43 Chapter 43. Andrew and Beatrice

"Don't hold it too tight. Relax and concentrate." Andrew spoke out while showing Aeinshia how to hold the handle correctly. She was just getting the hang of it. She had her own little technique on how to swirl the sword, but she wasn't going to tell anyone about that. It was her own little discovery in a new skill. She silently giggled at her thoughts, so that her father doesn't get suspicious. She didnt wanted him to think she was crazy or something, seeing his daughter giggling over something non existent and that too twice.

Andrew positioned himself in front of her and started talking about the basics of the skill. He taught her how and when and where to apply pressures in the wrists to make a smooth move. The body positions also played an important role in it and the exact strengths at required positions in body is required. After getting a minimum knowledge on how things work. They were now set to practice.

The first swing was from Aeinshia, of course, seeing that she was a learner. She continued to attack for now, and Andrew kept correcting her whenever she was wrong. After some time, when he deemed it was right time for her to learn defense, he started attacking her. Aeinshia had her full concentration on Andrew's moves. Thinking and predicting where he would attack and how she could defend herself the best.

After a long time of attacking and defense, the father and daughter duo were now exhausted and the decided it was time to rest. Aeinshia plopped down on the plank which was kept for seating and maybe sleeping, throwing her head back to ease the tension in her neck muscles. She started to move her neck in slow rotating motions along with her shoulders. She released a sigh doing this, it felt like heaven, when the muscles started to relax the wind adding a cool effect on her sweat slicked skin.

Andrew bought her some water and she chugged all of it down in one sip. He chuckled slightly at her daughters antics. She was just her mother. The features and the personality, even some habits, everything. Andrew loved Aeinshia and Felix's mother a lot. He saw Beatrice when he was 15 years old, at a ball, which was a big deal at that time in the Palace. It was the announcement of the new Emperor, that is, Alexander was being announced as next Emperor of Seazle. So, of course, his little sister, who was the hidden beauty of the empire was there.

The then Emperor, was protective of his daughter and no one in the empire saw their princess, expect during her christening, when she was literally six months. The royal ball was a bug deal because they were going to see the heirs of the Emperor. Alexander returned from his training and learning and everyone were excited and curious to see how beautiful and handsome will the princess and prince would be. He would never admit to this day, that he was also excited to see the princess of Seazle, Beatrice. He heard from the gossipy maids in the Palace, that the princess was absolutely beautiful and cared for people around her.

Andrew dressed up nicely, as he was going to be introduced to the Emperor as the general's son. When he met Alexander, they clicked well. They talked about everything and anything. Alexander even told him, that he was glad at least one of the officials in the court would be someone, who had common sense. That made him laugh out loud, but it was caught up in his throat, when he saw a beautiful girl, behind Alexander. She was so beautiful that he almost cried in front of her. And thats how he met his wife and mother of his two children, Beatrice Seazle, the unseen princess of the empire and lovely sister of the future Emperor.

Tears welled up in his eyes when he reminisced their first meeting and he quickly looked away. Every moment he spent with the love of his life, was precious and he would preserve that until he will meet his Beatrice in afterlife. He looked up at the bright blue sky. It was the same color as Beatrice's eyes. He smiled a bit at the thought of his late wife. "Thinking about mother?" Aeinshia's soft voice cut through the air. Andrew snapped his had towards Aeinshia and saw she was smiling up at him. "How did all this happen?" he couldn't help but think like that. His relationship with Aeinshia was not like any other father and daughter.

He may sound like crazy, but when he got the news of Beatrice passing away while birthing Aeinshia, somehow at first that popped in his heart was hate for her. He knew it was wrong and felt awful and pathetic, that he harboured such I'll feelings towards his daughter. But, unconsciously, he started interacting with her only a little. Alexander loved her a lot, saying she was just like Beatrice. When he first saw his daughter's ocean bright blue eyes, he felt like crying. They were similar.

As time passed, Aeinshia only drifted apart from him. He was glad that Alexander was able to give the much needed love she deserved. And he remained in the shadows, not able to approach her and only can watch her grow into a beautiful girl. He longed to be with his daughter, but had no courage in approaching after years of pushing her away.

He became afraid that he may not be able to warm up to her at all. Or by the time, they both built their bond, she might be taken away from him because of her marriage. But, his fears eventually dissipated when Aeinshia approached him that day. Sure, he was shocked to almost when out of blue Aeinshia came and hugged him. His heart broke when he heard loud and desperate sobs ripping out her throat while holding him. He didn't know what happened, nor he was going to question what happened, he was happy, very happy, that finally his daughter warmed up to him. It maybe late, but still they had a chance to build their relationship and he sure was going to make every effort to protect and love his daughter to full extent.

....

Somewhere in the dark forest:

The woman started pacing the area in front of her cottage. Her long thick black locks were flowing behind her, both because of the intensity with which she was walking and the wind accompanying to it. Everyone around her were practically, frozen. She might be a woman and appeared calm, but everyone knew what this woman was capable of doing. Her calmness now, was indication of incoming trouble. It was either for them or for them.

After what seemed like eternity for them, the woman stopped walking and faced the small crowd in front of her. There were some guards of her own and her own council of people. They consisted of strong men and intelligent women. She slowly smirked seeing them and the crowd in front had alarms going off in their heads.

"Let them do their thing and we will be doing our own thing."