Chapter 146 - Night

"Our brothers are going to return from the academy. I am not sure when but I think it's within this week or next week," Christian said. Alexandra blinked multiple times before she responded, "Eh? Really?" She asked him. Christian nodded before he said, "Yes. They would usually return during this time."

Alexandra was about to speak when Carlos interrupted her. "Pardon me, young miss, but we have to return to the palace now. Your tutor is going to arrive any time soon," Was what Carlos said and Alexandra turned her head to look at him before she smiled and nodded. She looked back at her brother, "Well, it seems like I need to go. I'll see you tomorrow at the garden, brother," Alexandra said, bidding her goodbye. Christian nodded and smiled back at Alexandra, "Yeah. I'll see you again tomorrow," He said and Alexandra turned around.

Alexandra started walking and before Carlos followed her, he bowed at the young prince first to bid his goodbye.

--

Alexandra arrived first before Ferdinand could in the study room. She would usually be late, making him wait for her to arrive but now she is going to be the one who will wait for him until he arrives. It's not bad since as soon as she arrives, their session would immediately start not giving her a few minutes' breaks. She sat down the chair behind the desk and leaned back on it.

She was excited to learn about magic but too bad, her magic and mana aren't still fully developed so Arthur could only teach her a few things. Arthur actually is completely different from what Sir Friyedor described him, he isn't stingy or unfriendly. He wasn't just used with physical contact and socializing with others. Well, he is very talented and powerful as a kid. I think that is also the first time that he made a friend who is only a few years younger than him.

As Alexandra spends more time with people, her observation skills are getting sharp and better but it isn't as good as Christian. Just like what she thought before, Christian was really good at analyzing and observing people, let's just say he could tell what you are feeling just by a simple and small change of your expression or body movements. But Christian, no matter how much you observe and analyze him, you can't tell what he really feels or what he is thinking. He looked like he was easily read like an open book but he isn't, it was hard to tell what he is thinking.

Alexandra doesn't know what he truly feels like. If he really is okay with everything or not, Alexandra never saw him get sad or frustrated over things. He would just smile and a gentle look would be plastered on his face. He was a mysterious person, a very mysterious person.

As Alexandra was lost in her thoughts, she heard a knock coming from the door which pulled her back to reality, snapping her out of her thoughts. That might be Ferdinand, she thought to herself. And her guess was correct when she heard a voice coming from the outside, "Young miss, Sir Ferdinand has arrived," She heard There's voice coming from the outside. "Come in," She said and as if on cue, the door opened, revealing Ferdinand. He fixed his necktie before coming into the room. Alexandra stood up from her seat and greeted Ferdinand with a smile on her face, "A pleasant afternoon, Ferdinand," Was what she said and slightly bowed her head.

"A pleasant afternoon to you too, young miss," Ferdinand greeted back and bowed too to show respect. And they heard the sound of the door closing. Ferdinand raised his head and started walking towards the chair in front of her as Alexandra sat back down her seat. "Did I make you wait, young miss? If I did, I apologize," Ferdinand said and sat down his seat. "Not really, I just arrived early," Alexandra responded and watched him take out all of his things inside the bag he always carries.

As soon as he took out all of the things that he needs which are papers, reference books, and such, he cleared his throat before he spoke.

"Shall we start?"

--

Their session lasted for a few hours, maybe 2 hours or more. Alexandra was exhausted, she was digesting so much information and knowledge in one day. She badly wants to lay down and sleep in her bed. Alexandra was already on the way her room to take a bath while Diana and Carlos followed behind her, Alexandra yawned while walking up the stairs. Her room was on the last floor and she has to climb up the long stairs just to arrive there.

Diana was going to prepare a hot bath to make her relax. It has been a long time since she had a hot bath after all. After what it seems like half an hour of walking up the stairs, time is slower for her when she is exhausted, she finally arrived in front of the door of her room which was opened by Carlos as always. She entered the room first before Diana, Carlos remained outside and closed the door behind them. Alexandra yawned once again.

"You can sit down on the couch and wait as I prepare the bath for you, young miss," Diana said and smiled at Alexandra. Diana walked towards the direction of the bathroom door and Alexandra walked towards one of the couches to sit. Ten minutes passed by and finally, Diana came out of the bathroom. "Young miss, the bath is ready. You can come in now," She said with a smile on her face. Alexandra nodded and stood up from her seat before she stood up and walked towards the bathroom.

--

"Diana, tell me a story," Alexandra said as Diana tucked her in the bed. Diana smiled at her and she sat down the edge of the bed, she reached out to Alexandra's cheeks and caressed it. Her hand was warm and soft, her touch was gentle and soothing. Alexandra just stared at her, her eyes wide with wonder. "Then let me tell you the story about The Elves and The Shoemaker," Diana said as she caressed Alexandra's cheeks.

-- A shoemaker, by no fault of his own, had become so poor that at last, he had nothing left but leather for one pair of shoes. So in the evening, he cut out the shoes which he wished to begin to make the next morning, and as he had a good conscience, he lay down quietly in his bed, commended himself to God, and fell asleep. In the morning, after he had said his prayers, and was just going to sit down to work, the two shoes stood quite finished on his table. He was astounded and knew not what to say to it. He took the shoes in his hands to observe them closer, and they were so neatly made that there was not one bad stitch in them, just as if they were intended as a masterpiece.

Soon after, a buyer came in, and as the shoes pleased him so well, he paid more for them than was customary, and, with the money, the shoemaker was able to purchase leather for two pairs of shoes. He cut them out at night, and next morning was about to set to work with fresh courage; but he had no need to do so, for, when he got up, they were already made, and buyers also were not wanting, who gave him money enough to buy leather for four pairs of shoes. The following morning, too, he found the four pairs made; and so it went on constantly, what he cut out in the evening was finished by the morning, so that he soon had his honest independence again, and at last, became a wealthy man.

Now it befell that one evening not long before Christmas, when the man had been cutting out, he said to his wife, before going to bed, "What think you if we were to stay up to-night to see who it is that lends us this helping hand?" The woman liked the idea and lighted a candle, and then they hid themselves in a corner of the room, behind some clothes which were hanging up there, and watched. When it was midnight, two pretty little naked men came, sat down by the shoemaker's table, took all the work which was cut out before them and began to stitch, and sew, and hammer so skilfully and so quickly with their little fingers that the shoemaker could not turn away his eyes for astonishment. They did not stop until all was done, and stood finished on the table, and they ran quickly away.

The next morning the woman said, "The little men have made us rich, and we really must show that we are grateful for it. They run about so, and have nothing on, and must be cold. I'll tell thee what I'll do: I will make them little shirts, and coats, and vests, and trousers, and knit both of them a pair of stockings, and do thou, too, make them two little pairs of shoes." The man said, "I shall be very glad to do it;" and one night, when everything was ready, they laid their presents all together on the table instead of the cut-out work, and then concealed themselves to see how the little men would behave.

At midnight they came bounding in and wanted to get to work at once, but as they did not find any leather cut out, but only the pretty little articles of clothing, they were at first astonished, and then they showed intense delight. They dressed themselves with the greatest rapidity, putting the pretty clothes on, and singing,

"Now we are boys so fine to see,

Why should we longer cobblers be?"

Then they danced and skipped and leaped over chairs and benches. At last, they danced out of doors. From that time forth they came no more, but as long as the shoemaker lived all went well with him, and all his undertakings prospered.

And as soon as Diana finished telling the story, Alexandra's eyes were already asleep. Small and low snores escaped her mouth and she was relaxed. Her breathing was regular and it looked like she was having a good dream. Diana couldn't help but smile as she saw the young miss like this. So many things have happened for the past months when she met her father. There are many things that she needs to do every day and she rarely got her free time. Diana was glad that she was already getting along with her brothers, she heard it from Carlos.

But she was still having trouble getting along with her two Elder Brothers, Chandler, and Calixander. Alexandra was probably having a hard time trying to get along with them because of their personalities. Even Diana, when she was a maid back at the palace, was having a hard time dealing with them. Chandler was hard-headed and he never listens to others except for his father and mother (who was already gone) and Calixander. She just wishes Alexandra the best and prayed that everything will be fine for her. She could only stand by beside her, to help her and guide her in her life.

After all, Diana promised to be with the young miss always. Until her last breath.