It was now Spring.
Faith had died in the cold winter months, leaving Emily motherless. The child was scared, and was now five years old.
She wandered around the castle, a servant following close behind her. She was recognized as the Lady of the castle, even only at her young age.
Morgarath had become more distant from his daughter, though he kept an eye on her. He had been seeing Angelica more increasingly while she had been sent to the medical more than once for what she'd told Emily was a "check up", but for what she wouldn't say.
Emily had been moved to her own quarters, and had found a mother figure in Angelica. She paused by the door to her father's office. She heard voices coming from inside.
"You need to start teaching her her manners." A male voice said. "If you want her to become your heir, the next princess...she needs to know how to act." The voice she recognized as Thomas, one of her father's advisors.
"Her mother was in charge of her studies. Losing her cost me," Morgarath responded. "I'll have one of the other servants start teaching her, I'm busy."
"Forgive me," Thomas replied, "I think it would be better if she learned from you, my Lord."
"Excuse me?" Morgarath said, his voice deepening.
"She...She has told me that she misses you my Lord."
Emily's eyes widened, and she back away from the door, tripping over herself and falling.
Morgarath looked toward the door at the sound and walked over, opening it. His eyes hardened upon seeing the girl on the floor. "Emily," he said.
Emily whimpered in fear and looked up at her father. "Papa?" She said, quietly.
"I thought you were with Angelica. Why are you here?" he asked, his voice sharp.
She pointed to the male servant. "Angel went to a check up."
That seemed to change his mood. "Oh, does she seem sick to you?" he asked, seeming curious at what his daughter thought.
Emily nodded. "Angel looks sick," She replied. She looked away, standing. She walked to her father, standing behind him, and looking at the servant as if she was scared of him.
"Come, on, Emily. Your father has to work." The servant said.
"Run along, Emily, I will speak to you later," he said, turning his back to her.
Emily shook her head. "He'll hurt me if I go with him..."
"What do you mean?" he asked, looking down at her.
"He hits me," Emily said quietly, so that the servant couldn't hear.
He glanced at the servant and raised an eyebrow at him. "Did you hit Emily?" He asked.
The servant shook his head, glaring at Emily. "I never would, MiLord."
"He did...it hurt." Emily said.
Morgarath narrowed his eyes. "Get out," he said to the servant, his voice low.
The servant looked at Morgarath, went pale, and left. Emily looked up at her father, nervously.
He sighed and shook his head. "I'll get another servant up here, wait until they come for you," he said, ringing a bell. He'd have to dispose of the servant soon.
"My Lord, forgive me," Thomas said, stepping out of the room, "I think that this might be a good opportunity for you to start teaching her."
Emily looked up at him, confused.
He sighed. "I'm too busy to teach you. Angelica and one of the others will teach you," he said.
Emily nodded, bowing like she'd been taught to. "Yes, Papa."
He rang the bell again, shortly after which another servant came up.
Emily looked at the servant, and walked over to her. "Can we go to Angel?" She asked her.
The servant lead her out of the room. "When she's back from her check up," the servant said gently.
"I'm hungry..." Emily said, glancing back at her father's office.
"We'll go to the kitchen and get you something to eat, alright?" She said.
Angelica then came toward them and smiled. "Hello, Emily," she said.
"Angel!" Emily said, running up to Angelica and hugging her. "Can we go have something to eat?"
Angelica smiled and hugged her back. "I need to speak with your father, then we can go," she said. She gently pried the girl off her and walked into his study.
Emily watched Angelica leave, wondering what the woman could have to tell her father.
After a few minutes, she exited and walked over to Emily. "Let's go get you something to eat," she said, leading her to the kitchen.
"What were you talking to Papa about?" Emily asked, curious.
"It's nothing important yet, child," Angelica said gently.
Frostbite: Hey everyone! Sorry for it being so long since we last posted. We've actually had the story completed for a while now, but both of us have been so busy with college and adulting that I (being the one who posts most the chapters) haven't even gotten around to updating this story.
As always, please review, favorite, and/or follow.
