The Bored Girl Chapter 7: By the river

Previous | Table Of Contents | Next

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 catch 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.

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."

“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?"

"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.

.

Previous | Table Of Contents | Next

The Bored Girl Chapter 6: Never Seen Father

Previous | Table Of Contents | Next

Yza had the nature of a cat. So long as it lapped its milk, had a spot under the sun where it could sleep, it didn't move at all. Though the animal had the habit of always making sure to sleep in a place where Annabeth wasn't far from. The restless one between her pets was definitely that little dog. It ran everywhere, jumped, bit into pieces of furniture. It was completely undisciplined.

It even ran up to the Duke's office one day and actually broke a vase. It was the first time that Annabeth had seen her grandfather been angry with her. But more than the anger, she could see the pain in his eyes as he glanced at the pieces of the vase lying on the carpet. His hands were actually shaking. She didn’t know whose present it was, but the one who gave it to me must have been someone dear.

That night, she sneaked into his office. For the Duke to have refused to throw away the remains showed how precious it was, thus she decided to do something.  Using glue and a tiny brush, spend the whole night trying to assemble the vase together. As morning dawned, she didn't even finish one-quarter of the work and felt like crying at the sight. She really wanted to surprise the old man. When he entered and found her there though, he seemed less angry and maybe because of her bloodshot eyes from the lack of sleep, he even lied to let her heart at ease, saying to her that it wasn't so important. Annabeth bowed, not buying it but not knowing what to say besides sorry. She asked that he let her reassemble it for the next coming days and he acquiesced so long as she did so in the morning without depriving herself of sleep. After which, she was ushered to her bed, her lessons for the day canceled.

A week later, once every piece was back at its place or well, at the place where Annabeth judged it belonged to, the little girl presented the finished vase to her grandfather, renewing her sincere apologizes once more. For the past days, she had been serious in taking care of the puppies and started been stricter. She said she definitely won't let something like that repeat itself again. Though the vase didn't look as good as it used to, the Duke took it and placed it back on the shelf with a nostalgic look. Annabeth didn't dare ask who gave it to him and instead left him alone, for it looked like he needed to be.

"It has its charm too, doesn't it, my love?"

A lone tear ran down the old man's face as his shaky finger touched the vase.

***

Some months later, Annabeth was authorized to go out again though the number of knights around her went from two to seven. It wasn't easy not attracting attention. It didn't disturb her from playing at will though. They quadrilled the orphanage and looked closely at her but from a certain distance, mindful not to disturb. 

Before, when they were going up and down the mountain, they never stopped by the river but since having Yza, they would stop from time to time. That animal liked to stretch on the green lawn and drink the river's water. And since by using the river's road it was easier to go to the orphanage, it became the road they commonly used now. 

Besides some peculiarities, Yza was definitely like a cat, those protruding two horns aside. It liked sleeping, drinking milk and sleeping again.  Now, it could eat meat and apparently, its growth was also fast. It was already bigger than Ylis and though only two months, already had the allure of an adult Siamese cat. Her grandfather said it could actually become as big as a lion. She was quite eager to see it!

It started being mischievous too. It would scratch and jumped on everything, honing its claws everywhere. But it would snuggle to her at night, or jumped on her head or her shoulder and its paws were so cute! When it rolled on its back mewing, wanting Annabeth to caress its belly, Ylis would softly bite on her dress so that she would take care of it too, softly whining. Annabeth really liked her pets and apparently, they shared the sentiment.

Despite the fact that she could relax and play more, it didn't mean that her tutors stopped coming, quite the contrary. Sir Wild kept on drowning her under Homeworks and Countess Emery was killing her with those ways to address people. How to address who in what manner. When her dancing classes had been interrupted to actually introduce sewing classes, Annabeth didn't like it one bit. She was proven right by how much inefficient she was in sewing. She was really terrible at it and would constantly prick herself. It seemed so easy when done by the Countess. Why was it different when she was the one holding the needle?

***

In two years time, she got quite used to that life. Ylis didn't get that much taller though it grew a bit, the remarkable one was Yza. It was so tall now that she could actually hop on it. However, her grandfather didn't like that, so she refrained from doing so -in front of him at the very least.

In two years, she also tried to pry about her family too. Everyone was like walking on eggshell once the subject was brought. It wasn't easy to make them talk. Actually, she failed. Neither the staff nor her grandfather disclosed much besides the fact that an accident claimed her mother's and brother's lives and that her father would come and see her, just not now. However, she got to know a bit more by eavesdropping on the maids and servants' whispers -definitely not something Countess Emery would be praising her for. The general was the one leading the front against Rozengal's troops.

War. It wasn't really a subject Sir Wild approached or talked about at all. He refrained from explaining anything politics-related to her at all actually, so Annabeth really didn't know what conflict they share against which country.

But it wasn't like she never talked to that father at all. The man had written a couple of letters to her and she had herself sent a couple of her own. But letters were so... impersonal and his letters were always up to the point that she didn't really know if he was writing because he really cared or simply out of obligation. She was eight years old now. He had written four times in the span of two years. Two were for her birthdays, one when she first woke up to this world and another some days ago, stating that he would soon be coming.

For Lyanna, having a father was a foreign sentiment and she was eager actually to face him, to talk to him, her very own father.

***

On the estimated day he was supposed to come, she asked her grandfather to let her up some more. She really wanted to see the man the minute he would be entering. But a couple of days later after that estimate day, he still had yet to set foot in Rosacrea's Duke's manor. 

However, in the middle of the night, when she was already deep in slumber, the horses' hooves could be heard and the butler awakened the Duke. The general was finally here. The man who entered the threshold had dark blond hair and golden eyes. There was, on his face, a beard he hadn't cut for weeks, maybe months now. Exhaustion etched his features like a glove to the skin, it could be discerned for his eyes were shot with blood and his features were drawn.

Upon seeing his father-in-law, the man smiled and bowed halfway before been greeted too. The two chattered a bit and the Duke didn't even rebuke his visitor about the time.  He was aware, seeing that this person was still dressed in military clothes, that he wouldn't be staying for long.

After the general inquired about his daughter, he got up and following the old Duke. They two entered the little girl's bedchamber.

A low growl warned them to stand still. The Duke hastily held the general's hand; the latter was already holding the pommel of his sword, ready to fight. Before the old man had the chance to explain, the crouched feline got up, and still lowly growling, came closer. It growled for a time, meanwhile, the grandfather was whispering at his son-in-law to rest assured. Seeing that the newcomer didn't seem to mean any harm, Yza didn't jump at him but still, it hoped on the bed, lying by the little girl's feet. Its green eyes, turned into slits, shone dangerously in the penumbra of the room. It looked at them for a time before slowly laying its head on its legs. Though seemingly resting, the two men in the room knew it was on guard.

The general lifted his lamp higher to light the room some more, looking with perplexity at the animal protecting his daughter,

"Is that?-"

"Yes," cut the Duke, "A Karva. It was found in the forest. It meant no harm but don't go closer."

The general had a wry smile. It's been so long since he last saw his daughter and when he could finally have her at arm's length, he was still restrained by an animal? Couldn't even hug his daughter?

He took a step forward and halted when the animal's ear stood still. The general admired the beast. It was his first time seeing one at such a close range.

"It is said to be the best of guardians," he commented, "Its loyalty to those who raised it, knows no bounds... but,..." turning with a deep frown to his father-in-law, he couldn't help but asked, "that's the animal reserved for the safety of Rozengal's royalty, was it really safe to give it to her?"

The Duke snorted crossing his arms over his chest as he came closer to his grandchild. The animal rose its head to look at him but there was no enmity in sight, "So long as it's something on my property, it's obviously mine! Don't talk so much or it will chase us away."

A complicated look cross general Delacour. Was it really that animal calling the shots now? He too didn't want to wake her daughter in the dead of the night!

They approached some more and though the feline didn't utter a sound against the Duke, it growled lowly at the stranger who was shortening the distance between himself and the little girl. The general finally stopped at three feet away, understanding that should he go closer, he wouldn't leave unscathed. From here though, with the candles' light, he could see his daughter's face.

“She looked like Elisa more and more.” He whispered.

His baby was sleeping, with her button-like nose and that vibrant red hair, he could see his wife's figure. Looking for some minutes, he really wanted to reach out and touch her forehead, but only sighed when thinking about the karva. Then he remarked, snuggling to his daughter's chest over the sheets, was a tuff of white fur. She was holding it loosely with one hand. A dog.

"She got herself busy."

"That she did. A restless animal this one!"

A smile tugged at the general's lips. He fleetingly remembered that before taking his service, his daughter had asked for a pet. A pity he wasn't the one to have given it to her. Still, so long as she was happy, it was more than enough for him. The general stood there for a time before exiting the room. Closing the door, he stayed there, leaning against it, eyes closed. Father-in-law and son-in-law stayed silent for a while before the younger man said, without opening his eyes,

“The Richmond’s family's head proposed. I’ve accepted their marriage proposal on her behalf. Two days ago.”

The Duke looked at the ceiling and, sighing, he said,

“You’re her father, not I.”

It was his own way of saying he wasn’t okay with it but wouldn’t intervene. Early engagements weren't uncommon. Actually, it was more common for nobility to be engaged since young than not. However, general Delacour wasn't born noble. He had been a farmer's adopted child who worked hard and obtained, through his merits, the identity of a knight. He became a Grand Duke when he saved the king’s life decades ago now. And though still Grand Duke, was now more referred to as general, for it was the identity he felt more comfortable with and the one he really identified himself as.

His marriage with Elisa was one born from love. Though he wished for his daughter to have that, he couldn't really rest easy knowing that, should he die in the coming months his child would be at people's mercy. What if something happened to the Duke of Rosacrea, would his precious daughter that had been pampered since her birth really be able to recognize between her entourage who could be her allies and who were her enemies? It was still better if he gave her charge to his good friend. At the very least, like that, he could go to the front with one less worry in mind.

Under the full moon, decided by a man she had yet to remember, the young girl’s fate was sealed.

Previous | Table Of Contents | Next

The Bored Girl Chapter 5: Companions

Previous | Table Of Contents | Next

The poney she was authorized to ride was a short female with a brown dress. Annabeth named it Luce. Luce was patient and well behaved. Just gave it a sugar piece and it would follow you everywhere.

Thomas was a patient instructor too and she was an even more patient student. She did what she was told to and never more. Her grandfather assisted many times at these lessons, after all. Thus, she could only behave. However, after four months, when the basics were firmly grasped and her affinity with her horse was good, it was quite impossible to keep up with her pace on feet. The field in the manor seemed too restrictive now and she wanted to try riding in the outside woods. And more so, she wanted to see the city that was under her grandfather's protection.

Actually, in the forest that was surrounding them, there wasn't any ferocious beast or any human eating one at all but the Duke was afraid she would go missing. So, before her grandfather relented and she was given the right to go, she was forced to be accompanied by two guards, Michel and Kalen, her valet Thomas, and her chambermaid Iris. Though she was given the permission to go on her poney, the carriage was still following closely behind. For the time being, its sole occupant was Iris, Thomas was sitting beside the coachman while the other men were on horseback.

The Green mountain's forest wasn't dense at all. Its trees were far apart from one of the other, making the place easy to navigate in. However, a clear road was already drawn over the years by the previous Dukes, rehabilitated and ameliorate with time and it was the one they used. They slowly made their way to the city. 

For the occasion, Annabeth had been dressed simply, in order to not attract unwanted attention. Iris and a guard, Michel, were closely walking by her side while the second guard, Kalen, and Thomas were a bit behind. The coachman was made to rest with the carriage while they toured the city by foot -Annabeth had insisted.

The entrance of the city was vibrant, cries, shouts, laughers. It was so lively and lovely. There were more children here than she ever remembered seeing, both lives combined.  In the manor, Annabeth was the only one of her age. Even considering her identity as Lyanna she was still the youngest, so even though she liked those people she actually wanted to try getting along with those her age. It was something she never did in two lifetimes after all. Having friends to talk to and shared adventures with.

Iris brought out the city map from her small bag. Before their outings, though her grandfather had let them go with no destination in mind, Iris had proposed some places for the little miss to choose from and the market was the one she wanted to go to first.

That was because Annabeth didn't really want to visit the countess or some of the nobles around here. Since none of those houses had children anyway, she wasn't really obliged to. And visiting nobles aside, when the hypothesis of tea parties was impossible, there was really little to no amusement for nobles. It would have been better if it was in the capital, at the very least, there would have been entertainment houses. However, now that it was overruled, she could only tour around the market and then toured around the city too. It didn't matter to not have a fixed place to go to. They would walk around, when hungry, would enter one or another restaurant and then continue.

In actual truth, there was no reason to bring out a map other than to just give it to the little miss for every one of her escorts were familiar with the place like the back of their pockets. Iris smiled as she let the little miss guided them, trying her hardest to follow the roads draw on the map. Michel, who knew of many shortcuts that could be taken to go there, still kept his mouth shut, following closely behind the miss and her chambermaid who were disguised as simple citizens. He didn't have an opinion on this outing and it wasn't like his position demand that he had one, he just had to obey orders and as such, he would protect the Duke's granddaughter with his life if need be. He wished he had been deployed that terrible day, instead of being away on a trip. The Duke had done so much for his family, why was it that when the man needed him the most, he wasn't there, the thirty-six years old Michel, captain of knights from the Duke's house, had been unable to rest well ever since the death of his master's family. Maybe, seeing his determination to redeem himself, the Duke had put the little girl under his charge. Holding his sword closer, Michel promised himself that he would see to it that this little miss came back safe and sound.

Under Annabeth's lead, they slowly made their way to the grand market. The stalls from the entrance displayed sweets that Annabeth had never seen and though Iris was reluctant, she did, in the end, pay a bit of everything though emphasizing for the little miss that it wasn't good to eat outside. It wasn't healthy and could give her stomachache. Annabeth had quite the wry smile looking at the glaring vendor while Iris didn't even pretend to care about him at all. It was a bit of a worrying matter too, that Michel stepped forward to ask the vendor to be polite while glaring daggers at the man. The poor person had gone pale and repeatedly apologized, thus, on the first day, there wasn't much to her incognito disguise at all, her coverture exposed too fast before she could do anything. She had to pull Michel and run a few feet ahead, for they were already drawing attention.

Once in a corner, the little girl voice sounded, dejected, looking at the armored man,

"Sir Vals, we're supposed to not attract attention,"

"My apologies, my lady," said the strict man, "but I cannot have anyone disrespect you."

"He wasn't being disrespectful."

"My apologies," he didn't sound apologetic at all. "Shall we continue the strolling?"

The little girl sighed and looking at the crest on his armor which was giving away their identities, she asked,

"Wouldn't it be possible to wear casually, Sir Vals? It is a simple outing after all."

He bowed, "my apologies, but during working hours, our armors are requested."

Annabeth was a little bit dejected. At this rhythm, won't people run away from them if she couldn't talk to them without this tower glaring at them from her back?

Seeing the little miss's dilemma, Iris spoke up to help,

"Sir Vals, this is Rosacrea after all, far from the war zones, wouldn't it be alright to walk with a little less ostentation?"

"My apologies, miss but I can't compromise with the lady's safety."

"But no one knows my face around here. With you wearing like this, so close behind us, isn't it, instead, telling others who to attack?"

"I... this isn't..."

"Just clothes. It's alright to keep the sword."

Michel looked at the little lady who was gazing at him with pleading eyes and relented,

"It should be done as the lady desires."

With a beaming smile, Annabeth replied, "thank you for accommodating my selfishness, Sir Vals."

So, though the first day had been cut short, the next day had been a better experience.

***

A routine came then in their lives at the manor. In the morning, the young miss would bathe before clothing herself and taking her breakfast with the Duke, after which she would wait for either of her tutors to come. At noon, she would take a break and the time for some tea and pastries before going back to studying. By the time the tutor left it would already be three pm. The miss would then have a short nap -her grandfather insisted-, after which she would complete her homework. By then it would be dinner time. Her weekdays were quite boring in the evening but she couldn't push it more. By the weekends she had more freedom, could mount her poney and was sometimes authorized to go to the city. Though Annabeth still had yet to make a friend there. She was trying. It wasn't really easy with her protectors chasing people who wanted to approach. They were kind people but there was still a margin to the satisfaction of playing alone.

"Good evening, young miss," greeted Iris as she passed Annabeth by the stairs, a bundle of clothes in her hands that she was taking to the washers. "Are you going to sleep already?"

Annabeth pursed her lips. It was only eight pm. She really didn't want to.

"Grandfather said I could have until eight and a half."

"Is that so? Then don't stay too late. Your clothes are already on the hanger-"

"Don't worry, I know."

And Annabeth hastily left, before Iris could waste more of her hard-won thirty minutes. Not that she knew what exactly she was going to do with them. It was such a short amount of time. She thought about that book in the library she saw the morning when been tutored by Sir Wild. It could make for a bedtime story. As such, her feet brought her to the library.

Inside, she saw that there was actually the head butler, sir Jake Willis. He was hanging on the wall some paints. For a time now, Annabeth had realized that the place used to have some paintings here and there, the traces left by the frames of the paintings were really obvious, but she never got a specific answer to her questions and it had been months now. She just summarized that they didn't want to tell her and never pushed it. After all, even her grandfather had evaded the subject.

"Miss Annabeth," the head butler acknowledged the little girl as he finished putting the last painting on. Annabeth nodded to him before looking at the painting he just hung, mesmerized.

It was a little boy holding a girl in his arm. The boy was, at most, six, the girl seemed younger but her face wasn't turned over here, rather, she was looking up, only showing her moth of red hair to those looking at the painting. The boy was sitting on a bed of flowers, the garden seemed to be that of the manor of Rosacrea. He had dark blond hair, forest green eyes and was fixing his gaze, looking helplessly, at the younger child in his arms. The girl on his lap seemed more like a bundle of white cloth, covering herself from toe to shoulder with a white sheet but the short red-haired head was peeking out and a small hand was stretched, touching the older child's nose.

Annabeth felt weird, her heart's beats increased. Her voice was curt as she asked,

“Was this my brother?”

The butler didn't realize that something was wrong, his gaze rested on the colorful painting, eyes glued to the young master as he sighed softly,

“Yes... you were playing hide and seek... The painting was drawn by your mother, the Grand Duchess herself...”, he whispered softly for himself, "a pity.... what a pity." He was such a promising young man.

"...What was his name?"

"... The young master was called... Christopher Derry Delacour."

"Derry" she muttered tasting the name on her tongue.

'Yes, Annabeth?' Asked a boy's voice in her mind.

She felt more and more uncomfortable and short of breath. Tears started streaming down her cheeks before it even registered to her that her eyes were tingling. In her mind, she could hear children's waves of laughter. She moaned softly, her head started to throb. This time, the butler could finally see that she wasn't well and called out to her, but she didn't answer, holding her painful head. She could hear a woman's voice shouting at her to run away; another's voice, a child's one, swearing to protect her. Her heart was in pain. The butler had already held her in his arm while shouting for the servants to call the physician. However, that whole commotion didn't register to Annabeth yet. 

She slowly lost consciousness, muttering softly, "Derry."

***

Once she woke up, the first person she saw was her grandfather. He seemed to have aged since the last short hours she didn't see him. Seeing her awake, he rung the little bell in his hand and a short minute later, Iris accompanied by doctor Merry entered the room. He examined her for a short bit and when it was ascertained that she had no physical illness, he wrote a simple prescription and left. Before going though, he asked to talk to the Duke alone.

"Don't force her memories," he advised, "her mind is not yet willing to remember, it's best to leave her alone for the time being and not stimulated her more than that."

Meanwhile, left alone Annabeth or rather Lyanna wondered what happened, absentmindedly touching her chest. It had hurt so much. Those voices, were they from the real body's occupant mother and brother? That girl must have adored them if even without her soul in this body, it could react like this. Her love for them had been ingrained into her very flesh and blood. Did her soul leave her body once she understood that they died in that "accident" that claimed her memories?

After that episode, the Duke wanted just one thing, to distract her as much as possible so that she didn't talk or even think about her missing family members. This time, going to town became his orders and not her pleas.

"Go and let her play" he has said to the servants. However, what were they supposed to let her play with? That, they didn't know.

"What do children my age usually do?" Asked Annabeth once they were in town. This was a question that she really had no answer for her last lifetime, she was always bedridden and had no friend beside her family. Well, none that wasn't contactable via the internet.

It was then that they saw a spectacle. The artists were children and they were making a theatre. Later, as the public clapped and asked for more, Annabeth said that she too wanted to participate. Iris had a complicated look then. Actually, this play was made by the town's orphanage. They usually played once every month to raise some funds and the actors were precisely children of the orphanage or volunteers.

It didn't lower Annabeth's spirit at all. Instead, she said that then, it would be the first place where she would be making friends. So, she was brought to the orphanage, to know children her age. 

The orphanage had been built by her family and the Duke allocated some funds to it. It was also helped by the population's donation and from time to time, to raise their funds, they would hold spectacles like the one Annabeth had assisted.

Compared to the Duke's manor, the place was small but if seen through the town's eyes, then it was the biggest construction of commoners. Even if they weren't swimming in gold, they weren't starving either. Annabeth didn't know what she expected, maybe a decrepit place, skinny and malnourished children, mean adults, dirt everywhere. However, she was happy to be wrong. Really, she had just read too much nonsense stories.

The place was a little isolated from the rest of the city and closer to the forest. A flower garden was being maintained around it, tulips, yellow and white decorated it and welcomed visitors.

When they came, the small group constituted of Iris, Michel and Annabeth were welcome to the small saloon. The director, a short and fat middle-aged man, was the one who talked with them.
He was smiling from ear to ear as he talked about the place.

As of present apparently, the orphanage housed thirty-seven children, ages ranging from five to sixteen, with twelve adults to take care of them. Between those adults, some were teachers, some were cleaners and workers and some volunteers.

The director was more than just happy, that the Duke's granddaughter decided to become a volunteer too. Though she wouldn't be helping with tasks, it didn't matter, her mere presence was more than enough. Their small theater could gain an addition of actress of high nobility.

Annabeth started to go there every Sundays. The Duke had been willing to allocate them more fund should they accommodate his granddaughter during some hours per week. Annabeth was a bit awkward at first before letting go and playing with them. Who cared if she was a teenager in her mind, she was still in a child’s body and she was set on making up for all the joys of her life she missed!

Their Sundays' activities' range was quite large from collecting fruits and mushrooms to learning sewing. At first, Annabeth hadn't really been welcomed. After all, she was a newcomer but the director was full of praises to her even though it was her first time playing as an actress and she had failed to transmit the right emotions. One had to remember that the director was quite strict on them. But their contradictions eased with time.

Since then, Annabeth was the child she never had the chance to be. 

When Annabeth first came, the director' bitch was full and a couple weeks later,  four pups were born. She got to keep one. It was all white with round golden eyes. A really cute little dog. It was the kind of dog which wouldn't grow tall and would stay small, not really one to use for protection but merrily as a pet. Every single day since bringing it back home after it was weaned, it would sleep on her bed, curling by her stomach.

***

There weren’t supposed to be dangerous things in the forest. Having taken the road for many times now, Annabeth knew that. But the high pitched whines alerted her knights and in no time, everyone was in their stances, swords were drawn, ready to fight. They wanted to usher the little miss in the carriage but after a time and hearing the whines turn into whistling, she couldn't help but think that this was at most, the sound of a hurt animal. Thus, sir Mills went to check while sir Vals came closer to better protect her. After a short while, Annabeth was proven right for, effectively, Kalen who went to look for the sound's origin, came back with a tuff of black and green fur.  Though the knight seemed to have cleaned it before bringing it to her view, Annabeth could still see specks of red, reminiscent of blood. And more so, she could recognize its smell.

"A karva" sighed Kalen Mills. "Its mother is already dead."

"Give it to me," said Annabeth and the knight bowed but shook his head.

"It's not an innocent animal miss but a dangerous one."

"Which shouldn't be in these regions at all," butted Iris. "Aren't those found in the pasture of Rozengal? What is it doing here?"

The incident had been reported to the Duke and for a time, Annabeth was prohibited from going out. It became something dangerous. However, the little animal that the knights had given to the Duke was now given to Annabeth but she was told that should she failed to domesticate it, at the first sign of danger, the animal would be killed. Really ruthless.

Holding the small thing that was whining softly in her arms while licking her fingers, Annabeth believed that so long as she tried her best, it would certainly behave.

That little animal had a black fur with deep green spots here and there. Its eyes were a deeper green with dark swirling inside. Its fur was delicate and soft to touch, even softer than that of her little dog, Ylis. As she stroke it, it purred softly, really like a feline. She named it Yza.

Previous | Table Of Contents | Next