Part 6

"Did I do something wrong?" Alina asked after Lucien had carried her out of the throne hall.

"No, no," Lucien assured. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"I let papa down."

"No, you didn't. I am sure your father is very proud of you."

She didn't reply, she just leaned her head on Lucien's shoulder. He didn't have much experience about children and he really wasn't sure what to do.

"Are you hungry, little lady?" he asked.

"Uh huh," she murmured.

"Alright, how about we go to the kitchen and find you something to eat. How does that sound?"

"Good." She paused and lifted her head. "Down, please."

He smiled and placed her on the floor. She looked around curiously.

"Everything is so big here," she said.

"Yes, that's true."

She looked at the long hallway before turning her eyes on Lucien.

"I can run very fast," she said proudly. "Would you like to see?"

He hesitated, noble girls weren't supposed to run. They were supposed to walk gracefully and… She was already running.

"Wait!" Lucien pleaded and went after her. "Please be careful, little lady!"

She giggled and turned to look at him while she ran.

"You can't catch me…"

Suddenly she bumped into someone who was coming from behind the corner. The force of the impact made her fall on her back. Lucien gasped, afraid that she had hurt herself. Things got even worse when he saw who she had bumped into. The Lord Tristan. Oh no… The Count's son stared at Alina who got into a sitting position and smiled at him.

"I am sorry, your lord," she said. "I was showing Lucien how fast I can run."

Lord Tristan glanced at Lucien who bowed quickly.

"My lord. May I present Lady Alina de Guise?"

"Hello," Alina said, she was still smiling.

"My lady," Tristan stated and held out his hand. Alina took it, letting him help her up.

"Thank you," she said and bowed.

"You are welcome. Did you hurt yourself?"

"No, no, I have fallen down before," she replied. "One time I climbed a tree and fell down, papa was angry at me. He said that I could have really hurt myself, but Uncle Kol said that I was like a little squirrel. I like squirrels, they are cute. Do you like them?"

Tristan seemed somewhat uncomfortable, as far as Lucien knew; he didn't have much experience about children either.

"Not particularly," he stated and looked at Lucien. "Is she Count de Guise's daughter?"

"His granddaughter, my lord," Lucien replied.

"Hmm. I was not aware that he has children."

"He has four sons and a daughter, my lord. They just arrived."

"I was in the carriage," Alina announced proudly. "Have you ever been in the carriage, my grace?"

"Yes, I have," Tristan replied.

Thankfully he ignored the wrong title; Lucien didn't dare to correct her in front of Tristan.

"I saw you have a lot of horses here," she continued. "Could I go and pet them?"

"I am sure your nursemaid can take you," Tristan replied.

"What is a nursem…"

"She doesn't have a nursemaid at the moment, my lord," Lucien cut in. "I… His Grace told me to look after her until her father finds her a nursemaid."

Clearly the matter didn't really interest Tristan, but thankfully he wasn't rude to Alina. Surprisingly she didn't seem in any way intimidated by Tristan.

"Would you like to try to catch me?" she asked. "I can run really fast."

Tristan raised an eyebrow, she certainly didn't sound like a noble girl.

"What would your father say if he would see you running?"

Alina looked thoughtful.

"Well… I think he would catch me and be the bear."

"Excuse me?"

"He always does that when he catches me," Alina explained smiling. "I can show you."

Tristan's eyes widened when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist and let out a growl.

"Now I will eat you!"

"My lady," Lucien said quickly. "Perhaps we should go…"

"Tristan?" a female voice suddenly said. The Lady Aurora. She stared at her brother and Alina whose arms were still wrapped around Tristan's waist.

"Sister."

"What… Who is this little one?"

"Alina. What is your name?"

Aurora smiled.

"I am Aurora de Martel. It is nice to meet you, Alina."

"You too. You have a pretty name."

"Thank you, so do you." Aurora paused and cleared her throat as she looked at Tristan. "So… What are you doing to my brother?"

"I will eat him," Alina replied. "I am a bear."

"Really? Well, I must say that you are a very cute bear."

"And scary," Alina said determinedly.

"Yes, absolutely."

Aurora paused again and looked at Lucien.

"My lady," he murmured and bowed.

"Where did this little sweetheart come from?" she asked.

"She is Count de Guise's granddaughter," Tristan replied and took a step back.

"Oh. Are you taking care of her, Lucien?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Where are you taking her?"

"I… She is hungry, so I thought I will take her to the kitchen…"

"Oh no, no, no," Aurora cut in. "Tristan and I are on our way to the dining room, she can join us."

Lucien swallowed, trying desperately to find a reason to decline. He hadn't had time to teach her any kind of table manners.

"Would you like to come with us, little one?" Aurora asked.

"I guess so, if Lucien can come too."

"Aurora…" Tristan protested.

"Brother, please, just look at her. She is adorable, just like a little doll."

"No, I am not," Alina protested. "I am a big girl."

"Yes, of course you are," Aurora said smiling and touched her hair. "Come on, let's go."

This wasn't good at all, but unfortunately there was nothing Lucien could do now to stop this. He could only hope that Alina would remember what he had taught her.