SETTING: In the palace gardens. Araceli is a young princess at the age of 13. Aza is 17.
CHARACTERS: Aza, Araceli, Ettor.
"Hey Aza? Do you think I'll grow up to be a good queen?"
This startles me out of my half conscious state of mind. Quickly looking at her.
"Of course you will. In fact, you'll be the best queen ever. And I'll be by your side the entire time."
This makes her give me a bright smile. Her eyes crinkling at the ends like they do when she's actually happy. It makes me smile too.
"Who says I'll let you?"
She breaks out into a symphony of giggles. Falling backwards into the field of flowers.
"My Lady! That's meeeeaaaannnn."
My hand thumbs across the hilt of my sword. The feeling of it bringing me some comfort. As I laugh at her statement.
"Oh. But is there any room for a grand advisor in this future of yours?"
The sudden appearance of a new person nearly made me jump out of my skin. My hand gripping my sword tightly out of instinct.
"Ettor!!!!"
She was standing up before I could fully comprehend it. Her tiny frame tackling into his much larger one. All but disappearing into his billowing robes.
"Old man."
The name left my lips before I could bite my tounge. Causing him to pout at me in a childish manner.
"I'm not old!"
"Yes you are."
It was both of us who spoke at the same time. A smirk donning my lips at her agreement.
"You two are mean."
His pout deepens as he removes his arms from around her in order to cross them. Her own body resurfacing as she removes herself to sit on the ground once again.
"No we're not. Aza and I are absolute angels!"
"Yeah!"
I agreed with a sharp nod of my head. My eyes staring him down. Which causes him to sigh.
"If you two say so. Although for some reason I doubt that."
He gives a very pointed look to Araceli. Who quickly giggles before averting her attention to the flowers around her.
"Anyways. Why are you even here?"
"To gather the two of you of course. It's time for her lessons to begin. And your father wants a word with you."
I couldn't stop the sound of annoyance and disgust from leaving my lips. My eyes rolling.
"Of course he does."
I turn my attention to Araceli. Who was already standing up and extending her gentle hand towards me.
"Don't be like that Aza! Your father is a good man."
"Yeah. Sure."
She frowns at my blatant sarcasm. Her eyes staring past me with a distant appeal.
"He loves you."
"I know I know. He reminds me of this daily."
I stand, gripping her hand to press a kiss to it. And to tug her closer. A habit she enjoys me having. My arm wrapping around hers.
"Come on Ara. Let's go back home."