The morning that followed, as they were just finished with their breakfast, Annabeth inquired,
"Grandfather, do you think father will be able to come today? I heard yesterday morning from sir Wild that many were those who were coming to Rosacrea to take refuge. They are accompanied by military men. Do you think father could be the one leading them?"
The Duke sighed which had his granddaughter raised a brow. He paused a bit, seemingly searching for the right words to use.
"Annabeth," he interpellated, "Your father, the general was here the night before."
"Really!" exclaimed the little, "he already arrived." The child was already pushing her chair, eager to see her father. Her very own father. "In which room is he? Could it be he arrived in the middle of the night and is still tired thus sleeping? Should I go to wake him up grandfather?"
She was talking so fast and so happily that it was hard to put a word.
"He already left." She froze, not understanding. " He really wished to talk with you but it hadn't been possible. You were already sleeping and he couldn't stay. In consequence, he could only leave without officially reuniting, for he couldn't bear waking you up so late." But then again, thought the Duke while looking at Yza who was still eating the lamb's meat that was in its plate, there was no way that the Karva would have let him do that.
Tears pearled in her eyes,
"But, wasn't it grandfather who said that I could go to sleep with ease, weren't you supposed to wake me up the minute he came?"
"Don't cry, it was my wrong, don't cry."
Annabeth had stayed awake long in the nights for many days to meet the man. Her grandfather, unable to bear seeing her fight against her sleep said that he would send someone to wake her up so she didn't need to torture herself and the little girl went to sleep reassured. Who could tell her now why it didn't go as promised?
That man came and went back before she could even get a glimpse of him, Annabeth didn’t know how to feel about this. There were relief and disappointment but more than all, a huge amount of sadness for she had anticipated it so much. Relief because she didn't really know what to say and a part of her was scared to meet a stranger and disappointment for she really had wished to have her very 'own' father.
After asking for permission to leave the table, she stood from her chair and curtsied to her grandfather, preparing to go wait for Sir Wild in the study room. However, after she took some steps, she turned around dashed towards the Duke who just got up and hugged his frame. Her short hands couldn't grasp his form completely. Though Annabeth grew to be taller than girls her age -at eight, she was taller than even those of ten in the orphanage- compared to the Duke, she was so short that she just arrived at his waist.
She had buried her face in his clothes and before long, her body shook with sobs. The Duke froze but after a time, he patted her head.
"It's alright, child, you'll see him next time."
"Grandfather, do you think father will be able to come today? I heard yesterday morning from sir Wild that many were those who were coming to Rosacrea to take refuge. They are accompanied by military men. Do you think father could be the one leading them?"
The Duke sighed which had his granddaughter raised a brow. He paused a bit, seemingly searching for the right words to use.
"Annabeth," he interpellated, "Your father, the general was here the night before."
"Really!" exclaimed the little, "he already arrived." The child was already pushing her chair, eager to see her father. Her very own father. "In which room is he? Could it be he arrived in the middle of the night and is still tired thus sleeping? Should I go to wake him up grandfather?"
She was talking so fast and so happily that it was hard to put a word.
"He already left." She froze, not understanding. " He really wished to talk with you but it hadn't been possible. You were already sleeping and he couldn't stay. In consequence, he could only leave without officially reuniting, for he couldn't bear waking you up so late." But then again, thought the Duke while looking at Yza who was still eating the lamb's meat that was in its plate, there was no way that the Karva would have let him do that.
Tears pearled in her eyes,
"But, wasn't it grandfather who said that I could go to sleep with ease, weren't you supposed to wake me up the minute he came?"
"Don't cry, it was my wrong, don't cry."
Annabeth had stayed awake long in the nights for many days to meet the man. Her grandfather, unable to bear seeing her fight against her sleep said that he would send someone to wake her up so she didn't need to torture herself and the little girl went to sleep reassured. Who could tell her now why it didn't go as promised?
That man came and went back before she could even get a glimpse of him, Annabeth didn’t know how to feel about this. There were relief and disappointment but more than all, a huge amount of sadness for she had anticipated it so much. Relief because she didn't really know what to say and a part of her was scared to meet a stranger and disappointment for she really had wished to have her very 'own' father.
After asking for permission to leave the table, she stood from her chair and curtsied to her grandfather, preparing to go wait for Sir Wild in the study room. However, after she took some steps, she turned around dashed towards the Duke who just got up and hugged his frame. Her short hands couldn't grasp his form completely. Though Annabeth grew to be taller than girls her age -at eight, she was taller than even those of ten in the orphanage- compared to the Duke, she was so short that she just arrived at his waist.
She had buried her face in his clothes and before long, her body shook with sobs. The Duke froze but after a time, he patted her head.
"It's alright, child, you'll see him next time."
***
One Sunday, coming back from the orphanage, Annabeth's horse halted in front of a running little girl who jumped back at her sight, falling down. She was so frightened that tears started rolling down her cheeks. Upon closer look though, it could be seen that they were actually mixed with dried tears.
It had been two months now that Annabeth was authorized to ride a grown horse and for a time now, the Duke had reduced her guards down do two again: Michel and Kalen. Said knights halted their own horses and looked on as the little miss jump down to approached the terrified child.
"Are you alright? Are you wounded somewhere?"
She helped the child up and patted her clothes herself. The red dress was torn and dirty at the edges. Her shoes seemed pricey but they were worn out and completely dirty. And the girl herself, she was so skinny and seemed fragile. A gust of wind could blow her away! But no matter what Annabeth asked, the little child wouldn't open her mouth. If Annabeth had to guess, the child must be around four, maybe five and at most six. Thus, she should be able to talk. However, she still said nothing so far. Annabeth touched her nose a little. Could the girl be mute?
For going to the orphanage for two years now, Annabeth knew all of its occupants. This one definitely wasn't one of them. She had long ink-black hair with sky blue eyes. She was short, up to Annabeth's bosom.
It had been two months now that Annabeth was authorized to ride a grown horse and for a time now, the Duke had reduced her guards down do two again: Michel and Kalen. Said knights halted their own horses and looked on as the little miss jump down to approached the terrified child.
"Are you alright? Are you wounded somewhere?"
She helped the child up and patted her clothes herself. The red dress was torn and dirty at the edges. Her shoes seemed pricey but they were worn out and completely dirty. And the girl herself, she was so skinny and seemed fragile. A gust of wind could blow her away! But no matter what Annabeth asked, the little child wouldn't open her mouth. If Annabeth had to guess, the child must be around four, maybe five and at most six. Thus, she should be able to talk. However, she still said nothing so far. Annabeth touched her nose a little. Could the girl be mute?
For going to the orphanage for two years now, Annabeth knew all of its occupants. This one definitely wasn't one of them. She had long ink-black hair with sky blue eyes. She was short, up to Annabeth's bosom.
The girl looked at the guards two steps away and looked down to the floor saying in a soft whisper,
"I...I am lost."
Her voice was barely audible.
"Oh... did your family recently came here?"
Many were those who immigrated here, taking refuge from the war zones. Effectively, the child nodded.
"I see. I am Annabeth, what's your name?"
She bit her lips, but in the end said, "Arel."
"Do you have no other name than that?"
The little girl teared up, shaking her head. Annabeth was quite helpless, "don't cry, it's alright. What's the name of your father?"
"Papa."
"Papa?" She echoed.
Sir Kalen Mills stepped forward to help the little miss,
"How do other people call your papa?" he gently asked,
"Sir."
Well, it didn't help much, did it?
The little girl had grasped her dress, seemingly holding back tears but ready to burst any time now.
Kalen, coming closer to the girls, went down on one knee, and had to crouch to be by the most little one's height,
"How about going with me and searching for your family?"
The girl stepped closer to Annabeth and took hold of her dress, clenching, unwilling to go with a stranger. At the very least this one was a little girl like herself.
"I want to stay here." She muttered.
Annabeth found her guarding expression a little funny. "Sir Mills, could you go back to grandfather and ask about those who recently moved in and their locations?" She said to Kalen before turning to the girl, "And Sir Vals, Arel and I are going to wait for you here."
"Miss, it's almost time for you to go back."
"It's all right, explain it to grandfather well and he will understand. And..." she looked at her dress that was still held tightly, "she's scared."
Kalen looked at his partner, seeing no negation from his expression, he hopped on his horse, galloping away. No one caught the little girl's lips lifting. One down, two to go. She just had to distract their attention and then-
"You're actually bleeding!" exclaimed Annabeth cutting her thoughts. "Come with me to the orphanage to clean that."
The wound she was talking about wasn't so terrible. Just a scratch by the leg that bled a bit. The blood had already dried.
The girl shook her head.
"I don't want to go."
Annabeth was helpless.
"Then how about washing your feet by the river. It's just beside those trees.
The little girl lifted her head to look at Michel who was patting his horse and thought why not. It could be her chance.
They went by the river and Michel gave them one handkerchief from the packet Iris had forced Annabeth's guards to have all the time. The little miss wetted it and wiped the girl's feet by herself. Arel was quite flustered saying she could do it herself. But Annabeth just sat the girl on the grass and even refused Michel's suggestion to do it himself. After wiping the dried blood and cleaning the wound, she took off the child's shoes. The poor girl's little feet were completely red and seemed to hurt a lot! Just how long was she lost, how long had she walked? The child herself was dusty and smelled. Was she actually abused? Did her parents leave her instead of her being lost? Today? Yesterday? Many more days?
No, how could it be possible! She's just a child, couldn't have live by herself without help. She was being hasty in her conclusions.
Without talking but her face grim, she wetted the cloth again and wiped the child. She actually wanted to help her bath but Arel was adamant. She didn't want. Annabeth could only take some more handkerchiefs to wipe the skin not covered by her dress. Talking about the dress, she was so little but already so modest. She was unwilling to lift her dress higher than her knees. No matter what! had this scene being of people in a little more advanced age and had Annabeth being a man, she would think herself a rogue! Michel had been ordered by the little girl to turn around and smiling softly, he indulged her. Really what was there to see?
Meanwhile, as Arel's face was being wiped, she was thinking, while looking sidely at both horses: which one could she attain faster? Which one was the fastest? She didn't know. She was frightened and started to shake. That was her chance to run away but how could she do so that the other horse would be unable to pursue her?
Annabeth saw her looking and glanced. Not remarking the horses but instead, the fact that it was the direction from where Kalen had gone, she hugged the little girl,
"Don't be afraid. We will find your family." The girl shook more at these words and Annabeth whispered, "Are they... not good to you?"
"Can I turn now?" interrupted Michel's voice.
"No!" came Arel's shout.
"Tell me" urged Annabeth, "I can protect you. I am the Duke's grandchild. I definitely can protect you!"
"The Duke?" she muttered but in the end smiled, "I am just lost, that's all. My family is good to me and I miss them."
"...Arel."
Arel patted her dress, readjusting it. "I am all clean now, right?"
Annabeth slowly got up too, smiling. "yes you are." She touched her face, "and now that your face is clear you're a cutie too."
The girl blushed and looking at the ground, she shifted uncomfortably on her feet, muttering soft thank yous. Hearing the horse's neighs brought her back to reality.
"While waiting, can I try your horse?"
"Luce? It grew up with me. It really well behaves, come, let me show you. Michel come help us."
Arel thought she would convince Annabeth to use the other horse, and while she wouldn't be prepared, Arel would smack her horse to let it go wild while she would run away with that 'Luce'. With it certainly, she could run away. She definitely could!
However, nothing happened as she wanted. The next moment, they were surrounded. Ten men on horses wearing ordinary clothes but with swords at their waists. Arel's faces reflected the horror she felt. They found her! Michel had drawn out his sword and shielded the girls behind him.
"Stop right there," he commanded, "You're on Duke Rosacrea's property. Turn around and leave!"
The leader jumped down his horse,
"We are no enemy. I am Jey Frieden, knight under Lord Romanov command."
"Lord Romanov? What brings the eastern lord on these lands."
The man looked at Arel who was desperately trying to hide behind Annabeth,
"Our guest lost her way, we came to find her."
Looking at Arel's frightened stated that was clutching at his as though holding on to dear life, Annabeth felt anger surged in her,
"Guest? More like a prisoner! Arel isn't going to follow you anywhere!" Saying this, she hugged the child.
Michel arranged his stance,
"My little miss had talked, please go back. We will take care of your guest for the time being. The matter will be reported to the Duke to handle."
"I'm afraid it can't be so." Saying this, the man searching in his clothes and took out a paper that he unfolded, and passed to Michel. Upon reading, the latter's eyes widen,
"You can't be serious" he shouted! "It's a little chlid!"
"A war prisoner is still a war prisoner" answered the oher calmy, folding his papers again. "We hope that you handle the child over without delay."
"Stop right there," he commanded, "You're on Duke Rosacrea's property. Turn around and leave!"
The leader jumped down his horse,
"We are no enemy. I am Jey Frieden, knight under Lord Romanov command."
"Lord Romanov? What brings the eastern lord on these lands."
The man looked at Arel who was desperately trying to hide behind Annabeth,
"Our guest lost her way, we came to find her."
Looking at Arel's frightened stated that was clutching at his as though holding on to dear life, Annabeth felt anger surged in her,
"Guest? More like a prisoner! Arel isn't going to follow you anywhere!" Saying this, she hugged the child.
Michel arranged his stance,
"My little miss had talked, please go back. We will take care of your guest for the time being. The matter will be reported to the Duke to handle."
"I'm afraid it can't be so." Saying this, the man searching in his clothes and took out a paper that he unfolded, and passed to Michel. Upon reading, the latter's eyes widen,
"You can't be serious" he shouted! "It's a little chlid!"
"A war prisoner is still a war prisoner" answered the oher calmy, folding his papers again. "We hope that you handle the child over without delay."
“No question. Stop right there. I, daughter of general Delacour and granddaughter of duke Tulip, order you to stop.”
But the man came in front of her. Michel actually stepped back to give him access though leaving a warning, "should you lift a finger finger against my miss, you would never get to use those fingers again."
"Don't let them take me." Cried Arel. "Don't let them."
"Miss, give us the child."
"No question."
Michel had to hold her.
"Michel, how dare you. I order you to leave me alone. Put me down, now!"
"Help, help me, you said you'll protect me, help me."
Arel shouted as the men lift her kicking form and bounded her before putting her on horse. Tears and snots running.
"Be good,honor honour I assure you, you'll be treated fairly." said knight Jey.
Kicking herself, Annabeth fried from Michel who didn't want to hurt her, she grabbed one of her shoes and flung it to that knight's direction, "damn your fair treatment! Can't you see how skinny she is, where did you treat her fairly!"
But the horses had already turned around. She regretted! Why did she not take Yza with her today?
"Why Michel!"
"They had the royal's seal with them."
"What?"
But the man came in front of her. Michel actually stepped back to give him access though leaving a warning, "should you lift a finger finger against my miss, you would never get to use those fingers again."
"Don't let them take me." Cried Arel. "Don't let them."
"Miss, give us the child."
"No question."
Michel had to hold her.
"Michel, how dare you. I order you to leave me alone. Put me down, now!"
"Help, help me, you said you'll protect me, help me."
Arel shouted as the men lift her kicking form and bounded her before putting her on horse. Tears and snots running.
"Be good,honor honour I assure you, you'll be treated fairly." said knight Jey.
Kicking herself, Annabeth fried from Michel who didn't want to hurt her, she grabbed one of her shoes and flung it to that knight's direction, "damn your fair treatment! Can't you see how skinny she is, where did you treat her fairly!"
But the horses had already turned around. She regretted! Why did she not take Yza with her today?
"Why Michel!"
"They had the royal's seal with them."
"What?"
"It's impossible to do anything without it having terrible consequences."
Annabeth fell on the ground.
"Why?" She started crying, "I promise her that I will protect her. I promise her that!"
She cried and Michel could only look on for she was inconsolable.
Annabeth fell on the ground.
"Why?" She started crying, "I promise her that I will protect her. I promise her that!"
She cried and Michel could only look on for she was inconsolable.
.
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