actually despises it when I move a muscle. I can already see Eva being spoiled as much as I am when she reaches the age of four," Eve cocked her head to look at Miranda.

Miranda raised the cup of tea to her lips, saying, "I didn't spoil you; if I did, you'd be acting bratty right now."

She pushed her tongue out and said, "I'm not acting bratty since I learned some stuff on my own."

Freya laughed. "Lady Eve, don't worry, Mother Miranda isn't spoiling Eva. That is something I can assure you of."

"What's with the titles you use to address me? Just call me by my name, it makes me feel uncomfortable."

"It's natural for people to refer to you as that; you're my daughter, after all, and when the village meets you, they'll refer to you as Lady Eve."

"Miranda, if she doesn't want to be addressed that way, then let her," Irish remarked.

"Thank you very much! At the very least, Irish understands me," she laughed.

Miranda cocked her head. "Last time I checked, I was your mother, not her."

Eve sulked. "You're dating her right? Dating can eventually lead to marriage, she could one day potentially become my mother."

"We're not dating!" Both Miranda and Irish screamed.

As they yelled, Emma, Freya, and Eve's eyes all widened at the two.

"Calm down, I was just joking, why are you getting defensive so quickly?" She shook her head. "Not unless you're secretly dating?" She gave a sly grin.

Emma and Freya both laughed as they sat in their chairs, and Eva, who was seated in her high chair, laughed as well.

"There's nothing going on between us," Irish smiled. "We're just friends now who used to be exes."

"Right, and as I previously stated, Irish and I were collaborating on the girls' serum. It's all just for work, nothing more and nothing less." Miranda remarked.

Eve joked, "Exes can still be lovers."

Miranda sent a deathly scowl at her daughter, who only chuckled in response.

She laughed loudly and said, "Alright, I'm sorry."

Irish patted Miranda's shoulder while looking at her watch. "It's time for us to get going."

Eve cocked her head. "You two are leaving?"

"Irish and I need to go to the other laboratory to get the serum we're working on checked," she groaned. "It'll take us two days to get back here as well."

"That long?" Eve frowned.

"I had already booked us a flight because I thought it would take you too long to wake up, I can't just wait and abandon the serum. Please accept my apologies, Evie," Miranda cupped her cheek with her hand.

She gave a kind smile. "It's fine, mom; as long as it's for the girls, I'm fine with it."

Irish gave a warm smile. "Alcina and her daughters are really important to you, huh?"

She nodded. "Of course, when I was in the castle, they treated me like family even if they don't know me that much."

"Alcina isn't that bad after all right, Miranda?" Irish murmured to her and nudged her.