It was early enough that the dawn lights had not yet come on, and the decorated room barely held any dim lighting. On the bed in its center lay a little girl in a messy pose that changed frequently.
– Hundred…
The echo of a voice came to the room and still sleeping her little ear moved in response.
– … no…
After this distant babble the girl rolled a little and raised her body to her waist without opening her eyes. Her reddish hair was a complete mess, but far from accommodating, she moved as if by instinct and slowly climbed out of bed without any sign of waking up.
One small step at a time, she left the room and turned to her left, where a short distance away was another door. She opened it without knocking and entered a similar but less decorated environment.
– … now…
A much clearer voice came from the bed in its center, where a young man slept between nervous gestures and sporadic murmurs. She continued her direct journey towards him, and in the same vaguely conscious way she reached out to hug him and lie partially beside him.
The random murmurs began to subside, and if those sapphire eyes were ever opened quickly they fell back into a deep sleep.
–
–
Everything around was dark, but these dark were somehow warm and welcoming. Little Quin lay on a white surface in the fetal position, smiling and murmuring from time to time while her hair was cradled by a breeze. It was difficult to accurately describe the place since everything was quickly blurred when observing it.
~ Puchi
– Mmm …
Feeling the contact on her cheek, she opened her eyes slowly turning her head to nothing.
– I do not see you…
Silence.
She regained her relaxed position in the absence of response.
~ Puchi
Pursing her lips in an annoyed grimace, she rolled a little and lifted her body to her waist.
– ………
Silence.
It was late enough that the dawn lights had already passed the midday rays, and this light came through her through the window as she sat on her bed.
Her reddish hair was a complete mess, but far from accommodating, she slowly climbed out of bed as she began to stretch her small body and scrub her eyes.
– Boaaaa …
She slowly scratched her head as she looked out the window, then sat down in front of a mirror and began combing her hair as light tapping reached her ears.
~ Knock Knock Knock
Minutes later she scratched her chin looking at the piece of furniture next to her bed. There rested a portrait in front of which was resting a circular medallion, which hardly fitted in her small hand.
– Shuuu … Shaaaaa …
Taking strange poses from some newly invented martial art, she took the medallion and pointed it at the window. Of course, without any obvious effect. Then she hung it up in front of herself with an unsatisfied face.
It was gold on her forehead and had a large circle embossed within it. At its center the same smaller pattern was repeated, like one eye within the other, and the outer rim was completely occupied by strange scribbles that she could not identify as words.
Its back was completely smooth and white, except for its center where a hexagonal glass-like surface could be seen, completely attached to the point of not being perceptible to the touch.
Despite her efforts since that day, she had received no response, and could even easily be mistaken for a simple pretty trinket.
Finally she hung it inside her clothes. Then with a smile she looked at the book a few inches further.
She feared for the princess when her brother asked her to, after all for some reason he didn’t get along with her teacher. But it was returned to her in no time with a complicated expression that only she would understand.
– Jiji …
Carrying out her daily ritual, she chatted briefly with the woman in the portrait and left the room.
~ Knock Knock Knock
Going down the stairs she could hear more clearly the familiar sound of metal being struck mercilessly by her brother’s hands. She could also see the comfortable sofa that had been uninhabited for several weeks, and with a small pout she crossed the hallway that connected the workshop.
~ Clank
She advanced after pushing the sturdy door and came to a small stool to suit her where she sat a few meters from the exit to the outside.
~ Knock Knock Knock
They did not exchange words, nor did they need to. She looked out as she swung her legs and only the constant hammering decorated the peaceful silence. Several minutes passed in this routine.
– Brother…
– Mmm …
– Do you think Cake will come anyway?
Bran stopped for a moment before answering.
– Of course…
He soon discovered that Lehm sometimes disappeared in the same arbitrary way in which he had come into their lives. However, it had never happened for several weeks before.
– My studies are ready for a new battle for the princess … – raising his fist animatedly.
– ………
Although he hated to admit it, when it came to Quin he really acted as his personal teacher. One that he couldn’t afford, but had practically taken that job without allowing debate.
His skills and knowledge were real enough to spark the interest of a princess. This led to a puzzling question. What the hell was that person doing wandering around and teaching an uncultivated girl?
– Uffffffff … – He sighed, resuming his work.
~ Toc
The minutes passed peacefully between the swing of the feet and the occasional arrival of a potential client. Although Quin had a smile on his face, only Bran could perceive the low spirits that grew with each passing day without “that bastard” coming back.
For her, he was already part of her family. And this was not strange, after all, since that chaotic week … 6 months had passed.
–
–
Over time, Governor Mileo had become accustomed to the occasional kidnapping of his mansion, and that day was another one of those days when the unpredictable princess arrived with her two faithful companions.
In the same entry as before, the princess dismissed her young maid, not without entrusting one of the guards for her safety. And even though she was alone at the time, she really wasn’t and never had been.
Cold and dark were the eyes that observed everything, from such closeness that could have even joined the conversation, and yet that presence there would not be perceived nor the face observed by anyone, not even by “that woman”.
But surely was there, in its shadows from the imperial capital itself. These eyes stayed on the princess and then looked at the young woman walking away. Was there for explanations, and after the strange conversations seemed to be clear about the path had to follow to discover them.
–
–
Airy arrived without fail at the old house, and was snatched away like a whirlpool as soon as she arrived. Before she knew it she was with the siblings on their way to the big central square.
“Brother said he would stop hitting things. It’s a tour day!” It was the explanation that she received with a big smile.
Of course, she was used to keeping up with her already. Although their meeting was fortuitous and their relationship united for strange reasons, the truth was that she had grown fond of these siblings and above all considered Quin as the little sister she always wanted.
It was not the first time that they had gone out together and ate at Quin’s favorite restaurant, with the drawing of a winged beast. The stalls around the large plaza was the next stop. Sweets, a hat and bracelets of too many colors were part of the expenses.
Everything was peaceful and enjoyable, enjoying the good weather and sitting down to rest with a full stomach on the edge of the circular fountain. Bran sat a few meters away giving space to the two women who were chatting while ordering the purchases.
But in this passive vigilance his head rose instinctively, and then he frowned in visible confusion. It was a fleeting gesture before he regained her calm posture, but two dark eyes that had just slowed down in front of him narrowed at the surprising coincidence.
– ………
Dismissing it as impossible, the figure advanced to stand directly in front of the nearby duo. For some reason the princess’s personal maid had orders to maintain good relations with these siblings and a certain Mr. Lehm. A casual act had become extraordinary, because from the first time and without explanation she had returned to that city every month without fail.
– Weee … it’s broken …
– Oh, well … let me see …
And there she was busy with the greatest of trifles, fixing a cheap hat for the little sister of a young blacksmith.
– ………
The gaze fell for a moment on little Quin, and casually she looked up at the sky in his direction. This fortuitous act allowed their eyes to figuratively meet and for a few seconds those black pupils were immersed in her large and deep sapphire eyes.
Perhaps more seconds passed than that presence believed, and only when Quin lowered his head as if realizing something seemed to recover senses.
– ………
– Mmm … let’s see … what will it be …
As Airy grappled with the hat, Quin carefully separated her bracelets.
There was nothing to see there, but that mysterious and elusive figure would definitely discover the secret behind the princess’s behavior.
– Perfect …
A second later saw Quin smilingly holding in her palm a bracelet decorated with three black flowers. Then she raised his head again and their eyes met again with absolute precision, as that small hand reached directly forward.
– Dark lady … this is for you …
