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It was bedtime at the palace, one of Maisy’s favorite times of their routine. Stolas always made sure to make bedtime extremely cozy for them. The Goetia had just given Maisy a bath, brushed their teeth, and dressed them in her pajamas and sleepsack. He was currently brushing her hair when she had an idea.
“Baa, baa (“I wan’ t’y reading to you, Mr. Mama.”),” the sheep said.
“You want to read to me?” Stolas asked. Maisy nodded excitedly.
He smiled at her. “Okay, darling. Why don't you go pick out a few books?”
The sheep went over to the bookshelf and scanned through the books. They had to be perfect! Maybe Maisy could read Counting Sheep? Nah, Stolas read that to her all week. What about Beauty and the Beast? No, that won't do... Termites in Terrace? No... Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses? Tony the Turtle?
“Are you having trouble?”
Maisy nodded. They wanted to pick the stories themselves, but there were so many books to choose from, and they were all read before.
“I won’t mind hearing whatever you choose,” Stolas assured. “Anything you read to me should be fine.”
Maisy turned back to the bookshelf and found something - Mossy and The Complete Brambly Hedge. They haven’t read those books in a while. They were perfect! The sheep pulled the selected books off of the shelf. They then tried to carry the Brambly Hedge one, but it was a bit heavy. Stolas used his magic to levitate it over to him.
“There you go, my ladybird,” he said as he walked over to the rocking chair, Maisy following him. “How about I hold the books and you can read me the words?”
“Baa (“Okay!”)!” Maisy chirped as Stolas placed her on his lap and telekenetically made the Mossy book float.
When Stolas opened the first page, Maisy began reading to the best of her ability. They struggled with the words a bit, so she pointed at the pictures to show what was happening in the story.
Once Maisy was finished, the Goetia gave them a forehead kiss.
“Look at you reading! You're growing smarter every day, and I'm so proud of you!" the prince praised as he set the Mossy book aside and grabbed the Brambley Hedge book. “Would you like me to read the next story?”
Maisy nodded, rubbing their tired eyes.
"Alrighty, then. Now, where did we leave off?"
Stolas flipped through the pages until he landed at the autumn story. He rocked back and forth in the rocking chair as he started reading. Maisy leaned back and fought back a yawn. As much as they loved bedtime, she wanted to see if Primrose would make it home safely during the autumn storm. Stolas picked up Maisy’s pacifier that was clipped to her nightgown and popped it into her mouth, noticing that they were getting sleepy.
“I think someone's ready for bed. We’ll finish up the story tomorrow,” Stolas cooed softly. He stood up from the rocking chair and carried Maisy over to her bed. He then laid her down and tucked her in before sitting beside them.
The sheep was about to fall asleep when they realized something.
“Baa (“Whe's Hazel?”)?” She asked as she looked around her bed.
“She’s right here, duckling,” Stolas said, plucking the stuffed hedgehog from the crevice of Maisy’s bed and handing it to her. Maisy cuddled her best stuffed friend, relieved. “It’s bedtime, now, sweetheart. You’re safe, and I’m near if you need me. Goodnight, my little princess.”
“Baa, baa (“Nini, Mommy.”),” the sheep yawned as she closed their eyes.
Stolas gave Maisy a forehead kiss and turned on her nightlight and white noise machine. He left the room, leaving the door cracked behind him.