That evening, Krishna called them all in.
No texts.
No requests.
Just one message sent out to each of them: "Mandatory meeting. My place. Tonight. No excuses."
And sure enough… by eight o'clock, her living room looked like a gathering of misfit royalty.
Aaron sat cross-legged on the floor, still clinging to her attention like a territorial golden retriever. The twins, Allysa and Alliyah, lounged on the couch like overindulged cats, fingers flipping through fashion apps but eyes still flicking toward Krishna every few seconds.
And Lucius? Standing near the window, arms crossed, sharp-eyed as always, looking like he regretted walking in… but stayed anyway.
Krishna stood in front of them all. Barefoot. In loose home clothes. Hair tied up in a messy bun.
But the weight in her voice?
Serious.
Unmovable.
"I've called this meeting," she began, "because you guys… are starting to become a problem."
Krishna's gaze landed squarely on Aaron next.
"And you…" she said, her tone turning sharper, almost disappointed. "You're the worst offender."
Aaron froze mid-fidget, looking up at her like a kid caught red-handed.
"I-What? I didn't even--"
"Don't lie to me." Her eyes narrowed. "You've been practically glued to me for weeks. Skipping out on family functions. Ignoring your father's calls. Missing out on your board responsibilities at Triton Holdings. You think I don't notice?"
Aaron shrank visibly where he sat on the floor.
The twins, of course, pounced on the opportunity like sharks circling wounded prey.
"Poor little rich boy," Allysa cooed from the couch, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "So busy playing lapdog you forgot you're supposed to be heir to something."
"Does Daddy Triton know you've downgraded from corporate prince to living carpet?" Alliyah added with a wicked grin, tossing a decorative pillow at him for extra insult.
Aaron caught the pillow to his chest like it was a personal attack.
"I-That's not--!" His face burned red as he scrambled for words. "You two wouldn't understand!"
"Oh no, we understand," Alliyah said sweetly. "You're whipped."
"Pathetic," Allysa sighed dramatically, fanning herself like the sight of him offended her.
Krishna pinched the bridge of her nose, fighting the beginnings of a headache. "You three are giving me a migraine."
Aaron scrambled to defend himself again, puffing up like a sulking cat. "I'm not whipped! I just-! I just want to make sure she's okay! That's…that's loyalty!"
Both twins fake-gasped in unison like actresses in a bad soap opera.
"Loyalty, he says!" Alliyah clutched her chest.
"Tragic," Allysa added with a grin. "Do we need to start a support group?"
Aaron's ears flushed even darker, but before he could throw back another tantrum, Krishna snapped her fingers once, sharp and loud.
"Enough."
The room silenced immediately.
Her tone dropped low, steady, dangerous. "Aaron, you're my dog, not my shadow. Start acting like you have a life outside this living room. If you lose your position in the Triton family because of me, I won't take responsibility for it. Understand?"
Aaron lowered his head like a kicked puppy. "Yes… ma'am."
Krishna let out a long, exhausted breath.
"And as for you two…" She shot the twins a look that instantly wiped the grins off their faces. "If you've got that much energy to tease him, maybe I should assign you both actual jobs to burn it off."
Both girls instantly sat straighter, throwing Aaron matching smug smirks… but wisely staying quiet.
Krishna raked a hand through her hair, muttering to herself, "I swear… it's like raising three oversized children…"
Lucius, from his quiet corner, let out a quiet snort of laughter.
And despite her irritation…
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of Krishna's lips.
Then Krishna took a deep breath, folding her arms.
"First rule," she said, voice firm. "You all have lives. Jobs. Reputations. I want all of you to focus on them. Don't let me catch you skipping work, neglecting duties, or ignoring responsibilities just because you're too busy hovering around me."
Aaron visibly deflated. The twins groaned in unison.
"Second rule," Krishna continued, ignoring their reactions. "Stop intimidating people just because you're Alphas. Unless someone throws the first punch or insults you, keep your fangs in check. Got it?"
Both twins rolled their eyes but nodded, grudgingly agreeing.
"Third rule," Krishna said, leveling her gaze at Aaron in particular, "you can only stay over on weekends. Or… if I say otherwise. I need my peace back. I'm serious. My couch is not your second home."
Aaron opened his mouth to protest--
"No exceptions," Krishna cut him off, raising a hand.
Lucius, for once, smirked.
"Fourth rule," she added, her voice softening just a little. "Don't let anyone bully you. I don't care who they are. You're mine now. And no one… no one touches what's mine without consequences."
The room fell silent.
And then…
The final rule.
Krishna exhaled slowly, gaze dropping for a brief second as if weighing whether she really wanted to say it out loud.
But she did.
"If any of you…" she said carefully, "need help...if it ever gets too much....just say the word."
Her voice dipped lower. Softer. More human than they'd ever heard from her.
"I'll be there."
For a breath, the whole room froze.
Aaron's lips parted, eyes wide with disbelief.
The twins… blinked, staring at her with open-mouthed shock.
Lucius? His gaze lowered for just a beat, something like guilt, or something warmer, settling behind his eyes.
Before they could speak, Krishna coughed awkwardly and waved them off with a too-casual shrug. "Alright. Meeting over. Go home. Or don't. Whatever."
But even as she turned away, mask snapping right back into place, they were still staring.
Because for the first time…
They saw her.
Not just the ruthless, untouchable Queen they all chased.
But a girl.
Tired.
Stubborn.
Protective.
And painfully, beautifully human underneath it all.
Without exchanging a word, all four of them smiled.
Their Queen had a heart.
And she'd just slipped… enough for them to see it.