Six months apart (5)

After sinking in my Archduke's warmth, I fall asleep and don't move for hours. Although I'm alone when I wake up.

Alexander shouldn't be far. I can try knocking at the Lord's office. Or ask a maid if I don't find him there.

The mirror of my dressing table has some stains, probably due to my husband shaving. The rest of the equipment is on the table. There are also a few bowls of water, now cold.

He freshened up before getting out. Which means, he was getting ready to meet with his daughter. Should I follow my instincts and check Lavinia's quarters first?

Oh, the office is closer.

I look for a lighter coloured gown. I don't want to appear stern right now. So, my usual dark dresses stay in the wardrobe.

I choose a light yellow one. Alexander likes these colours on me.

Somehow, I feel like it's better to appease him a little. This instinct of mine didn't kick in too often till now, though. I might be over-reacting.

When I open the door to the Lord's chambers, I find a cute familiar scene in the waiting room. Alexander is sitting on the couch, nodding at our daughter's words.

Lavinia is right next to him, sitting straight and with her dress flawlessly in place. Her head is tilted to help her daddy tie the ribbon on one of her ponytails. The other one is already perfect.

«Vinnie understands why daddy had to go play with mother before visiting me,» she says with her calm voice. «I wouldn't dare to offend mother either.»

«It's your daddy's duty,» he confirms. «No one else dares to come too close to your mother, right?»

«Right!» Lavinia exclaims, looking at Alexander as if he was a hero.

Oh, he is a hero. Our daughter's admiration has many reasons to be. It's just a pity she considers playing with me more dangerous than fighting in wars and dealing with the court.

«Like the painter... Have you met the painter by any chance?»

«Yes! The fun man made a pour-trait of Vinnie. Mother said I needed to stay still for hours, but the fun man didn't dispute when I moved. He winked and continued painting.»

«Is he fun?»

«Not as fun as my daddy.»

«How much time does he spend with your mother?»

«They talk every day!» she shouts. «And mother is always in a good mood after. The fun man makes Vinnie's life easier.»

Oh, awesome.

«She's in a good mood...» Alexander replies, menacing.

Vinnie doesn't seem to notice the dark aura around her daddy. She continues talking about how the fun man, the artist, would spend so much time with me that I'd be so kind to everyone after.

It's not true, by the way. I am always gentle with people.

I'm sure Lavinia is the only one thinking I'm a tyrant. And I'm just a little stern. It's all for her to grow up like a perfect young lady, by the way.

But why does she have the impression the f... I mean, the artist helped improve my mood? It can't be because we spent a lot of time commenting on Alexander's paintings, can it?

I felt so proud when the artist praised my hubby with so much expertise. I don't even understand all the words he uses, but his were clearly praises.

I wanted to let them meet and discuss art more in-depth than a laic like me ever will be able to. Yet, it doesn't sound like a good idea anymore.

I clear my throat, and the two turn to me.

Lavinia opens her mouth in surprise while Alexander avoids my direct gaze for some reason. They were so lost in their conversation that they didn't notice me coming in and standing in silence for a while.

They didn't see each other for months, by the way. I was expecting something more extreme for their reunion.

I walk to the couch and sit next to Alexander. Not too close, since we already greeted each other earlier. I just want to be able to see him, for now.

«What were you talking about with so much secrecy?» I inquire, pretending not to have heard anything.

«We were discussing the happenings of the last months,» Alexander explains.

Lavinia nods convinced. As if she would ever deny anything Alexander says.

Then, she tilts her head and thinks for a while. Her ponytails dance with her head's movement, her curls cutely nestled in each other.

She stands up, walking around Alexander's legs. Then, she climbs up in between my husband and me.

Alexander helps her up, and she sits as proudly as she can. A silent grin on her lips, so similar to Alexander's, makes me wonder: is she planning something, or is she done with her deeds?

This little jealous ball sat in between us to have her daddy all to herself. She stretches her hand out and grabs Alexander's fingers. She grips two and chuckles happily.

Then, just when I think her show is over, she does the same with me. She holds my hand and giggles to herself, making her feet twirl in the air. I let her hold my hand, as she doesn't ask for contact that often.

After all, she finally has both her parents close after a long, long time.

I'm relieved she didn't forget her father, for she was just a little girl when he left. Children tend to forget, after all.

«Have you listed all of my wrongdoings to your father already?» I inquire, trying to sound the least prying I can.

Lavinia's red cheeks are more than enough for an answer.

Yet, what can I do? She started telling me off on a regular basis soon after she understood that Alexander does have the power to scold me. He even did say something to defend our daughter, once or twice.

But then, after talking it out, we agreed not to argue about our children's education in front of them. We'll discuss it in private and keep the path we decide to choose.

I want them to have a perfect marriage as an example for when they grow up.

I wouldn't like our daughters to become servants in the houses where they'll marry, nor for our sons to overlook their brides.

Oh, but Alexander is more than a perfect example regarding that. If anything, our daughter will have trouble finding someone that can match the image of her daddy.

«I informed daddy about the pour-trait,» she says. She stopped referring to herself as Vinnie the moment she noticed me, this little trickster.

She can talk perfectly already because I used to correct her wordings until she learned. Yet, when she said pour-trait for the first time, I found it so cute that I couldn't say anything. I was swayed away by my maternal feelings, and I couldn't find the perfect time to explain to Lavinia how to pronounce portrait. She also likes that word so much...

In the end, I decided to forget about the matter.

She might learn by herself while growing up. And it wouldn't be such an issue even if she didn't. How often will she use that word in her life?